The prayer from the "Biblical virtues to pray for": "God, help us to love justice as You do and act justly in all we do" and the scriptures are Psalm 11:7 and Micah 6:8.
I have had a tough time with something to share with you here. I looked up justice in the dictionary, and it said "The quality of being just". So, I looked up just and it says "Fair, evenhanded, and impartial in acting or judging; adhering to high moral standards; upright; honest".
The words "impartial in judging" really stuck out for me. It is not right to judge anyone, I know that. And yet, I know it is also important to make right judgements.
I do not know why that person is acting the way they do, why he or she might be looking not as I want them to "look", or "act", or whatever. It is not for me to judge them. Along with this comes so many other sins: gossip, condemnation, worry, distrust, etc. When do I need to reach out to that one, and when do I draw back? How do I judge people? I need to seek God's wisdom so that I am slow to condemn and quick to show compassion. I need to pray for the gift of discernment. Trust God to protect me and lead me. And then I need to act in a just and fair way.
Micah 6:8 - "He has told you what HE wants, and this is all it is: to be fair and just and merciful and to walk humbly with your God".
Psalm 11:7 - "The Lord does what is right, and he loves justice, so honest people will see his face".
There's a wonderful story to illustrate this in the bible. The story of the woman caught in adultery - which in the days Jesus walked the earth was a crime and the woman was supposed to be stoned to death. They were trying to trick Jesus. But he said "anyone here who has never sinned can throw the first stone." And they began to leave one by one until they were all gone. Jesus asked the woman - "where are they? Has no one judged you guilty?" "no one, sir" she said. To which Jesus answered "I also don't judge you guilty. Go now, and sin no more". Maybe she expected Him to scold her . . . I don't know for sure. But I do know this: what she got, she never expected. She got a promise and a commission. The promise: "I also don't judge you guilty". The commission: "Go and sin no more". Jesus touched her life in a very powerful and compassionate way. He did not judge her guilty! Her life must have changed from that moment on.
And also when Jesus was dying on the cross - after being tortured and crucified, he said "forgive them Father, for they know not what they do".
Jesus, help me to show this wonderful justice and forgiveness to all the people you put in my life and in my path. Help me to act justly and walk humbly with you. I pray for that special gift of discernment. Lead me, Lord. Help me.
(Maybe we could all share our opinions or something we've learned about justice).
Friday, February 20, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Let's pray for Janet's friend
Janet sent an e-mail from work that her friend's, husband, Brian needs us to pray for him. He has a very rare eye disease and there is nothing to do for it except monitor the progression. It eventually leads to blindness. She said she believes in the power of prayer, so could we please for him? So, let's do it!
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Please post answers to prayers
How are Arjay and Chad doing with their college classes? Does Arjay get to graduate this year? Is Chad going to make it into Pharmacy School this year?
How is Destany doing?
We'll all keep praying.
How is Destany doing?
We'll all keep praying.
Pray for Josi
Josi is in the hospital again. She had some kind of seizures while in P. T. She's in intensive care. Please pray for her. She needs a miracle and lots of healing! And pray for all the family, too. They have way too much to cope with. Pray for peace for their hearts and lots of energy and strength. Thanks
Thursday, February 12, 2009
#6 - Love for God's word
The scripture reading is Psalm 19:10, which I will quote later. The prayer for this biblical virtue to pray is: "May we grow to find your word more precious than much pure gold and sweeter than honey from the honey comb."
The Bible is God's word. It is God's love letter to His people, His children, His bride! God's word is a word of comfort. The word of God guides us. It teaches us truth! The Bible is the blue print of the creator of humankind! We can find healing for our souls, bodies and minds there. God speaks to us through these words. The bible is the Logo or the Rayma. The logo means it is THE word. It is the study, the history, learning. The Rayma is a personal revelation from God especially for you. When reading and studying my bible, I could read the same verse several times, and each time I could see something new in it. Sometimes it truly is a personal word of comfort, guidance, love, encouragement - basically what I need for that moment! When we read our bibles or pray with our bibles, or study our bibles, it is like going on a treasure hunt. You will be surprised at the precious nuggets you will find, and the deeper you dig, the more precious the treasure! If you want to grow in the word of God, become a person with a chisel and go out and dig in the word -- look, explore, seek. Let The Word become your word, and you will grow.
I challenge you to rediscover the Bible in your own life . . . ask the Holy Spirit to lead you, teach you, and guide you through it. Sit with Jesus daily and read God's love letter to you!
Can I share a few words from God that I received from my Bible while praying for you?
