Category: Grace

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God Blessed America

What a wonderful day we have to celebrate – Happy Birthday America!

There is no country on earth like this country we live in. It was founded on the hopes and dreams of a few. They had a desire to break free from tyranny and they were willing to give up their lives, if necessary, to see that dream of a new nation of freedom come true.

A blending of national origins, sects and ideals came together to see that this nation was birthed. Blood was shed and prayers were offered.

Today, we don’t celebrate her perfection but we celebrate her determination and resilience.

“Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord. Happy are the people He has chosen for His own.” Psalm 33:12 NLV

Some would like to argue that this country wasn’t founded on godly principles but they are woven all throughout her documents, fiery speeches and correspondence. Even her songs give glory to God.

Did you know the “Star-Spangled Banner” has four verses? Let me share with you the fourth:

“Oh, thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war’s desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav’n-rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: “In God is our trust”:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.”

That line “Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation” says it all. Many feared America would be able to maintain her independence and survive as a nation when the British attacked our shores again in 1812. The fighting was fierce!

“The anthem’s history began the morning of September 14, 1814, when an attorney and amateur poet named Francis Scott Key watched U.S. soldiers—who were under bombardment from British naval forces during the War of 1812—raise a large American flag over Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland…On September 13, U.S. soldiers at Baltimore’s Fort McHenry withstood some 25 hours of British bombardment. Early the next morning, they hoisted a gigantic U.S. flag over the fort, marking a crucial victory and a turning point in what would be considered a second war of American independence.” excerpts taken from History.com.

Inspired by that tattered flag Francis Scott Key penned the words to what would later be accepted as our National Anthem.

“When justice rules a nation, everyone is glad; when injustice rules, everyone groans.” Proverbs 29:2 CEV

May we all take time to pray for our nation today. We are fractured and need the Lord’s healing. May we be a nation where justice rules!

“Father God, we pray for our nation and its leaders. May Your grace impact the hearts all our citizens. May our cause be just and our trust be in You in Jesus name, Amen.”

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An Intimate Courtyard

One of the first group of verses I memorized as a young girl was Psalm 100.

“Earth, sing to the Lord!
2 Be happy as you serve the Lord!
    Come before him with happy songs!
3 Know that the Lord is God.
    He made us, and we belong to him.
    We are his people, the sheep he takes care of.
4 Come through the gates to his Temple giving thanks to him.
    Enter his courtyards with songs of praise.
    Honor him and bless his name.
5 The Lord is good!
    There is no end to his faithful love.
    We can trust him forever and ever! ERV

That’s exactly what I’m doing this morning – being happy and grateful to be in the Father’s courtyard.

When Dave and I did the landscaping at our home in southern Arizona we designed a front courtyard. It was my place to sit and pray; a place to always be thankful for the many blessings the Lord has given us. I miss the courtyard but the praise I always have in my heart.

Another memory I have of my childhood is a song I used to sing, In the Garden:

“I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear, falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses

And he walks with me
And he talks with me
And he tells me I am His own
And the joy we share as we tarry there
None other has ever known

He speaks and the sound of His voice
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing…”

There is a relationship that we can share with the Lord that is incomparable to any other. In the joy and in the sorrow, in the struggle and in the rest, we are invited to come into his courtyard, into the pasture of green grass and cool water, into His presence where there is fullness of joy.

“You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11 NKJV

There’s a progression here. In Psalm 100 we are told to come through His gates and into His courtyard. Praise and thanksgiving are the ticket to enter. The writer of Hebrews tells us we can come boldly into His throne room.

“So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved grace, and we will find help.” Hebrews 4:16 CEV

Our heavenly Father is generous and welcoming. He wants to come bravely, He extends His grace and provides us with the help we need.

There’s an intimacy in our relationship with Him. When we come into His courtyard, He meets us there.

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Good Gifts

We recently celebrated Dave’s birthday with all the kids and grandkids! It was a great time. Love, joy and presents.

They blessed Dave with a new smoker/grill and all the accessories! He was so surprised and thrilled.

