Hello friend,
I actually still blog, but I do it here at http://antjessop.tumblr.com (or www.antjessop.com).
It's way better than blogger and the iPhone app is great. I can take a photo and post it straight there!
I hope my reader (whoever you are) enjoys the new location.
Blogger is sooooo 2010!
Ant
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Thursday, August 5, 2010
I love You
I've forgotten this recently. I've been busy making plans, working out what God wants me to do and reminding myself that God loves me, but I forgot how much I love Him.
Yesterday, Imre and I were praying. It was a really cool time. We broke bread and sang hymns, just as the disciples did with Jesus. During that time Imre started to pray and his first sentence really hit me. "Jesus, I love you soooo much!" I've sung it a lot recently, and read it a lot recently, but I haven't said it much. Instantly something changed in me and I realised something new.
In Mark 12, Jesus is asked what the greatest commandment is. The first part of his answer was...
30And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.
I need to remember how much I love God and tell Him! Declare it! Of course, my actions will be evidence of my love for Him, but I don't think that 'doing things' is love. It's about my heart.
Jesus, I love You!
Monday, May 10, 2010
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Wise words
'A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered.' Proverbs 17:27
I've been thinking recently about the words I use and how often I speak. I seem to speak often, even when I've got nothing to say. I not too sure why this is, other than the fact that I want to be funny. It can often lead to the 'cutting remarks' where I can make someone feel pretty terrible, sometimes me! Verbal suicide I think.
'Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing.' Proverbs 12:18
'An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.' Proverbs 12:25
'Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.' Proverbs 16:24 (NIV)
I'd much rather be the person who's words bring healing, but too often I leave conversations wishing I'd never started them. Jesus was sometimes very cutting with his words and quite funny at other times, but I don't have Jesus' wisdom, so I really should be more careful.
'Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.' Proverbs 10:19
I can usually tell whether I'm trying to up my popularity or being wise with my speech. My problem is, I can't always stop myself. My mouth can sometimes be like a runaway train (as in out of control, not steam powered and full of people. That would just be weird). The same can be true for MSN or Skype. You'd think having to type would give you chance to control what you say, but it's probably just as bad. I think that's why I like the blogging thing. It gives me the opportunity to collect and edit my thoughts.
Although...
I think sometimes saying things by accident can be a good thing. We often hold things in because we are precious about our reputation. But it's not always a bad thing to let people know what is in your heart.
'A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. A tree is identified by its fruit. Figs are never gathered from thornbushes, and grapes are not picked from bramble bushes. A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.' Luke 6:43-45
If we keep things inside out of wisdom and restraint then that's a good thing, but we can't keep things inside out of fear. I guess the real fear is that when people see what we're really all about, they won't like it, and therefore us. The truth is that God loves us for who we are, and the people who really care about us do too. In fact God already knows our heart.
'...The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.' 1 Samuel 7b
Hopefully the Lord will continue to work on my heart, so the overflow will be more honouring to him and others.
Here's a topically related song for you to enjoy whilst reading this...
I've been thinking recently about the words I use and how often I speak. I seem to speak often, even when I've got nothing to say. I not too sure why this is, other than the fact that I want to be funny. It can often lead to the 'cutting remarks' where I can make someone feel pretty terrible, sometimes me! Verbal suicide I think.
'Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing.' Proverbs 12:18
'An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.' Proverbs 12:25
'Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.' Proverbs 16:24 (NIV)
I'd much rather be the person who's words bring healing, but too often I leave conversations wishing I'd never started them. Jesus was sometimes very cutting with his words and quite funny at other times, but I don't have Jesus' wisdom, so I really should be more careful.
'Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.' Proverbs 10:19
I can usually tell whether I'm trying to up my popularity or being wise with my speech. My problem is, I can't always stop myself. My mouth can sometimes be like a runaway train (as in out of control, not steam powered and full of people. That would just be weird). The same can be true for MSN or Skype. You'd think having to type would give you chance to control what you say, but it's probably just as bad. I think that's why I like the blogging thing. It gives me the opportunity to collect and edit my thoughts.
Although...
I think sometimes saying things by accident can be a good thing. We often hold things in because we are precious about our reputation. But it's not always a bad thing to let people know what is in your heart.
'A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. A tree is identified by its fruit. Figs are never gathered from thornbushes, and grapes are not picked from bramble bushes. A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.' Luke 6:43-45
If we keep things inside out of wisdom and restraint then that's a good thing, but we can't keep things inside out of fear. I guess the real fear is that when people see what we're really all about, they won't like it, and therefore us. The truth is that God loves us for who we are, and the people who really care about us do too. In fact God already knows our heart.
'...The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.' 1 Samuel 7b
Hopefully the Lord will continue to work on my heart, so the overflow will be more honouring to him and others.
Here's a topically related song for you to enjoy whilst reading this...
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Speak Up!
I went to Kristiine Keskus a couple of weeks ago and as I walked in I was asked to sign a petition to stop the government increasing the minimum pension age. The girl finished her speech by saying 'We want to protect our old people'. That phrase had quite an impact on me, and I was reminded of this verse.
"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
for the rights of all who are destitute.
Speak up and judge fairly;
defend the rights of the poor and needy."
"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
for the rights of all who are destitute.
Speak up and judge fairly;
defend the rights of the poor and needy."
Proverbs 31:8-9
Who are WE speaking up for?
Monday, March 1, 2010
Real Worship
READ THIS FIRST!
