Embracing God's Grace
Click here Devotions by Chris to receive today’s dose of encouragement. Devotions by Chris is one of the very first blogs I read and followed when I began my blog last year.
Chris is on vacation this week so he asked a few us us to help him out.
Chris has an awesome testimony and a heart for missions in Haiti. I encourage you to check out Chris’ blog and his testimony. I’m pretty sure you’ll find yourself blessed by it!
Enjoy your day! 🙂
We all have times in our lives when we can look back and reflect on events or places where our lives took a specific turn in a singular direction. For some people this turning point is a positive, maybe a birth, a marriage or a graduation. Or perhaps it is 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 such as the death of a loved one, an illness, a job loss or unexpected tragedies that seemingly crush us under their weight.
Our experiences, whatever they are, help mold us into the people we become. Hopefully we learn to appreciate the good and endure the bad, gaining wisdom and strength from these lessons life has to offer.
Yet, we aren’t relegated to circumstances dictating our ultimate destination. Our experiences 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 wear us down or build us up.
Our lives have many roads to the same destination. Sometimes we take the scenic route. At other times we may be relegated to a few detours. A few people even reach their goals with a straight sprint from point A to Z. However, most of us will sometimes walk, sometimes crawl but as long as we’re still moving, that’s all that really counts.
As we transition from one season to another, allow your turning points, whatever they are to turn you in the right direction.
Sometimes we need to turn away from people, places and even our own thoughts and habits.
At others, we may need to turn toward our God if 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 given up on a dream, maybe it is time to take another look. You may be closer than you ever imagined if you can simply hold on and don’t give up.
If you’ve made some mistakes along the way that’s fine too. Simply acknowledge them and learn from them. It often takes the very worst of times to drive us toward God’s very best.
If you are seeking to turn yourself around, take this time 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
It is impossible to increase our faith without first exercising what we have. God gives us guidance but it is up to each of us to pick up our feet and take those next steps.
We may not always know where we are going; yet if we trust God to lead us, that is more than enough.
What are you waiting on?
Get moving!
For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” Romans 1:17 NKJV
But without faith [it is] impossible to please [Him], for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and [that] He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6 NKJV
“When Jesus departed from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out and saying, “Son of David, have mercy on us!” And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.” Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith let it be to you.” Matthew 9: 27-29
The realities of life can leave us bruised or battered, wondering if our efforts truly matter. Dare we continue to hold fast or give up, tired of waiting and out of luck.
“According to your faith let it be to you.”
I hadn’t read this verse in a very long time. Jesus asked the blind men “Do you believe that I am able to do this?”
We should take our cues from these men who were successful in literally seeing miracles of God.
Sometimes we follow everything and everybody when we should be following God. We look for opinions in all the wrong places. We follow tweets and posts. Some of us follow celebrities. Some of us are news hounds. Just where are these things and people really leading us!?
The two blind men “followed Him.”
We need to follow God just as desperately. I believe their act of “doing something” and not just moaning as Jesus walked away gave them favor. Can you imagine how hard it probably was for two blind men to follow Him?
Do we complain about our plight or do we actively seek the Source who can help us? Do we put ourselves in position to receive the blessings we need?
The two men could have easily let their chance for healing just walking away but they were up and moving. We need to get up and chase God as well.
Not only did the two men follow Jesus, they cried out for mercy. How many times do we let our pride keep us from crying out when we are in need? Or when we do cry out, we cry out to people who can’t help us at all.
The blind men acknowledged their need for Jesus.
We often go to the least qualified sources (hello internet) when we have issues that would be better met going to God. He isn’t the last resort. God should be our first choice.
These seemingly simple steps can make the difference between burdened cares and answered prayers.
We just need to follow Him, cry out to Him, come to Him and believe. Our faith can move us to do what is necessary to receive the blessing.
If we let it.
In the end, these men were blessed according to their faith.
What do you have faith for?
For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” Romans 1:17 NKJV
In my household of mostly men, the responsibility lies on them to take out the trash. Unfortunately, I am the only one with a nose sensitive enough to detect whatever is rotting before anyone else does. I am very aware that if the trash is not taken out, the entire house will stink very soon.
The same thing is true of our mental state. It is necessary to do a mental cleansing and rid ourselves of “trash.”
If left unchecked our minds have the potential to not only stink but attract its own array of flies, maggots and scavengers.
Any lingering negativity, doubt, fears, guilt and the like should be tossed just like garbage. If not regularly expelled the trash in our minds will overwhelm any good that is there.
What do you need to toss out? A bad attitude? Fear? Doubt? Guilt? Despair?
We must continually take inventory of our mental state, those insecurities and tendencies that would prevent us from seeking God’s best for our lives.
Most people would never consider bringing their neighbor’s trash into their own home. Yet we often do that very thing when we allow the seeds of doubts from others to take root in our mind. Don’t allow someone else’s fears to overtake your faith!
The Bible instructs us to “renew our mind.” Our mental purge is necessary to remove anything that would dilute the God/good in us. It is up to us to filter what we allow to infect us if we are ever to prosper as our Creator intended.
Toss the old junk out. Make room for the new. God has a greater vision He wants to share with you.
“And be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God,” Romans 12:2
“And God [is] able to make all grace abound to you, that you always having all sufficiency in all [things], may have an abundance for every good work.”
2 Corinthians 9:8 NKJV
Often when we seek God or commit to study His Word, we may find our pursuit seems to open us up to chaos. As we make spiritual progress we will meet opposition.
It may appear that we lose more than we gain.
But by God’s grace we are empowered and not overcome.
Through God’s love for us we can receive and exhibit “grace under fire.”
Like soldiers we may face grenades, a hail of bullets, or even sniper fire.
