Advent word #2

 Acts 2:28 - 'You have shown me the way of life, and you will fill me with the joy of your presence.’

"Go and walk through the land in every direction, for I am giving it to you.” - Genesis 13:17

The spirit of God offers us DIRECTION in our lives. When we are lost or seeking to know God's plan for the future, we must trust that Jesus wants to point us into the right path. It is not the will of God that we are left to wander aimlessly, but rather that we would walk the narrow path of faith.

Are you seeking DIRECTION today? Remember that God showed the Magi (Wisemen) the star - it was this star that directed them to manger where Jesus lay. God wanted his Son to be found and so we must remember that he wants us to find him today.

God may be directing you right now - look out for his sign or star.

"You cannot change your destination overnight, but you can change your direction overnight." - Jim Rohn

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Advent Word #1

As we journey through this season of Advent, I would like to offer us a 'daily word' to reflect on. The word for us today is the word 'Preparation.'

None of the greatest achievements of humanity would have happened if it weren't for adequate preparation. Take the following as simple examples:

- South Africa's world cup Rugby victories in 1995 and 2007. Both took loads of preparation.
- The D-Day invasions.
- Caesar crossing the Rubicon in 46 B.C.
- Luther's Reformation.
- The Incarnation of Jesus Christ.

 There are thousands more examples like these, but the key point is that nothing happens unless there is a great deal of PREPARATION.

I am of the opinion that we need to PREPARE ourselves for the gift of Christmas. This is such a monumental occasion in our faith journey and we should prepare ourselves for all that comes with the birth of Jesus.

John 19:42 - "And so, because it was the day of preparation for the Jewish Passover and since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there."

Colin Powell -  "There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure."

Living in Grace
D3LM3

The power of the Lord

"The Lord is king!
    Let the earth rejoice!
    Let the farthest coastlands be glad.
² Dark clouds surround him.
    Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
³ Fire spreads ahead of him
    and burns up all his foes.
⁴ His lightning flashes out across the world.
    The earth sees and trembles.
⁵ The mountains melt like wax before the Lord,
    before the Lord of all the earth.
⁶ The heavens proclaim his righteousness;    every nation sees his glory." - Psalm 97:1-6 (NLT)


A.W. Tozer - “We need never shout across the spaces to an absent God. He is nearer than our own soul, closer than our most secret thoughts”

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Tap the Gauge

Sometimes our fuel gauges can give us a little trouble and we may have to tap them in order to get an accurate reading. Of course, this doesn't always work, but it can help us avoid being stranded without any fuel.

If you take stock of your life at the moment, is there a chance that you may need to 'tap' the gauge of your soul. Perhaps you are already on empty, but your gauge is giving you a false reading. It is well worth take a brief moment to pause, check the state of your spiritual well-being and then move on from their. You may find that you are already on empty and you need to recharge your batteries.

Tap the gauge - it may just save your life!

Acts 13:16 - "Paul stood up, paused and took a deep breath...."

Genesis 18:4 (KJV) - "Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree..."

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Keep it simple

^"Jesus now called the Twelve and gave them authority and power to deal with all the demons and cure diseases. He commissioned them to preach the news of God’s kingdom and heal the sick. He said, “Don’t load yourselves up with equipment. Keep it simple; you are the equipment." - Luke 9:1-5

I love these words of Jesus - "Keep it Simple!" - Especially at this time of the year when everything seems to speed up and life is incredibly hectic. Jesus urges us not to load ourselves up with extra equipment (things) and to be content with what we have. 

Jesus then adds something interesting, he says that "we are the Equipment!" It reminds us that we are clay pots that contain the Spirit of God, so that we can be his instruments.

May the word of God speak to you today. May you be an instrument for the Lord.
Grace and peace.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Luke 9:1-5 (NLT) - One day Jesus called together his twelve disciples and gave them power and authority to cast out all demons and to heal all diseases. Then he sent them out to tell everyone about the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick.  “Take nothing for your journey,” he instructed them. “Don’t take a walking stick, a traveler’s bag, food, money, or even a change of clothes.

Which one would you take?

"Wisdom gives: a long, good life, riches, honour, pleasure, peace."- Proverbs 3:16-17

Having a look Solomon's list of the "results" of wisdom, which one would you take today?

I know that I would take PEACE straight away! It is such a hectic time of the year and one often feels frazzled, but I still believe that God's PEACE can prevail in the midst of the stress of this time of year.

May God grant you His peace and presence today.

Psalm 29:11-  He will give his people strength. He will bless them with peace.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Cause for a song?

"Take a good look at God’s wonders—
    they’ll take your breath away.
He converted sea to dry land;
    travellers crossed the river on foot.    Now isn’t that cause for a song?" - Psalm 66:5-6

What makes you want to sing?
I tend to agree with king David, that when I look around at the wonders of God's creation that my soul is so uplifted that I want to sing. I am not sure that world wants to hear my singing voice, but certainly I am ready to lift my voice to the Lord.

So, let me ask us again - what in God's creation takes your breath away?
The waves crashing onto the rocks at sunrise?
The sound of thunder in the midst of an afternoon storm?
The song of the birds before dawn?
The clouds above the escarpment of the Mountains?
...Fill in the blank _________________________

May you be filled with the wonder of God today and may it give you cause to sing!

Living in grace
D3LM3