The inspiration of words

The soul of a person is captured in what they write and speak. This is a week where we remember how Christ changed the heart and mind of Charles Wesley, the inspiration behind thousands of songs and hymns. His popular hymns include Hark the Herald Angels Sing, O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing and Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus.

Besides the words of his songs, Wesley also had some memorable quotes, which have been passed down through the ages. These include:

• "God buries His workmen but carries on His work." 
• "The person who bears and suffers evils with meekness and silence is the sum of a Christian man." 
• "Be friends of everyone. Be enemies of no-one." 

Psalm 19:14 - May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Living in Grace

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Blind faith or a thoughtful decision

Christians are sometimes accused of having 'blind faith', which is usually a subtle dig at believing in Christ, without truly knowing what we believe in. However, when we read the Gospel of Luke, we note that his intention in compiling the Gospel, was to do so with careful investigation - he wanted to make sure that he spoke to eye-witnesses and to research the content he was writing for Theophilus.

Luke 1:1-4 – “Many people have set out to write accounts about the events that have been fulfilled among us. 2 They used the eyewitness reports circulating among us from the early disciples. 3 Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write an accurate account for you, most honourable Theophilus, 4 so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught.”

Lee Strobel was a convinced Atheist, before he stated probing into Christianity. After doing thorough research and investigation he ended up becoming a follower of Jesus. These are his words:

"In short, I didn't become a Christian because God promised I would have an even happier life than I had as an atheist. He never promised any such thing. Indeed, following him would inevitably bring divine demotions in the eyes of the world. Rather, I became a Christian because the evidence was so compelling that Jesus really is the one-and-only Son of God who proved his divinity by rising from the dead. That meant following him was the most rational and logical step I could possibly take."

Thought: Believing in Jesus does take a step of Faith, but it doesn't mean we have to disengage our brains while we contemplate what Christ as done for us. 

Living in Grace

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Understanding our own hearts

I would never do that!

I am sure many of us proclaim these words loudly when we read through the Passion of Christ. The soldiers, the religious leaders, the crowds - they all seem so vulgar and unmoved by Jesus. How could they mock a man of peace, even if they didn't believe he was the Messiah? Surely, they saw some good in him.

And what a disgrace - to spit on another human being. How low can you go?

Isaiah 50:6 - "I offered my back to those who beat me and my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard. I did not hide my face from mockery and spitting."

Alexander Whyte challenges my thinking with his words, reminding me how close I am to be a soldier, a pharisee and a member of the crowd: 

"You will understand the spitting scene that night when God lets you see your own heart."

I may not physically spit on others, but perhaps my heart has wanted to.

Lord, in your mercy, change my heart.

Living in Grace

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Being Grateful

“Being grateful does not mean that everything is necessarily good. It just means that you can accept it as a gift.” - Roy T. Bennett

There doesn't seem to be a lot of good going on in the world at the moment. It is hard to wade through all the muck, trying to find things to be grateful for. However, this week I am grateful for God's guidance through stormy waters and for the Lord's ability to make something meaningful from a potential mess.

Six years ago, our world erupted into chaos with the arrival of the Covid pandemic. Fear, mistrust, anger and uncertainty seemed to be the order of the day. As a Christian community, we all had to fly by the seat of our pants - we didn't know what to do or even how to do it :)

Anyway, we quickly transitioned into the online world of sermons and worship services. The learning was steep and the mistakes were many, but we somehow managed to put content out on a weekly basis. And this past week has marked the 6th year of sharing our weekly messages. And for this, I am deeply grateful.

I am grateful to the Lord who has sustained us. I am grateful to all who have made this possible - especially Ken who faithfully films the preacher every week and does the editing of each message. To Gudrun and her team who upload the messages to our website. And many others, who work behind the scenes. I am grateful.

Being grateful doesn't mean that life is always good, but that we can see God's hand is still with us, never letting us go.

If you would like to watch the message from last weekend, we make a special mention of our 6-year anniversary on this episode. 

1 Timothy 1:12 - I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me.

Living in grace

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When trying too hard doesn't get the desired result

There is an old saying that states: "If at first you don't succeed, try, try, try again" (William Edward Hickson). 

While this may be appropriate in certain fields, it is not the correct approach in all matters. Take for example, the Israelites. See what Paul writes about their efforts to try and try again.

"But the people of Israel, who tried so hard to get right with God by keeping the law, never succeeded.  Why not? Because they were trying to get right with God by keeping the law instead of by trusting in him. They stumbled over the great rock in their path.  God warned them of this in the Scriptures when he said,

“I am placing a stone in Jerusalem that makes people stumble,
a rock that makes them fall.
But anyone who trusts in him
will never be disgraced.” - Romans 9:31-34

Thought: Lent should remind us that we are saved through the grace of Christ, not through our merits. 

Living in Grace

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Do you remember 'WHY' you are doing this?

As we move into the 3rd week of Lent, it is important for us to keep asking ourselves: "Why am I observing this season of prayer and fasting?" In order to try and give us some deeper insight, I am including a few quotes to remind us of the 'why.'

