Grace

 

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. ~Ephesians 2:8-9

Grace is defined as the free gift of undeserved favor.  "It is a virtue that comes from God and it is a state of sanctification that is achieved through divine assistance."   It is because of God alone that I am saved; that I am set apart through faith.  It is not of my own doing.  There is not enough good works in the world to cleanse me like the blood of Jesus.  I can only boast in the Lord and His goodness.  

It is because of His mercy that I am not condemned.  "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,-Romans 8:1.  So when my nerves become irritated by the behaviors of others I have to remember to extend grace.  I am not perfect, just saved by grace.  I have to look at others the way Christ does.  I find that when I do this, I become less irritated and not so easily agitated.  I am walking in the love that Christ lavished on me.  Now I am loving others.  I'm living life Christ's way and not my own.

Lord, I thank You for Your grace and mercy and the gift of salvation.  I thank You that all You require me to do is believe and accept your love.  Your grace and not my works sanctify me.  Help me to remember that when dealing with others.  Help me to continue to extend grace and forgiveness.  Help me to love like You.  In Jesus name.  Amen

No weapon formed

 no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the LORD.~ Isaiah 54:17

The enemy is always seeking to attack and devour us, but we have a promise from God.  No weapon formed against us will prevail(Isaiah 54:17).  This doesn't mean that attacks will not come, but rather they will not be victorious over us.  What a great assurance it is to know that that weapons of the enemy will ultimately fail. We just have to trust God and lean into His ways.

The word also says that we will refute every tongue that accuses you( Isaiah 54;17).  The enemy lies.  He would have us to believe the worst about ourselves.  Telling ourselves that we will never measure up.  Jesus is the only measure we need.  He would have us believe that we are without hope, but the Lord promises us hope -Jeremiah 29:11.  Jesus is our hope and our redeemer.  There is no condemnation in Jesus Christ(Tomans 8:1).  The Lord will vindicate you.  This is the heritage of being His servant.  The Lord will set it all right.  We just have to trust and obey and be still.

So no matter the circumstance, look up to God and trust that He is their fighting for you.  He will bring you victory.  

Lord, thank You for defeating the enemy for us.  Thank You for making it a fixed fight.  Let us remember this when we are going through trials and tribulations.  Let us remember that we have the victory.  In Jesus name.  Amen

Dealing with conflict

 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. ~Romans 12:18

According to the King James Bible Dictionary peace can be defined as "an state of tranquility or quiet, free from disturbance or agitation ass well as freedom from quarrels.  The Bible tells us in Romans 12:18 that if it is possible, as far as it depends upon us, to live at peace with everyone.  This includes those sandpaper individuals, you know the ones that just rub us the wrong way.  So how do we go out about living in peace with people who are about the drama, or just clash with our personalities and sensibilities?

First we humble ourselves. Romans 12:3 tells us, "For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. "So we do no go around thinking that we are better then them.  We seek good intentions and  assume the best if possible, letting God handle the rest.

We forgive.  Ephesians 4:32 tells us to "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."  We put ourselves in their shoes.  We remember that sometimes we have said the wrong thing or been misperceived/misunderstood.  We love and be kind.  We let pettiness go and pick up our cross.  We walk with God and our fellow man in unity and extend grace.  We treat others as we want to be treated (Luke 6:31).

Father, help us to emulate You and walk in peace.  Let us love and forgive.  Let us remain humble and a servant.  Help us to extend grace as you have extended grace to us, being kind to our neighbors.  Let us be the fragrance of You.  In Jesus name.  Amen

Thorns

 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. ~Psalm 34:18

Depression is a thorn in my side.  I have begged the Lord to remove it, but  the Lord said in 2 Corinthians 12:9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

I do not like this cloud that hovers over me seeking to envelop me, but I know that the Lord is close to me because His word tells me so.  During this season I have to cling to the truth of God's word and know that He saves those who are crushed in spirit.  The enemy would have me doubt God and lay down, but God is my strength and my comfort.  

