Self awareness

The trouble with freedom of speech as that we can lose the sensitivity towards others and become a little preoccupied with ourselves. Proverbs reminds us to become more self-aware, as many of our troubles come from thinking we are better than we truly are. In today's reading, I was drawn to this verse:

"Can any of us really say, “My thoughts are pure, and my sins are gone”? (Proverbs 20:9)

It reminds me of the words of Paul, who argued that 'All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23) When I comprehend that I am need of a Saviour, then I become more humble and understanding of those struggle with their personal sin.

Here is another verse from Proverbs 20 that runs along the same line of thinking: "Our inner thoughts are a lamp from the Lord, and they search our hearts" (v.27)

How self-aware are we?

"Self-awareness is a trait - or maybe 'practice' is the more accurate way to put it - that everyone can always improve at. It is part emotional intelligence, part perceptiveness, part critical thinking. It means knowing your weaknesses, of course, but it also means knowing your strengths and what motivates you." - Neil Blumenthal

Self awareness is our capacity to stand apart from ourselves and examine our thinking, our motives, our history, our scripts, our actions, and our habits and tendencies." - Stephen Covey

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Sanctify me

 

"O Lord, forgive what I have been,

Sanctify what I am,

and order what I shall be." - Author Unknown

I love the simplicity of today's prayer. 

For me, it covers all the important bases in our faith. 

It recognises our need of forgiveness and that we all fall short of God's standards (Romans 3:23).

It understands that we need the transforming work of the Spirit to make us into the people Jesus created us to be (John 17:17).

And it surrenders to the will and plans of the Almighty.

May it offer you the same hope and encouragement today.

Hebrews 12:9 - How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live!

Living in Grace

D3LM3

I am desperate for some Good News!

If you are anything like me, then you are desperate to hear some Good News. This past week has been horrendous on planet Earth. It is almost as if one can't imagine things getting worse, and then suddenly they DO get worse! Man, I am dying for some good news.

Reflecting a little on the events of South Africa, Orlando, France, Sudan, and the Middle East, I am even more convinced that we need to hear that God loves us and that God's Kingdom is a reign of Peace and not war. I have been saddened by the comments of a few 'Christians' on social media who have taken over God's job as 'JUDGE' and have superimposed their own feelings onto the tragic events of our planet.

In my opinion (and I am open to correction), one of the most influential passages in our Gospel's comes from John's account of the life of Jesus. This is what he says:

"For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." - John 3:17

Romans 3:22-26 - "We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.
²³ For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. ²⁴ Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. ²⁵ For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, ²⁶ for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he makes sinners right in his sight when they believe in Jesus."

I hope this is GOOD NEWS for all of us today.
Living in Grace
D3LM3