Ritual without compassion

Abraham Heschel, the Jewish theologian, once said: “Ritual without compassion is the worship of nothing.”

These words stem from his reflection on Isaiah 58, where the prophet (Isaiah) challenged the people of God to make sure their worship translated into transformed lives and compassion to others.

James put it in these familiar words: "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." (James 2:17)

Thought: In what way has your worship experience moved you to acts of compassion?

Living in grace

D3LM3

God is not ashamed

"That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them." - Hebrews 11:16

These words struck me as deeply profound. The writer of Hebrews points out that God is NOT ashamed to be called their God. 

Even after all that had happened, and how the Israelites had let God down, God was still prepared to be seen as their Saviour. And what is more, he was also willing to prepare a city (home) for them.

Thought: How does it make you feel to know that God is proud to be called your 'Heavenly Father?'

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Strong right arm

If you have ever wondered if God is left or right-handed, then Psalm 118 is an ideal Psalm to give us an answer:

"The strong right arm of the Lord has done glorious things!
The strong right arm of the Lord is raised in triumph. 

The strong right arm of the Lord has done glorious things!" - v.15-16

Of course, this is just a way of expressing the power of God, and God is probably ambidextrous in any case :) 

I just love the picture of God being there for us, not just as a protector, but also as a comforter. When you think of the 'strong right arm' of the Lord, what comes to your mind?

Psalm 89:13 - Powerful is your arm! Strong is your hand! Your right hand is lifted high in glorious strength.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

A motivation to do your best

As some of you are aware, we have just come back from a working Mission trip to the Namaqualand circuit. We were asked to help with some repairs and maintenance at the old age home in Springbok, called Huis Harmonie. The experience involved a lot of hard work but was equally rewarding. 

One of the key scriptures we used to keep us motivated was from Colossians 3. When you read it from Eugene Peterson's paraphrase, it makes a lot of sense:

"And don’t just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you’ll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you’re serving is Christ. The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. Being a follower of Jesus doesn’t cover up bad work." - Colossians 3:23-25

Thought: How can we go about our daily tasks being motivated to serve the Lord?

Living in grace

D3LM3

T.H.I.N.K about these things

T.H.I.N.K

Alan Redpath, a well-known preacher, belonged to a fellowship group a few years ago where they adopted a simple formula relating to their speaking of any person or subject that was perhaps controversial. This is how their formula went, and it used the acronym "T.H.I.N.K." as it's focal word.

T - Is it true? Is the information I am passing on definitely True?
H - Is it helpful?
I - Is it inspiring?
N - Is it necessary?
K - Is it kind?

Their small group agreed that if what they were about to say did not pass those tests, they would keep their mouths shut! And it worked! 

1 Peter 3:10 - For the Scriptures say, “If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

When the words can't be taken back.

Following on with our theme of gossip and slander, I came across this powerful story which highlights the impact of gossip. It certainly has made me stop and think more before I speak. Enjoy.

    "Yiddish folklore offers a telling tale about gossip-makers. One such man had told so many malicious     untruths about the local rabbi that, overcome by remorse, he begged the rabbi to forgive him. 

"Rabbi, tell me how I can make amends." 

The rabbi sighed, "Take two pillows, go to the public square and there cut the pillows open. Wave them in the air. Then come back." 

The rumormonger quickly went home, got two pillows and a knife, hastened to the square, cut the pillows open, waved them in the air and hastened back to the rabbi's chambers. 

"I did just what you said, Rabbi!" 

"Good." The rabbi smiled. "Now, to realize how much harm is done by gossip, go back to the square..." 

"And?" 

"And collect all your feathers." 

    Colossians 3:8 - “But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice,         slander, and filthy language…” 

Thought: I think the lesson in this story is obvious. Now, we are asked to put it into practice.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

The slanderer and the assassin

Tyron Edwards - “The slanderer and the assassin differ only in the weapon they use; with the one it is the dagger, with the other the tongue. The former is worse that the latter, for the last only kills the body, while the other murders the reputation.”

These words are really challenging for us to read, but they reveal the real damage that slander can do to someone's reputation. It is for this reason that James wrote:

"Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it but sitting in judgment on it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?" -James 4:11-12

Jesus also knew that our hearts are dangerous organs - they can give us so much life, but they can also cause a lot of harm. He said: “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander” - Matthew 15:19. 

As much as it was a problem in the early church, it is still a problem today. How can we avoid slander happening in our circle of influence?

Living in Grace

D3LM3