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 

Word for the month .... and maybe the whole year!

I stumbled across this profound Scripture during the week, and I think that this will be my 'Word' for the rest of January, and maybe even for the rest of 2024. I share it with you and pray that it may also encourage you:

“I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.” – Isaiah 42:16

It spoke to me in a number of ways:

1. It reminded me that God will lead me, even along unfamiliar paths. There will be plenty of those during this year, I am sure of it!

2. Christ will shine a light on the path and will help me to walk on the uneven paths. The rocky trails will seem a lot smoother, if I learn to walk with Jesus.

3. Jesus will not forsake me. 

May you have a blessed week.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

God is able

There is a beautiful verse in 2 Corinthians 9 that speaks of God's abundance and grace towards each of us. The more we read these words, the more they remind us of God's generous nature and love.

"And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work." (KJV)

I usually like to use the New International Version or even the New Living Translation when quoting the Scriptures in this blog, but there is something unique in the way the KJV speaks of how God is able to make 'all grace abound toward you.' What do you feel?

May these words bless you today. 

Think on them and allow them to change you. 

Living in Grace

D3LM3

The Land Between

                                                

For those of you who have tuned in to our recent sermons you would already know that we tackled the theme of "The Land Between". This took a closer look at the theme of finding God during our times of tough transitions and was based on a delightful book by Jeff Manion. I have writtten a short article on this topic for Scripture Union, which is a lovely summary of this theme. If you would like to read it please click on this link -  and while you are there, please also read some of the other awesome articles that are on the Scripture Union site.

Here is a short snippet from the article to whet your appetite:

"Our unique journey through the wilderness of uncertainty during Covid-19 has moved many of us into deep places of reflection, trying to find God in this time of drastic change. We may even be asking “What is God doing in our lives through this time of transition?” As we step out onto the soil of this ‘land between’ we recognise that this time has the potential to grow things in our lives or to sadly destroy us. We are left with the work of discerning which ‘crop’ we want to grow from the soil of this season."

God bless

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Squeeze out all the juice you can

If you have ever made home made orange juice you will know the delight of squeezing every bit of delicious juice (and pulp) out of the orange. It makes the best juice ever!

Sometimes we come across a passage in the Bible, that just keeps coming up again and again. Perhaps there is a reason for this and it is worth checking to see if God wants you to squeeze all the "juice" out of that passage. If this is happening to you at the moment, then stick with that particular passage; pour over it again, and enjoy every ounce of the life-giving juice that flows from these precious scriptures.

This is the one passage that I have been "squeezing" a lot recently.
2 Corinthians 1:3-11. 

Living in Grace
D3LM3

A fire and a hammer

We can all picture what a hammer and a fire looks like can't we? But perhaps we should think a little bigger and picture a massive bonfire and huge 24-pound hammer! Both the fire and the hammer could be used in dramatic ways - one to burn a whole lot of things and the other to break down some stubborn rocks or walls.

It is both of these images that Jeremiah presents to us in Jeremiah 23:29
"Is not my word like fire ... and like a hammer that breaks a rock into pieces?"

God's word is usually used to strength and to encourage us, as well as to direct and guide us. However, today we are reminded that God's word is not to be messed with - if God needs to use the word to refine us or chip off the rough edges, then He will do it.

Let's hold God's word with respect and honour. It is life-changing.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

One thing is sure

In a year of much change, exciting new adventures, joy and heart-ache, it is always good to remember that God has been with us.

Haggai 1:13 - "Then Haggai, the LORD’s messenger, gave the people this message from the LORD: “I am with you, says the LORD!”

I can't predict what will happen in 2013, but the one thing I know for certain is this:
GOD WILL BE OUR STRENGTH.

May 2013 be a year filled with the presence of God in your life.

God bless you and thanks again for your support of this blog.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

The 2 hands of God

Everyone has two hands, right? Well, almost everyone, unless you were caught stealing in the East - then you would only have one hand. So, does God have 2 hands then? The early Church teacher Irenaeus of Lyons claimed that humanity is instructed by the "two hands" of God.

He was not referring to literal hands, but to the Word and the Holy Spirit. It is through these two hands that we understand the will and purpose of God and how we grow in our faith.

How are God's two hands leading you this Lent?
Are we allowing ourselves the time and space to reflect on the Word, while encouraging the Holy Spirit to lead us into all truth?

Living in Grace,
D3LM3

Pressing on

"Do you see what this means — all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!" - Hebrews 12:1-3 (MSG)

Have a blessed day.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

11 Promises for 2011

If you are looking for some fantastic promises to hold onto for 2011, then read and remember these.

1. "The Lord your God is with you..." - Zephaniah 3:17
2. "Trust in God; trust also in me." - Jesus (John 14:2)
3. "The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love." - Psalm 103:8
4. "I will give you rest." - Matthew 11:28
5. "Peace be with you." - Luke 24:36
6. "The Lord is faithful to all his promises." - Psalm 145:13
7. God will restore you and make you strong. - 1 Peter 5:10
8. "We are more than conquerors through him who loved us." - Romans 8:35
9. "For the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." - Joshua 1:9
10. "No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame." - Psalm 25:3
11. "Whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." - John 3:16

May God bless you.

Living in Grace,
D3LM3

How do you read it?

We had an interesting discussion at our Men's fellowship the other day. It was around the use of language and how it has evolved - in particular, with reference to the Bible. We have so many different translations of the Scriptures, all seeking to be more accurate, more relevant, more understandable. However, as language changes so does the meaning and context of a verse.

