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

Stay in love with Jesus

The final part of John Wesley's rule of life is summed up as: "Stay in love with God (Jesus)."

There is a simplicity in Wesley's rule that should make our faith easier to practice, but anyone who has been a believer for years will tell you that it has difficult moments. Kindling our relationship with Jesus is such an important part of being a Christ-follower - we surely can't be effective disciples if we aren't willing to nurture this love.  

I would argue that the first two actions of the Rule of Life (Do no harm and do good), should hopefully flow from our relationship with God.

Jude 1:21- "...keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life."

Reflection: What do you do in order to stay in love with Christ?  What have you found helpful in this regard? 

Living in Grace

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Do Good

In trying to encourage believers to be witnesses of God's grace, John Wesley challenged people to 'Do good' to others. This was not an attempt to persuade a 'salvation by works' mentality, but rather to echo the approach of James - 'faith, without action is dead!'

Galatians 6:9-10 - Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

2 Thessalonians 3:13 - And as for you, … never tire of doing what is good.

Question: How can we do good to others (for the sake of God's kingdom)?

Living in Grace

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Do no harm!

In reflecting on John Wesley's Rule of Life, we note his 3 major calls: "Do no harm. Do good. Stay in love with Jesus." 

Tackling the first of these, what would this mean for us, on a daily basis? 

'Do no harm!'

The bible has a lot to say on this matter, and so I leave you with these texts and ask us all to make our own reflections on how we can live this out.

“By doing no harm; by avoiding evil of every kind.” – John Wesley

^“When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?” But Jesus turned and rebuked them.” – Luke 9:54

·    Romans 13:10 - Love does no harm to a neighbour. Therefore, love is the fulfilment of the law.

1 Corinthians 11:17 - In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good.

·     Revelation 7:3 - “Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.” 

Living in Grace

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The Covenant Prayer in different words

In the Methodist tradition we share in an annual Covenant Service, where we renew our commitment to Jesus and remember our conversion, baptism and call to follow Christ. The original prayer, introduced by John Wesley is a little confusing, as our English language has changed over the past 270 years. However, I have found this modern version equally meaningful. and refreshing. 

I pray that you will wrestle with these sentiments too. Which line in the prayer hits home for you today?

"I am no longer my own but yours.
Your will, not mine, be done in all things,
wherever you may place me,
in all that I do
and in all that I may endure;
when there is work for me
and when there is none;
when I am troubled
and when I am at peace.
Your will be done
when I am valued
and when I am disregarded;
when I find fulfilment
and when it is lacking;
when I have all things,
and when I have nothing.
 
I willingly offer
all I have and am
to serve you,
as and where you choose.

Glorious and blessèd God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
you are mine and I am yours.
May it be so for ever.
Let this covenant now made on earth
be fulfilled in heaven. Amen." - adapted from John Wesley's original prayer

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

D3LM3

After Aldersgate

John Wesley's heart-warming experience in Aldersgate (24 May 1738) is well documented. However, what is not well known is it that although John's encounter with God gave him deep assurance of his salvation, he was not exempt from further trials. This is important for all Christians to know and understanding. Any encounter with God will deepen our faith and our experience of Jesus, but we will continue to live in a broken world. It is how we are now equipped and prepared for the new challenges that makes all the difference. 

Listen to how John Wesley describes his new attitude to challenges: 

"After my return home, I was much buffeted with temptations; but cried out, and they fled away. They returned again and again. I as often lifted up my eyes, and he sent me help from his holy place. And herein I found the difference between this and my former state chiefly consisted. I was striving, yea, fighting with all my might under the law, as well as under grace; but then I was sometimes, if not often, conquered: now I am always a conqueror." - John Wesley

Before Aldersgate, Mr. Wesley felt that he was striving and fighting in his own strength. After his Aldersgate experience, he allowed God to do the fighting.

Romans 8:37 - No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Thoughts: What can John's story teach us about our own journey of faith?

Living in Grace

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If God is for you ....

"A Young William Wilberforce was discouraged one night in the early 1790s after another defeat in his 10-year battle against the slave trade in England. Tired and frustrated, he opened his Bible and began to leaf through it. A small piece of paper fell out and fluttered to the floor. 

It was a letter written by John Wesley shortly before his death. Wilberforce read it again: 

"Unless the divine power has raised you up... I see not how you can go through your glorious enterprise in opposing that (abominable practice of slavery), which is the scandal of religion, of England, and of human nature. 

Unless God has raised you up for this very thing, you will be worn out by the opposition of men and devils. 

But if God be for you, who can be against you? 

Are all of them together stronger than God? 

Oh, be not weary of well-doing. 

Go on in the name of God, and in the power of His might." - Daily Bread, June 16, 1989.

I have deliberately made this quote appear over a number of lines, as I think that each sentence is filled with power and promise. Is there perhaps a word that stands out for you today. Hold onto that for your 'food' for the day.

Romans 8:31 - What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Living in Grace

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Doing good where we can

"Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture." - Psalm 37:3

My reflection on this verse is that I can so easily get distracted by the evil around me that I forget about the good I can do in my community. The word of wisdom comes to us today, urging us not to forget to Trust in God and keep our eyes on him. 

