Category: Grace

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To the Uttermost

What a strange word. Uttermost.

As defined by Merriam-Webster: “most remote or outermost; farthest. the uttermost stars. 2. of the greatest or highest degree, quantity, etc.; greatest. The country’s art has reached uttermost creativity.“

Why would a word like that come up in my mind? I’m sure the Lord put it there this morning!

“But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. 25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

26 For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens; 27 who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.” Hebrews 7:24-27 NKJV

God, our heavenly Father, is able!

Able means He has the ability to do or complete the task set before Him. He is able to work on our behalf to save to the uttermost.

Because He is a loving Father he won’t force Himself on us and He won’t force us to take the benefits He has for us. But if we will allow Him to work in our lives we will see His ability working on our behalf.

“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.20 With God’s power working in us, he can do much, much more than anything we can ask or think of. 21 To him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus for all time, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:19-21 ERV

When we know God’s love, His power can work in our lives to bring Him glory.

“18 Because He Himself [in His humanity] has suffered in being tempted, He is able to help and provide immediate assistance to those who are being tempted and exposed to suffering.” Hebrews 2:18 AMP

He is able to help us immediately when we are being tempted because He was also tempted and suffered.

“God is strong and can (is able to) keep you from falling. He can bring you before his glory without any wrong in you and give you great joy. 25 He is the only God, the one who saves us. To him be glory, greatness, power, and authority through Jesus Christ our Lord for all time past, now, and forever. Amen.” Jude 24-25 CEV

God is able to keep us! He is able to save us!

“But Jesus will never die, and so he will be a priest forever! 25 He is forever able to save the people he leads to God, because he always lives to speak to God for them.” Hebrews 7:24-25 CEV

Maybe you’re one who feels you have been too far gone – gone like the prodigal son – gone to the uttermost. Not so, God’s love supersedes our sin. He is able to save to the uttermost.

Father, today I give you my availability so that Your abilities may work in me, through me and for me!

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Victory in Jesus…

…because of the cross!

Yesterday, I ended the blog with this verse: ““The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].” John 10:10 AMP

That my friend is a life of victory!

As a Christian we aren’t promised a life void of conflict or battles, but we are promised to emerge from those battles just like David in his fight with Goliath; we are promised victory. Today, we are going to run our cups over with victory.

“ In everything we have won more than a victory because of Christ who loves us. 38 I am sure that nothing can separate us from God’s love…” Romans 8:37-38 CEV

“ I am grateful that God always makes it possible for Christ to lead us to victory. God also helps us spread the knowledge about Christ everywhere, and this knowledge is like the smell of perfume.” II Corinthians 2:14 CEV

“But thank God for letting our Lord Jesus Christ give us the victory! 58 My dear friends, stand firm and don’t be shaken. Always keep busy working for the Lord. You know that everything you do for him is worthwhile.” I Corinthians 15:57-58 CEV

“ Finally, let the mighty strength of the Lord make you strong. 11  Put on all the armor that God gives, so you can defend yourself against the devil’s tricks. 12 We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world. 13 So put on all the armor that God gives. Then when that evil day comes, you will be able to defend yourself. And when the battle is over, you will still be standing firm.” Ephesians 6:10-13 CEV

“ Every child of God can defeat the world, and our faith is what gives us this victory. 5 No one can defeat the world without having faith in Jesus as the Son of God.” I John 5:4-5 CEV

Jesus said: “The time will come and is already here when all of you will be scattered. Each of you will go back home and leave me by myself. But the Father will be with me, and I won’t be alone. 33 I have told you this, so that you might have peace in your hearts because of me. While you are in the world, you will have to suffer. But cheer up! I have defeated the world.” John 16:32-33 CEV

“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. 15 There Christ defeated all powers and forces. He let the whole world see them being led away as prisoners when he celebrated his victory.” Colossians 2:14-15 CEV

The words of the Bible are very plain. We have the victory in Christ Jesus! We have been given the power to stand in the presence of our enemies! They HAVE BEEN defeated by Christ when He hung on the cross.

