Embracing God's Grace
In need of refreshment?
“but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:14 NKJV
As the deer pants for the water brooks,
So pants my soul for You, O God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When shall I come and appear before God?
Psalm 42:1-2 NKJV
And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us,
And establish the work of our hands for us;
Yes, establish the work of our hands. Psalm 90:17 NKJV
Take a little time to enjoy the view.
Even when we are out on that limb, the Glory of God is still ever present and His mercy endures forever…
Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”
2 Corinthians 12:8-9 NKJV
Many people are under the notion that when they surrender their lives to God all will be well.
And it is well, but not in the manner most people initially think. Salvation provides no guarantee for a stress free and smooth existence.
In fact, choosing to submit to God often brings us to a point of doing things we don’t want to do for people we don’t even like!
That annoying friction many of us encounter day to day is there to smooth out our “rough edges.”
Sometimes we wonder why what looks like the worst of circumstances has come our way, oblivious that the very situation we despise will make us stronger.
Gold is purified in fire.
We, being more valuable than gold will ultimately find ourselves in hot situations as well.
Pride, idolatry, and selfishness are often burned away when God allows some of our hardships to mold us.
True compassion and patience are often learned after receiving such. We tend to judge less when we have our own personal failings to serve as a reference point for viewing others.
God does not give us problems, but He can surely allow our circumstances to teach us valuable lessons and provide clarity we would never receive otherwise.
Even when we are doing all the “right” things, storms will come.
Our trials and circumstances don’t have to defeat us. In fact, they are often the very stepping stones we need to propel us into our Divine purpose and Glorify God in the process!
God always imparts what we need to get through our situations. He never pushes us into anything He hasn’t prepared us for. Now, some of our “preparation” is often “on the job training,” yet we can rise up to our challenges instead of falling before them.
The apostle Paul is credited with writing a fair share of the New Testament. Persecution, imprisonment, and shipwreck didn’t lessen Paul’s resolve for doing what God called him to do.
Paul even suffered a “thorn” in his side that God refused to remove. I’m sure we can all relate to Paul’s plight. God’s answer to Paul’s plea for relief was “My grace is sufficient.”
And it is sufficient for us as well. When we resolve to stand strong and walk out God’s plan despite the pain, we ultimately fulfill His purpose for our lives.
And in doing this, we are blessed.
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:2-4 NKJV
Great light is crucial for most photographers. As an amateur, I regularly seek proper lighting. Photographers lust after and chase after just the right light well aware of the role it plays for noteworthy images.
God’s Light is no different. It is crucial for us. We may not readily recognize it but God’s illumination and revelation are what we crave to reach our full potential.
This year, I decided I want to do more than chase light.
I want to create it.
So, I enrolled in an annual photography class that meets next week. It is the same class I’ve considered the past two years but never dared rearranged my schedule to attend.
One of my best friends posted New Year’s Day, “Nothing changes when nothing changes.”
I will talk less and listen more. I will allow God to lead me instead going my own way. I will rearrange my priorities.
These are a few things I’m doing differently to avail myself to more of God’s Light this year.
Some would say my goals are unnecessary.
And they are, for salvation.
Still, what I have to gain far exceeds my efforts, just as the work required to create an image doesn’t feel like “work” when the desired photograph is successfully captured.
I want to develop into all God wants of me.
Nothing changes when nothing changes.
Choose to change.
Circumstances may appear unchangeable, yet, altering our attitudes, expectations and actions often allows miracles to find us.
Start small and keep going.
And should you stop, choose to begin again.
May we all see good God’s Light in 2016.
Happy New Year!
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27: 1 NKJV
“For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
And this will be the sign to you; You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
Luke 2:12-14
As many of us gear up for the “holiday” season I think it’s important that we take time and reflect upon all the fuss we find at every turn. We are bombarded with sales ads, incentives to buy more, more, more and media outlets doing their very best to push the notion that if we don’t participate we are indeed missing out.
The Virgin Mary found favor with God yet her Christmas was one without the trappings of luxury and hoopla we find marketed today. Mary even had to endure some things as she was favored by God.
Mary was pregnant before her marriage to Joseph. I’m pretty confident she had to endure the scandal and gossip of her peers in that day. She probably received the same stares and crazed looks anyone in this day would receive if making a claim of Immaculate Conception.
Mary birthed our Savior in less than ideal surroundings. I can’t think of many women, myself included, who would relish the fact of laboring in a stable. Some thought the King of kings would be born in a lavish inn and greeted with fanfare yet it was instead a “silent night.”