These are samples of the Rayma:
Psalm 32:7 - (while praying for Linda, but meant also for all of us) - Lord, you are my shelter; from distress you will preserve me; with glad cries of freedom you will ring me round. Psalm 32:8 - I will instruct you and show you the way you should walk; I will counsel you, keeping my eye on you. Psalm 32: 10 & 11 Many are the sorrows of the wicked (Dennis?), but kindness surrounds those who trust in the Lord (Linda?). Be glad in the Lord and rejoice you just; exhalt all you upright of heart! Hebrews 10:34 - You even joined in the sufferings of those who were in prison - and joyfully assented to the confiscation of your goods, knowing you had better and more permanent possesions (her hearing on the division of their property and possesions). Hebrews 12:3 - Remember how Jesus endured the opposition of sinners - hence, do not grow despondent or abandon the struggle.
And one day Kay called me and was telling me of her pain in her wrist, her arm, and elbow and shoulder and how hard it was to do her job and the pain kept her awake. I prayed for her - and this is where I was in my bible:
Hebrews 12:12 - So strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees. Make straight the paths you walk on, that your halting limbs may not be dislocated and healed!
And from Hebrews 10:39 as I was praying Arjay and Chad and their college tests and decisions - We are not among those who draw back (from God) and perish, but among those who have faith and live!
These are just a few of the Rayma words I received while praying. Very specific and personal, I thought. And I believe God really spoke to my prayer, and He will do the same for anyone who comes to Him. I could share and share and share about this subject, but I think this is enough to encourage all of you to try it, or keep it up!
Now here is the quoted scripture from the prayer card - it is psalm 19:10, but I want to go back to verse 7 through 11:
"The teachings of the Lord are perfect; they give new strength.
The rules of the Lord can be trusted; they make plain people wise.
The orders of the Lord are right; they make people happy.
The commands of the Lord are pure; they light up the way.
Respect for the Lord is good; it will last forever.
The judgments of the Lord are true; they are completely right.
They are worth more than gold, even the purest gold.
They are sweeter than honey, even the finest honey.
By them your servant is warned. Keeping them brings great reward."
And we find these things in God's word, the Bible.
Father, we stand in awe of your word, the bible. Who would have thought that daily help could be found in a book so old. Every time we open it we find it's not old at all! Help us to look for your guidance in that precious book. Make us aware of how precious your word is. Thank you, Father, for giving us this source of light and strength, and for giving us the opportunity to uncover the precious jewels waiting to be discovered in your holy pages.
The Bible is God's word. It is God's love letter to His people, His children, His bride! God's word is a word of comfort. The word of God guides us. It teaches us truth! The Bible is the blue print of the creator of humankind! We can find healing for our souls, bodies and minds there. God speaks to us through these words. The bible is the Logo or the Rayma. The logo means it is THE word. It is the study, the history, learning. The Rayma is a personal revelation from God especially for you. When reading and studying my bible, I could read the same verse several times, and each time I could see something new in it. Sometimes it truly is a personal word of comfort, guidance, love, encouragement - basically what I need for that moment! When we read our bibles or pray with our bibles, or study our bibles, it is like going on a treasure hunt. You will be surprised at the precious nuggets you will find, and the deeper you dig, the more precious the treasure! If you want to grow in the word of God, become a person with a chisel and go out and dig in the word -- look, explore, seek. Let The Word become your word, and you will grow.
I challenge you to rediscover the Bible in your own life . . . ask the Holy Spirit to lead you, teach you, and guide you through it. Sit with Jesus daily and read God's love letter to you!
Can I share a few words from God that I received from my Bible while praying for you?
These are samples of the Rayma:
Psalm 32:7 - (while praying for Linda, but meant also for all of us) - Lord, you are my shelter; from distress you will preserve me; with glad cries of freedom you will ring me round. Psalm 32:8
And one day Kay called me and was telling me of her pain in her wrist, her arm, and elbow and shoulder and how hard it was to do her job and the pain kept her awake. I prayed for her - and this is where I was in my bible:
Hebrews 12:12 - So
And from Hebrews 10:39 as I was praying Arjay and Chad and their college tests and decisions - We are not among those who draw back (from God) and perish, but among those who have faith and live!
These are just a few of the Rayma words I received while praying. Very specific and personal, I thought. And I believe God really spoke to my prayer, and He will do the same for anyone who comes to Him. I could share and share and share about this subject, but I think this is enough to encourage all of you to try it, or keep it up!
