Celebrates Twenty Years of equipping and supporting faith communities!

A message for the week starting on Sunday 14th May 2023

Lectionary Week: Sixth Sunday of Easter

Prescribed Texts: Acts 17:22-31, Psalm 66:8-20, 1 Peter 3:13-22, John 14:15-21

Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit

Focus text:  John 14:15-21

Having read this scripture several times, it really was a battle and a huge challenge to try and highlight and describe what is happening out there daily. After several attempts of re-reading the passage and looking at various Bible versions, I eventually found what I needed to share.

We very seldom look at things in the context of the ‘unique authority’ of Jesus. Our human nature leads us to think of people in authority like in government, supervisors/managers, etc. In these challenging times of today, can we still say that it is because of true love manifesting itself within that we are obedient to people in charge? Willing obedience seems to have gotten lost. There are so many worldly things captivating our hearts and our minds. We have become a disobedient society.

It is time that we take a step back and allow the strong connection between love and obedience to manifest itself within us. Regardless as to who we are, we need to be willing to be conformed to what Jesus did in His ministry. We all need to fulfil these daily tasks that are required of us as a society. Whether it be caring, praying, giving of yourself and your time, financial support, physical support or education, we have not reached our maximum capacity of being doers.

Jesus knows that we need help and He requires us to walk alongside each other. It is HIS authority that we should be obedient to. It is HIS authority that we should be seeking assistance from. It is through HIS authority that we are going to find our direction, guidance and wisdom.

A solution is not going to find itself, together we are the solution. Obedience requires a change from within all of us. We need to become involved in action or activities that allow us to make improvements and changes within our own lives first, then contribute to society.

As Christians, we need to restart and get ourselves back into the practice of basic teaching. It needs to start within our homes. Don’t wait for somebody else to teach your child or children or grandchildren. Step up and allow the Holy Spirit in: whether it be teaching, praying, guiding, sharing, loving, coaching, mentoring – use what God has given you to manifest itself in willing obedience – it is neither about status nor money, but rather about finding that connection between love and obedience.

The revelation of the Father is channelled through Christ’s love for us.

To think about:

Are you ready to be involved in such a special and deep way, so that when people look at you, they see Christ’s true love that manifests obedience? There are many people out there who need our help and if each one of us could assist even one person, we have made a world of a difference already.

Written by: Beverley Hendricks, trained Churches Channels of Hope (CCoH) facilitator