My helper - your helper!

"So, we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. 
What can mere mortals do to me?” (Hebrews 13:6 and Psalm 118:6)

Taking a scripture verse out of its context can be a dangerous thing, as we don't allow it to speak to us with the whole weight of the words either side of the verse. 

Take today's reading as an example. The message is clear enough in that we can affirm that God is our helper and therefore, we don't need to be afraid of the threats of other people. However, this is only half the truth - there is a lot more to glean from the verse...

...verse 6 starts off by stating: "So, we can say with confidence...". We should be asking, what is the "SO" referring to? And to get the answer we need to read the preceding verses, particularly verse 5.

"For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (NKJV)

Our confidence comes from this amazing promise: God says he will never leave us, nor forsake us, which opens our hearts and mouths to proclaim with great confidence: 

God has got my back and so I don't need to be afraid of the hollow threats of people.

Living in grace

D3LM3 

Waiting, waiting, waiting!

It seems that the Lord is trying to teach me (and a few of you) the valuable lesson of waiting. I am not a patient person, so this is a tough lesson to be learning again! I had hoped that by the time I was in my 50's I would be a lot better at this discipline, but alas, it seems I am not! 

Thankfully, the Bible speaks on this issue in many places, and I am grateful for the words of advice that can help me in my wrestling. So, if you find yourself in a similar boat, I offer you some words of solace and may God grant us all the ability to 'wait patiently.'

"Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." - Psalm 27:14

“Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about." - Acts 1:8

Psalm 37:7 - "Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;"

Isaiah 26:8 - "Yes, Lord, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts."

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Running from God

“He who runs from God in the morning will scarcely find Him the rest of the day.” ― John Bunyan 

I have found this sentiment to be so true in my personal experience. Bunyan advocates for spending time with the Lord in the mornings, before the day gets too hectic and the demands of life weigh us down. 

I know that it is not always practical for some people, especially when there are children in the household. However, the overriding principle of spending 'some' time with the Lord during the day is crucial and as long as we do it, then we will feel connected with our Lord. 

Psalm 5:3 - In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.

What time of the day do you find best to sit quietly with the Lord? 

Closing thought: It is a worthwhile practise to offer God the day before it unfolds.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Laughing at ourselves

The last 3 books I have finished reading have all taken a lighter look at the church and the 'goings on' inside the Christian community. None of them have been irreligious at all, but have certainly made me laugh and groan at the same time. We are indeed a strange bunch :) 

Each of the authors have taken their own slant on the characters within the stories, but I have certainly been able to laugh at myself and some of the interesting people in the books. I feel that laughter is a great way of drawing aside the curtain and taking a deeper look at myself. Of course, sometimes it makes me feel sad that the church has missed the mark many times, but it also fills me with hope when I see how many people are sincerely seeking to follow Jesus. 

In the end, it is important for all of us to remember that God didn't call a group of perfect disciples to lead the church, but a group of believers who knew that they had to rely on the grace of Christ. 

Psalm 126:2 - We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, “What amazing things the Lord has done for them.”

In case you are wondering which books I have been reading, here they are:

• Till the Fat Lady Sings - Bob Jackson
• The Sacred Diary of Adrian Plass aged 37 3/4 - Adrian Plass
• Heavens Doors - Lynda Rose

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Feeling helpless

Watching the ongoing war in the Ukraine it is hard not to feel completely helpless. Modern media has helped us to follow the story of this tragedy, but in a way, it has also heightened our impotence. What can we do to help the innocent who are being killed and traumatised?

We are therefore reminded to pray! I know that this is the best thing we can do at this time, and to leave the judgement and reckoning to the Lord.

Thankfully, Jesus reaches out to all who feel lost and helpless: 

Matthew 9:36 - When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Psalm 10:12 - Arise, Lord! Lift up your hand, O God. Do not forget the helpless.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Father to the fatherless

Fathers have been getting a lot of bad press over the last while and although there are a number of bad apples in the bunch, there are still many fathers who do an amazing job of loving their kids. 

