A reading to uplift your spirits today

Here is a reading to uplift your spirits today.

"1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord watches over you—
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore." - Psalm 121

God bless you today.

Living in Grace

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What a remarkable promise!

In one of my favourite passages from the book of Isaiah, we come across a remarkable promise. Isaiah tells God's people that they will be renewed by the Spirit of the Lord. This promise is not just for that generation of believers, but for all of us.

28 "Have you never heard?
    Have you never understood?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of all the earth.
He never grows weak or weary.
    No one can measure the depths of his understanding.
29 He gives power to the weak
    and strength to the powerless.
30 Even youths will become weak and tired,
    and young men will fall in exhaustion.
31 But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
    They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
    They will walk and not faint." - Isaiah 40:29-31

Thought: The proviso is that we choose to trust in the Lord, and then we will find new strength. This is the moment where we choose to surrender to the power of God, and resist relying on our own efforts.

Living in Grace

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We can't contain the Spirit

"Trying to do the Lord's work in your own strength is the most confusing, exhausting, and tedious of all work. But when you are filled with the Holy Spirit, then the ministry of Jesus just flows out of you." - Corrie Ten Boom

This quote reminds me so much of our need of the Holy Spirit. Many of us try to be self-sufficient in all areas of our lives, including our faith. However, this is not what God planned for us. The gift of the Holy Spirit is so that we may do the work of God, empowered by God. 

Romans 5:3-5 - There’s more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!

Living in Grace

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Set the world to rights

On this glorious day in the Church calendar, Ascension Day, we remember that God has called us to be his witnesses in a world gone mad. Here is a lovely prayer, written by John van de Laar, about our response to the call.

Set The World to Rights

Today, Jesus, we are faced with a wonderful truth to proclaim,
but also, an awesome and uncomfortable responsibility.
We praise you and celebrate you as Ascended Lord;
We recognise that you have authority over all things,
but we live in a world where greed and power and violence
seem to be in control.

And so, as you call us, we pray:
Come as Lord, Jesus, and set the world to rights.

We praise you and celebrate you as the Way, Truth & Life;
we recognise that in you our life is made whole and full;
but we live in a world where death, brokenness and need
appear to be everywhere.

And so, as you call us, we pray:
Come as Lord, Jesus, and set the world to rights.

We praise you and celebrate you as God among us;
we receive your invitation to live God’s dream;
but we live in a world where dreams and hearts
are broken daily, and hope seems all but lost.

And so, as you call us, we pray:
Come as Lord, Jesus, and set the world to rights."

by John van de Laar © 2007 Sacredise

Living in Grace

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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

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Our deepest longings

There have been many versions of a quote, attributed to Blaise Pascal, regarding a 'God-shaped' vacuum in the human heart. While the sentiment remains the same, the actual quote is a lot more in depth.

“What else does this craving, and this helplessness, proclaim but that there was once in man a true happiness, of which all that now remains is the empty print and trace?

This he tries in vain to fill with everything around him, seeking in things that are not there the help he cannot find in those that are, though none can help, since this infinite abyss can be filled only with an infinite and immutable object; in other words, by God himself”

Thought: We can search for things to fill our lives with meaning, but ultimately (in the words of Pascal), only God will satisfy our deepest longings.

"Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need." - Matthew 6:33

Living in Grace

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God's grace helps us when we are in need

"Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong." - 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

I am not so sure if I could be like Paul and 'boast' in my weaknesses, or even 'take pleasure' in them, but I think I understand his point. 

Paul reminds us that when we are in difficult circumstances, we are a lot more inclined to reach out to God, and to remember that our weakness is a chance for God's Grace to work in our lives.

Are you going through a tough time at the moment? 

If you are, then lean on God's grace and allow His strength to get you through this valley of difficulty.

Living in Grace

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Into your hands

Psalm 31 gives us a lovely way of entrusting our lives into the hands of God. If you read verse 15 it says: “My times are in your hands.” 

However, if you take a look at other versions, they say: "My future is in your hands." 

I think this is more helpful for me, and probably more along the lines of our modern ways of speaking. None of us knows what tomorrow holds, but we choose to trust in the Lord - in doing this we place our future into his safe hands. Does that make sense to you?

