Through the strength of God

“We are used to viewing the early apostles as superstars on a pedestal that we can easily forget that they were pitifully inadequate for the task which they were given.” – Phil Moore

This quote brings us back to the reality that the disciples were simply 'human', just like we are. They allowed the Holy Spirit to equip them and strengthen them for all the tasks that lay ahead, even when they didn't know what these would be. How often have we been confronted with a task or situation that we have felt ill-equipped for, and God has come through for us? I know that this has happened to me many times.

Thought: What are you facing today that you need to be reminded of God's strength and provision?

"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 recognized them as men who had been with Jesus." - Acts 4:13

Living in Grace

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A thoughtful prayer from Alan Paton

 

Below is a prayer from Alan Paton. I trust that you will find it helpful for today.

"Lord, open my eyes that I may see the needs of others,
Open my ears that I may hear their cries,
Open my heart so that they need not be without relief.
Let me not be afraid to defend the weak, because of the anger of the strong,
not afraid to defend the poor, because of the anger of the rich.

Show me where love and hope and faith are needed,
and use me to bring them to these places.
Open my eyes and ears that I may, this coming day,
be able to do some work of peace for You."

Habakkuk 3:2 - O Lord, I have heard of your renown, and I stand in awe, O Lord, of your work. In our own time revive it; in our own time make it known; in wrath may you remember mercy.

Living in Grace

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What are you thinking?

I was reminded again this week that our thoughts can have a profound effect on our actions and then on our habits. I found these words to be helpful in assessing how much of an impact they can have on us:

"Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny." - Frank Outlaw.

When Jesus responded to a question about the greatest commandment, we mustn't overlook that he included loving God with all our minds as a key part of our faith. He said,

 Matthew 22:37 - Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’

How are your thoughts at the moment? Are you able to keep them under the control of the Holy Spirit?

Living in Grace

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Whose way is the best?

I was reminded again this week of a wonderful promise of God and how I am often blind to the ways of our Father. When things don't seem to be working out as I think they should, I am easily tempted to feel frustrated and disillusioned. However, God has already given us these words as wise guidance:

8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8-9)

Here is another way of putting this same truth.

“I don’t think the way you think.
    The way you work isn’t the way I work.”
        God’s Decree.
“For as the sky soars high above earth,
    so the way I work surpasses the way you work,
    and the way I think is beyond the way you think. (Eugene Peterson)

My humble advice to us all is to rather trust in God's ways - they are better than our own.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Overcoming ourselves

Thomas a' Kempis wrote in the 15th Century, “the hardest struggle is the struggle to overcome ourselves." I think that what he could have meant by this is that we are often our own worst enemy. We struggle with our faults, short-comings and sins, wondering if God could even love us. This can sometimes move us away from the embrace of our loving God. Thankfully we have Jesus who has paved the way for our salvation and he is the ultimate victor.  

What things in your life do you struggle with? 

Do you find that your mind plays tricks on you? Does your mind sometimes run away from you so that your biggest struggle is with yourself? If you can relate to this, then I pray that these scriptures help you today.

Jeremiah 1:19 - They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.

Mark 9:24 - Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

Living in Grace

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Motives

"We can justify our every deed, but God looks at our motives.

God is more pleased when we are just and fair than when we give him gifts." - Proverbs 21:2-3

I am challenged by the clear message of Proverbs, as each sentence is a direct word to our fragile hearts. The book of Proverbs helps me to look in the mirror and to be honest about my life and faith. There can be no hiding away from the Lord and from how the Spirit works in our lives.

David Brainerd - "The all-seeing eye of God beheld our deplorable state; infinite pity touched the heart of the Father of mercies; and infinite wisdom laid the plan of our recovery."

Francis Bacon - "A prudent question is one-half of wisdom."

Living in Grace

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Two things that we can control

“The truth is, you and I are in control of only two things:
how we prepare for what might happen and how we respond to what just happened.
The moment when things actually do happen belongs to God.”
― DeVon Franklin

There is some truth in this statement and it reminds me of the lovely words from Proverbs 3:5-6

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,    and he will make your paths straight." - Proverbs 3:5-6

Living in Grace
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Thinking of you

The words "I will be thinking of you" can do a lot to encourage a friend. We can use these kind words to bring cheer to someone, or we can be the recipient of these meaningful words. In light of this, read this scripture from Psalm 40:17:

"...let the Lord keep me in his thoughts."

I know that we are encouraged to keep God in our thoughts as often as possible, but did you note the emphasis in this verse. It is a prayer to ask God to keep us in his thoughts! 
Isn't that an awesome thought - that we can ask God to keep thinking of us throughout our day?

"For I know the thoughts I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” - Jeremiah 29:11.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

 

The expression of your thoughts

"Our life always expresses the result of our dominant thoughts." - Soren Kiekegaard

Is this not true in many instances? The more we think on something the more likely it is that those things become a part of us - good or bad? Which all seems consistent with what Solomon was saying in Proverbs.

"For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he..." - Proverbs 23:7 (KJV)

So, here is the tough question. Are your thoughts directing your life? If yes, which direction are they taking you in? Is that where Jesus wants you to be?

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/s/soren_kierkegaard.html