Category Archives: God’s Grace & Love

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April 9, 2014

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God's Grace & Love, Prayer

You’ve Got Mail!

Hear me as I pray, O Lord. Be merciful and answer me! My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.” [Psalm 27:7-8 (NLT)]

Last night, I discovered a “hot spot” in the city park, making it even easier to keep in touch with the world. Of course, I discovered it when I furtively checked my email during a band concert. With our smart phones, IPads, and computers, we are rarely out of contact with our friends and acquaintances. Most of us check our email (or Facebook page) several times a day. Do we check in with God nearly as much? I know I don’t!

Prayer is more than a ritual; it is building and maintaining a relationship with our Lord. We talk, text and email our friends all day long, so why do we spend so little time talking with Him? We don’t need a hot spot to check in with God! Today, every time I check my email, I’m also going to check in with God to see what He has to say to me!

It’s not enough to splash a little prayer on in the morning or to run through a sprinkler of God’s mercy now and then. It’s not enough to double our spirits in an hour of worship on Sunday or to dash into a drizzle of teaching every month or so. Our souls need to soak in God’s presence. It’s no luxury, this time we spend in the healing waters of God’s grace. It’s neither excess nor indulgence to immerse ourselves in communion with our creator. It’s a spiritual necessity if we want to become the people God has created us to be. [Penelope J. Stokes]

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April 1, 2014

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God's Grace & Love, God's Promises, Thanks & Praise

He Was There at the Start; He’ll Be There at the Finish

I have carried you since you were born; I have taken care of you from your birth. Even when you are old, I will be the same. Even when your hair has turned gray, I will take care of you. I made you and will take care of you. I will carry you and save you. [Isaiah 46:3b-4 (NCV)]

Thank you, O Lord, for your constant presence in our lives. You have watched over us and never tired of forgiving us time after time. You have carried us through both good and bad times and never tired of mending our wounded hearts. There are no secrets we can keep from you; you know us inside and out and yet you love us anyway. Thank you, Lord, for the knowledge that as gently as you carried each one of us into this world, you will gently carry each of us home when our time comes.

“I Was There To Hear Your Borning Cry” by John Ylvisaker

I was there to hear your borning cry,
I’ll be there when you are old.
I rejoiced the day you were baptized,
To see your life unfold.
I was there when you were but a child,
With a faith to suit you well;
In a blaze of light you wandered off
To find where demons dwell.

When you heard the wonder of the Word
I was there to cheer you on;
You were raised to praise the living Lord,
To whom you now belong.
If you find someone to share your time
And you join your hearts as one,
I’ll be there to make your verses rhyme
From dusk ’till rising sun.

In the middle ages of your life,
Not too old, no longer young,
I’ll be there to guide you through the night,
Complete what I’ve begun.
When the evening gently closes in,
And you shut your weary eyes,
I’ll be there as I have always been
With just one more surprise.

 

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March 14, 2014

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God's Grace & Love, God's Word: The Bible, Joy, Obedience, Thanks & Praise

What Blessings Have You Enjoyed?

The teachings of the Lord are perfect; they give new strength. The rules of the Lord can be trusted; they make plain people wise. The orders of the Lord are right; they make people happy. The commands of the Lord are pure; they light up the way. Respect for the Lord is good; it will last forever. [Psalm 19:7-9a (NCV)]

The question was asked, “What blessings have you enjoyed as a result of obeying God’s word?” My first thought was the satisfaction that comes from knowing I’ve done the right thing. Then I realized that by obeying God’s word, my life is blessed, not with a sense of righteousness, but with a sense of direction, peace, and joy. Obeying God’s word enlightens, guides and restores me. Obeying God brings not just an eternal reward in heaven but also an immediate reward in this life.

Thank you, God, for loving us enough to give us your holy word to teach, direct and bless us through this life and into the next.