Later still, Mary would bear the responsibility of actually mothering the Son of God. Talk about pressure! I can only imagine what that did to her relationship with Joseph and their family dynamics. Not only was she responsible for Jesus the child but she eventually watched Him die an agonizing death. If she was so favored by God shouldn’t her life have been easier?
Favor from God doesn’t always manifest itself as we think it would. The Bible doesn’t promise an easy life of happiness and bliss. In fact, it assures us there will be trials.
We are often looking for a “fix” to our situations and may presume that God isn’t listening or that we have somehow “failed” when things don’t go as expected. Many people believe that if they are doing everything “right” in their lives, as best they can, they will be carefree and have no worries.
Mary endured much even as she was “favored” by God. She was blessed to be the mother of our Savior but that blessing wasn’t necessarily an easy path for her. And like Mary, we too must handle situations we don’t fully understand and possibly never will but God IS with us!
So, as the holiday lights sparkle and dazzle, remember that Christmas began without elaborate decor or grandeur, no widespread celebrations or multitudes of gifts. These things don’t define Christmas.
“Christmas” began in the most humble of places, with two people obedient to God and His presence upon them. Like Mary, that’s all we need.
“And having come in, the angel said to her, ‘Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” Luke 1:28 NKJV
Merry Christmas!
Yesterday I took a walk to not only shake a few pounds but stimulate my brain. As I’m enjoying the fresh air, I am struck by the wide variety of trees and leaves and how beautiful they all are.
It then occurs to me, why can’t we appreciate people the same way?
The woods I walk past are God planted, not man-made. The trees appear randomly placed. There are all kinds, shapes and colors. Some are evergreen magnolias, short scrub oaks, lanky pines and majestic maples. There are even more I can’t even name.
A few of them shed their leaves months ago. Others are in various states and transform daily. Some are unchanging yet provide the backdrop for the dynamic show.
I suspect God planted these different trees together for reason. Not that I will ever know what that is, but it certainly makes for a spectacular show.
We are just as diverse as the trees I walk past. We have various body shapes, skin colors, personalities, and backgrounds. Yet, God has placed us here to share this one earth.
What if the diversity among us is intended to make humanity better as a whole?
Many of us attempt to “convert” others into what we believe is proper. We tend to hang around people who fit our mold. We gravitate toward people like us. Very rarely do most of us dare deliberately talk and mingle with people different from ourselves.
Often if we see someone who dresses unconventionally, acts a bit “odd” or lives a lifestyle we think is “crazy” we will superficially judge them and readily write them off.
I have seen creative or “artistic” people scoffed at and challenged to do something “practical” instead of nurturing the gifts God has given them.
I don’t know that we do them a favor by declaring their gifts aren’t valuable profitable. Is it truly a favor or a disservice when we can’t appreciate the talents of others and attempt to herd them into what we “think” they should be?
Not everyone is hardwired to become an accountant, a lawyer or whatever is deemed “practical” on any given day. I know many “professionals” who are miserable working outside of God’s plans for them.
What if the individual quirks that make each of us distinct are there to serve a purpose?
When we dismiss people different from ourselves we lose opportunities to learn and grow in the process.
It may mean you have to do something different or talk with someone unlike yourself to receive a blessing you don’t even know you need.
As I look around at all the various trees they remind me of the “different” people God placed in my life. They have been of various religions, nationalities, races, economic status, political affiliations and only God knows what else.
Many of them blessed me at some of the hardest times of my life. A few influenced my thinking. One in particular encouraged me to face my challenges head on. Still, others made my daily routine that much easier to bear.
With all of our differences we somehow managed to find more common ground that not.
Through each one of them, so very different from myself, I realize I’ve been blessed.
“Thus saith God, the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:” Isaiah 42:5 KJV
Living here in the “Bible Belt” I read many a church sign. Some of them are witty and others are down right weird.
I did come across one that I did like. It read “A GRATEFUL MIND IS A GREAT MIND.”
As I reflected on that particular sign I thought about my various “states of mind” on any given day.
Some days I am focused.
On other’s not so much.
On occasion I can keep a very clear train of thought and accomplish much in record time. Then there are days I’m left looking around having nothing substantial to show for my efforts.
Yet, when I focus on counting my blessings, I gain clarity that at other times alludes me.
When I am grateful it puts into perspective all the minor and petty things that don’t really matter. Annoyances, headaches and temporary trials don’t compare to God’s great grace, mercy and favor.
If I did not continually count my blessings, I would get bogged down in the nonsense of the day, other people’s drama and become mired down in things that aren’t any of my business!
We must renew our minds daily as not to magnify our problems instead of God!
When we make a habit to appreciate how good God is to us, we are compelled to offer mercy, compassion and kindness as we have received it. The realization that we are not worthy but God loves us anyway should move us to love our neighbor/brother enough to not just pray for them but actually “do” for them.