Giving gifts to those we love just seems to come naturally. They don’t have to be big and expensive; simple and handmade gifts are meaningful too. It’s the fact that gifts come from the heart that makes them so special.

It’s probably not your birthday today but I have found some wonderful gifts chosen specifically for you.

“Christ gave each one of us a special gift. Everyone received what he wanted to give them. ” Ephesians 4:7 ERV

“Yes, God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him would not be lost but have eternal life.” John 3:16 ERV

“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.” Ephesians 2:8-9 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

It didn’t take Dave long to begin to tell his friends about what the kids had given him. Yes, he was bragging on them. I think our heavenly Father likes it when we brag about His goodness.

“With all my heart I praise the Lord, and with all that I am I praise his holy name! 2 With all my heart I praise the Lord! I will never forget how kind he has been. 3The 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.” Psalm 103:1-4 CEV

“…you still know how to give good things to your children. So surely your heavenly Father will give good things to those who ask him.” Matthew 7:11 ERV

“Grace and peace be given to you more and more, because now you know God and Jesus our Lord. 3 Jesus has the power of God. And his power has given us everything we need to live a life devoted to God. We have these things because we know him. Jesus chose us by his glory and goodness, 4 through which he also gave us the very great and rich gifts that he promised us. With these gifts you can share in being like God. And so you will escape the ruin that comes to people in the world because of the evil things they want.” II Peter 1:2-4 ERV

God’s gifts are called blessings. From the very beginning of time our Father looked for ways to give. He gave Adam and Eve a garden and filled it with all that was good. He gave the people of Israel a promised land filled with good things. He gave His promises and He never breaks His word.

He gave us His Son and a new life. All of these are very good gifts and worth bragging about!

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Great Joy

This was a weekend of great joy!

Our children blessed us with a 50th Wedding Anniversary celebration and it was wonderful! Our oldest daughter is quite the party planner and she saw to every little detail. It was the first time in years that all our family had been together. Kids, grandkids and great – my mother’s heart was full and running over.

Dave and I aren’t the same young couple that said I do 50 years ago but the meaning of those words has never been stronger. I do promise to love you, I do promise to be your support and strength, I do promise not to leave, I do promise to keep you in the center of my heart and my prayers.

Like all older married couples life has given us up’s and down’s. A few we wondered how we would ever get through but God’s grace and time saw things change. Never give up on God’s abundant, amazing, flood of grace! There are promises from His word that have strengthened us and given us hope when we our hearts were broken.

So let me ask you this, are there things in your life that appear to be impossible or nearly impossible to change? Maybe not impossible but highly unlikely? Give them to the Lord – place them under His control.

God has a way of changing the impossible!

“Nothing is impossible for God!” Luke 1:37 CEV

I’ve learned over the years that part of that changing process begins in me. I have to begin to see things differently and have to get past being offended or intimidated. I have to be willing to change. The Father wants my heart to conform to His.

A boy was brought to Jesus who needed to be healed. The father had some doubt. He knew Jesus could do it but he wasn’t sure Jesus would.

“Jesus said to the father, ‘Why did you say ‘if you can’? All things are possible for the one who believes.” 24 Immediately the father shouted, ‘I do believe. Help me to believe more!’” Mark 9:23-24 ERV

Sometimes we just need to be honest with God, recognize our own weakness and limitation and then say “Help me believe more”.

Jesus’ own disciples doubted on many occasions. There were storms to overcome. Jesus calmed the storms and brought peace. He wants to do the same in our lives. Whether you’re married 50 years or 5; unmarried and facing a new career or move – God is faithful!

With God all things are possible!

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The Day Was Silent

If you had been a follower of Christ at the time of the crucifixion this day would have been silent.

There was no familiar greeting of friends, no smiles, possibly hugs and sobs and the questions – those haunting questions.

Could I have done something to stop the terrible beating and crucifixion? Are they coming for me next? I’ve spent the last three years following a man who is dead and gone? Where do I go, what do I do?