Some attacks are large like a failed relationship or the death of a loved one. Others are like a hail of bullets, smaller shots that in combination cause great distress…deadlines to meet, financial struggles, or family obligations that collectively wear you down.
And then there is “sniper fire.” Those situations that come of of nowhere! The IRS bill after you depleted your savings on a house. The child you raised is now a stranger. The medical results are not good. One day you’re financially responsible and the next you are unemployed.
Our God does not guarantee a life without trials.
However, we are provided the grace that we need. Not just for eternity, but right here and now.
For every attack, God provides the body armor we need. It is our responsibility to put it on!
Bullet-proof vests don’t stop the shooter. Yet, the vest keeps the bullets from penetrating.
God’s grace prevents our trials from penetrating us!
We may be surrounded but not overcome. God’s grace gives us what we need to stand our ground.
We exhibit grace when we do not rant, rave, curse and complain during our crisis. We pass the test and mature when we are respectful and peaceable in the worst of circumstances.
How do you treat people the heat is bearing down?
How we react under fire demonstrates how much faith we have in God and not ourselves. Resolving to be civil, sane and even to bless others in the midst of our trials not only glorifies God but builds us into the people He created us to become.
The next time you face a crisis, are you going to put on the whole armor of God with grace, or will you let a temporary situation rob you of a permanent blessing?
God gives the grace we need to pass every test. Like the armor of God, we just have to pick it up and put it on!
“Finally my brethren, be strong in the Lord and the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Ephesians 6:10-11 NKJV
“Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” 1 Corinthians 3:16
The passage of time, storms, and decay will take a toll on nearly every structure man can build. Even as temples of God, we are no different.
Fortunately a carpenter’s “son,” can take what we are and make us so much better. Jesus allows us the grace to be repaired and totally transformed. However, His transformation may dictate that we “close for renovations.”
Closed for renovations may require shutting away people who impart only negativity. Closing may entail loss of things near and dear to you such as habits and pleasures you squirm at the very thought of losing. Closing may require that you change your mind, thoughts and priorities. It may even require fixing what you watch and read.
If you can’t tolerate your present condition, God can renovate you!
God takes away addictions. God heals. God can grant you grace for the changes you seek.
He exchanges cracked foundations for solid footing. Whatever our need, God repairs or compensates for any deficiency. God can rebuild us so completely we don’t even recognize ourselves!
If we are willing to be transformed we must study God’s Word, and implement His teachings! Doing this imparts wisdom in us and glorifies Him. This submission to change requires determination and motivation.
It is often painful and messy.
It will take longer than expected and cost more than anticipated. You may find yourself in the very midst and wonder why you ever asked for “help” as everything in your life appears to get worse.
The guts of your temple get exposed and rearranged. Your comfortable insulation may be ripped away. But God also removes old floors of guilt and walls of shame. God can even make you energy-efficient!
It is only through God’s hand on us that we can resist the rain, withstand the floods, and endure harsh winds.
Are you tired of the same old thing? Are you ready for something new?
Answer His call.
Let Him do a good work in you and on you. Let Him rebuild you inside and out.
Dare to renovate and then celebrate the new thing God does in you!
“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall. “Matthew 7: 24-27 NKJV
But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name Be joyful in You. Psalms 5:11 NKJV
Then I will go to the altar of God, To God my exceeding joy; And on the harp I will praise You, O God, my God. Psalms 43:4 NKJV
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me [by your] generous Spirit. Psalms 51:12 NKJV
Those who sow in tears Shall reap in joy. Psalms 125:5
A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, And a word [spoken] in due season, how good [it is]! Proverbs 15:23 NKJV
**And yes, it is a real bee smiling at the camera 🙂
“He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.” Psalms 1:3 NKJV
We all want to be “planted” by God, and prosper. Some of us expect to be fruitful all the time.
I can think of no tree that bears fruit all year long. So why should we expect that we are any different?
Mass media would have you believe if you aren’t doing “something” (fill in whatever blank applies to you) then you are doing nothing.
This isn’t how God works.
Your particular season may not occur the same time as your neighbor or even your spouse. Some people “peak early.” Others are “late bloomers.”
Don’t allow how things appear to deter you from your dreams! 
The picture above was taken today. This hydrangea should have bloomed back in May. Somehow it isn’t allowing my expectations to hinder its blooms.
I think God is trying to tell me something.
There are a few things I want to do. Some would say I’m too old. Others would say I’m too inexperienced. Their points could be valid.
Yet with God, we’re not confined by other people’s expectations.
God doesn’t meet our expectations. In fact, His miracles often defy them!
It is in the silent and quiet times that God prepares for the fruit, the miracle, the breakthrough.
When Moses was up against the Red Sea with Egyptians at his back, it looked like God was doing nothing.
When Joshua first led the people around the city walls, it looked like God was doing nothing.
When Sara and Abraham waited decades before Isaac was born, it looked like God was doing nothing.
Each of these people was “planted” by God and fruitful in season.
We focus on the miracles but not so much on the “stuff” these Biblical heroes endured in their “dormancy.”
Moses murdered a man, wandered the desert and tended sheep for years before hearing God’s voice.
Joshua lived in the wilderness and had to wait for people to die before he could enter the Promised Land.
Sara and Abraham were close to dead and had “momma drama” due to their own impatience before God’s promise was fulfilled.
But their promises were fulfilled. In their season.
Ours can be too.
“To everything [there is] a season, A time for every purpose under heaven” Ecclesiastes 3:1 NKJV
“Yet in Your manifold mercies You did not forsake them in the wilderness. The pillar of the cloud did not depart from them by day, To lead them on the road; Nor the pillar of fire by night, To show them light, And the way they should go.” Nehemiah 9:19 NKJV
B Is for Blessed! 