Living Word

So, this morning in our staff meeting I decided to share a devotion, based on a few verses from Matthew 5. In fact, I used the commentary and outline from a well known devotional book. For one or two of the staff the verses spoken directly into their situations and one of the verses gave us all the answer to a request that we had just received - How amazing is that? Through the writing of someone else, months before today, God inspires someone we have never seen to pen the words that speak into our lives today! Only God can do that! That is why Paul must have written those words in Hebrews 4 - "The Word of God is living and active..." - It is indeed ALIVE and ACTIVE! Be encouraged today. God wants to speak to us.
Continue the battle as you live in His Grace,
D3LM3

Exercise Time...

Along with millions of other people I have started my new exercise regime - have to admit that i am feeling better for it already. This morning I didn't really want to get out of bed, but in the end I managed to persuade my body to get a move on! There is an old saying that speaks about 'mind over mattress' when it comes to getting up early to exercise. For me, it is more 'mind over mood!' If I wake up feeling shattered & grumpy then there is little chance I feel like getting onto the bike and going for a ride. In the end, when I have managed to win the battle of 'mind over mood' i feel great and ready for the day. Speaking about exercise, I pray that many of us will also try and exercise in our spiritual lives this year. If a small amount of physical exercise can make us feel good, then surely even a small dose of Spiritual training can make the world of difference. So how about it? What Spiritual exercises should we start this year? Reading through the Bible this year? Reading through a good devotional book? Journalling regularly? Praying? Ask God to lead us in this process - He would love to spend the time with us.
Have a blessed day and happy exercising!
Living in Grace,
D3LM3

365

A Blessed New Year to you all. So we wake this morning realising that we now need to write 2009 on our letters/cheques/journals etc. As of today we have 365 days to make 2009 a special year - to make a difference in our world and to Live Life to the Full! How are you feeling about that? For me, I am choosing to embrace this gift God has given me. I want to allow Christ to lead me into the unknown chapters of another year. I am convinced there will be obstacles and challenges to face, but I am also certain that I will not have to battle these things alone. May this year also be a year of Grace for you. Live in Christ's amazing grace, trust in His goodness and be willing to Risk great things for God.
Shalom to you, my friend.
Living in Grace, D3LM3

Afterglow or Hang-over?

So Christmas has come and gone. All that build up and stress has now given way to a few brief moments of rest and family time. If I am honest, I am enjoying living in the 'afterglow' of Christmas. For me, it seems as in the few days after Christmas I have felt closer to God that the weeks before the 25th. I know that this sounds weird, but it could have lots to do with the preparation of many Christmas services. In ministry, our role is guide people to a place of being ready for the 'moment' of Christ's birth and to feel the effect of it on our lives. In doing so, people in ministry often miss out on the own encounter with the Messiah - sad, but true! Thankfully, Jesus is not only accessible up to the 25 December, but that we can bask in His Peace and Spirit, 365 days in the year. That is what I intend to do this week. By the way, there are many people that feel quite 'hung-over' after Christmas -this is in more ways than one. Prof. E.Ernst from the University of Exeter says that when you are hung-over you body tells you 'I have had enough; don't abuse me anymore!' Wow, that's a interesting comment. Many non-drinking Christians feel 'hung-over' after Christmas for the very reason of pushing their bodies to the limit - all in the name preparing for the 25th. So here is the question - are you living in the afterglow of Christmas or are you feeling 'hung-over?'
Ask God to speak to you, no matter how you are feeling.
Live in His grace,
D3LM3

In the End!

In the End! These 3 words could mean a whole lot of different things, but today they speak to me of God pulling through for us "In the End!" We go through difficulties and we worry about the future, but if we wait on the Lord, all things will work out "in the end!" As we reflect on the Biblical accounts of Jesus birth and life, we see that there were moments when things look omninous, but "in the end" God turned the potential danger into something that was remarkable. Think about Mary and Joseph desperately seeking a place to stay in Bethlehem - things looked bleak as they struggled to find accomodation. However, 'in the end' despite giving birth in a stable, Mary and Joseph were able to watch over the arrival of Jesus. Even when Herod tried to destroy Jesus, the family was able to escape to Egypt and 'in the end' all turned out fine. Fast-forward to the Crucifixion - Jesus dies on the cross and many of his disciples think that the story has now finished. However, 'in the end' God has the final say and Jesus is raised from the dead! This is the God we worship at Christmas time. A God who works things out 'in the end!' Believe that he has our best interests at heart. He loves us and he will work out his purposes.
Be Blessed this Christmas.
Living in Grace,
D3LM3

And He will be their 'PEACE'

I am busy getting some thoughts together for the service on Sunday and have just re-read Micah 5:5 - "And he will be their peace." I am sure that at this time of the year all of us are feeling a little 'flustered', 'tired' and some-what 'worn out!' A lot of our present state has to do with the general demands of Life, whilst we are also guilty of adding to our own mess. I know that saying 'NO' is not as easy as it should be! Anyway, before Jesus was born, Micah prophesied that He would be their peace. What is noticeable, for me, is that Micah doesn't use the words, 'he will bring us peace', but rather points out that JESUS WILL BE OUR PEACE. Could this imply that when we embrace Christ, we say hello to an endless supply of PEACE? This PEACE is not altering or dependent on circumstances, but is just there - as constant as Jesus is in our lives! So here's the worrying thing for me - when I don't feel 'at peace', what has happened to Jesus? Is it true that He has not gone anywhere, but that I have simply taken my eyes off Him and am trying to go it alone? Mmmh, makes me think that my lack of peace (at times) has more to do with my choices than it has to do with God withdrawing his PEACE. Jesus wouldn't withdraw himself from me (and therefore His Peace), but I may choose to go 'SOLO' and then Christ patiently waits for me to come to my senses. What do you think?
Live in His GRACE & PEACE.
D3LM3

Rest Needed!

We have just come back from a few days away and it was great to have a 'break' from ministry - I am sure that some of you know what I mean. It was good to feel normal again and to be on the beach 'incognito'. What has really surprised me is how tired I was (and still am) - just generally tired! Coming back from leave is also a huge crash-land back into reality! There is still so much 'stuff' needing to be sorted out. Sorry, this is not meant to be a 'feel sorry for me' post, but it has got me thinking about Jesus and how people demanded his time 24/7. He knew how to find the space and time to pray, to reflect, to recharge his batteries. However, there were times when he went away and left the disciples to take care of the ministry, but they weren't able to handle it. Remember how they couldn't heal the one child properly and the father was getting upset and he told Jesus that they weren't able to help him? This makes me think about how often when ministers go on leave, we entrust things to good people, but sometimes the 'congregation' complains that it isn't "the minister", therefore it isn't good enough. I wish Jesus had told some of the demanding crowds to "Get a Life!" - cos then it would give us an excuse to point out that verse to any person who complains about ministers being on leave.
Boy, am I in a grumpy mood today!? Please excuse me - i guess, today is one of those days that I am battling to 'live in grace.'
Be Blessed, D3LM3