John Wesley coined these words, which are an inspiration to do good.

“Do all the good you can,
by all the means you can,
in all the ways you can,
in all the places you can,
at all the times you can,
to all the people you can,
as long as ever you can.”

May we place our trust in Jesus and keep on doing good wherever we can.

Living in Grace

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Haste versus Hurry - is there a difference?

"Though I am always in haste, I am never in a hurry because I never undertake more work than I can go through with calmness of spirit." - John Wesley

I confess that Mr Wesley's words had me scurrying for the dictionary to try and see if there is a difference between 'haste' and 'hurry.' In most of the dictionaries there is very little difference between the two terms, although if I were to try unpack what John Wesley's intention, it could be something like this:

• To be in haste (urgency of movement) may relate to sharing the Gospel with those in need, fully aware of the time constraints and the urgency of this task. There is no time to waste.

Whereas, when my life is in a hurry, there is a sense of being out of control and perhaps being a little side-tracked by the myriad of tasks on my plate. To hurry is "to do things quicker than normal" - thus implying less focus.

What do you think? If you know a better definition, please let me know. Maybe there is no difference between the 2!?

Anyway .....

My point is this: "We should be in tune with the Holy Spirit as we go about our tasks. He will lead us and give us capacity to complete all the important things in our lives."

Psalm 38:21-22 - Don’t dump me, God; my God, don’t stand me up. Hurry and help me;

Living in Grace

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What does God look for in us?

What does God look for in us?

This is a very challenging question and will include a variety of different answers. Some of us will include thoughts such as 'devotion', 'surrender', 'moral purity', 'worship' etc. In Paul's letter to the Romans he says: 

"No, a real Jew is anyone whose heart is right with God. For God is not looking for those who cut their bodies in actual body circumcision, but he is looking for those with changed hearts and minds. Whoever has that kind of change in his life will get his praise from God, even if not from you." - Romans 2:29

This seems to indicate that God is looking for our hearts and minds to be changed through his Spirit. If God can see this kind of change, then God will be pleased. 

As we remember the anniversary of John Wesley's 'changed heart', let us be thankful for the way God encounters us and is always willing to bring about transformation in our lives. Here are some quotes from John Wesley:

The church changes the world not by making converts but by making disciples.

I have never known more than fifteen minutes of anxiety or fear. Whenever I feel fearful emotions overtaking me, I just close my eyes and thank God that He is still on the throne reigning over everything and I take comfort in His control over the affairs of my life.

Let your words be the genuine picture of your heart.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

A dangerous prayer

I feel that the Covenant Prayer is arguably one the most challenging and dangerous prayers we could ever pray. Born out of the Wesleyan revivals in England, this prayer has been adopted in most Methodist communities around the globe. It is a prayer that we should never 'just' pray, but we should seriously reflect on the words and only when we are ready should we speak the words. 

Of course, this is not just a prayer for people who align themselves with the Methodist tradition - any believer can pray these words. After all, this Covenant prayer is a prayer of recommitment and surrender to the ways of Jesus.

I am no longer my own, but yours.
Put me to do what you will,
rank me with whom you will:
Put me to doing, put me to suffering:
Let me be employed for you or laid aside for you,
exalted for you or brought low for you:
Let me be full, let me be empty.
Let me have all things, let me have nothing:
I freely and wholeheartedly yield all things
to your pleasure and disposal.
And now, glorious and blessed God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
you are mine and I am yours. So be it.
And the Covenant now made on earth,
let it be ratified in heaven. AMEN

Living in Grace

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Kindess

 

 

Today's reading from Proverbs 19 reminds us that: "Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord,    and he will reward them for what they have done." (Proverbs 19:17)

We are facing up to a time in our history where poverty is very close at hand. As South Africans we have been exposed to the poor in diverse ways, but Covid-19 is slowly creating more opportunities for us to be kind to those who are struggling economically. Jesus made it clear that we would always have poor amongst us and urged his followers to treat all people with compassion, love and kindness.

On this significant day in the life of the Evangelical Church, where we remember the difference that John and Charles Wesley made to England (and the world), it is fitting to note a very challenging word from them on poverty and our call to address it:

"Do you not know that God entrusted you with that money (all above what buys necessities for your families) to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to help the stranger, the widow, the fatherless; and, indeed, as far as it will go, to relieve the wants of all mankind? How can you, how dare you, defraud the Lord, by applying it to any other purpose?”- John Wesley

Perhaps his other quote which is well known is also appropiate at this point:

“Do all the good you can,
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the times you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as ever you can.”
― John Wesley 

How can we show kindness to others? 

Living in Grace
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Happy Birthday

On the 28 June 1703 John Wesley was born. The influence of this man has been felt over the last 300 years and even despite his faults, Wesley left an incredible legacy for the Christian faith. To honour his birthday I want to share a few of his lesser known quotes with us today:

"Prayer is where the action is."

“Let your words be the genuine picture of your heart.”

“God grant that I may never live to be useless!”

