We are reminded today that "in Jesus" we find our rest, peace and strength.
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus..." - Romans 8:1
Living in Grace
D3LM3
I came across this lovely piece of writing this past week. It made me think about who is in control of my life? Hope you enjoy it.
“At first I saw God as my observer, my judge, keeping track of the things I did wrong, so as to know whether I merited heaven or hell when I die. He was out there sort of like a president. I recognized his picture when I saw it, but I really didn’t know Him.
But later on, when I met Christ, It seemed as though life were rather like a bike ride, but it was a tandem bike, and I noticed that Christ was in the back helping me pedal.
I don’t know when it was that he
suggested that we change places, but life has not been the same since. When I
had control, I knew the way. It was rather boring, but predictable. . . It was
the shortest distance between two points.
But when Jesus took the lead, He knew delightful long cuts, up mountains, and
through rocky places at breakneck speeds, It was all I could do to hang on! Even
though it looked like madness, He said, "Pedal!"
I worried and was anxious and asked, "Where are you taking me?" He laughed and didn’t answer, and I started to learn to trust. I forgot my boring life and entered into the adventure. And when I’d say "I’m scared," He’d lean back and touch my hand.” - Anon
Who is driving in your life?
Living in Grace
D3LM3
"Christ of the pilgrim path,
and of every pilgrim heart,
thank you for revealing yourself
in situations we would prefer
to pass by." - Prayers from Iona (edited by Peter Millar)
This prayer reminded me of the man who was beaten up on the road to Jericho and then left to die. There were opportunities for both the priest and Levite to help the man and to open themselves up to someone they usually chose to ignore, but they never took the chance. Through his decision to stop and help, the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) shows us the way of mercy, and also reveals the heart of God to all of us.
Is it possible that Jesus could reveal something of himself in the situations we would rather avoid?
Living in Grace
D3LM3
"But
why is it better for the disciples to have the presence of the Paraclete than
the presence of Jesus himself as they do now? Because the Paraclete will not
only be with them as Jesus has been, but in them as well (John 17:23,
26)."
This is the key difference. When Jesus was physically present with his disciples he was limited to time and space - he could only be in one place at a time. However, when the Holy Spirit came this changed the playing field. Now everyone had access to the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit.
So, if there is an answer to the question: "Is there anything better than Jesus?" The answer would have to be: Yes, it is the Spirit living within us.
What do you think?
Living in Grace
D3LM3
This is a very challenging question and will include a variety of different answers. Some of us will include thoughts such as 'devotion', 'surrender', 'moral purity', 'worship' etc. In Paul's letter to the Romans he says:
"No, a real Jew is anyone whose heart is right with God. For God is not looking for those who cut their bodies in actual body circumcision, but he is looking for those with changed hearts and minds. Whoever has that kind of change in his life will get his praise from God, even if not from you." - Romans 2:29
I realise that there many different teachings on the Holy Spirit in the larger church, but I still remain convinced that the gift of the Spirit is for us to do the work that Jesus left for us to do. Of course, we enjoy the greater benefits of the Spirit in other areas of our lives (that is just the gracious nature of God spilling over), but the Spirit's main agenda is surely to equip the church for sharing the Gospel, living Christ-like lives and changing the hearts of people.
Perhaps these words will help us reflect on this in a deeper way:
"Without the Spirit of God, we can do nothing. We are as ships without wind. We are useless." - Charles Surgeon
"Trying to do the Lord's work in your own strength is the most confusing, exhausting, and tedious of all work. But when you are filled with the Holy Spirit, then the ministry of Jesus just flows out of you." - Corrie Ten Boom
"The Holy Spirit's main ministry is not to give thrills but to create in us Christlike character." - J.I. Packer
John 15:26-27 (The Message) - “When the Friend I plan to send you from the Father comes—the Spirit of Truth issuing from the Father—he will confirm everything about me. You, too, from your side must give your confirming evidence, since you are in this with me from the start.”
Living in Grace
D3LM3
Many of us are feeling the weight of life and issues at the moment. For this reason, I found this reading to be very moving and meaningful for me today. Let us remember that God offers to be a shield around us, guarding our hearts and souls.
The other great promise is that Jesus is the one who lifts our heads high when they are drooping and the strain of life seems overbearing.
Eugene Peterson writes:
But you, God, shield me on all sides;
You ground my feet, you lift my head high;
With all my might I shout up to God,
His answers thunder from the holy mountain.
May God grant you his strength and peace
Living in Grace
D3LM3
