If you could ask God for one thing...

If you could ask God for anything, what would you ask for? Listen to the thoughts of a young soldier, who is credited with this beautiful reflection:

"I asked God for strength that I might achieve.
I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey.
I asked God for health that I might do greater things.
I was given infirmity that I might do better things.
I asked for riches that I might be happy.
I was given poverty that I might be wise.
I asked for power that I might have the praise of men.
I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things that I might enjoy life.
I was given life that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing that I asked for--but everything I had hoped for...
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am among all men most richly blessed." - An unknown Confederate soldier.

Question: If you answered my first question (above), would you consider changing your answer after having read this poem?

Living in Grace

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We Belong

 

I was reminded of an inspirational truth that is found hidden in the popular Toy Story movie. If you haven't seen the movies, then perhaps you need to watch the first one, at least. Anyway, the star of the series is the much-loved space ranger (toy), named Buzz Lightyear. 

At some point in the movie, Buzz finds that he is lost and doesn't know how to get home. He sits in despair and sorrow, until he looks down at his foot (see the picture above) and notices that the name "Andy" is written on the bottom of his foot. This is not just any name - it is the name of his friend and the little boy who actually owns Buzz. In this poignant moment, Buzz remembers that he belongs to someone special, and this makes all the difference.

If you are sitting in a period of despair at the moment, I invite you to remember that we belong to Jesus.

Romans 14:8 - If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.

Living in Grace

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The sharpest weapon

Question: What is the sharpest weapon around?

Answer: Knife? Needle? Sword? Tongue? 

According to Anne Frank, none of the above. She suggests this: 

"In the long run, the sharpest weapon of all is a kind and gentle spirit." - Anne Frank

I have never thought of a 'kind and gentle spirit' as a weapon, and it took a lot of brain power for me to reflect on her point, but I think I get it now.

What do you feel?

2 Corinthians 10:4 - The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.

Living in Grace

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Expect great things!

"God is ready to assume full responsibility for the life wholly yielded to Him.” - Andrew Murray

This quote is one that I found while preparing for our Covenant service last week. I enjoy the depth of insight that Andrew Murray offers us through his writings. He was certainly someone who was able to express his faith in a clear way. Take another example of his thoughts - this time on prayer:

“Each time, before you intercede, be quiet first, and worship God in His glory. Think of what He can do, and how He delights to hear the prayers of His redeemed people. Think of your place and privilege in Christ and expect great things!” - Andrew Murray

What strikes you about these Andrew Murray quotes?

Joshua 24:23 - “Now then,” said Joshua, “throw away the foreign gods that are among you and yield your hearts to the Lord, the God of Israel.”

Living in Grace

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God's promises through a sign

God often follows up his words with a clear and definite sign. This is to make sure that we are 100% sure of his divine purpose and promises.

One of the best signs God ever gave was the one mentioned by the angels when Jesus was born. Let me take us back to the birth narratives of Jesus and let’s see what Luke wrote:

“This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger” (Luke 2:12).

May you hold onto the precious signs God has given to each one of us. May they give us all the strength we need to endure and to follow the ways of Jesus. 

Living in Grace

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Count it pure joy

How is it possible to give thanks for difficult circumstances and trials? 

There are a few passages in the Bible that remind us to do so, but this is something I am still working on. I don't enjoy trials - I don't seek out suffering. However, they still come to us, no matter how much we seek to avoid them. So, how do we embrace them?

Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn spent a long time in prison for his beliefs and when he was released, he was able to say: “Bless you prison, bless you for being in my life. For there, lying upon the rotting prison straw, I came to realize that the object of life is not prosperity as we are made to believe, but the maturity of the human soul.”

Is this what James meant, when he wrote?

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." - James 1:2-3

Living in Grace

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Spirit of the Living God

Sometimes we can feel at such a loss that we don't know where to turn. It is at times like this, that I am reminded of this song:

"Spirit of the living God,

Fall afresh on me.
Spirit of the living God,
Fall afresh on me.
Melt me,
Mold me,
Fill me,
Use me,
Spirit of the living God,
Fall afresh on me." - Daniel Iverson

John 20:22 - "And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit."

Living in Grace

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