Into your hands

Psalm 31 gives us a lovely way of entrusting our lives into the hands of God. If you read verse 15 it says: “My times are in your hands.” 

However, if you take a look at other versions, they say: "My future is in your hands." 

I think this is more helpful for me, and probably more along the lines of our modern ways of speaking. None of us knows what tomorrow holds, but we choose to trust in the Lord - in doing this we place our future into his safe hands. Does that make sense to you?

Eugene Peterson concludes:

"Desperate, I throw myself on you: you are my God!
Hour by hour I place my days in your hand,
    safe from the hands out to get me." - Psalm 31:14-15 (The Message)

Living in Grace

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A thought for Ascension Day

The world may not stop to remember the significance of Ascension Day, but as Christians, we really should understand the powerful meaning of this day. In Acts 1, we see that Jesus 'ascended' into heaven, as a clear moment of coronation and victory. Jesus did not simply disappear, or stop appearing to his disciples, but rather ascended to the right hand of the Father. 

I know it seems hard to fully comprehend, but I do believe that this was witnessed by his followers and the testimony passed on to others. 

⁹ After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

¹⁰ They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. ¹¹ “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” - Acts 1

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, preaching under the shadow of Nazi oppression, once said: “The Ascension is the promise that the world belongs not to chaos but to Christ.”

Question: What does the Ascension mean for you?

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The worst thing is not the last thing!

This is still one of my all-time favourite quotes: 

“The resurrection means the worst thing is never the last thing.” - Frederick Buechner

May these words live with you throughout this week and beyond. Trust that with the grace of God, whatever you are facing at the moment, will not be the final word on the matter. Christ has overcome all things!

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." - 1 Peter 1:3

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Watch where you are walking

When you are out walking or running it is important to make sure you are watching where you are going. This is not just in terms of your overall direction, but also to be aware of where you place your feet. It may seem like a simple process to follow, but it can be so tricky at times. If you look too far into the distance you can step into a hole or catch your foot on a rock. It takes skill to keep both the distance, and the path, firmly in your eyesight. 

Is this perhaps what the writer of Proverbs 4 is suggesting?

"Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you.
Give careful thought to the paths for your feet
and be steadfast in all your ways.
Do not turn to the right or the left;
keep your foot from evil." - Proverbs 4:25-27

Thought: How are you managing with your spiritual walk at the moment? Are you perhaps looking too far into the distance and missing the individual steps you need to take right now? OR, is your vision so consumed with a small step in front, that you have forgotten to look to where you are heading?

Living in Grace

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Prayers for post-Election deliberations

As we contemplate the outcome of the elections in South Africa and as we nervously seek a way forward, we have been asked to hold these deliberations in prayer. Here is a prayer that was given to us by the Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa. Even if you are currently living in another country, I believe the prayer is appropriate for all of us to use. Let us believe in miracles. God bless you. 

"Heavenly Father,

We come before You with hearts full of hope and faith, seeking Your divine intervention in the formation of a government of national unity in South Africa. We acknowledge Your sovereignty and wisdom over all nations and leaders.

Lord, we came together and petitioned You for peaceful elections and You answered our prayers. We seek Your face once again Lord and ask for Your guidance and wisdom to be upon our leaders as they navigate the complexities of governance. Grant them the humility to set aside personal ambitions and partisan interests for the greater good of our nation. May they be inspired by a spirit of collaboration and mutual respect, recognizing the value of each contribution towards a unified and prosperous future.

Instill in them a deep sense of justice, compassion, and integrity, so that they may serve with a heart for the people, especially the marginalized and vulnerable. Help them to listen to one another, to seek common ground, and to forge a path that promotes peace, stability, and shared prosperity.

We pray for the people of our nation, that we may support and encourage our leaders in their endeavors. Unite us in purpose and resolve, so that we may all work together towards a future where harmony, equality, and opportunity abound for everyone.

In Jesus name, we place our trust and hope. Amen."

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It is better for you

There are some people who promise much but deliver very little. And when we have been disappointed with broken promises before, it is very hard to try and trust in any future promises. I was thinking about this when Jesus turned to his disciples and said:

"But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you." - John 16:7

It is not that Jesus had broken any promises to his disciples, but they would have been wary of what he was implying. How could it be better for them, if Jesus was no longer going to be present with them? They couldn't imagine what he was meaning - it made no sense! They had never experienced anything like this before, so it is little wonder that they struggled to see the good news in Jesus' promise.

However, as time passed and events unfolded, the disciples came to understand that Jesus was correct. It was better for them that he returned to the Father and they were gifted with the Holy Spirit. 

Sometimes, we have to hang on in faith, until the reality of the PROMISE is fulfilled.

Thought: Are there any promises in the Scriptures that you struggle to understand or even believe? What makes them hard to consider?

If you are interested in listening to my recent sermon on this topic, please click onto this link. 

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We can't go back to yesterday

"It is no use going back to yesterday, because I was a different person then." - Lewis Carroll

There is a profound truth in this statement! When one sincerely confesses our sins (of yesterday), and we seek to live in the grace of God today, we need to let go of the past. Sadly, there are many people who keep trying to dredge up the pain of the past, but through God's mercy we can move on into our future. 

