Embracing God's Grace
Seek the Lord while he may be found;
call on him while he is near. Isaiah 55:6 NIV
But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who long for your saving help always say,
“The Lord is great!” Psalms 40:16 NIV
Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
Look to the Lord and his strength;
seek his face always. Psalm 105:3 NIV
A few weeks ago, in my mother’s house, I found a Christmas ornament from 1996 that was lost in her office. Unlike the others, this one was never wrapped up and put away each year to annually find its way on the Christmas tree. Two decades of neglect left it looking more like a relic instead of something to ring in great tidings of joy! Still, that not so shiny silver bell somehow managed to minister to me.
As we come to the end of this year, many of us are at a loss trying to figure out what happened to 2017? I’m confident that I am not alone with “to dos” left undone and more than a few things that fell by the wayside.
As I polished the “lost” ornament, I was reminded that God restores us as well. Through Christ, we can not only renew our minds, but God can restore whatever we may lack including the time lost for those things He purposed for our lives. The sin that continually tarnishes us and would keep us from our destiny, our Savior’s blood wipes away.
It may have taken twenty years, but “Christmas 1996” is finally on a tree.
Never give up on your goals and aspirations that seem long-lost. Whatever we lose (or was stolen) our Father’s love can surely restore!
Our faith.
Our family.
Our finances.
Our hope!
If you feel like you’ve lost more than can ever be found, I challenge you to trust God. Our Savior descended from Heaven not only for an eternal promise, but that we can live fruitful and meaningful lives now.
Amazing Grace!
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind but now I see.
John Newton 1779
My times are in Your hand;
Deliver me from the hand of my enemies,
And from those who persecute me.
Make Your face shine upon Your servant;
Save me for Your mercies’ sake.
Psalm 31: 15-16 NKJV
He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake
Psalm 23:3 NKJV
So Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” The blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.”
Mark 10:51 NKJV
I was standing in faith for God’s provision but couldn’t see how He would solve a particular problem. If there was to be a solution, God would have to provide it.
During this time, a piece of mail sat on my kitchen counter. God finally drew me to it because I have a huge stack sitting there. I half heartedly opened it and in the envelope was my answer.
Often what we need and prayed for is right before us if only we would see what God has done!
Our blessings can’t bless us if we don’t “see” them. To see them, we must open our eyes and minds. Our assumptions cloud our vision!
We must train ourselves to see God’s presence and provision in the midst of our trials! 
My “answer” looked like junk mail! How many times do we overlook answers to our problems simply because they don’t appear the way we expect them to?
God often directs people to us, but we can easily look past them because they don’t look or act the way we do. Wisdom, friendship, understanding, and comfort we lose because we are blind to what is really there.
I read an interesting statement recently. “We are so busy trying to work up to God that we fail to see He has already reached down to us.” ***
The posturing, rituals, and habits we propose to worship Him sometime get in the way of truly communing with God. When we look for God all around us, we can abide with Him right where we are.
Open your eyes and open your mind to something different. Different people. Different places. Different possibilities.
You just may find the blessing you’ve been searching for has been in front of you all along.
Open your eyes and see…
***If you are the author of these words I can not get out of my mind please let me know so I can link back to your original post!
Sometimes it is not a failure to let go of the past that prevents us from moving forward. Instead, a lack of vision for our future prevents the preparation necessary to manifest our innermost dreams.
Dare to prepare for opportunities that lie ahead. Your greatest victories await if you have faith for what God can do for with you! 
“Where [there is] no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy [is] he.” Proverbs 29:18 NKJV
“Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer,” Proverbs 30:25 NIV 
“But the man who makes me his refuge will inherit the land and possess my holy mountain.” And it will be said: “Build up, build up, prepare the road! Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people.” Isaiah 58:13-14 NKJV
perspective a) a specific point of view in understanding things or events b) the ability to see things in a true relationship, Webster’s Dictionary
The majority of the frustration and anxiety we face is not necessarily due to an “enemy attack.” The mental chaos we sometimes experience stems from failing to view things in the proper perspective.
Psalms teach us to “Magnify the Lord.” However, many Believers who magnify the Lord at church services obsess about and magnify their problems when challenges arise.
We sometimes fail to appreciate just how great our God is and His omnipotent power. Instead, we may talk (repeatedly) of our problems, struggles and daily aggravations.
