Chance or Grace

I have a favourite parking spot when I do the school run. And for the past two years, I always park at a particular side of the school gate. In fact, most of the other parents know exactly where to look for my car when they need me. This morning, for no reason, I drove past my favourite spot and went round to park at the back gate. My daughter asked me why and I reminded her that she once asked if she could use the back gate to school. Few minutes after we parked, a police car and then an ambulance raced passed us.
When we got into the school, another parent asked if I had witnessed the accident. “ No, What accident?” I inquired. There had been a major accident right where we park and the driver had been taken to the hospital.
I was shocked, all I could think about was what would have happened if I was there. Was this good luck, chance or just grace.  I dare say its grace. God works in ways we do not understand. Many times when He prompts us to do a thing, we may not know why but as his children we are sure that He watches over us even when we don’t realise it. It’s not chance, it’s by His grace.

So do not fear

So many people have lost their jobs, others are fearful for theirs. We hear news of hours reduced, pay freeze, benefits cut, pressure for early retirement and bankruptcy. All these can cause fear in us. Money worries cause arguments in homes, parents feel the pressure when they can't give their kids the life they would like to. People live in fear of losing their homes, many have no savings – these uncertainties makes the heart fearful

However, today’s message is - Do not fear, do not worry. When we fear and worry, Satan tries to use our hardships as proof that God doesn't care or is weak, absent, incompetent, has given up on us, and left us to struggle alone. This is, however, a lie and very far from the truth.God loves us. Most times Gods saving and loving plans are accomplished not only in pleasure but also through difficulties and hardships. He blesses us in all pleasures and hardships. He holds our hands in times of lack and plenty.

Paul knew both plenty and lack, and he had learned to see God at work in both situations. He had learned to be thankful for the easy days. But he also learned the value of drawing strength from God when he was empty.

 "That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Corinthians 12:10). 

When you are empty when the pressures come to weigh you down, watch God make a way out of no way. Watch the miracle of manna from heaven recreated before you. God will provide everything you need just-in-time.

What to be thankful for [3]

 God has blessed us, and we should be thankful for each blessing. Give thanks to God for the things you have. Most people are never satisfied with what they have - It doesn’t matter if they are rich or poor, healthy or sick. We must realise that everything we have has been given to us by God. David wrote “Wealth and honour come from you … We give you thanks and praise your glorious name … Everything comes from you” (1 Chron 29:12-14). Wealth doesn’t fill the emptiness in the heart. It is that Christ fills our life with meaning and purpose.
We should be grateful even if don’t have much, learn to be thankful for everything that God has given you. A heart of thankfulness makes all the difference. Most of us are constantly preoccupied with what we don’t have, forgetting to thank God for what we do have.  Thank God for the people in your life. It is very easy to take people for granted, to complain and become angry when they do not meet your every wish. When was the last time you gave thanks to God for those around you - children, spouses, relatives, friends and those who have helped you in some way?

Let others know that you appreciate them. My daughter often hugs me and says I love you, mummy, you are the best. I can’t begin to describe how happy I feel every time I hear those words. Learn to appreciate those around you, tell them how much they mean to you and praise God for them.
Thank God in the midst of trials and persecution. The bible encourages us to thank God even in suffering because the testing of our faith produces perseverance. Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. God knows the trials you may be facing right now, He loves you and is with you in that situation. Cultivate a spirit of thankfulness even in trials and heartaches.

Thank God especially for the gift of salvation in Jesus Christ. He died on the cross and rose again so that we can know Him personally and spend eternity with Him in heaven. God loves you and wants you to be part of His family forever. All you need to do is reach out in faith and accept Christ as our Saviour and Lord: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16, NIV).

Be thankful [2]

One morning, I called out to my daughter to come down for breakfast. She replied by saying that she was figuring out how to wear her badge and would come when she was done. Moments later, I heard her say “oh yes! thank you, Jesus, thank you, Jesus”. She was so happy, praising God that she was able to wear her badge.

 Her joy for what many people may consider trivial got me thinking. We often forget to thank God or praise Him for the little things. We often take it for granted that we wake up every day going about our daily life. We would remember to give thanks if we bought a house or car or got some huge amount of money because we consider that big. But, think about this little child who praised God endlessly for wearing a badge and learn a lesson in gratitude.

