Haven’t I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don’t be timid; don’t get discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step you take.
As I mentioned in yesterday’s blog post (Granted), I reminded you that being a Christian does mean you are immune from facing difficulties in your life. However, we are assured that we never have to face any problem on our own, because just as it tells us in Joshua, God will be with us through everything.
It may seem at time that God isn’t with you, but remember, God does everything in His time, not in the timescales we necessarily want. Just trust God, because His is always with you.
I’ve heard the word grace used a number of times when describing several individuals recently. You may think that’s a strange word to use, but if you knew the people concerned I’m sure you’d agree that they are great examples of God’s grace.
Maybe you don’t know what I mean by that, well let me explain.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” ~ Ephesians 2:8-10
These verses from the bible describe God’s grace better than I could ever define it. Those who possess God’s grace have the following qualities
humble
always available and willing to help those in need
forgives without question
shares their love of God with others
supports and encourages others
expects nothing in return from anyone
show real love to everyone unconditionally
I’m sure there are plenty of other words/phrases you can think of to describe someone you know who are filled with God’s grace.
I pray that I may try to gain some of these characteristics, and in doing so can be become a great example of God’s grace working in someone’s life.
Words I’m sure we’ve all heard and sung many times, but do you still believe them!
God is amazing, not only did he make each one of us, he continues to care for each of us. No matter how many times we disappoint God, or even turn our back on Him, he still loves us. That is the reason why when we put our faith back in God we are no longer blind, because we see how much he loves us, and believe in Him once again.
Let’s make sure we continue to believe those wonderful words by John Newton, because God’s love is amazing!
Here’s one of my favourite songs which features those words by John Newton.
We often talk about love being the colour red. e.g. Love is like a red, red rose etc; we give red roses to show our love for others.
On the very first Easter when Christ was crucified, love has never been so red when His blood flowed freely for us.
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. ~ 1 John 1:7 (NIV)
What is Christmas really all about? It’s about amazing love, and a child, a Saviour, who came to save humanity.
The message of Christmas is told in the fabulous song Noel, by Chris Tomlin featuring Lauren Daigle.
Love incarnate, love divine Star and angels gave the sign Bow to babe on bended knee The Savior of humanity Unto us a Child is born He shall reign forevermore
Noel, Noel Come and see what God has done Noel, Noel The story of amazing love! The light of the world, given for us Noel
Son of God and Son of man There before the world began Born to suffer, born to save Born to raise us from the grave Christ the everlasting Lord He shall reign forevermore
Noel, Noel Come and see what God has done Noel, Noel The story of amazing love! The light of the world, given for us Noel
If Christmas for you has always been about presents, family and food, and not about Jesus, please make time this year to come and find out all about the Light of the world, Jesus…the One who was born on that first Christmas morn.
Man seems to have been fascinated by the future for a long time, we just need to look back at the numerous movies that have been made over the years, all set in a world imagined to be ‘the future’.
1984
2001: A space odyssey
Alien
Avatar
Bill and Ted’s excellent adventure
I, Robot
Intersellar
Lost in space
Planet of the apes
Etc…
Some of those films were set in a time that is actually now in the past. E.g. 1984. I think it’s fair to say the film version of the future has never really turned out to be particularly accurate, has it!
I know a few people who visit psychics to find out a little of what their future holds for them. I don’t know about you, but I know I wouldn’t want to know what lies ahead for me.
At a member of the Salvation Army, a Salvationist, I made promises to God to serve him not just today and tomorrow, but in our future days. I always seem to end up with the words of a particular song going through my mind when I think about the promises I’ve made to God.
O Jesus, I have promised To serve Thee to the end; Be Thou forever near me, My Master and my Friend; I shall not fear the battle If Thou art by my side, Nor wander from the pathway If Thou wilt be my Guide.
This song doesn’t just remind me my promises, but as it was a special song to some of my family, it remind me that they made those same promises to God, and they did keep them in their future, right ‘to the end’.
Our future is not just about us keep our promises to God, but Him also keeping his promises to us, as that’s where we get our reassurance that no matter what we face God is with us:
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Isaiah 41:10
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
As you’ve probably gathered I’ve been thinking a lot about the future, and have prayed that I will stay true to God no matter what the future holds for me. There will be times of great joy ahead, but also some challenging times too, but I know I can face them with confidence if I remember these words:
There is a name I call in times of trouble There is a song that comforts in the night There is a voice that calms the storm that rages He is Jesus, Jesus —JESUS—
I was always taught that boasting was something we shouldn’t do. i.e. we should not talk with excessive pride and self-satisfaction about someone’s achievements, possessions, or abilities – that could be about ourselves or someone else.
So really, we shouldn’t show off! I’m laughing as I type, as I’m sure we can all think of people in our lives who regularly and unashamed ‘show off’!
But is boasting about someone always the wrong thing to do? No, I don’t believe it is. Isn’t telling others about Christ and the wonderful things He can do for us boasting? And that is definitely not wrong is it?
Boasting about God and Christ, is definitely the right thing to do!
When we’re looking forward to something, for example a holiday, a wedding, the birth of your child, it can be difficult to contain you excitement. Our excitement can be compared to an overflowing cup, where our excitement is greater than the cup so is overflowing from the cup.
Just as we can get excited about things, so God is excited about His love for us. God has always told us He loves each one of us, so has more than enough love for each of us. He has so much love that it continually flows from Him to us because it cannot be contained.
If my heart is a cup Your love is an ocean You fill me up Like rivers overflowing
So hold our your cup and accept God’s love that is flowing freely to you.
Over the years there have been a number of high profile cases where though newer technology, they have been able to prove that someone who has been in prison for many years, is actually innocent of the crime they were imprisoned for.
I cannot comprehend what it must feel like for these people. People who have not committed the crime they were imprisoned for, but unjustly kept locked away from every day life, and away from their family and friends.
Now think about Jesus and the crime he was accused of, and the price he paid…
Jesus was innocent, but he died for you and me. We need to tell the world just what Christ sacrificed for each of us.