I guess the same could be said for God in some ways. The image of God as a father has come under pressure in some quarters, but we can't ignore that God reveals himself in many ways just like a perfect father would. There are attributes of God's personality that are surely revealed in both masculine and feminine ways, but the unique gift of the 'father-heart' of God is still a beauty to behold.

On this Father's Day let us hold onto all the best qualities of a father and remember to look for them in the person of Yahweh. 

Psalm 68:15 - A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.

Isaiah 22:21 - He will be a father to those who live in Jerusalem and to the people of Judah.

Pliny the Elder - "No mortal man, moreover is wise at all moments."

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Love shows up

In a week where millions of people will spend a lot of money trying to reveal how much they care for their loved ones, I want to teach you a little secret. You actually don't have to spend much money at all. The Bible teaches us this simple truth - LOVE SHOWS UP! Jesus showed up when all seemed lost and he made his love clear to everyone. Our response is to 'show up' in our love - shown towards God and others. 

The writer of Psalm 30 expressed his understanding of God's love in this way:

² Lord my God, I called to you for help,and you healed me.
³ You, Lord, brought me up from the realm of the dead;
    you spared me from going down to the pit.

 

⁶ When I felt secure, I said, “I will never be shaken.”
⁷ Lord, when you favoured me,
    you made my royal mountain stand firm;
but when you hid your face, I was dismayed.

⁸ To you, Lord, I called; to the Lord I cried for mercy:

¹¹ You turned my wailing into dancing;
    you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
¹² that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent.
    Lord my God, I will praise you forever. (Psalm 30)

 

In every way possible, God shows up!

How will we respond?

Living in Grace

D3LM3

The month of love

February is known as the month of love! Valentines Day steals the limelight in this month and draws the world's attention to love. As much as we should pass our feelings and sentiments of love onto others, I do believe that we shouldn't limit this only to February. Perhaps this is the mistake we make - we assume that by sending gifts, buying flowers and writing romantic poetry (in February) we are somehow making up for the rest of the year.

As Christ-followers we are asked to love on a daily basis and this is the tough calling. Loving our neighbour for one day is doable. However, loving others for 365 days is the real test of our character. 

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” - Matthew 22:37-40

Psalm 25:6 - Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old.

“February - the month of love..?!!
No wonder the shortest one in the calendar.” - Dinesh Kumar Biran

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Strength to overcome

                                                    

In a brilliant piece of writing Howard Thurman reflects on his own need of God’s strength to overcome the evil temptations in his own life. His poem is entitled I seek the strength to overcome evil, and is one of the most vulnerable and honest pieces I have read for a while.

As you read this, I invite you to make these words your prayer and to ask God to give you the strength to overcome the barriers in your life.

“I seek the strength to overcome the tendency to evil in my own heart.

I recognize the tendency to do the unkind thing when the mood of retaliation or revenge rides high in my spirit;

I recognize the tendency to make others a means to my own end;

I recognized the tendency to yield to fear and cowardice when fearlessness and courage seem to fit easily into the pattern of my security.

I seek the strength to overcome the tendency to evil in my own heart.

I seek the strength to overcome the evil that is present all about me.

I recognize the evil in much of the organized life around me;

I recognize the evil in the will to power as found in groups, institutions and individuals;

I recognize the terrible havoc of hate and bitterness which make for fear and panic in the common life.

I seek the strength to overcome the evil that is present all about me.

I seek the strength to overcome evil; I must not be overcome by evil.

I seek the purification of my own heart, the purging of my own motives;

I seek the strength to withstand the logic of bitterness, the terrible divisiveness of hate, the demonic triumph of the conquest of others.

What I seek for myself I desire with all my heart for friend and foe alike.

I seek the strength to overcome evil.”

