Making the journey together

A large part of the Christian experience can be nurtured privately, but it was never meant to be undertaken in isolation. We need each other as we make the journey of faith together. We need someone else to nudge us forward in encouragement, or to keep us accountable to our disciplines and to pray for us when we find prayer too difficult. 

2 Corinthians 13:11 - Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.

As we embark upon the spiritual journey of Lent this week, I invite you to commit to a practice that will nurture your relationship with God and others. If you don't have something to guide you and you would like something, please drop me a message and I will send you an invite to be a part of our community's 40 Days Together devotions. 

Helen Keller - Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light.

Living in Grace

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Choosing a way to pay a debt

“When I treat other people with kindness and love, it is part of my way of paying my debt to God and the world for the privilege of living on this planet.” - Ben Carson

I find it interesting that Ben Carson uses the word 'debt' in this quote, and especially in light of paying a debt to God. Having just come out of our Easter journey, we have been reminded that Christ paid a debt that we could never pay ourselves. 

So, what then could Ben be speaking about?

I think that he expresses a sentiment that should be practiced more widely in our world today - Living a life of love and kindness, in response to what God has already done for us. Yes, we can never fully repay what Jesus did for us, but we can surely live as if we are grateful for his love and act as if Christ's gift has transformed us in some way.

What do you think?

2 Corinthians 3:18 - And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Living in Grace

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Kindness

I am flabbergasted at how unkind the world seems to be becoming. Maybe it has always been this way, but our modern society has certainly picked up the baton and is carrying it on. Of course, social media and technology has played a huge part in giving unkind people greater opportunities to vent their rage at the world, but it really saddens me. 

Have you been on the receiving end of unkindness lately? It really hurts, doesn't? I pray that as we experience this pain, that we can remember our call to be kind to one another. May the Spirit of Christ fill our hearts and lives, so that we can truly love each other.  

Proverbs 3:3 - Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart.

2 Corinthians 6:6 - We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love.

Ephesians 1:7 - He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.

Living in Grace

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Connecting with God

What helps you to connect with God? 

There are many of us who find the love of God revealed in the beauty of creation. When you contemplate the might of a glorious mountain, or the crashing of waves on the ocean shore, these all point us to the power of our Creator. 

Or if you notice the flight of a colourful butterfly as it lands on the garden plants and then takes off again or the scurrying of the mysterious gecko, as it clings to the side of a sheer rock face. All creation points us back to the original Designer. Our Creator - the One who loves us and who desires to renew each one of us, is constantly seeking to celebrate the work of his hands. Let us give thanks that God has given us glimpses of his glory all around us and that we just need to open our eyes to see what God has made. 

Psalm 96:13 - Let all creation rejoice before the Lord.... 

2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: 

Thought: Try and find a quiet place, somewhere outside. As the silence enfolds you, take note of God's creation and what God could be saying to you. 

Living in Grace

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The sharpest weapon

Question: What is the sharpest weapon around?

Answer: Knife? Needle? Sword? Tongue? 

According to Anne Frank, none of the above. She suggests this: 

"In the long run, the sharpest weapon of all is a kind and gentle spirit." - Anne Frank

I have never thought of a 'kind and gentle spirit' as a weapon, and it took a lot of brain power for me to reflect on her point, but I think I get it now.

What do you feel?

2 Corinthians 10:4 - The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.

Living in Grace

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When grace is enough to get us through today!

"My grace is enough; it’s all you need.

My strength comes into its own in your weakness." - 2 Corinthians 12:9

How many times have we stressed over our weaknesses and wondered who will notice our inadequacies? Paul's honest vulnerability is refreshing and he boldly states: "Christ's power works through our weaknesses, so I have learnt to be 'okay' about admitting my weaknesses" (my version of his thoughts).

May the Grace of Jesus carry you through today and may we rest in the promise that 'HIS GRACE IS ENOUGH!'

“I am struck by how sharing our weakness and difficulties is more nourishing to others than sharing our qualities and successes.”
― Jean Vanier

Living in Grace

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Nothing great is ever achieved without much enduring

“Nothing great is ever achieved without much enduring.” - Catherine of Siena 

There is much truth in coming to understand that perseverance is a great virtue. Too many people in our modern world expect to be granted success without much 'long-suffering' or tenacity. 

Paul wrote a lot about endurance and perseverance:

"Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses" - 2 Corinthians 6:4

"...being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience." - Colossians 1:11

As you continue to walk in the ways of Jesus, may you be blessed with great courage and endurance.

Living in Grace

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Freedom?

Is there a difference between these two kinds of Freedom?

