No Shame

Being a Christian is not easy at times. There are many people that think we are crazy to believe in God and especially to believe in the person of Jesus. It is even hard to try and fully explain why we believe and what we believe, because people seem to have their arguments all neatly packaged.

Despite all of this, it is still a great privilege for me to be called a "Christ-ian" - or "little Christ." I really enjoyed this verse from 1 Peter 4 over the weekend - it reminded me not to feel ashamed of what I believe it.

"But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name." - 1 Peter 4:16 (NLT)

Romans 1:16 - For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.

There is NO shame in following Jesus.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Don't forget what Goes before!

As we mark Ascension Day in the Christian community, it is easy to get like the disciples were on that day - dazed and confused. We can end up day-dreaming, looking into the sky, without realising the task that Christ has given to us. If we read the verse before the actual Ascension, we will note that Jesus sends the disciples out as "witnesses" - in the power of the Holy Spirit. That is the great task and we need to remember that!

⁸ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
⁹ After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him." - Acts 1:8-9

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Call to Live

There are moments when I hear a song and I am greatly encouraged by the lyrics. These lyrics can move me out of a comfort zone or towards a place of great faith. In my friend, Mark Counihan's new album he wrote a song entitled: "Call to Live." It is such a powerful song and if you would like to listen to it, then please click onto this link.

It reminds me that God has called us to be "Brave and not safe." Faith moves us from our places of warmth and comfort out into the world of the unknown. We will make mistakes along the way, but I think that God is not as upset by the mistakes, as much as he is disappointed that we don't even try.

We are called to "break our jar" again, so that we may spend what God has instilled within our hearts. We can't keep this to ourselves - we need to share this with those who will listen.

2 Corinthians 9:13 - Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Wow, you shop here!?

I was taken aback yesterday when, while shopping at Pick 'n Pay, I bumped into someone from another Church community. As Pietermaritzburg is a small city, we have known each other for a few years, despite worshipping at different churches. It was his comment that caught me by surprise. He said: "It is so good to see you shopping in the community that you work in!"

I thought to myself, "Huh? What do you mean? I always shop here!"

But, then he followed up with another comment: "It makes you more in touch with your people - they see you are human. You don't often see pastors doing that!"

And then he carried on with his shopping, while I was left scratching my head.

These are a few of my quick observations on his remarks:

1. It is right to 'shop' in the community in which you work. I have many 'ministry' moments in the shopping aisles and yes I believe it makes you more 'human.'

2. God wants all believers to be present in the world, not hiding in the church.

3. It does make it tricky as to what I put into my shopping trolley - someone may just be watching me:)

4. I am blessed to have many colleagues (in different churches too) who are 'human' and 'vulnerable' before their congregations. Most pastors know their 'frailties' only too well.

5. Some people won't make an appointment to come and see you at the office, but they are willing to pour out their hearts in the dairy/bakery/perishable sections of the shopping centre.

6. I need to spend more time walking up and down the aisles of shopping centres - I may just be surprised who I meet.

7. Church happens anywhere you want it to happen!

Remember, Jesus said to us: "GO into all the world and make disciples of all nations..."

See you at the shops!!!

Living in Grace
D3LM3

No hands, but ours...

This well known poem by Teresa of Avila has always spoken to me. It reminds me that God has entrusted us with a great task - we are to be his hands, feet, mouth, eyes and body.

Christ has no body but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
Compassion on this world,
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good,
Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world.
Yours are the hands, yours are the feet,
Yours are the eyes, you are his body.
Christ has no body now but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
compassion on this world.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours.

 - Teresa of Avila (1515–1582)

Where are you being called to be Christ's hands today?

Living in Grace

D3LM3

How will they know? The fun of Traffic fines.

I thought I was being a model citizen today. I went to the office of the Mzunduzi Traffic Fines, just to check if I owed any outstanding fines. Of course, I thought I owed nothing, but I just wanted to make sure. So, you can imagine my shock when the kind gentleman at the counter showed me a print out of my outstanding fines (yes, that is a plural!).

After I got over the initial shock, I ask him why I had never received these in the mail. His reply was candid - "Well, perhaps the postman lost them on the way!"
Knowing that this could be true, I then asked him, "How was I supposed to know that I owed anything? Who was going to tell me?"
The shrug of the shoulders said enough and so I walked out the office feeling poorer and frustrated.

But, here is my spiritual reflection on this:
How will others know about the grace of Jesus, unless we tell them. They will not just 'guess' or 'surmise' that God loves them. We need to tell them. And just in case the message gets lost along the way, we need to send a reminder. We need to keep reminding people that God desires to be in relationship with us all and that God is not the enemy. Some people won't get the message after the first try - they need to be told again and again. So, if you have a friend or family member who doesn't want to 'hear' the message, don't give up. Keep sending the message... Jesus loves you.

 Romans 10:14-15 - "How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? ¹⁵ And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

Living in Grace
D3LM3

God's testimony

When I was sharing on Sunday from Acts 14, I noted the following verse:


“Yet he has not left himself without testimony (witness)…” - Acts 14:17 

 Paul was trying to point out to the people of Lystra that God has revealed to us His glory and splendour. He has spoken to us through who He is and through His creation. There is already enough evidence for us to make a decision to follow God or not... the choice is ours. 

For me, I recognise the 'witness' of God mostly in creation. I note God's fingerprints all over mountains, planets and stars, seas and rivers, birds, animals and insects. What about you - where do you notice God's witness?

Romans 1: 19-20

"They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God."

Living in Grace
D3LM3