Psalm 119:133 - Guide my steps by your word, so I will not be overcome by evil.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

God is present - part 1

Howard Thurman wrote a delightful piece on the presence of God during times of difficulty. What I love about this short devotion is that it is so real and honest - I can relate to so much of what he says. His thoughts are not just a theory, but things he has grappled with and lived through himself.

As you read these words today, may you feel the presence of God with you.

(I am going to post his thoughts over 2 days as they are really good and I feel that we may lose the greater impact in trying to squeeze a long paragraph into one days worth of devotion. The line that stands out for me today is highlighted in bold. Which line is your 'take away' line?

"God is present with me this day.

God is present with me in the midst of my anxieties.

I affirm in my own heart and mind the reality of His presence.

He makes immediately available to me the strength of His goodness,

the reassurance of His wisdom and the heartiness of His courage.

My anxieties are real; they are the result of a wide variety of experiences,

some of which I understand, some of which I do not understand."

Psalm 46:1 - "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble."

Psalm 14:5 - "But there they are, overwhelmed with dread, for God is present in the company of the righteous."

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Blue Monday

Blue Monday is a term that is used for the 3rd Monday of January, which is considered to be the saddest day of the year. It originates from the idea that in the Northern Hemisphere, this is usually a cold time of the year, people are sad because of returning to work, breaking New Year's Resolutions and just generally feeling depressed.

Today is not anywhere near the middle of January, but it feels a little "blah" to me. It is cold outside, with a little drizzle and there seems to be no end in sight with the Covid-19 story. It is easy on days like today to feel down and demotivated, but one has to ride through the troubled days to get to better days.

Let us not lose the Hope we have in Jesus Christ. For God, we can turn to him anyday of the week and know that he is willing to be with us.

Here are some beautiful words from Psalm 142 that may offer hope to those who are feeling a little down. God bless you.

“As I sink in despair, my spirit ebbing away, you know how I’m feeling, Know the danger I’m in, the traps hidden in my path. Look right, look left— there’s not a soul who cares what happens! I’m up against it, with no exit— bereft, left alone. I cry out, God, call out: ‘You’re my last chance, my only hope for life!’ Oh listen, please listen; I’ve never been this low. Rescue me from those who are hunting me down; I’m no match for them. Get me out of this dungeon so I can thank you in public. Your people will form a circle around me and you’ll bring me showers of blessing!” (The Message)

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Oxygen

"Hope is Oxygen for the soul." - Peter Kreeft

As we look at this quote today it speaks powerfully into our daily lives. Just as we need oxygen to breathe and survive, so we equally need HOPE to keep us going. Hope is a remarkable emotion, but it is also fragile. Thankfully we know that we can place our Hope in Jesus Christ.

Psalm 25:5 - Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

Romans 15:13 - May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

 

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Day by Day

"Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens." - Psalm 68:19

Remember that Jesus invited us to take our needs to him on a daily basis. Not only does God help us with the troubles of today, but also the provisions we so desperately need.

"Thanks be to thee, my Lord Jesus Christ,
for all the benefits thou hast given me,
for all the pains and insults thou hast borne for me.
O most merciful redeemer, friend and brother,
may I know thee more clearly,
love thee more dearly,
and follow thee more nearly, day by day.
Amen." - Richard of Chichester

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Look into Nature

Nature has such an amazing way of making us feel at peace; to sense that things will be OK; to know that God is much bigger than we could ever imagine. I find that when I am about to give up on things, that God, through Nature, has a way of bringing me back to faith. Perhaps Einstein was right when he said:

"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better."

Of course, the Psalmists already told us this years and years ago!

Psalm 65:9-13 - Oh, visit the earth, ask her to join the dance! Deck her out in spring showers, fill the God-River with living water. Paint the wheat fields golden. Creation was made for this! Drench the plowed fields, soak the dirt clods With rainfall as harrow and rake bring her to blossom and fruit. Snow-crown the peaks with splendour, scatter rose petals down your paths, All through the wild meadows, rose petals. Set the hills to dancing, Dress the canyon walls with live sheep, a drape of flax across the valleys. Let them shout, and shout, and shout! Oh, oh, let them sing!

