The Perfect Dream

We all dream of something remarkable taking place in our lives - the answer to a deep longing or a miraculous answer to prayer. When Solomon encountered God in a dream (1 Kings 3), he was asked the question we all long for:

"That night the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, “What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!”

How would you answer that question today?

What do you want? 

If you ask God for one thing, what would you ask for?

Better health? More security? Financial help? A partner? Peace? Help with your future? Faith? 

Thought: My immediate response to this question could tell me a lot about what I am struggling with in my life at the moment?

Nehemiah 9:27 - From heaven you heard them, and in your great compassion you gave them deliverers, who rescued them from the hand of their enemies.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Help of the helpless

"O Lord, the help of the helpless,
the hope of the hopeless,
the Saviour of the storm-tossed,
the harbour of voyagers,
the physician of the sick;
we pray to you.
O Lord, you know each of us and our petitions;
You know each house and its needs." - Basil (Greek Bishop)

In the midst of troubling times, it is good to remember that Christ is with those who are helpless, hopeless, fearful, sick, storm-tossed and out of prayers. God hears our groans. 

Psalm 12:5 - "The Lord replies, “I have seen violence done to the helpless, and I have heard the groans of the poor. Now I will rise up to rescue them, as they have longed for me to do.”

Living in Grace

D3LM3

As Iron Sharpens Iron

 

"As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend." - Proverbs 27:17

This illustration is a very powerful example of how we can help each other remain 'sharp' in our Christian faith. If one piece of iron is not regularly sharpened, it will eventually become so blunt/dull that it will not be effective anymore. 

What is remarkable about this Proverb is that it implies a benefit for both parties - the two iron instruments keep each other sharp - it is not just one of them that reaps a reward. They both remain sharp from regular contact with each other.

Thought: Who is able to keep you spiritually sharp? Who do you help to keep doing the work of the Lord?

Living in Grace

D3LM3

We went through fire and water

If you heard these words in a sermon today, what would they mean for you?

“We went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance.” – Psalm 66:12

To the Israelites it was a clear reminder that God had literally taken them through both of these elements (fire and water) and brought them safely through on the other side. For some of us, it could mean that we have seen God's hand guide us through times of deep water and extreme "heat", but we have been carried through to safer terrain.

I believe it is important for us to remember that if God has done this before, he can definitely do it again. 

Thought: What have you been through lately, that would seem like a fire or deep water?

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Our source of Comfort

"God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ." - 2 Corinthians 1:3-5

This passage offers us some insight into how God comforts us during our times of difficulty, and it also indicates how we are called to comfort others. Suffering is universal, but offering comfort to others is not always universal. There are many people who expect comfort from God, but who are not willing to pass this onto others.

Thought: How can we comfort those in need?

Living in Grace

D3LM3

A genuine prayer to help us stay grounded in this mad world

Our world is a mad place and unfortunately it just seems to be getting worse. Social media doesn't seem to help either as it spreads more anger and bitterness than most of us can handle. 

Even amongst Christ-followers, we are fed a whole lot of 'fake' versions of what it means to follow Jesus. For this reason, I find the Prayer of Saint Francis to one of depth, truth and sincerity. These words are based on the Beatitudes (Matthew 5) and in my opinion, are a Christ-like way of living.

"Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life."

Thought: If you have time, read through Matthew 5-7, and see the connections between the prayer and the words of Jesus.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Lifting me out of the mess

When I hear testimonies of how God has been real in the lives of ordinary people I am greatly encouraged. Sometimes these miracles may seem small to us, but they speak of God's activity in our real-life-issues. They remind me that God does notice us and that God does care for us.

The Psalms are another place that speak of these miracles. The recount stories of how God has shown up for his people. May we never forget this.

¹ I waited patiently for the Lord to help me,
    and he turned to me and heard my cry.
² He lifted me out of the pit of despair,
    out of the mud and the mire.
He set my feet on solid ground
    and steadied me as I walked along.
³ He has given me a new song to sing,
    a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see what he has done and be amazed.
    They will put their trust in the Lord. (Psalm 40)

Prayer: "Dear God, help us to remember how you have guided your people in the past and to trust that you can still lift us out of the mud and mire. Amen."

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Love on its knees

I was reading an old book called Prayers for Busy People, written by Rita Snowden, in 1978. She mentions in the opening pages, a quote from Dr Harry Fosdick, who speaks about Intercessory prayer as 'love on its knees.' 

Don't you love that? Love on its knees.

When we pray for other people, we are offering a form of love on our knees. The posture is humility, and we are showing our concern and love for people who desperately need our prayers. 