O victory in Jesus,
My Savior, forever.
He sought me and bought me
With His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him
And all my love is due Him,
He plunged me to victory,
Beneath the cleansing flood.

That old hymn means more to me today than when I was a child. My life has been filled with victory because of His blood! Oh, victory in Jesus!!

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What Fills the Cup

A few weeks ago, I did a teaching on “My Cup Runs Over” from the verse in Psalm 23:5.

We know it is the Lord who pours into the cup but have you ever stopped to ask, “what fills the cup”.

“ Jesus picked up a cup of wine and gave thanks to God. He then gave it to his disciples and said, “Take this and drink it. 28  This is my blood, and with it God makes his agreement with you. It will be poured out, so that many people will have their sins forgiven. 29 From now on I am not going to drink any wine, until I drink new wine with you in my Father’s kingdom.” Matthew 26:27-29 CEV

Christ told His disciples that His blood would be poured out for us. Poured into our cups, filling us with His forgiveness.

The Apostle Paul wrote to several of the churches about this “cup running over” filling we receive in Christ.

” God has put all things under the power of Christ, and for the good of the church he has made him the head of everything. 23 The church is the body of Christ and is filled with Christ who completely fills everything.” Ephesians 1:22-23 CEV

“I want you to know all about Christ’s love, although it is too wonderful to be measured. Then your lives will be filled with all that God is.” Ephesians 3:19 CEV

“I say this because all of God lives in Christ fully, even in his life on earth. 10 And because you belong to Christ you are complete, having everything you need. Christ is ruler over every other power and authority.” Colossians 2:9-10 ERV

“The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].” John 10:10 AMP

Now I’ll be honest with you, when I woke up this morning, I really didn’t want to read my Bible. But what I did tell the Father at the beginning of my prayer was that I wanted to have a greater capacity for Him in my life.

We can’t have more of God because God fills us completely when we become new creations in Him. What we can have more of is understanding and we can remove those things we selfishly hold on to and have a greater capacity to experience His love, power and forgiveness.

John the Baptist was the man of the hour. Everyone was coming to the river to be baptized by him. His ministry was becoming renown; his fame was spreading. One day his followers came to him and told him that someone else was preaching and baptizing and all the people were beginning to follow the new guy. John said:

“At a wedding the groom is the one who gets married. The best man is glad just to be there and to hear the groom’s voice. That’s why I am so glad. 30 Jesus must become more important, while I become less important.” John 3:29-30 CEV

That’s how we become filled and running over with the presence of God. He must become more important and I must become less. We all have the capacity to be filled and running over with the love of God!

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Don’t Quit – Don’t Give Up – Don’t Give In

Don’t quit – Don’t stop – Don’t Give Up – Don’t Give In

“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” Philippians 1:6

We all feel like giving up at one time or another but with God’s strength we can and will go forward to victory.

God has given us His power to overcome and be victorious in the things of life. Not our power but His. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead has been made available to us.

“ God put everything under Christ’s power and made him head over everything for the church. 23 The church is Christ’s body. It is filled with him. He makes everything complete in every way.” Ephesians 1:22-23 ERV

“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. 20 With God’s power working in us, he can do much, much more than anything we can ask or think of. ” Ephesians 3:19-20 ERV

“ I say this because all of God lives in Christ fully, even in his life on earth. 10 And because you belong to Christ you are complete, having everything you need. Christ is ruler over every other power and authority.” Colossians 2:9-10 ERV

“ So what should we say about this? If God is for us, no one can stand against us. And God is with us. 32 He even let his own Son suffer for us. God gave his Son for all of us. So now with Jesus, God will surely give us all things. 33 Who can accuse the people God has chosen? No one! God is the one who makes them right. 34 Who can say that God’s people are guilty? No one! Christ Jesus died for us, but that is not all. He was also raised from death. And now he is at God’s right side, speaking to him for us.” Romans 8:31-34 ERV

We aren’t supposed to do life on our own!

God has made His power available to us through Christ. Don’t give up, don’t quit – lean into the power of God through your relationship with Jesus.