 

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Help

One of the regrets of people who are in the caring professions (I will include Pastors in this bracket for today) is that we can't help everyone. It is always my desire to try and help as many people as possible, but inevitably I will disappoint someone. I have learnt to stop beating myself up about this, but it does make me disappointed in myself at times. 

 

The reality is that there will always be something "unfinished" and we have to trust in God's provision for all people. Thankfully, the Lord gives us ALL a helper - the Holy Spirit - and He is with us always. 

 

John 14:16 - "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever."

 

Psalm 10:12 -"Arise, Lord! Lift up your hand, O God. Do not forget the helpless."

Psalm 18:6 - "In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears."

I like the quote from Ronald Reagan, which is attached - "We can't help everyone, but everyone can help someone."

Who is your "Someone" today?

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Clouds and faithfulness

"The deeper your love, the higher it goes;
every cloud’s a flag to your faithfulness. 
Soar high in the skies, O God!
Cover the whole earth with your glory" - Psalm 108:3-6 (Msg) 

Next time you see a cloud remind yourself that it is like a Flag, waving in the sky and testifying to the Faithfulness of Jesus.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

The Tree

The other day I noticed a car had crashed into a tree along the sidewalk. Everyone seemed to be fine in the vehicle, but the car was not! Later that day, I passed by the same spot and saw that the car had been towed away and that the tree still stood firm and strong - it was like nothing had bashed into it.

This whole picture reminded me that God is like aTree -  strong and secure. When we embrace the good news of Jesus, we get to rest in the shadow of the TREE.

Matthew 13:32 -  "It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”

The trees of the Lord are watered abundantly, the cedars of Lebanon that he planted. - Psalm 104

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures souls is wise. - Proverbs 11:30

May you rest in the strength of the TREE today.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

You need more of this

We all need more of this one thing...
.... COURAGE!

Read this and see what I mean:

"Courage, it would seem, is nothing less than the power to overcome danger,
misfortune, fear, injustice, while continuing to affirm inwardly that life 
with all its sorrows is good;
that everything is meaningful even if in a sense beyond our understanding;
and that there is always tomorrow." - Dorothy Thompson

Psalm 84:11 - For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favour and honour; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.

 

May God grant you enough courage to get you through this day.

 

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Glorious Nature

This last weekend we had the privilege of visiting a Wild Cat rehab centre in Hluhluwe. One of the highlights for the people on the Men's Retreat, was being able to get close to adult Cheetahs and also to stroke two of the cubs. We also got close to a Caracal, Several and African Wildcat - all beautiful in their own ways.

It brought home to us the incredible beauty of God's creation and allowed many of us to praise God for his Glory. These awesome animals (Cheetah) are built for speed, with the fastest recorded speed being 112 km/h - wow, that is incredible. Even the tail of the Cheetah is designed as a steering rudder and is able to help them changed direction at high speeds. God is so brilliant!

Psalm 104:24 - How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.

 

As you go about your business today, try and take note of the beauty of God's creation.

 

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Flamboyant versus faithful

We live in an age where the ‘Flamboyant’ seems to trump the ‘Faithful.’ However, if you ask me which one I prefer I will always choose ‘Faithfulness’ over ‘Flamboyancy.’ The fashions and fads of this year will pass away over time, but it is the faithful things that pass the test of time.

There is a danger in that we chase after the ‘flamboyant’ because it seems more exciting than the Faithful, but in the end it too lets us down.

Exodus 34:6 - The Lord passed in front of Moses, calling out, “Yahweh! The Lord! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.

Psalm 40:10 - I have not kept the good news of your justice hidden in my heart; I have talked about your faithfulness and saving power. I have told everyone in the great assembly of your unfailing love and faithfulness.

Don’t be mis-lead by the flamboyant. It often proves short-lived.

Living in Grace

D3LM3