Second Chances

“Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time: ² “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.” - Jonah 3:2

This scripture is a marvelous reminder that God gives us second chances. I am sure that we have all been beneficiaries of a second chance, at some point in our lives, and it is an amazing feeling. 

Jonah wisely used his second chance and was obedient to the call that God gave to him; however, he wasn't exactly happy about it. His attitude was quite poor actually, and yet God still dealt with him graciously.

Let us remember that in Jesus Christ, we all have a second chance. 

"God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him." - John 3:17

Question: What have you done with your second chances?

"Live as if you were living a second time, and as though you had acted wrongly the first time." - Viktor E. Frankl

Living in Grace

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Yet - a powerful 3 letter word (Ezekiel 16)

If you can manage to work your way through Ezekiel 16 you will eventually come to a truly hopeful word in verse 60. That word contains just three letters and is the word YET. This short word contains all the mercy, forgiveness and grace of God. Despite how betrayed God feels, he reveals his deep love for Israel when he offers them redemption and a chance to be restored again.

⁶⁰ Yet I will remember the covenant I made with you when you were young, and I will establish an everlasting covenant with you. ⁶¹ Then you will remember with shame all the evil you have done. I will make your sisters, Samaria and Sodom, to be your daughters, even though they are not part of our covenant. ⁶² And I will reaffirm my covenant with you, and you will know that I am the Lord. ⁶³ You will remember your sins and cover your mouth in silent shame when I forgive you of all that you have done. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!” - Ezekiel 16

As we take the opportunity to reflect on our own short comings and sins, this Lenten season, I invite you to receive the gift of 'YET.'
I deserve punishment, YET Jesus loves me more than I deserve.
I keep messing up, YET God is sanctifying me through his grace.
I stumble and fall, YET the Holy Spirit gives me the strength to carry on.

Reflection: What does God's YET mean for you today?

Living in Grace
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A fine balance

"No one has ever fallen so grievously that he may not rise again. Conversely, no one stands so firmly that he may not fall. If Peter (and Paul and Barnabas) fell, I too may fall. If they rose again, I too may rise again."  - Martin Luther. 

This quote from Martin Luther offers us 2 important insights:

1. Even if we fail, we can get up again and carry on. As I was saying in yesterday's post, no failure needs to be final!

2. We should always remain HUMBLE, because we all can make a mistake. It only takes a second to fall off the tight rope - it only takes a second to let Jesus down and to regret that for a long time.

I am very thankful for the examples of people in the Bible who have fallen, but who have then risen again and proved to be Godly men and women. 

May God help us to walk through life finely balanced!

Psalm 40:2 - "He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand."

Living in Grace

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Let nothing move you

"Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm.

Let nothing move you.  

Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, 

because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain." -
1 Corinthians 15:58 

Standing in the ocean is a therapeutic experience for me. I love it! I love the sight of the waves rising before me and then bracing myself for the imminent crash over my body. Sometimes I even move my feet deeper into the sand, giving myself a greater chance of standing firm. I find that I can withstand the waves up to a certain point, but soon a bigger wave arrives that knocks me off my feet. Quickly I need to get back onto my feet and face the next set of waves. 

This analogy can be helpful in your own spiritual walk. We are encouraged by St. Paul to 'stand firm' and to 'Let nothing move you', but what happens when we are knocked over? 

Well, I feel that we then need to rise again and bury our feet in the 'sand' of God's love and grace - in that way, we are not letting things move us or defeat us. What do you feel?

May God continue to bless you and hold you in the palm of his hand.

Living in Grace

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Turning your back

One of the rudest things we can do to another person is to turn our backs on them, while they are speaking to us. It shows a sign of great disrespect.In the Old Testament, Jeremiah cautions the Israelites about turning their backs on God, implying that the Lord would not be chuffed with their lack of respect.

"My people have turned their backs on me and have refused to return. Even though I diligently taught them, they would not receive instruction or obey." - Jeremiah 32:33

Even though God wants to speak to them and to communicate with them, the people of Israel chose to turn their backs on Yahweh.

So, where are you at the moment? Have you slowly been turning your body away from the Lord and now it seems as if you are facing away from his Grace? If you find yourself in that position today, remember that there is still time to turn back to God - He offer of Grace still stands.

Acts 3:26 - "When God raised up his servant, Jesus, he sent him first to you people of Israel, to bless you by turning each of you back from your sinful ways.”

Living in Grace
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