A prayer for Spring

As we enter into this new season of Spring, it is wonderful to be reminded of new beginnings, second chances and hope. I have put together a lovely little prayer with pictures for you to enjoy. Please click on this link for the Spring Prayer and you are welcome to share with anyone who may enjoy it.

Remember that God is in the business of re-creating and bringing us back from the wilderness.

God bless you.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Trying to understand Jesus

                                        

When we read through the accounts of Jesus we may not initially understand what he was up to. For example, this week I was sharing around Mark 5 (the woman who had been bleeding for 12 years) and how when she had received healing by touching Jesus's cloak, Jesus wanted to know who had touched him. At first glance it may seem that Jesus is drawing attention to this unnamed woman that could be embarrassing for her - I mean, why not simply let her go home and enjoy her moment?

The reason why Jesus wants to know who has touched his cloak is not for his sake, but rather for her sake. As David Smith suggests: "she would have lost the chief blessing of her life" if she had simple melted back into the crowd. Jesus understood that she needed more than physical healing only - she needed to know the PEACE of God upon her life and this is what he gives to her. Remember his words?

"Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from her suffering." (Mark 5:34)

Thought: Jesus's ways may not make sense to us at times, but do we trust that He has our best interests at heart?

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Restoration

The theme of RESTORATION is carried through many places in the Bible and it is clearly one of great hope. In this reading from Nahum the prophet passes on a word of encouragement to the Israelites:

"The Lord will restore the splendor of Jacob
    like the splendor of Israel,
though destroyers have laid them waste
    and have ruined their vines." - Nahum 2:2

As I read these words I was wondering if there was a message for us in them? Could we interpret the 'destroyers' to be the Coronavirus? Could we argue that the 'ruined vines' are our places of work and financial resources during these harsh economic times?

If you find that there is a link to this, then we should surely hold onto the promise that God will restore our splendor.

Does this make sense for you or is it perhaps a little too far-fetched? I would love to know your thoughts.

Mark 8:25 - "Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly."

Living in Grace

D3LM3

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

Living in Grace

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Not as it seems

Things are not always as they seem.
This word 'seem' very simply means 'to give the impression of being a certain way' and it can be used in all kinds of different contexts. The important thing for me, is that when I look at a particular object or scenario, it may 'seem' in a certain way to me, but I could be wrong. Let me give you a few examples:

The world may seem to be flat if I look at it from the perspective of a few hundred meters. However, when I look at it from outer space, then I realise that it is far from being flat.

The earth may seem to be stable and not moving at all. However, we know that in fact our planet is constantly moving around the sun and also rotating around it's own axis.

Lockdown may seem to be going on for eternity, but in truth it has only been 50 days!

The writer of Proverbs says it like this:

"There is a way that seems right to man, but its end is the way of death."-  Proverbs 14:12

In following Jesus, we can't always see the bigger picture, but I believe that it is important for us to trust in God's ways and plans. Even if things seem to a mess, we must believe in Jesus' willingness to guide us into the path of peace and righteousness.

Phaedrus - "Things are not always what they seem; the first appearance deceives many."

Living in Grace
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Lack of understanding

 

Do we really understand the things that are happening around us or are we just caught up in our own little worlds? I am not speaking specifically about dealing with Covid-19, but rather about things in general. It is easy to look at the world through our own 'rose-tinted' glasses and not to see from the perspective of others.

Take the reading for today. Jesus has just explained to his disciples that he is on a journey to be 'tortured and crucified' and all they are consumed with is: "Can I be awared the number spot in your kingdom?!"
True, it was actually James and John's mother who asked the question, but it still speaks of an underlying self-centredness. Please read through these words and allow them to add to your personal Lenten journey today:

^17-19 Jesus, now well on the way up to Jerusalem, took the Twelve off to the side of the road and said, “Listen to me carefully. We are on our way up to Jerusalem. When we get there, the Son of Man will be betrayed to the religious leaders and scholars. They will sentence him to death. They will then hand him over to the Romans for mockery and torture and crucifixion. On the third day he will be raised up alive.”

²⁰ It was about that time that the mother of the Zebedee brothers came with her two sons and knelt before Jesus with a request.
²¹ “What do you want?” Jesus asked.
She said, “Give your word that these two sons of mine will be awarded the highest places of honor in your kingdom, one at your right hand, one at your left hand.”
²² Jesus responded, “You have no idea what you’re asking.” And he said to James and John, “Are you capable of drinking the cup that I’m about to drink?”
They said, “Sure, why not?”
²³ Jesus said, “Come to think of it, you are going to drink my cup. But as to awarding places of honor, that’s not my business. My Father is taking care of that.” - Matthew 20 (The Message)

Fyodor Dostoyevsky once remarked: "The world says: "You have needs -- satisfy them. You have as much right as the rich and the mighty. Don't hesitate to satisfy your needs; indeed, expand your needs and demand more." This is the worldly doctrine of today. And they believe that this is freedom."

