March 18, 2026

CHRISTLife — TwentyNine: Enlightened

February 20, 2014 by

cl enlightened

♬♪ I wandered so aimless, life filled with sin; I wouldn’t let my dear Savior in ♬♪
Then Jesus came like a stranger in the night ♬♪Praise the Lord, I saw the light

I saw the light, I saw the light! ♬♪No more darkness, no more night
Now I’m so happy, ♬♪ no sorrow in sight! ♬♪Praise the Lord, I saw the light

As much fun as this song is to sing, it is even more so a joyful proclamation of God’s redeeming grace in our lives!  No matter how ‘good’ a life one could possibly lead before accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior…life prior to that IS aimless and filled with sin.  It is only through the accomplishments of Jesus on the Cross as He fulfilled the plan of salvation that Almighty God alone could have put into motion that anyone can ‘see the light!’

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.
Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness,
righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.
Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.
It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.
But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—
and everything that is illuminated becomes a light
Ephesians 5:8-13

Oh, do you not just love the end of that passage? “…Everything that is illuminated becomes a light….” That’s us (you and me)! We have been illuminated…the darkness that filled every part of our heart has been dispelled by the Light of Christ!

When Jesus spoke to His disciples about truly ‘seeing’ and ‘hearing’ He was also including us in that group of people who are blessed!  We have heard the message of salvation and have responded to His call!

But your eyes are blessed because they do see, and your ears because they do hear!
For I assure you: Many prophets and righteous people longed to see the things you see
yet didn’t see them; to hear the things you hear yet didn’t hear them.
Matthew 13:16 and 17

May I encourage you to recognize the light that you are!  1 Thessalonians 5:5 tells us that, “For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness.”  Being we now ARE children of the light, we should fulfill Jesus’ words (Matthew 5:16), “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

We do, for now, live in an evil, dark, perverse world.  But, by God’s grace we have the Lord Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the Light of the World, living in our hearts.  We have been made new, we have received grace upon grace, we have His power alive within us and we are the children of the Light!  Let your little light shine!

…for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.
Do all things without grumbling or disputing,
that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God
without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation,
among whom you shine as lights in the world,
holding fast to the word of life….
Philippians 2:13-16

 * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

CLiiakim022014

And here are Kim’s thoughts and her beautiful inner identity album page for this week; she writes:

This page really touches my heart as it is my life’s story!!  God turned my darkness into light.  My mess into my message. and just like Isaiah 61 says:

to grant to those who mourn in Zion—
to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit;
that they may be called oaks of righteousness,
the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.

Hallelujah!

Filed Under: CHRISTLife Bible Study Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

I Love the Lord

February 19, 2014 by

SeekingHimLogo

Thinking of personal testimonies, I want us to look at Psalm 116 as a personal testimony.  We do know that this man faced great peril and was delivered by the Lord.  This is a very personal psalm, with the writer making reference to himself 37 times in 19 verses.  Only in verses 5, 15, and 19, is there is not at least one personal pronoun used.

The exciting thing is that we can relate to this man’s testimony.  As we study this passage we find that what was true of this man should be true for us as well. Because the Psalmist used the personal pronoun “I”, let’s you and I use the personal pronoun as well.  In this passage let’s consider:

I love the Lord, for He heard my voice;
He heard my cry for mercy.
Because He turned His ear to me,
I will call on Him as long as I live.
Psalms 116:1 and 2

Many Psalms begin with praise.  This Psalm alludes to praise, but is actually a statement of the Psalmists devotion, “I LOVE THE LORD!”

If someone were to ask us, “Do you love the Lord?” our natural inclination is to say “YES.”  In this statement of devotion it is something that the Psalmist should, also, have thought about before making the statement.  (I imagine that he did.)  You and I should think about this statement, “I LOVE THE LORD!”  It’s very easy to say ‘I LOVE THE LORD’ and a lot more difficult to actually practice that love!

