Gathering Together

 

We gather together this week as Church Synod's, to worship, pray, deliberate, debate and fellowship in Jesus name. These times may not be everyones "cup of tea", but we understand the importance of gathering together as the Church leadership and representatives of all our various groups. Please can you PRAY for the Methodist Church of Southern Africa as we prayerfully elect a new Presiding Bishop this week, and also as we choose a new Bishop for the Cape District. Thank you.

"In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews^[a] among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. ² So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. ³ Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them." - Acts 6

Also read: Hebrews 10:23-31

Living in Grace
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A Great Mistake

"Go to God 
With the greatest possible confidence.
It is a Great mistake
To be afraid of 
One who is so loving
And longs for your love." - St. Alphonsus Liguori

There are many people who are so afraid of God that they could never approach the Throne of Grace with any confidence. St. Alphonsus suggests that this is a 'great mistake' and in my opinion, a very sad mistake. I don't believe that my Creator wants me to be so afraid and anxious to come into His presence. Of course, I need to be respectful and honour the Lord, but this is not the same as 'being afraid.'

What do you feel about this?

Romans 8:15 -  The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”

Living in Grace
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In Your Strength

 

Where do you draw your strength from? We all turn to something or someone to help us through each day. Some people turn to 'themselves', claiming that there is no one else to trust. I really understand this mindset, because in this way, we don't have to rely on anyone else. 

Some of us turn to other people and many times, they do offer us support and encouragement. However, we also experience the pain of being let down or disappointed by the frailty of people.

The writer of Psalm 21, mentions the phrase "in your strength, Lord" in his opening verse and as he closes the Psalm. He has made his decision - and it is rely on the STRENGTH of the LORD.

"The king rejoices in your strength, Lord.
    How great is his joy in the victories you give!" - Psalm 21:1

"Be exalted in your strength, Lord;
    we will sing and praise your might." - Psalm 21: 13

Living in Grace
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I don't want your vote!

Can you imagine a politician using these words in their campaigning speech?: 

"I don't want to get your vote, but rather to pass on something to you that will save your life!" 

It seems far fetched, but when we read these words from Jesus we see that he was not campaigning for public support, but rather passing on the Good News to all. I am thankful to Eugene Peterson for his take on this passage:

 

“But my purpose is not to get your vote, and not to appeal to mere human testimony. I’m speaking to you this way so that you will be saved. John was a torch, blazing and bright, and you were glad enough to dance for an hour or so in his bright light. But the witness that really confirms me far exceeds John’s witness. It’s the work the Father gave me to complete. These very tasks, as I go about completing them, confirm that the Father, in fact, sent me. The Father who sent me, confirmed me. And you missed it." - John 5:34-38

 

While we are on the topic of voting, I also found this verse from the Psalms. It gives us a different perspective on government and political office.

 

Psalm 145:13 - Your kingdom is a kingdom eternal; you never get voted out of office. God always does what he says, and is gracious in everything he does. (Message)

Living in Grace

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Learning to say No

Not sure if you have ever come across this quote from Charles Spurgeon, but it makes a lot of sense to me:

"Learn to say No. It will be more use to you than to be able to read Latin."

Isn't it incredible how hard we find it to say the word 'No!?' Those of us who are "people pleasers" keep piling on more and more things onto our work-load, but are slowly sinking under the burden. Even Jesus needed to say NO at times. He had to draw aside from the constant demands and find time to connect with his heavenly father.

Mark 1

³⁵ Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. ³⁶ Simon and his companions went to look for him, ³⁷ and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!”

What are you saying 'Yes' to at the moment, that you perhaps need to be saying No to?!

Living in Grace
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To have Courage

"To have courage for whatever comes in life - everything lies in that." - Teresa of Avila

We never know what lies around the corner, but we can have courage to face tomorrow. For me, 'courage' lies in trusting in Jesus and knowing that He will be with me, step by step. May you also find Courage in the presence of God.

1 Chronicles 28:20 - David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the Lord is finished.

 

Living in Grace
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Remember how it felt?

When we were a lot younger, Kim and I enjoyed a season of travelling overseas. Our adventures took us to many foreign countries and on the odd occasion we found ourselves LOST in a strange land. These were in the days before cell-phones and Google-maps, so if we couldn't rely on a printed map, we had to ask a "human-being" for directions. It was always such a relief to find our way again and end up at our destination.

Can you remember a time when you have been lost? It doesn't feel good does it?
I feel that as Christ-followers we tend to forget what it feels like being lost. We may have been in the church for so long that we literally can't remember how it feels anymore.

As we commit to follow Jesus let us also be on the look out for those who may have found themselves lost along the way.

Luke 19:10 - The Son of God came to seek and save the Lost.

Jesus seeks out the lost.
Jesus helps us find our way home.

Living in Grace

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