Category: Grace

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What’s Humility Look Like

Have you been hurt or judged wrongfully? Have your good intentions been misunderstood?

I want to encourage you this morning.  Jesus was often misunderstood and ridiculed.

“think the same way that Christ Jesus thought: 6 Christ was truly God. But he did not try to remain equal with God. Instead he gave up everything and became a slave, when he became like one of us. 8 Christ was humble. He obeyed God and even died on a cross. 9 Then God gave Christ the highest place and honored his name above all others.” Philippians 2:5-9 CEV

What does Humility look like? It looks like Jesus. He gave up all the glory of heaven and His place at the right hand of God the Father to come to earth. There was no room for pride in His life.

Jesus played with children, gave comfort to the grieving, befriended rough and burly fisherman, spent His time with lepers, lame, blind and societies outcasts. He never compromised His deity but He never lorded His position over those He was teaching.

The Apostle Paul gave this instruction to Christians in the early church.

“God has chosen you and made you his holy people. He loves you. So your new life should be like this: Show mercy to others. Be kind, humble, gentle, and patient. 13 Don’t be angry with each other, but forgive each other. If you feel someone has wronged you, forgive them. Forgive others because the Lord forgave you.” Colossians 3:12-13 ERV

A humble person doesn’t need to be in the limelight. They help make others look good and feel elevated. A humble person is one who encourages others, someone who isn’t afraid to get in and help out where needed. They don’t need the praise of others, they do the right thing because it’s right.

“All of you young people should obey your elders. In fact, everyone should be humble toward everyone else. The Scriptures say, “God opposes proud people, but he helps everyone who is humble.” 6 Be humble in the presence of God’s mighty power, and he will honor you when the time comes. 7 God cares for you, so turn all your worries over to him.” I Peter 5:5-7

A meek or humble person will be misunderstood and even be treated wrongly. Look at Jesus, he was despised and hated by the religious rulers of his day because He didn’t measure up to their ideals. He ate with sinners, showed compassion to harlots, healed on the Sabbath. In the face of their objections, He continued on.

Isn’t it better to be humble and know we are pleasing God than to measure up to all of societies ideals and expectations? Yes, it is. When our lifestyle reflects humility we may offend some, we may be passed over because we don’t have the “leadership” skills necessary. If that’s the case, so be it.

“ Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” James 4:10 NIV

I love that verse! The Lord will lift us up. Our loving Father will pick us up in His arms and give us a big hug. Or He’ll come in and wrap His arm around our shoulder and encourage us to continue on with what we’re doing. We’re acting like Him.

Thank  you Father for coming to our aid and taking our cares. We rely on you.

 

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New Beginnings

It’s Monday! Yes, the weekend passed quickly and it’s time for a new week beginning now.

I must admit I was tempted to head back to bed after I finished my first cup of coffee. But then who would write the blog…

Did you see last night’s moon? I don’t know what it looked like where you are but here it is almost full and the sky was filled with lots of cotton puff clouds. It was that way this morning too.

Each new day reminds me that the Lord is into new beginnings. The sun always rising and setting – the tide always bringing the waves in and out – our God always was, is and always will be. He promises that each morning He will have new ways to show us His love and His mercy.

“We are still alive because the Lord’s faithful love never ends. 23 Every morning he shows it in new ways! You are so very true and loyal!” Lamentations 3:22-23 ERV

Everything on earth has a beginning and an end. There is only One who is eternal. He has no beginning and no end and He is ever present – always there, when we call upon Him and when we ignore Him, He is present. The Bible starts with “In the beginning GOD” and it ends the same way.

“Listen, I am coming soon! I will bring rewards with me. I will repay everyone for what they have done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” Revelation 22:12-13 ERV

When we enter through those “pearly” gates we will have life eternal and we will live forever in heaven with Almighty God. Jesus tells us that “I am the way, the truth and the life, no man comes to the Father but by me.”

And

“for God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

Those of us who believe in Christ as Savior have already started living the eternal life. There is so much more to our lives than this physical existence and it is our life in Christ. An abundant life where we draw from God’s love, mercy, grace and goodness each and every day.

Yes, today is Monday and maybe you don’t want to go back to work or school, just remember that the giver of life, abundant life, eternal life, has filled us with that life today and we can be victorious over every work of the enemy.

We can also bring life to those we work with because we take the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. Enjoy this day, it’s a new beginning!

