A scripture to reflect on

Written by Elizabeth Etta:

This past week, I have been reflecting on the words of scripture

Luke 4:18-21

“The spirit of the lord has been given to me

for he has anointed me

He has sent me to bring good news to the poor

TO proclaim liberty to captives

And to the blind new sight

to set the downtrodden free

and to proclaim the Lord’s year of favour

He then rolled up the scroll gave it back to the assistant and sat down. And to all eyes in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to speak to them. This text is being filled today even as you listen…

 Acts 1:8

You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you and you will be my witnesses

Jesus was filled with the power of the holy spirit when he made this bold proclamation about his purpose before all the people in the synagogue. In order to realise what God’s purpose for our life is, we need the holy spirit. In Acts 1:8 the Holy Spirit was promised and then given and today like Christ, we now have received the power of the holy spirit to be his witnesses.

Our mission as spirit filled christian is to reveal God to others.

How we may ask? It can start by telling them about the good news. We are not to shy away from telling others about the saving power of Jesus Christ. Are there people in your life that you know will benefit from knowing Christ? Why not get to know them more and share the amazing knowledge that you have of the gospel with them.

We have the power to heal others through our words and by our actions. This could include outreach programs, alms giving, pastoral work etc.

The bible says that God’s word are spirit and life. When I read the words, “the text is being fulfilled today as you listen”.

It made me realise that the will of God for us is to have an abundant life here. A great life is possible as long as we trust in God’s words for us his children. When we trust God, even when things are not going as we or others think they should. We still have the confidence in knowing that our father will work to perfect us and bring every situation for the greater good of us and others.

The words of scripture that stood out to me was “to proclaim the Lord’s year of favour.

In that statement, I see God’s promises of abundant kindness and grace for me this year. I boldly claim these year as a year of favour. His ability to help me fulfil the desires that he has put in my heart. One of the difficulties of trying to live according to God’s will is that you face opposition, disbelief, your own inner fears and doubt.

Despite the challenges, I feel I am beginning to identify more with Christ. As much as I would want to refuse any responsibility for my own personal reasons, I am reminded that God will grant me the graces I need. God’s year of favour is my opportunity to take on the challenges in order to grow in spirit and draw closer to him. I see it as God’s way of reaching out to others, through me if only I accept my cross and follow him so that in the end he is glorified.

The question, I put out to you now is; What context does the scripture apply to you today? How is it being fulfilled in your life; Are you letting God work through you?

Prayer

Lord we have received your Holy Spirit through our baptism, through declaration of our faith and through the hearing of your word. Help us to activate those gifts that we have received, in order that it may lead to the salvation of our souls and those of others for that is your will.

Amen

What is My Time?

by Elizabeth Etta

What is my time?

“There is a time for everything,

    and a season for every activity under the heavens:

a time to be born and a time to die,

    a time to plant and a time to uproot,

a time to kill and a time to heal,

    a time to tear down and a time to build,

a time to weep and a time to laugh,

    a time to mourn and a time to dance,

a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

    a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,

a time to search and a time to give up,

    a time to keep and a time to throw away,

a time to tear and a time to mend,

    a time to be silent and a time to speak,

a time to love and a time to hate,

    a time for war and a time for peace…

He has made everything beautiful in its time”.

ECCLESIASTES 3: 1-11

I came upon this scripture verse in my bible reflection time a week ago and went about trying  to understand why God led me to this verse and what He was trying to say in my life?

Life as we know it is always in season. There are times when we are happy, sad, fearful, conflicted, angry and other varying emotions depending on the circumstances we find ourselves in. If a situation is often difficult or unexpected, we find ourselves wondering where God is in those moments.

Ecclesiastes mentions a season. God allows seasons in our lives to achieve a greater purpose than we can imagine. This chapter draws me to examine the current seasons of my life and how I choose to respond to the experiences in it.

The time of waiting

In the time of waiting it teaches patience. As I experience longing and loneliness, this waiting season encourages me to seek a deeper intimacy with Christ, the One who is the lover of my soul. I also have a greater opportunity to fellowship with others and dedicate my time to doing what God has called me to do. So in my season of waiting, Lord, let it bring glory to You.

