The pronouncement of faith

It is customary for Christians to remember what unites us as the various traditions and denominations. We do this by reciting one of the Creeds. Usually, it is the Nicene Creed or more commonly, the Apostles Creed (as it is slightly shorter). 

The last part of the Apostles Creed is especially relevant for the Global Church in this season, as we have just marked Trinity Sunday. 

"I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. AMEN." - Creed

John 17:20-21 - 20 “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. 21 I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.

Reminder: The Creeds were drafted, reworked and modified over many centuries, with the first versions appearing in the 2nd Century. They were initial statements of faith were used during Baptism services.

Remembering that there was essentially only one 'universal' church until the Reformation, the phrase 'holy catholic church' refers to the Church as one collective body. We still use the word 'catholic' in the Creed (small "c") as the word means 'universal.' For folk who worship in the Catholic tradition, they are often remembered as the Roman Catholic Church, as their leadership stems from the Vatican in Rome. Hope this helps us all to understand a little more clearly.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

My Stronghold and Refuge

David said the words of this song to Adonai on the day Adonai delivered him from the power of all his enemies and from the power of Saul. He said:

“Adonai is my Rock, my fortress and deliverer,
3 the God who is my Rock, in whom I find shelter,
my shield, the power that saves me,
my stronghold and my refuge.
My savior, you have saved me from violence.
4 I call on Adonai, who is worthy of praise;
and I am saved from my enemies." - 2 Samuel 22:2-4

There are 2 interesting words that stand out from these reading today.

Stronghold - this is a place that is difficult for our enemies to access. In David's time this would have been a physical place, but it can also be a spiritual castle. God is our Stronghold!

Refuge - this is obviously a place of safety and where we can escape to. This place offers us a chance to hide away, but also to recoup and gather our strength for the next battle ahead. 

May God be your Stronghold and Refuge today. 

Living in Grace

D3LM3

What a remarkable promise!

In one of my favourite passages from the book of Isaiah, we come across a remarkable promise. Isaiah tells God's people that they will be renewed by the Spirit of the Lord. This promise is not just for that generation of believers, but for all of us.

28 "Have you never heard?
    Have you never understood?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of all the earth.
He never grows weak or weary.
    No one can measure the depths of his understanding.
29 He gives power to the weak
    and strength to the powerless.
30 Even youths will become weak and tired,
    and young men will fall in exhaustion.
31 But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
    They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
    They will walk and not faint." - Isaiah 40:29-31

Thought: The proviso is that we choose to trust in the Lord, and then we will find new strength. This is the moment where we choose to surrender to the power of God, and resist relying on our own efforts.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Trinity Sunday

On this Sunday, which we mark as Trinity Sunday in the Christian tradition, we remember the mystery of the Triune God. We use all kinds of simple illustrations to try and understand the complexity of God; however, the words of Paul help us get a clearer picture of the Trinity. In his final greeting to the church in Corinth, he says:

"May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all." - 2 Corinthians 13:14

If you are struggling to understand the relationship of the Trinity, start with these 3 points:

1. God our Father is LOVE
2. Jesus, the son, reveals God's GRACE to us all
3. The Spirit sustains us, guides us and fills us with the presence of God

May you have a blessed day.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

P.S. My apologies for having been a little scarce lately, but I have been away for the week attending our Annual Church Synod. There has not been any time to write - I plan to make up for it this next week :) 

We can't contain the Spirit

"Trying to do the Lord's work in your own strength is the most confusing, exhausting, and tedious of all work. But when you are filled with the Holy Spirit, then the ministry of Jesus just flows out of you." - Corrie Ten Boom

This quote reminds me so much of our need of the Holy Spirit. Many of us try to be self-sufficient in all areas of our lives, including our faith. However, this is not what God planned for us. The gift of the Holy Spirit is so that we may do the work of God, empowered by God. 

Romans 5:3-5 - There’s more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!

Living in Grace

D3LM3

The inspiration of words

The soul of a person is captured in what they write and speak. This is a week where we remember how Christ changed the heart and mind of Charles Wesley, the inspiration behind thousands of songs and hymns. His popular hymns include Hark the Herald Angels Sing, O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing and Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus.

Besides the words of his songs, Wesley also had some memorable quotes, which have been passed down through the ages. These include:

• "God buries His workmen but carries on His work." 
• "The person who bears and suffers evils with meekness and silence is the sum of a Christian man." 
• "Be friends of everyone. Be enemies of no-one." 

Psalm 19:14 - May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Can it be?

It was on the 21st of May 1738 that Charles Wesley had his second "conversion" experience. We remember that at this stage he was already an Ordained Priest, but clearly something was missing in his faith. On Pentecost Sunday of that year (21st May) he encountered God in a way that changed his life. 

We know that Charles went on to write over 6500 hymns and somehow managed to condense the complexities of theology into wonderful songs. These songs were used to bring about a revival in England and have continued to speak to believers for nearly 300 years. 

One of my favourite hymns is "And Can it Be", which marvels at the grace of God. Here are the lyrics again:

"And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain—
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
1. 
   
’Tis myst’ry all: th’ Immortal dies:
Who can explore His strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
To sound the depths of love divine.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore,
Let angel minds inquire no more.

He left His Father’s throne above—
So free, so infinite His grace—
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race:
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For, O my God, it found out me!

Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quick’ning ray—
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th’ eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

Thought: Sometimes the truth of God's mercy seems unbelievable, yet we are all invited to receive His wonderful Grace.

Living in Grace

D3LM3