Now here is the quoted scripture from the prayer card - it is psalm 19:10, but I want to go back to verse 7 through 11:
"The teachings of the Lord are perfect; they give new strength.
The rules of the Lord can be trusted; they make plain people wise.
The orders of the Lord are right; they make people happy.
The commands of the Lord are pure; they light up the way.
Respect for the Lord is good; it will last forever.
The judgments of the Lord are true; they are completely right.
They are worth more than gold, even the purest gold.
They are sweeter than honey, even the finest honey.
By them your servant is warned. Keeping them brings great reward."
And we find these things in God's word, the Bible.
Father, we stand in awe of your word, the bible. Who would have thought that daily help could be found in a book so old. Every time we open it we find it's not old at all! Help us to look for your guidance in that precious book. Make us aware of how precious your word is. Thank you, Father, for giving us this source of light and strength, and for giving us the opportunity to uncover the precious jewels waiting to be discovered in your holy pages.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Karen was in a car accident!
Karen and Rudy moved into their new home now. Karen had taken a few boxes over there Friday, and did a little cleaning. She decided to go back to the other house and get a few more boxes to move over. Her driveway at her new house backs right out into traffic on a main highway where the speed limit is 60MPH. She backed out and didn't see a pick up barreling right at her. It hit her dead on - on the driver's side - and totaled her car! The air bag blew up. Spun her all around. There was smoke, so she was afraid her car was going to catch on fire. She shoved on the door and got herself out. The firemen, ambulance, policemen and neighbors and passers by were all right there to help her. No one could believe she got out of that car with out the help of the Jaws of Life. No one could believe she wasn't hurt, or even dead. I believe, and so does she and several people there, that it was a miracle. God protected her for sure. They hauled her car off on a flatbed. She had her wits about her, even though she was pretty shook up and scared, to take pictures with her phone of everything. The guy in the pickup said he had a broken leg, but then she saw him running across the highway to talk to the policeman. No broken leg. She took his picture. She took pictures of the huge snowbank that blocked her view - a snowbank left by the snow plows. She took pictures of the car, the pick up, the skid marks - everything. I would never have had enough wits about me to think of that, I don't think. Good for her. She got the ticket, though, and the police said it was her fault. Please pray that she is not sued and that somehow this ticket can be erased from her record. And prayers of Thanksgiving for her life and that she is all in one piece after such a terrible accident. And that the guy in the pickup is okay, too!
At least she met her new neighbors. She made a grand entrance into her new neighborhood, I guess!
At least she met her new neighbors. She made a grand entrance into her new neighborhood, I guess!
#5 - Self Control
The prayer on the Biblical Virtues card says: "Father, help us NOT to be like many others around us, but let us be alert and self-controlled in all we do".
The scripture is 1 Thessalonians chapter 5, verse 6:
(I like to go back to verse 5) "You are all people who belong to the light and to the day. We do not belong to the night or to darkness. So we should not be like other people who are sleeping, but we should be alert and have self-control." verse 8:
"We belong to the day, so we should control ourselves."
In the context of these verses Chapter 5 in my bible is titled "Be ready for the Lord's coming". It is talking about being ready no matter when it happens, and we need'nt worry about when that is. Just live each day as though it is our last. Just because everyone is doing the wrong things doesn't give us permission to do them. We need to stand our ground, and practice self-control. Stay away from sin and temptation to sin.
Michelle's post on #4 is such a great example of this. It is not the easy path to take, but it is the right path.
Linda and I watched a great movie a couple of nights ago. It has such great messages and examples of this virtue. The movie is "Bucket List". If you haven't seen it, it's a must see. Maybe you would want to watch it again, if you've already seen it.
Ask ourselves this question - If the Dr. gave me the news that I only had a few months to live, what would I do differently? How would I make sure I am ready to see Jesus? What if I saw Him coming on the clouds tomorrow? Would I be rejoicing, or would I be fearful?
My dictionary says that self-control means "The act, power, or habit of having one's faculties or energies under control of the will." I think these 3 words: act, power and habit - are the order in which self-control can become a part of our lives. We must act (DO the right thing) which is sometimes very hard to do. So then we can call upon the POWER of Jesus and the Holy Spirit to help us (Pray), and then it becomes a habit to do the right thing, and actions of our own free will!
"Now may God Himself, the God of peace, make you pure, belonging only to Him. May your whole self - spirit, soul and body - be kept safe and without fault when our Lord Jesus Christ comes. You can trust the One who calls you to do that for you. The grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ be with you". This prayer comes from Paul at the end of 1 Thessalonians, chapter 5, verses 23 through 24.