The time to build

God has put plans in my heart through the talent He has blessed me with to use to build His kingdom on earth. Lord, let me take on the challenge to build Your kingdom as You see fit.

A time to embrace

This season sees doors opening for me, and I am called to embrace the opportunities that God presents in front of me.

A time to laugh and dance

The past year till now, there has been a lot to celebrate. Nothing significant has happened to cause me grief. I feel like I am living in a state of grace where there are more things to laugh about. I have a great family and friends. In fact, I am thinking of doing more dancing this year.

A time to speak

It’s my time to speak. I’ve had my season of silence, but this year I feel that I am called to use my voice for a greater calling. To speak truth in the lives of others. To speak truth in the lives of my family and members of my church.

A time to Love

I am called to a greater love. One that is self-giving like Christ. To love even when I feel unappreciated. To love even when I feel unloved. In this time to love, I find that the areas in which God pointed out I needed to exercise love is by being;

  Less critical of others

  Not compromising in confusing lust with love

  Less selfish or taking those who love me for granted in the way I treat them or make them feel.

It’s sometimes difficult to see the bigger picture when you find yourself in an unexpected season. Perhaps your season looks a lot different to mine. Ecclesiastes reminds us that God is aware of the seasons we are in. We are placed in those seasons for a reason to discover our purpose, to live a richer life. In all seasons of your life, let God in. It is the only way to experience beauty in your season. It takes the difficult seasons in life to fully appreciate the beauty of a “fruitful season.” Whatever season you are in, be it good or bad remember that God is in control. He has made and will make everything beautiful in His time.

New Year Reflection

by Elizabeth Etta

 

 

As the new year's celebrations came to an end, I made the conscious choice to embrace 2016, with a new enthusiasm and determination that was somewhat lacking in the later half of 2015.

While I looked back on 2015, I felt my walk with God wavered greatly. Despite that, I could still reflect on the many ways in which God sustained and blessed me of which I am immensely grateful.
 

I had a lot of challenges in 2015 but there were also positives to take from. One of the things I was grateful for  in the past year was the fact that I was extremely healthy. I also accomplished certain things that I did not think I could. I gained a lot of self confidence that I felt had eroded in previous years due to certain circumstances.
 

It’s the start of the new year, and often times it is when we begin to make resolutions that would carry us through the entire year. I unfortunately never stick to mine and it often leaves me discouraged and disillusioned.
 

However I want to be able to look back on 2016 and feel the most accomplished I have ever been. The only way that it would be possible to feel that way, is in knowing that I am carrying out the will of the Father for my life. I need to gain clarity and perspective on the journey ahead. In order for that to be possible, I am starting afresh with God. I am not going to do the “new years resolution” that I have done in the past because I have had 100% failure throughout.
 

How I want this year to be different is that when I say, "I put my trust in God", I want to mean it in every possible way. I want every action and decision to reflect that. I want to do it all by his grace and mercy. I want to rely on God as my source of strength and not my own supposed ability. Every time I fail which I know would be a lot of times, I will choose not to dwell on the supposed failure, because I am more than my failures. I would choose to dwell on my strength instead of my weakness. My freedom rather than my guilt.
 

One of my favourite quotes that I will rely on for this year is Mt 6:33 which says “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added onto you”.
 

This to me sounds like a promise from God, to bless those who truly seek to bring his kingdom on earth. It is my great desire this year to make full use of the gifts that God has given me and see them come to fruition.
 

One of the many goals that I want to set for myself which I will hope to be kept accountable for are as follows:

1. To put in more time for prayer and scripture study daily.
2. To spend more time doing things beneficial to my health and well being such as exercising more often, better eating habits.
3. To blog regularly, this means once a week to be able to share some of the insights God has given me.
4. To volunteer at least once a month.
5. To use my talents in the arts

I have no clue what 2016 holds for me, but I know that every goal is possible through God’s grace that is sufficient for me.

Until the next blog stay tuned~~