Last messages

The last words and actions of Jesus (before his arrest) leave us amazed at the extent of his love. On the very night before he would be nailed to the cross, Jesus was revealing his love to his followers in a most profound way. 

He showed them how to serve one another, through the washing of their feet (John 13) and then he led them through the Passover meal, drawing a direct connection with his body, about to be broken, and his blood about to be shed. These last messages still have a profound influence on our Christian faith today. 

Prayer: "Almighty, everlasting God,
on the evening before he suffered
your beloved son entrusted to the Church
the sacrifice of the new and eternal covenant
and founded the banquet of love.
Grant that from this mystery
we may receive the fullness of life and love.
We ask this through Jesus Christ." - Henri Nouwen

Question: How does Jesus's call for us to serve and love others, challenge us today?

Living in Grace

D3LM3

What's on the sandwich?

What do you like to put on your sandwich snacks? Do you enjoy a piece of cheese, or some meat or are you happy with something plain like peanut butter? You are wondering why I am speaking about sandwich fillings, when I should be sharing about Psalm 57? Well, as I read through the Psalmist's list of woes, I note that in the middle of dealing with the 'pride of lions' (v.4) and the 'pit of distress' (v.6) he calls out for God to be exalted in the heavens:

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
let your glory be over all the earth.

For me, it is almost like he wants us to know that God can still reign supreme, despite what is happening around us. So, perhaps his call for God to be exalted and glorified is a reminder to himself, as well as a call for God to take his rightful place. 

They spread a net for my feet—
I was bowed down in distress.
They dug a pit in my path—
but they have fallen into it themselves. (v.6)

How do you see God acting when you face times of trial? 

Do we need to be reminded that God is exalted and that his glory will fill the earth?

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Live a life worthy of the call

 

^"So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honoured because of the way you live, and you will be honoured along with him. This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ." - 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12

These words from Paul to the church in Thessalonica are inspiring. He tells them that they will always be in his prayers and that he will pray for them to LIVE a LIFE worthy of the call. This prayer is for all believers, not just leaders of the church - we all have a call to respond to and when we live a life that is worthy of that call we honour God.

The other amazing thing is that God promises to give us the power and strength to accomplish all this things - we don't need to do it in our own strength.

A few questions to ponder:
1. What has God called you to do?
2. Are you fulfilling that calling? 
3. And whose strength are you relying on?

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Aleph - Psalm 119

If one turns to Psalm 119, we note that it is a long Psalm. It is also a unique Psalm in that it is an acrostic Psalm - this is just fancy way of telling us that every verse of each stanza starts with the same Hebrew letter. So if one reads verses 1-8 below, they would all start with the letter 'A' (aleph) if we were reading it in the original language.

Blessed are those whose ways are blameless,
    who walk according to the law of the Lord.
 Blessed are those who keep his statutes
    and seek him with all their heart—
 they do no wrong
    but follow his ways.
 You have laid down precepts
    that are to be fully obeyed.
 Oh, that my ways were steadfast
    in obeying your decrees!
 Then I would not be put to shame
    when I consider all your commands.
 I will praise you with an upright heart
    as I learn your righteous laws.

I will obey your decrees;    do not utterly forsake me.

If we then carry on reading the Psalm we would see that it follows the rest of the Hebrew alphabet through the Psalm.

As I read verses one to eight, of this Psalm, I am stuck by the theme of OBEDIENCE. God calls us to follow him and gives us the choice to do this or not. If we choose to follow his Call, then we do so out of a desire to Obey Jesus. This is not always as easy as it may seem.

How are you finding following God today? Are you willing to Obey his lead?

Living in Grace
D3LM3

A great sacrifice

When Elijah called Elisha to follow him, Elisha knew that his response couldn't be half-hearted or one of convenience. It demanded his all. That's why it is remarkable that Elisha show his commitment by leaving his old life behind. This meant slaughtering his oxen and burning his wooden ploughs. Once he had said, 'Yes' there could be no turning back.

"So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was ploughing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him. ²⁰ Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. ‘Let me kiss my father and mother goodbye,’ he said, ‘and then I will come with you.’
‘Go back,’ Elijah replied. ‘What have I done to you?’
So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the ploughing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his servant." - 1 Kings 19:19-21

So, I ask us this question - "When we said YES to Jesus, was there a clear call to leave our old habits and lifestyles behind, or have we still held onto them?"

Thought for the day: Following Jesus requires a sacrifice.

Living in Grace
D3LM3