Not sure how I feel about this - what do you think?!

Sometimes we read things in the Bible that make sense, on one level, but also sound a little scary or even unfair, on another level. Take this verse as an example: 

Deuteronomy 8:2 - Remember how the Lord your God led you through the wilderness for these forty years, humbling you and testing you to prove your character, and to find out whether or not you would obey his commands.

Or this one, which is referring to Hezekiah: 

"However, regarding the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, whom they sent to him to inquire about the wonder that was done in the land, God withdrew from him, in order to test him, that He might know all that was in his heart." (2 Chronicles 32:31)

I am okay about God using testing times to teach me things, but not sure how I feel about God testing me to see what's in my heart. Especially the part about withdrawing from me. Maybe it is just the language that is used, that makes me a little nervous, or perhaps I just need to trust more in the ways of God.

How do you feel? Any thoughts? 

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Preparing for future trials

As I have been reflecting recently on the reasons why we encounter trials and times of testing, I was struck by how Jesus' temptation in the wilderness prepared him for his future ministry.

Matthew 4:1- Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil (the Greek word tempted can also be translated as Tested.)

James points out that we can profit from our trials and struggle when he says: " My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." (James 1:2-4)

So, I guess I have been challenged to try and consider my trials from a different perspective. Is it possible that God allows us to endure times of testing, in order to prepare us for something else in the future? What could that be? 

How do you feel about that?

Living in Grace

D3LM3

You moved any mountains lately?

I came across this prayer recently. I am not 100% sure who the author is, but the words struck me as being authentic and honest. 

Lord, I've never moved a mountain and I guess I never will.
All the faith that I could muster wouldn't move a small ant hill.
Yet I'll tell you, Lord, I'm grateful for the joy of knowing Thee,
and for all the mountain moving down through life You've done for me.

When I needed some help, you lifted me from the depths of great despair.
And when burdens, pain and sorrow have been more than I can bear,
you have always been my courage to restore life's troubled sea,
and to move these little mountains that have looked so big to me.

Many times, when I've had problems and when bills I've had to pay,
and the worries and the heartaches just kept mounting every day, Lord,
I don't know how you did it. Can't explain the where’s or whys.
All I know, I've seen these mountains turn to blessings in disguise.

No, I've never moved a mountain, for my faith is far too small.
Yet, I thank you, Lord of Heaven, you have always heard my call.
And as long as there are mountains in my life, I'll have no fear,
for the mountain-moving Jesus is my strength and always near. - Source Unknown.

Matthew 17:20 - He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Why wait until tomorrow?

 

As November picks up pace and we suddenly start to realize that Christmas is next month, we can become a little flustered. Some of us are motivated to get done, as much as possible, while others of us may be tempted to procrastinate. 

This quote from Charles Spurgeon may give us all something to think about.

"Alas, tomorrow never comes! It is in no calendar except in the almanac of fools!" 

Jesus said, “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes." (Matthew 6:34 - The Message)

Proverbs 27:1 - Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.

The challenge for all of us is to not leave these things for tomorrow, because tomorrow may never come!

What do you think?

Living in Grace

D3LM3

The secret of success is ....

Benjamin Disraeli once remarked: "The secret of success is constancy of purpose." 

I believe he has a point in many aspects of life, and we saw part of this in the Springboks recent World Cup Rugby victory. When a team (or individual) pushes forward with one purpose in mind, there is greater chance of success. The more the purpose is thwarted or watered-down, the less likely that the result will be successful.

I would argue that this can also apply to faith, although I wary of the word 'success' when it comes to ministry and Christianity. Jesus certainly had a consistency and singlemindedness, that motivated him to change the lives of his disciples and all that met him. He poured his life into the lives of others and drew them into the heart of the Father.

What purpose is motivating you at the moment? Are you able to keep your eye on the main focus?

Joshua 1:7 - “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.

Living in Grace

D3LM3 

To be changed - fostering a spirit of reformation

The 31st of October is known as Reformation Day - we remember it as the occasion when Martin Luther nailed his 95 Thesis to the door of the All-Saints church in Wittenberg in 1517. A lot of things happened in the buildup to this significant event, and we would do well not to think that it only took a single day to bring about Reformation. 

We could argue that the Church is still being reformed and perhaps this is a good thing. As much as all churches seek to follow the ways of Jesus, we all end up missing the mark in some way. Our greatest danger may lie in thinking that we have 'made it' and that we are the finished article. If the Holy Spirit needs to sanctify the individual believer, then surely, He also needs to sanctify and reform the greater church.  

The question remains to be asked: Are we so keen to be changed and reformed? Reformation always looks so neat and simple in hindsight, but it never comes without a struggle and growing pains. 

"The church is always trying to get other people to reform, it might not be a bad idea to reform itself a little, by way of example." - Mark Twain

"Nevertheless, the central affirmation of the Reformation stands: through no merit of ours, but by his mercy, WE HAVE BEEN RESTORED to a right relationship with God through the life, death, and resurrection of his beloved Son. This is the Good News, the gospel of Grace. " - Brennan Manning

Living in Grace

D3LM3

A humbling reminder

As we read deeper into Psalm 90, we note how Moses comes to the clear understanding of his own mortality. And as he does this, he naturally compares this with God's immortality. In an age, where millions of people are obsessed with making a name for themselves, we all need to humbly remember that God is the only one who has the power of life and death. 

"You turn people back to dust, saying, “Return to dust, you mortals.”
A thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by,
or like a watch in the night.
Yet you sweep people away in the sleep of death—
they are like the new grass of the morning:
In the morning it springs up new,
but by evening it is dry and withered." - Psalm 90

I read an interesting story that highlights this same point: 

"Philip II, father of Alexander the Great and king of Macedon, was always accompanied by two men who had a very interesting duty. One man was to say to him each morning, "Philip, remember that you are but a man," while the second asked the king each evening, "Philip, have you remembered that you are but a man?" - Today in the Word, March 30, 1993.

Living in Grace

D3LM3