Carry on until the end

Sir Francis Drake wrote a prayer that may be helpful for you today:

"O Lord God, when thou givest to thy servants to endeavour any great matter, grant us also to know that it is not the beginning, but the continuing of the same unto the end, until it be thoroughly finished, which yields the true glory: through him who for the finishing of thy work laid down his life, our Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Amen."

Philippians 1:6 - "And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns."

The hardest part is not always beginning something, but rather having the courage to carry on until the end. 

Living in grace

D3LM3

Christ the King

The last Sunday before Advent is usually marked as Christ the King Sunday. It is a significant occasion for believers as it draws our attention back to the Sovereignty of Jesus. In a time when leaders scramble for power and worldly leadership is often self-centered, we would do well to honour Christ as our King and Saviour. 

1 Timothy 1:17 - “To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

Revelation 19:6 - “On his robe and on his thigh, he has a name inscribed King of kings and Lord of lords.” 

Elizabeth Joy-Lawrence wrote: "We need Christ the King Sunday because we need to remember that our ultimate hope is not in any human being, but in Christ.”

      Thought: How could Christ the King Sunday change the way we live our daily lives?

      Living in grace

D3LM3

      

Always?

"Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

As Paul ends off his letter to the church in Thessalonika, he urges them to hold JOY as their life-breath, PRAYER as their divine connection with God, and GRATITUDE as a daily practice. 

His words are equally inspiring for all of us, despite the challenge of trying to put these ideals into practice.

What do you think?

"Always be joyful.
Always keep on praying.
No matter what happens, always be thankful," - Living Bible

Living in Grace

D3LM3

We can't go back to yesterday

"It is no use going back to yesterday, because I was a different person then." - Lewis Carroll

There is a profound truth in this statement! When one sincerely confesses our sins (of yesterday), and we seek to live in the grace of God today, we need to let go of the past. Sadly, there are many people who keep trying to dredge up the pain of the past, but through God's mercy we can move on into our future. 

"No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us." - Philippians 4:12-13

Thought: What past mistakes keep you from moving forward with freedom?

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, that you do not hold grudges against us. Teach us to let go of our pasts and to trust in your mercy in the future. Amen. 

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Come Holy Spirit (Uthando)

I have been listening to this beautiful song over the last while. It was written by a friend of mine, Mark Counihan, with input from his wife, Denise and friend Langa Mbonambi. If you need a song to quietly lift your spirits and remind you that God is still with us, then please click the link and listen. I am sure you will be blessed by the words and melody. (Come Holy Spirit)

Come, Holy Spirit

Move among us

Come Holy Spirit

Flow Living Water

Flow within us

Flow Living Water

Pre-Chorus

Your Love is alive

Breaking the darkness

It’s bringing the Light

To soften the heart of stone

Your Love is alive

Breaking the darkness

And winning the fight

And bringing the orphan home

Chorus

Uthando uthando

Lwakho lwakho

Luyaphila luyaphila

Your love is alive

Umbuso umbuso

Wakho wakho

Uyaphila, uyaphila

Your Kingdom is alive

No matter what language we speak - the Spirit of God is among us and God is alive.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

You don't have to save the world!

There are a large number of us who are adversely impacted by events happening around the globe. It is not that we are physically affected in anyway, but we certainly feel frustrated that we can't do anything to help. 

I have found that the emotions, that come along with these feelings of helplessness, can wear us down to a point of paralysis in our present contexts. In other words, we are so caught up in the battles raging elsewhere, that we have no energy to make a difference where we are living now! 

This quote has helped me to have a reality check:

Parker Palmer – “Our real freedom comes from being aware that we do not have to save the world, we must merely make a difference in the place where we live.”

Jesus told his disciples to be witnesses in Jerusalem first. Once they had done that, then they could move out to Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8).

Living in Grace

D3LM3

It is a good thing to have hope

When reading through the book of Lamentations, I couldn't help stopping at chapter 3 again. As you read through these words (in the modern paraphrase), I pray that they may be a blessing to you. 

It’s a Good Thing to Hope for Help from God

I’ll never forget the trouble, the utter lostness,
the taste of ashes, the poison I’ve swallowed.
I remember it all—oh, how well I remember—
the feeling of hitting the bottom.
But there’s one other thing I remember,
and remembering, I keep a grip on hope:

God’s loyal love couldn’t have run out,
his merciful love couldn’t have dried up.
They’re created new every morning.
How great your faithfulness!
I’m sticking with God (I say it over and over).
He’s all I’ve got left. 

God proves to be good to the man who passionately waits,
to the woman who diligently seeks.
It’s a good thing to quietly hope,
quietly hope for help from God. (Eugene Peterson) 

Living in Grace

D3LM3