“ But the Lord said, ‘My grace is all you need. Only when you are weak can everything be done completely by my power.‘ So I will gladly boast about my weaknesses. Then Christ’s power can stay in me.” II Corinthians 12:9 ERV

The Father’s great love for us is more than enough to strengthen us in any situation. Don’t give up, Don’t give in, Don’t quit. His grace is sufficient!!

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Life in Christ is Real

It’s hard for me to put in words what’s on my heart this morning. It’s so much a part of me, in fact, it’s my very purpose, it’s all consuming.

I wrote in my journal this morning. “Father, you’re love amazes me! I am beyond words – overwhelmed by your love and peace. I want everyone to experience what You and I share. It isn’t a preaching – it’s real life in Christ!”

“ Once we were also ruled by the selfish desires of our bodies and minds. We had made God angry, and we were going to be punished like everyone else.

4-5 But God was merciful! We were dead because of our sins, but God loved us so much he made us alive with Christ, and God’s gift of undeserved grace is what saves you. 6 God raised us from death to life with Christ Jesus, and he has given us a place beside Christ in heaven. 7 God did this so in the future world he could show how truly good and kind he is to us because of what Christ Jesus has done. 8 You were saved by faith in God, who treats us much better than we deserve. This is God’s gift to you, and not anything you have done on your own. 9 It isn’t something you have earned, so there is nothing you can brag about. 10 God planned for us to do good things and to live as he has always wanted us to live. This is why he sent Christ to make us what we are.” Ephesians 2:3-10 CEV

God isn’t wanting us to live the life He planned for us because He is a dictator and He certainly doesn’t want a horde of religious robots.

He has planned an abundant and full life for us; one where we experience the abundance of his love, his provision, his mercy, his grace and his peace.

“ A thief comes only to rob, kill, and destroy. I came so everyone would have life, and have it fully.” John 10:10 CEV

Our heavenly Father wants us waking up every morning thanking Him for the miracles of the day before and looking forward to walking in constant communication with Him in the day that is ahead.

He is our loving Father! He shows compassion and forgiveness without hesitation.

“So you will be saved, if you honestly say, “Jesus is Lord,” and if you believe with all your heart that God raised him from death. 10 God will accept you and save you, if you truly believe this and tell it to others.

11  The Scriptures say no one who has faith will be disappointed, 12 no matter if that person is a Jew or a Gentile. There is only one Lord, and he is generous to everyone who asks for his help. 13  All who call out to the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:9-12 CEV

This is real life in Christ. Knowing that the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross paid for our sins – all of them and it gave us a brand new life, free from guilt.

“Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person. The past is forgotten, and everything is new. 18 God has done it all! He sent Christ to make peace between himself and us, and he has given us the work of making peace between himself and others.” II Corinthians 5:17-19 CEV

This life in Christ is real!

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Little Things

Do you ever feel like your daily routine is insignificant? Not a neurosurgeon, a first responder, a community influencer? If you weren’t around would anyone notice?

I want to take you to one of my favorite Scriptures for moments of thinking just like that.

“ For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 NLV

God’s plans for us are not insignificant, they are designed perfectly for our benefit and to encourage and bless those around us. We don’t need a public pulpit to make an impact; there are lives we touch quietly each day who are recipients of the Father’s love shown through us.

Yesterday, our mail carrier told me how glad he was that I was back from my vacation. He said, “I look forward to our little visits”. I probably speak with him five minutes a day. But I listen and am always interested in his well-being. To him, that’s significant.

“Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. 17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.” Colossians 3:16-17 NLV

Whatever we do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus – wow! That’s a very important tasking. Do I get this right – not all the time. In fact, I fail more than I would like to admit. But I am also more successful than I used to be. The Holy Spirit is quick to correct me when I mess up and say or do something I shouldn’t. I truly appreciate that correction! I want to be a good ambassador for God’s kingdom.

“ For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. 20 So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” 21 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.” II Corinthians 5:19-21 NLV

We have a message to deliver. A message of reconciliation – God is no longer counting people’s sins against them. Those sins have been paid for through Christ and we have been made right with God. Now, that’s no little thing.

