A prayer for Lent

I really enjoy this season of Lent, as I feel that it heightens my awareness to the things of God. Of course, this is not something that we have to only experience in the Lenten season, but we can encounter this at any time during the year. However, there is something profound in knowing that millions of other Christians are also praying, seeking, reflecting and listening for the voice of God.

In reading Psalm 25, I was impressed by the honesty of David's prayer in these 2 verses:

"Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths.
Guide me in your truth and teach me,” - Psalm 25:4-5

These 3 words give us a clue into the heart of David's faith and willingness to surrender to the sovereignty of God. Even as a King himself, David was humble enough to ask God for wisdom and strength. 

• Show me
• Teach me
• Guide me

“Does it make sense to pray for guidance about the future if we are not obeying in the thing that lies before us today? How many momentous events in Scripture depended on one person's seemingly small act of obedience! Rest assured: Do what God tells you to do now, and, depend upon it, you will be shown what to do next.”- Elisabeth Elliot

Living in Grace

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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

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Shining and guiding

If one had to ask an audience about the greatest gift Jesus offers humanity, it would probably be a unanimous answer of 'Salvation.' While I believe that this is the correct answer, we mustn't forget that this great gift comes with a whole lot of extras attached. For example, Luke tells us that the Messiah will 'shine' on those living in darkness and those living in the shadow of death, as well as guiding our feet into the pathway of peace. 

"...to shine on those living in darkness   and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.” - Luke 1:79

If you find yourself living in the shadows today, then look out for the light of Christ.

If you are needing to know the right path (the path that will bring you peace), then listen for the guiding words of Jesus.

Living in Grace

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O God, our help in ages past

"O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home."

These striking words of the first verse of 'O God, Our Help in ages past' (Isaac Watts) remind us that we serve a God who has helped us in the past and he will shelter us from the stormy experiences of the present. What is more is that God continues to guide us until we are safely home in His presence. That is a promise found in many places in the Scriptures.

The final verse of this hymn is almost the same as the first, except for a slight alteration in verse 3. This line states: Be thou our guide while life shall last. I find that this prayer is one that I can relate to at the moment. I need God's guidance in many areas of my life and I trust that while I am alive, God will show me the way.

Psalm 18:6 - In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears.

Living in Grace

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Make a way

Have you ever had something in your life that seems to frustrate you no end? No matter which way you turn or which solution you try to find, nothing seems to work! I have had one of those scenarios over the last few weeks. In trying to sort out something quite simple (or at least I thought it was) I have encountered dead end, after dead end. My frustration levels rose, but I kept at it, trying to find a solution.

In the end, I am so relieved to announce, that "God made a way!" The problem was resolved and I feel so much better!

This whole incident reminded me of this verse:

Isaiah 41:13 - For I am the Lord your God
    who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
    I will help you.


Or as the song by Don Moen goes:

"God will make a way
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me."

Living in Grace
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I need a Star!

Sometimes I think I need a Star!
Just like the wise men (or Magi) in Matthew 2 I feel that there are moments in my life when I need a star to guide me and to make it clear how I should follow God.
BUT then I remember, I don't need a star. I have Jesus. And he has promised to guide me, lead me, love me and show me the way.

Matthew 16:24 -  "Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am." (MSG)

Don't look for "something" to help you out today, but rather look for someone.
His name is Jesus.

“...because life slips away, and because I need for the rest of my journey a star that will not play false to me, a compass that will not lie.” - Alan Paton, Cry, the Beloved Country

Living in Grace
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