God Flavours

“Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavours of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage." - Matthew 5:13

Jesus doesn't really give us an option in this verse does he? He tells us exactly what he requires from his followers. We are to be the 'salt' in our community and by doing this we bring out all the 'God-Flavours' that are lying dormant in those around us. 

Just think about that for a moment - every person around us is already love by God, even if they haven't yet understood that love. There are hidden 'flavours' in these people and God has asked us to help draw these flavours out. The task is huge, but God believes in us, so let's get to work then!

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Waking up with this thought

Each morning we wake up with either one of the following two thoughts:

What will I reap?         OR

What will I sow?

If will either be, "What can others do for me today?"

OR "What can I do for others? How can I add value to the lives of other people?"

I pray that more and more of us will wake up thinking, planning and trying to 'sow' into the lives of others. Just remember that we may not get instant results, but God has that all in His control.

Hosea 10:12 - Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers his righteousness on you.

  

2 Corinthians 9:6 - Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.

 

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Prayer before the Cross

"Most high, glorious God,
enlighten the darkness
of my heart and give me Lord,
a correct faith, 
a certain hope,
a perfect charity, 
sense and knowledge,
so that I may carry out
Your holy and true command.
AMEN."

This is a prayer that St Francis of Assisi would pray while standing in front of the Cross. Very profound indeed.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

I have

In the month of "to-do" lists and New Year's resolutions, it would be brilliant to know that we have accomplished our goals. In sharing in the Memorial service for my friend, Tony Doidge, I was reminded of these words:

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." - 2 Timothy 4:7

Let these be worthy ideals to LIVE for, so that one day we too can say....

I have fought the good fight
I have finished the race
I have kept the faith.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

The Whirlwind

A Whirlwind is a dangerous place to find yourself in. Many people have been caught up in physical whirlwinds and have tragically lost their lives. How many of us find ourselves in an emotional whirlwind today? Where life seems to have you spinning around and around - and you feel totally out of control?

If you can relate to 'life in the whirlwind' then remember that it was when Job found himself in the whirlwind of life and death that the Lord spoke to him.

Job 38:1 - Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind.

Job 40:6 - Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind.

 

Call out to the Lord in the midst of your whirlwind and believe that he will answer your prayers.

 

Living in Grace

D3LM3

This is the age

I found this very challenging poem last week. Read it slowly and see what message it sends through to you today. God bless.

 

This is the age
Of the half-read page.
And the quick hash
And the mad dash.   

The bright night
With the nerves tight
The plane hop
With the brief stop.

The lamp tan
In short span.
The Big Shot
In a good spot

And the brain strain
The heart pain.
And the cat naps
Till the spring snaps --

And the fun's done!

"Courage - You Can Stand Strong in the Face of Fear, Jon Johnston, 1990, SP Publications, p. 143."

 Psalm 39:1 - “Show me, Lord, my life’s end
  and the number of my days;
  let me know how fleeting my life is.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Learning the hard way

·        

Psalm 90:10-12

Our days may come to seventy years,
    or eighty, if our strength endures;
yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow,
    for they quickly pass, and we fly away.
¹¹ If only we knew the power of your anger!
    Your wrath is as great as the fear that is your due.
¹² Teach us to number our days,
    that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Sometimes we just don't learn to 'number our days' aright. It takes the sudden death of a close friend or family member to jolt us back to our senses. May we all comprehend how fragile our lives are and what they are from Jesus.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Promises, Promises

^{We live in a world where it is very quick to make promises, but much harder to honour them. No longer is a person's word their bond (promise). One of the disciples, Peter, was very quick to make a promise to Jesus, but no matter how well meaning he was try to be, he couldn't keep his word.
 
33} Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”
³⁴ “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”
³⁵ But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same (Matthew 26).

The challenge for us is try and keep our promises in the small things, before we start promising the big things. A whole of lot of small faithful actions will all add up to a BIG commitment in the end. Following Jesus is a lot like this. Don't make the big "I will follow you Jesus" promise, if you aren't committed to honour that on a daily basis.

Next time we catch ourselves saying "I promise you", let us be reminded of what we are actually committing too. 

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Surprised at daybreak

"....Surprise us with love at daybreak;
    then we’ll skip and dance all the day long.
Make up for the bad times with some good times;
    we’ve seen enough evil to last a lifetime.
Let your servants see what you’re best at—
    the ways you rule and bless your children.
And let the loveliness of our Lord, our God, rest on us,
    confirming the work that we do.
    Oh, yes. Affirm the work that we do!" - Psalm 90 (Message)

Next time you see the sunrise, let it remind you of this verse. May we all be surprised by God's love every 'daybreak'. May God's love REST ON US.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

God Remembers

I have been encouraged by the following scriptures this week which have reminded me that God will never forget us. Sure, at times, I will 'feel' as if God has moved off, but He hasn't gone anywhere - God remembers us all the time!

Exodus 2:24 - God heard their groaning, and he remembered his covenant promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Psalm 98:3 - He has remembered his promise to love and be faithful to Israel.

Psalm 106:45 - He remembered his covenant with them and relented because of his unfailing love.

Isaiah 44:21 - “Pay attention, O Jacob, for you are my servant, O Israel. I, the Lord, made you, and I will not forget you.

Living in Grace

D3LM3