Jesus loves me, this I know!

                                         

When Anna Warner and her sister Susan teamed up to write the poem, “Jesus loves me”, I doubt they realised that it would have the incredible impact that it has had on the Christian community.

The lyrics first appeared as a poem in the context of an 1860 novel called Say and Seal, written by Susan Warner, in which the words were spoken as a comforting poem to a dying child. So, we can picture the scene in the story – there is a child who is lying incapacitated, vulnerable, and alone. The person who is caring for this little child, can think of only one person who could bring comfort to her and so she speaks:

Jesus loves me—this I know,
For the Bible tells me so:
Little ones to him belong, —
They are weak, but he is strong.

The refrain was written and added later many years later, but it certainly added to the overall power of the song:

Yes, Jesus loves me.
Yes, Jesus loves me.
Yes, Jesus loves me.
For the Bible tells me so.

And the Warner sisters are 100% correct – the Bible is filled with passages to point us to the truth, that God loves us. Arguably the entire Canon of Scripture is underpinned with this key thought: 

Jesus Loves Me!

1 John 3:1 - See how very much our father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! 

Living in Grace

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Don't take it for granted

On the 4th of October 1537 the world got to read the first Bible printed in the English language, and this was thanks to the tireless work of people like William Tyndale and Miles Coverdale. It is a sad reality that many English speakers now take this gift for granted and we forget the true joy of listening to the sacred scriptures (or reading them) in our mother tongue. 

The quote in the picture above strikes a chord with me, where it reminds me that "the things I take for granted, someone else is praying for."

What other things do I take for granted?

Enjoy reading these words from the Bible and say a prayer of thanks for all those involved in translating the Bible into the languages of the world.

Ecclesiastes 7:14 (The Message) - On a good day, enjoy yourself; On a bad day, examine your conscience. God arranges for both kinds of days So that we won’t take anything for granted.

Living in Grace

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Studying

"You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life." - John 5:39-40

Just like many families at the moment, we are in the middle of exam season. Needless to say this time carries a certain degree of stress and much patience is required. 

As I was reflecting on this I was reminded that we are all called to keep on studying, no matter our age. As followers of Jesus we are life-long students, but we must remember to do our studying with the right motives. Jesus' speaks to those who follow him (in John 5) and teaches that our studying of the scriptures is to encounter the Messiah and not just to gain head knowledge. 

Enjoy your studies :)

Living in Grace

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Searchlight

"The Lord's searchlight penetrates the human spirit, exposing every hidden motive." - Proverbs 20:27

What image comes to your mind when you think of a searchlight? 

I have in my mind a massive bright light, scanning the surrounding countryside, revealing anything that may be hidden in the darkness. I guess a Lighthouse is a kind of searchlight, except it's function is mainly to reveal itself and thus warn ships of where the coastline is. A searchlight has a different function - it is to reveal and find.

Now, I want to ask us: what emotion comes to your mind when you think about a searchlight? 

Yes, it is a strange question perhaps, but let me expand. When the writer of Proverbs suggests that the Spirit acts like a searchlight for our hearts, this picture can do one of two things. It can either fill you with anxiety - oh man, what is God going to find in my heart? 

OR

It can fill you with relief and hope. Many of our hearts are feeling the weight and strain of Covid-19, and some of us are feeling lost. Our emotions are like a frightened animal hiding in the shadows, afraid of what is out there. The searchlight of God's spirit FINDS us again and reminds us that we are God's chosen and beloved. 

The Father sends the Spirit to bring comfort to the lost and bewildered.

Let God's promises shine on your problems. ~Corrie Ten Boom

Every happening, great and small, is a parable whereby God speaks to us, and the art of life is to get the message. ~Malcolm Muggeridge

Living in Grace

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So, that is the purpose!

I understand that the Bible can be confusing at times. I get that it doesn't always make sense. And even as a minister I truly need to wrestle with a number of passages in the Scriptures. However, one of the purposes of the Scriptures is to be life-giving and not the opposite. Sadly, it is often used in a negative way, but when you read verses like Psalm 19, you will see what it truly intended.

⁷ The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
⁸ The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
⁹ The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous.

Did you notice some of those thoughts?

REFRESHING.

TRUSTWORTHY

WISDOM

JOY

RADIANT

GIVING LIGHT

ENDURING

FIRM

These are such incredible gifts for all of us. It is my prayer that you would begin to find the pages of the Bible offering you some of these gifts.

