A wonderful promise

Jesus promised his followers that he would not leave them as orphans (John 14:18), which may have seemed strange for them at the time. At this point in their discipleship journey they probably had very little idea of what was to come - they didn't yet understand the pain and heartache that lay in the future. However, I am sure that these words from Jesus (v.18) came back to them, as they grieved his death.

It is interesting that the Greek word 'orphanos' is used in this instance, which is easy for us to see how we come up with the English word 'orphan.' Most scholars believe that what Jesus was saying was deeper than, "I won't leave you without a Father," but that it could also mean, "I won't leave you without a teacher."

We should remember that one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is that He is our teacher and He helps us to understand the words of Scripture. I love the fact that the person of the Holy Spirit is so multi-faceted, that He is hard to confine to a single definition.

Thought: In what way have you experienced the Spirit as a Father or as a teacher? 

Living in Grace

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The work of the Spirit

"The work of the Spirit is to impart life, to implant hope, to give liberty, to testify of Christ, to guide us into all truth, to teach us all things, to comfort the believer, and to convict the world of sin." - Dwight L. Moody

As we prepare ourselves for another massive week in the life of the Church, it is important to reflect on the precious gift of the Holy Spirit. He is not something to be used as a gimmick, or to tame, but rather to be worshipped and embraced. 

God's Spirit offers us all the freedom we could ever hope for.

John 20:22 - And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit."

Living in Grace

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Red Bull - it can give you wings!

The energy drink, Red Bull, boasts that it can 'give you wings' and make you fly through life. Although it is a modern drink, one wonders if John Wesley had something like Red Bull in his day. The reason I say this is because according to biographers, John Wesley rode 60-70 miles per day (on horseback remember), preached 3 sermons a day (on average). It is estimated that he preached close on 42000 sermons in his lifetime. 

In his 83rd year, Wesley wrote in his diary: "I am a wonder to myself. I am never tired, either with preaching, writing or travelling." 

Do you see what I mean? He must have been sipping some Red Bull on his horse :)

But seriously, the only thing he would put forward as a logical reason for his energy and stamina, would be the 'Grace of God' and the power of the Holy Spirit. You can't keep going like that, without the power of God's supernatural favour and grace.

1 Peter 4:11 - If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Thought: Are you relying on your own strength at the moment, or are you trusting in the power of God's spirit? May God grant you his strength and grace today.

Living in Grace

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Our confidence in Christ

Can our confidence in Christ help us in our everyday witness for the Gospel? If you are not sure what I am really asking, then please read these words from Huldrych Zwingli and see if my question then makes sense.

"Our confidence in Christ does not make us lazy, negligent, or careless, but on the contrary, it awakens us, urges us on, and makes us active in living righteous lives and doing good. There is no self-confidence to compare with this."

Zwingli's words make sense to me. It reminds me that when we rely on the gift of the Holy Spirit, we can be confident in God working through our lives.

Hebrews 10:35 - So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you!

Living in Grace

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Through the strength of God

“We are used to viewing the early apostles as superstars on a pedestal that we can easily forget that they were pitifully inadequate for the task which they were given.” – Phil Moore

This quote brings us back to the reality that the disciples were simply 'human', just like we are. They allowed the Holy Spirit to equip them and strengthen them for all the tasks that lay ahead, even when they didn't know what these would be. How often have we been confronted with a task or situation that we have felt ill-equipped for, and God has come through for us? I know that this has happened to me many times.

Thought: What are you facing today that you need to be reminded of God's strength and provision?

"The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus." - Acts 4:13

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More than a theory

"Christianity is more than a theory about the universe, more than teachings written down on paper; it is a path along which we journey - in the deepest and richest sense, the way of life. There is only one means of discovering the true nature of Christianity. We must step out upon this path, commit ourselves, to this way of life, and then we shall begin to see for ourselves." - Kallistos Ware

These words speak to us of being willing to step outside of the norm and to walk in the path of Jesus. This is the easiest, and equally, the most difficult thing to do. 

It is easy in that it takes one moment to make that decision; it is the hard, because it involves a deep commitment to follow the path wherever Christ takes us. For this reason, we need to depend on the fullness of God's Spirit. Without the infilling of the Holy Spirit, I don't believe we have a hope of finishing the journey.

Exodus 31:3 - "and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills."

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Open to God

We are edging closer and closer to the anniversary of Pentecost. Undoubtedly this moment in history changed the Church completely. In fact, we could argue that the disciples could have drifted back to their old lives, if it weren't for the outpouring of God's Gift of the Holy Spirit. Thankfully, this didn't happen, and we are able to share in the magnificence of the Spirit.