• “During Lent, we are called to embrace the struggles that make us stronger.” — Jonathan Edwards 
• “Lent is a time for discipline, for confession, for honesty, not because God is mean or fault-finding or finger pointing but because he wants us to know the joy of being cleaned out, ready for all the good things he now has in store.” — N.T. Wright
• “Lent affords us the opportunity to search the depths of our sin and experience the heights of God’s love.” — Chuck Colson

Thought: Do you still have your 'why' for this Lenten season?

Daniel 9:3 - So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting...

Living in Grace

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A parched soul

When the Samaritan woman came to draw water at Jacob's Well (John 4) she brought all of her emotional and spiritual baggage along with her. Although she may not have been able to describe it in an elegant manner, she was a parched soul, looking for hope, love and an authentic faith. 

And the miracle of this encounter was that Jesus was already waiting for her. He had the best seat in the house, and he used this encounter to compassionately offer her 'living water.' He could have focused on her sin and continued to heap shame on her, but he chose to give her freedom. 

Dan Clendenin - His simple request for a drink of water provoked a dialogue with a marginalized woman that teaches us that God does not desire any human being to shrivel and die from a broken body or a parched soul. Rather, he longs to quench our deepest needs and desires with the "living water" of his Spirit.

Psalm 107:35 - He turned the desert into pools of water and the parched ground into flowing springs.

Living in Grace

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Rugged Pilgrimage of Discipleship

There are some folks who seem to find their faith-journey to be relatively easy-going. In some ways, I am a little envious of them, because mine doesn't always seem to be that smooth. Of course, there are days of wonder and deep connection with the Father, but there are other days, where discipleship seems to be a grind. I am not sure if you can relate to this at all, but I pray that some of you can.

It is for this reason, that I exclaimed a loud 'Yes', when I read these words in a devotion the other day.

"Pain penetrates through despair and stimulates a new beginning - a journey to God - the transition from a dreamy nostalgia for a better life to a rugged pilgrimage of discipleship...we are invited to find our way by continually listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised that his Spirit will lead us to truth." - Eugene Peterson

"When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth." - John 16:13

Thought: Let us continue on the pilgrimage of rugged discipleship, because the views from the top of the mountain are extraordinary. 

Living in Grace

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Broken hearts are everywhere

Irish Missionary, Amy Carmichael undertook a very serious calling to serve in the poor communities of India. She founded the Dohnavur Fellowship, which sought to rescue young girls from being enslaved in forced prostitution. One can only imagine some of the things that she saw in her ministry:

She wrote these words: "Broken hearts are everywhere. Bereavement is a very dark forest.”

Later on in life, when she faced her own pain and grief, she wrote:

“Look up to the light that pours into the forest from high above the trees. The long, pure rays of that conquering light are interwoven with the tall stems of the trees, even as threads bright and dark are interwoven with in the web of our lives.”

 These are such compelling words for us, especially when we find ourselves in dark places, or that we sense the "trees" closing in on us. Let us remember: 

“The Lord, my God, lights up my darkness.” – Psalm 18:28

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Living in Wonder

While researching for our Advent services I came across a lovely prayer by Rebecca Barlow Jordan, 

"We confess that our hearts are too often filled with wonder of a different kind: wondering when the bills will be paid, wondering when the terror will stop, wondering when rest will come. We even wonder if the message of peace is still true."

These words really left an impression on me. We have entered the Christmas season, which many of us realise should invoke feelings of Divine Wonder, but if we are honest, we are still clouded by the wonders of the world. The wonderings of our temporary world - money, security, food, relationships, education, work etc. Of course these are all necessary for us to live, but I believe that our 'Wonder' should rather be focused on the God of all creation.

Exodus 15:11 - “Who is like you among the gods, O Lord— glorious in holiness, awesome in splendor, performing great wonders?

Luke 5:26 - Everyone was gripped with great wonder and awe, and they praised God, exclaiming, “We have seen amazing things today!”

Living in Grace

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Don't be a copy!

 "You were born an original. Don't die a copy." - John Mason

This is the short quote that stands at the bottom of my diary for today. These words immediately reminded me of two wonderful passages in the Bible.

"For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." - Ephesians 2:10

13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
    and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
    Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it." - Psalm 139:13-14

Thought: We spend so long comparing ourselves to others, when we should be living out the person who we were created to be.

Living in Grace

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God's strength

"God’s strength behind you,

His concern for you,
His love within you and his arms beneath you
are more than sufficient for the job ahead of you.” - William Arthur Ward

"The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him.
So, it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord." - Lamentations 3:25-26

May you know the love and strength of Jesus in all that you do today.

Living in Grace

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Hope, with a track record

 

The phrase, 'track record', usually refers to a record of someone's past performance and this is often used as an indicator of likely future performance. It is believed to have originated from the sport of Horseracing, where a horses past performances on the track, would give punters a good idea of their future racing potential.

In Eugene Peterson's paraphrase, he uses the phrase to speak of someone whose past attitude gives us a warning of his future behaviour: 

Matthew 5:25-26 - "...Or say you’re out on the street and an old enemy accosts you. Don’t lose a minute. Make the first move; make things right with him. After all, if you leave the first move to him, knowing his track record, you’re likely to end up in court..."