The scripture is 1 Thessalonians chapter 5, verse 6:
(I like to go back to verse 5) "You are all people who belong to the light and to the day. We do not belong to the night or to darkness. So we should not be like other people who are sleeping, but we should be alert and have self-control." verse 8:
"We belong to the day, so we should control ourselves."
In the context of these verses Chapter 5 in my bible is titled "Be ready for the Lord's coming". It is talking about being ready no matter when it happens, and we need'nt worry about when that is. Just live each day as though it is our last. Just because everyone is doing the wrong things doesn't give us permission to do them. We need to stand our ground, and practice self-control. Stay away from sin and temptation to sin.
Michelle's post on #4 is such a great example of this. It is not the easy path to take, but it is the right path.
Linda and I watched a great movie a couple of nights ago. It has such great messages and examples of this virtue. The movie is "Bucket List". If you haven't seen it, it's a must see. Maybe you would want to watch it again, if you've already seen it.
Ask ourselves this question - If the Dr. gave me the news that I only had a few months to live, what would I do differently? How would I make sure I am ready to see Jesus? What if I saw Him coming on the clouds tomorrow? Would I be rejoicing, or would I be fearful?
My dictionary says that self-control means "The act, power, or habit of having one's faculties or energies under control of the will." I think these 3 words: act, power and habit - are the order in which self-control can become a part of our lives. We must act (DO the right thing) which is sometimes very hard to do. So then we can call upon the POWER of Jesus and the Holy Spirit to help us (Pray), and then it becomes a habit to do the right thing, and actions of our own free will!
"Now may God Himself, the God of peace, make you pure, belonging only to Him. May your whole self - spirit, soul and body - be kept safe and without fault when our Lord Jesus Christ comes. You can trust the One who calls you to do that for you. The grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ be with you". This prayer comes from Paul at the end of 1 Thessalonians, chapter 5, verses 23 through 24.
Pray for Linda
Tomorrow (Monday) at 2:00 P.M. is when Linda's divorce hearing will be happening. Please lift her in prayer.
And please keep praying about Dennis's criminal trial. It is now set for March 2nd.
Thank you!
And please keep praying about Dennis's criminal trial. It is now set for March 2nd.
Thank you!
Please pray for Arjay
Arjay is only 2 classes short of graduating with a degree in Physics. He wants to work for NASA. It's been his desire forever! He has a meeting with the dean of the department on Monday. Please pray that he can figure out a way to get the credits in these 2 classes that he needs so badly. Thank you!
Friday, February 6, 2009
#4 - Honesty and integrity
The prayer is: "May integrity and honesty be our virtue and our protection".
Integrity means honesty; a quality of being unimpaired, or sound; being undivided. (as in standing firm on your beliefs in God's Kingdom). It means respect. From the virtue of integrity comes trust.
The scripture is Psalm 25:verse 21. I like to go back a few verses to verse 12 - 18, and 20 through 21:
"Are there those who respect the Lord? He will point them in the best way.
They will enjoy a good life, and their children will inherit the land.
The Lord tells his secrets to those who respect Him.
My eyes are always looking to the Lord for help.
He will keep me from any traps.
Turn to me and have mercy on me, because I am lonely and hurting.
My troubles have grown larger; free me from my problems.
Look at my suffering and troubles, and take away all my sins.
Protect me and save me. I trust you, so do not let me be disgraced.
My hope is in you, so may integrity and honesty protect me (guard me)."
This is a teaching in itself - directly from God and David. It pays to have integrity and honesty! It's everything to be trusted and respected! We know we can believe every word God speaks to us in his word - the Bible. We can trust Him. He demands respect, and gives us respect.
Lord, help us to always keep our eyes on you. Help us to always be honest and to stand firm in our faith and beliefs. Continue to teach us, Lord. Continue to lead us on the path we should go. Thank you, Jesus!
There is a simple song we used to sing at prayer meetings, which really has a lot meaning for us today:
How great is our God. How great is His name.
How great is our God. Forever the same.
He rolled back the waters of the mighty red sea,
And He said I'll never leave you -
Put your trust in Me.
Integrity means honesty; a quality of being unimpaired, or sound; being undivided. (as in standing firm on your beliefs in God's Kingdom). It means respect. From the virtue of integrity comes trust.
The scripture is Psalm 25:verse 21. I like to go back a few verses to verse 12 - 18, and 20 through 21:
"Are there those who respect the Lord? He will point them in the best way.
