Now unto Him

Benedictions have become an integral part of many churches over the centuries. Sadly, sometimes we forget that these 'last words' or 'parting blessings' are not just a nice way to end the time of worship, but also a careful reminder of the incredible power of God. It is almost as if we need a final reminder, before we head out into the world, that God is bigger than we realize, and that the Holy Spirit will help us more than we hoped.

Take this passage for example, see what it tells us.

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." - Ephesians 3:20-21

Thought: The next time you sing (or say) a Benediction, think about the words you are speaking over life. 

Living in Grace

D3LM3

The sharpest weapon

Question: What is the sharpest weapon around?

Answer: Knife? Needle? Sword? Tongue? 

According to Anne Frank, none of the above. She suggests this: 

"In the long run, the sharpest weapon of all is a kind and gentle spirit." - Anne Frank

I have never thought of a 'kind and gentle spirit' as a weapon, and it took a lot of brain power for me to reflect on her point, but I think I get it now.

What do you feel?

2 Corinthians 10:4 - The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Hope in the future

“Where there is no hope in the future, there is no power in the present.” – Anon

It is hard to shake the feeling that the world is in a huge mess. Everywhere you look, all we seem to see is crisis, trouble, pain, suffering and despair. As Christians, we need to keep our focus on Jesus Christ in order to look beyond the limits of our world. If we are only looking for signs of hope in the man-made world, we will come up disappointed. 

Let us hold onto hope, so that we can live with purpose and power in the present.

Job 6:11 - “What strength do I have, that I should still hope? What prospects, that I should be patient?

Job 11:18 - You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Accountability to God

"My greatest thought is my accountability to God.” - Daniel Webster.

For many Christians, this is what guides our decisions and the lives we choose to live. It is not meant to be something that drives us into a state of fear, but rather the acknowledgement that all our choices will need to be justified before God.

In my opinion, what happens when we don't believe in an Eternal moment of accountability, is what is happening in Russia/Ukraine right now. If people don't have a healthy respect for God, (in Solomon's words, the 'fear of the Lord'), they will abuse and destroy all in their path. 

Romans 14:10 - For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.

Sadly, it seems that we have not learnt anything from history. Political leaders are deceived that they are demi-gods and millions are affected by their delusions. 

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Like dynamite

Dynamite was invented in the 1860's by Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel. We are all aware of it's destructive qualities, but when used under careful supervision, it has the power to move massive mountains of rock and soil. 

I am not sure if you have ever considered the power of God's Spirit to be like that of dynamite? When the Spirit of God moves in our lives, it has the dynamic power to transform stubborn hearts into vessels used for the Kingdom of God. It is this same Holy Spirit that is at work in our lives, if we surrender to the supervision of Jesus Christ. 

I love this short poem by Thomas Merton, who describes what can happen Christ sets us free.

"Make ready for my Christ,
whose smile,
like lightning,
sets free the song of everlasting glory
that now sleeps in your paper flesh like dynamite."

Romans 1:16 - For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is God’s powerful method of bringing all who believe it to heaven.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Does God have short arms?

                                                    

What a strange question to ask you this morning?

Do you think God has short arms?

Well, if you think I am going crazy I must point out that it is actually God who asks Moses this question first. Take a read and see:

^"The Lord answered Moses, “Is the Lord’s arm too short? Now you will see whether or not what I say will come true for you.” - Numbers 11:23

God had promised to answer Moses prayers and to deliver food to the Israelites, but Moses was a little sceptical. God wanted to push Moses a little and so he challenge him by asking whether Moses felt that God was not able to fulfil his promises.

In another translation God asks the question like this: "The Lord said to Moses, “Is the Lord’s power limited? Now you shall see whether my word will come true for you or not.” (NRSV)

How would you answer God's question today?

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Power restored

Living in South Africa has many challenges and the latest one was dealing with power outages and load-shedding. One could almost hear the collective sigh when the lights went out in your community, as well as the loud cheers when the power was restored.

In chapter 4, Micah speaks about a different kind of restoration. It is the restoration of the kingship and how the 'royal might and power' would come back to the nation.

"As for you, Jerusalem,
    the citadel of God’s people,
your royal might and power
    will come back to you again.
The kingship will be restored
    to my precious Jerusalem." - Micah 4:8

Advent is a time to remember that no matter how dark things are at the present time, the LIGHT of the world has dawned upon us and all good things will be restored in the end.

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
D3LM3

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

Just say sorry!

As I have been reflecting on St. Francis' prayer over the last few days, I have come to this line:
"Where there is error, truth."
This prayer challenges us to instruments of truth, but this is a hard task in the midst of world that seeks to hide from the Truth. We don't like to admit that we may be wrong. We find it extremely hard to admit that we have made mistakes.

This leads me to the whole Nkandla issue in South Africa. How hard would it be for the state President, Mr Jacob Zuma, just to say "Sorry!" Wouldn't it be refreshing to hear from his office, how they got it wrong and that they would do all they can to redress the 'error of their ways.' We are not asking our president to be 'perfect', because that would be hypocritical of us, but we are asking that he (and his team) accept responsibly when the truth of their error is exposed!

Before you think that I am taking sides in this heated debate, let me add that my critique goes further than just our president. It goes to all political parties, all in leadership, all officials in governance, and in fact to all pastors and preachers of the Gospel too.

So, this leads me to the hard question for you and I - How quick are you to say that you are sorry? When you have messed up and you have been 'caught out' do you apologise and then try and make amends OR do you try and blame everyone else?

....just asking!?

Ecclesiastes 10:5 - "There is an evil I have seen under the sun, the sort of error that arises from a ruler."

Mark 12:24 -  "Jesus replied, “Are you not in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God?"

Living in Grace
D3LM3