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No Struggle Necessary

No Struggle Necessary

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This year is just speeding by…

In a way, I am a little disappointed. Not in the way time keeps moving, because that’s what time does. It’s more in the way I have been managing my time.I was in a meeting yesterday, and the leader asked how many of us had completed a project we were assigned to do. Out of the five of us in attendance, only one of us had partially completed it. That’s not good. 

I’m not sure what is happening with the others, but I know for me…this year has been a little rocky. I think part of it is that I feel stuck creatively. Not only am I not working on the book I was supposed to write two years ago. I don’t even know where to start. My study time is non-existent, which mentally affects my motivation, and we’re not even going to talk about how physically out of shape I am…sigh.

But there is always hope…God gives us second chances. Well, actually He gives us lots of chances.

1 Peter 5:10 says, “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”

God says that our experiences were predetermined way before the world began. We may sometimes cause our destinies to be delayed, but the Lord will never give up on us. He knows how to get the best out of us.

So, I know that although it may seem like nothing is happening in this new year…there is definitely some growth going on. If nothing else, I am learning that my plan doesn’t mean much if God is not in it. I know that I can make all the plans I want, but if God is not ordering my steps, I won’t get very far. 

I know that He has a plan for me and I am not going to have to struggle to make it happen.

Until next time…

Be blessed

God’s Restorative Love

God’s Restorative Love

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Restorative love is the kind of love that doesn’t see wrongs. It’s the kind of love that allows for “growing pains.” It’s the kind of love that understands our weaknesses, faults, short-comings, and loves anyway. And it’s the kind of love that says…try again.

I like being able to start over. I like the fact that God built in a do-over for us. He knew we were going to need it, because according to the Apostle Paul…we want to do right, but it’s just not in us. Romans 7:15 says, “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.”

And because God has a specific purpose for each one of us…along came grace. God’s grace is sufficient for us (1 Corinthians 12:9). His grace covers all the wrongs we do, and even the ones we haven’t done yet. That’s because His grace is new every. single. morning. God’s grace says I understand what you are going through, and I will cover you until you get it together.

In the midst of all of life’s little ups and downs is God’s perfect grace…just waiting for the opportunity to show up. His grace molds us and shapes us and transforms us. We can no longer do the things we used to do. Guess what? We don’t even want to. Giving our lives to Christ transformed us. We have been changed…renewed…delivered…set free…there is no going back for us. 

And because we have been given that kind of restorative love, it’s our obligation to pass it along to others.

“And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8).

Until next time…

Be blessed

I Lack Nothing

I Lack Nothing

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This week, our promise is found in Psalm 23:1,  “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want” The part I want to focus on is the part that says,” I shall not want.” Some versions say, “I lack nothing.” I think I like that better, because when we make the Lord the head of our lives, we lack nothing. We may “want” some things…but nothing we really need will He withhold from us.

For some reason, thinking about this promise made me think about friendships, and how even though the Lord is a friend “at all times,” He has made us to need each other. The Bible says, “A threefold cord is not easily broken.” We can’t handle this world alone, and we weren’t meant to. We grow, and are strengthened through our relationships with one another.

I thank God for the people He has placed on my path. The people who hold me up, and pray for me. The people I can lean on in good times and in bad times. I think God has given everyone at least one “ride or die” friend. That friend that won’t co-sign your foolishness, but will be there when you need them no matter what. I believe that is one of God’s gifts to us.

I thank Him also because He leads us, and guides us, and sometimes even hides us when we need it. He keeps us safe, and in spite of all the left turns we make, He makes sure that we lack nothing.  I’m so happy that God loves us, and that every day He gives us new mercy, new hope, new grace, and a new beginning…

Until next time…

Be blessed

Let God Lead

Let God Lead

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What a great and awesome God we serve. He never leaves us…not for a moment. He is constantly there to help lead us to our most highest selves. His love is so massive…that we can’t even begin to comprehend the depth of it. He is so much more than our words have a right to describe. His name is above every name. The word says that demons tremble at the sound of His name. It also says that when we submit to God, resist the devil, he has to flee (James 4:7). He has no choice. THAT is how big our God is. 

So why is it that we still get upset when people disappoint us…when they hurt us…when they act human….

We expect others to treat us the way we want to be treated. We keep looking to them and not to God. And every time we do that, we are going to be disappointed. In John 15:17 it simply says,” This is my command: Love each other.” It doesn’t say because we treat each other right, or because we deserve it….not even because we want to do it…but, because God commanded it. Period.

The thing is to give others the same grace that God gives us. To love each other the way God loves us…unconditionally. I know that is easier said than done, but God knew that we wouldn’t be able to do it on our own. So He left us some help.

First, God sent His Son, Jesus Christ to save us.

Then Jesus left us a helper…The Holy Spirit.

And finally, the Holy Spirit leads us and guides us through all of those times when our “flesh” wants to be in control.

So, this week, let God lead. Open your heart to Him, and allow Him to do a good work in you. Put Him in the middle of every relationship–and then watch Him work.

Until next time…

Be blessed

New Life

New Life

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…just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” –Romans 6:4

This past week, many of us honored the walk Jesus made to the cross.  Today, I think of the sacrifice Jesus Christ made for all of us…even for those who did/do not believe. What kind of man would do that? I’ll tell you what kind of man would do that. The kind of man who loved us so much that He would die and go to hell so that we wouldn’t have to. The kind of man who never sinned, but took all of our sin so that we could have new life. And here is an even better question. If He could do that for us…what is it that we can’t do for Him? 