2 Corinthians - 3:17 - "For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is Freedom."

"Forces beyond your control can take away everything you possess except one thing, your FREEDOM to choose how you will respond to the situation." - Victor Frankl

What do these 2 thoughts mean for you today? 

Can the 'freedom' that Christ offers us impact the way we respond to the situations that happen all around us? 

Living in Grace

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Galatians 5:13 - For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.

Grant us strength

Here is a meaningful prayer for the beginning of a new week. May these words uplift you and inspire you. 

“Grant us strength and grace to run the race to the best of our ability,
with our eyes focussed on you.
Fill our hearts with love for you – love that leads to action.
Place our feet sturdily on the road that you have shown us
and bring us to the destination you have prepared for us.
In Jesus name. Amen.” – Solly Ozrevech

2 Corinthians 12 - My grace is enough; it’s all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness.

Living in Grace

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Beautiful Paradox

Bear Grylls writes "there is a beautiful paradox at the heart of this life of faith and love. We are not His equal, yet God involves us in His plans, as precious sons and daughters. He could do it all on His own, but He chooses to involve us, to invite us closer to Him. He gives us total freedom, yet He remains in control."

As much as I recognise this divine paradox I can't help but wonder if God didn't make a mistake. When I look at how we consistently mess up and sadly sully the name of Jesus, why would he choose to be partners with us? God's decision is confusing, but He has made it! 

We now need to take this great privilege and LIVE as his sons and daughters. In this lies the challenge for each one of us.

2 Corinthians 6:18 - And, “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”

What will you do with this beautiful paradox?

Living in Grace

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Reconciliation

Our Lenten devotion comes from the pen of Mr Bill Griffin this morning. Thank you Bill for your contribution.

As I write this (on 14 Nov. 2020) I am thinking of the bombing of Coventry Cathedral in North England on this day exactly 80 years ago. Only the walls and shattered shell of the once beautiful place of worship remained. But .... from the ashes arose not only the magnificent new cathedral, but also a wonderful  ministry of reconciliation which seeks each day to bring harmony into our chaotic and unforgiving world. Instead of recrimination, forgiveness. Instead of retaliation, restoration. Instead of hate, the embracing love of Jesus.

Stretching out his encompassing arms on the cross, Jesus prayed "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." How his Saviour heart must grieve as the world he loves continues to distance itself from him, resulting only as it does in strife and degradation.

In 2 Corinthians 5.19 we read that God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself. J.B. Phillips renders this verse - "God in Christ was restoring the world to himself, no longer counting our sins, but blotting them out. This is the wonderful message He has given us to tell others." How effective are we His people in telling and living out this awesome reconciling action of God, in these times?

From the smouldering debris of the cathedral, someone unknown propped up two pieces of blackened rafters in the form of a cross, and wrote in charcoal on the scorched wall the words "Father forgive." Just those two words. You may see them there today - a deeply moving experience.

'Father forgive. Forgive my prejudice, intolerance, self centredness, greed, indifference and unlovingness. Supply in full measure your Spirit who reconciles and unites people everywhere in the love of Christ.' Amen.

Living in Grace

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Breaking through the veil

Every now and again we get a glimpse of God through the gift of creation. It is almost as if the veil between this world and the next is lifted for a moment and we see into eternity. William Law writes beautifully about this gift.

"All that is sweet, delightful, and amiable in this world,
in the serenity of the air, the fineness of seasons,
the joy of light, the melody or sounds, 
the beauty of colours, the fragrancy of smells,
the splendour of precious stones,
is nothing else but Heaven breaking through 
the veil of this world."

May God break through into your world and may you get a glimpse of God's incredible mercy.

2 Corinthians 3:16 - "But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away."

 

Living in Grace

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Influence and Reform

 

In Christian circles (especially in Protestant churches) we note that the 31 October is remembered as Reformation Day. However it is important to note that for Christians REFORMATION is an ongoing event in our lives and not just an historical occurrence. We should be asking God to change us every day and allowing the Spirit to help us influence the world for Jesus.

In light of this, I think the words of J. Gresham Machen are very apt for our Church today:

"For Christians to influence the world with the truth of God's Word requires the recovery of the great Reformation doctrine of vocation. Christians are called to God's service not only in church professions but also in every secular calling. The task of restoring truth to the culture depends largely on our laypeople."

We must move away from the tendency to assume that the clergy are the only ones who can represent Christ in the world. This is false doctrine. Every one of us, who identifies with Jesus Christ, is called to be a 'transformer.'