"It cannot be that the people should grow in grace unless they give themselves to reading. A reading people will always be a knowing people. ”

May God bless you today
Living in Grace
D3LM3

Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/authors/john_wesley

r is where the action is.
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/authors/john_wesley

Prayer - Give me strength

More times than we care to admit we find that praying can be a struggle for us. We can't seem to find the right words or even a good place to begin, yet in the back of our minds, we realise our need of prayer.

For this reason, I am planning to share a few prayers over the next couple of days. It is my hope that they would help you to begin your times of prayer and to inspire you to speak to our Lord.

Today's prayer comes from John Wesley - I have slightly altered his prayer to make the English a little more understandable:

"Give me your strength;
Give me your love;
and be the motive behind my understanding, 
my affections,
my senses, 
my health, 
my time,
and whatever other talents I have received from you.
Then will I be able to fulfil your command of loving you with all my heart, 
and mind, and soul and strength. Amen."

If you would like to read a scripture to go with this prayer, then perhaps turn to Colossians 3:23.

Living in Grace
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That ONE thing

"I want to know one thing,
—the way to heaven; how to land safe on that happy shore. 
God himself has condescended to teach me the way. 
For this very end He came from heaven. 
He hath written it down in a book. 
O give me that book!
At any price, give me the book of God! 
I have it: here is knowledge enough for me. 
Let me be homo unius libri. 
Here then I am, far from the busy ways of men. 
I sit down alone; only God is here. 
In His presence I open, I read His book; 
for this end, to find the way to heaven" - John Wesley

It is interesting that Wesley wanted to be homo unius libri (a man of ONE book), yet he encouraged all his members and preachers to read as widely as they could. It was just that when it came down to the crunch, Wesley expected us all to be STUDENTS of the bible first and foremost. The other books should inform and add to what we have started reading in the Word.

Living in Grace
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Do your part

"He who governed the world before I was born shall take care of it likewise when I am dead. My part is to improve the present moment." – John Wesley

I like this sentiment from John Wesley. It reminds me of two crucial things:

 1.       God was involved in the things of this world long before I was born, and God will continue to be involved long after I have gone. I should let him do his work and stop worrying so much. 

2.       We have an important part to play in this world, even if it is only for a brief moment in time. We can love God, love others and seek to make the world a better place.

Psalm 90:1-2

Lord, you have been our dwelling place
    throughout all generations.
Before the mountains were born
    or you brought forth the whole world,
    from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

Living in Grace

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Day of Prayer

1 Kings 8:28 - Yet give attention to your servant’s prayer and his plea for mercy, Lord my God. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence this day.

 

Join us today as we pray for our country and for the upcoming elections.

Let us pray for our children and for our youth of our land.

Pray for leaders of integrity and courage.

Let us pray for reconciliation and healing in our land.

Pray for ........................

 

"We have to prayer with our eyes on God not on our difficulties." - Oswald Chambers 

 

"God does nothing except in response to believing prayer." - John Wesley

Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/prayer_3.html

 

Living in Grace

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We may need more!

Following Jesus is not a one moment miracle. In my opinion, our decision to respond to God's love is always the starting point, but we need an ongoing encounter with God, to help us change into true Disciples. This relies on the role of the Holy Spirit and He is always at work in us, seeking to shape us and mould us into true Christ-followers.

The 24th May is always a significant day in the life of the Methodist movement, as we remember that John Wesley had a fresh encounter with the Holy Spirit in a church in Aldersgate street. Wesley was already a Christian, but he needed a fresh experience of God's grace to enable him to fulfil the next task in his ministry.

Hosea 11:8 - "My heart is changed within me..."

Perhaps we are also in need of our own 'heart-warming' experience?
Why don't you pause for a minute and ask God's spirit to fill you afresh today?

"An ounce of LOVE is worth more than a pound of Knowledge." - John Wesley

Living in Grace
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When being "unwilling" changes your life

Have you ever done something unwillingly, but then been greatly surprised by what you experience? Like perhaps going to an event (...kicking and screaming) and then having your breath taken away by what happens? On the evening of the 24th May 1738, John Wesley was feeling down and disappointed - there we so many things happening in his life that were weighing down on his spirit.

The last thing he felt like was going to Church, but he went unwillingly to a service in Aldersgate street, London. And it was during this service that he encountered God in a powerful way - actually in a life changing way. It was while someone was reading Martin Luther's preface to the book Romans that the Holy Spirit spoke deeply into his heart. This is what he wrote afterwards:

"I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone, for salvation; and an assurance was given me that he had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death." - John Wesley

These are my simply reflections on this story:
1. Worship is not about how I feel, but rather about putting myself in the presence of God and His people. If I only go to Church when I feel like it, then I may miss out on the blessing of an encounter with Jesus.
2. When we give Jesus a chance, he can surprise us.
3. Taking our pains and disappointments to God can never be a bad thing.
4. Our experience of God is not just a once off event, but Christ continues to reveal more of his glory to us.
5. Never underestimate the power of God's spirit to renew you and to inspire you for a future task.

What are your thoughts on this? Drop me a mail if you get a chance.

God bless you
D3LM3