God loved us so much that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to the cross. And He did that because He couldn’t bear being separated from us. It is so amazing to me that the Creator who created it all thought enough of us to do that. And even more amazing is that the Bible says, “The Lord called me before my birth. From within the womb he called me by my name.” (Isaiah 49:1 TLB). I thank God that He called us by name. That scripture says that we were always on His mind…even before we were born. How awesome is that?

God called us into being because He had a plan for each one of us. He has individually chosen us to represent Him in the earth. To tell others about the saving grace of the Lord, Jesus Christ. And He has given us all unique gifts that only we can do to reach the people that only we can reach. So, what are you doing with your gifts? 

I am challenging all of us, on this Resurrection Sunday to live the best life we can possibly live. To use every gift, every skill, every talent, and every dream to honor the One who has given us new life. 

Whatever God is calling you to do…don’t stop until you do it.

Until next time…

Be blessed.

Expectations

Expectations

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What a great and awesome God we serve. He never leaves us…not for a moment. He is constantly available to help lead us to our most highest selves. His love is so massive…that we can’t even begin to comprehend the depth of it. He is so much more than our words have a right to describe. The Bible says that His name is above every name. The word says that demons tremble at the sound of His name. It also says that when we “submit to God, resist the devil, he has to flee” (James 4:7). He has no choice. THAT is how big our God is. So why is it that we still get upset when people disappoint us…when they hurt us…when they act human….

I believe the reason is that we expect others to always put us…our feelings above their own. To treat us like they would want to be treated…to live by God’s standards. We keep looking to them and not to God, and every time we do that, we will be disappointed. The thing is to love each other the way God loves us…unconditionally, but still be able to extend the same grace to them God extends to us. I know that is easier said than done, but God knew that we wouldn’t be able to do it on our own.

First, He sent His Son, Jesus Christ to save us, then He left us a helper…The Holy Spirit to lead us and guide us through all those times when our “flesh” wants to be in control. We have to be willing to give up what we want and accept what God wants. In John 15:17 it simply says,”This is my command: Love each other.” Period. Not because you treat me right…not because I deserve it….not even because I want to…but, because God has commanded it.

So, this week, let God lead. Open your heart to Him, and allow Him to do a work in you. Put Him in the middle of every relationship–and then watch Him work.

Until next time…

Be blessed!

I Want That Peace

I Want That Peace

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This time of year always makes me look forward to spring. I can feel the seasons about to change…even though winter is still very much present. It sort of reminds me of what it felt like when I gave my life to Christ. When God came into my heart…it was like coming out of a long cold winter. I felt brand new, like I could do anything…and that everything was possible. But, then I began to get distracted with “works,” and lost my way a little. I forgot who God was. Although He does good works, and He expects us to do good. That’s not why Jesus went to the cross. He went because He loves us…even before we were born. And there is no “work” that can make Him love us any more than He already does. I thank God for Jesus, and I thank Him for the Holy Spirit…one died for me, and the other lives within me. How awesome is that.

I think many times, I have tied God’s hands. There is so much that He still wants to do for me…for all of us, but we have a hard time trusting Him. Even though He has shown Himself to be faithful, we still find it hard to believe that He will be there when we need Him. We still compare Him to our current circumstances. God’s word says in Isaiah 26:3 that, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” I want that peace. I want to keep my mind on Him, and not be distracted by the things I see. 

So, let’s all make this the year that we begin to walk in the love and grace of God. That we really begin to believe not only that God is who He says He is, but that we are who God says we are.

Lord, we praise you, we lift you up. We bless Your name. We thank You for loving us in spite of us. Help us to be all that you have called us to be. We give you all the glory, and all the praise.

In the precious, matchless, powerful name of Jesus, the Christ we pray…Amen.

Until next time…

Be blessed.

Fear of Faith

Fear of Faith

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I know…that sounds crazy. How can you have fear of faith? For the last couple of weeks, we have been talking about destiny. And even though our destiny is tailor-made for us, we can delay our destiny by being fearful. I have heard people say, “What is for me is for me, and no one can take it from me.” I believe that too. But I also know that God will use someone else to do what we will not. Now, we may eventually get around to it, but by then, God will have already raised someone else up to take our place, and our destiny will still belong to us. God will never change His mind about us, or what He has chosen for us to do, but He needs people who are going to trust Him more than they fear faith. 

See, faith will tell you that you can do anything. But fear will say don’t believe that! Romans 1:9 states, “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” That is good in theory, but the reality of it can be scary, right? That’s where we have to tap into God’s grace. His grace steps in to combine with our faith so that we can do all that God has called us to do. He gives us just enough faith to handle each challenge we face. That way, we won’t get boastful; thinking more highly of ourselves than we should (Romans 12:3). We have the choice right now to change our way of thinking, and to not allow fear to keep us from what God wants to do in our lives; and what we can do for the Kingdom of God. 

I believe that God is calling us to a higher purpose in this season, and we have to stop having fear of faith. In John 14:12 it says, “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” God has a plan for us, and He will be there with us every step of the way. We just have to let His voice speak louder than that of our fear.

Until next time…

Be blessed!