Grace

Have you noticed how often the Apostle Paul refers to grace in his letters to the churches and his spiritual children?  It is very often; did you wonder why? I had noticed but I hadn't given it much thought until now.

I thought about Paul's previous life as a zealous Pharisee, out to cut off the spread of the gospel of Jesus Christ at all costs.  How he mercilessly went out to round up the believers and throw them in jail knowing that they would get what he thought they deserved. Then suddenly he has an encounter with the gentle, uncondemning gracious presence of the living Christ and all is changed.

Paul encountered grace in it's strongest form and he was changed.  When we encounter God's grace it changes us too.  We realise how needy we are of forgiveness and grace and we become new.

In 2 Timothy 2:1 Paul encourages the young minister to 'Be strong in the grace that is in Jesus Christ."  This grace is goodwill, lovingkindness and favour that we receive from God and Paul realises that unless we hold strongly to that grace, we are unable to offer the same grace to others.

Paul then goes on to warn Timothy that troubles will come, as they do to all of us.  Standing strong in the knowledge of God's grace and lovingkindness towards us will help to to be strong in the midst of hardship.  It will enable us to commit ourselves and our circumstances to God who we know loves us and wants only our best.  What great comfort that brings us.

How do we stay strong in this grace?  By believing which of course is faith.  When we trust someone implicitly we are able to trust them in the midst of things we don't understand.  We might fuss and cry and stomp our feet in frustration, but remembering God's grace toward us will help us to centre our trust upon him and his faithfulness once again.  

Receive the grace of God afresh each day for whatever may come.  It will allow the fruit of the Holy Spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control to manifest in your life.  In 2 Peter 1:8 we are given encouragement to allow these things to grow and mature in our lives so that we will not be barren or unfruitful in our Lord Jesus Christ.

If the grace of God is active in our lives we cannot but help to have the peace of God spilling over in blessing to others.  I certainly want that in my life.  I hope you do too.

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, thank you so much for the grace that you have poured out upon my life through your salvation and the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Please help me to grow strong in this grace and allow it to glorify you in my life.  Amen

Storms

NOAA

This is a picture of Hurricane Dorian before it ramped up into. Category 5 storm. People in its uncertain path are getting plenty of warning to take cover or flee.  I’m happy that my friends in Florida decided to take cover with their daughter, still in the “firing line” but at least their family will know what’s happening with their elderly parents. Today I received word that they have returned home safe and their property is intact for which they are very grateful.

The storm however continues to threaten the east coast of the USA having left utter devastation in its path through the Bahamas.  It is heartbreaking to see the extent of the damage on our news and to know that life will take a long time to return to normal for thousands of people.  For some who have lost loved ones it will never be the same.

The people in the path of this storm were warned well ahead of time that it was coming so were able to prepare as best they could.  It's not always like that in life when storms come suddenly and totally unexpectedly as it did yesterday for a group of Chinese tourists in our North Island when their bus overturned on a wet road and 5 died and many were injured.

There's an old hymn we used to sing that asked this question....

"Will your anchor hold in the storms of life
When the clouds unfold their wings of strife?
When the strong tides lift, and the cables strain,
Will your anchor drift or firm remain?"

For those with a firm faith in Jesus Christ we can sing the following verse with confidence.....

"We have an anchor that keeps the soul
Steadfast and sure while the billows roll,
Fastened to the Rock which cannot move,
Grounded firm and deep in the Saviour's love."

We live in very difficult times.....yes, I'm beating that drum again, but you need to know that we live in uncertain and perilous times ,and I believe that most of us don't know the half of what is going on in the behind the scenes.  One day soon we are going to need that anchor to keep us firm and strong.  Make sure you get a good firm hold now.

Prayer:  Lord God, thank you that you have promised peace in the storms of life as I trust in you.  Help me to have my faith firmly planted in Jesus, the Rock that will not move.  Amen