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Changing Seasons

It seems silly to be talking about changing seasons when we live in the desert but here I am doing it anyway.

Our mornings and evenings are turning cooler and the daytime temperatures aren’t quite as high. Yesterday morning I heard the local news anchor claim that it was almost time to break out the parkas because the weather person predicted that all this week temps would be below 100.

Yep, that’s the way it is in the Great Southwest.

But across the country some areas have already had their first dustings of snow. Leaves are turning, harvest is underway, animals are preparing for winter – Fall is in the air.

For everything there is a season. Sounds like a song that Pete Seeger wrote for The Byrds. Turn, Turn, Turn. However, King Solomon wrote it long before Pete Seeger was ever born.

“There is a special time for everything. There is a time for everything that happens under heaven. 2 There is a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pick what is planted. 3 There is a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up. 4 There is a time to cry, and a time to laugh; a time to have sorrow, and a time to dance. 5 There is a time to throw stones, and a time to gather stones; a time to kiss, and a time to turn from kissing. 6 There is a time to try to find, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away. 7 There is a time to tear apart, and a time to sew together; a time to be quiet, and a time to speak. 8 There is a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-9 NLV

Many times we try to fight change, we don’t want things to be different. Instead we should be welcoming what God wants to do in our lives; He wants to move us from season to season as we grow in Him.

I was reading in Colossians this morning and these verses jumped off the page.

“As you have put your trust in Christ Jesus the Lord to save you from the punishment of sin, now let Him lead you in every step. 7 Have your roots planted deep in Christ. Grow in Him. Get your strength from Him. Let Him make you strong in the faith as you have been taught. Your life should be full of thanks to Him.” Colossians 2:6-7 NLV

Let the Lord lead us in every step.  Through every season the Lord is wanting to direct our lives so that we can continue to grow in Him; gaining strength and developing grateful hearts.

During Autumn and Winter most trees drop their leaves and stop growing upward. There is growth that we do not see; the roots are going deeper into the earth, seeking out water, providing a stable foundation that will sustain it through the cold.

Welcome the change of seasons. As we prepare for the cooler temperatures that are coming,  let’s also take time to prepare our hearts. We should never quit growing. Let our roots go deep and continue to strengthen us with the amazing love of God.

“Let the wonderful kindness and the understanding that come from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ help you to keep on growing. Praise Jesus now and forever! Amen.” II Peter 3:18 CEV

To everything there is a season…

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Bread or Crackers

I really enjoy bread…sour dough is my favorite. Then of course there are fresh biscuits, thick cut multigrain bread and don’t tell anyone but occasionally I sneak in a donut or two.

I’m a little more picky about crackers. Not too many really wake up my palate but if I had to choose I would grab a box of Cheese-Its or Town House crackers.

The major difference between bread and crackers is the yeast. In the Bible we will find it called leaven. Jesus taught numerous times about removing leaven. The traditional Jewish feast of Passover is celebrated with unleavened bread.

There’s a true correlation in life between the two.

The Apostle Paul talks about our lives as dough. Dough without yeast was a sign of purity. This went back to the time of the Passover in Egypt. The Israelites were told to boil the lamb and eat unleavened bread.

They were waiting on God to move and deliver them from Egypt. They had to be ready at a moments notice. There wasn’t time to let the bread rise or the meat to roast. Boiling the meat and baking the bread without leaven was the fastest way to make their meal.

“Your proud talk is not good. You know the saying, “Just a little yeast makes the whole batch of dough rise.” 7 Take out all the old yeast, so that you will be a new batch of dough. You really are bread without yeast—Passover bread. Yes, Christ our Passover Lamb has already been killed. 8 So let us eat our Passover meal, but not with the bread that has the old yeast, the yeast of sin and wrongdoing. But let us eat the bread that has no yeast. This is the bread of goodness and truth.” I Corinthians 5:6-8 ERV

Paul is referring to our daily life – it should be leaven free! Pretty appropriate for this day and age when everyone is wanting to be “gluten free”.

Jesus, our Passover Lamb, was sacrificed to bring forgiveness and restoration to our lives. We need to  be an example of His goodness and truth.

Take out the yeast! Periodically I have to take inventory and have the Holy Spirit reveal to me areas in my life that have leaven. He’s faithful to do that when I ask.