Living in Grace

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Let it sink in

I came across this wonderful quote over the last few days which speaks about allowing the Scriptures to leave their mark on us. Warren Wiersbe writes:

“Too many Christians mark their Bibles, but their Bibles never mark them! If you think you are spiritual because you hear the Word, then you are only kidding yourself.”  

It is one thing to mark some key verses in our Bibles, but do we allow these verses to sink into our lives? Do we allow them to mark us?

So next time you read a powerful scripture ask yourself if this verse can impact your life? Will it bring about change in your spirit?

Living in Grace
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Unfolding

Somethings need to be "unfolded" in order to use them in the best possible way. You need to unfold a napkin, or a bed sheet, or a blanket. If your T-shirts have been ironed and folded in your cupboard, you will have to unfold them in order to get dressed. To unfold something means to 'open it' or 'to gradually reveal.'

The same principle applies to the word of God - it needs to be 'unfolded' or 'unwrapped' in order to be revealed to us - this is when it is the most effective.

"The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple." - Psalm 119:30

So, here is a thought - don't just let your Bible sit there and gather dust - Unfold it and then use it.

Living in Grace
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That ONE thing

"I want to know one thing,
—the way to heaven; how to land safe on that happy shore. 
God himself has condescended to teach me the way. 
For this very end He came from heaven. 
He hath written it down in a book. 
O give me that book!
At any price, give me the book of God! 
I have it: here is knowledge enough for me. 
Let me be homo unius libri. 
Here then I am, far from the busy ways of men. 
I sit down alone; only God is here. 
In His presence I open, I read His book; 
for this end, to find the way to heaven" - John Wesley

It is interesting that Wesley wanted to be homo unius libri (a man of ONE book), yet he encouraged all his members and preachers to read as widely as they could. It was just that when it came down to the crunch, Wesley expected us all to be STUDENTS of the bible first and foremost. The other books should inform and add to what we have started reading in the Word.

Living in Grace
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Reflection - Soren Kierkegaard

"When you read God's Word, you must constantly be saying to yourself, "It is talking to me and about me." - Soren Kierkegaard

When we spend time digging in God's Word we notice something very profound. All of the events recorded in the Bible took place thousands of years before any of us were born, yet we can still hear the Word speaking to us. Books like the Psalms, Proverbs and even Ecclesiastes will never grow old - their message is timeless and they speak into our lives, even in 2016.

However, there is also something else that is profound - God's Word speaks about me. It reminds me that I am a sinner in need of Grace. It tells me that I am the beloved child of God. It reassures me that God is with me all the time.

Romans 10:11 - "As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.”

So, I completely agree with Kierkegaard - God uses the Bible to speak to me, as well as speak about me.

What do you think?

Living in Grace
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The Telescope

I am asked a lot of questions about the Bible and how accurate and true it is. One can only try and give satisfactory answers, but in the end, each person needs to decide for themselves how 'True' the bible is. For me, it will remain the Great Account of our (humans) encounter with God and our ongoing relationship with the Messiah. Of course there are some things I don't fully understand in the pages of the Bible, but I keep reading and searching, in order that I may understand.

Perhaps the best description of the Bible I have heard for a while, comes from Phillips Brooks:

"The Bible is like a telescope. If a person looks through his telescope, then he sees worlds beyond - but if he looks at his telescope, then he does not see anything but that. The Bible is a thing to be looked through, to see that which is beyond."

As you spend time reading God's Word may it come alive for you and I pray that we would catch a glimpse of the World to come.

Matthew 24:35 - Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.

Living in Grace
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The deathless book

I came across an interesting quote on the Bible from Isaac Taylor. This is what he said:

"The deathless book (Bible) has survived three great dangers;
the negligence of its friends;
false systems built upon it;
the warfare of those who have hated it."

There may be questions around the Bible from time to time, but for any work to survive 2000 years proves that ther
e is a huge TRUTH within her pages.

Hebrews 4:12 -  For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Living in Grace
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Make it come alive

Sometimes reading the Bible becomes a little dry. We may get into a place of feeling that there is no life in the pages anymore. If this is the case, then I urge you to try a different version of the Scriptures. What you will find is that some of the familiar passages will come alive again. I know that I have done this a few times in my life - just a simple decision to read the New Living Translation, instead of the New International Version, or to read the Living Bible instead of the King James, may make all the difference.

Take the following verse as an example (John 10:10). It says the same thing, but each version sheds some new insight into the Truth of the verse.


