Tag: Lavish Grace

Growing In The Word

New Growth

James 1: 22.
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”

I wonder if we’re familiar with those who go on about their faith, yet leave us confused by their actions? Somehow, what they say and what they do contradict each other. I wonder too, about ourselves? What about it?  Does our life cause confusion for another member of the family or within the body of Christ? Could we be a stumbling block for some, or have some caused us to stumble along the way?

To be doers of the word is to actively make changes in our lives according to the truth we hear. If we hear the truth that God is our gracious, heavenly Father who alone gives us our worth and if we truly believe it, then we must live like it, not just say it. The Psalmist in Psalm 119: 7 says,….”As I learn Your righteous regulations, I will “thank” You by living as I should.”

Alright then…How do we live it? Of course, it’s an ongoing process of growing into maturity with Christ. Daily, we have to allow our habits, thoughts, words, and actions to be changed, renewed, or transformed. We must do an about-face, turning from greed, envy, grumbling, criticism, revenge, and “lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness” as James 1:21 reveals. The way we think about ourselves, the way we treat others, what we do with our time, our money, our lifestyle and our overall outlook and attitude towards life need to be measured against God’s goodness and grace. If we hang on to sinful ways and refuse to let them fall away from us we are not believing that God is who He says He is, and that He will do what He says He will do. We live in compromise with a divided mind. We say we trust but we do not. We merely lie to ourselves and deceive others as well.

If we have asked Jesus to forgive us and if we truly repent, for sure we are Christians and covered by His blood. That’s His promise of salvation to us. He doesn’t go back on His Word, and He doesn’t fail us. But if a baby is just born into this world and isn’t fed or talked to, growth won’t happen and death will occur. It’s the same for a Christian. Just to be born into God’s family is only the first step! Growth is an ongoing process and yes, it’s a lifetime of leaning on God and actively hearing and doing as we learn from Him. We will never reach perfection because we are just so human but In God’s infinite wisdom He knows that and that’s why He covers us with His vast and lavish grace, ready to forgive and set us back on track when we fall.

#Safeinahardplace

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It Pales In Comparison

Acts 20: 24.

But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned to me by the Lord Jesus—the work about telling others about the good news and the wonderful grace of God.

Paul the preacher, the evangelist, experienced a dramatic conversion that motivated him to enthusiastically preach the cross of Christ in ways that the listener could understand. His message was powerful and honest. He pulled no punches. He called it as it was, rebuking when necessary and encouraging when he could. He did not preach notions, or controversy, relevancy, or affairs of the state or government. This sincere evangelist preached faith and repentance, motivated by the powerful influence of the Holy Spirit within him and the steadfast ‘grace’ of His faithful God, whom he had come to love and trust. Paul knew that God’s grace didn’t end with forgiveness, but, on the contrary, God’s vast, extravagant grace had only just begun. He had to get the Word out at all cost. What his life ‘was’ and what it held in store, paled in comparison to the glorious transformation that he had experienced through Christ and passionately desired for others to come to know. His life paled in comparison to God’s lavish grace and his physical life paled in comparison to the glorious eternal life that lie ahead for him in death. Paul’s miraculously transformed life was all about his Lord and Savior and the people had to hear this Good News, at all cost…Yes, even if it meant imprisonment, torture and ultimate death for his faith Paul felt compelled to get the Word of Truth out, not only into the heads but more importantly into the hearts of people. Absolutely nothing held him back! What hold you back from sharing the glorious message of the life changing power of Christ in a life? Let’s be challenged to say today with Paul,

“But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned to me by the Lord Jesus—the work about telling others about the good news and the wonderful grace of God.

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Spend Grace Freely

Little Thoughts For Big Days
Little Thoughts For Big Days

So let’s begin another new day by accepting God’s grace to begin again! While we’re at it, let’s stuff our souls and our hearts and our pockets with excess to lavishly spend on others throughout the days ahead.

It’s so daily isn’t it ~ This giving of grace? So all the time and so everywhere and on everyone? The wrong thing said, the rude remark, the uncaring soul, the friend that didn’t care ~ and the list goes on and on and on, and then we take a look at our inside selves to see just as much “uncalled for” behavior from ‘self’ and we know that we need grace as much as they! Remember for all the misbehaved offenses, that come there is an accuser of the brethren, a father of lies and the instigator, who messes things all up with chaos and confusion. He twists our arms and our minds into thinking it’s the person causing the grief and takes great delight when we hurt and pin the blame on others rather than himself. So, when the pain sears and rips through your heart like a knife, turn it over to God and allow His mercy to find you and strengthen you. Allow His grace to mellow you and empty your beautiful soul of bitterness, anger and grief only to fill it with more of Him and His care, His healing and His sweet, unconditional love. Find a solace there in His rest and a peace there in His protection. Ahh, now you can empty your pockets of all that redemptive grace that you’ve stored away just for this special moment. Lavishly spend it on that poor soul in need and let them go. Ah ~ that’s where your blessing hides ~ right there in your freedom from the entanglement of it all. So ~ sweet and beautiful soul ~ Let it go and begin another week of freedom, walking with A God who truly cares.

Matthew 6: 14 & 15
“For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

Ephesians 4: 32
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

Have a nice day animated rose

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