It is well

We sang this song in one of our worship services yesterday. It is such a testimony to the power of hope and trust that God will get us through the most difficult of circumstances. May these words offer you hope and peace this week. 

"When peace like a river
Attendeth my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot
Thou hast taught me to say
It is well, It is well with my soul.

It is well with my soul

It is well

It is well with my soul."

The chorus is not a recognition of present circumstances, but rather a deep belief that 'no matter what', God is still with us. Our souls are secure in his hands.

Psalm 25:5 - Lead me; teach me; for you are the God who gives me salvation. I have no hope except in you.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

No easy matter

How easy do you find Prayer? 

I admit that on some days I find it incredibly tough and this is usually because of outside circumstances. Yet, on other days the words seem to flow from deep inside me. Although prayer can be simple, it can also be hard. I am consoled by the words of many great saints who have paved the way for us, and of course from the pages of the Scriptures. It all helps me tremendously. 

"Praying is no easy matter. It demands a relationship in which you allow someone other than yourself to enter into the very center of your person, to see there what you would rather leave in darkness, and to touch there what you would rather leave untouched." - Henri Nouwen

Matthew 6 (The Message)

“The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They’re full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don’t fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply. Like this: Our Father in heaven, Reveal who you are. Set the world right; Do what’s best— as above, so below. Keep us alive with three square meals. Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others. Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil. You’re in charge! You can do anything you want! You’re ablaze in beauty! Yes. Yes. Yes."

Observation: Prayer is not an easy matter, but it is one of our deepest necessities. 

Living in Grace

D3LM3

God is not making it too difficult

"Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, “Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, “Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it." - Deuteronomy 30:11-14

Sometimes we may think that God is playing a game with us and that somehow we are always on the back foot. However, today's reading reminds me that God is not asking us something that is too difficult for us. God wants us to "succeed" in walking with Him and the Word is given to us as a source of guidance and Life.

Do you feel that God makes it hard for you to follow him?

I am writing this on Ascension Day and one of the truths of this special occasion reminds me that Jesus Christ is praying for us all the time. That doesn't give me the impression that God wants me to fail.

Living in grace

D3LM3

Prayer during difficulty

"Help us bear difficulty, pain, disappointment, and sorrows, knowing that in Your perfect working and design, You can use such bitter experiences to shape our character and make us more like our Lord." - Ignatius of Antioch

2 Chronicles 32:8 - "With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles."

May God walk alongside you during the strains of life and may His Spirit carry you when you can't walk yourself. 

Living in Grace
D3LM3

The school of hard knocks

You may have heard this saying before - "The School of hard knocks?"
It simply means "learning something the hard way - usually through your mistakes."

The Bible includes a few people who attended this 'school'.... Thomas, King David, Samson, Paul, Joseph. Perhaps the best student of this school would be Simon Peter - he learnt by putting his foot in it all the time. His hard knocks taught him so much about being a Christ-follower and I love him for his tenacity and persistence.

If we are honest we have also attended the same school - the tough question to ask is, 'have we learnt from being at this school or do we keep making the same mistakes?'

"Hardship often prepares an ordinary person for an extraordinary destiny." - C. S. Lewis

What is God teaching you today? Don't allow the hard knocks to distract you from seeing God's plan for you right now.

Be blessed today.
Living in Grace
D3LM3

Paths

In a surge of adrenaline it is great to blaze new trails and to set new trends. It is exhilarating to go where others haven't gone before and I encourage you to dream outrageous dreams.

However, there are times when it is prudent to walk on ancient paths, to step where others have walked safely for generations. God has laid out guidelines and 'paths' for us to follow - and these will lead us in a Godly direction. Never be too proud to walk these roads. There will still be plenty of action, excitement and new opportunities along God's Paths, but we need to trust Him along the journey.

Psalm 25:4 - "Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths."

Jeremiah 6:16 - "This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls."

Walking in His Grace,
D3LM3

When the chips are down...

You may have heard this saying before - "when the chips are down!" By the way, it has nothing to do with your waiter putting the hot chips (french fries) onto your table either. The idiom originates from a game of poker but now has the connection with things being serious, desperate or urgent.

As much as we hope that Bafana Bafana will beat France in their next game, it looks as if the 'chips are down.' The true test of our Nations fanatical support will be tested when we are knocked out of the tournament. I believe that South Africans will still support the World Cup with as much passion and fervour - we will just choose another team to support (and hopefully one that has no 'divers' in it!)

What happens in your relationship with God when the 'chips are down?' Do you give up? Do you blame God? Do you turn to another god? What do we do? Here is some solid advice.

James 1:12 - "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him."

James 5:11 - "As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy."

Hang in there.
Living in Grace,
D3LM3

Haiti

Seven days ago Haiti was rocked by an enormous earthquake (which you all know already) and I have not written anything on it as yet. Why, you may ask?
Is it because I don't care? Well, of course not!

