Grace - 1


Do not be carried about with various strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace….. Hebrews 13:9

There is something within our human nature that wants to find ways to achieve success by following a formula. Books abound on subjects such as “Ten Steps to Financial Breakthrough”, “Seven Days to a More Youthful You”, “Four Rules for Successful Weight Loss” and so on and on and on! Christians too can get caught up in rules and regulations that seem good and right. They make us feel good because we have accomplished something, but they don’t impress God at all. In fact Proverbs 16:25 says that “there is a way that seems right to a man but it ends in death.”

Yes, God set many rules and regulations in place under the old covenant, but these were to show us that we needed a better way.
Rules and regulations bound mankind to an endless round of sacrificial works that were necessary to keep his relationship open with God until the time came for Him to provide a better way, the perfect and final sacrifice – Jesus Christ our Saviour.

Now we live under the new covenant of grace. And if you want a formula it is found in Ephesians 2:8-9”For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works lest anyone should boast.” Right there lies the reason why grace is what establishes us in relationship with God. Works cause us to boast in what we have done. God wants us only to boast in what Jesus has done. It is not by our good works, or just by the fact that we have not done evil, but it is by the mercy of God that we are saved. (Titus 3:5).


It is not only good, but it is vital, that our hearts be established by grace. When we stand before the throne of God we will never be able to say “This is what I did for you God” or “I have lived a good life and I never did anyone any harm.” He only wants to hear us say “Thank you for what You have done for me through Jesus Christ.” Yes it goes against everything in us to stand empty handed but that is the only way that will work for God, and He is the One who has the final say!

Yes, we must lead a life that is honouring to Him, yes we must do good works because faith without works is dead faith (James 2:26), but ultimately it is not our works, but our faith in God’s gift of grace that is our entry to eternal life.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, deliver me from the desire to earn my way into your favour by keeping rules and regulations and doing good works. Keep reminding me that your grace is all that I need. Thank you for your gift of grace. Amen.

Peace - 1


I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart, and the peace I give you isn’t the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid.
John 14:27 NLT

We live in a world that searches in vain for lasting peace yet nations war against nations, neighbours war against neighbours, families fight and refuse to forgive. Strife abounds and peace seems to be something one just wishes for but never hopes to find.

Jesus promised us a gift of peace. A gift is something that is not very much use unless it is received. It can be given with the best intentions but unless the recipient takes it, is not really a gift. Thinking about this my mind goes immediately to one of my favourite verses which says, “Let the peace that comes from (or is given by) Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace.” (Colossians 3:15). How wonderful! The thing that we have to do in order to receive this gift of peace is to let it rule in our heart, the very seat of our emotions.

Peace is the opposite to turmoil and for us to know whether we have received this peace we have to be tested. Remember the time that Jesus and the disciples set out to cross the lake? He was fast asleep in the back of the boat when a sudden storm arose. The disciples were obviously very afraid. The Bible says that they shouted for his help. I can’t help thinking that it is very possible that Jesus too could have felt fear because we read in Hebrews 2:18 that he was tempted in all points as we are. But Jesus chose to let peace rule in his heart as he spoke to the storm to be still. Then he asked them, “Where is your faith?” Yes it takes faith to stay in peace when the storm is raging all around us, but we can choose to do that because Jesus has given us his gift of peace.

Is there a storm that is robbing you of your peace today? Will you put your faith to work and let the peace of Christ rule in your heart. Speak to your storm “peace, be still”? Then work at staying there.
You can do it!

Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for your gift of peace. I receive it today and I choose to allow your peace to rule and reign in my heart over every circumstance that would seek to rob me of my peace. Help me to speak words of faith and life that will still this storm, knowing that you are in control of my life. Amen.

