Greatest worker of all time

Companies have competitions to see who is the 'Employee of the month', but in the end we need to pause to honour the greatest worker of all time. God has never been afraid of work, and although we struggle to figure out how/why God allows things to happen, we can't shy away from the fact that God GETS involved in our lives.

"When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers— the moon and the stars you set in place." - Psalm 8:3

"They are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works." - Psalm 77:12

"O Lord, what great works you do! And how deep are your thoughts." - Psalm 92:5

Over this weekend, we commemorate the 'workers' of our world. We give thanks for the ability to work and earn a living, as well as all the people who work quietly behind the scenes.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

You are on your own!

If you decide to go through with that, then 'You are on your own!'
Have you ever caught yourself saying this to someone else or has anyone ever said that to you?
We get the gist of what is being said, but from a Christian perspective, it is interesting that God promises us something different.

"Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”- Matthew 28:20

“Do not be afraid, for I am with you and will bless you." - Genesis 26:24

"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you." - John 14:16

When I make a commitment to follow Christ, these are the promises that I take with me. However, if I choose to walk a different path and to turn my back on God, then I guess I will need to make it on my own. Thankfully, God is just a prayer away - so when I come to the 'end of myself' I can still call out to him.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Strength and power

"He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless" - Isaiah 40:31

This is a wonderful promise from Isaiah. If you are feeling 'weak' or 'powerless' trust in God's ability to give you His strength to get you through.

"Some of us think holding on makes us strong; but sometimes it is letting go." - Hermann Hesse

Some of us think holding on makes us strong; but sometimes it is letting go. Hermann Hesse
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_strength.html

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Thoughts on Freedom

I am not sure what you are all doing on this Freedom Day (in South Africa), but the very idea of FREEDOM can be a little tricky to put into words. For this reason I am sharing some great quotes on this topic. I especially enjoy the words of Pope John Paul – his words remind me of Jesus' Golden Rule.

“Freedom consists not in doing what we like, but in having the right to do what we ought.” -Pope John Paul II

“A hero is someone who understands the responsibility that comes with his freedom.” - Bob Dylan

“For to be free is not merely to cast off ones chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” -  Nelson Mandela

“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” – Jesus

Living in Grace

D3LM3

A hero is someone who understands the responsibility that comes with his freedom. Bob Dylan
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_freedom.html

Fight the urge

"We need to fight the urge to take over and just let God be God, because He can provide for us better than we can.” -  Corallie Buchanan

I know that we walk a fine line between being passive and actively making our own 'lives.' However, as Christ-followers we come to a point where we need to surrender our lives into God's hands. This doesn't mean sitting back and waiting for a Angel to appear or writing in the sky, but it does mean that we need to let God guide our lives. Sometimes I may think that I can do better, but in the end, God can provide for us better than we can.

 1 Corinthians 2:9
  That is what the Scriptures mean when they say,

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard,
    and no mind has imagined
what God has prepared    for those who love him.”

Living in Grace

D3LM3

 

Sometimes we have to go to the Mountain

Sometimes we just have to go to the Mountain!
What am I talking about, you may be asking? I am not speaking about climbing an actual mountain, but rather referring to Mount Moriah. In Genesis 22, Abraham has to climb this mountain on the way to 'sacrifice' Isaac. At the last minute God instructs him to stop and reveals a Ram in a bush nearby.

I often wonder about what Abraham was thinking on that journey to the top. I am sure he wondered when God was going to show up and to deliver him from the action Abraham dreaded following through with. In the end, he needed to make the journey up the mountain in order to prove his faith and to allow God to intervene and to PROVIDE for him. Sure, it seemed like God only showed up a little late, but God did actually show up!


"So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.” - Genesis 22:14

Sometimes God only reveals his plans when I have done my part and walked up the mountain. What could that mean for you this day? What mountain do you need to climb?

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Don't be afraid

Today's message for us is simple:

"Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a KNOWN God." - Corrie Ten Boom

We don't know what tomorrow brings - how can we know?
However, we know that whatever happens.... GOD IS ALREADY there.

Ephesians 2:7 - So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Run of the House?

In your home, who has the 'run of the house?'
It is an interesting question, don't you think? We can allow all sorts of things or people to have the run of our houses, our lives, our work and even our faith. But, who should really be in charge. Listen to what Paul says in Colossians:


"Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other…. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.” – Colossians 3:15 (MSG)

Don't you like those words? Paul urges us to let the Words of Jesus have the run of our house. In other words, let Christ be in charge and allow His words to be the guiding principles in your family.

Worth thinking about?
I think so.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

How loudly should we pray?

Different traditions and cultures express themselves (in worship) in contrasting ways. This is not to say that one is better than the other, but it is easy to notice some of the visible differences. One of the things I have observed over time is how my prayers can vary in emotion. I am not a person who usually prays loudly, even when I lead prayers in public, but my emotions certainly influence my prayers.

Sometimes we can get so wrapped up in the 'how' of prayer that we forget just to be natural with our Heavenly father. There may be times when I need to pray silently, remembering that God hears the cry of my heart. However, there may also be times when I am excited or overcome with emotion and I want to let my prayer 'volume' increase. There is no 'right or wrong way' - just pray.  

"The physical voice we use in prayer need not be great nor startling; even should we not lift up any great cry or shout, God will yet hear us." - Origen

So, don't be so hung up on how you pray, just express your heart to God. As Origen says, "God hears us no matter the volume of our prayers." 

Living in Grace
D3LM3

The physical voice we use in prayer need not be great nor startling; even should we not lift up any great cry or shout, God will yet hear us.
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/o/origen.html

The physical voice we use in prayer need not be great nor startling; even should we not lift up any great cry or shout, God will yet hear us. Origen
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/o/origen.html

Which one?

"Truth sees God, and wisdom contemplates God, and from these two comes a third, a holy and wonderful delight in God, who is love." - Julian of Norwich

So which one of the three do you think most relates to your relationship with God right now?
Are you someone who is focused on the TRUTH?
Do you find that you are drawn to contemplating God through WISDOM?
Or are you at a place where you are experiencing the 'wonderful DELIGHT' in God?

I find that I move between the three quite often. There are moments where I need to see the TRUTH of God or to contemplate God through WISDOM. However, I confess that the best moments are those that I share in the DELIGHT of God.

Psalm 37:4 - "Be delighted with the Lord." (Living Bible)

Living in Grace
D3LM3

The Power of Influence

Last night I was struck again by the power of Influence. We had a special service to say "Thank You" to all the teachers in our broader community. It was lovely to recognise these incredible people and to honour the time and hours they put into educating our children and ourselves. If I reflect over the many teachers who have shaped my life I am so GRATEFUL for their care and guidance.

So here is my point: We should never underestimate the power of our own Influence, even if we are not 'teachers' per se. The words we use and the example we set will definitely shape the lives of others. So, who are you influencing today?

Jesus is remembered for both his words and actions. His influence has shaped the course of history and we are blessed by his example.



"A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops." - Henry Adams

Proverbs 11:11 - The good influence of godly citizens causes a city to prosper, but the moral decay of the wicked drives it downhill.

Living in Grace
D3LM3