Isaiah 58 In English
Jesaja 58 Eesti keeles
Siku told me to read this chapter, and I haven't been able to get it out of my head. It tells of God's dissatisfaction with the way Israel 'worshipped'. They thought that their worship really meant something because they went 'through the motions of penance'. They fasted, they spent loads of time in the temple and seemed to be really holy. But God wouldn't listen to them, because for him, it was all false. God's heart was for justice and seeing His people show His love. This is what God wanted...
6 “No, this is the kind of fasting I want:
Free those who are wrongly imprisoned;
lighten the burden of those who work for you.
Let the oppressed go free,
and remove the chains that bind people.
7 Share your food with the hungry,
and give shelter to the homeless.
Give clothes to those who need them,
and do not hide from relatives who need your help.
“Remove the heavy yoke of oppression.
Stop pointing your finger and spreading vicious rumours!
10 Feed the hungry,
and help those in trouble.
I have thought about the church now, thousands of years after this was written, and I can't help thinking we're guilty of much the same thing. We put on big 'worship' events, prayer meetings, listen to preaches on the internet, but is this not the same as the Isrealites were doing, just in a modern setting?
I've had the privilege of playing guitar with the Piiblipaevad band over the last few months and in many ways it's been a great experience. But what does God think of my worship when I'm there? I can't stand on stage with a clear conscience if I'm not worshipping with my actions. We need to show people that God loves them, that's how he will be glorified.
Now, we need to get one thing clear at this point. The focus here isn't on good deeds. It's not the good deeds that save us (Ephesians 2:8-9). But good deeds are the fruit, or evidence, of our faith. If we have faith in God, there should be some evidence that goes beyond what we say or sing, right?
Jesus says something really challenging and exciting at the end of Matthew 25. Talking about feeding the hungry, giving a drink to the thirsty, being hospitable, clothing the naked, caring for the sick and visiting those in prison, He says that ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’ He actually says then when we help someone in need, we are doing it to Him. Think about that for at least a second, preferably longer. This is incredible news. When we feed the hungry, we are serving Jesus himself. If we really understood that I think our priorities would be very different.
This can and does happen in Estonia or the UK in the 21st century. For example...
Actually, I was about to write a long list, but you get the idea. And I'm sure we could do so much more. God doesn't give us an option here. We don't get out of this just because we're too busy doing church stuff, or working, or playing the guitar, or singing. It may take sacrifice to really worship God, but we must make that sacrifice.
Isaiah 58 In English
Jesaja 58 Eesti keeles
Siku told me to read this chapter, and I haven't been able to get it out of my head. It tells of God's dissatisfaction with the way Israel 'worshipped'. They thought that their worship really meant something because they went 'through the motions of penance'. They fasted, they spent loads of time in the temple and seemed to be really holy. But God wouldn't listen to them, because for him, it was all false. God's heart was for justice and seeing His people show His love. This is what God wanted...
6 “No, this is the kind of fasting I want:
Free those who are wrongly imprisoned;
lighten the burden of those who work for you.
Let the oppressed go free,
and remove the chains that bind people.
7 Share your food with the hungry,
and give shelter to the homeless.
Give clothes to those who need them,
and do not hide from relatives who need your help.
“Remove the heavy yoke of oppression.
Stop pointing your finger and spreading vicious rumours!
10 Feed the hungry,
and help those in trouble.
I have thought about the church now, thousands of years after this was written, and I can't help thinking we're guilty of much the same thing. We put on big 'worship' events, prayer meetings, listen to preaches on the internet, but is this not the same as the Isrealites were doing, just in a modern setting?
I've had the privilege of playing guitar with the Piiblipaevad band over the last few months and in many ways it's been a great experience. But what does God think of my worship when I'm there? I can't stand on stage with a clear conscience if I'm not worshipping with my actions. We need to show people that God loves them, that's how he will be glorified.
In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see,
so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
(Matt 5:16)
If we really want to worship God, and if we want him to hear us, the bible says we need to do something!
If we really want to worship God, and if we want him to hear us, the bible says we need to do something!
So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough.
Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.
Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.
James 2:17
Now, we need to get one thing clear at this point. The focus here isn't on good deeds. It's not the good deeds that save us (Ephesians 2:8-9). But good deeds are the fruit, or evidence, of our faith. If we have faith in God, there should be some evidence that goes beyond what we say or sing, right?
Jesus says something really challenging and exciting at the end of Matthew 25. Talking about feeding the hungry, giving a drink to the thirsty, being hospitable, clothing the naked, caring for the sick and visiting those in prison, He says that ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’ He actually says then when we help someone in need, we are doing it to Him. Think about that for at least a second, preferably longer. This is incredible news. When we feed the hungry, we are serving Jesus himself. If we really understood that I think our priorities would be very different.
This can and does happen in Estonia or the UK in the 21st century. For example...
- Imre Kuller let someone have his house and slept on my floor. True worship and sacrifice. He literally gave shelter to someone.
- Kristel Luide moved out of her apartment for a week so some people could stay there.
Actually, I was about to write a long list, but you get the idea. And I'm sure we could do so much more. God doesn't give us an option here. We don't get out of this just because we're too busy doing church stuff, or working, or playing the guitar, or singing. It may take sacrifice to really worship God, but we must make that sacrifice.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Trouble will come...
John 16:33 - "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
Click here for more information!
Click here for more information!
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