And He said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,
and with all your soul, and with all your mind.
This is the great and first commandment.
And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
Matthew 22:37-39

Next the Psalmist says, I love the Lord BECAUSE… ”He turned His ear to me, I will call on Him…” I think we can sum up our love for the Lord with 1 John 4:19, “We love Him, because He first loved us.”  The Psalmist’s expression of love is because the Lord heard and answered his prayer.  (Re-read Verses 1-2).

The Psalmist was in grave trouble and the Lord came down and heard (so to speak).  How many times has God done the same for us?  When we’ve been in great need and cried out, He has been there for us!

Notice something else here.  The Psalmist says, “Because He has turned His ear to me, I will call on Him as long as I live.”  That should be our attitude as well—because the Lord has answered our prayers, we should continue to pray.  He has shown Himself to be my God.  I should treat Him as such and continue to call on Him.

The decision we can make today is to love the Lord.  The psalmist gives a specific reason for loving the Lord.  His reason was that God had heard his prayer.  There are many more reasons for deciding to love the Lord.  Some of the reasons we should love the Lord are because He loves us (1 John 4:10, 19), He died for us (2 Corinthians 5:21), He keeps us (John 10:27-30), He helps and protects us (Psalm 121), and He indwells us (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Lord God, thank You for ever-present help in times of my need.  Thank You for answered prayers whenever I call unto You.  You are a wonderful God.  May Your name be glorified in all the earth!  In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.

Filed Under: Seeking Him Daily Devotional Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Joy Of The Lord

February 19, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

~  Listen while you read, please!  ~

The joy of the Lord will be my strength
I will not falter, I will not faint
He is my Shepherd, I am not afraid
The joy of the Lord is my strength

The joy of the Lord, the joy of the Lord, the joy of the Lord is my strength

The joy of the Lord will be my strength
He will uphold me all of my days
I am surrounded by mercy and grace
And the joy of the Lord is my strength

The joy of the Lord will be my strength
And I will not waiver, walking by faith
He will be strong to deliver me safe
And the joy of the Lord is my strength

~  Singer, Songwriter – Twila Paris  ~

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

♬ ♪  The joy of the Lord will be my strength,  I will not falter I will not faint ♪ ♬…. “But Lord, how can that be?  I don’t like my circumstances!  How can I be joyful in the midst of the toughest of places.”  This is the question I have asked God in some of my most difficult of circumstances.

I have survived a domestically violent first marriage.  I have walked through 2 ½ years of unemployment.  I have had a son in need of healing from a seizure/sleep disorder and you know what I have found?  Even when I don’t like my circumstances, it IS possible to find joy!  However it is ONLY found in God.  And it is NOT based on my circumstances.  It is only found when you have your eyes focused on Him and take them off of your circumstances.

Here are a few things God promises in the midst of difficult times:

WHAT THE ENEMY INTENDED FOR EVIL
GOD WILL TURN IT FOR YOUR GOOD

Romans 8:28
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those
who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.

Isaiah 54:17
…No weapon formed against you shall prosper.

Some of my toughest circumstances are among some of my most powerful testimonies.  God has been faithful in each and every one of them.  Sisters, He is ALWAYS faithful!!!  As long as you have God, you have ALL that you need to get through ANY storm that may come your way.  Will you choose to trust Him in the midst of it?  When you choose Him, this is what He promises:

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7

I am living proof that the peace of God which surpasses ALL understanding is very real!!!  I have experienced it firsthand in the toughest of places.

 * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Heavenly Father, I pray for my sisters reading this and ask that they would choose to take their eyes off their circumstances and instead choose to fix their eyes upon Jesus and “look full in His wonderful face and <then> the things of this world will grow strangely dim.”  And then they can sing just like the song says, Lord,  ‘The joy of the Lord will be my strength and I will not waiver, walking by faith!  He will be strong to deliver me safe and the joy of the Lord is my strength!’  In Jesus’ Name, Amen!!!!