Leavened bread is full of air that is caused by a chemical reaction in the yeast. That’s what makes it rise. Our lives can be full of air! We get so caught up in ourselves that we puff up. You know the sayings, “he’s full of hot air” or “they are puffed up like a peacock”. These are referring to someone who is selfish, conceited or prideful.

Look at these two translations of the same verse from I Corinthians 13.

“Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,” verse 4 KJV

“Love is kind and patient, never jealous, boastful, proud,” verse 4 CEV

Jesus warned people to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees. He wasn’t talking about the bread they were serving but of their teachings. The Pharisees were inflicting all types of rules and regulations on the people. Their teaching was based on what “they” could and needed to do to be in right relationship with God. They taught the people that if they weren’t good enough, didn’t celebrate enough festivals, bring enough sacrifices, give enough tithe that God wouldn’t be pleased with them and they couldn’t have relationship with Him.

Jesus’ teaching and God’s desire were completely opposite. Jesus told us to come as we are. God’s love is unconditional, not based on our good works. It is His free gift to us, presented by Jesus who died for our sins.

Pharisees teaching: “ Why is it that you do not see that I was not talking to you about bread? I was talking to you about keeping away from the yeast of the proud religious law-keepers and the religious group of people who believe no one will be raised from the dead.” 12 Then they understood that it was not the yeast of bread that He was talking about. But He was talking about the teaching of the proud religious law-keepers and of the other religious group of people.” Matthew 16:11-12 NLV

Jesus’ teaching: “ For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son. Whoever puts his trust in God’s Son will not be lost but will have life that lasts forever. ” John 3:16 NLV

Am I big and fluffy or flat and salty? Am I puffed up with self or am I deflated of selfish ambition and trusting God to use me how He sees fit?

I am so glad that we have a loving heavenly Father who desires that we have a life of goodness and truth free from selfishness and pride.

 

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Steps Away

Dave and I were up early this morning, 3:15, to be exact. We had a plane to catch.

 

For the last week we have been with friends in West Glacier, MT. They purchased a cabin that needed some renovating and so we were asked to  help with the projects. We worked very hard but had a wonderful time.

When we all got tired, and we did, the thing that kept us on track was the vision that they have for their property. You see they call their cabin, Steps Away. Yes, it’s Steps Away from the entrance to Glacier Park and steps away from the Village of West Glacier with a rafting company, restaurant, bar, gift shop, post office, ice cream parlor and other fun places.

Our friends plan to offer Steps Away as a home for vacation rental, family reunions, gatherings of friends and they want it to be as comfortable as possible. We were so glad to help.

As we were driving to the airport this morning I was struck with the similarity of getting the cabin guest-friendly and our walk with the Lord. Our friends have a vision for the cabin’s appearance; it has a destiny. But to arrive at that destiny there is work involved. Exhausting work on some days, all culminating with a wonderful end.

You and I also have a destiny. We are being renewed in the image of Christ. Some days the renovations can be exhausting but we keep our focus on the result and move forward.

“The steps of a good man are led by the Lord. And He is happy in his way. 24 When he falls, he will not be thrown down, because the Lord holds his hand.”   Psalm 37:23  NLV

Three Bible personalities came to mind as I thought about our steps being ordered by the Lord. The first is Joseph.

As a young man he had dreams of his God-given destiny. He saw that his father and brothers would be bowing down in reverence to him. As the youngest son this was completely out of character. The oldest son was the one who received honor in the family.

Joseph’s journey to his destiny had his brothers selling him into slavery; serving as a household servant to a wealthy man whose wife tried to seduce him; being imprisoned because of a lie and finally making it to the pharaoh’s court where he was promoted to 2nd in authority. During a time of famine Joseph saw his destiny fulfilled.

God used him to develop a food storage plan that kept all of Egypt and their surrounding neighbors from starving. When his brothers came to him to buy grain, they bowed down at his feet in humble reverence. 

Then there was Mary, the mother of Jesus. She knew her destiny was to birth the promised Messiah. As a young girl this was a hard road to walk. She faced ridicule and criticism from family and friends. Even Joseph dealt with the thought of divorce.

Once the Messiah was born there were diapers to change, possibly colic and sleepless nights. She was his teacher; teaching him to walk and talk. Responsible for his safety and upbringing knowing full well that she had been given the responsibility of raising God’s son.  Some of her steps were hard ones to take, exhausting, but well worth taking to fulfill her destiny.

