Living in Community

Living in any community is not always easy. Even in a small group of people (family sized) there will always be something that will cause us frustration. The same applies in churches, schools, places of work and social clubs - little irritations crop up which cause us to pull away from these groups of people for a while. 

In the end, it is the desire to belong and be connected, that draws us back into community again. We were designed to be in community! As Trevor Hudson remarked – “Clearly, the climate for growth and deepening in discipleship is community. We can’t become the people God created us to be without experiencing divine and human relationships.”

      Solomon agreed. He wrote “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up." (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)

      Living in Grace

     D3LM3

Beautiful Attitudes

 

Someone once remarked that the Beatitudes (found in Matthew 5) could be called "The Beautiful Attitudes" - I like that name - I think it describes them so well. In our modern world these kind of attitudes seem very foreign to us, but that shouldn't prevent us from trying to live them out. After all, being part of God's Kingdom means that we should be living under different rules in any case.

What do you think of these attitudes?:

Matthew 5:3-10
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
⁴ Blessed are those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.
⁵ Blessed are the meek,
    for they will inherit the earth.
⁶ Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    for they will be filled.
⁷ Blessed are the merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.
⁸ Blessed are the pure in heart,
    for they will see God.
⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers,
    for they will be called children of God.
¹⁰ Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Praying for a change

The volatile situation in our country has got a lot of us on our knees again. People have been called to a massive nationwide prayer event in Bloemfontein this weekend and we trust that all these prayers will make a difference. For those people who can't travel across country to this event, the churches in Hayfields are getting together to pray on the 22 April from 2-3pm. If you want to be part of this prayer time, please come along and join us. We are going to be meeting at the St Matthews Church in Hayfields - they have a lovely outdoor area, where we can sit and pray together as a community. Please pass on to anyone who may be interested.

Psalm 17:6 - I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God. Bend down and listen as I pray.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Not You

"Let others lead small lives, but not you.
Let others argue over small things, but not you.
Let others cry over small hurts, but not you.
Let others leave their future in someone else's hands, but not you." - Jim Rohn

Living as a Christ-follower requires us to live differently from others. I encourage us all to let the words from Jim Rohn to inspire us to go counter culture.

1 Thessalonians 4:11 - As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more.

Living in Grace
D3LM3