Will you destroy what you have made?

Have you ever made something that you were proud of? It may have been a piece of pottery, furniture, needlework, knitting, painting, gardening, or something else. I know that when I have done this, I have stood back and felt a tinge of pride and joy. It is very rewarding to see the work of your hands.

Now, let me ask you another question - after all the effort, care and love you put into your creation would you turn around and willingly destroy it? I know that I wouldn't!

When Job was feeling thoroughly depressed he questioned whether God was going to turn his back on him and then to destroy him. It seemed to him that the hands of God (which had shaped him) would now be the hands that broke him...


“Your hands shaped me and made me.
    Will you now turn and destroy me? 
 Remember that you molded me like clay.     
Will you now turn me to dust again?" - Job 10:9-10

This brings to mind our view of God. How do we picture God? Do we fear that the hands that made us would quickly move to destroy us?

Prayer: As you pray this morning, reflect on your image of Jesus. How do you view God? I encourage you to find something you have made and to look at it carefully. Image that God is now doing the same with us. Picture then how God would loving look at the work of his hands and do all he can to care for us.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

God's wisdom and ours

 "His wisdom is profound, his power is vast." - Job 9:4

We trust that the Wisdom of God is 'profound' and 'vast'. We turn to God to guide our footsteps and to direct our lives. As soon as we willing live under the wisdom of God we invite deeper blessing into our lives.

Proverbs 9:10-12 - "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
    and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
¹¹ For through wisdom your days will be many,
    and years will be added to your life.
¹² If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you;
    if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer."

"The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honourable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well"

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

 
Living in Grace
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Watching at the doors - Lent #9

For those of us who have pets, it is incredible how faithful they are (especially dogs). When we have been out all day they come quickly to us, excited about seeing us. Sometimes they may be waiting at the doors and windows watching for us. They can even hear us coming before they see us and their tails start to wag :)

Using the words of Solomon, God urges us to be faithful to him, waiting at the doorways for his wisdom. When we find Him we find life.

"Blessed are those who listen to me,
    watching daily at my doors,
    waiting at my doorway.
For those who find me find life    and receive favour from the Lord." - Proverbs 8:34-35

Are we watching at the doors? Are we listening for wisdom?
Take some time out today to read Proverbs 8 and listen to what God may be saying to you.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Your Heart must be a Tablet - Lent #8

Your heart must be a Tablet!
No, I am not suggesting that it be an Ipad or Samsung Tablet, but rather a place where important information can be stored. This is what Solomon was suggesting to the young man in Proverbs 7:

"My son, keep my words
and store up my commands within you.
² Keep my commands and you will live;
    guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.
³ Bind them on your fingers;
    write them on the tablet of your heart." - Proverbs 7:1-3

You see, he knew that the young man was about to be tempted in a big way and so he wanted him to "bury" the word of God deep in his heart. Solomon was urging this young man not to fall into temptation, but rather to hold onto the 'ways of God. He speaks about the teachings of God as the most precious thing of all - the apple of your eye.

In my experience, it is too late to write the words of Jesus on my heart, when I am in the middle of a battle with Temptation - the words need to be there already. The pull of any temptation can sway a virtous person from their stride, but if we seen to bind the word of God to our heart, we can fight off this temptation.

Don't try and fight your battles alone. God is on your side. Read his word and allow his teachings and grace to strengthen you daily.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Lent #7 - Unreliable?

Job's three friends were having a real go at him. To be fair, they were "trying" to encourage him and get him back on his feet, but they were doing a shocking job of it. All that Job needed from them was a little empathy and some solid advice, but in the end his friends proved unreliable and weak. Listen to what he says to them:

¹⁴ “One should be kind to a fainting friend, but you have accused me without the slightest fear of God. ^15-18 My brother, you have proved as unreliable as a brook; it floods when there is ice and snow, but in hot weather, disappears. The caravans turn aside to be refreshed, but there is nothing there to drink, and so they perish. ^19-21 When caravans from Tema and from Sheba stop for water there, their hopes are dashed. And so my hopes in you are dashed—you turn away from me in terror and refuse to help. - Job 6

Wow, imagine being as "unreliable as a brook"? One moment it is there and the next it is gone! This statement challenges us on our friendships and relationships. How stable are they at the moment? Are our hopes dashed because of being "let down" by others?

Remember that even though Job's friends assumed that God had turned his back on Job, God was still faithful.

Be a trustworthy friend and trust that God is forever faithful.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Lent #6 - Learning from the small things

Our world loves to look up to the famous and beautiful for inspiration. We long to be well known or noticed by those around us. But how many of us look at the small things in our lives for wisdom. Like for example the children in our communities, or the tiny birds or even the humble ant? Solomon had learnt that wisdom doesn't always come from the glamorous and wealthy.

⁶ Take a lesson from the ants, you lazy fellow. Learn from their ways and be wise! ⁷ For though they have no king to make them work, ⁸ yet they labour hard all summer, gathering food for the winter. ⁹ But you—all you do is sleep. When will you wake up? - Proverbs 6:6-9 (Living Bible)

Here is another verse to reflect on and to offer as a prayer:
"For he does wonderful miracles, marvels without number. He sends the rain upon the earth to water the fields, and gives prosperity to the poor and humble, and takes sufferers to safety." - Job 5:9-10

Socrates once said, "Wisdom begins in wonder." As you look around you today, may you be in AWE of all things, big and small.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Learning to Surf - Lent #6

Over the last two years the boys have really enjoyed their surfing. They have learnt remarkably quickly for kids who only get to the beach every now and then. One day when I was watching them stand up on their boards I thought to myself, "That looks ok - I am sure that I can do it!"

Well, needless to say, I wasn't that great at it the first couple of tries. I can honestly say that I managed to surf for 2 seconds and then I had a spectacular wipe out. In my defence, it is hard to teach an old dog new tricks!

I am convinced that kids learn things much easier than adults - this applies to all kinds of things - learning to swim, ride a bike, a new language, and of course surfing!So then the same applies to spiritual matters. The younger we can teach kids the ways of God and the scriptures the better. We should pass on the wisdom of God and the grace of Jesus to our kids while they are still willing to receive it.

For this reason, I love the following words of Solomon. He speaks so much sense:

Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction;
    pay attention and gain understanding.
² I give you sound learning,
    so do not forsake my teaching.
³ For I too was a son to my father,
    still tender, and cherished by my mother.
⁴ Then he taught me, and he said to me,
    “Take hold of my words with all your heart;
    keep my commands, and you will live.
⁵ Get wisdom, get understanding;
    do not forget my words or turn away from them.
⁶ Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you;
    love her, and she will watch over you.
⁷ The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom.
    Though it cost all you have, get understanding.
⁸ Cherish her, and she will exalt you;
    embrace her, and she will honor you.
⁹ She will give you a garland to grace your head
    and present you with a glorious crown.”

¹⁰ Listen, my son, accept what I say,
    and the years of your life will be many.
¹¹ I instruct you in the way of wisdom
    and lead you along straight paths.
¹² When you walk, your steps will not be hampered;
    when you run, you will not stumble.
¹³ Hold on to instruction, do not let it go;
    guard it well, for it is your life. - Proverbs 4:1-13

God bless you,

Living in Grace

D3LM3