“You have also given me the covering that saves me. Your right hand holds me up. And Your care has made me great. 36 You make the road wide for my steps, and my feet have not tripped.”  Psalm 18:35-36 NLV

The final Bible character who walked the road to their destiny is Jesus. He was just steps away from His destiny but first he had to leave heaven, be born as a baby, grow into a man and begin His ministry. He had brothers and sisters to help at home, after all He was the oldest son.

He was despised, hated by the Jewish leaders but loved by those who needed healing and consolation. His steps took Him to weddings, funerals, church functions, outdoor meetings. He went places and did things that Jews in good standing didn’t. His steps lead down a rocky road that culminated in his crucifixion.

However, His destiny wasn’t fulfilled until He rose from the dead. His steps took him from heaven and  back.

Look at where you are now. Can you identify with the rough and rocky road? Don’t quit! You are just steps away from reaching your destiny. Each hardship is bringing you closer to who and where God has called you to serve. Take some advice from the Apostle Peter.

“What good is it if, when you are beaten for doing something wrong, you do not try to get out of it? But if you are beaten when you have done what is right, and do not try to get out of it, God is pleased. 21 These things are all a part of the Christian life to which you have been called. Christ suffered for us. This shows us we are to follow in His steps. 22 He never sinned. No lie or bad talk ever came from His lips.” I Peter 2:20-22 NLV

Don’t get tired during the renovation process. Don’t give in to weariness.

I’ll leave you with this final thought.

“ Do not let yourselves get tired of doing good. If we do not give up, we will get what is coming to us at the right time. 10 Because of this, we should do good to everyone. For sure, we should do good to those who belong to Christ.” Galatians 6:9-10 NLV

(Started this in the Kalispell airport and posted it from Salt Lake City. We’ll be home soon!)

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True Freedom

“So if the Son makes you free, you are really free.” John 8:36 ERV

Our nation was founded by men who were seeking a better way of life; an opportunity to achieve life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. They trusted God to lead them and give them direction in the founding of this nation.

On this day of independence it’s important to remember that we are truly free through our relationship with Jesus Christ. We are no longer held captive or enslaved by sin because the Son, Jesus Christ, broke the chains of bondage and set us free!

Hallelujah!

Many of us have become disheartened over the past several decades at the decline of our nation and rightfully so. But one thing has not changed, God is still and forever will be, Lord God Almighty who rules and reigns in mercy, truth and justice!

We can trust Him and Him alone! He is our hope, He is our peace, He is our joy, the Everlasting God!

“Don’t be afraid. I am with you. Don’t tremble with fear. I am your God. I will make you strong, as I protect you with my arm and give you victories” Isaiah 41:10 CEV

The Jews of Jesus time were looking for their Messiah, someone who would come and deliver them from the harsh rule of the Romans. They wanted Jesus to set up an earthly kingdom and overthrow those who governed them.

“Jesus said, “My kingdom does not belong to this world. If it did, my servants would fight so that I would not be handed over to the Jewish leaders. No, my kingdom is not an earthly one.”

37 Pilate said, “So you are a king.”

Jesus answered, “You are right to say that I am a king. I was born for this: to tell people about the truth. That is why I came into the world. And everyone who belongs to the truth listens to me.”                      John 18:36-37 ERV

Everything that Jesus taught and did reflected  the true kingdom of God. When the sick were healed, when children were loved, when sin was forgiven it was all attributed to the kingdom of God.

The Apostle Paul put it this way.

“God’s kingdom isn’t about eating and drinking. It is about pleasing God, about living in peace, and about true happiness. All this comes from the Holy Spirit. 18 If you serve Christ in this way, you will please God and be respected by people.” Romans 14:17-18 ERV

So as we celebrate our nation’s independence today and focus on the freedoms that we enjoy, I encourage you to be mindful of the true and lasting freedom that we have received in Christ.

“So if the Son makes you free, you are really free.” John 8:36 ERV

 

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Cracked or Shattered

Love it when the Lord reminds me of “things”. The other day I shared some thoughts on the prodigal son and this morning I was still going over the lessons I have learned from that story when the Lord added one more.

Sin is sin! To God there is no big or little sin, it’s sin. The younger son in the story was guilty of some pretty “big” things while the older son looked respectable, he was obviously holding bitterness in his heart toward his younger brother. So which was worse?

Neither! Sin is sin. Kind of like a broken window; if you throw a rock through it and it shatters or shoot it with a bb and leave a little hole it’s still broken.