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CHRISTLife — TwentyEight: Empowered

February 19, 2014 by

cl empoweredMost times it’s through weakness that we experience God’s strength. He uses our weaknesses and the areas that we feel less strong to open a divine door. Without weakness we would rarely experience His strength. My mind goes back to Gideon and his army of 300, yet he was equipped to do exactly as God intended and defeat an army that worshipped idols.  He started out with 3000 men, and God reduced the army to 300.  Another example of less is more is the feeding of the masses with just loaves and fishes.  Doesn’t our God just have a way?  When we trust Him with our life, can’t He equip us and empower us for exactly what He has for us to do?   You already have access to the strength the Spirit gives, simply because He lives in you!

He has called you for supernatural acts, my friend, which require supernatural equipping.  We must be charged up in order to do the will of God.  Like your cell phone, it will do you no good if it is not charged.  Same with us as believers, if we do not stay connected to His Word, and in tune with His Spirit, how will we know what  God has in mind for us?  He speaks to us through His Words in the Bible. And at the end of this chapter, there are a few verses that were recommended for deeper study and I thought we could go through them together…

Your right hand, O Lord, is majestic in power; Your right hand, O Lord, shatters the enemy.
Exodus 15:6

God saved the Israelites by parting the Red Sea.  It is an almighty symbol of God’s saving work on behalf of His people.  This event is a reminder of the salvation of our God.  How do you remind yourself of His great saving work in your life? What “red sea” do you need Him to part in your life today?

I love You Lord, You are my strength.
Psalm 46:1

This was written toward the end of David’s life when there was peace.  God is praised for His works and blessings thoughout the years.  What blessings has He done in your life, and have you praised Him for it?  What if are you struggling with right now?  Even if… He is worthy to be praised.  What is your “if?”  Even if the world around you is crumbling, we don’t need to fear.  In the face of utter destruction, the writer expressed a quiet confidence in God’s ability to save him. No matter what, God is our refuge.  Even if there’s turmoil and trials, He’s not just a retreat—He is our Eternal Refuge and strength in every circumstance.  He is always providing, always there to help.  His power is complete and He gives us victory over all!  He will never fail you, He will always rescue you.

Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid.
The Lord, the Lord Himself is my Strength and my Defense; He has become my Salvation.
Isaiah 12:2

God is never too tired or too busy to help and listen to His children.  His strength is ours and—if we stay close and engaged in His Word—we will always have His strength at our disposal. All you have to do is say His name and seas calm, problems fade, and you are restored.  Even if a whisper is all you can muster, Yahweh is listening and ready to intervene.

Friends, you may feel like you don’t have what it takes to do battle for God, but He sees it differently.  He sees you as equipped, empowered, full of strength and ready for any task laid before you.  1 Corinthians 1:27 says,”But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.”  If this is you, you are exactly where God wants you. You are in a position to listen and accept what He has for your life and you are humble enough to know that you cannot do anything on your own.  For He has promised that when we are weakest,  He is strongest.  And when we are at our lowest, His strength carries us.  It is such a precious time of communion that we don’t ever want to forget and we will always cherish such times.  I encourage you to journal and keep a list of when you and God are more in union and you couldn’t make it another minute without His strength.  Then you have a battle plan to share with others and a faith that can move mountains!

Let us pray: Dearest Lord, thank You for the gift of Your Holy Spirit in me.  Help me to never get in the way of Your perfect plan.  I pray for a fresh filling every morning, oh God.  I thank You for Your power in me, for Your patience in my weakness and for Your strength when I need it most.  Lord, keep me humble. Keep me teachable and positioned to hear You only.  Silence the voices of the world that can be so loud and can drown You out sometimes.  Help me to remember that the only way to hear You is to be still and listen and to read Your word and pray. Thank You for parting our “Red Seas” and for taking care of our “if’s.”  Forgive us when we forget that You are enough.  We love You and praise You and sit at Your feet.  Precious Lord, thank You for hearing us. It’s in Jesus name we pray, amen.

