Category: Grace

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What Is Love?

The answer is God!!

Dave and I had a wonderful weekend away. We stayed at an historic ranch that is now a guest ranch. The air was crisp in the mornings, the adobe casita was beautifully furnished and the grounds were serene.

We talked of many things.

Life in the desert and in the mountains, our children and their children. Our great grandbabies. Our life and love through more than 50 years. A cup of steaming hot coffee, a plate full of rolled tacos with guacamole. Friends gathered on the deck/patio of our home for good bbq; yes, and the planning of more adventures in the days to come.

I asked the Lord, “Father, all of these images that I see can be described but how do I describe Your love? These are the things that mean love to me.” For the most part, I’m pretty good with words but when I try to describe God’s love I am seriously at a disadvantage. However, this morning I heard the answer to my question and it was “You just did!”

You see, every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father and with Him there is no variable or shadow of turning. Which basically means – every good thing that we enjoy comes as an outward expression of God’s love; that’s the way He’s always been and that’s the way He’ll always be! When I’m thinking on these things that I can describe, I’m describing the Father’s love. In every circumstance and situation that I live, I can sense the love of God and know that He is there because God is LOVE!

“ And now in these last days, God has spoken to us again through his Son. He made the whole world through his Son. And he has chosen his Son to have all things. 3 The Son shows the glory of God. He is a perfect copy of God’s nature, and he holds everything together by his powerful command. The Son made people clean from their sins. Then he sat down at the right side of God, the Great One in heaven.” Hebrews 1:2-3

Jesus’ purpose in coming to earth was to bring God’s love to each and everyone of us. He brought the message that God isn’t mad at us and that God desires to have relationship with us – not some experience that is staunch and unfeeling or condemning and angry – but a real, where-the-rubber-meets-the-road, everyday, I’m always here type of relationship.

I’m not saying that everything will be perfect in our lives because our lives aren’t perfect! But I do know that in the imperfect, trying, challenging, frustrating, ugly times of our lives that God is always there and He doesn’t abandon us! He’s always there to offer comfort, help, to bring wisdom, peace and joy even in the midst of our storms. God is love!

What words can I use to describe God’s love?! This love can’t really be described but it can be experienced. I will leave you with the words of the Apostle Paul:

“I pray that Christ will live in your hearts because of your faith. I pray that your life will be strong in love and be built on love. 18 And I pray that you and all God’s holy people will have the power to understand the greatness of Christ’s love—how wide, how long, how high, and how deep that love is. 19 Christ’s love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love. Then you can be filled with everything God has for you.” Ephesians 3:17-19

Now that’s love!

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Removed from Memory

Have you ever been caught up in a chore of some kind and just had thoughts come flooding into your mind?

Maybe you’re doing the laundry or driving to work or out walking, mowing the grass or just daydreaming and something that has brought you pain or guilt comes rolling in like the coastal fog or a wave to the seashore?

I have – and if I’m not careful, I start to mull it over, re-hash it and find that the hurt, worry or pain are still there.

That’s when I realize I haven’t completely turned it over to the Lord.

“Love does not remember wrongs done against it. 6 Love is never happy when others do wrong, but it is always happy with the truth. 7 Love never gives up on people. It never stops trusting, never loses hope, and never quits.” I Corinthians 13:5-7 ERV

Love doesn’t remember a wrong!!!!

Now that’s a hard one to swallow. But thank God He doesn’t. You notice I said He doesn’t because God is love and it’s His character to “Not Remember”. He isn’t holding our sins against us – quite the opposite! When we accept His forgiveness, He remembers our sin NO MORE.

Aren’t you glad that you can come to Him knowing He won’t condemn you for the things in your past? All things are new.

“And I will forgive the wrongs they have done, and I will not remember their sins.'” Hebrews 12:8 ERV

God wipes the slate clean.

Most of us remember the chalkboards that were in our school classrooms. The teacher would put up math problems, penmanship drills, and spelling words for us to copy down. Then she would grab an eraser and wipe the work away.

All that would remain was the chalk dust and a faint impression of what had previously been there. But when she picked up the big eraser with the chamois side to it, the board was completely clean. No evidence of what had once been remained.

That is just a crude example of God’s forgiveness.

