Have we become obsessed with the wrong things?

"Encourage one another and build each other up." - 1 Thessalonians 5:11

At some point in time, most church leaders (including myself) have mistakenly believed that the more people coming into our church buildings must be a sign of "success." Of course, there is a genuine story as to what this may imply for your community, however it is not the entire truth. 

A lot of times, our bigger gatherings lack the opportunities for authentic connection and discipleship.  How do we encourage each other and build each other up, if we hardly engage with anyone else during the worship services? Even if I am part of a small group, is there opportunity to love each other, to really walk with another Christ-follower, and to get to the heart of our unique struggles in faith? Sometimes, but not always!

Jesus modelled for us that true discipleship starts with 2 or 3. If our meeting together is to encounter Christ and to worship him, then we should always remember that God is present even in the smallest groups.

"For wherever two or three are assembled in my name, I am there with them.” - Matthew 18: 20

What do you feel about this? Any thoughts?

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Christ shapes us through the lives of others

C.S. Lewis – “Christ works on us in all sorts of ways…but above all, He works on us through each other.”

These words from C.S. Lewis reminds us of the great importance of being together in fellowship with others that belong to the body of Christ. We may not always get along or agree on everything, but we are created to be in community.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 – Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labour:
¹⁰ If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." - Hebrews 10:24-25

Living in grace

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Lifting me out of the mess

When I hear testimonies of how God has been real in the lives of ordinary people I am greatly encouraged. Sometimes these miracles may seem small to us, but they speak of God's activity in our real-life-issues. They remind me that God does notice us and that God does care for us.

The Psalms are another place that speak of these miracles. The recount stories of how God has shown up for his people. May we never forget this.

¹ I waited patiently for the Lord to help me,
    and he turned to me and heard my cry.
² He lifted me out of the pit of despair,
    out of the mud and the mire.
He set my feet on solid ground
    and steadied me as I walked along.
³ He has given me a new song to sing,
    a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see what he has done and be amazed.
    They will put their trust in the Lord. (Psalm 40)

Prayer: "Dear God, help us to remember how you have guided your people in the past and to trust that you can still lift us out of the mud and mire. Amen."

Living in Grace

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Engraved on my hands

 

¹⁵ “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast
    and have no compassion on the child she has borne?
Though she may forget,
    I will not forget you!
¹⁶ See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands

These prophetic words of Isaiah are fulfilled in the nail-scarred hands of Jesus Christ and serve as a wonderful reminder that God always remembers us. In modern times many people choose to get parts of their bodies tattooed with the names of their children. In this act, they are choosing to hold their kids always before them.

This is perhaps a similar picture of what Isaiah is pointing to. How do you feel about this? 

“Remember this: God never forgets. His love is a constant reminder that, no matter our struggles, He is with us.” – Max Lucado

Living in Grace

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What are you surrendering to?

“Everyone eventually surrenders to something or someone. If not to God, you will surrender to the opinions or expectations of others, to money, to resentment, to fear, or to your own pride, lusts, or ego. You were designed to worship God—and if you fail to worship him, you will create other things to give your life to. You are free to choose what you surrender to, but you are not free from the consequences of that choice.” Rick Warren

I find these words to be deeply challenging, and I invite you to spend some time meditating on what Rick Warren is saying. We may not like to use the word surrender but try using this phrase instead - "give in to."

What am I giving in to at the moment? Am I finding that my time and energy is being spent on doubts and fears, worry, anger, ego, social media or someone else? 

Once we answer this question, we may have a clearer idea of what we are surrendering to.

James 4:17 - Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Puzzling Reflections

It is interesting how we come to hear 'popular' Scripture passages at certain events and celebrations. Take for example, 1 Corinthians 13. A number of couples I have guided through their wedding ceremonies have asked for this passage to be read. While it is certainly an appropriate scripture, we don't usually get the time to cover all 13 verses in adequate depth, and so perhaps we miss out on other relevant messages. 

Take for example, verse 12: 

"Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely."

Today, I was asked to preach on 1 Corinthians 13 at a Memorial service, and this verse immediately took on a different meaning for me.  In this life, we are given an imperfect glimpse into the eternal life. We have an idea of what heaven could be like and it is as if we are looking at a puzzling reflection in a mirror. We can only see a part of what is to come and that is enough to allow us to live in faith.

However, when we get to meet Christ, face-to-face, everything will become crystal clear. We will see and know everything completely and we will be KNOWN by Jesus completely. There will be no more guessing or ambiguity. 

Does that make any sense to you? How does it make you feel?

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Take my hand

 

“I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness;
    I will take hold of your hand.
I will keep you and will make you
    to be a covenant for the people
    and a light for the Gentiles,
7 to open eyes that are blind,
    to free captives from prison
    and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness." - Isaiah 42:6-7

These 2 verses give us another powerful image of God's willingness to care for us. To imagine that God takes your hand and guides you into his purpose for your life, is humbling and encouraging.

Thought: When someone initiates holding our hand, we can choose to withdraw our hand from this embrace, or we can grasp the hand in response. How do we respond to God taking hold of us?

Living in Grace

D3LM3