 

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Compassion

February 18, 2014 by

SeekingHimLogo

I love the Lord, for He heard my voice; He heard my cry for mercy. 
Because he turned His ear to me, I will call on Him as long as I live. 
The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came over me; 
I was overcome by distress and sorrow. 
Then I called on the name of the Lord: “Lord, save me!” 
The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. 
The Lord protects the unwary; when I was brought low, He saved me. 
Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you. 
Psalms 116:1-7

God’s love knows no bounds!  He is there when we call out to Him and He hears our plea for ourselves and for others.  This past week was such a test for some friends of ours.  It is rather a long story, but the unfortunate side effect was that a teenager took his life.  No one this side of heaven knows why, but I am sure there are theories. He loved the Lord and people loved him.

We can use this situation to minister to others and let them know that it is okay to feel sad.  As Christians we are taught, or believe, that we should not feel sad, depressed, or helpless.  That is a lie from the evil one.  We are capable of sinning and, when sin creeps in, we are vulnerable to thoughts of suicide.  Please be aware, dear sisters, that here you can find rest, love, acceptance, help, and healing as well as hope.

com·pas·sion

noun 1. a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering.

This—compassion— is what God has for us. If only…..they would see; they would seek me; they would pray more; they had paid more attention.

Mighty to Save by Hillsong is such an appropriate song for us today.  He is so mighty to save us and help us know that we are forgiven and loved.  We may face desperate times, but it is not to define who we are in Christ.  Rules are made to protect us and guide us, but not to rule us.

We must remember to love the way that God loved us and everyone would be better.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Father, thank You for loving us unconditionally.  Thank You for those who would love on us, even when we are unlovable.  You are a great and wonderful God that we mostly do not deserve to have in our lives, but You love us anyway.  Help us to be strong enough to share Your Word with others and with those in our own families. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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A Shield Of Faith

February 18, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

~  Listen while you read, please!  ~

Sometimes I’m battle weary; I forget to use my shield
The arrows pierce my armor and I stumble in the field

     A shield won’t do you much good if it’s hangin’ by your side
     Keep the shield of faith before you if you want to stay alive

I’ll think my life is over but the Lord He comes to me
He heals my wounded spirit and He sets me on my feet

Sometimes your battle weary but the war’s already won
Keep your head and hold your shield high ‘til your days of life are done

~  Songwriter: Ron Block / Performed by Alison Krauss and Union Station ~

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Life throws many surprises at us on a daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly basis. It has its ups and downs.  We stumble, fall, get back up, and keep on trucking until we draw our last breath.  We as people have the freedom of choice…and this is where most of us often stumble.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers,
against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness,
against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Therefore take up the whole armor of God,
that you may be able to withstand in the evil day,
and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore,
having fastened on the belt of truth and having put on the breastplate of righteousness
and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.
In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish
all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation,
and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.
To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints
Ephesians 6:10-18

We face a world full of temptation every day.  Satan is tempting us from the moment that we get up each morning.  We live around, and work with, people who do not believe in the power of God.  We can be tempted to doubt our own beliefs just by having intelligent conversations with other people.  We can even doubt our own beliefs when we see all the disasters and suffering on television or see it with our own eyes.

But without faith [it is] impossible to please [Him]:
for he that cometh to God must believe that He is,
and [that] He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.
Hebrews 11:6

If we put on our shield of faith every day, we are protected from the evil that will bombard us every minute.  Yet, when we do not wear our shield, we are subject to fall into temptation and sin.  We wear our shield with faith, and are rewarded with healing and peace.  God rewards our faith and seeking by being in a personal relationship with us. He protects us through our shields of faith.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Dear Heavenly Father, we pray that our shields of faith are strong and grow stronger with every passing moment.  Without You we would be lost to temptation and sin.  With our shields of faith, evil cannot pierce us or bring us down.  Thank You for never leaving us.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Filed Under: Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

CHRISTLife — TwentySeven: New Altogether

February 18, 2014 by

cl new altogether

The Truth contained in that Scripture is now more clear to me than ever before!  Surely I am not the only one to be having these moments of clarity and revelation?   If I was a cartoon character, I would have a little bubble over my head with the words “Oh!  Yes!  Now I understand!  Thank You, Lord!!!”  Truly, for so long, I have walked around endeavoring to renew my mind…I have!  Really!  But it has been such work because I was not keeping this Truth as my motivation.  The ‘cart before the horse’ syndrome.  No longer!  I have seen the light!  Since I have put on the new self, I am “being renewed in knowledge according to the image of <my> Creator.”

