Making Peace - being at Peace

When Paul wrote these words, we know that they come from his own personal experience: 

“Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.” – Romans 5:1

It seems that one of the things that alludes many faith seekers is a genuine Peace with God. We try our best to please God with all kinds of religious practices and rituals, but these don't always give us peace. 

I guess that Paul could speak from both perspectives - from being zealous and obeying all religious laws, to really knowing authentic PEACE with God.

"So, since we have come to be considered righteous by God because of our trust, let us continue to have shalom with God through our Lord, Yeshua the Messiah." - Complete Jewish Bible

So now, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith in his promises, we can have real peace with him because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us." - The Living Bible

Prayer: Ask God to give you his genuine peace, through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Living in grace

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Set the world to rights

On this glorious day in the Church calendar, Ascension Day, we remember that God has called us to be his witnesses in a world gone mad. Here is a lovely prayer, written by John van de Laar, about our response to the call.

Set The World to Rights

Today, Jesus, we are faced with a wonderful truth to proclaim,
but also, an awesome and uncomfortable responsibility.
We praise you and celebrate you as Ascended Lord;
We recognise that you have authority over all things,
but we live in a world where greed and power and violence
seem to be in control.

And so, as you call us, we pray:
Come as Lord, Jesus, and set the world to rights.

We praise you and celebrate you as the Way, Truth & Life;
we recognise that in you our life is made whole and full;
but we live in a world where death, brokenness and need
appear to be everywhere.

And so, as you call us, we pray:
Come as Lord, Jesus, and set the world to rights.

We praise you and celebrate you as God among us;
we receive your invitation to live God’s dream;
but we live in a world where dreams and hearts
are broken daily, and hope seems all but lost.

And so, as you call us, we pray:
Come as Lord, Jesus, and set the world to rights."

by John van de Laar © 2007 Sacredise

Living in Grace

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We went through fire and water

If you heard these words in a sermon today, what would they mean for you?

“We went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance.” – Psalm 66:12

To the Israelites it was a clear reminder that God had literally taken them through both of these elements (fire and water) and brought them safely through on the other side. For some of us, it could mean that we have seen God's hand guide us through times of deep water and extreme "heat", but we have been carried through to safer terrain.

I believe it is important for us to remember that if God has done this before, he can definitely do it again. 

Thought: What have you been through lately, that would seem like a fire or deep water?

Living in Grace

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Our deepest longings

There have been many versions of a quote, attributed to Blaise Pascal, regarding a 'God-shaped' vacuum in the human heart. While the sentiment remains the same, the actual quote is a lot more in depth.

“What else does this craving, and this helplessness, proclaim but that there was once in man a true happiness, of which all that now remains is the empty print and trace?

This he tries in vain to fill with everything around him, seeking in things that are not there the help he cannot find in those that are, though none can help, since this infinite abyss can be filled only with an infinite and immutable object; in other words, by God himself”

Thought: We can search for things to fill our lives with meaning, but ultimately (in the words of Pascal), only God will satisfy our deepest longings.

"Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need." - Matthew 6:33

Living in Grace

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God's grace helps us when we are in need

"Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong." - 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

I am not so sure if I could be like Paul and 'boast' in my weaknesses, or even 'take pleasure' in them, but I think I understand his point. 

Paul reminds us that when we are in difficult circumstances, we are a lot more inclined to reach out to God, and to remember that our weakness is a chance for God's Grace to work in our lives.

Are you going through a tough time at the moment? 

If you are, then lean on God's grace and allow His strength to get you through this valley of difficulty.

Living in Grace

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Into your hands

Psalm 31 gives us a lovely way of entrusting our lives into the hands of God. If you read verse 15 it says: “My times are in your hands.” 

However, if you take a look at other versions, they say: "My future is in your hands." 

I think this is more helpful for me, and probably more along the lines of our modern ways of speaking. None of us knows what tomorrow holds, but we choose to trust in the Lord - in doing this we place our future into his safe hands. Does that make sense to you?

Eugene Peterson concludes:

"Desperate, I throw myself on you: you are my God!
Hour by hour I place my days in your hand,
    safe from the hands out to get me." - Psalm 31:14-15 (The Message)

Living in Grace

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Wisdom for the ages

I ended up reading and reflecting on Proverbs 16 this week. There are some remarkable pearls of wisdom in this chapter. These are the few that really stood out for me.

We can make our own plans,
but the Lord gives the right answer.

2 People may be pure in their own eyes,
but the Lord examines their motives.

3 Commit your actions to the Lord,
and your plans will succeed.

9 - We can make our plans,
but the Lord determines our steps.

Have a blessed day and I pray that God would direct your paths.

Living in Grace

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