God's promises through a sign

God often follows up his words with a clear and definite sign. This is to make sure that we are 100% sure of his divine purpose and promises.

One of the best signs God ever gave was the one mentioned by the angels when Jesus was born. Let me take us back to the birth narratives of Jesus and let’s see what Luke wrote:

“This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger” (Luke 2:12).

May you hold onto the precious signs God has given to each one of us. May they give us all the strength we need to endure and to follow the ways of Jesus. 

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Set up the markers and signs

All hikers know that when you are on the trail you need to look out for the cairns along the way. Once you have spotted them it is tradition that you add a rock to the pile - this is so that others may notice the cairn on their hiking adventure and also so that we can spot it on the way back. 

This is what Jeremiah was eluding too when he spoke to the people of Israel on their way to exile. He wanted them to remember their way back home.

"Set up road signs;
    put up guideposts.
Mark well the path
    by which you came.
Come back again, my virgin Israel;
    return to your towns here." - Jeremiah 31:21

What 'signposts' or 'cairns' help you find your way back to Jesus?

Eugene Peterson wrote -

“Set up signposts to mark your trip home. Get a good map.
Study the road conditions.
The road out is the road back.
Come back, dear virgin Israel,
come back to your hometowns."

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Don't you know me?

Many of us want to know what God is like? We think that if we could just get a handle on God, then it would make our faith a little easier and we would be much more committed to the cause. 

Philip was having a conversation with Jesus about some important matters, when Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? (John 14:9)

For me, this reveals a key truth. If we want to know what God is like, then we can begin by reading about Jesus. The life, character, words and person of Jesus will give us the clearest image of the Eternal God. Of course we can start by opening up a Bible and starting in the Gospels - that is the best place to begin.

Let us stop looking for signs of God that may not appear and instead study the ones that are right in front of us.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Read the signs!

The local municipality have finally built a speed bump on the main road outside our Church entrance. It is about time as people use this road as a race track most days. I think we have been asking the authorities for this "hump" for around 9 years now - better late than never I suppose.

What has been fascinating to note is that the white lines haven't been painted on the bump as yet (they are waiting for the tar to set first) and so people are hitting the bump at their usual speed! Needless to say there have been lots of surprised drivers heading along Cleland road and I am sure there has been a fair amount of cursing too!

But here is the thing. There are clearly marked SIGNS on either side of the bumps, warning people of the new bumps. In fact, the SIGNS were put up over a week ago, preparing people for this new change, but people have ignored the signs. It is only as they have hit the speed bumps at some speed, that they take note of the signs.

People are people. We are all the same...the signs are there for our protection and to help us out, but when we choose to ignore them, we land up with whiplash!

So, what signs are you ignoring today?
What is happening in your spiritual life that is acting as a warning sign?
What is happening in your family that is shouting "Take Note" or what signs are you seeing at work or at school?

Please can I urge us all to take note of the signs that God places before us. They are not signs to be a "kill joy" but rather to protect us and prosper us. As we near Holy Week, Jesus fulfilled many of the signs of the prophets, but the people chose to ignore the signs.

John 12:27 - "But despite all the miraculous signs Jesus had done, most of the people still did not believe in him."

Let's not do the same.

Living in Grace
D3LM3