We know they weren’t prepared for the possibly of a resurrection. In fact, the women were preparing the spices which were a part of a proper burial. They had plans of going to the tomb the next morning.

These were apostles, disciples, family and friends in mourning. The day was silent!

But not so for the religious leaders who had been responsible for Jesus’ arrest, beating and crucifixion.

“The next day, the day after Jesus was killed, the head religious leaders and the proud religious law-keepers gathered together in front of Pilate. 63 They said, “Sir, we remember what that Man Who fooled people said when He was living, ‘After three days I am to rise from the dead.’ 64 Speak the word to have the grave watched for three days. Then His followers cannot come at night and take Him away and say to the people, ‘He has been raised from the dead.’ The last mistake would be worse than the first.” Matthew 27:62-64 NLV

In their fear, they sent soldiers to the tomb to seal it and guard it. At the tomb there was silence.

In hell there was a battle raging.

“When you were dead in your sins, you were not set free from the sinful things of the world. But God forgave your sins and gave you new life through Christ. 14 We had broken the Law many ways. Those sins were held against us by the Law. That Law had writings which said we were sinners. But now He has destroyed that writing by nailing it to the cross. 15 God took away the power of the leaders of this world and the powers of darkness. He showed them to the world. The battle was won over them through Christ.” Colossians 2:13-15 NLV

Christ fought to free us from the power of sin. He fought for our redemption. He defeated the powers of hell!

“The Law could not make me free from the power of sin and death. It was weak because it had to work with weak human beings. But God sent His own Son. He came to earth in a body of flesh which could be tempted to sin as we in our bodies can be. He gave Himself to take away sin. By doing that, He took away the power sin had over us.” Romans 8:3 NLV

In the silence of that day all hope seemed lost but in reality hope for the salvation of all the world was birthed.

The angels had heralded His birth. The silence reverenced His death.

Let’s take time today to be silent, not in fear, but in gratitude for our great gift of salvation.

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Sorrow to Joy

The story I would like to share with you today comes from the Old Testament. It seems I know this dear lady very well. I’ve met her counterparts in every church we have attended and at every retreat I have been blessed to teach.

She’s a sweet lady, one of two wives to a man named Elkanah. He loves her dearly, but she had no children. Her counterpart has children and mocks her. Each year they travel as a family to Shiloh to bring their offerings to the Lord. This is an extremely tough time for Hannah because her heart aches for a child.

In sorrow, Hannah cries out to the Lord.

“Hannah was so sad that she cried the whole time she was praying to the Lord. 11 She made a special promise to God and said, “Lord All-Powerful, you can see how sad I am. Remember me. Don’t forget me. If you will give me a son, I will give him to you. He will be yours his whole life…

13 Hannah was praying in her heart. Her lips were moving, but since she did not say the words out loud, Eli thought she was drunk. 14 He said to her, “You have had too much to drink. It is time to put away the wine.”

15 Hannah answered, “Sir, I have not drunk any wine or beer. I am deeply troubled, and I was telling the Lord about all my problems. 16 Don’t think I am a bad woman. I have been praying so long because I have so many troubles and am very sad.”

17 Eli answered, “Go in peace. May the God of Israel give you what you asked for.”

18 Hannah said, “May you be happy with me.” Then she left and ate something. She was not sad anymore.” I Samuel 1:10-18 ERV

Have you been there?

So, upset over a situation that you have wept before the Lord, pouring out your heart and soul, completely oblivious to what others thought about you…just needing God to hear your heart? If you have then you can relate to Hannah.

God heard her heart – children were a sign that you had been blessed by God and Hannah’s heart ached because she had no child. I can assure you, when you pour your heart out to God, He meets you there. He brings comfort and peace.

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16 KJV

God heard and answered Hannah’s prayer. A year later Samuel was born. He is the same God and Father who hears our heart’s cry.

“So My Word which goes from My mouth will not return to Me empty. It will do what I want it to do, and will carry out My plan well. 12 You will go out with joy, and be led out in peace. The mountains and the hills will break out into sounds of joy before you. And all the trees of the field will clap their hands.” Isaiah 55:11-12 KJV

Pour out your sorrow before the Lord today. He will turn it into joy!