What is Freedom for you?
What does Jesus think of Feedom?

Living in Grace
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No Matter what happens

Peter has some incredible words of comfort for us today, when he writes: “My purpose in writing is to encourage you and assure you that the grace of God is with you no matter what happens.” – 1 Peter 5:12 (NLT)

For people who were going through a lot of suffering and numerous trials these timeous words must have been a huge blessing. However, they are not just words for the early church - they are words that are also relevant for us too. 

Remember that NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS the grace of God is with us.
No matter what happens!
God is still with us.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Dealing with bad breaks

 

We will all face a tough times and 'bad breaks' in our lives - what is left for us to decide is how we deal with these. Paul gives us some sound advice for dealing with the bad breaks we will encounter.

Paul suggests (in words of Eugene Peterson):

At first I didn’t think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me,

My grace is enough; it’s all you need.
My strength comes into its own in your weakness.

Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ’s strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become. (2 Corinthians 12:8-10)

If you feel as if you have been driven to your knees, then let Jesus take over and allow God's strength to help you through this tough time.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Is it a Failure?

Who decides if something is a failure or not?
And when do you make that judgement call?
The motivation for this question comes from a few passages in the Bible, but I will use one example today - John 6:66-67 (the Message)

^"After this a lot of his disciples left. They no longer wanted to be associated with him. Then Jesus gave the Twelve their chance: “Do you also want to leave?”
Peter replied, “Master, to whom would we go? You have the words of real life, eternal life. We’ve already committed ourselves, confident that you are the Holy One of God.”

If we were taking a critical look at Jesus' ministry, just after a lot of his followers decided to leave his group, we would conclude that Jesus' future looked shaky. Being a leader and Messiah means you need people to follow you, so when a large portion of these people decided to bail, well we would assume that Jesus' ministry was on the road to failure! 

However, making the judgement call of a FAIL at this point would be far to premature wouldn't, especially with what we know of the future outcome? Jesus' ministry was not a failure, despite this setback. 

And so, if you are facing a difficult time at the moment and things look like they may be failing, do not be too quick to judge. With God there is always room for a turn around. 

Living in Grace
D3LM3

New song

^“He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him." - Psalm 40:3

It is remarkable that with all the millions of songs already produced that artists find creative ways of expressing their thoughts and emotions in new songs. Itunes has over 40 million songs on its database - That is an incredible amount of songs don’t you think?

As we think about it, a new song doesn’t necessarily mean that the older songs are obsolete, but rather that, after going through a difficult experience, there is a fresh expression of God’s goodness and mercy. A deeper comprehension of Christ's faithfulness inspires new words to flow from our hearts.

Are you able to sing a new song at the moment?

Psalm 149:1 - "Praise the Lord. Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of his faithful people."

Living in Grace

D3LM3

One day at a time

Have you ever felt as if you are carrying too many burdens? I know that I have felt this way before and although it is hard to put into practise, we all need to try and live ONE DAY at a time. Jesus clearly understood that his followers were burden by many things - BIG things - including poverty, disease, death, illness, oppressive government, religious abuse and hopelessness. Despite all these burdens Jesus still urged his followers to give their cares to him and to walk in faith, one day at a time.

John Newton suggested the same thing:
“We can easily manage if we will only take, each day, the burden appointed to it. But the load will be too heavy for us if we carry yesterday's burden over again today, and then add the burden of the morrow before we are required to bear it.”

May God grant you the Strength to handle today's trials and Faith to know that Jesus will be there when tomorrows troubles come.

Living in Grace
D3LM3 

Smile at Life

"Nothing can resist the person who smiles at life - I don't mean the ironic and disillusioned smile of my grandfather, but the triumphant smile of the person who knows that he will survive, or that at least he will be saved by what seems to be destroying him." - Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

Some days we just need to wake up, smile at life and then carry on. As de Chardin suggests - our smile is an acknowledgement that with Christ by our side, we are never defeated! Jesus has saved us and so we live as forgiven people.

Despite what is happening around you, I encourage you to make an attempt to smile - may that smile break into the darkness and remind you that Jesus is always Victorious.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/p/pierre_teilhard_de_chardi.html