Amazing Grace

       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.  It took many years for me to realize that no matter how hard I tried, I could not remain free from sin.  In fact, it took me a long enough to realize just how bad a sinner I was since some sins are quite visible, but inward ones don’t show so much yet still leave feelings of shame and condemnation.  When I realized that, I understood what a wretch I truly was.  Here it is defined:

1.An unfortunate or unhappy person.

2.A despicable or contemptible person.

       Those words are an accurate portrayal of me before salvation.  In fact, I was so unhappy that I had tried to exit this world by my own hand- and oh, what joy I would have missed.  Not that my journey with Christ has been easy, in fact there were trials I thought I would never survive, but here I stand, with my Lord, content in His presence.  That is amazing and that is grace- He freely offers us abundant life when we deserve the death sentence for sin.

       Instead, the Lord gives us free unmerited love and favor of God who is the source of all the benefits men receive.  And “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us,” (Rom. 5:8) “but where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.” (Rom. 5:20)  God’s grace is not because of anything we have done, (Rom. 11:6) but because of Jesus Christ and His work at the cross. (Rom. 5:15)  Even though I still sin, His grace is ever present in my life.  Even though I still feel wretched in some ways as I can never seem to remain free from sin, God’s unmerited love and favor remind me to go to Him for forgiveness.

       Thank You, Lord, for Your grace in our lives; it is truly amazing, as You are exceedingly amazing for providing that grace to us.

Old Song

       Do you remember this song?  I left out a portion, but hear with your spirit what the Lord is saying to us, in our busy lives today.  Let the words touch your heart as you read.

I Miss My Time With You!

By: Larnelle Harris

There He was just waiting

In our old familiar place

An empty spot beside Him

Where once I used to wait

To be filled with strength and wisdom

For the battle of the day

I would've passed Him by again

But I clearly heard Him say

I miss My time with you

Those moments together

I need to be with you each day

And it hurts me when you say

You're too busy,

Busy trying to serve Me

But how can you serve Me

When your spirit's empty

There's a longing in My heart

Wanting more than just a part of you

It's true

I miss My time with you



The Island of Misfit Toys

       When I was a little girl, I used to love watching all the animated Christmas shows for kids, but there was one show I hated because it made me so sad.  ‘Rudolf & The Island of Misfit Toys’ made me sad since the toys there were different and because of that they thought no one wanted them.  The reality is that almost everyone feels like a misfit at one time or another.

       Last night I was able to get together with some of the most wonderful ‘misfits’ I’ve ever met.  They meet in a small, white church in the city, and on Wednesdays when I go, there are about 20 people who attend. (Yes, I finally found a mid-week service.*) Anyway, it was the pastor who lovingly referred to himself and the others as misfits, and it didn’t bother me at all because I ‘mis-fit’ right in there.

       All are encouraged to participate fully.  Be part of the worship team even if you do not have high quality skills in that area as long as you are willing to sing for the Lord.  (You just know the Lord is being blessed by their efforts.)  Testify.  Pray before service.  Take the offering.  Read a scripture.  Also, people are encouraged to speak from the pulpit, whether they are a new or older Christians, and so far, all I’ve heard have done a solid job.  The Spirit is welcomed there with open arms, and that means a lot to me.

…which is the head, even Christ: from whom the whole body fitly joined together (my definition-like puzzle pieces) and compacted (drive or knit together, unite) by that which every joint supplieth, Eph. 4:15,16 

Let love be without dissimulation (in other words be sincere, genuine). Rom. 12:9

Wherefore comfort (exhorting, or giving advice; exhortation; advice intended to encourage) yourselves together, and edify (build up, give boldness or courage) one another, even as also ye do. 1Th. 5:11 

       So, even if they think themselves misfits, they are certainly not, for they fit together perfectly piece into piece.  And their genuine love, care and acceptance of each other becomes a vibrant masterpiece of beauty unto the Lord.  Oh, it is so good to be these notable brothers and sisters, to worship the Lord together and to bring Him honour and glory for all He has done.  Thank You Lord for bringing me to this place that bears (an invisible) sign on the door reading:

All ‘misfits’ are welcome here.

*See Dec. 9 post: Mid-week Service

Honour

       I think honour is a word that we don’t use very often anymore.  It is almost like it holds no importance now while in the past it was something one desired to be said about their character.  But the Bible does speak about honour.  There is honour we should give to one another, and honour we are given by God on occasion, but there is much said about giving honour to our Lord God, Creator of heaven and earth.

Honour defined- High respect (high opinion, value); esteem (admiration, appreciate).

       We are to give to others what is due to them.  “Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. (Rom. 13:7)  And just who is honour due to?  God the Father, the Son, and the Spirit should be highly respected, valued, admired and appreciated.