So, when Anne Lamott offers her thoughts on a definition of 'faith', it is striking that she suggests that it is "hope, with a track record.' 

Our faith in Jesus is not based on our feelings or opinions, but rather on His track record. When we see that we have placed our Hope and Trust in him, and Jesus hasn't let us down, then we find it a little easier to have faith in him (in the future). 

 "Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge." - Psalm 62:8

Living in Grace

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Sometimes we just need to look up

“To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One.
Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name.
Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing." - (Isaiah 40: 25-26)

It is very easy to become bogged down in the trials of this life and to become so focused on all that is going wrong, that we forget how Big God truly is. This is why I love to look up into the night sky and to be reminded how small I am, and how Mighty God really is.

“If you were to hold out a coin at arm's length, the coin would block out 15 million stars from your view, if your eyes could see with that power.” - Source Unknown.

Living in Grace

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Making plans

"We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps" - Proverbs 16:9

I came across a lovely prayer, inviting God to guide our lives through honest prayer and submission.

"Lord, do you work in me so I may do your work in the world.
Help me to accept all results of prayer, including disappointments,
with trust and love for you.
Help me to live in your peace, in your Spirit. Amen."

“Every day may not be good, but there is something good in every day.” – Alice Morse Earle

Living in Grace

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A thought for Saint Patrick's Day

The 17th of March is a day that marks the memory of Saint Patrick and this year I am especially struck by how one person can make a difference all over the planet. We are bombarded daily by the negative influence of many powerful people, and sadly their lives do impact upon all of us. However, today I want to give thanks for the millions of people who bring love, kindness and hope to our world. We may not all be a Saint Patrick, but our lives can touch the hearts of others.

Here are a few quotes attributed to Patrick. 

“I am certain in my heart that all that I am, I have received from God.”

“Behold, I give my soul to my faithful God, whom I serve as his ambassador.”

“It is Christ who is my great master, who inspires me and strengthens me in all things.”

Thought: It is important to remember that Patrick's early years were filled with pain and suffering, as he was taken captive as a young man in Ireland. However, he remembered these years as a time of refining and change. God renewed his heart in such a powerful way that he chose to go back to Ireland to share God's love with his former captors. 

Living in grace

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A great fear for all of us?

What is one of your greatest fears?

Tim Keller suggests that one of our fears could be: to be known, but not to be loved! His words may make a little more sense, when we read them in the context of his full quote.

“To be loved but not known is comforting but superficial.
To be known and not loved is our greatest fear.
But to be fully known and truly loved is, well, a lot like being loved by God.
It is what we need more than anything. It liberates us from pretence, humbles us out of our self-righteousness, and fortifies us for any difficulty life can throw at us.” - Timothy Keller.

Is this perhaps what drew people to Jesus? When they encountered him, they sensed that they were fully known and loved. What do you think?

Romans 8:15 - So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.

Living in Grace

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Walking through a dark forest

Amy Carmichael describes her struggles as if she was wandering in a dark wood (forest). Later on, in her life, when she was struggling with her own health, she wrote these beautiful words:

"Look up to the light that pours into the wood from high above the trees. The long, pure rays of that conquering light are interwoven with the tall stems of the trees, even as threads bright and dark are interwoven in the web of our lives."

She then wrote these next words as a form of a prayer: "Look above the treetops, O my soul; from thence flow the foundations of light. See how that blessed light streams through the wood."

Her thoughts made me think of Psalm 121 again. These are such encouraging words for us.

"I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord watches over you—
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore." - Psalm 121

Living in Grace

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Words that have the power to change our lives!

"When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” – Luke 3:21-22

A comment on these verses, from David Lose, has been lingering with me this week. He says: "The words from heaven, "You are my beloved child” – still have the power to change lives."

It was this pronouncement over the life of Jesus, that affirmed his identity (the Son of God) and publicly gave him authority for his ministry. All who witnessed this moment would have known that there was something unique and special about Jesus. 

However, if we heard these same words spoken over our lives, how would this change us? To hear that we are the daughters and sons of God - wow, what a gift!

As we go about our business today, let us live with these words as a promise to each of us: We are the children of God, and we are loved by God.

Living in Grace

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Simply Absurd!

 

"It is simply absurd to say you believe, or even want to believe, in Him, if you do not do anything He tells you." - George MacDonald

Nineteen century preacher and writer George MacDonald had an incredible way with words. In just a few of his quotes we get to see the depth of the man, as well as his remarkable faith. Here are a few examples of his thinking. It is my prayer that these words would inspire us all to live Godly lives, especially as we begin to move into the season of advent.

Forgiveness unleashes joy. It brings peace. It washes the slate clean. It sets all the highest values of love in motion.

God is nearer to you than any thought or feeling of yours... Do not be afraid.

Deuteronomy 4:7 - "For what great nation has a god as near to them as the Lord our God is near to us whenever we call on him."

Living in Grace

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