Stand firm in this grace

There are so many things that threaten our peace of mind, spirit and lives. It can be extreme weather conditions, like we are experiencing at the moment; challenges at work or in your family; financial strain or even worries about the future.

So, when these waves break over you, how do you manage to stand firm? What do you do? Who do you hold onto? I have been reminded again and again that the best way for me to stay strong, is to rest in the Grace of God. 

2 Chronicles 20:20 - Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be able to stand firm.

Psalm 33:11 - But the Lord’s plans stand firm forever; his intentions can never be shaken.

1 Corinthians 16:13 - Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong.

1 Peter 5:12 - My purpose in writing is to encourage you and assure you that what you are experiencing is truly part of God’s grace for you. Stand firm in this grace.

Prayer: Lord, help me to lean upon your amazing grace and so then, to stand firm in the peace that you give to us. Amen.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

On Assignment

Whether we realise it or not we are all busy on some assignment right now. Yes, that includes you too! It may not seem like anything official, but we could be working on the assignment of:
career, parenting, retirement, recovery, serving, helping, studying, planning, praying, loving.
Being on assignment can mean a range of things for each one of us - the important thing to remember is WHY you are busy on this assignment and for WHOM are you so busy.

Peter was very clear on his purpose and that is why he wrote:

"I, Peter, am an apostle on assignment by Jesus, the Messiah, writing to exiles scattered to the four winds. Not one is missing, not one forgotten. God the Father has his eye on each of you, and has determined by the work of the Spirit to keep you obedient through the sacrifice of Jesus. May everything good from God be yours!" - 1 Peter 1:1-2 (Message)

Just reading these words from Peter I am also greatly encouraged by the words:

"no one is forgotten..."
"the Father has his eye on you...."

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Ordination - 10 years on

I was reminded today of our Ordination service, which took place on this day in 2006. In our Church system (at the time) we were Ordained 5 years after beginning our training, although I had already served for 5 years as a Youth Pastor in Bryanston, Johannesburg.

For Kim and I, our ministerial training involved serving in the Church Street Methodist Community in Somerset West (2002), while studying part-time in Plumstead. Then we moved to Pretoria for a year of Academic studies, where I finished my outstanding academic work (2003). From the city of Jacaranda's we were sent to the Umvoti circuit, where we served in the town of Dalton for 3 years. After our Ordination we moved to Pietermaritzburg, where we have been serving at Wesley Methodist (Hayfields) for 10 years.

As I reflect on nearly 20 years of combined ministry, I am grateful for all that God has done for us and for how he has led us. I am grateful for the support of my entire family and my friends - without their encouragement I am not sure I would be where I am today. All in all, I am most grateful for the presence of Christ with me, where-ever I go.

My challenge for us all today is this: "Don't be afraid to say YES to the call of Jesus. We don't know where it will lead us, but it will certainly be a huge adventure."

1 Peter 2:21 - To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

 

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Enough on your mind?

Do our brains have a limit as to how much they can handle? Some people would argue NO, but there are many others of us, who would definitely say YES. It seems that when we are busy or stressed, that our minds can't process everything and we simply forget a lot of things. Have you ever experienced this? It even begins to feel that we are losing our minds and that nothing seems to stick.

I wonder if God ever feels like this?
I wonder if God is so overwhelmed with trying to solve all of our problems and offer love, compassion and support to billions of people, that his mind is over-worked?
I know that God is Omnipotent, but I can still wonder about these things :)

Colossians 3:2 -Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

1 Peter 1:13 - Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.

Numbers 23:19 - God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind.

I am THANKFUL that we are never far from the mind of God and that God thinks about us all the time.

Have a blessed day

D3LM3