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Make A Difference

Yesterday afternoon Dave and I went to the movies. The second time in a month and it’s not something we do very often but I’m so glad we did.

Earlier in the month we saw a movie with Kim and Austin which was fun, spending time with our kids always is. It was then we saw the preview for “Jesus Revolution”. That’s what we saw yesterday.

It really hit home with me. In the fall of 1971, I attended Biola College. Coming from Yuma I had never heard of Calvary Chapel or Pastor Chuck Smith and I had only heard of the “Jesus People” on the news. Friends invited me to go with them to some of Pastor Chuck’s Sunday evening services and a couple of times to the baptisms at the beach.

What an experience!

Hippies and regular church people praising and worshipping the Lord together. No judgement or criticism, just heartfelt worship. It was a small glimpse of heaven.

“Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Matthew 22:37-39 NLT

Why am I sharing this with you? One, I think you would really enjoy the movie – it will stir your heart and two, it challenged me.

“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.” Romans 1:16 NLT

At the start of the movie there were older people attending Pastor Chuck’s church who were offended by the hippies who began coming. Sad to say, we have that with every generation. In Jesus’ day, the Pharisees and religious leaders were offended by Jesus and His group of rough fishermen, tax collectors and women of dubious reputation.

“When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. ‘Zacchaeus!’ he said. ‘Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.’ 6 Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. 7 But the people were displeased. ‘He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,’ they grumbled.” Luke 19:5-7 NLT

I think we can all agree that our world needs more of the love of Jesus. The only way this will happen is for His love to flow through you and I. We are called to a purpose.

“Jesus called out to them, ‘Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!’ 20 And they left their nets at once and followed him.” Matthew 4:19-20 NLT

I pray that we will all start a Jesus Revolution, first in our hearts and then reach out to those around us.

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New Thinking

Do you remember a couple of weeks ago when I shared the story of Mary and Martha with you? Jesus told Martha that Mary had chosen the “one thing” that was most important, listening to His teaching.

Each word that Jesus spoke, each word that was recorded, each word that is written in the Bible is for our instruction and benefit.

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.” II Timothy 3:16 NLT

Jesus was teaching a large group of disciples and He told them that He was the bread of life. They thought Jesus was teaching cannibalism and instead of asking Him to explain further they got offended and walked away. Jesus asked His apostles if they were going to leave as well.

“ The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life…66 At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him. 67 Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?” 68 Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. 69 We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.” John 6:63-69 NLT

It would be easy to criticize those that walked away if it weren’t for one thing. I too have been offended at times by things I read in God’s word. Things like “judge not” or “how many times do I forgive, 70 x 7”. In my selfishness and hurt I have gone to the Scriptures to find justification for my actions and instead find correction – don’t gossip, forgive…again, be patient, love your enemies, be generous, don’t harbor grudges.

Sometimes we have to let God’s word simmer for a while. You know what I mean?

When I read a verse or a group of verses I don’t quite understand or that are pointing out an area of correction that I’m not quite willing to deal with, I let them sit in my heart and mind. I ask the Lord to give me understanding and insight and a desire to change. I want to be willing to let His word work the change in my heart that He desires.

“Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. 5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had…13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” Philippians 2:3-5,13 NLT

Focus on one thing today – thinking like Jesus! I can guarantee life will be fuller and more rewarding than ever before; it won’t be easy but it will be worth it!

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Worthy?

I wonder how many people woke up this morning with a feeling of not being worthy. Not worthy of the position they hold in their company, not worthy of the success they have obtained, not worthy of love.

Because of Christ, we are embraced by God the Father.

This morning I was reading the story of a man who felt he wasn’t worthy of Jesus coming to his house. His servant was sick and needed a miracle. He knew Jesus was a miracle worker and could heal his servant, but he felt unworthy.