They will enjoy a good life, and their children will inherit the land.
The Lord tells his secrets to those who respect Him.
My eyes are always looking to the Lord for help.
He will keep me from any traps.
Turn to me and have mercy on me, because I am lonely and hurting.
My troubles have grown larger; free me from my problems.
Look at my suffering and troubles, and take away all my sins.
Protect me and save me. I trust you, so do not let me be disgraced.
My hope is in you, so may integrity and honesty protect me (guard me)."
This is a teaching in itself - directly from God and David. It pays to have integrity and honesty! It's everything to be trusted and respected! We know we can believe every word God speaks to us in his word - the Bible. We can trust Him. He demands respect, and gives us respect.
Lord, help us to always keep our eyes on you. Help us to always be honest and to stand firm in our faith and beliefs. Continue to teach us, Lord. Continue to lead us on the path we should go. Thank you, Jesus!
There is a simple song we used to sing at prayer meetings, which really has a lot meaning for us today:
How great is our God. How great is His name.
How great is our God. Forever the same.
He rolled back the waters of the mighty red sea,
And He said I'll never leave you -
Put your trust in Me.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
#3 - Love
Ephesians Chapter 5, verse 2 is the scripture quoted for this virtue prayer from the bible. I like to look back to verse 1 also: "Try, then, to imitate God, as children of His that He loves, and follow Christ by loving as He loved you, giving Himself up in our place as a fragrant sacrifice to God." (read also Chapter 4, verses 25-32)
The prayer asks God to grant that we may learn to LIVE a life of love, through the spirit who dwells in us.
Isn't this a powerful, wonderful prayer? What does it mean to you? What is LOVE? I'm sure the bible is full of literally hundreds of love passages. It says that GOD IS LOVE! Are we willing to go as far as God did to show His love for us? I know I could never sacrifice one of my children like God did, and that was His ONLY son! (John 3:16) I'm sure He doesn't literally expect that of us, but He does want us to surrender our hearts and souls totally to Him, and follow in His footsteps. John chapter 13 verses 34 and 35: "I give you a new commandment - love one another; just as I have loved you, you also must love one another. By this love you have for one another, everyone will know that you are my disciples."
There's a song we've sung so many times: "Oh, how I love Jesus, oh, how I love Jesus, Oh, how I love Jesus, because He first loved me"
I want my love for Jesus to be reflected in the way I show love for others - even those who may be difficult to love. If I can soften even one hard heart by merely showing I care, and show the love of Christ to them, maybe that one person will soften another's heart with love, then that one will reach out to others, and so on and so on and so on . . . maybe our cities, our nation, our world would all know the love of God, and just think of how wonderful that world would be!
Think of some creative ways to love your neighbor. Give a small gift to someone you don't think deserves it, strike up a conversation with that person looking so alone and apart from the crowd - he or she might just need a friend right now, bring a bag of groceries to the single mom down the street - she could be struggling to put food on the table this week, just smile and say hello to the next person you pass on the street, the hall, or the store - watch their face light up. There are so many ways to demonstrate the love of Christ. Some are very simple, while some may involve a little more effort, money or time. Let the Holy Spirit - who IS love - lead you. He knows just how, when and to whom His love should be expressed. Is He putting someone on your heart right now? Love them!
"And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love,
Yes they'll know we are Christians by our love."
The prayer asks God to grant that we may learn to LIVE a life of love, through the spirit who dwells in us.
Isn't this a powerful, wonderful prayer? What does it mean to you? What is LOVE? I'm sure the bible is full of literally hundreds of love passages. It says that GOD IS LOVE! Are we willing to go as far as God did to show His love for us? I know I could never sacrifice one of my children like God did, and that was His ONLY son! (John 3:16) I'm sure He doesn't literally expect that of us, but He does want us to surrender our hearts and souls totally to Him, and follow in His footsteps. John chapter 13 verses 34 and 35: "I give you a new commandment - love one another; just as I have loved you, you also must love one another. By this love you have for one another, everyone will know that you are my disciples."
There's a song we've sung so many times: "Oh, how I love Jesus, oh, how I love Jesus, Oh, how I love Jesus, because He first loved me"
I want my love for Jesus to be reflected in the way I show love for others - even those who may be difficult to love. If I can soften even one hard heart by merely showing I care, and show the love of Christ to them, maybe that one person will soften another's heart with love, then that one will reach out to others, and so on and so on and so on . . . maybe our cities, our nation, our world would all know the love of God, and just think of how wonderful that world would be!
