Bible Joe | Public figure
Bible Joe
Phone: 0411177783
Reviews
to load big map
19.01.2022 But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever. Psalm 52:8 In Psalm 52:8, the psalm writer has a revelation. He says he is like an olive tree. An olive tree is tough. It flourishes in hot Mediterranean summers. A good olive tree is also fruitful, producing both fruit and oil that is tasty and just a bit luxurious. The psalm writer says he is like that. He is resilient in the tough dry times, and his life is one t...hat flavours other people’s lives with things that are good for themgood, in the most profound way. Psalm 1:1-3 gives us the reason why such trees are fruitful. It is because they are watered by God’s Holy Spirit. (There’s a big hint here: get your roots deep into God’s word and into his presence). In Psalm 52, the psalmist is almost gleeful. He realises the benefits of wrapping himself in God’s principles and wisdom. They keep him safe and make him fruitfullike an olive tree...as they will for you. Prayer: Dear Father, I find myself in a world that is fragile and wounded. Please make me resilient, like an olive tree, so that I might show your grace and truth and give people hope. See more
13.01.2022 He says, Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10 Be still and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10). It took me a while to understand the significance of this verse. It is an invitation. God is holding out his hand, inviting us to be still before him for a while. God then gives us the reason for being still. It is this: that you might know that he is God. This introduces a profound truth. Stillness before... God precedes knowledge of God. Could it be that many of those who do not know God, are those who have not sought him in stillness? Being still before God can mean the difference between knowing about God, and truly knowing God. I wonder what knowing will you experience when you still your heart before God? Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, I’m not very good at being still. Being busy gives me the illusion that I am worthy. But I now realise that I am only worthy because you have deemed it so and that you, by your grace, invite me to sit with you and know you. See more
09.01.2022 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, Psalm 23:1-2 He (God) leads me beside still waters (Psalm 23:2). It’s extraordinary isn’t it? It is not just that we are encouraged to seek God’s company in the still places, God leads us to such places in order to commune with us and nourish us. The Holy Spirit, whom God places within us, tugs at our heart, saying: ‘come away with me’ to a place of intimacy, a pl...ace of knowing God (Song of Songs 2:10; Mark 6:31). The Holy Spirit’s tug on our hearts is gentle, a whisper. It is easily missed by those too busy and preoccupied to listen. When God agreed to show himself to Elijah, there was a mighty storm, but God was not in the storm. Then there was a terrifying earthquake, but God was not in the earthquake. Nor was God in the fierce firestorm that followed. Finally, there was a still small voiceand there was the presence of God in the still place (1 Kings 19:11-13). I invite you to meet him there. Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, I want so much for you to be my shepherd, for I am weak, frightened and lost. Please lead me to the ‘still waters’, to the safe place where I can sit with you. See more
06.01.2022 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Phil. 2:10-11 Little children proudly show the poo in their potty to their parents and say: ‘Look what I did.’ Nothing much changes when we grow up. We still say (at least to ourselves), ‘look what I did.’ We validate ourselves and seek to establish our significance by what we do and achievesomet...imes to the point of addiction. But then something like cancer comes and, in its wake, long periods of inactivity because the body is too weary to do anything. And my addicted self-cries out, ‘I must do something.’ At that moment, I experience in a tiny way, something of what persecuted Christians feel when they are imprisoned for their faithenduring enforced inactivity. Then God, in his grace, whispers a truth to my heart. ‘Give these times of isolation and inactivity to me as an offering and meet with me in them. So now I seek to do so. Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, It is only those things done for you that are worth anything. Sometimes I can only offer my weakness and my suffering. Accept them Lord, I pray. See more
01.01.2022 It is written: ‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.’ Romans 14:11 Worshiping God is a matter of truth. It is simply stating what is true. Our heavenly Father is gloriously holy, righteous, true and loving. If a person does not acknowledge these truths, they must necessarily embrace either ignorance or lies. So, may I say again: worship is a matter of truth. This reality hit me when I read Romans 14:11 (and... Philippians 2:10-11). Both passages speak of a time when everyone (even the cruel, the selfish and those seeking autonomy from God) will bow before God and acknowledge the truth that is before their eyesthe reality and glory of God. The important thing is to acknowledge the truth now, for by doing so you can begin to live a little of the Kingdom of God nowand that’s wonderful. Missing out on intimacy with God, both now and in eternity, is a reality too terrible to contemplate. Prayer: Dear Father, in worshiping you, I am simply stating what is true. You are wonderful. Thank you for making me your child. In Jesus name. Amen. See more