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power… Rev. 4:11 

Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever.
1Tm. 1:17 

That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father… John 5:23 

        How do we give honour to our King?  We freely and joyfully praise, worship and adore Him.  We give time and finances for His service.  But how often do we think to honour Him this way: “…honor Him, not doing your own ways, Nor finding your own pleasure, Nor speaking your own words:” (Is. 58:13 NKJV)

       Although this passage is speaking of the Sabbath, should we not be treating every day as holy to the Lord?  So we show God honour by: not taking our own paths or directions, not pursuing our own desires, and not speaking our ways (you decide the meaning) instead of God’s direction, seeking His desires and speaking what He wants us to.  Just imagine if we all honoured God that way.  What would the world think of us then?

What would God think of us?

     “…for them that honour me I will honour…” 1Sm. 2:30

Vantage Point

       A few years ago I watched a movie called Vantage Point.  In it, there is a Secret Service agent who attempts to figure out who tried to assassinate the President of the United States.  In the first few scenes you see what happened from one person’s view and perspective, and then continue to see the same events from another then another perspective.  In all, there are eight views and perspectives to see the events unfold from and you only learn more truth by piecing all the perspectives together.

       Vantage Point makes me think about our all knowing God, (Ps. 139:1-4) and no matter how much we question ‘why this’ or ‘why that’ the truth remains that His thoughts are not our thoughts nor His ways our ways, (Is. 58:8,9) for they are “higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”  Logic says if we believe God is all-knowing (omniscient) then He would know all the past, present and future therefore He would be far more capable of making righteous decisions based on full knowledge and understanding whereas with our limited knowledge, we would make poorer decisions.

       So instead of wondering ‘why’ these days I am more prone to accept that He sees everything from all the perspectives, has a more complete and true point of view and consequently will make the best decisions possible for all.  God is good, merciful, (Ps. 100:5) He loves us very much, (John 3:16) and I must continue to remind myself to rest in His goodness, His mercy and His love.  And in that place of comfort I can find peace and joy (Rom. 14:17) unending knowing that our good and loving God is in control.

Lord, I am so grateful that we can rest in Your love and goodness.  Thank You for being the wonderful person that You are.  Thank You for being so patient with us.  Help us to know You more and understand You better.  We love You and we need You. 

We trust You will do and allow what is best for us.

All glory and honour to You, forever!

Disappointment

       You prayed, you cried out, you did everything you were able to and medical science couldn’t help, you convinced others to pray for you, you were anointed with oil and prayed for, yet all to no avail.  Times of hope alternated with times of despair.  Days turned to weeks and months, and still, God did not heal.  Dreams were shattered, and sorrow pressed in.  Bitterness towards life and a God who ‘did not answer’ crept in.  If it sounds like I’m speaking from first hand experience, I am.

       Disappointment in God is common when faced with ‘unanswered’ prayers.  If you allow disappointment to remain it will soon become discontent which will turn to discouragement.  Unchecked discouragement turns to doubt and then to disenchantment (bitterness).  That is a most difficult place to return to close relationship with God from, so it is best to nip all disappointment in the bud.

In the world ye shall have tribulation: John 16:33

     -Meaning of tribulation- pressure, suffering, pain, burdened, misfortune or distress, trouble

3 Things to Remember:

Every blessing is also a possible pain.

     -blessing of marriage turns painful when spouse is unfaithful.

     -blessing of pregnancy turns painful after miscarriage.

     -blessing of a great job turns painful when long work hours keep you from your family.

Pain and suffering in life is the price we pay for belonging to the human family.

God works with us to help us overcome the pain of body, mind and heart.

Also, God answers all prayers, just maybe not how we expect:

     -Sometimes He intervenes (does a miracle)

     -Sometimes He answers to all mankind (polio vaccine)

     -Sometimes He doesn’t eliminate pain, heal, or do what we want rather allows us to bear it and gives us strength through it.

 

So, how do we deal with disappointment?

       -Stay honest with God verbally, after all, He already knows what’s in your heart so you might as well tell Him.  “…pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us…  (Ps. 62:8)

       -Seek the help and comfort of others: “Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” (Gal. 6:2) and “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.” (1Th. 5:11) 

       The whole verse about tribulations speaks of God’s peace He can give us:  “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) and it also reminds us that no matter what we go through in our journey on earth, there is a great and glorious future awaiting all born again believers where there is no more tribulations. (Rev. 21,22)

       Then when you have endured the hardship (2Tm. 2:3), you can help others: (God) Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. (2Cor. 1:4)  And this will show Christ’s love: “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.”  (John 13:34)

       Don’t give in to disappointment, instead, disappoint the enemy of our souls by dealing effectively with it, and not giving up on life- or God.