Understanding


When I thought how to understand this, it was too painful for me – until I went into the sanctuary of God; Psalm 73:16-17

There are many things in this world that we do not understand. Lives are taken by senseless acts of violence and in freak motor accidents, sickness and disease rob people of their vitality, many times bringing them to an early grave. The wicked seem to prosper, getting richer and fatter while the cries of the poor go unheard. Injustice abounds. The unknown people get heavy sentences for small crimes while high profile people who’ve swindled the less fortunate out of their life savings often seem to get off too lightly. How can we accept, least of all understand, such things?

The psalmist speaks honestly of his lack of understanding of a seemingly unfair world where the wicked prosper, where the proud mock God and yet seem to increase in riches. In verses 13 and 14 of Psalm 73 he complains that it seems to him that though he walks in purity, his reward is only difficulties. “How come?” he asks, but he had no answers until he went into the presence of the Lord. It was there that he saw clearly what he could not see before. He saw that life is not really about these few short years we spend on earth. Rather it is about eternity and where we spend it. This will only be determined when our earthly life ends.

Yes a day of reckoning will come because we are eternal – our body will die, but it is only our ‘earth suit’, something to clothe and house our spirit which will live forever. Our time here on earth is merely our preparation for eternity. Choices we make here will determine where we spend eternity – either with God in eternal light and joy or without Him in eternal anguish and mourning.

Proverbs 9:10 says “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” We cannot understand the true meaning of life without the knowledge of God and His ways. There are some things that happen here on earth that we will never understand this side of eternity, but we can find peace in the knowledge that “In His presence [will be] fullness of joy.” Psalm 16:11. Either our questions will be answered there or our joy will be so complete that it will not be important for us to have the answers.
Let’s desire to be found in his sanctuary – the place where knowing Him brings peace.

Prayer: Dear Father, help me to seek your face and dwell in your presence for there I will find peace from all my striving. Amen

Faith - 1


My righteous one shall live by faith. Hebrews 10.:38

This morning I was asking God’s forgiveness for my many areas of weakness. God seems to be letting me see them more and more these days! It keeps me humble and dependant upon Him, and although it is not a comfortable place to be, it is a safe place. Safe because it is the place of faith, and of trusting not in my own goodness, but in God’s strength and in the righteousness that I have received by faith in what Jesus Christ did for me and for you through His death on the cross.

As a “righteous one” I have a new way of living. It is the way of faith; faith in a living and powerful God who is able to change things as I pray and believe. I learn more about faith as I read on through Hebrews, in fact I discover that through faith my weakness can be overcome (Hebrews 11:34). It says of some of the heroes of faith, “out of weakness they were made strong” - by faith.

My thoughts wandered to Moses who said to God, “Who am I to lead this people?” God replied, “I will be with you.” By faith Moses went out and led God’s people to freedom. Gideon was hiding in the winepress threshing wheat for fear of the Midianites attacking yet again. An angel appeared to him and said, “The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valour.” I’m sure Gideon wondered who on earth the angel was speaking to, for he was no mighty man of valour. Yet God saw his potential and as Gideon walked in faith and obedience he became that mighty man of valour, leading God’s people to victory (Judges 6, 7, 8). His weakness overtaken by God’s strength.

Then there was Peter, the outspoken, self-assured disciple who thought he was strong until faced with his great night of weakness when he denied Jesus three times. His faith in Jesus’ forgiveness led him into a life of great strength through the power of the Holy Spirit. He became a great and respected leader in the early church.

Faith is to be the way of life for the Christian. We will not be strong enough to do the things that God calls us to do. He wants us to accomplish those things by faith in Him, just as the heroes of faith did. “Who through faith….
Subdued kingdoms,
Worked righteousness,
Obtained promises.
Stopped the mouth of lions
Quenched the violence of fire
Escaped the edge of the sword
Out of weakness were made strong
Became valiant in battle……Hebrews 11:33,34

What do you need to receive by faith today? Are there promises to be obtained, battles to be won, enemies to be subdued or weaknesses to be exchanged for strength? Step up with renewed faith remembering that the ‘heroes of faith’ began as ordinary people like us.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to use my faith to live a life that will please and honour you. Teach me your ways. Amen