The judgments of the Lord are true; they are completely right. They are worth more than gold, even the purest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even the finest honey. By them your servant is warned. Keeping them brings great reward. [Psalm 19:9b-11 (NCV)]

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March 12, 2014

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Challenges & Difficulty, God's Grace & Love

He’s Not Complaining

But Jesus answered, “Stop complaining to each other.” [John 6:43 (NCV)]

When life doesn’t go the way we think it should, we often complain, “It’s not fair!” Yet, we never seem to complain about unfairness when we are the ones with the good fortune and others, perhaps more deserving, have been slighted. Our complaints place the focus on us instead of on God, where it should be.

Let’s face it; if anyone has reason for complaint, it is our heavenly Father. Mankind rebelled against Him at the first opportunity and continues to do so today. When God blessed the Israelites with freedom, they wanted to return to slavery at the first sign of trouble. When He blessed them with manna, they wanted meat. When Jesus fed the 5,000 with a few loaves of bread and fish, there were probably some people who complained that He’d forgotten the dessert! We’re a stubborn, bad-tempered and argumentative people. Moreover, God’s only son, a man totally free of sin, was sacrificed to pay for our sins. If anything was undeserved, it was that dark day when Christ died for us. Yet, I don’t hear God complaining. Do you?

He has not punished us as our sins should be punished; he has not repaid us for the evil we have done. [Psalm 103:10 (NCV)]

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February 19, 2014

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God's Grace & Love, Nature

We Know the Artist

zebrasThe heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. They speak without a sound or words; their voice is never heard. Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world. [Psalm 19:1-4 (NLT)]

Recently, I toured an art museum with a docent who told me about each artist’s life and work. Knowing something about the individual artists helped me to better appreciate their art.

Aren’t we fortunate that we know the artist who scattered the stars, painted the stripes on the zebra, sculpted the Rocky Mountains, fashioned the delicate hummingbird, and handcrafts each flake of snow? When we observe God’s artistry, we’re doubly blessed. Not only do we know something about His majestic work, but we also know the Creator personally!

For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. [Romans 1:20 (NLT)]

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February 15, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, God's Grace & Love, Joy

Let’s Go Fly a Kite

2014-2-15Jerusalem, sing and be happy! Israel, shout for joy! Jerusalem, be happy and have fun! [Zephaniah 3:14 (ERV)]

We sometimes take ourselves way too seriously. Our reading is often for the sole purpose of learning or spiritual enlightenment, not simply pleasure. Our walks or runs aren’t for enjoyment but to burn calories and get fit. We feel the need to be intentional about every moment of our lives, but must everything we do have a serious objective? When was the last time you enjoyed your old photos without feeling guilty about not having them sorted or put in albums? When was the last time you took a run and didn’t check your pace or pulse? When was the last time you relished the beauty of your garden without thinking about the weeds that needed to be pulled? Christians, especially, can be a serious, if not a somber, group. “Fun-loving” or “light-hearted” are usually not the first adjectives that come to mind when one hears the word “Christian.”

This has been a brutal winter for many. Some have endured terrible weather, others have suffered from health issues, and yet others have been troubled with financial or family problems. Whether we call it relaxation, enjoyment, or amusement, God’s gift of fun replenishes us. So, today, let’s have some fun. Why not play a silly game, build a snowman or a sandcastle, watch a sunset, have a snowball fight or walk in a nature preserve? Watch an Abbott and Costello movie, read Dr. Seuss, sit in front of a fire and enjoy a cup of cocoa with whipped cream and marshmallows, have a picnic (inside or out), or go to the zoo. Fly a kite, do jigsaw puzzles, go to the dog park and play with your pooch, curl up by the fire with Agatha Christie or Stephen King, or look through old photos, remembering the good times and laughing at the outfits and hair. Whatever you do, enjoy yourself and don’t feel guilty about not being productive. We’re told to “make a joyful noise,” and while having fun won’t bring us joy, I’m not sure we can ever be truly joyful without having a little fun! Fun, like every other good and perfect thing is a gift from God; let’s not forget to have it!

Thank you. Lord, for the gift of fun; never let me forget how to smile and relax. Help me understand the difference between wasting time and having a good time!

But God was always there doing the good things that prove he is real. He gives you rain from heaven and good harvests at the right times. He gives you plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy. [Acts 14:17 (ERV)]

The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time. (Bertrand Russell)