The next time you start to intercede for someone, think about this beautiful gift. You are offering other people your love (and God's love), while on your knees.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

The Lord is our strength and shield

 

Thank you for encouragement and willingness to read my ramblings - I do appreciate you and it is your interaction that keeps me writing. Every now and then one reads a passage of Scripture that hits the mark, and you don't need any further commentary. Psalm 28 is one of those passages and I offer it to you today. May the Spirit of Jesus speak to your heart. 

"I pray to you, O Lord, my rock.
Do not turn a deaf ear to me.
For if you are silent,
I might as well give up and die.

Listen to my prayer for mercy
as I cry out to you for help,
as I lift my hands toward your holy sanctuary.

Do not drag me away with the wicked—
with those who do evil—
those who speak friendly words to their neighbors
while planning evil in their hearts.

Give them the punishment they so richly deserve!
Measure it out in proportion to their wickedness.
Pay them back for all their evil deeds!
Give them a taste of what they have done to others.

They care nothing for what the Lord has done
or for what his hands have made.
So, he will tear them down,
and they will never be rebuilt!

Praise the Lord! For he has heard my cry for mercy.

The Lord is my strength and shield.
I trust him with all my heart.
He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.
I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.

The Lord gives his people strength.
He is a safe fortress for his anointed king.

Save your people!
Bless Israel, your special possession.
Lead them like a shepherd,
and carry them in your arms forever."

Living in grace

D3LM3

When the storms rage

"But I called on your name, Lord, from deep within the pit.
You heard me when I cried, “Listen to my pleading!
Hear my cry for help!”
Yes, you came when I called; you told me, “Do not fear.” - Lamentations 3:55-57

There is something beautiful and reassuring about the knowledge that God comes to our rescue. He hears all of our prayers, and he chooses to answer in his time. 

“Sometimes the Lord calms the storm. Sometimes he lets the storm rage and calms his child.” - Unknown

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Make use of - do not abuse!

I have been reminded again of the call for believers to set the example in making use of what we have been given, but not to abuse this gift. The Lord gave us the privilege of taking care of his creation (Genesis 2:15), yet somehow, we have abused this gift, and we are facing the consequence of our actions.

John Wesley once wrote, “God has made man [humankind] as the steward of the earth, but not as the proprietor. We are to use it as entrusted to us, not to abuse it.”

Psalm 24:1 reminds us that the creation belongs to the Lord and not us:

"The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters."

What can we do to help?

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Through your eyes

Teresa of Ávila wrote: "Christ has no body now on earth but yours, no hands but yours, no feet but yours. Yours are the eyes through which Christ's compassion is to look out to the earth."

It is her last statement that I feel is most relevant for this day and age. We are being called to look out into our communities with compassion and to help others encounter Jesus.

"When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick" - Matthew 14:14

Did you notice how Jesus 'saw' the crowd - he looked into their souls and hearts. He had compassion on them.

What would that mean for us today?

Living in grace

D3LM3

Self-sufficiency. Is it a good or bad thing?

We live in a world we where have been taught to, 'fend for ourselves', 'don't trust anyone', 'no one can do this as good as you can', and 'look after number one!' 

While these may be helpful at certain times in our lives, they are not a good recipe for following Jesus. As William Barclay points out: “The one thing that shuts a person off from God is self-sufficiency.” 

When we tell God that we are 'okay' and that we don't need Him, then I feel that God obliges and lets us get on with things on our own steam. In my experience, this usually ends up with me crawling back to God, embarrassed at my own ego.

Psalm 70:5 - But as for me, I am poor and needy; come quickly to me, O God. You are my help and my deliverer; Lord, do not delay.

2 Corinthians 9:8 - And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Under the hand of the Shepherd

"Once again shepherds will count their flocks in the towns of the hill country, the foothills of Judah, the Negev, the land of Benjamin, the vicinity of Jerusalem, and all the towns of Judah. I, the Lord, have spoken!" - Jeremiah 33:13

In the midst of a bleak prophecy concerning their future, Jeremiah shares a delightful reminder of God's love for the people. He speaks of how the flocks of sheep will return to the hills and the shepherds will care for them and count them. From being a place of desolation to a place teeming with life!

One commentator suggests that the process that the shepherds may adopt is to allow the sheep to come into the fold, one at a time, passing underneath his hand. This helps him to count them in a controlled way, but also to see if there is anything wrong with them.

As we continue on our journey towards Christmas, may the image of the caring hand of God comfort you and to help us rest in his mighty presence.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Surviving the Hurricane

As South Africans we don't come across Hurricanes in our weather patterns, but we are obviously aware that friends around the world have to take precautions against these devasting weather conditions. 

