The illusive gift

If you hadn't realised it as yet, the world offers us many gifts to try and appease our feelings of unease. These take the form of many disguises and facades, but in the end, they usually fail to meet our deepest needs. Jesus steps into the fray and offers us something remarkably life-giving - it is the gift of himself. 

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." - John 14:27

In my experience, the PEACE that we are invited to share, is not just a 'feeling', but a relationship with the ONE who is PEACE personified.

What do you feel?

Where do you find your peace? 

Living in Grace

D3LM3

A most unique gift

When we receive gifts from loved ones and friends, it is usually an indication of a deeper relationship between us. I mean, how often do you give gifts to someone you don't really appreciate and enjoy? I can't recall ever doing that.

We are reminded that at Pentecost God gave us the greatest gift of all - Himself. Jesus had been explaining to his followers that they should expect this GIFT, but in true fashion, no one knew what this gift would be. 

Acts 1:4 - On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about."

"Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.”  - John 4:10

The challenge for us all is what we will do with this most unique and indispensable gift. Sadly, too many of us have left the gift unopened and unused.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Shining and guiding

If one had to ask an audience about the greatest gift Jesus offers humanity, it would probably be a unanimous answer of 'Salvation.' While I believe that this is the correct answer, we mustn't forget that this great gift comes with a whole lot of extras attached. For example, Luke tells us that the Messiah will 'shine' on those living in darkness and those living in the shadow of death, as well as guiding our feet into the pathway of peace. 

"...to shine on those living in darkness   and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.” - Luke 1:79

If you find yourself living in the shadows today, then look out for the light of Christ.

If you are needing to know the right path (the path that will bring you peace), then listen for the guiding words of Jesus.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Fight with everything

"Dear friends, I’ve dropped everything to write you about this life of salvation that we have in common. I have to write insisting—begging!—that you fight with everything you have in you for this faith entrusted to us as a gift to guard and cherish." - Jude 1:3 (The Message)

Living as Christ-followers is becoming more and more complicated. We are definitely moving into a time where we will need to 'content' more for our faith. Of course, this doesn't mean that we have to attack people, but rather be willing to stand up for what we believe in and to 'guard' the gift we have been given.

What does this verse mean for you in this time of your life?

"Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen." - Winston Churchill

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Understanding God's plans

"But they do not know the Lord’s thoughts
    or understand his plan." - Micah 4:12

Who of us can honestly say we always understand the way God works? Not many of us I think!
The people in Micah's day certainly didn't fully understand what God was doing and when we consider the birth of a tiny baby as God's idea for redemption - well, that seemed totally ridiculous. 

However, we now know a little more about how Jesus' life became the GIFT for all humanity and how God's plan ended up offering salvation to the world. This is the beauty and joy of Christmas.
Indeed, God's ways are not our ways, so we are left to trust in God's plans or to ignore them.

Revelation 15:3 - “Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, King of the nations."

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Watching and waiting

 

Young children are the most enthusiastic at Christmas time and in many ways they keep the miracle of Christmas alive for lots of us. Their constant questions about presents, Santa Claus, reindeer, holidays, food and more presents, keep us unusually busy.

Of course, in responding to the myriad of questions, we should always be willing to remind them of the real reason for Christmas.

“But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord,

I wait for God my saviour,

My God will hear me.” – Micah 7:7

Our watching, waiting and hoping is all part of the Advent season. Teaching children (and adults) that all good things come to those who wait is a crucial part of this time of the year. 

As you watch and wait for the miracle of Jesus, may you not be disappointed by the GIFT that he is too you.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Blessed with peace

^“The Lord gives strength to his people;
  the Lord blesses his people with peace.” – Psalm 29:11

In reflecting on today’s reading John Stott writes some insightful words: “God, whose voice is heard in the thunder, can also pacify the storm, making Himself known in the still small voice as well as in the earthquake. He is thus able to give to His people not only strength but peace.”

For millions of people struggling to make ends meet in this crazy world of ours, if you offered them strength and peace, they would take them both with open hands. Some would even be willing to pay exorbitant prices for the blessing of peace and strength. 

The irony is that Jesus Christ offers us both of these gifts for free – through trusting in God’s grace, we get to benefit from His perpetual peace and strength. Jesus said: 

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid (John 14:27).

“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33). 

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Among the people

<sup>For those of you who have faithfully been reading my reflections over Lent, I am most grateful. As you are aware I tried to find something interesting and positive from the visions of Ezekiel, and also tried to link this in with the story of the Cross and Resurrection. In order to finish Ezekiel's book, I will carry on for a few more days.

Today's chapter reminded me of the Incarnation of Christ, recorded in the Gospels, where God says, "I will be with you." 
 


"</sup>The Lord said to me, “Son of man, this is the place of my throne and the place where I will rest my feet. I will live here forever among the people of Israel." - Ezekiel 43:7

This is a message that is relevant all year round and I offer Ezekiel's words to you today. It is God's gracious decision to be among us and I am deeply grateful for this wonderful gift.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

The gift of a Star!

 

When were you ever given a Star?
I am not speaking about a gold or silver star in pre-school - I am talking about an actual Star!? A star like Andromeda, Orion, Sirius, Polaris?
I guess all of us have answered my weird question with a resounding, "Well, NEVER, of course! We have never been given an actual Star!"

In Revelation, the word of God goes out to the church to encourage her to persevere and to hang on until Jesus returns. John's words then suggest that God will actually give us a Star - not just any Star, but the Morning Star.

^"I will also give that one the morning star." - Revelation 2:28

The symbolism is important for us in this message, because the 'Morning Star' refers to the Messiah. This comes through clearly towards the end of Revelation, where John writes:

Revelation 22:16 - “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”

So the next time you are awake early in the morning look out for the morning star. It is a daily reminder that God has given us the greatest star of them all - His Son - the Morning Star.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

God's Big Day

“But also look ahead: I’m sending Elijah the prophet to clear the way for the Big Day of God—the decisive Judgement Day! He will convince parents to look after their children and children to look up to their parents." - Malachi 4:5-6

I love the way Eugene Peterson refers to Judgement Day as the "BIG DAY of GOD." Of course it will be a huge day for all of us, but I feel that Christmas Day is another one of God's BIG DAY'S, don't you?  We remember the wonderful news that is connected with the birth of Jesus and all the glorious promises that come with God's gift.

John 3:17 - "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Which one is worse?

 

Sometimes we are given the choice between a Rock and a Hard-place? In those situations it doesn’t seem that we can be happy either way. Can you remember a time when you were caught between two hard decisions?

Today’s reading leaves me feeling a little depressed to be honest. God is not giving the Israelites much breathing room :

“I will rebuke your offspring, and spread dung on your faces, the dung of your offerings, and I will put you out of my presence.” – Malachi 2:3

Dung on my face? OR

Being cast out of God’s presence?

OR Both? 

Mmmmmh?! I Definitely think I would take the dung on the face option. At least the dung can be cleaned up, but being expelled from God’s presence would be so hard to take.

This Advent season, let us remember the joy of being in God’s presence and commit to not take this treasured gift lightly.

Living in Grace

D3LM3