"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31)
Last Sunday, St John's congregation marked our annual "Holyween" celebration. Holyween is a Christian alternative to the Halloween celebrations on 31 October.
The purpose is for the day to serve as an alternative to traditional Halloween, focusing on faith, saints and light rather than fear and darkness: a better reflection of Christ and His love. The children marked the occasion by dressing up as their favourite saints, which gave a valuable opportunity for God's people to be recognised and talked about in our homes and within our church community.
Congratulations to the family who took out the prize for best dressed family: two kids and an ark in tow is no small feat.
Praying on Sunday
Fr Anthony
This week at St John's
Wed
Early Liturgy, 5 to 7am
Thu
Fortnightly Thursday Liturgy, 8:30am (next one 13 November), followed by the Mums Who Pray fellowship meeting Bible Study, 6:30 to 7:30pm Kids Karate (ages 7+), 6:30 to 7:30pm English Classes, 6:30 to 7:30pm Tasbeha, 7:30 to 8:30pm Babysitting available, 6:30 to 8:30pm
The Gospel of this day (Matthew 12:22–28) is one we've heard many times.
It's an interesting scenario that occurs. A man is brought to Jesus who is demon-possessed, blind and mute. Very casually, the Bible says that the Lord healed him. A few words which utterly transform this man's life.
Instead of rejoicing, the Pharisees, out of sheer insecurity, try to cast doubt on the magnitude of the miracle.
Jesus answers them, "How can a house divided against itself stand?" Their argument is illogical, and He says to them that if demons are being cast out by the Spirit of God, that must mean the kingdom of God has arrived.
Where the Lord enters, healing begins
He introduces a fundamental lesson for us. Where the Lord enters, healing begins. When God arrives, darkness has to leave. This is a critical spiritual principle for you and me.
Where He abides there is healing, clarity and peace. If God is the King of my heart, I will have peace and healing and unity. If my heart is not His kingdom, there will be division, darkness and chaos.
If I am struggling with sin, if I am blind from seeing God, if I am mute from speaking the words of God, if I am possessed by sin, the key to unlocking this is in inviting God into my heart.
There was a man who once told his confession father that when he prayed, he didn't feel God in his heart. His priest responded: which voice is louder when you pray? Is it the voice of God, or is it the voice of the devil? God says, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your mind, all your strength," and your heart will be turned. It was the same concept of inviting God to fully occupy his heart rather than compete for space in it.
A sturdy home
You're either progressing in your spiritual life, or you're moving away. A teacup is made sturdy to hold hot water, but it loses its function if it has tiny cracks in it. We need to invite Christ to rule our hearts, and we need that heart to be a sturdy home.
Psalm 132 speaks of God choosing Zion as His home. Paraphrased, the verse says: Lord, You have looked upon Zion, and this is the place You want to make Your dwelling. How beautiful is it that God would look at your heart and wish to enter into it.
It does not matter how stained you feel you are. It does not matter how dark the sin you think you may have committed: the Lord wants to make a home for Himself out of your heart.
The same God who healed this broken, blind, mute man wants to renew you. He sees beauty where others only see brokenness.
