At the Crossroads

When we reach a crossroads in our lives, we sometimes struggle to know which way to turn. This can be a trying time in our Faith journey, but one which we need to persevere through. At times like this I am reminded of the words of the great hymn Guide me, O Thou Great Jehovah. 

May these words also offer you some hope and encouragement today.

Guide me, O though Great Jehovah
Pilgrim through this barren land
I am weak, but you are mighty:
Hold me with your powerful hand.

Thought: May the bread of heaven be our food and nourishment during our time in the wilderness.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

The flowers will come

"Even the wilderness and desert will be glad in those days.
The wasteland will rejoice and blossom with spring crocuses.

Yes, there will be an abundance of flowers
and singing and joy!
The deserts will become as green as the mountains of Lebanon,
as lovely as Mount Carmel or the plain of Sharon.
There the Lord will display his glory,
the splendour of our God." - Isaiah 35:1-2

These words of Isaiah come as powerful words of hope, following on from his previous chapters of judgement. The images that he shares with us are a reminder to all believers that the future will be very different from the present. 

The wilderness, wasteland and desert's of this life, will be replaced with beautiful flowers and luscious plains. The pain and despair of a broken world will be restored through the splendour of our God.

We live in a different era to Isaiah, but these verses are so needed in our world today! Let us believe in these promises. 

May they offer you solace and peace. In Jesus name.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Going through the tough times

“We all want Canaan (the Promised Land) without going through the wilderness.” - Ravi Zacharias 

Walking through times of spiritual dryness and loneliness can actually be beneficial for us in the long run. Of course, none of us really want to experience these periods in our lives, because they make us feel so disorientated. However, if we are willing to trust in Jesus, then he will get us through the dry times and he will bring us through into the Promised Land – which I believe is a place of hope. 

Read these reminders of God's faitfulness.

Psalm 78:52 – “But he led his own people like a flock of sheep, guiding them safely through the wilderness.”

Psalm 136:16 – “Give thanks to him who led his people through the wilderness. His faithful love endures forever.”

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Being lead where you don't want to go

I have been reflecting on Luke 4 this week, and have been a little challenged by the first 2 verses:

"Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, ² where for forty days he was tempted by the devil."

Is this something that Jesus was keen for, or did he just allow himself to be lead into the wilderness because he knew there was a greater purpose? Many of us are not that keen to be lead to places that we don't want to go to - especially if we are going to face challenges along the way. However, I guess this is part of being a Christ-follower. We allow God to lead us, even if it means we encounter obstacles along the journey.

What are your thoughts on this?

"Success is due to our stretching to the challenges of life. Failure comes when we shrink from them." -  John C. Maxwell

Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/challenges.html

Living in Grace
D3LM3