If we would put the same effort into acknowledging the greatness of our God as we do reiterating our circumstances, we would realize how inconsequential most of our “problems” are in comparison to Him.
God is larger than your “situation” or whatever you are dealing with. You must have faith that what you can’t do, God can do for you!
When we continually moan, gripe and complain the only thing we do is enlarge our “thing” in our mind’s eye. Our negative words distort our vision. We can find faults where there are none and create major issues out of minor annoyances.
The wrong perspective is akin to viewing life in a carnival house of mirrors. What we see is distorted and warped, not at all reality.
The right perspective guides us away from poor decisions. The right perspective eliminates stress and allows us to live blessed. 
P is for perspective. Changing how you view it might just get you through it!
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.”
Proverbs 16:3 NIV
“The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor.” 1 Corinthians 3:8 NIV
“Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV
“May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us–yes, establish the work of our hands.” Psalm 90:17 NIV
“And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.” Isaiah 32:17 KJV
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 12:28-30 NIV
“My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.” James 1:19 NIV
“for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. Today, if you hear his voice,” Psalm 95:7 NIV
“Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.”
Psalms 143:8 KJV
**The Elephant Ears featured above are on display at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens.
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid,” John 14:27 NKJV
Jesus came so that we may have peace while here on this earth. It is amazing how quickly we are willing to give it up!
Circumstances, people and our day-to-day lives will rob us of both peace and joy if we allow it. Peace and joy are two of the most valuable things we can posses, yet so carelessly we often allow people, obligations and our own shortcomings to overshadow what Christ has already done for us.
The key to keeping peace and joy (longer than the fifteen minutes after church service) lies in the ability to tune out distractions. Our society is so plugged in that there is little quiet time allocated to be still and reflect. You have to fight for the time to spend with yourself and with God that allows you to truly have “a peace that passes understanding.” (ref. Philippians 4:7)
We spend so much time working to obtain things that don’t really matter in the long haul that if only we put those efforts into keeping what has already been freely given to us, we could truly enjoy the fullness of God’s love for us.
Happiness is based on circumstances and our reaction to the environment or other people. We often work, configure and cajole others into doing those things that make us happy and feel good. Happiness requires that whatever is going on around us is pleasing. Happiness is transient and dependent on other people who have the same failings and weaknesses as ourselves.
Joy comes from God and flows out from within. Joy allows for true contentment no matter what is going on around us. Joy is not dictated by other people. As such, other people can’t rob us of joy. We may sadly give it away, but they can’t take it!
Happiness is fleeting. True joy is not as easily shaken!
Allow your spirit to rejoice in the Lord, overriding what you see and feel because you are, instead, moved by what you know…. God is good and He loves you, everything else is secondary!
“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning,“ Psalm 30:5. No matter what you may be facing, it is possible to receive God’s joy. Christ was able to endure the crucifixion for the joy that lay beyond the experience. God does no less for us!
Peace and joy are available if we receive them.
As with any gift, they must be accepted to be enjoyed. The price has already been paid. There is nothing you could ever purchase or acquire that can bring such contentment. All you have to do is believe and receive the enduring love, peace, and joy God makes available to you!
We readily believe in the power of our God to save us, yet often don’t place ourselves in the correct state mentally, spiritually and even physically to receive the fullness of His love daily.
God’s love and the peace and joy that flows from Him fuels us and allows us to share our true selves with others. In doing this, we not only multiply the love we receive, we also magnify our Father and offer ourselves as vessels through which He can work. Now, how cool is that?
“You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore,” Psalm 16:11 NKJV
“If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” John 15:10-11 NKJV
“The LORD upholds all who fall, And raises up all who are bowed down.
The eyes of all look expectantly to You, And You give them their food in due season.
You open Your hand And satisfy the desire of every living thing.”
Psalm 145:14-16 NKJV
“For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.
And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”
Galatians 6: 8-9 NKJV
Look for God in things both large and small. Pursue a relationship with Him like none other!
God has the solution to our problem before we ever perceive the problem. In Him we can find peace, strength, love, or whatever we may be searching for.
We just have to ask Him. Then trust Him. Submit to Him.
God wants to provide for His children. He delights in a relationship with us. He knows our every need and how to supply it.
We don’t have to worry. We can worship instead.
Now how cool is that?
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8 NKJV
“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
Matthew 6:31-33 NKJV
B Is for Blessed! 