The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (NIV)

A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of. (MSG)

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. (KJV)

The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. (NLT)

Living in Grace
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Worn out from over use

I saw a funny thing today. As I was paying an account at one of the local shops, I noticed that the keyboard had hand-written numbers stuck onto the top of the original keys. It looked a little weird, but I guess it does the job. I asked the attendant why they had done this and he just laughed, "because we use it so much!"

There were a number of things that struck me about this keyboard and the comment from the clerk.

1.  In a 'throw away' age, it was nice to see someone recycling an old keyboard.
2. It is good to see that something lasts longer than a few months - a lot of modern gadgets aren't built to last very long.
3. It made me think about how much we use our bibles. Wouldn't it be nice to 'patch' up our bibles, because they showed 'wear and tear' from over use?
4. How much time do I spend reading God' word compared to using my computer/Ipad/phone etc?

Mmmmmh, makes me think we need to spend a little more time 'wearing' out the Word. You?


Living in Grace
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A prayer of Grace

When I started blogging 'Living in Grace', one of my aims was to reflect on God's great love for us and to re-discover how God's grace impacts our lives. Grace been such a key factor in my relationship with Jesus that I need to keep coming back to it - it shapes my faith completely. Of course the Bible speaks plainly of God's grace, through Jesus Christ.

If you would like to bless someone, why don't you forward the following 2 verses to them. They may just need to hear them today. In fact, why don't you think of someone in need and PRAY these words over them.

May GRACE and PEACE be yours in abundance - 2 Peter 1:2

Be strong through the GRACE that God gives you in Jesus Christ - 2 Timothy 2:1

Living in Grace
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A fire and a hammer

We can all picture what a hammer and a fire looks like can't we? But perhaps we should think a little bigger and picture a massive bonfire and huge 24-pound hammer! Both the fire and the hammer could be used in dramatic ways - one to burn a whole lot of things and the other to break down some stubborn rocks or walls.

It is both of these images that Jeremiah presents to us in Jeremiah 23:29
"Is not my word like fire ... and like a hammer that breaks a rock into pieces?"

God's word is usually used to strength and to encourage us, as well as to direct and guide us. However, today we are reminded that God's word is not to be messed with - if God needs to use the word to refine us or chip off the rough edges, then He will do it.

Let's hold God's word with respect and honour. It is life-changing.

Living in Grace
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Predictive Text

Our phones are really smart nowadays! They can even predict what I want to say, so when I begin to write a message, the phone offers suggestions to me. The trouble with 'predictive text' is that sometimes the phone gets it badly wrong. Like the other day I was trying to type 'Spirit', but after 4 letters the phone offered me "SPUR" instead. On the surface this is not that bad, but it could change the entire meaning of my message.

"May God bless you with his SPUR today!" - ouch, that doesn't sound so cool?! (So here is a heads up - double check your messages before you send then otherwise you may send the wrong message.)

When God sends us messages, he doesn't use predictive text - God knows exactly what he wants to say and He has said it clearly and simple in His word. All we need to do is read it!

"It is clear to us, friends, that God not only loves you very much but also has put his hand on you for something special." - 1 Thessalonians 1:3-4 (the Message)

Be blessed today.

Living in Grace
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New eyes

I have been enjoying reading the Bible with new insight over the past week or so. As a preacher I often fall into the trap of reading the Bible for others - by this I mean, I read and prepare a message in order to pass on some insight to our faith community. However, there are times when I need to read the Bible for myself ONLY. It is hard to separate the two forms of Bible study, but the 40 Days in the Word series is helping me to do this.

Here are some of the readings from Philippians that have struck a chord with me this week:

"Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ." - Philippians 1:27

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.' - Philippians 4:13 (this was the very first verse I ever memorised as a baby-Christian)

Tell me your story...

Living in Grace
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First Bible

This morning, I found one of the first bibles I was given as a kid - I was 6 at the time. It was such a special moment to find the bible again. It reminded me of the little Gideon's bibles we used to get at school. I used to always love the fact that the blue Gideon's bibles had verses to guide you through different circumstances. If you were worried or angry; needing direction or peace; seeking answers or upliftment, the references helped you to find the right verse to read.

Can you remember the first Bible you ever had. Tell me about it - I'd love to know.

If you are needing courage today then perhaps you can read this verse:

"Energize the limp hands, strengthen the rubbery knees. Tell fearful souls, "Courage! Take heart! God is here, right here, on his way to put things right And redress all wrongs. He's on his way! He'll save you!" - Isaiah 35:3

Living in Grace
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