"No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us." - Philippians 4:12-13

Thought: What past mistakes keep you from moving forward with freedom?

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, that you do not hold grudges against us. Teach us to let go of our pasts and to trust in your mercy in the future. Amen. 

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Preparing for future trials

As I have been reflecting recently on the reasons why we encounter trials and times of testing, I was struck by how Jesus' temptation in the wilderness prepared him for his future ministry.

Matthew 4:1- Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil (the Greek word tempted can also be translated as Tested.)

James points out that we can profit from our trials and struggle when he says: " My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." (James 1:2-4)

So, I guess I have been challenged to try and consider my trials from a different perspective. Is it possible that God allows us to endure times of testing, in order to prepare us for something else in the future? What could that be? 

How do you feel about that?

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Don't let your past define you!

Don't let your past define you!

When we read the story of Rahab and her family, in Joshua 2, we see that they were spared a violent death when the Israelites attacked Jerico. For her act of bravery and defiance, Rahab is given a special place in the rest of God's story. 

What is even more is that Rahab's faith led her to a place of honour within the lineage of Jesus Christ. In the genealogy found in Matthew 1:5-6, we see her name mentioned among the ancestors of our Lord. This inclusion highlights God's remarkable ability to turn the lives of unlikely individuals into a key part of His grand narrative.

Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab,

Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth,

Obed the father of Jesse,

and Jesse the father of King David.

Rahab's story teaches us that our past does not define us; rather, our faith and obedience to God's calling determine our place in His story. She is then mentioned in Hebrews 11 (the Hall of Faith) and then in James 2. Her story is a remarkable testimony of how God can use anyone for his purposes and how we are all given a chance at redemption. 

“Think of it—a pagan prostitute becomes a believer and then a wife of a prince of Judah. And ultimately, she becomes an ancestor of the Messiah Himself. Isn’t the grace of God wonderful?!” – Doug Lyon

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Keep moving forward

As one takes a deeper look at the familiar story of the Israelites heading towards the Promised Land, we notice something interesting:

"After leaving Sukkoth they camped at Etham on the edge of the desert. By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people." - Exodus 13

It only occurred to me now, why God used the pillar of fire to lead the Israelites. God wanted them to keep moving forward, and to put distance between themselves and the chasing Egyptians. It probably seemed a natural thing for them to rest at night and to only travel by day, but this would have been too dangerous for them, so God told them to walk in the dark. 

Obviously, God is not suggesting that we don't sleep at night, but I do think there is something profound about the idea of us 'moving forward', despite the darkness that may hamper our journey. Is it possible that in a time of despair we are tempted to stop? To give up? Could God be nudging us onward and promising to shine a light for us?

What do you think?

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Trust in the Lord

The words in the following Proverb are so simple, yet so hard to live out. However, if we manage to truly honour these words, then I believe that we will begin to see God's hand at work in our lives.  

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take." - Proverbs 3:5-6

Question: Has there ever been a time when you have felt that your 'way' was the best way forward, but it hasn't worked out according to your plan? How did the situation end up and did God show you which path to take in the end?

John 12:44 - Jesus shouted to the crowds, “If you trust me, you are trusting not only me, but also God who sent me.

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A special prayer for the New Year

In reflecting on our transition from 2022 into the New Year, I wrote a few thoughts that I trust could form the basis of a helpful prayer for each one of us. These words are my prayer for each one of us as we embark upon the journey of 2023. May these words be a blessing for you.

"May our disappointments of the Old Year give way to new hope and dreams for the New Year.

May our pain and scars of this past year create a new resolve and perseverance in the coming year.

May all our grief and loss of the past, become fuel for deeper empathy and kindness towards those who will struggle alongside us in the days to come.

May all our doubts and uncertainty of the Old Year be motivation for a resolute faith and passion for the future.

May our failures and unfulfilled expectations of the past grant us revised perspective and refined clarity in the days to come.

May our victories, joys and celebrations of this last year become a reservoir of deep gratitude and thankfulness in the New Year.

May our knowledge of God’s unending mercy and grace be both a light for our journey this year, as well as a promise of God’s continual presence into the unknown."

Thank you for your willingness to read these thoughts and devotions. I have committed to continue to this ministry into the future and I pray that each post would offer us all something to chew on and hopefully provide a little extra fuel for our Spiritual adventures. 

Please remember that you can sign up to receive these posts directly to your email if you would like. It is FREE. You sign up on the home page.

Have a Blessed 2023. 

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Having Hope

“Live in faith and hope, though it be in darkness, for in this darkness God protects the soul. Cast your care upon God for you are His and He will not forget you. Do not think that He is leaving you alone, for that would be to wrong Him.” - John of the Cross

The first week of Advent invites us to focus on the word HOPE. It is remarkable that even though we have a working understanding of 'Hope', this can take on a deeper meaning when we reflect on what it truly means for us. 

Hope is what gets us up in the morning. 

