Weekend Getaway # 4

He is Faithful

 

 

I thought I would end the first month on the blog by sharing one of my favorite traits about God.  You and I have been looking at ways to get to know Him better, ways of focusing on Truth, accepting His Grace in our lives and pointing ourselves in the right direction.  So, now let’s open our eyes wide and take a long look at just how wonderful our Creator, our Father, really is.  Be encouraged by what you are about to read, because this is the One you pray to, lean on and praise.  And, even more amazing, He is the One hearing and answering your prayers, holding you up and receiving your praise of which He is worthy.

Our God is Faithful

2 Thessalonians 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.

Listen, I don’t know where you are at in your life today.  I don’t know if this has been one terrible week or month (or year).  Maybe you are just tired and worn out. Maybe today has dawned heavy on you like an anvil on your head.  Or perhaps you have seen some great victories lately and are full of peace.  Whatever the case may be and wherever we find ourselves lets promise to be honest.  Let’s not look at all the “junk” surrounding us or the problems waiting on us at work. Let's not look down our nose from the mountain top at those still in the valley. Rather, let's open our eyes and take a good long look at God.  See Him for WHO He really is.  He is Faithful. 

He brought you through the last time didn’t He?  He comforted you in that moment when no one else knew you were crumpled and crying in the shower didn't He?  He paid that bill, healed that wound, brought you up and set your feet on solid ground and blessed you, didn’t He?  Remember?  Remember His presence?  Just because you may have forgotten, doesn’t mean He has.  Because He is Faithful.  He is Faithful every single day, every single second and He cannot break His promises.

2 Timothy 2:13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

He Promised you a way of escape, look around, it is there.

1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

If you are contemplating turning your direction down a path the Faithful God has NOT led you, STOP!  He wants you to make the decision to turn towards Him.  Like Peter in the garden with Jesus who told him to pray, but Peter slept and then denied Christ.  Make the decision to pray about what you are about to do.  And if you are headed where you shouldn't, turn around and run in the right direction before you make a mess of things.  God is Faithfully standing there, offering you the RIGHT option.

He is controlling the situation, Relax in Him.

1 Peter 4:19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

Do you remember when Jesus stood before Pilate?  He knew He was the Faithful God.  He knew He had created every single soul before Him who mocked Him, gnashed on Him, yelled profanities at Him, but Jesus was Faithful in His suffering because He had a promise to keep.  A promise made to those priests screaming, "Crucify Him!" and a promise to you and me.  He HAD to suffer in order to do His own will!  If He has placed you in a position that seems unbearable, offer to stay there as long as He needs you to.  Easy for me to say?  No, not hardly.  But something I have prayed, something I have watched my mom pray and my Dad and sister live.  And every time, through every seemingly unbearable situation, God showed Himself Faithful.  If you are there, then know, for a fact, God's Will is performing something far greater than you can imagine and you can relax in Him. 

He will NOT leave you alone.  Don’t quit, He won’t.

1 Thessalonians 5:24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

Don't quit, don't quit, don't quit.  Try one more day.  Find someone to pray with you and remind yourself of all the times God was faithful in your lives.  Keep going.  You are NOT alone.  God faithfully remains loyal to His promises.  He WILL DO IT!  Let Him.

He WILL Forgive you.  He WILL cleanse you. 

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Don't be prisoner to your past sins for one more second.  Confess up, God is Faithful and will cleanse you.  Walk away clean and don't go wallowing around in the past again. 

It feels easy to throw our hands up and say "Forget it!" It may keep us tightly cocooned in our nest of betrayal or fear of being hurt again.  But it will stop us from getting to know Him better.  Just think back on all that you have been through, each time you threw the towel in and let the pieces fall were they would.  Did God ever leave you in your confusion?  Nope.  He wooed you back and ministered to your hurts.  He was there, because He is Faithful.  Why not take Him at His word?  Let Him do what he needs to do in your life right now and trust Him.

 

Until next time, Lord willing,

Sheri

God Wants to be in the Driver's Seat

For today I want us to look at scripture which explains more of God’s grace for serving. I have taken a few (there are so many!) and tried to give a practical way to look at this serving grace. There are many more scriptures but I am praying that the ones chosen will be enough for you as we journey in grace land and maybe your mind just went to another Graceland, but trust me, that is NOT where I am going with this. 

Don’t you just love looking out the window as you drive down a country lane and inhale the beauty of God and His creations? Consider this Grace to be a field, full of trees loaded with fruit ready for you to pick. We could call it “Grace Territory” if you please. It is yours for the picking!

1. Grace in meeting the needs of God’s people

2Co 8:1-2 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality

Our church is called on weekly to supply the needs of people outside the church and many times outside of the faith. God’s leaders must be very careful to not abuse the church people and the monies of the church for wrong reasons but as the need comes, God’s people can rally around, seek His face and then receive the grace to get the job done. It takes wisdom and the Word of God to know “how” sometimes. Maybe you are really good at sewing, cleaning homes, making crafts, taking care of children, doing laundry, writing letters, fixing meals or organizing any of these areas. God’s people have needs and you may be able to exercise the grace of God in you to meet that need. Oh how precious are those people who seek ways to help those in need. A caring and giving spirit brings a smile to our Lord Jesus Christ. Are you one of those persons called on to meet a family’s need as simple as one meal for the week, or to take care of a child while sickness dominates that family, or are you afraid you just can’t do it? Here we go….ask God for the grace to do what HE wants you to do! The fruit of that tree will reproduce more than you ever dreamed!

