Do Good

In trying to encourage believers to be witnesses of God's grace, John Wesley challenged people to 'Do good' to others. This was not an attempt to persuade a 'salvation by works' mentality, but rather to echo the approach of James - 'faith, without action is dead!'

Galatians 6:9-10 - Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

2 Thessalonians 3:13 - And as for you, … never tire of doing what is good.

Question: How can we do good to others (for the sake of God's kingdom)?

Living in Grace

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Stamina for the journey

In sporting circles stamina is a very important ingredient to have if you want to succeed, especially if you are taking part in endurance sports. The following definitions are helpful in reflecting on what stamina means for us: 

"Enduring energy, strength, and resilience" - Collins Dictionary

"Great physical or mental strength that allows you to continue doing something for a long time." - Brittanica

So, the question I have for us is this: How do we build spiritual stamina in our lives? We know that following Christ is an amazing gift, but it also takes stamina. We are not just following Jesus for one day - hopefully we plan to follow Him for our entire lives. 

So, what do you do to build up your spiritual stamina? What helps you?

2 Thessalonians 3:5 - May the Master take you by the hand and lead you along the path of God’s love and Christ’s endurance.

Hebrews 10:36 - Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.

Living in Grace

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Learning Perseverance

Do you ever get the impression that God is wanting to teach you something?

Or that you are experiencing much of the same kind of thing, and you wonder what lesson you need to take from these moments? 

Well, I have been having one of those weeks and sense that the lesson I need to learn is perseverance. I admit that I am not enjoying learning the lesson so much, but I do trust that I will soon understand why it is a value lesson to learn (or re-learn).

Can you relate in anyway? What are having to learn at the moment?

"May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance." - 2 Thessalonians 3:5

You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it." - Maya Angelou

"For great things do not just happen by impulse, but are a succession of small things linked together." - Vincent Van Gogh

Living in grace

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In every situation

"Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all." - 2 Thessalonians 3:16

There was something about this verse that struck a chord with me this week. It relates to circumstances involving the church in Thessalonica, but it can so easily be speaking into our lives today. As you read through this verse ask yourself how these words offer you hope right now?

Matt Redman -  We can always find a reason to praise. Situations change for better and for worse, but God's worth never changes.

May the Lord be with you today.

Living in Grace

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Get a grip

 

Ever heard the saying, "Just get a grip on things?!"
It can mean a few different things depending on our contexts, but I want to share it in light of this passage from 2 Thessalonians 2.

"...dear brothers and sisters, STAND FIRM and keep a strong grip on everything we taught you both in person and by letter.” – v.15 (NLT)

"So then, our friends, stand firm and hold on to those truths which we taught you, both in our preaching and in our letter." (Good News)

"With all these things in mind, dear brothers, stand firm and keep a strong grip on the truth that we taught you" (Living Bible)

We are encouraged to hold onto the word of God. It is this life-giving word that keeps us going and helps us stay on the path that God has called us to walk on.

How is your grip today?

Living in Grace
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Give you strength

“May our Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father, who loved us and in his special favour gave us everlasting comfort and good hope, comfort your hearts and give you strength in every good thing you do and say.”- 2 Thessalonians 2:16

When we need comfort in any situation it is awesome to know that God draws near to us and stands with us.

Hold onto these words today.

Living in Grace
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Live a life worthy of the call

 

^"So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honoured because of the way you live, and you will be honoured along with him. This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ." - 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12

These words from Paul to the church in Thessalonica are inspiring. He tells them that they will always be in his prayers and that he will pray for them to LIVE a LIFE worthy of the call. This prayer is for all believers, not just leaders of the church - we all have a call to respond to and when we live a life that is worthy of that call we honour God.

The other amazing thing is that God promises to give us the power and strength to accomplish all this things - we don't need to do it in our own strength.

A few questions to ponder:
1. What has God called you to do?
2. Are you fulfilling that calling? 
3. And whose strength are you relying on?

Living in Grace
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Sizonqoba

Sizonqoba - 'together we triumph.'
This was the motivational slogan for Comrades 2019 and I felt honoured to be running in this years race. My experience of running in this awesome event is that it brings all sorts of people together, all with the same common goal - to finish the race!

Of course we can draw a wonderful parallel with our Christian race and if Jesus spoke isizulu he may have even told his disciples - Sizonqoba! As a Church community the more we learn to rely on each other and to help each other, then the more we will all triumph in the end. God is glorified in the collective Body of Jesus.

2 Thessalonians 3:1 -Finally, dear brothers, as I come to the end of this letter, I ask you to pray for us. Pray first that the Lord’s message will spread rapidly and triumph wherever it goes, winning converts everywhere as it did when it came to you.

Living in Grace

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The way of Peace

I am deeply challenged by the following quote today:

"We who were formerly no people at all, and who knew of no peace, are now called to be...a church...of peace. True Christians do not know vengeance. They are the children of peace. Their hearts overflow with peace. Their mouths speak peace, and they walk in the way of peace." - Menno Simons 

Sadly, we don't see this playing out in the church all the time, but it is a stark reminder of how we should live ..... at Peace with one another and with the world around us.

Isaiah 59:8 -  The way of peace they do not know; there is no justice in their paths. They have turned them into crooked roads; no one who walks along them will know peace.

2 Thessalonians 3:16 -  Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.

May you be at Peace today:
with your friends and family,
with your community,
with yourself,
and with the Lord.

Living in Grace
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Faithful - Advent thoughts

"Stay the course.
Keep believing.
You may be tired,
discouraged and frustrated,
but don't give up on your future,
Our God is FAITHFUL." - Anon

Advent is always a reminder to us that God remained faithful to us, even despite our disobedience. We are not just waiting the birth of the Christ-child, but the God who will forever be FAITHFUL. Let us rejoice that our God is good and that his patience out lasts our betrayal.

2 Thessalonians 3:3 - "But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one."

Living in Grace
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