What kind of King?

Our passage from Ecclesiastes today fits in very well with our overall theme as a Christian Church. Today is known as Christ the King Sunday and we obviously celebrate the Lordship of Jesus, as well as the end of the liturgical calendar. With the benefit of hindsight and thousands of years of history we slowly comprehend that Jesus came as a different kind of King. The world has a picture of what lordship looks like, which is why many people took a while before they understood that Jesus was the King of Kings.

"I also saw under the sun this example of wisdom that greatly impressed me: There was once a small city with only a few people in it. And a powerful king came against it, surrounded it and built huge siege works against it. Now there lived in that city a man poor but wise, and he saved the city by his wisdom. But nobody remembered that poor man. So I said, “Wisdom is better than strength.” But the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are no longer heeded.

The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded
than the shouts of a ruler of fools.
Wisdom is better than weapons of war,
but one sinner destroys much good." - Ecclesiastes 9:13-18

Let us not miss our king of Kings this year. Of all the years, 2020 is the time we need to get on bended knee and admit we are in need of a Saviour-King.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Live pure, speak true, right wrong

 There is a wonderful line written in Gareth and Lynette by Alfred Tennyson. It reads:

“Live pure, speak true, right wrong, Follow the King-- Else, wherefore born?"

Gareth says these words to his mother, who is trying to dissuade him from leaving to become a Knight with King Arthur. In his heart he believed he was called to 4 great tasks:

• Live Pure

• Speak True

• Right Wrong

• Follow the King
  

What a powerful sentiment and personal mission statement. If more people sought to live pure lives, to speak the truth of Christ, to right the injustices in our society and to Follow the King (Jesus), then perhaps our world would be a better place?

Any thoughts?

Living in Grace

D3LM3 

Ascension Day

In our Christian tradition we celebrate Ascension Day on the 9th May 2013 - this is 40 days after the Resurrection of Jesus. Even though we don't have it as an official Public Holiday any more, Christians should still remember this day as a 'Holy' day. It is a profound day in many ways:

1. It marks the end of Jesus' physical time on earth.
2. We are reminded that he returned to the Father, where he now prays for us.
3. It was an event that released the ministry of the Gospel to the disciples - Jesus passed on the baton to them, which in turn has been passed onto us.
4. It signifies preparation for Pentecost (10 days later), when the Spirit was poured out upon the whole church.
5. It marks the beginning of His reign as the King of Glory.

"The ascension of Elijah may be compared to the flight of a bird, which none can follow; the ascension of Christ is, as it were, a bridge between earth and heaven, laid down for all who are drawn to Him by His earthly existence." - Baumgarten.

May you experience the blessing of our King of Glory.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Laying it down

When the crowds placed their garments at the feet of Jesus they were honouring him as their King. Although many of them were swept up in the hype of the moment, some of the people were truly surrendering their all to Jesus.

“Those that worship Christ as King must lay their all under his feet;
the clothes, in token of the heart.” – Matthew Henry

Are we prepared to lay our hopes, dreams, ambitions and desires at the feet of Jesus? May this Holy Week lead us into a place of deep worship and reverence for Christ our King.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Penniless preacher

Pray and reflect on these thoughts today:

"Christ is the most unique person in history. No man can write a history of the human race without giving first and foremost place to the penniless preacher of Nazareth." - H.G.Wells

Living in Grace,
D3LM3

Persuasion

In trying to tell people about Jesus do we feel that we are exhausting ourselves in 'persuading' them to know Jesus? Maybe we should try this approach...

"Christianity is not a matter of persuading people of particular ideas, but of inviting them to share in the greatness of Christ." - Ignatius of Antioch

Don't sell them an idea, introduce them to a person!

Living in Grace,
D3LM3

Man's Dislike of God...

If the title got you interested in reading this post then let me explain. These words are from this quote from Horatius Bonar...

"Man's dislike at God's sovereignty arises from his suspicion of God's heart...The more I understand of the character of God, as revealed in Scripture, the more shall I see that He must be sovereign, and the more shall I rejoice from my inmost heart that He is so."

Are there times when we feel suspicious of God's heart or do we believe that God always has our best interests at heart? I am naturally cautious of people's motives, but if I am to surrender to the Christ, as my King, I need to trust in His heart.

Revelation 11:15 - "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever."

Have a blessed weekend.

Living in Grace,
D3LM3