A By-Product

Sandy Millar has this take on Peace and Joy. He says,

"Jesus didn't die to make us peaceful; he died to reconcile us to God. Once we are reconciled to God we are at peace. Jesus didn't die to make us feel good or happy. He died that we might be forgiven. Once we are forgiven we begin to feel good and at peace. They are by-products of the relationship."

May you and I enjoy these glorious by-products of what Christ has already done for us.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

You have already Qualified

If you enter into any of the big events in South Africa (like the Comrades, Two Oceans etc) you have to qualify in order to start the race. You can pay and enter before hand, but you only get to take part if you prove that you have qualified. Now, there is nothing wrong with this system at all - in fact, it is very important to make sure that people are fit enough to participate in these events.

However, when we impose this 'system' onto our spiritual lives, we may begin to think that we could never qualify for Eternal life. We would always fall short of the qualifying standards that are set before us. Thankfully Jesus has already made sure that our qualification is taken care of.


"....and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light." - Colossians 1:12

Let us live as people who know that we are already accepted by Jesus. Let us take off all that hinders us from running the good race. 

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Out of the Darkness

Out of the Darkness
Out of the dark forbidding soil
The pure white lilies grow.
Out of the black and murky clouds,
Descends the stainless snow.
Out of the crawling earth-bound worm
A butterfly is born.
Out of the sombre shrouded night,
Behold! A golden morn!
Out of the pain and stress of life,
The peace of God pours down.
Out of the nails -- the spear -- the cross,
Redemption -- and a crown! - Author Unknown.

I love this poem - I just wish I knew who had written it, so I could thank them in person. It speaks to me of new life and hope. It reminds me that all good things come out of places of darkness. The lily, the butterfly, the sun, the Resurrection. All of these are born in moments where all seems dark and lost.

So, May God bless you and keep you - May God grant you the energy and strength to live for the dawn.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Perseverance

I think that this time of the year calls for one thing.... Perseverance. We feel that the end of the year is fast approaching, but the "to do" list seems to grow exponentially. It is my prayer that God will grant you and I the strength and PERSEVERANCE we need to finish the race before us.

2 Thessalonians 3:5 - May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.

 

James 5:11 - As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

 

James 1:4 - Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

 

Living in Grace

D3LM3

What impact?

"Let no one come to you without coming away better and happier" - Mother Teresa

What impact do you have on others?
When they speak to you or see you, do they want to know what makes you different?
Do they want to follow Jesus because of your heart and smile?

What a challenge to impact people in such a way that they leave the encounter 'better' and 'happier.' And so I am going to leave you with that challenge today - do this for even one person and see what happens.

Philemon 1:5 - "...because I’ve heard of your love and faithfulness, which you have both for the Lord Jesus and for all God’s people." (CEV)

Living in Grace
D3LM3

When is it half-time?

I had to laugh the other day. It was during the Confirmation service on Sunday evening and Josh (who is now 8) leaned over and asked me "when is it half time?" Now, I am not sure if that is exactly what he said, but it sounded like that to me. In truth, he may have been asking 'when is it home time', but I still chuckled to myself.

By the way, I didn't have the heart to tell him that when we get to heaven, we will be worshipping Jesus day and night :)

Revelation 7:15 - This is the reason they are before God’s throne. They worship him day and night in his temple, and the one seated on the throne will shelter them.

 

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Value

Reading through the Gospels I have been struck at how much Jesus Valued people. In almost every account of Jesus encountering someone, we see how he takes special care to value each person. He could have used his religious piety to shun them or to condemn them, but Jesus believed the best in them.

One of these stories is found in John 8, where there was a woman caught in adultery. Jesus restrained himself from passing the same judgement that the pharisees offered her. Instead he offers her grace, yet still corrects her life choices. Jesus knew just how to treat people - a fair mixture of love and correction.

“Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Women, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” …. “Then neither do I condemn you?” – John 8:11

Remember today that Jesus values all people, but especially YOU.

Living in Grace

D3LM3