Buy from me true gold

The Laodicean context of tepid self-reliance finds its direct parallel in the modern church’s temptation to measure its vitality by cultural influence, financial security, and numerical growth rather than by the fiery, refining work of the Spirit in the heart of the believer. The transaction when we dig deeper is therefore one of faith itself – a relinquishing of our own metrics of “success” to receive from Christ a success, a wealth that is purified through trial and anchored in eternity.

Wheat

Effort v Efficacy

We can create grand plans and schemes, and these may well be blessed by God, but equally blessed is the hour spent in conversation with a stranger in a coffee shop, with someone who is being prompted by the Spirit to seek, such rejoicing as that one sinner repents. The soul of the one, is the mission field of the many, the single grain of wheat is a worthy and blessed harvest if our scythe is but sharpened for that solitary stem. As frustrating as that may be for our human sensibilities, the acceptance and rejoicing in the toil for the Lord, where the harvest may NOT be plentiful in our particular mission field, is still to be sought and prayed for diligently. Imagine if on that glorious day a stranger whom we do not remember talking to, whom we may not remember walking alongside, comes to us and says “I am here because you were there when I needed to hear the Gospel.”. Such joy and privilege to be a part of this plan of salvation, simply as a servant leading a single person to the Lord’s table of grace.

Devotional Use of Blessed Oil or Water

Guidelines for the Devotional Use of Blessed Oil or Water Walsingham Water is available free at the Anglican Shrine Well – see https://www.walsinghamanglican.org.uk/ Holy oil may be purchased from this company who I’ve used and are very good: https://www.saintmichaelshouse.com/products/oil-of-the-holy-face-of-jesus Not required – but you or someone else may desire a Read more