“Take control of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips.” Psalm 141:3 NLV

“Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.” Psalm 143:8 NLV

So, today take pleasure in the little things. Small conversations, little acts of kindness, forgiveness shown, grace given. We are ambassadors of the King!

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The Soil & The Seed

This morning’s blog is a marriage of two thoughts. Complaining is a weed that will stifle our harvest of peace and spiritual growth.

I remember a time that I bought two identical plants. Took them home and repotted them, set them on the watering system so they both got the same amount of water. They sat side by side in the sun. Everything was exactly the same except for the soil and the soil effected the production of the plant.

The Prophet Hosea, the Apostle Paul and Jesus have some important instruction that will help us all to be more fruitful.

“I said, ‘Plant the good seeds of righteousness, and you will harvest a crop of love.
Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and shower righteousness upon you.’” Hosea 10:12 NLT

You see the plants that I thought were identical had one difference. One had been put in a pot with old, hard soil and the other in a pot with new, fresh soil. Soil makes a difference.

“Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seeds. 4 As he scattered them across his field, some seeds fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate them. 5 Other seeds fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seeds sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. 6 But the plants soon wilted under the hot sun, and since they didn’t have deep roots, they died. 7 Other seeds fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants. 8 Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted! 9 Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.” Matthew 13:3-9 NLT

“The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. 21 But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word. 22 The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced.” Matthew 13:20-22 NLT

The problem wasn’t with the seed; it was with the soil. God’s word is the seed, our hearts are the soil.

“ If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. 13 The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” I Corinthians 10:12-13 NLT

Paul is giving strong admonition to the Christians in Corinth. Don’t let the temptation to complain and murmur about your circumstances cause you to stray from the Lord.

Their ancestors had seen all of God’s power when He delivered them from Egypt; crossing the Red Sea; living under the pillar of cloud by day; eating manna from heaven; drinking water from a rock and still they complained and rebelled.

Good word for today. How many times a day do we find ourselves complaining about something? How many times are we trusting in our own strength and not His?

It’s time we break up the hard ground, pull some weeds and give the seed of God’s word room to grow!

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No Matter Where

I love how you can see God’s work all around – each day there are new reminders of His amazing love. The songs of the birds at the ocean are different from the ones in the desert but they are sweet just the same.

The sound of the waves coming to the shore is as exciting as the sight of the sunrise or sunset that captivate me each day at home.

The earth is truly filled with the glory of God!

“The heavens keep telling the wonders of God, and the skies declare what he has done. 2 Each day informs the following day; each night announces to the next. 3 They don’t speak a word, and there is never the sound of a voice. 4 Yet their message reaches all the earth, and it travels around the world. In the heavens a tent is set up for the sun. 5 It rises like a bridegroom and gets ready like a hero eager to run a race. 6 It travels all the way across the sky. Nothing hides from its heat.

7 The Law of the Lord is perfect; it gives us new life. His teachings last forever, and they give wisdom to ordinary people. 8 The Lord’s instruction is right; it makes our hearts glad. His commands shine brightly, and they give us light. 9 Worshiping the Lord is sacred; he will always be worshiped. All of his decisions are correct and fair.

10 They are worth more than the finest gold and are sweeter than honey from a honeycomb. 11 By your teachings, Lord, I am warned; by obeying them, I am greatly rewarded. 12 None of us know our faults. Forgive me when I sinwithout knowing it.

13 Don’t let me do wrong on purpose, Lord, or let sin have control over my life. Then I will be innocent, and not guilty of some terrible fault.” 14 Let my words and my thoughts be pleasing to you, Lord, because you are my mighty rock and my protector.” Psalm 27 CEV

May your day be filled with seeing the Lord’s majesty and filling your heart with wonder, No matter where you are!

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The Power of God at Work

This morning I’d like you to do something for me. Before you head out the door, I would like you to go into the bathroom and take a long look in the mirror. No, you’re not looking to see if your hair is combed or there are any bags around your eyes.