2 Corinthians 3:18 - And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Living in Grace
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Too small

^"Dear, dear Corinthians, I can’t tell you how much I long for you to enter this wide-open, spacious life. We didn’t fence you in. The smallness you feel comes from within you. Your lives aren’t small, but you’re living them in a small way. I’m speaking as plainly as I can and with great affection. Open up your lives. Live openly and expansively!" - 2 Corinthians 6:11-13 (Message)

Let us not live 'small' lives.
Let us live lives that push the boundaries - lives that use all of God's power and greatness.
The more we live for God, the BIGGER our appreciation of God's grace and mercy.

Perhaps our frustration with our faith has a lot to do with what Paul refers to as 'our smallness' - our view of God that is too small and narrow-minded? 

Living in Grace
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Whose strength?

I came across this wonderful scripture the other day and it spoke to me of our natural tendency to do things in our own strength. However, when this doesn't work out for us then we have to rely on the power of God. I don't know why we keep trying to do it ourselves, but it seems to be part of our human nature. For Paul and his friends, it was only when they had stopped relying on their own power that they learnt to rest in God's strength.

"In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead." - 2 Corinthians 1:9

So, here is the big question for all of us today:
In whose STRENGTH are you going to live today?

Living in Grace
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God's Strength > My weakness

"But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me." - 2 Corinthians 12:9

Sometimes a verse makes a lot more sense when you are going through something very similar in your own journey. For us, we feel that we are needing God's strength in 'bucket loads' at the moment and so this verse really resonates with us. May it also offer you some hope and encouragement for what you are dealing with.

Remember that God's Strength > our weakness.

Living in Grace
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There is still time

Listening to the radio the other day I heard the DJ say something similar to this: "The year is almost over. If you haven't done what you had planned to do in 2017, then just forget about it. The year is done." My gut response was, "No way! That is not true!"
Of course, I recognise that we are already halfway through November, but 2017 is far from over. There is still time to do the things that we had planned to do. In fact, here are some stats for us to think about:

There are still 7 weeks left in 2017.
That means there are 48 days left this year.
That makes it 1152 hours.
Or 69120 minutes.
That is plenty of time to do the things we have committed to do. 

Psalm 32:6 - "Therefore, let all the godly pray to you while there is still time..."

Just to prove to us that 48 days is plenty of time to accomplish significant things, have a look at these 3 famous books that we written in record time. (I wish I could write books this fast :)

  
1. The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas: Irish novelist John Boyne said he was so wrapped up in this engrossing tale of a boy living through the Holocaust that he wrote the entire thing in two and a half days, barely stopping to eat or sleep throughout the ordeal.

2. A Study In Scarlet: The novel that introduced the famed detective work of Sherlock Holmes to the masses took Sir Aurthur Conan Doyle three weeks to write in 1886. This story was also notable for being the first Sherlock Holmes story to be adapted to the silver screen.


3. The Gambler: Russian author Fyodor Dostoyevsky wrote this tale in 26 days while also writing Crime and Punishment. He was heavily in debt and addicted to gambling and saw the semi-autobiographical novella as a good way to help him pay off his debts.

So, if you are feeling defeated by the events of this year, then I encourage you to ask God to show you what can still be done! There is STILL TIME. 

2 Corinthians 6:2 -For God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.” Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation.

 

Living in Grace

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God is not counting

God is not counting your sins, so why are you doing it?
We are often trapped by our sinfulness and by the many mistakes we make. They leave us feeling burdened, bound and paralysed. Yet, if we truly understood the gift that Jesus gives to us, we would realise that we have been set free from the law of sin, and that God has forgiven us.

Read these words carefully and see what I mean.

¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! ¹⁸ All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: ¹⁹ that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them….” - 2 Corinthians 5:17-19

Did you notice that last part? God is NOT counting your sins against you, so why are you doing it?

Let us live in the FREEDOM that Christ offers us.

Living in Grace

D3LM3 

P.S. Please remember that you are welcome to join us at the Book Launch on Wednesday at 6pm. 

Despair

The word 'Despair' means that we are 'without Hope' or that there is an 'absence of Hope.' We can all relate to feeling like this at times, but the Good news is that we don't need to get to the that place, if we have Jesus by our side. He is the HOPE we so desperately seek.
 
2 Corinthians 4:8 - We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. 

Psalm 40:2 - He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.

"Never let us despair while we have Christ as our leader." - George Whitefield

May you not be driven to Despair today, but rather into the safe arms of Jesus.

Living in Grace
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A new way

"Therefore, since God in his mercy has given us this NEW WAY, we never give up." - 2 Corinthians 4:1

Following God means that we often have to go against the flow. The decisions and agenda of the rest of the world may be very different from the way that Jesus has called us to live. This NEW WAY is tough and it may take an incredible amount of effort and sacrifice, but it is because we have been called to follow a different leader.

As we commit to this NEW WAY may we be blessed with courage and perseverance.

Living in Grace
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