Ignite devo News

A Doorstep Challenge

info@igniteme.org — Tue, 5 May 2009 20:00:00 GMT

In the 1990s there was a campaign by a leading washing powder company where they would turn up on a doorstep and challenge the occupant to try their washing powder. Could your regular detergent get your whites as white?

Without exception the name brand would outshine the other brand. It would have been a bad advert if they hadn't, wouldn't it?

At the Offensive day in Cardiff, I was once again reminded about God's mercy, grace and love. Mercy is when someone doesn't give you the punishment you deserve. Grace is when you are rewarded instead of being punished (I.e. the person you punched in the face and instead of calling the cops, forgives you and buys you an ice-cream).

Sometimes, I must admit to falling into the trap of believing that my sins aren't really as serious as other peoples. That maybe I could work my way back into God's good books. If I can just be nice to people, share my faith, then I'll be OK. Saved by my own actions.

Well, unfortunately that just isn't true. I could be as selfless as Mother Teresa, give everything I have to the poor and give my life to save the world, but that wouldn't be enough. If I did that, I'd be remembered as a hero for generations to come, but God is clear that you have to be without sin to get into heaven and I wouldn't even be close. One tiny sin is enough to bar me from heaven, cut me off from God and I cannot get myself out from that.

Sin is like an infectious disease. If you have just a trace of sin then you cannot leave the quarantine zone - because you would infect others. The only way you'll ever be able to get free of this is if someone comes in, contracts the disease and develops a vaccine for it. That's just what Jesus did when he became one of us and died on the cross. He found a cure for sin and made it available to you.

No matter how much you wash your clothes in the leading brand, you cannot make them new again. Compared to new clothing even washing in “uber-special magic detergentTM” is just not good enough. Thankfully, God has new clothes for you, a new body, a new life and a clean slate.

So my message to you is this: You are not good enough to get into heaven, but in Christ You have a “get out of Hell Free card”.

His name aint Earl

info@igniteme.org — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 20:00:00 GMT

Earl is the kind of guy that you'd do well to avoid. He is as dishonest as the day is long, lying cheating and stealing from practically everyone he ever meets. That is, until he realises that his life is in a mess and the concept of Karma. In Karma, you get what you deserve, so truly great things can't happen for Earl because he hasn't earned them.

So Earl sets about writing the wrongs in his life, with the aim of settling his debt with Karma and thus trying to make his own life better.

This all seems to make sense on the surface and makes for some very funny television, but this isn't how it is for Christians. If you're trying your hardest to undo the wrongs you've done, to become a better person then you've missed the point somewhere. You cannot repay God for his sacrifice. Doing so is like trying to repay a billion pound loan by collecting small change from down the back of your sofa (though, considering the amount of small change my housemate throws away you could buy something nice with that small change).

Sound hopeless? It shouldn't, because what Jesus did on that cross a little over 2,000 years ago was not a debt that needs to be repaid. Yes, you were in billions of pounds worth of debt but it wasn't a loan, there is no interest to be paid and terms and conditions do not apply. It was a free gift. All you have to do is accept this gift.

So, now you're thinking: “If this is a free gift doesn't this mean that I can now get away with anything?”. God is no fool. This aint a one time signature on a piece of paper and although he doesn't expect you to be perfect, he wants you to walk with him, to get to know him. He also knows, like Earl, that the consequences of forever doing the wrong thing will hurt you.

So this Good Friday as we remember the world changing sacrifice of Christ, admit you were wrong, ask for forgiveness and rest assured that because of what he did, you are Forgiven! Now go, show the good news of Jesus by word and by deed, not because you have to but because He's worth it.

The White House

info@igniteme.org — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 20:00:00 GMT

Last summer I was lucky enough to be able to visit the United States capital, Washington DC. There were many places that I'd seen in films or in TV series that I now remember as being far bigger than I had ever imagined.

The Washington Monument is a massive white pillar that stands opposite the White House on the Mall and it really does tower above everything else, so much so that on our first day in the city we were so distracted by what my Mum insisted on calling “the needle” that we completely walked past the White House believing it to be just another government building.

Imagine how the new President must have felt the first time he entered that building. I imagine that he felt more than a little nervous, whilst simultaneously proud and excited. After a few months of living and working there, that amazement and awe must start wearing off and soon even the sight of the monument outside his window must start to dull.

Try to imagine how his kids must have felt initially, they moved into the new house, an exciting new house in the middle of a big city. A new school, new friends, new bodyguards to keep them safe. Being the kids of possibly the most influential man in the world can't be easy.

When you first came to faith, maybe everything was exciting, a bit scary and the views were spectacular, but soon reality starts to set in. You're in the presence of the God of the universe, yet the prospect of entering His oval office doesn't seem all that exciting any more. You go to church more because you feel you should than to praise the living God.

You've lost that awe for God that you once had and you wonder where God is. God hasn't moved. He's still there and he wants to hear from you, but you need to realise who he is. Who you are talking to. Yes, he is your friend, but try to realise that He is not your equal. He is your saviour, the servant but also the King and he deserves your respect. He earned it that day back in around AD 33, not that he needed to.

We live in an ego-centric or self-centred society. We can honestly start to believe that if God isn't doing what we want him to do, then we don't need God. Wrong! Yes, God loves you! Yes, God died for you! But No! God isn't your Genie! He does not exist to make your life easier, to fit in with your plans. I hate to say this but God is more important than me, than you and than President Obama.

We need to wake up and realise that we are standing on Holy Ground. We are in the presence of the God who made the Heavens and the Earth. Who can do the impossible. The one who wrote the rules that govern the universe that our greatest minds are still struggling to scratch the surface of.

If I was invited to go into the White House (and not just the visitors centre which is situated a few blocks away) to meet the US President I would be honoured greatly and I would show him respect but, how much more respect should I show the God who has adopted me into his family?

Who's sandwiches are you making?

info@igniteme.org — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 20:00:00 GMT

Ever thought you were totally at work for God and in the centre of His will, only to find out that might not have been the case?

A wise man once said "Martha made sandwiches that Jesus didn't order". Ever experienced that?

Probably most of us have at various points in our Christian lives. Our intentions might have been well-meaning & our hearts in the right place, but it wasn't quite what Jesus might have been asking us to do. The service was good, but not God's best.

So who's sandwiches are you making today?

Jesus has already got planned the good works He has for us to do each day - "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" (Ephesians 2:10). Let's ask Him to reveal them to us & then serve Him in these ways, out of our love for Him. Let's make the sandwiches Jesus has ordered & remain close to Him as we seek to hear His voice.

Call for reinforcements

info@igniteme.org — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 20:00:00 GMT

want to do.

What is the Matrix?

info@igniteme.org — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 20:00:00 GMT

Following what have been some confusing days which have included his arrest by the FBI, his computer directing him to a club and the removal of a strange mechanical bug from his stomach, he finds himself in a room with a group of people the authorities consider to be highly dangerous terrorists.