Hope is what enables us to lift our heads, when all seems lost. 

Hope enables us to push our disappointments aside for a moment and to trust in something better. 

Hope teaches us to hold out our hands to Christ.

“To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the HOPE of glory.” – Colossians 1:27

Questions:

1. What does "Hope" mean for you this week?

2. Where does your Hope lie?

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The Countdown

We have been watching our kids "tick-off" every completed exam and seen the end draw nearer, day by day. There is something satisfying in doing this - I guess it is the feeling of fulfilment and the desire to complete the goal, and then we all get to celebrate when it is done!

We do the same kind of thing when we are planning a holiday or longing for a special occasion. We countdown the days until the big moment arrives. Each day is 24 hours nearer to the anticipated joy. 

And so, as Christians we begin our own version of the 'Countdown' today. Advent is the season of expectation and preparing for Christ's coming. Of course, we do this with two main motives - to celebrate the birth of the Messiah on Christmas morning and also to remind ourselves that Christ will come again. 

Advent stems from the Latin word 'adventus', which means the 'coming' and from what we can tell was first celebrated in the 4th Century. According to the Gospel Coalition, The Council of Sargossa (in 380AD) meet to discuss various heresies in the church and there is mention of Advent in those meetings. The council was not committed to any specific dating of Advent, though, and only suggested people attend church daily between December 17 and 29. 

As we continue this journey through Advent, I will be sharing various thoughts, insights and reflections in relation to this season. It is my hope that this will make our experience of Christmas a meaningful one. 

Psalm 119:116 - Sustain me, my God, according to your promise, and I will live; do not let my hopes be dashed.

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Nothing great is ever achieved without much enduring

“Nothing great is ever achieved without much enduring.” - Catherine of Siena 

There is much truth in coming to understand that perseverance is a great virtue. Too many people in our modern world expect to be granted success without much 'long-suffering' or tenacity. 

Paul wrote a lot about endurance and perseverance:

"Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses" - 2 Corinthians 6:4

"...being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience." - Colossians 1:11

As you continue to walk in the ways of Jesus, may you be blessed with great courage and endurance.

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Hope in the future

“Where there is no hope in the future, there is no power in the present.” – Anon

It is hard to shake the feeling that the world is in a huge mess. Everywhere you look, all we seem to see is crisis, trouble, pain, suffering and despair. As Christians, we need to keep our focus on Jesus Christ in order to look beyond the limits of our world. If we are only looking for signs of hope in the man-made world, we will come up disappointed. 

Let us hold onto hope, so that we can live with purpose and power in the present.

Job 6:11 - “What strength do I have, that I should still hope? What prospects, that I should be patient?

Job 11:18 - You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety.

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Steady the knees that give way

How much can we apply today's reading to our own lives and to the circumstances of other people? Take a look at the Isaiah 35:3-4 and see what I mean? 

3 "Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way;
4 say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear;
your God will come, he will come with vengeance;
with divine retribution he will come to save you.”

In my opinion, we can all do with hearing the good news that God strengthens our feeble hands and weak knees. These promises certainly apply to our daily trials and challenges. And I am sure that we long to hear the reassuring words "be strong and don't fear!" There is plenty to be make us fearful nowadays, so the words of comfort are much appreciated. 

However, if I were a Christian living in Ukraine right now, would I be tempted to read verse 4 as a prayer to deal with my enemies? Would I hang on these words as a promise that God dishes out divine retribution on our behalf? How much leeway are we allowed in interpreting the Scriptures and then allowing them to speak into our lives? 

I still think it is always best to read the passage understanding these 3 layers:

1. Historical context - who was writing this, why and who was expected to receive the message?

2. What was God's promise to the people, in the era it was written.

3. A future promise and principle for those of us reading this years later. 

Living in Grace

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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

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The greatest Fear

What is your greatest fear?

"Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death." - Hebrews 2:14-15 

There are many things to be afraid of, but perhaps our greatest fear is death. We fear death for many reasons, but perhaps the most common are: 

• What really lies beyond the grave? 
• What happens to me in those final moments? 
• Will God receive me into his kingdom?

I don't have good answers for the first two questions, but I believe that Hebrews 2 gives us a great answer to the third question. The actions of Jesus have given us a gateway into a new experience - we don't need to fear death anymore, because their is no other power (i.e. the devil) who has the final say in our eternal future. Jesus has the keys and the power. 

So, where this leaves us is in a place of trusting the answers to questions 1 & 2, in the hands of a gracious Saviour. If I can trust in a God who is merciful, then I can be at peace about what lies beyond this life. 

What are your thoughts?

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Freedom?

Is there a difference between these two kinds of Freedom?

2 Corinthians - 3:17 - "For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is Freedom."

"Forces beyond your control can take away everything you possess except one thing, your FREEDOM to choose how you will respond to the situation." - Victor Frankl

What do these 2 thoughts mean for you today? 

Can the 'freedom' that Christ offers us impact the way we respond to the situations that happen all around us? 

Living in Grace

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Galatians 5:13 - For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.