Oh, the Lord does encourage us…He motivates us…and spurs us on.  And really all that is ours to do is simply believe Him and take Him at His Word. We CAN count on His Word being true.

Here are a few statements of Truth about who we are in the newness that Christ has made available to every believer.

  • new attitude of mind (Ephesians 4:23)
  • new heart (Ezekiel 36:26)
  • new spirit (Ezekiel 11:17)
  • new nature (Colossians 3:10)
  • new heritage (Galatians 3:28)
  • new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17)
  • new birth (1 Peter 1:3 and 4)
  • new self (Ephesians 4:24)

If God says we have all these things…then we do.  Mrs. Myers writes: “…you may sometimes think to yourself, ‘Well, that’s just not true of me, even though I <do> belong to Christ.’”  (Anyone else?)  Perhaps I have shared that mindset in the past.  But now, I no longer do.  I AM who God says I am! (And y.o.u. are, too!)

Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self. You are being renewed in knowledge according to the image of your Creator.
In Christ there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all.
Therefore, God’s chosen ones, holy and loved, put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, accepting one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive.
Above all, put on love—the perfect bond of unity. And let the peace of the Messiah, to which you were also called in one body, control your hearts. Be thankful.
Let the message about the Messiah dwell richly among you, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, and singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Colossians 3:9-17

This is quite a list of righteous, holy ways of living!  Images that God thinks of you…pictures that reflect the way that Jesus lived—and so can you (me, too)! Now those would make a beautiful page for our inner identity albums, wouldn’t you say?

“So take God at His Word and press forward into a growing experience of the renewal to which He has called you!”

— Mrs. Ruth Myers

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Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

February 17, 2014 by

Feeling badly that I cannot just pop over to your house and bring you a nice big container of steamy, homemade chicken noodle soup….  🙁  But you live in Michigan, and Florida, and Texas, and Colorado, and South Carolina.  So this recipe and my prayers for your healing will have to suffice, my friends!

Chicken Noodle Soup truly is good medicine!  Raise your <sanitized> hand if you agree!  And truly so easy to make…lots of variations, too.  Here is my “Not from a Box, Nor from a Can” Homemade Chicken Broth recipe to start with.  Even just the aroma of this simple broth wafting through your home is going to make you feel a teeny bit better!

2014-02-16 19.29.02

Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup  (makes 2+ quarts, approximately 4 servings)

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 medium sweet onion
2 small carrots, peeled
1 stalk celery
1 (or more!) tablespoon chopped garlic (I use jarred)
2 quarts of your amazing Homemade Chicken Broth
1+1/2- 2 cups (or so) of chicken bits
6-8 ounces egg noodles (we use gluten free noodles)
2 tablespoons chopped parsley

Directions:

  • Melt the butter over medium heat in a 3-4 quart sized saucepan.
  • Slice the onions, carrots (diagonally is nice), and celery into 1/4-inch-thick pieces and add to the pan.
  • Cook until the onions are translucent—about 7 or 8 minutes.
  • Add the chopped garlic and cook, stirring constantly, for an additional minute.
  • Pour in the broth; cover the pan and bring to a boil.
  • Reduce heat and simmer the soup until the vegetables are almost tender approximately 30-45 minutes.
  • Increase heat back to medium and add in the desired amount of chicken along with the egg noodles; bring back to a boil and simmer ‘til the noodles are tender—about 10 more minutes.
  • Carefully taste for seasoning, adding salt and pepper if necessary.
  • Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve hot. Enjoy!

♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥

God loves you!  ♥  (Don’t ever forget that!)