“One law rules over all other laws. This royal law is found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor the same as you love yourself.” If you obey this law, you are doing right. 9 But if you are treating one person as more important than another, you are sinning. You are guilty of breaking God’s law.

10 You might follow all of God’s law. But if you fail to obey only one command, you are guilty of breaking all the commands in that law.” James 2:8-10 ERV

The Old Testament teaches us that gossip and murder are both hated by God yet we find one as more socially acceptable than the other.

Sin is sin and we are all guilty.  The penalty for sin is not on a sliding scale.

“All of us have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory.” Romans 3:23 CEV

“When people sin, they earn what sin pays—death. But God gives his people a free gift—eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23 ERV

That’s why Jesus words were so powerful when he spoke to the Pharisees about the adulterous woman that they wanted him to stone.

“They were saying this to trick Jesus. They wanted to catch him saying something wrong so that they could have a charge against him. But Jesus stooped down and started writing on the ground with his finger. 7 The Jewish leaders continued to ask him their question. So he stood up and said, “Anyone here who has never sinned should throw the first stone at her.” 8 Then Jesus stooped down again and wrote on the ground.” John 8:6-8 ERV

How many times have we played the role of the Pharisees or the older brother? We condemn “the idiot driver”, the person holding up the line, the unintelligent cashier, the negligent phone representative, the ill-informed newscaster or the worst of all the person with an opposite view.

What they are doing may certainly be wrong but our attitude about the situation is equally as wrong. We are to do all that we do from a loving and compassionate heart.

The wonderful news is since God sees all sin the same, He makes the payment for that sin the same as well.

“So that one sin of Adam brought the punishment of death to all people. But in the same way, Christ did something so good that it makes all people right with God. And that brings them true life.” Romans 5:18 ERV

We have forgiveness, payment for our sin, with the one sacrifice of Jesus Christ. That sacrifice is available to all – we simply need to receive it!

“12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” John 1:12 KJV

So glad that God doesn’t grade on a curve but He accepts us all based not on what we’ve done but on what Jesus did!

Now that’s called grace!!!

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The Final Word

I’m sure that at one point or another you have all watched a court proceeding either on television or in person. The symbol that brings order and conveys authority is the gavel.

When the judge bangs the gavel he calls for order and silences the gallery, the attorneys, the witness. It brings everything in to order. He has the authority to dismiss a case or to bring judgement. He reads the verdict and pronounces sentencing. He has the final word!

That reminds me so much of God our Father. He is the one who requires justice, justice for the sin that Adam brought into this world. God had created a perfect environment for Adam and Eve but they chose to disobey what God had said and so sin had to be dealt with. God provided that way through Jesus.

“This is what happened: Sin came into the world by one man, Adam. Sin brought death with it. Death spread to all men because all have sinned… .15 God’s free gift is not like the sin of Adam. Many people died because of the sin of this one man, Adam. But the loving-favor of God came to many people also. This gift came also by one Man Jesus Christ, God’s Son. 16 The free gift of God is not like Adam’s sin. God told Adam he was guilty because of his sin and through this one came sin and guilt. But the free gift makes men right with God. Through One, Christ, men’s sins are forgiven. 17 The power of death was over all men because of the sin of one man, Adam. But many people will receive His loving-favor and the gift of being made right with God. They will have power in life by Jesus Christ. 18 Through Adam’s sin, death and hell came to all men. But another Man, Christ, by His right act makes men free and gives them life.” Romans 5:12-18 NLV

You could say that this is the evidence that has been presented in heaven’s courtroom. Yes, we are all guilty of sin. There was only one person who was born on earth that was perfect. That person is Jesus. His birth was planned. He came to earth and provided the payment for sin and made us right with God once again.

“Christ never sinned but God put our sin on Him. Then we are made right with God because of what Christ has done for us.” II Corinthians 5:21 NLV

As the prosecutor is presenting the evidence against us, things look bad, real bad. There’s a long list of transgressions that can be found in our lives. When asked, we have to admit that yes, we are guilty. It seems inevitable that a guilty verdict will be delivered and we will be condemned.

