Strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees

In sharing on Hebrews 12 this week, I definitely feel that verse 12and 13 are my highlights. I offer them to you and pray that they may be a blessing to you.

"Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. 13 “Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed. (NIV)

"So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong. (NLT)

"So don’t sit around on your hands! No more dragging your feet! Clear the path for long-distance runners so no one will trip and fall, so no one will step in a hole and sprain an ankle. Help each other out. And run for it!" (The Message)

I pray that God would strength your tired hands and shaky knees. May you know his strength as you walk forward in faith. 

If you would like to listen to the audio podcast of the Bible Study, you are welcome to click here.

Living in Grace

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The Pioneer

A Pioneer is someone who is the first to venture into an unknown area, territory, or even field of study. There are countless examples of people who have had the courage to be pioneers. The writer of Hebrews reminds us that Jesus was the Pioneer of our salvation - being the first to confront death and overcome its sting. Through his efforts we can follow in his footsteps without fear of the unknown.  

Hebrews 2:10 - In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered.

We are then called to focus our attention on Him, and to Trust in all he has done for us.

Hebrews 12:2 - fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Living in grace

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Filling our horizon

"No believer can cope with adversity unless Christ fills our horizons, our priorities and dominates our experience." - Raymond Brown

I think that these words are so profound and make sense to all who have ever encountered adversity. When troubles come our way (which they always do) the usual temptation is to fill our view with the largeness of the trial, instead of allowing Jesus to fill our horizons. 

2 Corinthians 4:18 - So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

Hebrews 12:2 - We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.

Question: How can we allow Christ to 'fill our horizons' and to help us overcome the adversity in our lives?

Living in Grace

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The day most people quit!

In a recent blog post by Jon Acuff I was astounded to discover that the 2nd Friday of January is known as Quitter's Day. According to the fitness app Strava, who analyzed over 800 million exercise downloads, it appears that most people quit their fitness goals within 2 weeks of the New Year. 

I can't vouch for the information, but I guess I can understand that many people can't follow through with their best intentions. So, what makes the difference in the lives of those who persevere? Is it just sheer grit, determination, or something more?

As we venture into the heart of 2024 in our Spiritual lives, what will help us not to quit? I don't believe it is just sheer will power that keeps us holding onto our faith; nor can it only be my determination. It has to include something deeper, surely? 

I wonder if it hasn't got something to do with community (small group or Church), encouraging us along the way? And of course, believing in the end goal! Fixing our eyes on Jesus - the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12).

What would you say keeps you going? 

What has helped you in the past?

Let me know your thoughts please.

Living in Grace

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Is forgiveness possible?

This weekend has been a significant reminder of the atrocity of 9/11. I really can't believe that twenty years has come and gone so quickly and it is hard to imagine what our world was like before then. Of course the pain of remembering loved ones is always there for each one of us, but when your family are killed in such brutal ways, it must be hard to even contemplate forgiveness. 

This is the truly difficult part of Jesus' teaching on forgiveness and loving our enemies. It sounds good in theory, but when we have to put it into practise it is a mammoth task. Paul offers us this suggestion and it is a helpful starting point for us: 

"If you want to keep from becoming fainthearted and weary, think about his patience as sinful men did such terrible things to him. After all, you have never yet struggled against sin and temptation until you sweat great drops of blood." (Hebrews 12:3-4)

May you know the love of Jesus as you seek to love those around you.

"To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you." - Lewis Smedes

Living in Grace

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Sound advice for living in today's world

As a young Jesuit priest, John O'Malley was given this insightful, down to earth advice, about living in a Christian community. I think this advice is great for everyone to hear today - if we can put this into practise, then that will be even better!

First, you are NOT God.
Second, this is NOT heaven.
Third, DON'T be an ass!

Can you imagine how much heartache we may be able to save ourselves if we understand these 3 things. This is my version of the 3 points:

We depend on the Grace of our loving Saviour, 
as we look towards Heaven, while daily serving in this world.
The more we love our neighbour, the less our actions make us look selfish and foolish.

"...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." - Hebrews 12:2


Living in Grace
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