♥  coleen

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A Cry Answered

February 17, 2014 by

SeekingHimLogo

I love the Lord, for He heard my voice; He heard my cry for mercy.
Because he turned His ear to me, I will call on Him as long as I live.
The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came over me;
I was overcome by distress and sorrow.
Then I called on the name of the Lord: “Lord, save me!”
The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.
The Lord protects the unwary; when I was brought low, He saved me.
Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.
Psalms 116:1-7

As a mother, I can only imagine the anguish that Mary must have felt as she watched her Son and Savior die on the Cross on that Easter Friday.  She was down on her knees crying and praying for a miracle.  What she probably did not realize was that she was witnessing the greatest miracle known to man.  She knew that when she gave birth to Jesus that He was destined to save mankind.  At the moment of His death and resurrection, Jesus was answering the silent cry of help from mankind.

Of course, Mary was overcome by distress and sorrow at the death of her son…just as  any mother would be.  However, I would agree that her distress and sorrow turned to joy when she realized that Jesus died for her and the rest of us so that we may live eternally with God in worship and praise.  Jesus would not stay in the anguish of the grave. He would rise from the dead three days later to seal the deal of redeeming man back to God.

Mankind had to have a way to get past sin to be with God.  The Lord showed His graciousness and mercy by shedding His own blood for His children—those who believe by faith that Jesus died on the Cross for them.  Before Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice, man had to depend on different rituals performed by the high priests for forgiveness and assurance of forgiveness.  Jesus’ death wiped this away. We only now have to believe that He died on the Cross for us to know that we are saved and to spread the word of this wonderful gift.

 * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your wonderful gift of eternal life by showing faith that we believe that Jesus died on the Cross for us. I no longer have to show distress or feel anguish over dying. I know that when it is time to meet You that I will be among the other believers who are waiting to see You.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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CHRISTLife — TwentySix: Always A Receiver

February 17, 2014 by

cl always a receiver

Time measured out my days, life carried me along
In my soul I yearned to follow God but knew I’d never be so strong
I looked hard at this world to learn how heaven could be gained
Just to end where I began where human effort is all in vain

Were it not for grace…I can tell you where I’d be
Wandering down some pointless road to nowhere
With my salvation up to me
And I know how that would go—the battles I would face
Forever running but losing the race…were it not for grace

So here is all my praise expressed with all my heart
Offered to the Friend who took my place and ran a course I could not start
And when He saw in full just how much His Love would cost
He still went the final mile between me and heaven so I would not be lost

“Were it not for grace!”  I believe you (me, too!) are thoroughly and thankfully cognizant of the awesome goodness of Almighty God to mankind in the incredible provision of His grace.  And it is SO good to be aware of where we would be…but perhaps even more important to recognize that, because of grace, we are where God would have us to be.  As Mrs. Myers so abundantly points out, we are always  recipients of God’s amazing grace!  We are the joyful “receivers not independent achievers!”  Here in this 26th chapter, Always A Receiver, she writes about grace/God’s favor over 20 times!

Throughout the Bible, we find many believers well aware of and thankful for God’s grace!  Whether it was James offering motivation to the Hebrews living in dispersion throughout Europe or David’s exclamation of praise, these are just two examples of men who were assured of the truth regarding grace.

But He gives more grace.
Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
James 4:6

For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord gives grace and glory;
No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.
Psalm 84:11

Equally we, too, should be assured of all that Jesus’ sacrifice and death has given to us by God’s grace.

[All] are justified and made upright and in right standing with God,
freely and gratuitously by His grace (His unmerited favor and mercy),
through the redemption which is [provided] in Christ Jesus,
Romans 3:24

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith,
we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Through Him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace
in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Romans 5:1 and 2

And so we can also praise our God declaring how good and kind He has been to us! We are redeemed, saved, freed from slavery to sin and now live, in that freedom, under grace.

For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.
Romans 6:14

Paul shared the following with Titus as he urged him to encourage and reprove the people in Crete. May we have the same heart—keeping in mind the grace we have received and do always receive!

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,
training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions,
and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,
waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God
and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us
from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people
for His own possession who are zealous for good.
Titus 2:11-14

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