“ I, I am the one who wipes away all your sins. I do this to please myself. I will not remember your sins.” Isaiah 43:25 ERV

” You were dead, because you were sinful and were not God’s people. But God let Christ make you alive, when he forgave all our sins. 14  God wiped out the charges that were against us for disobeying the Law of Moses. He took them away and nailed them to the cross.” Colossians 2:13-14 CEV

If your plagued by guilt or past failures, bring them to the cross and let the blood of Jesus wipe the slate clean.

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Another “But God” Moment

This morning I found where Jacob, the patriarch of the Jews, had a “BUT GOD” moment. As a young man Jacob had been sent by his mother to stay with his relatives. Why, you might ask? He had tricked his brother out of his birthright. So he arrives in Haran and goes to work for Laban, his mother’s brother.

He meets Rachel, Laban’s daughter and falls in love with her. He must work 7 years to earn enough to marry her and then on the wedding night he finds that he has been tricked and is actually married to her older sister, Leah. Now he must work another 7 years for Rachel and finally marries her. The whole time he is working for Laban who swindles him time and again.

Laban promised Jacob goats and then changed the terms again and again. Now finally, Jacob has the flocks and his wives and children and is ready to leave and head back to Canaan – probably more than 20 years. They leave when Laban is gone and are 3 days into the journey when Laban finally catches up with them.

Jacob, the one who had tricked his brother out of his birthright, lived working for Laban, the master trickster, for many, many years. But in all this, Jacob was faithful to do the work that Laban required of him. Now this is what Jacob says to Laban.

“I worked 20 years like a slave for you. For the first 14 years I worked to win your two daughters. The last six years I worked to earn your animals. And during that time you changed my pay ten times. 42 But the God of my ancestors, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, was with me. If God had not been with me, you would have sent me away with nothing. But he saw the trouble that I had and the work that I did, and last night God proved that I am right.” Genesis 31:41-42

BUT GOD saw what I have been through and He proved that I am right! God sees what you have been through and He will defend you.

“I know the LORD will provide justice for the poor and will defend the helpless. 13 Those who do what is right will praise your name; those who are honest will live in your presence.” Psalm 140:12-13 ERV

In times of trouble, in disappointment, in hardship or any kind of trouble look up. If we only had our own resources BUT with God all things are possible!

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Measuring Up

Have you ever felt like you don’t measure up? You know, comparing yourself to others is something we never seem to outgrow.

Not as fast, not as smart, not as attractive, not as athletic, not as…

Comparing isn’t just for kids or for those seeking to succeed in their professions. As a retired “senior” adult, I sometimes fall into that trap as well. Maybe you have too.

Even good church going people can be plagued by thoughts of unworthiness.

Have I read my Bible enough, prayed enough, gone to church enough, served my community enough – plain and simple been good enough for God to love me?

The answer is No. But before you become condemned for your answer let me assure you that is exactly the answer you should give. None of us have ever done enough good to earn God’s love; we couldn’t measure up.

But God chose us anyway!

“ Yes, it is because we are a part of Christ Jesus that God raised us from death and seated us together with him in the heavenly places. 7 God did this so that his kindness to us who belong to Christ Jesus would clearly show for all time to come the amazing richness of his grace.

8 I mean that you have been saved by grace because you believed. You did not save yourselves; it was a gift from God. 9 You are not saved by the things you have done, so there is nothing to boast about. 10 God has made us what we are. In Christ Jesus, God made us new people so that we would spend our lives doing the good things he had already planned for us to do.” Ephesians 2:6-10 ERV

None of us have a right to brag about our good works giving us an “in” with God. It’s all because of what Jesus did.

“Christ had no sin, but God made him become sin so that in Christ we could be right with God.” II Corinthians 5:21 ERV

Before any of us were born, before our parents and grandparents were born, God had a plan for us.

“ I pray that God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ will be kind to you and will bless you with peace! 3 Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for the spiritual blessings that Christ has brought us from heaven! 4 Before the world was created, God had Christ choose us to live with him and to be his holy and innocent and loving people. 5 God was kind and decided that Christ would choose us to be God’s own adopted children. 6 God treated us with undeserved grace because of the Son he dearly loves, and so we should praise God.” Ephesians 1:2-6 CEV

We were chosen – you were chosen by God to be His adopted child before the world was created. Did we measure up? No, far from it. It is by His grace that we have been adopted.

“You were all baptized into Christ, and so you were all clothed with Christ. This shows that you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:26-27 ERV

When we are clothed in Christ, we can stand tall knowing that because of Him we measure up!

