Red means GO!

I don't want to exaggerate, but I think I witnessed around 8 people 'jumping' red traffic lights today. And this was at 8 different times in the day and at different intersections. Each time I just shook my head and wondered when this will ever stop. Look, I have been through a few yellow/red robots in my life and so I am wary of being judgemental, but these people were going through RED, RED traffic lights - after everyone else had stopped already. Sadly, I think it won't stop, but it just reminds me of how easy we get used to sin.

We start by speeding up when we see the lights change yellow.
We then start jumping the yellow all the time.
Yellow becomes just like green for us.
Then after a while, we speed up when we see the yellow change to red.
Then we start jumping reds more often.
Then we try and nip into the left/right lane while our light is red, before the cars reach us.
Then ....

Sadly, we may only change our behaviour when we get smacked by another car or we kill someone else. But by then, sin has taken its hold on us and we are comfortable living in our sin.

Romans 6:12 -  "Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires."

Makes me think!

Living in Grace
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Prayer of humility

"When we are wrong,
make us willing to change.
And when we are right,
makes us easy to live with." - Peter Marshall (1902-1949)

How easily are we willing to admit we are wrong?
And when we are right, do we take great delight in rubbing someones nose in it?

True humility is a rare trait to find, but it is worth pursuing in our own lives.

James 3:13 - "If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honourable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom."

Living in Grace
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Beyond reach?

Is there anything that lies beyond the reach of prayer?
Well, my gut response is NO - what do you think?

"Nothing lies beyond the reach of prayer except that which lies outside the will of God." - Anonymous

OK, so perhaps there are a few things that lie beyond the reach of our prayers. More specifically the things that God won't answer are the very things that are not part of God's plan for us.

"This is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us." - 1 John 5:14

Living in Grace
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No Matter What

"My purpose in writing is to encourage you and assure you that the grace of God is with you no matter what happens." - 1 Peter 5:12 (NLT)

As Peter was writing to the church struggling with persecution, trials and tribulations, he wanted the believers to know that God still cared for them. In fact, he wanted to encourage them with the glorious Hope that 'NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS' God would still be with them. I think this is such a valuable conviction for us to embrace today, especially when we can easily lose sight of the grace of God.

If you are struggling with something today, then hold onto this promise. If you are doing ok, but feel someone else needs to be encouraged them forward this verse to them.

Living in Grace
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Every Problem

“Every problem is an opportunity to prove God's power. Every day we encounter countless golden opportunities, brilliantly disguised as insurmountable problems.” - C. Swindol

Lord, may you help us to see every problem as an opportunity to see your hand at work in our lives.  

Romans 5:3 -  We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.

So what mountain is God going to help you climb today?

Living in Grace
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A new way

"Therefore, since God in his mercy has given us this NEW WAY, we never give up." - 2 Corinthians 4:1

Following God means that we often have to go against the flow. The decisions and agenda of the rest of the world may be very different from the way that Jesus has called us to live. This NEW WAY is tough and it may take an incredible amount of effort and sacrifice, but it is because we have been called to follow a different leader.

As we commit to this NEW WAY may we be blessed with courage and perseverance.

Living in Grace
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I have never moved a mountain

"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 wheres 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." - Author Unknown

I love this piece of writing. It reminds me that I may never move mountains on my own, but that Jesus can do immeasurably more than I can imagine or even hope for.

 Matthew 17:20 - “You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.”

Living in Grace
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