Allowing our gratitude to move us into action produces great deeds and great love, the kind Jesus would have us show toward one another.
In this season of thanks, don’t merely settle for being grateful, act grateful. Allow your gratitude to move you to do something for someone else. What you may consider a small gesture can make a world of difference for someone else!
Allow gratitude to adjust your attitude.
Be grateful and B Blessed!
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NKJV
“Oh, give thanks to the LORD! Call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples! 1 Chronicles 16:8 NKJV
I live in the Atlanta area, kind of smack in the middle of the “Bible belt.” This long standing nickname would lead most to believe that Christianity is the most prevalent religion in these parts. It’s not.
The most prevalent religion around here is football.
I rarely see Christians rally together or cheer on one another the way sports fans do. Tailgating is the praise and worship that sets the mood for the sermon game. Season tickets sell no matter the cost. The pews may be sparsely occupied on Sunday but that stadium will be packed!
I can’t say that I’m a die hard fan by any means except for my alma mater (Go Rattlers!) but football occupies a more prominent place in the lives of many far above the basic precepts of love God and love your neighbor.
Yet, I don’t think I have ever seen anything break down barriers between people the way football can. Race, nationality, sexual orientation, religious affiliation and politics become irrelevant as long as you are for the home team. People who wouldn’t speak to one another at any other time will embrace, high five and cheer together.
We “Christians” might just learn a thing or two from these die hard fanatics.
I rarely see such levels of commitment and devotion for the church like I see for sports. Football season is priority for many.
How often do we “religious folk” schedule activities around God instead of squeezing God into a packed schedule?
Am I bashing football? Most definitely not!
Athletics provide an opportunity for many people to improve their circumstances. Football also teaches how to win and how to accept defeat. It instills the importance of working together for a common cause. Football builds solidarity among individuals. I would just love to see these same attributes displayed prominently in the church.
What if “Christians” shared this same type enthusiasm for people?
God’s people.
I’m talking about the people we glance over or would rather not deal with. I’m talking about those who are broken and when we ask how they are, we don’t want to hear their truth.
It is our commandment to love them.
I’d love to see Christians help those who are hurting as quickly as we would purchase tickets to enjoy the game.
I’m sure on any given weekend millions are cheering for their team. What about encouraging the addict or the mentally ill?
What if we chose to commit to something that lasts longer than the season?
What if for just one weekend, we offered our time and money for a charitable cause. Even assisting a neighbor, friend or family member will do.
These efforts, unlike those for the game, leave a lasting impression and demonstrate God’s love. God uses us to do His work.
Every sports team strives to build a legacy. Shouldn’t we want to do the same for God? And not grudgingly, but with that same enthusiasm we show the home team?
Just a few random thoughts today.
I’m off to watch the game.
We all have times in our lives when we can look back and reflect on events or places where our lives took a turn in a singular direction. For some people this turning point is a positive. Perhaps a birth, a marriage or a graduation. For others, pivotal moments are directly related to a person who was influential in good choices made such as coach, a teacher or even a spouse.
Then there are other turning points that seemingly crush us under their weight.
Death. Failed relationships. Financial difficulties.
Our experiences, whatever they are, help mold us into the people we become. Hopefully, we learn to appreciate the good, endure the bad and gain wisdom from the lessons life has to offer.
Thankfully, we aren’t relegated to circumstances dictating our destination. Our experiences do indeed impact the people we become, but they don’t have to define us.
God allows us to decide if the experiences we are forced to endure will build us up or tear us down.
Our lives have many paths that lead to the same destination. Sometimes we take the scenic route. At others, there are painful detours. A few people actually do reach their goals with a straight sprint from point A to Z.
Yet, most of us are more likely to walk and even crawl along our way. The fact that we keep moving is all that really counts.
I am reminded, as we transition from one season to another, to allow my turning points to turn me in the right direction.
Sometimes we need to turn away from people, places and even our own negative thoughts. At others, we may need to turn toward God when we find ourselves lost, disoriented and lacking the direction we need to fulfill our purpose.
Take some time to look back on the good and give thanks. Reflect on the negatives and know that they too can serve a purpose.
Make the choice to reassess who you are and what you choose to do.
The change you seek begins with you.
If you’ve made mistakes along the way that’s fine too. Simply acknowledge them and learn from them. It is often the worst of times that eventually allow us to receive God’s very best.
It is faith that enables us to turn away from what was and look toward what can be. Turn toward the Light.
For He who would love life And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it. 1 Peter 3:10-11 NKJV
B Is for Blessed! 