But wait…

“When you were dead in your sins, you were not set free from the sinful things of the world. But God forgave your sins and gave you new life through Christ. 14 We had broken the Law many ways. Those sins were held against us by the Law. That Law had writings which said we were sinners. But now He has destroyed that writing by nailing it to the cross. 15 God took away the power of the leaders of this world and the powers of darkness. He showed them to the world. The battle was won over them through Christ.” Colossians 2:13-15 NLV

Jesus, our attorney for the defense, stands before the judge’s bench and says “Your honor, my client is guilty. They have transgressed the law. They have sinned. These charges are correct. However, Sir, the price for those sins has been paid on their behalf. I ask that you expunge their record. I paid the price. I gave my life in exchange for theirs.”

“God has shown His love to us by sending His only Son into the world. God did this so we might have life through Christ. 10 This is love! It is not that we loved God but that He loved us. For God sent His Son to pay for our sins with His own blood.” I John 4:9-10 NLV

To this testimony that Judge raises the gavel and says “I declare that payment has been met. Case dismiss. This is my final word!” And the gavel falls. We have been made right with God through the blood of Jesus.

There’s a song that was running through my mind this morning as I woke. The lyrics written by Cody Carnes go like this:

“The cross has the final word
The cross has the final word
Sorrow may come in the darkest night
But the cross has the final word

There’s nothing stronger, nothing higher
There’s nothing greater than the name of Jesus
All the honor, all the power
All the glory to the name of Jesus

The cross has the final word
The cross has the final word
Evil may put up its strongest fight
But the cross has the final word

There’s nothing stronger, nothing higher
Nothing greater than the name of Jesus
All the honor, all the power
All the glory to the name of Jesus

The cross has the final word
The cross has the final word
The Savior has come with the morning light
The cross has the final word”

What’s your situation today? What are you facing that appears to condemn you? Nothing can separate you from the love of God.

“For I know that nothing can keep us from the love of God. Death cannot! Life cannot! Angels cannot! Leaders cannot! Any other power cannot! Hard things now or in the future cannot! 39 The world above or the world below cannot! Any other living thing cannot keep us away from the love of God which is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39 NLV

Just remember – The Cross of Jesus Has the Final Word!

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No Introduction Needed

Jesus knows your name. You know that don’t you?

He knows the very number of hairs on your head; He saw you as you were being formed in your mother’s womb and considered you perfect. He has been there every day of your life and has been as intimately involved as you have allowed Him to be. There’s no introduction necessary, He knows you!

I know I have brought this as the morning devotion before but I am so in AWE of the fact that God the Father, the Almighty God, Creator of the Universe knows my name. He not only knows it but He calls to me each and every day! His desire to provide for me and have me rest in Him.

“Don’t be afraid. I saved you. I named you. You are mine. 2 When you have troubles, I am with you. When you cross rivers, you will not be hurt. When you walk through fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not hurt you. 3 That’s because I, the Lord, am your God. I, the Holy One of Israel, am your Savior:” Isaiah 43:1-3 ERV

The prophet Isaiah wrote this as a reminder to the people of Israel that God was there for them – the situations of life would not bring anything so large that God was not with them; He is the Lord, their Savior.

He says the same thing to us in the New Testament in the book of Hebrews.

“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” Hebrews 13:5-6

We don’t need to be looking at others and wishing we had what they have because we have God who has promised to never leave us or forsake us. We have our help that comes from the Lord so we should be “fear free”; our God is greater than any man.

I know, I can hear you saying – “That sounds good on paper but those are just words on a page. Where is God now? Do you know what I’m going through?” No, I don’t but He does!

I’ll leave you with this thought. Remember when Mary went to the garden along with the other women. She went early in the morning to properly prepare Jesus body in his death. When they arrived the tomb was open and empty. They were just as heartbroken then as they were when they saw Jesus crucified. The women had gone to pay their last respects, to do one final thing for the Lord – to give him a proper burial and He was gone! Someone had taken his body away – what a cruel joke! Who could be so mean?

Mary looked into the tomb and saw the angels but all she could think of was the gravity of the situation and Jesus was gone.

“Mary Magdalene stood crying outside the tomb. She was still weeping, when she stooped down and saw two angels inside. They were dressed in white and were sitting where Jesus’ body had been. One was at the head and the other was at the foot. The angels asked Mary, “Why are you crying?” She answered, “They have taken away my Lord’s body! I don’t know where they have put him.” As soon as Mary said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there. But she did not know who he was. Jesus asked her, “Why are you crying? Who are you looking for?”
She thought he was the gardener and said, “Sir, if you have taken his body away, please tell me, so I can go and get him.” Then Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him, “Rabboni.” The Aramaic word “Rabboni” means “Teacher.” John 20:11-16

In her darkest hour, in her deepest grief, in her hopelessness, eyes filled with tears she didn’t recognize that Jesus was there and then…He spoke her name. What is your situation today? Are your eyes filled with tears? Have your circumstances obscured your vision? Are you blinded from seeing the One who has promised to never leave you or forsake you?

