The Great Irony

"When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples, “As you know, Passover begins in two days, and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.”

At that same time the leading priests and elders were meeting at the residence of Caiaphas, the high priest, plotting how to capture Jesus secretly and kill him. “But not during the Passover celebration,” they agreed, “or the people may riot.” - Matthew 26:1-5

Do you notice the irony in these verses? The religious leaders plotting to kill Jesus, but not during the holy festival. The people entrusted with keeping the laws (including, 'You shall not murder') willing to break the same laws for their own benefit. 

Holy Week reminds us of how fickle we are as people. It shines a light onto the church, as much as it does to the world. Jesus is not some kind of 'convenience' that we latch unto when it suits us. His call is for us to surrender all to Him.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Jesus on our lips, but the world in our hearts!

 

I don't think that these words need any further explanation. They are from the mouth of Ignatius of Antioch:

1. “Christianity is not a matter of persuading people of particular ideas, but of inviting them to share in the greatness of Christ. ...
2. “We recognize a tree by its fruit, and we ought to be able to recognize a Christian by his action. ...
3. “Do not have Jesus Christ on your lips, and the world in your heart.”

Which one of these resonates with you today?

What can we do in response to these thoughts?

Psalm 89:34 - I will not violate my covenant or alter what my lips have uttered.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

A Good Example

What does it mean to follow someone's example? Is it as simple as taking note of how they live, speak, act and then trying to emulate that? How do we know that their example is the right one to follow as there are plenty of people who aren't good examples?

When we turn to the Scriptures, we find the charge to follow the example of two extremely influential people - Jesus and Paul. 

"I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you" - John 13:5

"Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ." - 1 Corinthians 11:1

Thoughts: How good are we at following Jesus' example?

Albert Schweitzer - "A good example has twice the value of good advice."

Living in Grace

D3LM3

P.S. Remember that you can get this devotion directly to your email inbox - just go to the subscription block on www.delmelinscott.blogspot.com 

Don't be like Simon

We played a game as children called "Simon says." Do you remember that? Whatever Simon (the person who was the leader) said, you all had to act out and the last person to follow was eliminated from that round. 

In Acts 8 we meet another Simon (Simon Magus) - also known as Simon the Magician. Even though he had come to faith in Jesus, he tried to buy the Holy Spirit from the disciples. He was thoroughly rebuked for his attitude and Simon drifted into the background. 

"Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart." (Acts 8:20-22)

Simon's major error was believing that the things of God can be bought with human resources. And this is never true. God can't be bought and neither can the workings of the Spirit. So, when I suggest that we should not act like Simon, I am implying that we ought to wary of using God for our own gain. Sadly there are many people who go down this path, but it is a very dangerous road to take.

• God grants his spirit to those who ask and who are willing to obey.
• God gives us his salvation if we are humble enough to admit our sin and need of him.
• God pours out his mercy on all who are broken-hearted.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Henry David Thoreau

For something completely different I want us to mark the birthday of Henry David Thoreau today. He was born on the 12th July 1817 and although Henry was not overtly Christian, his life and work inspired many important people, including Martin Luther King Jr and Mahatma Gandhi. He held strong views against slavery and the Mexican-American war, and believed that a non-violent approach to politics would bring about reform. Thoreau also believed that nature was incredibly enchanting and that the meaning of life was hidden in creation.

What makes me dwell on his life today (besides it being his birthday) is to ask ourselves if our lives "rub off" onto others in a positive way? Do our actions shape the thoughts and actions of other people?

And when we think of our Saviour Jesus Christ, how has the life of Christ changed the way we live our lives.

John 13:15 - "I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you."

Here are a few of Henry David Thoreau's quotes to get you thinking:

The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it.

Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Hard to miss

There are some people that shine the light of Christ wherever they go. You just see them and speak to them and you know that there is something different about them. These are the kind of people you want to spend time with because they make you feel closer to Jesus. I am not sure if you know people like this, but there are a few people I can think of right now.

When the disciples began to preach and teach, just after Pentecost, people noticed that "they had been with Jesus" - this was a compliment to indicate that the things of Christ had rubbed off onto them. Obviously this presents a challenge to us all, as we would love people to say, "Ah yes, I can see _________ has been with Jesus!"

Acts 4:13 - The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognised them as men who had been with Jesus.

Let your Light shine amongst all people.
 
Living in Grace
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Live it out

"It is not what people eat, but what they digest that makes them strong;
Not what we gain, but what we save that makes us rich;
not what we read, but what we remember that makes us learned;
not what we preach, but what we practice that makes us Christians." - Unknown.

Faith is easy to speak about, but it is so much harder to live out. 
Our communities have enough 'sound' bombarding their lives -what we need is some clear examples of what it means to follow Jesus.






Exodus 24:14 - "You will be judged according to your conduct and your actions, declares the Sovereign Lord.’”
 
"Just live life. That's the best way to learn how to act. Just live." - Rory Culkin

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

Living in Grace
D3LM3

A wonderful prayer

Benedict was born in the town of Nursia during the 5th and 6th Centuries. His life took him to many different places and his influence lives on through the Monastic moment and especially through the 'Rule of Benedict.'

I love the way that he was able to articulate his prayers. Take this one for example...

Gracious and holy Father,
please give me:
intellect to understand you;
reason to discern you;
diligence to seek you;
wisdom to find you;
a spirit to know you;
a heart to meditate upon you;
ears to hear you;
eyes to see you;
a tongue to proclaim you;
a way of life pleasing to you;
patience to wait for you;
and perseverance to look for you.

Grant me:
a perfect end,
your holy presence.
A blessed resurrection,
And life everlasting.

There is so much 'meat' to chew on in this prayer. I invite you to make this part of your prayers for today.

God Bless
Living in grace
D3LM3