Read Psalm 66:5 for example:

"Come and see what God has done, his awesome deeds for mankind!" - New International Version

"Come and see the works of God: he is terrible in his doing toward the children of men." - King James Version

"Come and see what our God has done,what awesome miracles he performs for people!" - New Living Translation

"Take a good look at God's wonders — they'll take your breath away." - The Message

"Come and see what God has done:he is awesome in his deeds toward the children of man." - English Standard Version

For me, they all convey the same truth, but some of them sound 'better' to me. But that could do with my age, my upbringing, my education, my first language, my country.

So tell me, which one do you prefer? I'd love to know.

Living in Grace,
D3LM3

If God is for us...

Here is a timely reminder for all of us...

"If God is for us, who can be against us?" - Romans 8:31

Did you read that twice?
Please do.
Remember it.

God be with you.
Living in Grace,
D3LM3

Who said this? - part 2

A number of people have asked for another riddle. Everyone got the last one right which is impressive. So, here is another thought from the Bible. Who said these words?

"Like a partridge that hatches eggs it did not lay, is the man who gains riches by unjust means."

You are not allowed to use Google or any other Bible software to help you - for at least the 1st hour:)

When you have found it, have a look at the 5 verses before it - they are very powerful! Don't forget to let me know if you think you have found it.

Living in Grace,
D3LM3

Who said this?

Are you up for a challenge? Come on - I dare you!

Here is a riddle for you today. If you know who said these next words, then reply to this post. Let's see how many of us can get the right answer.

"Out of the eater, something to eat; out of the strong, something sweet."

I will give you one clue - it's in the Bible somewhere.

Praying that you have a blessed week.

Living in Grace,
D3LM3

How many Bibles are there?

Just out of interest, how many Bibles, would you guess, exist in the world today?

Here is the answer:

"There are over 1,000 different types of bibles; and there are all together (bibles made) about 6,000,000,000, add or subtract 1000. The Christian Bible is the bestselling book of all time!"

With the world's population being over 6 Billion, it seems as if there are enough Bibles printed to get 1 into the hands of ever person, yet some people have too many Bibles and some have no access to them at all.

After all, how many Bibles do we need in any case? I think I must have well over 20 on my book shelf (now that's a bit greedy) and I am reading the Scriptures more from my phone/computer nowadays. So I think it is about time I started to give them away.

What do you think? How many Bibles do you own?

Another thought:
We can't assume that just because a person has a Bible that they read it or are changed by it. If this were true, most of the planet would be Christians. Surely, the challenge is bigger than just getting a Bible into the hands of people (which the Gideons do very well), it has to be about teaching people how to read it!

So, the real question, should be:
'How often do you read ANY of your Bibles?'

Keep reading my friends!

Living in Grace,
D3LM3

What does God want from us?

What does God want from us?
I can't be holy in my human state;
I can't seem to be perfect,
no matter how hard I try;
I don't always love with every part of my being.

So what can I do then?

"What does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
And to walk humbly with your God." - Micah 6:8

That is what God wants from us! Hard, but worth trying.

Living in Grace,
D3LM3

Transformed into something valuable

"Any experience can be transformed into something of value." - Vash Young

I came across this quote, which reminded me of the following verses from Romans 8...

"And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters." - Romans 8:27-29

May God continue to guide you and may the Spirit transform all our experiences into things of great value.

Living in Grace,
D3LM3

Do you not know?

"Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak." - Isaiah 40:28-29

This verse is for me right now. I am grateful that God gives us strength when we feel we have none.

I pray that these words would strengthen you too. Be blessed.

Living in Grace,
D3LM3

Where does your help come from?

I was reminded in my devotion this morning of how many pagans (in Biblical times) used to hide their idols in the mountains. They would either go to the mountain shrines to worship their gods or would look up towards the mountain from their homes. Isaiah spoke out against the futility of this:

"The people of Moab wear themselves out going to their mountain shrines and to their temples to pray, but it will do them no good." - Isaiah 16:12

Having gods all over the place does us no good - it only wears us out. We can't find our true help and salvation from these man-made 'idols.' This is why David wrote these words in Psalm 121:

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

May we turn to the real GOD today. Only His grace can sustain us.

Living in His grace,
D3LM3

What are you reading?

My bedside table is usually stacked up with a number of books. One of the last things I do in the evening is to spend time reading and I am one of those weird people that likes to read a number of books at the same time. Some of them I don't get to finish, but normally I get through most of them. This past week, the following books have been 'lying in wait':

Prayer: Does it make a difference? - Philip Yancey
SoulTsunami - Leonard Sweet
Purpose Driven Life - Rick Warren
What on earth happened? - Christopher Lloyd
For you, Dad - Karen Moore

As much as I thoroughly enjoy reading books, there is no substitute for reading the Scriptures. Many of these books I read would not have any foundation if it weren't for the Golden Thread of Scripture.

Sadly, many Christians struggle to read the Bible, either through a fear of not understanding the Scriptures or through sheer laziness.In Matthew 22:31, Jesus asks the following question - "...have you not read what God said to you...?" Too many believers rely only on what their minister or pastor tells them and not on what the Bible says. In the 21st Century we have no excuse for not being able to read the Bible for ourselves - we have free access to the Word of God.

Deuteronomy 17:19 - "It is to be with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the LORD his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees."

So what are you reading at the moment - I would love to know? If you have a moment please comment on this post or send me a email. Thanks.

Grace and Peace to you,
D3LM3