Think of some creative ways to love your neighbor. Give a small gift to someone you don't think deserves it, strike up a conversation with that person looking so alone and apart from the crowd - he or she might just need a friend right now, bring a bag of groceries to the single mom down the street - she could be struggling to put food on the table this week, just smile and say hello to the next person you pass on the street, the hall, or the store - watch their face light up. There are so many ways to demonstrate the love of Christ. Some are very simple, while some may involve a little more effort, money or time. Let the Holy Spirit - who IS love - lead you. He knows just how, when and to whom His love should be expressed. Is He putting someone on your heart right now? Love them!
"And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love,
Yes they'll know we are Christians by our love."
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Prayer request
Please keep Linda and her boys in your prayers this week. Dennis's jury trial is scheduled for Monday, Feb 9th. And also the divorce hearing is scheduled for the afternoon of that same day. She is praying the divorce hearing can be settled out of court. Dennis is not wanting this. His criminal trial will be very hard. Pray that justice is served. Thank you!
Monday, February 2, 2009
#2 - Growth in Grace (2 Peter 3:18)
Sharon's and Michelle's comments in the previous posting on salvation lead right into this posting on Growth in Grace from 2 peter 3:18. Go there, and I suggest you read the whole of 2Peter chapter 3.
Paul is warning us to keep close to Jesus and to God's word, and never quit learning about Him. However, there are a lot of false teachings and teachers, so be careful. He tells us to "Be careful so we will not fall from our strong faith". In this day and age it would be so easy to "fall away". There is such a thin line between truth and the false. So, we need to stay close to God's word - read it daily - ask the Holy Spirit to teach us. HE IS THE TEACHER! And God's grace is bestowed upon us so we can make it through this time. His grace is a free gift! I'll say it again - a free gift! We don't need to earn it! He gives it freely. We just need to know it's there, and we need to accept it every single day, every minute of our days. Don't have a "lazy faith".
What is the grace of God? The grace of God says you serve God because you're saved, and not in order to be saved. You're not trying to earn God's good graces, you're responding to His Love and Peace.
What is grace? It's what someone gives us out of the goodness of his heart, not out of the perfection of ours. The story of grace is the good news that says that when we come, he gives. That's what grace is.
Grace is a pleasant surprise. Grace is a kind gesture. Grace is something you did not expect. It is something you certainly could never earn. But grace is something you'd never turn down.
You know what happens when someone sees the grace of God? When someone really tastes the forgiving and liberating grace of God? Someone who tastes God's grace is the hardest worker, the most morally pure individual, and the person most willing to forgive.
Always remember that Jesus says, "My grace is deeper than your sins".
"Amazing Grace, How sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see . . . "
Father, how holy and great is your promise. You've been so good to us, but somehow, Father, we find things to complain about, even though we've been given eternal life. Renew our vision; help us to see heaven. Help us to know you even more, and to experience more of your Grace every day!
Paul is warning us to keep close to Jesus and to God's word, and never quit learning about Him. However, there are a lot of false teachings and teachers, so be careful. He tells us to "Be careful so we will not fall from our strong faith". In this day and age it would be so easy to "fall away". There is such a thin line between truth and the false. So, we need to stay close to God's word - read it daily - ask the Holy Spirit to teach us. HE IS THE TEACHER! And God's grace is bestowed upon us so we can make it through this time. His grace is a free gift! I'll say it again - a free gift! We don't need to earn it! He gives it freely. We just need to know it's there, and we need to accept it every single day, every minute of our days. Don't have a "lazy faith".
What is the grace of God? The grace of God says you serve God because you're saved, and not in order to be saved. You're not trying to earn God's good graces, you're responding to His Love and Peace.
What is grace? It's what someone gives us out of the goodness of his heart, not out of the perfection of ours. The story of grace is the good news that says that when we come, he gives. That's what grace is.
Grace is a pleasant surprise. Grace is a kind gesture. Grace is something you did not expect. It is something you certainly could never earn. But grace is something you'd never turn down.
You know what happens when someone sees the grace of God? When someone really tastes the forgiving and liberating grace of God? Someone who tastes God's grace is the hardest worker, the most morally pure individual, and the person most willing to forgive.
Always remember that Jesus says, "My grace is deeper than your sins".
"Amazing Grace, How sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see . . . "
Father, how holy and great is your promise. You've been so good to us, but somehow, Father, we find things to complain about, even though we've been given eternal life. Renew our vision; help us to see heaven. Help us to know you even more, and to experience more of your Grace every day!
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