Let’s get a little background on this man. He was a high-ranking officer in the Roman army. The Romans were occupying the land of Israel and holding the residents captive. Many Romans treated the Jews with contempt and cruelty. Not this man, he had built a synagogue for them.

“They came to Jesus and begged Him, saying, ‘The man is respected and should have this done for him. 5 He loves our nation and has built our Jewish place of worship’.” Luke 7:4 NLV

Although others proclaimed that he was worthy, the Roman captain felt he didn’t deserve any special attention from Jesus, but he did care enough about his servant to want him well.

“Jesus went with them. When He was not far from the house, the captain told some friends to tell this to Jesus, “Lord, do not take the time to come to my house, because I am not good enough. 7 And I am not good enough to come to You. But just say the word and my servant will be healed.” Luke 7:6-7 NLV

May I say right here that the miracle-working power of God is never dependent upon our worthiness. In and of ourselves none of us are worthy of God’s compassion and grace. That’s what makes grace – grace. Grace is the outward expression of God’s undeserved love.

“Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was! He filled me with the faith and love that come from Christ Jesus. 15 This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: ‘Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners’—and I am the worst of them all. 16 But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.” I Timothy 1:14-16 NLT

The Apostle Paul never lost sight of God’s grace to him. Paul was responsible for the arrest and persecution of hundreds of Christians. He was there when Stephen, a leader in the early church, was stoned to death.

Was he worthy to be used by God? No, not according to the religious standards of the day. But Paul wasn’t limited by religion, he was freed by His new relationship in Christ. His life is an example to all of us. God’s love and mercy make all of us worthy of His acceptance and forgiveness.

Because of Christ, we are worthy to be called the children of God.

“ When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. ” Romans 5:6 NLT

Worthy of forgiveness, love and amazing grace all because of our relationship with Jesus!

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Amazing Grace

As I sit here this morning the rain is gently falling. It started yesterday and subsided overnight, but it has come again this morning. The desert ground is soaking in the much-needed moisture. In a few days the earth will show signs of new life.

The love grass will push its way through the crusted soil, the Ocotillo will begin to show its green leafy buds followed by the bright orange/red blossoms. Cacti that have been thin will plump as they retain the precious moisture that is gracing the earth.

I love it when it rains in the desert – there’s a fragrance of freshness that I haven’t experienced in any other locale. Somehow, it seems appropriate to have rain the first days of the year. Not only a refreshing for the earth but a refreshing for the soul.

While reading this morning I was searching for the verses that were the basis of the great hymn “Amazing Grace”. It’s God’s grace that brings life to our souls in the same way that the rain brings life to the desert.

John Newton wrote that hymn in the late 1700’s. He had been a godless man, filled with hatred – a slave trader until he personally experienced the life-changing love of God. He became the recipient of “Amazing Grace”. “The song we know as Amazing Grace was published with the title “1 Chronicles 17:16–17, Faith’s Review and Expectation”, without any accompanying music.”

“Then King David went to the Holy Tent and sat before the Lord. David said, ‘Lord God, you have done so much for me and my family. And I don’t understand why. 17 Besides all these things, God, you let me know what will happen to my family in the future. Lord God, you have treated me like a very important man. 18 What more can I say? You have done so much for me. And I am only your servant. You know that. 19 Lord, you have done this wonderful thing for me and because you wanted to. 20 There is no one like you, Lord. There is no God except you. We have never heard of any god doing wonderful things like those!'” I Chronicles 17:16-20 ERV

I had expressed my thoughts, similar to these, in my journal this morning and had thanked the Father for bringing me “safe thus far” and for His faithfulness that I know will continue throughout the rest of my life. I am so thankful for His blessing of grace. That’s when these two verses from Amazing Grace filled my heart.

“Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come,
‘Tis grace has brought me safe thus far
And grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.”

I believe that the Father has set the theme for my life in 2023 to be growing in grace. I have nothing and am nothing without His grace. I will say with King David “Lord, you have done this wonderful thing for me and because you wanted to. 20 There is no one like you, Lord. There is no God except you.”

May your life be filled with the amazing grace of God!

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