Listen – listen carefully – you will hear Him call your name!

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Grace & a DQ Blizzard

The other night I was talking with my Mom about grace. I was surprised to learn that she still battles with the concept of God’s grace. You see she was raised in a traditional religious denomination that stressed works and good behavior.

If you didn’t read your Bible often enough, pray enough,  and tithe regularly you weren’t pleasing God. He was unhappy with  you and your relationship with Him was questionable.

God’s grace, on the other hand, is based entirely upon God and His unconditional love for us. We will never be able to do enough or be good enough to earn His love and acceptance. It all comes by grace.

“ All have sinned and are not good enough to share God’s divine greatness. 24 They are made right with God by his grace. This is a free gift. They are made right with God by being made free from sin through Jesus Christ. 25-26 God gave Jesus as a way to forgive people’s sins through their faith in him. God can forgive them because the blood sacrifice of Jesus pays for their sins. God gave Jesus to show that he always does what is right and fair. He was right in the past when he was patient and did not punish people for their sins. And in our own time he still does what is right. God worked all this out in a way that allows him to judge people fairly and still make right any person who has faith in Jesus.” Romans 3:23-26 ERV

None of us deserve God’s grace and that’s why grace is grace. God, our Father, gives it freely because of the sacrifice that Jesus made for us. It was all His plan.

I can hear you asking what’s a blizzard got to do with grace. Glad you asked. My mother loves blizzards and at 94 it’s one of her few true pleasures. That day, while we were out, Dave and I stopped and bought a blizzard for Mom. She hadn’t asked for it, though she often does, and so it was a real surprise treat.

We didn’t have to talk her into taking it. She didn’t stop and evaluate whether she had been “good enough” to receive it. She hadn’t really done anything to “earn” it, we gave it to her because we loved her and knew she would enjoy it.

I used that analogy with her as we talked about grace that evening. Receiving something given in love, something you don’t earn or deserve – it’s called grace! I then told her that I thought she had just given me a topic of my morning devotional and she smiled. She thought it was a good idea.

We all have times we battled with our performance versus God’s grace. That’s a trick of the enemy. We have days that we think we are better than others and so we expect a little more. But in God’s way of thinking each day is the same. He always sees us through what Jesus has done, our justification and relationship are not of our own making.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. In Christ, God has given us every spiritual blessing in heaven. 4 In Christ, he chose us before the world was made. He chose us in love to be his holy people—people who could stand before him without any fault. 5 And before the world was made, God decided to make us his own children through Jesus Christ. This was what God wanted, and it pleased him to do it. 6 And this brings praise to God because of his wonderful grace. God gave that grace to us freely. He gave us that grace in Christ, the one he loves.

7 In Christ we are made free by his blood sacrifice. We have forgiveness of sins because of God’s rich grace. 8 God gave us that grace fully and freely. With full wisdom and understanding 9 he let us know his secret plan. This was what God wanted, and he planned to do it through Christ.” Ephesians 1:3-9 ERV

The concept of God’s grace was almost incomprehensible to those in the Bible. The Apostle Paul repeated it again and again. Religion of that day stressed the importance of working to be worthy. Many sacrifices were made to prove devotion and dedication to the gods they served and those sacrifices had to be repeated.

Then Christ came and through His one sacrifice we were saved by God’s grace. That’s the gospel. The word gospel means good news, actually it means nearly too good to be true news. Grace.

“God saved us and chose us to be his holy people, but not because of anything we ourselves did. God saved us and made us his people because that was what he wanted and because of his grace. That grace was given to us through Christ Jesus before time began. ” II Timothy 1:9 ERV

So the next time you are faced with thoughts of your unworthiness to receive God’s love remember the blizzard I gave my Mom. It can in no way compare to the grace that God but it can be a reminder.

“I pray that God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ will give peace and love with faith to all the brothers and sisters there. 24 God’s grace to all of you who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love that never ends.” Ephesians 6:23-24 ERV

 

 

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