Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Grace

     I was driving the other day and contemplating what exactly God's grace means. The actual dictionary meaning is this:
1a : unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification
b : a virtue coming from God
: a state of sanctification enjoyed through divine grace
2a : approval, favor <stayed in his good graces>
b archaic : mercy, pardon c : a special favor : privilege <each in his place, by right, not grace, shall rule his heritage — Rudyard Kipling> d : disposition to or an act or instance of kindness, courtesy, or clemency e : a temporary exemption : reprieve
     A lot there to try and comprehend but the revelation that God gave me was that of being in the womb.  Covered in complete protection, connected through the umbilical cord directly to Him who provides every need we have.  We don't need to eat, drink or even breathe, He is our complete source of life.  If we continue to stay connected through prayer, praise, worship and declaration of who He is we will never want for anything.  We will be submersed and protected by the fluid waves of the Holy Spirit and all of the stimulation of the outside world will be filtered through the warmth of the Lord's comfort and glory.
 
Ephesians 2:8-9
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast.
2 Corinthians 9:8
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;
2 Corinthians 1:12
For our proud confidence is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and godly sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you.

 

Sunday, June 9, 2013

What's in your gas tank?

This morning as I was getting ready for church the thought came to me that my life is the vehicle that will take me from birth to eternal life.  What I put into it will determine the quality of the ride and force of impact I have on people around me.

My first car was a Pontiac GTO, yes, really, my Dad and I have always had an extreme love and respect for automobiles. 

If I fill my gas tank with fear, apprehension, guilt, shame, greed or unforgiveness, my vehicle is going to sputter and it will crank hard and be slow going on this long journey.

So I choose to fill my tank with unconditional love for others and faith which will make the vehicle purr and run smoothly.

If I really want to have the utmost ride in this life I will also fill it with God's glory, sending me into supercharged speed moving forward like the "Fast and Furious".

What's in your tank?

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Saturday, June 1, 2013

Dancing in Praise

This morning I woke up singing "and Your praise goes on" by Chris Rice.

     I have come to realize as Christians we spout off scriptures but the words have not really affected us.  I was thinking back over the years of dedicating my life to Jesus and I have come to realize I finally get it.  It isn't any longer a philosophy its a relationship.  So when I say "(Philippians 4:10-13) But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me", I mean it.
    I have lived it and I have felt with all the pain of having nothing, being homeless and abandoned and losing everything including the betrayal of those I love, I can stand before you and say this is the living word of God and it dwells deeply within me and I can be content no matter what is going on in my life.  I have learned to forgive as He has forgiven me. I have learned to love and show love no matter how people treat me, I shake the dirt off my shoes and move on because God loves those people who hurt me as much as He loves me.  I have died to my emotions and they don't rule me anymore, my Papa God has got this, I am content and I can dance and praise His Name without embarrassment because I don't put importance on what "man" thinks of me.  I don't write this full of pride but humility, it has been a long hard lesson and I have the scars to show the battle.  If I could hug everyone of you and transfer this revelation and relationship into your very souls I would.  So be encouraged today, God loves you, its not a meaningless saying.  He loves you so much He sacrificed His son so you could have life and contentment.  Think about it.  Selah