As we await Pentecost let us ask ourselves if we are open to the Spirit? Do we believe in the power of the Paracletos to change us, equip us and strengthen us?

"God waits to dwell in us and to fill us with yet more grace, more love, more wholeness and with his own fullness. But the God of the Bible never bulldozes his way into a person's life. He loves us enough to wait until, out of our own free will, we invite him to come to us." - Joyce Huggett

1 Corinthians 1:24 - "But God has opened the eyes of those called to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, to see that Christ is the mighty power of God to save them."

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Courage doesn't always Roar!

"Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, I will try again tomorrow." - Mary Ann Radmacher

As I came across this quote this morning, I was reminded of how the disciples must have been feeling in the days after the Resurrection. They were feeling afraid and uncertain, yet Jesus was making them feel more and more at peace with the new 'normal.'  He was not going to leave them alone or unequipped for the task that lay ahead. 

"On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.
21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” - John 20:19-21

Thought: As we go into the post Easter season, let us remember that our strength and courage comes from the Spirit of Jesus. 

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Time of renewal

"The key to continual and deeper spiritual renewal and revival is the continual re-discovery of the gospel." - Timothy Keller

We are accustomed to noticing the change in seasons and sometimes it is not too hard to recognize what is happening in nature. Green leaves beginning stretching out on the end of naked trees; shoots of new life suddenly appear on barren fields; warm weather or spring rain washes away the memories of cold winters. Our world is filled with reminders of change.

But, what about our Spiritual renewal? 

Do we need to wait for something drastic to happen before we change our lives, or can we faithfully tune into the work of the Spirit and allow God to bring refreshing into our weary bones? It is my prayer that I would be more open to the work of God's spirit as He moves in our midst. 

Titus 3:5 - "...he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit."

May the change in seasons bring you the joy of the Spirit, the Hope of Christ and the peace of God.

Living in Grace

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Spirit of the Living God

Sometimes we can feel at such a loss that we don't know where to turn. It is at times like this, that I am reminded of this song:

"Spirit of the living God,

Fall afresh on me.
Spirit of the living God,
Fall afresh on me.
Melt me,
Mold me,
Fill me,
Use me,
Spirit of the living God,
Fall afresh on me." - Daniel Iverson

John 20:22 - "And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit."

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Living God's way

The work of the Holy Spirit is to enable us to live our lives for the glory of God and to serve others in our communities. As Eugene Peterson eloquently describes: "The Holy Spirit is God moving in us to live God's life."

How does this resonate with you? 

Do you sense the Spirit moving in your heart, equipping you to live God's life?

1 John 3:24 - The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.

Titus 2:12 - It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,

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Better than Jesus?

Why would Jesus tell his disciples that it was 'better' for them that he returned to the Father? At first glance I struggled with this statement. If I had been with Jesus for those 3 years, there is no way I could imagine anything or anyone better. However, Jesus insists that this is the case and we need to know why. Hall Harris gives us this lovely insight:

"But why is it better for the disciples to have the presence of the Paraclete than the presence of Jesus himself as they do now? Because the Paraclete will not only be with them as Jesus has been, but in them as well (John 17:23, 26)."

This is the key difference. When Jesus was physically present with his disciples he was limited to time and space - he could only be in one place at a time. However, when the Holy Spirit came this changed the playing field. Now everyone had access to the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit.

So, if there is an answer to the question: "Is there anything better than Jesus?" The answer would have to be: Yes, it is the Spirit living within us.

What do you think?

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Life-saver

"If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" - 2 Corinthians 5 : 17

My husband recently became critically anaemic and had to have a blood transfusion. His condition improved - INSTANTLY!

A blood transfusion is a really amazing procedure which we take for granted. It is a life-saving event, made possible  by the generous gift from an anonymous donor, of his/her life giving blood. It set me thinking about how Christ shed His blood for us - how He shed his blood for our redemption and how that was a truly life-saving act which transforms the lives of those who receive it.

When we come to realise the enormity of Christ's death and resurrection, we enter a new relationship with God. As scripture teaches in Romans 12: 2 we are   "....transformed by the renewing of your mind."

Our lives are completely transformed - INSTANTLY !  We receive a transfusion like no other.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for sending the Holy Spirit into our lives to transfuse us with your love; To be our comforter, our Counsellor, enabling us to resist conforming to pattern of this world and giving us new life. Amen

We thank Cecily Froud for her lovely devotion this morning.

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Change from within

"Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen." - 1 John 4:20

Let each failure and shortcoming simply urge us to turn humbly and meekly to the Lamb of God. Have full assurance that where He is enthroned in the heart, His humility and gentleness will be one of the streams of living water that flow from within us.