We may not face physical storms in our lives, but we will inevitably find ourselves in a spiritual or emotional Hurricane at some point in time. This is when we truly must 'batten down the hatches and draw close to God in prayer.' I love how Eugene Peterson renders Psalm 57 - it really resonates with me. 

"Be good to me, God—and now! I’ve run to you for dear life. I’m hiding out under your wings until the hurricane blows over. I call out to High God, the God who holds me together. He sends orders from heaven and saves me..." - Psalm 57:1-3

Living in Grace

D3LM3

When we need a Guardian

I was reading through Psalm 121 in the Complete Jewish Bible, as it offers some fresh insight into familiar passages. While doing this, I was struck by the use of the word 'Guardian', which is repeated a few times. In simple terms, a Guardian is someone who takes care of another person who is not able to care for themselves in the present moment. Usually this in the case of a child, who has a Guardian until they reach a certain age.

However, is this also not true of our relationship with God. Sometimes we are not able to take care of ourselves, and we need to be reminded that we have a God who is willing and able to be that Guardian for us.

He will not let your foot slip —
your guardian is not asleep.
4 No, the guardian of Isra’el
never slumbers or sleeps.

5 Adonai is your guardian; at your right hand
Adonai provides you with shade —
6 the sun can’t strike you during the day
or even the moon at night.

7 Adonai will guard you against all harm;
he will guard your life.
8 Adonai will guard your coming and going
from now on and forever. (Psalm 121)

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Refuge - a place of safety

"Then I pray to you, O Lord. I say, “You are my place of refuge. You are all I really want in life." - Psalm 142:5

The word Refuge is mentioned over 23 times in the book of Psalms alone, as well as in many other places in the Bible. It is a wonderful reminder for all of us, that when we face difficult times, we know that God will be our place of rest and safety. 

Deuteronomy 33:27 - The eternal God is your refuge, and his everlasting arms are under you.

2 Samuel 22:3 - my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. He is my refuge, my Saviour, the one who saves me from violence.

Nahum 1:7 - The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him.

Thought: No matter what you are facing this week, remember that you can also take refuge in the presence of Jesus.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Why do we make excuses?

Many Christians make excuses for the lack of something in the spiritual lives. We may hear someone say: "I can't share my faith because I am a shy person" or "I don't know as much about the Bible as others " or "I am not perfect." 

While all of these statements may well be true, when we speak like this, we deny the power of God's spirit to work in the "ordinary-ness" of our lives. There are plenty of Biblical examples of people who used the same excuses we do, yet they eventually allowed the power of God to change their lives. 

Take Stephen as an example: Stephen was chosen as one of the 7 new disciples because “he was a man full of the Spirit and wisdom” and we see that when Stephen surrendered himself fully to Jesus, he “performed amazing miracles and signs among the people.” (Acts 6:8) However, if you read the rest of the story, you will note that he was initially chosen to be a kitchen-worker and administrator - solving the issues that had arisen in the distribution of food. 

“Stephen, the kitchen worker, stands tall in the annals of faith as one of those men who did much for God’s Kingdom. Clearly, God doesn’t need everyone to be preachers and teachers; he just needs ordinary people who will learn from Him and be willing to be used in extraordinary circumstances.” – NLT Bible commentary

Thought: What can we do for the kingdom of God?

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Working together

With all the extra responsibilities I have taken on this year, I can testify to the strength found in a team. There is no way I would be able to put my hand to all the tasks that come across my path, without the support of others. I have seen the Body of Christ working together in many beautiful and powerful ways. One can gather deeper insight into Paul's message when he speaks of every member pulling together to serve Christ.

1 Corinthians 12:26-27 - "If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it."

The same story is found to be true in other arenas of life - sport is a good example of this: 

"The way a team plays as a whole determines its success. You may have the greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don't play together, the club won't be worth a dime." - Babe Ruth 

Thought: Who is part of your team?

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Don't you remember?

Lent is time for remembering. We should remember all that Jesus has done for us and all that we are invited to be a part of. We should also take the time to remember how God has taken care of us in the past and how he will continue to be with us in the future. When Jesus was trying to teach his disciples about trusting in his provision, he seemed to get a little exasperated at time. In Mark 8 we read:

And don’t you remember? 19 When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?”

“Twelve,” they replied.

20 “And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?”

They answered, “Seven.”  (Mark 8:18-20)

They had recently witnessed these great miracles and yet they still doubted whether Jesus could meet their needs in the future. Their forgetfulness reveals the immaturity of their faith.

Question: What has God helped you with, in the past? Is there a reason why God can't help you in the future?

Living in Grace

D3LM3