To be honest, I just don't know what to say or write.

I mean, what is there to say that can make it any better for the people of Haiti? Will my words bring 200 000 people back to life?
How can I try to rationalise why this happens?

I will not point out that this is some way of God getting even with people - I will not speak on God's behalf, when it comes to things like this. Sure it may be Apocalyptic, but there were many godly people in the midst of the dead - did God just allow them to die, so we can all get a message?
Not the God I want to believe in!

Look, I understand that we frustrate God at times. I get it, that I sin and mess up daily. But I also understand that God wants to be in relationship with us - that's why Jesus came to earth isn't it?

To lead me back to God.
To pay for my sins on the cross.
To offer me forgiveness.

So, why the earthquake struck Haiti and not South Africa, I don't know. What I do know is this...

Romans 8:18 - I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

2 Corinthians 1:5 - For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.

In the meantime, let's all pray for the people of Haiti. They need our love and prayers. Let's leave the "why did this happen" for another day!

Living in Grace,
D3LM3

End of your Tether?

Have you heard this idiom before?

"I am at the end of my tether!"

I am sure you have! Here is the official description of this idiom:

"If you are at the end of your tether, you are at the limit of your patience or endurance." (Some countries use the word 'rope' instead of tether.)

At this time of the year, there are many people who are feeling at the end of their tether. The rush of the festive season and the tiredness of a long year, all take their toll on us. So what do we do in order to change this situation? Here are 7 suggestions:

1. Plan a day off, without any agenda. Even better, take your holiday now.
2. Continue to fight for your daily time with God - we need these moments alone with God.
3. Be honest with your family and friends as to how you are feeling.
4. Remember that Christ was born into the midst of messy world. Just because our lives feel 'upside down', doesn't mean that God has abandoned us. It's in these times that God wants to Shine through.
5. Try not to take 'life' personally. It is easy to feel as if the whole world is conspiring against you, but we need to remember that everyone goes through difficult times.
6. Seek prayer or help if you believe that you are always at the 'end of your tether.'
7. Read these words and then use them in a short prayer...

"How you have helped the powerless! How you have saved the arm that is feeble!" - Job 26:2

May you find peace!

Held by Grace,
D3LM3

God is Greater

This week has brought it's own share of issues for me to face. Some of them have been easy to deal with, whilst others will still need more time and prayer! These 3 words have been ringing in my spiritual ears all week - "God is Greater!" (1 John 3:20)

In the next chapter, John adds these words - "Greater is He who is in me, than he that is in the world.” – 1 John 4:4

I see these words as a Promise - they give me hope. They remind me that what you and I face, may be difficult and perplexing, but God is Greater than these things. If I don't believe in this, then where do I turn? If the Lord can't stand alongside us and help us to defeat the 'giants' before us, then where is my hope?

When Elijah taunted the prophets of Baal, it was because he knew that God was Greater!

When David walked out to meet Goliath, it was because he knew the same thing to be true.

When Daniel refused to bow to a foreign king, he understood the same truth.

When you face your challenges today - what will go through your mind?
I am defeated? OR 'God is Greater!?'

Grace and peace
D3LM3

P.S. - Have a look at the photo and remind yourself of the 'greatness' of God.

Stand with me

Often when we go through difficult times our natural tendency is to withdraw and to deal with the 'rogue waves' ourselves. This self-preservation tactic has been used for ages and to some degree it works. However, when we do this we also open ourselves up to the danger of isolation and loneliness.

Whilst, it is tough to admit that we need someone to 'stand alongside us', it is key to riding out the rogue wave. Look at what Jesus said when he was facing the toughest moment of his life:

"My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with me." - Matthew 26:38

Jesus needed his friends to be with him, during his darkest hour. He knew that they couldn't change what he was facing, but he needed them to be with him.

Don't stand alone and face the waves - there are people that are willing to stand with you.

Supported by Grace,
D3LM3

Extreme Surfing

I have done a little bodyboarding in my younger days and have caught a few big waves, but I have never caught a 'Rogue Wave' (thankfully)! Rogue Wave’s are unpredictable, abnormally large waves that occur on a seemingly random basis in the oceans. The highest recorded Rogue Wave was 30m (95 feet) - that is pretty huge!

Just as these waves appear out of nowhere and destroy ships and anything in their path, so 'rogue waves' occur in our lives too. We could be enjoying life, when all of a sudden we get tragic news, or lose our jobs, or hear that a family member is ill - there are many potential Rogue Waves in our world.

If we know that they will come, how do we then prepare ourselves to handle them when they arrive out of the blue? That's a tough question! One member of our Church responded that we "just have to Pray!" That advice is still the best for me - the only way I believe we can survive a Rogue Wave is if we pray!

"Let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:6-7

May Grace give us strength to face the 'unpredictable' waves in our lives,
D3LM3