Facing the Wall

Sometimes life seems as if it is looming large over us (just like the wall in the picture). This is when we need to step back and see how big our God is - even the 'wall' looming large over us, is tiny in comparison with the might of God.

2 Samuel 22:30 - "With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall."

Live in Grace!


(Photo courtesy of www.gettyimages.com )

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Living in Grace is written by Delme Linscott, a minister and author. Delme recently completed his first book ‘Living Oceans Apart.’ You can find out more on www.livingingrace.co.za

Achilles' Heel

In Greek poetry it is said that Achilles died when he was struck with a poisoned arrow in his heel - thus starting the saying which we refer to as having an 'Achilles heel.' This is the definition according to wikipedia:

"An Achilles’ heel is a fatal weakness in spite of overall strength, that can actually or potentially lead to downfall."

Well, this certainly happened to our Champion warrior Achilles and this has happened to many other powerful people ever since. Just when we think we are strong (and perhaps invincible) we run the risk of being destroyed by something small - like an arrowhead.

So, what is your potential Achilles heel?

The Scriptures give us this advice:
Isaiah 63:1 - Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah, with his garments stained crimson? Who is this, robed in splendor, striding forward in the greatness of his strength? "It is I, speaking in righteousness, mighty to save."

"We become God's people when God's grace conquerors our fear of others knowing our weaknesses and shortcomings." - Leverett Luck

Live in the strength and grace of God,

(Photo courtesy of www.solarnavigator.net)

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Living in Grace is written by Delme Linscott, a minister and author. Delme recently completed his first book ‘Living Oceans Apart.’ You can find out more on www.livingingrace.co.za

Umusa phezu komusa (Grace upon grace)

Ngibonga uNkulunkulu ngezwi lakhe. Amazwi ami namhlanje ekuseni avela ezwini lika Johane1:16, eqinisweni bengingalindele simanga kulelizwi – iphutha elingaka.

“Ngokuba ekugcwaleni kwakhe samukele sonke umusa phezu komusa.”
Icabangisise kahle lento, asenze isibonelo – Uhlezi lapha kwi-restaurant ukhetha isemishi elitoastiwe elinochwephe la-cheese, ungaphatheki kabi uma uweta ekudlula elethela mina elami isemishi elichonsisa amathe lafakwa iqanda, u-cheese, iburger namakhowe phakathi!

Yebo uNkulunkulu ufuna ukusibusisa kakhulu ngomusa ngalendlela yokuthi akaneliseki ukusinika isemishi elino-cheese kuphela . ANGEKE –sithola isinkwa esinesishebo esiningi (UMUSA) ngalendlela yokuthi awukwazi ngisho ukusiluma ubukhulu baso – lokho yikho kanye okwenza ufune ukudumisa uNkulunkulu ngenjabulo, angithi!

Noma yini obhekene nayo namhlanje, uhlale wazi ukuthi uNkulunkulu usibekele umusa ongangesemishi elinesishebo esiningi, elingadleki noma ungazama kangakanani.

Sengathi ungabusiseka “UMUSA PHEZU KOMUSA.”
Umusa phezu komusa

Crossing your Jordan

Just as the Israelites needed to cross over the Jordan to enter the promised land, so we sometimes have to overcome obstacles in our lives, in order to move with God.

Just before they reached the river, God encouraged them with these words -

Joshua 1:6 – “Be strong and Courageous…”

When God calls, we need to rely on the Spirit to give us the strength and courage to cross our 'Jordan.'

Jean Paul Richter – “Courage does not mean to blindly ignore danger, but to spot and conquer it.”

Moving from our comfort zones is never easy, but often it is necessary. What is your Jordan?

(Photo thanks to http://www.abu.nb.ca)

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Living in Grace is written by Delme Linscott, a minister and author. Delme recently completed his first book ‘Living Oceans Apart.’ You can find out more on www.livingingrace.co.za

Paper Planes

Some things are fun to make and awesome to play with, but in the end, they don't last a long time - like paper planes.

On the other hand, some things are harder to work at, take a lot of discipline and may not seem like 'fun' to others, but in the end they last for eternity - like Faith and our relationship with Jesus Christ.

In 2010, I want to opt for spending time on things that last beyond a few moments.
What about you?

1 Corinthians 3:13 - "...his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work."

(Photo thanks to www.aviationexplorer.com)

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Living in Grace is written by Delme Linscott, a minister and author. Delme recently completed his first book ‘Living Oceans Apart.’ You can find out more on www.livingingrace.co.za

1. Let me help you with that! (Ithi ngikusize ngalokhu!!)

Namhlanje ekuseni bengizicithela isikhathi nendodana yami encane u-Joshua onezinyanga eziyishumi nahlanu (15 mnths). Besizi hlalele nje ngathi ngisuka ngambona ecathula eya ngasekhoneni la ebekuhleli khona isikhwama sami se lap-top. Enqondweni yakhe encanyana ufuna ukusisusa lasihlezi khona ayosibeka kwenye indawo, kodwa ukuzama kwakhe akusizi ngoba siyasinda. Angeke asisuse.

Ekugcineni ngasukuma ngaya kuyena ngamsiza wasiphakhamisa. Ngalesosikhathi ngezwa uNkulunkulu ekhuluma kimi ethi, “Delme, ungumntwana omncane mina ngingubaba wakho osezulwini. Ithi ngikusize ngalokhu. Lokho kuyinto elula, kodwa ngidinga ukukhunjuzwa ngeqiniso.

Ngiyabonga Nkosi ngokunginakekela nokungikhathalela. Uyangithwala (nomthwalo wami) ngesikhathi ngingakwazi ukuwususa. Umusa wakho uyanganelisa .

“UNkulunkulu wasendulo uyisiphephelo, nangaphansi zikhona izingalo ezingunaphakade;” – UDuteronomi 33:27
Ngibhukuda emseni kaNkulunkulu.

The Point of No Return

When Julius Caesar crossed over the Rubicon on the 10th January 49 BC, he made a conscious decision to pass the 'point of no return.' His action systematically declared war on Rome and history was changed forever.

The same thing happened to the Israelites when they crossed over the Jordan river (Joshua 3) - life would never be the same again for them.

I am sure that both Caesar and Joshua had moments of doubt, fear and uncertainty, yet they still crossed over the rivers. As we gaze out into 2010, we will all come to places of decision. We will have to decide to go over or to remain on the shore of safety.

What will it take for us to venture into the river? A promise, a threat, a command. How about this...

"Be strong and courageous..." - Joshua 1:6

"I claim no right to myself - I have given myself clear away and retained nothing as my own." - Jonathan Edwards

I am crossing the river. Come and join me!

(Photo from www.engagingconflicts.com)

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Living in Grace is written by Delme Linscott, a minister and author. Delme recently completed his first book ‘Living Oceans Apart.’ You can find out more on www.livingingrace.co.za