When you know the one who is leading you.

"Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One who is leading." - Oswald Chambers

David firmly believed that God was leading him into the best path for his life. He wrote:

"You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny." (Psalm 73:24)

Prayer: Lord, help me remember that you will go with me, into the paths you lead me, and that I should trust in your Love for me.

Living in Grace

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Take my hand

There are many stories of how difficult circumstances have birthed songs, books or poems. The songwriter, Thomas Dorsey, wrote the words to "Precious Lord, take my hand", after hearing of the tragic death of his wife and infant son. I can't imagine the pain he must have been experiencing, but I find it remarkable how he was able to put his emotions into these words. I believe that these words can offer us all some hope and courage in our own times of difficulty. 

Lead me on, let me stand,
I am tired, I am weak, I am worn;
Through the storm, through the night,
Lead me on to the light:

Take my hand, precious Lord,
Lead me home.

When my way grows drear,
Precious Lord, linger near,
When my life is almost gone,
Hear my cry, hear my call,
Hold my hand lest I fall:

When the darkness appears
And the night draws near,
And the day is past and gone,
At the river, I stand,
Guide my feet, hold my hand:

Psalm 73:23 - Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.

Living in Grace

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Be near us

“O loving Lord, be near us today,

Open our ears to hear your voice.
Open our eyes to behold your glory.
Open our hearts to receive your grace.
Open our lips so we can offer you just praise.
For the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.” (based on a prayer by Frank Colquhoun)

Psalm 73:28 - But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.

It is good to be close to God. May you come to know the presence of our Saviour today.

Living in Grace

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Nearer to God

“I am as sure as I live that nothing is so near to me as God. God is nearer to me than I am to myself; my existence depends on the nearness and the presence of God.” - Meister Eckhart

Deuteronomy 5:27 - Go near and listen to all that the Lord our God says. Then tell us whatever the Lord our God tells you. We will listen and obey.”

Psalm 73:28 - But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.

How do you experience the 'nearness' of God?

Living in Grace

D3LM3

A Prayer by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

"God of the day and the night,
in me there is darkness,
but with you there is light.
I am alone, but you will not leave me.
I am weak, but you will come to my help.
I am restless, but you are my peace.
I am in haste, but you are the God of infinite patience.
I am confused and lost,
but you are eternal wisdom
and you direct my path;
now and forever. Amen." - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

This is such an inspiring prayer that I don't want to mess it up by adding any more words to it. If you are interested in reading a scripture that could go with this prayer then read Psalm 73:23-26

Yet I am always with you;
    you hold me by my right hand.
²⁴ You guide me with your counsel,
    and afterward you will take me into glory.
²⁵ Whom have I in heaven but you?
    And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
²⁶ My flesh and my heart may fail,
    but God is the strength of my heart
    and my portion forever.

Living in Grace
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Keep Pedalling

A few of us went mountain biking this afternoon, as we needed to get some final training in before we do the Hill2Hill race on Saturday. There was a moment en route where we needed to pass through a tunnel that had no lights showing us the way. For a few seconds we were all riding 'blind' - all could do was try to keep the bike straight and the pedalling smooth. Thankfully, we soon saw some light and then we knew that we were going to make it through to the other side :)

This brief moment reminded me a lot about our faith experience. There are many moments in our lives where we just have trust God and keep pedalling. We don't see what the end looks like, but we just trust that God will get us through to the other side. In my experience, God MAKES sure that we get through the 'dark tunnels' in our lives and he leads us into His light.

So, if you find yourself living in a dark space at the moment, please just keep pedalling! God hears your hearts cry and he will not let your foot slip.

Psalm 73:2 - "But as for me, I almost lost my footing. My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone."

Psalm 66:9 - "...he has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping."

Living in Grace
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