I witness His power every day as my friend reminded me that I get to conquer the difficulties through Christ.  Ebbs of an unknown despair and grief are real, but my soul is anchored in the Lord.  Therefore I will have hope.  I will go back to my "yet".  I will not be defeated, for I am more than a conqueror through Christ Jesus.

Lord, You know my pain and my sorrow and You are near.  You save me moment by moment and give me victory, for that I say thank You.  Help me to rest in your power as You perfect me.  In Jesus name.  Amen

"Yet"

You've Been So Faithful 

Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. ~Lamentations 3:21-22

I found myself feeling a little melancholy this week.  I could not put my finger on the source, but I found myself playing the song above and my spirits lifted.  God's word says, "yet".  In the midst of my feelings their is a "yet" and "however" because when I think on the Lord I have hope.  

The Lord loves me, in fact He loves me greatly.  The Father is wrapping His arms around me and giving me a fierce hug.  It communicates that I am His.  He sees my need as He looks beyond my faults.  Remember He loves us so much that He sent His one and only Son to die for our sins that we might be saved.  His compassion keeps us from being consumed.

Compassion is defined as taking sympathetic pity  and concern for the sufferings of others.  God cares about what affect us.  He sees our struggles and He keeps us from being consumed by them.  He is my hope.  He is my "yet".

Lord, thank You for being me hope.  Thank You for your compassion and your love.  Bless those who might be feeling down or discouraged and let them look to You.  Let them feel Your compassionate embrace.  In Jesus name.  Amen

Using your talent

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ ~ Matthew 25:21

My pastor has been preaching/teaching from Matthew 25:14-30 -the parable of the talents.  The master representing God has given his servants talents according to their ability.  One servant received five, one received two, and one received one talent.  The first two servants took their talents and multiplied them and the master was pleased.  The servant who received one talent hid his and returned to the master what was given to him, the master was not pleased.  These teachings caused me to think about which servant am I?  Am I using what God gave me to bring Him glory and to be an instrument that yields an increase to the body of Christ?  Am I being a good steward?  Or am I hiding and burying my talent?

God's word tells us  in Ephesians 2:10 that we" are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do"   We are created with intentionality  and purpose.  We all have gifts/talents that can be used to advance the Kingdom of God,  we just have to use them.  We don't have to be afraid to use them because God is the one that causes the increase as we trust in Him.  We just have to step out in faith.

Examining my own life, I think I have used  the talents God has given me, but I must continue.  I must be consistent in sharing Him with those in in my sphere of influence.  I must make a difference for God.  I must continue to bring Him glory.  It does not stop until the breath in my body is gone.  I want to share His joy.

Lord, help me to be a faithful servant.  Help me to use what You have given me to share You with the world and advance Your Kingdom. Keep me humble, but intentional.  In Jesus name.  Amen

Surrender

Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (NIV).

Today, in a devotional, I was asked “What is Jesus asking you to release to Him today, trusting that He knows best?”  As I think about this question a couple of things come to mind.  First,  I need to release my youngest son’s future to God.  He starting college in a couple of weeks and I want him to experience success.  A lot of the safety nets that he had in high school are gone.  He is going to have to learn how to navigate a new landscape and become an advocate for himself.  I want to fix everything and remove all barriers, but I can’t.  What I can do is trust God.  Trust that the same promises that God makes for me apply to my son.  He is going to be okay.  God has him.  God is in control.  

The next thing is my vocation of teaching.  It’s my 30 year, but there is always room for growth and change.  I have to trust God with the relationships I build with my students, colleagues, and parents.  I can retire, but I have to trust His timing for that too.  

The key is believing in the truth that God loves me and my family; all those in my sphere of influence.  If I lean not to my own understanding and trust Him with all my heart He will lead me where I should go.  I can trust His wisdom and sovereignty over my life.

Lord, I thank You for Your word.  I thank You for being God, sovereignty ruling this world and me.  I surrender all to You Lord.  Help me to trust You in every way.  In Jesus name.  Amen