In the bible, 10 lepers come up to Jesus outside a village, begging Him to heal them. Jesus restored all of them to perfect health—but only one came back and thanked Him. All the rest left without a word of thanks, they thought only of themselves and showed no gratitude for their healing. Sadly, we are not very different today. Ungratefulness and thanklessness are so common. We take it for granted when others help us, children no longer thank their parents, courtesy is not common anymore and most of all, we fail to give God thanks for all His blessings.

Ingratitude is a sin just like any other sin. An ungrateful heart is one that is indifferent to Gods love and mercy. It is a heart that is cold towards God and does not give thanks. It is a heart that has forgotten how dependent we are on God for everything. The bible teaches us to be thankful. In fact, thankfulness is a natural outflow of a heart that is connected to God. The psalmist wrote, “Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving”.  A spirit of thanksgiving is the mark of a joyous Christian.

Thankfulness

Are you thankful no matter the situation? Perhaps you have recently lost your job, Or you may have lost your health or a loved one. Such situations can be really difficult. But in all things, we all have much to be thankful for. We are thankful because we know that we have a God who is greater than every situation.
Remember the story of Paul from the bible, He was unjustly put in prison and brutally treated. While in prison he knew that the next steps in the corridor, might be those of the guards taking him away for execution. We would not blame him if he complained, and felt sorry for himself in that prison. But instead of complaints, his lips were full of praise and thanksgiving. Paul knew the meaning of true thanksgiving, even in the midst of great adversity. It was in that situation that he wrote many of the books we read today in the bible. In Eph.5:19-20, he wrote, “Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”.

Always give thanks for everything no matter the situation. Giving thanks for Paul was not a once-a-year celebration. It wasn't an occasional thing which depended on how he felt. It was a daily commitment to be a joyful person in every situation and this changed his life.
We should give thanks to God for all His blessings. We should give thanks no matter what we face or how we feel. We must not allow a spirit of ingratitude to harden our heart and make our relationship with God and with others grow cold. Ungratefulness turns us into bitter, selfish, dissatisfied people, while a true spirit of thankfulness restores contentment, peace, hope and the joy of our salvation.

All things are possible

I know what it feels like to start a project and not finish it or to put a dream on hold because other things got in the way. I am sure we've all experienced frustrations at some point in our life, losing the zeal we started with. Today let’s remember that God desires to help us finish whatever we start. The Bible says, "With God all things are possible" (Matthew 19:26).When we feel a passion for doing something, most often God put that desire in us. Ignoring this passion often leaves us unfulfilled and we spend our life towing paths that do not satisfy. It is never late to press the reset button and start over. Even when we're tempted to think that it's too late, with God, it's never too late. And God will give us what we need, especially in times of adversity.

Remember that stepping out to do what God has planned for us doesn’t mean the absence of opposition or a jolly ride. We must be ready to stand our ground when opposition comes along. Paul said, "A wide door of opportunity for effectual service has opened to me…and there are many adversaries" (1 Corinthians 16:9). Adversaries are like giants, they come in different forms -little ones and big ones. They come like a mental attack, through a person close to you, or through financial strains.The devil sets us up to get us upset. He knows that when we are upset, we stop hearing from God and start hearing is our own frustration and thoughts, and become provoked at others.

However, to fulfil God's call on your life, you have to learn how to face adversity and overcome it. We must ignore the criticism and remember the past victories God has given you, especially in those trying times. Don’t look at how far you have to go but look at how far you have come.  Watch what you say and speak the Word over every situation. We must be totally dependent on God. We don't need to look at ourselves rather we need to look at God knowing that with Him, all things are possible.

Value your time

It is important to remember how short our time on earth in the context of eternity. Most people think that they are valuable and wise with more money. The truth is that wisdom comes from learning to value our time. Those who value their time value their lives and others around them, they are effective in wat they do, and they understand the important of making the most each moment.

Thomas Edison said, “Time is really the only capital that any human being has, and the only thing he can't afford to lose.”

The world now is such that people hurry around on a daily basis to gather wealth and riches while neglecting their families, their children and even health. It is worth remembering that we can't get back time that has gone. Jim Rohn said, “Time is more value than money, you can get more money, but you cannot get more time”

We must be wise in the way we manage our lives. Create lasting memories with your family that will outlive you. Be a present parent, make time to watch movies, go to church, take a walk together or even have dinner together.  Be wise in what you invest your life in today. In another 20years will look back and be happy with how you lived or will you wish you spent little more time with your loved ones?