Let us look on every brother and sister who irritates or troubles us as God's means of grace. Let us look on him or her as God's instrument for our purification, for our exercise of the humility that Jesus, our Life, breathes within us.

And let us have such faith in the all of God and the nothing of self, so that we may, in God's power, seek only to serve one another in love.

These are challenging words today. Thank you Avril Hoepner for your thoughts.

Living in Grace

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Fan the flame

"This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you." - 2 Timothy 1:6

In this single verse Paul touches on such an important aspect of our Christian lives. He reminds Timothy (and us) that when we receive God as our Saviour we are given a spiritual gift and we are meant to use this gift for God's glory.

One of the reasons why I feel many church-goers get frustrated in our faith is because we don't recognise what that gift is and so never get to enjoy using it for the Lord. So, here is the challenge for each of us:

1. Do you know what your spiritual gift is?

2. Are you fanning this into a flame so that it can glorify Jesus and the church?

Living in Grace

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Searchlight

"The Lord's searchlight penetrates the human spirit, exposing every hidden motive." - Proverbs 20:27

What image comes to your mind when you think of a searchlight? 

I have in my mind a massive bright light, scanning the surrounding countryside, revealing anything that may be hidden in the darkness. I guess a Lighthouse is a kind of searchlight, except it's function is mainly to reveal itself and thus warn ships of where the coastline is. A searchlight has a different function - it is to reveal and find.

Now, I want to ask us: what emotion comes to your mind when you think about a searchlight? 

Yes, it is a strange question perhaps, but let me expand. When the writer of Proverbs suggests that the Spirit acts like a searchlight for our hearts, this picture can do one of two things. It can either fill you with anxiety - oh man, what is God going to find in my heart? 

OR

It can fill you with relief and hope. Many of our hearts are feeling the weight and strain of Covid-19, and some of us are feeling lost. Our emotions are like a frightened animal hiding in the shadows, afraid of what is out there. The searchlight of God's spirit FINDS us again and reminds us that we are God's chosen and beloved. 

The Father sends the Spirit to bring comfort to the lost and bewildered.

Let God's promises shine on your problems. ~Corrie Ten Boom

Every happening, great and small, is a parable whereby God speaks to us, and the art of life is to get the message. ~Malcolm Muggeridge

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Open wide the windows

"Open wide the window of our spirits, O Lord, and fill us full of light;
open wide the door of our hearts, that we may receive and entertain you
with all our powers of adoration and praise." - Christina Rossetti

Why don't you pray this prayer as your open one of the windows in your home, work or even while driving in your car.

Acts 1:8 -  He told them, “You don’t get to know the time. Timing is the Father’s business. What you’ll get is the Holy Spirit. And when the Holy Spirit comes on you, you will be able to be my witnesses

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Water for the thirsty

"For I will pour water on the thirsty land,
    and streams on the dry ground;
I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring,    and my blessing on your descendants." - Isaiah 44:3

We have seen the physical signs of the outpouring of water (rain) in Western Cape lately and it has been glorious. This time last year people were desperate for rain and all those prayers have certainly been heard and answered. Streams are flowing again, rivers are pouring into the sea after many years and waterfalls are brimming with water. 

The second part of today's reading promises that God will pour out his Spirit on our communities too. And we long for that. We long for our dry and thirsty souls to soak up the life giving Spirit of God. 

If you are feeling dry and empty, hold onto this promise. God knows what you need and he will send it in good time.

"The Spirit-filled life is not a special, deluxe edition of Christianity. It is part and parcel of the total plan of God for His people." - A.W. Tozer

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Sanctify me

 

"O Lord, forgive what I have been,

Sanctify what I am,

and order what I shall be." - Author Unknown

I love the simplicity of today's prayer. 

For me, it covers all the important bases in our faith. 

It recognises our need of forgiveness and that we all fall short of God's standards (Romans 3:23).

It understands that we need the transforming work of the Spirit to make us into the people Jesus created us to be (John 17:17).

And it surrenders to the will and plans of the Almighty.

May it offer you the same hope and encouragement today.

Hebrews 12:9 - How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live!

Living in Grace

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Not my might

 ^"So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty." - Zechariah 4:6

It is hard to discern the difference between working for what you believe God has called you to do, and then allowing the Spirit to do his work. It is tempting to try and do things in our own strength, but then we leave no room for God to work according to his timing and plans. 

In whatever we do, let us remember that the Spirit of God is so much stronger than we can comprehend or even see. Trust in God to work in His power and His ways.

It is not MY might, but the strength of God that gets things done. 

Living in Grace
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 ^"It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies." - New Living Translation