I want you to see the power of God at work in your life.

“For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.17 This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, ‘It is through faith that a righteous person has life.’” Romans 1:16-17 NLT

The power of God planted a seed of faith in your heart and mine. Faith to believe in God’s grace to make us right. From start to finish our walk, our relationship with Him is by faith in His grace.

If you grew up in church, I’m sure at one time or another, you were presented with a list of do’s and don’ts. Don’t smoke, cuss or chew or go with girls that do! Yep, that was pretty much the law that was laid out before us. No movies, no drinking, no running amuck.

But not doing those things isn’t going to get us into heaven. It is by grace. Being conscious of sin doesn’t save us. Being aware of grace and accepting it by faith does.

Grace is the power of God at work!

” God doesn’t accept people simply because they obey the Law. No, indeed! All the Law does is to point out our sin.

21 Now we see how God does make us acceptable to him. The Law and the Prophets tell how we become acceptable, and it isn’t by obeying the Law of Moses. 22  God treats everyone alike. He accepts people only because they have faith in Jesus Christ. 23 All of us have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. 24 But God treats us much better than we deserve, and because of Christ Jesus, he freely accepts us and sets us free from our sins. 25-26  God sent Christ to be our sacrifice. Christ offered his life’s blood, so by faith in him we could come to God. And God did this to show that in the past he was right to be patient and forgive sinners. This also shows that God is right when he accepts people who have faith in Jesus.

27 What is left for us to brag about? Not a thing! Is it because we obeyed some law? No! It is because of faith. 28 We see that people are acceptable to God because they have faith, and not because they obey the Law. 29 Does God belong only to the Jews? Isn’t he also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, he is! 30  There is only one God, and he accepts Gentiles as well as Jews, simply because of their faith.” Romans 3:20-31 CEV

Thank you Jesus! The power of God at work in my life is because of what Jesus did and not what I try to do. My faith in Him has made me acceptable, not my works.

So, do yourself a favor. Go back, look in that mirror and say “Thank you Father that I am acceptable to You because of what Jesus did for me. I have faith in Jesus’ sacrifice and in Your power for my salvation. That’s very, very, Good News!”

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More Like Jesus

and less like me…a song by Zach Williams that ran through my thoughts in the wee hours of the morning.

“Oh, I have days I lose the fight
Try my best but just don’t get it right
Where I talk a talk that I don’t walk
And miss the moments right before my eyes

Somebody with a hurt that I could have helped
Somebody with a hand that I could have held
When I just can’t see past myself
Lord, help me be

A little more like mercy, a little more like grace
A little more like kindness, goodness, love, and faith
A little more like patience, a little more like peace
A little more like Jesus, a little less like me

Yeah, there’s no denying I have changed
‘Cause I’ve been saved from who I used to be
But even at my best, I must confess
I still need help to see the way You see”

And then I began praying for myself and for all of you. What would our sphere of life look like if we made it our goal, each day, to look a little more like Jesus?

“ But now put these things out of your life: anger, losing your temper, doing or saying things to hurt others, and saying shameful things. 9 Don’t lie to each other. You have taken off those old clothes—the person you once were and the bad things you did then. 10 Now you are wearing a new life, a life that is new every day. You are growing in your understanding of the one who made you. You are becoming more and more like him. 11 In this new life it doesn’t matter if you are a Greek or a Jew, circumcised or not. It doesn’t matter if you speak a different language or even if you are a Scythian. It doesn’t matter if you are a slave or free. Christ is all that matters, and he is in all of you.

12 God has chosen you and made you his holy people. He loves you. So your new life should be like this: Show mercy to others. Be kind, humble, gentle, and patient. 13 Don’t be angry with each other, but forgive each other. If you feel someone has wronged you, forgive them. Forgive others because the Lord forgave you. 14 Together with these things, the most important part of your new life is to love each other. Love is what holds everything together in perfect unity.” Colossians 3:8-14 ERV

Jesus changed the world by sharing God’s love. I want to be more like Jesus and less like me!

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