Eugene Peterson concludes:

"Desperate, I throw myself on you: you are my God!
Hour by hour I place my days in your hand,
    safe from the hands out to get me." - Psalm 31:14-15 (The Message)

Living in Grace

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He brings me back to life - he refreshes my soul

 

He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. - Psalm 23:2-3

It is important to note that the shepherd is the one who leads us to the quiet waters. He goes before us, preparing the path and looking out for potential dangers. The goal of the shepherd is to lead us to the well-hidden pools of cool water and luscious pasture.

Robert Alter says that verse 3 (‘he refreshes my soul’) could be interpreted more as ‘my life he brings back’ – I love that image! It is speaking not just of a refreshing, but rather of a bringing back to life – to a complete spiritual wholeness. The refreshing of our souls increases our vitality and allows us the privilege of enjoying the abundant life.

Jesus invites his followers to experience this refreshing, and he invites them to rest in him. It is in times of rest that we are refreshed and invigorated for the next part of the journey:

Matthew 11:28 - Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Living in Grace

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Stand By Me

When Ben E. King wrote his now famous song Stand by me, little did he realise how remarkable it would be. The lyrics of this powerful song reach into all areas of our lives but undoubtedly can also speak on a spiritual level to weary souls. Perhaps we would need to change the words of the chorus a little, but I think you get the point :)

When the night has come
And the land is dark
And the moon is the only light we'll see
No, I won't be afraid
Oh, I won't be afraid
Just as long as you stand
Stand by me

If the sky that we look upon
Should tumble and fall
Or the mountain should crumble to the sea
I won't cry, I won't cry
No, I won't shed a tear
Just as long as you stand
Stand by me

And darlin', darlin'
Stand by me, oh, stand by me
Oh, stand now, stand by me
Stand by me

The words of Scripture are closely connected to this song, as Ben King admitted that some of the lyrics were inspired by Psalm 46:1-2.

God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
    and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
    and the mountains quake with their surging.

Living in Grace

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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

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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

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Being Grateful

“Being grateful does not mean that everything is necessarily good. It just means that you can accept it as a gift.” - Roy T. Bennett

There doesn't seem to be a lot of good going on in the world at the moment. It is hard to wade through all the muck, trying to find things to be grateful for. However, this week I am grateful for God's guidance through stormy waters and for the Lord's ability to make something meaningful from a potential mess.

Six years ago, our world erupted into chaos with the arrival of the Covid pandemic. Fear, mistrust, anger and uncertainty seemed to be the order of the day. As a Christian community, we all had to fly by the seat of our pants - we didn't know what to do or even how to do it :)

Anyway, we quickly transitioned into the online world of sermons and worship services. The learning was steep and the mistakes were many, but we somehow managed to put content out on a weekly basis. And this past week has marked the 6th year of sharing our weekly messages. And for this, I am deeply grateful.

I am grateful to the Lord who has sustained us. I am grateful to all who have made this possible - especially Ken who faithfully films the preacher every week and does the editing of each message. To Gudrun and her team who upload the messages to our website. And many others, who work behind the scenes. I am grateful.

Being grateful doesn't mean that life is always good, but that we can see God's hand is still with us, never letting us go.

If you would like to watch the message from last weekend, we make a special mention of our 6-year anniversary on this episode. 

1 Timothy 1:12 - I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me.

Living in grace

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Send your Spirit

"Decayed Churches can most certainly be revived by the preaching of the Word, accompanied by the coming of the heavenly ‘breath’ from the four winds. O Lord, send us such revivals now, for many of thy Churches need them.” - Charles Spurgeon

These are the words that Spurgeon wrote after reflecting on Ezekiel 37. I would agree with him but also add that it is not just churches who need to be revived, but rather the people that make up the churches. It is people who make up the body of Christ, and when we allow God's breath (Spirit) to change us, then we will start to see changes all around us.

"Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come, breath, from the four winds and breathe into these slain, that they may live.’” So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army." - v.9-10

Living in Grace

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It never comes to an end!

When you saw the title of today's post what came to your mind? What feels as if it never comes to an end for you? Is it one of these: 

War? Hatred? Corruption? Trouble? Suffering? Crises? 

Well, the answer I wanted to offer us today is very different. I will let Jeremiah tell you:

"The faithful love of the Lord never ends!
His mercies never cease.
Great is his faithfulness;
his mercies begin afresh each morning.
I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance;
therefore, I will hope in him!” - Lamentations 3:22-23

Eugene Peterson puts a slightly different slant on it, when he writes:

God’s loyal love couldn’t have run out,
    his merciful love couldn’t have dried up.
They’re created new every morning.
    How great your faithfulness!
I’m sticking with God (I say it over and over).
    He’s all I’ve got left.