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The Night the Lights Went Out

No, it’s not a country song – it’s what’s going on in my living room. I was up having a cup of coffee and reading my Bible and the lights went out. All over our community it dark, except for the moon light and the stars.

Reminds of what Jesus told his disciples, “You are the light of the world”.

“ You are the light for the whole world. A city built on top of a hill cannot be hidden, 15  and no one lights a lamp and puts it under a clay pot. Instead, it is placed on a lampstand, where it can give light to everyone in the house.” Matthew 5:13-14 CEV

We need to shine brightly and provide light for those who are in the dark. They may be in the darkness of fear, worry, stress, or complacency. We are called to be a light of His love, peace, joy, kindness, forgiveness, mercy and grace.

“The Scriptures say, “God commanded light to shine in the dark.” Now God is shining in our hearts to let you know that his glory is seen in Jesus Christ.

7 We are like clay jars in which this treasure is stored. The real power comes from God and not from us.” II Corinthians 4:6-7 CEV

And just like that – the power has been restored!

Lights are on, the coffee is warming again but more importantly, our hearts should be warmed by the fire of His love.

Let someone warm up by the fire of grace that God has placed in your heart. Enjoy the day – I’ve got to dash and get ready for work.

Love you all!

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No One Like You!

Who is like our God?

No one – there is no one like You. Those are the words that kept running through my mind in worship this morning – There is no one like You!!!

Amazing love, You gave Your life for me…there is none like You!

Amazing grace, You forgave all my sins…there is none like You!

Amazing joy, You put a new song in my heart…there is none like You!

Amazing relationship, You adopted me…there is none like You!

Amazing transformation, You made me a new creature in Christ…there is none like You!!

“O LORD, there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.” I Chronicles 17:20 KJV

“LORD God All-Powerful, there is no one like you. You are strong, LORD, and always faithful.” Psalm 89:8 ERV

“Remember what happened long ago. Remember, I am God and there is no other God. There is no other like me.” Isaiah 46:9 ERV

Oh Lord, we worship you this morning. Your word is our source of life and strength. You keep your word and your word directs us in relationship with you! How we praise You! You alone are worthy of all praise!

“You will do all these wonderful things because you said you would do them and because you want to do them. And you decided to let me know about all these things. 22 Lord GOD, this is why you are so great! There is no one like you. There is no god except you! We know that because of what we ourselves have heard about what you did.” II Samuel 7:21-22 ERV

There is no one like You! Amen and Amen.

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Consistency & Reflection

Our Christmas celebration started a week ago.

We went with our youngest daughter’s family to an Ostrich Farm where the kids, and the adults, were able to feed and interact with the animals. A memory maker for sure. Then Tuesday the oldest daughter and her family, married grandkids and great grands, came to spend time with us at our home. Food and fun! More memories.

Christmas Eve day we all met at our oldest daughter’s for Christmas brunch, family time and gift exchange for the littles family members. The only one we were missing was our son. We had planned to FaceTime him in for the reading of the Christmas story and the opening of presents. But much to our surprise, he was able to take some vacation time at the last minute and arrived unannounced. It was a wonderful Christmas – definitely a memory maker.

What a wonderful gift from the Lord – memory!

All through the Old Testament the Lord created memory making experiences. The rainbow after the flood, the Red Sea opening, manna from heaven, the walls of Jericho falling down, David killing Goliath, right up to a baby being heralded by angels and born in a stable and laid in a manger.

“Teach them to your children. Talk about them all the time—whether you’re at home or walking along the road or going to bed at night, or getting up in the morning. 20 Write them on the door frames of your homes and on your town gates.” Deuteronomy 11:19-20 CEV

“Jesus Christ never changes! He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 CEV

“ Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father who created all the lights in the heavens. He is always the same and never makes dark shadows by changing.” James 1:17 CEV

Memory makers! God’s faithfulness, His protection, His provision, His deliverance!

As we head into 2026 – take time to remember. Reflect on the past and know that God is faithful and consistent in your future.

“With all my heart I praise the Lord! I will never forget how kind he has been. 3 The Lord forgives our sins, heals us when we are sick, 4 and protects us from death.
His kindness and love are a crown on our heads. 5 Each day that we live, he provides for our needs and gives us the strength of a young eagles” Psalm 103:2-5 CEV

Reflect on His goodness – remember His unconditional love – know that He is consistent, He never changes!

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Just Because

When I woke up this morning, my heart was filled with so much love and thanksgiving to the Lord.

Just because…

because He’s God, because He loves me, because He knows me and loves me still. When Jesus was born, wise men from the East saw His star and came to worship Him just because.

” Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.” Matthew 2:1-2 ERV

They knew the heavens declared the glory of God and they came to see the child.

My “just because” came when I realized that God was not holding my sin against me but that I had been “justified freely” by His grace.

” Now God says he will accept and acquit us—declare us “not guilty”—if we trust Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we all can be saved in this same way, by coming to Christ, no matter who we are or what we have been like. 23 Yes, all have sinned; all fall short of God’s glorious ideal; 24 yet now God declares us “not guilty” of offending him if we trust in Jesus Christ, who in his kindness freely takes away our sins.

25 For God sent Christ Jesus to take the punishment for our sins and to end all God’s anger against us. He used Christ’s blood and our faith as the means of saving us from his wrath.” Romans 3:22-24 TLB

God loves us just because, and because He does He sent His Son!

“ The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God. He takes away the sins of the world! ” John 1:29 ERV

Just because of His great love He has given me a robe of right-standing to wear.

“I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. I am like a bridegroom dressed for his wedding or a bride with her jewels.” Isaiah 61:10 NLT

Jesus came just because of God’s great love!

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Great Riches

Rich – what does that word bring to mind? At this time of year it can be used in several ways.

Our conversation was rich with laughter.

The fudge was rich.

The presence of family and friends is rich.

That’s a present fit for a king but it requires his riches to buy it.

Rich: 1.wealthy: owning a lot of money or expensive property 2.worth much: worth a great deal of money 3.costly and fine: made from or consisting of things of the highest quality

What things in life make you feel rich?

Remember a couple of days ago when I used the verses from John 1 about the Word (Jesus) became flesh. Ok, so hold that thought for a moment and let’s look at Colossians.

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Colossians 3:16 KJV

Let the word dwell in you richly or let’s put it this way. When Christ, who is the word, dwells in us we become rich in wisdom. Now there’s a novel concept, rich in wisdom. Wisdom is a commodity that money can’t buy but dwelling in the Word makes wisdom available.

“Let the peace that Christ gives control your thinking. It is for peace that you were chosen to be together in one body. And always be thankful. 16 Let the teaching of Christ live inside you richly. Use all wisdom to teach and counsel each other. Sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 Everything you say and everything you do should be done for Jesus your Lord. And in all you do, give thanks to God the Father through Jesus.” Colossians 3:15-17 ERV

“But God is rich in mercy, and he loved us very much. 5 We were spiritually dead because of all we had done against him. But he gave us new life together with Christ. (You have been saved by God’s grace.)” Ephesians 2:4-5 ERV

Now there are some gifts that we all desire – peace, thankfulness, wisdom, mercy and grace. A relationship with Christ, the Word, brings the richness of these gifts to our lives.

Merry Christ – mas!

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Dinner’s Over…

But the joy remains!

Do you remember that sound of laughter, the fun and contentment from yesterday? Everyone around the table enjoying one another’s company?

Isn’t it great to know that we can have that for all eternity? Our heavenly Father is waiting for us all to come to His dinner table – to laugh, to sing, just to be together and enjoy His presence!

Now that will be a wonderful dinner of Thanksgiving. All of us have been invited to that wonderful supper.

“Then I heard what seemed to be a large crowd that sounded like a roaring flood and loud thunder all mixed together. They were saying,

‘Praise the Lord! Our Lord God All-Powerful now rules as king. 7 So we will be glad and happy and give him praise. The wedding day of the Lamb is here, and his bride is ready. 8 She will be given a wedding dress made of pure and shining linen. This linen stands for the good things God’s people have done.’

9 Then the angel told me, ‘Put this in writing. God will bless everyone who is invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb.‘ The angel also said, ‘These things that God has said are true.'” Revelation 19:6-9 CEV

We have all been invited to that feast. The invitation is open-ended.

“ It says this because there is no difference between those who are Jews and those who are not. The same Lord is the Lord of all people. And he richly blesses everyone who looks to him for help. 13 Yes, ‘everyone who trusts in the Lord will be saved.‘” Romans 10:12-13 ERV

Everyone who trusts in the Lord will be saved. Everyone. I hope and pray that you have placed your trust in Him.

Accept the invitation and join in the heavenly dinner that God is preparing for us.

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