Living in Grace

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What if they knew?

What if everyone knew our secrets? How would you feel about that? It would be very intimidating for most of us, and I am sure we would struggle to look each other in the eye. Our mistakes and sins are not something we are very proud of. So, why is the Samaritan woman going around telling people that Jesus knows all about my life - he knows my secrets?!

John 4:29 - “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did", perhaps could be 

I think it because she has got used to people knowing her story and rejecting her or shunning her. But now, she meets a religious man, who openly talks to her and doesn't shame her. Her statement in this verse, could easily be summed up: "Can you believe it? This holy man knows all about my secrets and yet he still wants to talk to me about faith and God. He didn't even look down at me but rather offered me 'Living Water.' Could he be the Messiah?"

Thought: God knows all about our past and our present struggles/sins, yet he still loves us. How remarkable is that?

Romans 5:8 - "While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Living in Grace

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I have no bucket!

What do you do when you arrive at the well, but you have nothing to draw the water with? Your thirst is getting the better of you, and you don't know how to quench this longing. 

For many people their struggles are so overwhelming that they fail to see that Jesus is the one who offers us the water that quenches our thirst. Sadly, our picture of God has become so distorted over the years that we think our 'lack of a bucket' excludes us from the gift of Life. 

I have found this poem has put into words some of our deepest thoughts and emotions. 

"I have no bucket, and the well is deep.
My thirst is endless, and my throat is dry.
I ask you, stranger, silent at my side,
can words refresh my longings if you speak?
I have no bucket, and the well is deep.

Who are you, strange yet friendly at my side,
and can you see and judge, yet understand
my hidden self, and heal with wounded hands?
Are you the path, the gateway and the guide,
the keys, the living water, and the light?

Come break the rock, and bid the rivers flow
from deep unending wells of joy and worth,
for tears, for drinking, drowning and new birth,
and I shall find and give myself, and know
the keys, the living water, and the light." - Brian Wren

Isaiah spoke of God's love and open invitation to 'Come to him' in these words:

“Come, all you who are thirsty,
    come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
    come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
    without money and without cost.
2 Why spend money on what is not bread,
    and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
    and you will delight in the richest of fare." - Isaiah 55:1-3

Living in Grace

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What is it that defines who you are?

What is it that defines who you are?

Is it your career? Your title? Your family name? Your bank account? Your degrees?

I guess, we will all answer this question in our own way and with our own emphasis. However, I find it interesting that when we meet Jesus, a lot of these things change. They no longer define us. We may still keep some of these things (job, family, titles etc.), but they don't have to define us anymore.

Coming back to the John 4 account of the Samaritan woman, did you notice how, in her hurry, she left the water jug behind? John tells us: “Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town…” (John 4:28)

There could be a few reasons as to why she leaves it behind, but I am moved by Tim Keller's take on this. He says: “When you encounter the real Jesus, the things that once defined your life no longer hold the same power.”

Her life had changed. Her encounter with Jesus showed her that she was loved and that she had a purpose. It was not just fetching water at midday that would define her but telling others that she had met the Messiah.

Living in Grace

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Longing for ...

There is a beautiful song which reminds us of all the things that we long for but seem to never find. It is entitled: Christ be our Light and is written by Bernadette Farrell. Each verse of the song speaks of these gifts that we long for:

• Longing for light, we wait in darkness
• Longing for truth, we turn to you
• Longing for peace, our world is troubled
• Longing for hope, many despair

And each time she laments the things that still elude us, Bernadette brings us to the prayerful chorus:

"Christ be our light, shine in our hearts.
Shine through the darkness
Christ, be our light!
Shine in your church."

I pray that as we all begin the remarkable journey of Lent, that Christ would shine his light on our path.

Living in Grace

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THEN ....

I find it interesting that when Isaiah speaks about True Fasting, he mentions that this involves heart-felt action and care for the poor. He calls on Gods-people to feed the hungry and to help those in trouble. Once we have done that, THEN our light will shine out from the darkness.

"Feed the hungry and help those in trouble.
Then your light will shine out from the darkness,
and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon." - Isaiah 58:10

Sometimes we reverse the sequence, and we pray that we will have enough 'Light' to shine for God. It seems to me, that in doing what God has asked us to do, will reveal this Light.

So, when Jesus said: 'You are the light of the world' (Matthew 5:14-15), perhaps he was telling us to love boldly, and THEN this would be the light of Christ shining all around us.

Living in Grace

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