2. Grace to help in time of need in your own personal life or in the personal life of another.

Heb 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

My husband and I received three separate calls in the same day of people in our church who had dire needs for the family. We listened; we prayed and asked God to intervene in the lives of these lovely people and their families. Sometimes you may not know what to pray or what to do, but that is when God steps in and does what you cannot do. Don’t beat yourself up if you can’t figure it out. You are just like the rest of us. We all have to trust in that wonderful grace of God and obtain mercy to be the instrument of God’s help as it flows through us. Then…... just claim the truth of Hebrews 4:16!

3. Grace is to be received and used......Not abused!

1Pe 4:10-11 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

None of us have arrived, friend, and if we do anything worth doing it is only because of God’s grace. I’ve seen people who have been blessed beyond measure and then slowly, their heads swell with pride and they begin to feel like they have had something to do with it and before long these dear people change and shame rests at their back door. There will be a fall if the foundation is not right! It is God’s grace, not your ability or my ability!

4. Grace to Serve God Effectually by Teaching and Preaching His Word

Eph 3:7-8 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

Heb 12:28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:

Pastor Andy is always asking us to pray for him to have utterance to preach to men as they are. He works diligently at reminding us that it is God’s Work and God’s Word. If there is any success in it at all, it is because of God’s grace. Is there a need where you are? Are you willing to open the Word and teach another as God’s grace is bestowed upon you? How many times have I heard young men say, “I just can’t preach! I’m not smart enough, not educated enough and besides, I’m scared to be in front of people.” Well, good! You are the perfect candidate. Now, give up and let God take over. Don’t you just love it when you witness people who you thought would never amount to a hill of beans, come back around and they are on fire for the Lord! God created us and He for sure can figure out what to do with us, if we will only realize that it is Him and not us! Put God in the driver’s seat, move over and enjoy the ride for heaven’s sake.

Now, what are you waiting for…..?

Until next time, Lord willing

Sharon

Don't Get Off At The Wrong Stop!

1 Timothy 1:1-7 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope; Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.

My first time in Brooklyn I was invited to join a group headed to the city by subway.  I got my children ready and we were excited to take our first ride on the famous subways of NYC.  We bought our tickets and found a spot to sit in the train car.  I was chatting away with a colleague when we came to the first stop.  The doors opened and my oldest son who was only 12 years old at the time, promptly exited the car and stood facing me.  He had a kind of puzzled look on his face because we were not getting off with him.  I jumped and screamed at the same time, warning him to get back in before the doors closed.  He quickly entered as the doors slammed shut.  He had narrowly escaped being lost in the middle of a strange city.  My heart still races when I think about what could have happened that day.  I am glad I was near enough to him and paying attention.

Paul is warning Timothy about not getting off at the wrong station.  He doesn’t want Timothy to blindly follow the opening doors.  He makes it clear that there are those who would teach a whole bunch of things and produce a whole lot of questions, none of which were edifying.  He tells Timothy to focus on the end of the commandment, the destination of his faith; charity, a good conscience and faith unfeigned. 

I have been a Christian for 30 years.  I have been in the ministry full time for 20.  During those years, trust me, many a person has come along with some fables and vain jangling.  Sadly, there have been times when I took heed and got off at the wrong stop.  I wasted my time lost in someone else’s false interpretation of the Scripture and it aggravates me to no end.  I am writing this today to make sure we don’t get off on the wrong path in our quest to know God better.  He is not found in spooky beliefs and weird far out places.  No, He is found in Truth.  His dwelling is Grace and Truth, not ideas and speculations.  If what you are listening to someone say doesn’t match up with the Word of God, even if it were something, God forbid, in this blog, don’t follow after it.  Be a Berean Christian and daily search the Scriptures for yourself.  Don’t be a foolish woman led off by every wind of doctrine that blows the curtains in your house. 

Mark and I teach our children to make decisions based on Scripture.  Not just because we tell them that it is what the Bible says, but for them to search it out and decide.  They have not always made the right choices.  Sometimes I cringe when I see them about to make the wrong decision.  But they will all four tell you that they believe God’s Word to be their basis, and not man’s traditions.  You and I need to be constantly aware of where we are on this journey.  We don’t need to get off on bunny trails that waste our time and our provisions.  Let’s be reading the Scripture on our own, daily.  Let us compare His Words with His Words and stand firmly on Truth.  God has been merciful to me and given me two pastors during my life that hold firmly to the Word of God.   My pastor as a young person, was Dr. Andy Bloom.  He never swerved aside to vain jangling.  He always pointed me towards Truth in every single sermon.  Matter of fact, a sermon I heard from him in December changed my outlook on a situation and helped me.  Why?  Because he taught truth.  Dr. John Smith became my pastor in 1998.  He is a preacher of preachers.  He preaches the Word and points our church towards Truth.  I remember the day in his office when he taught me what the doctrine of imputation is.  He quoted Scripture to me and opened my eyes to what Jesus had actually done for me at Salvation.  Truth, not Tradition.

As you seek after God and read His Word, don’t get off on the wrong stop and get lost.  Sometimes these popular new devotionals look inviting and so good, but beneath some of their words is a faulty foundation.  If you are ever unsure ask your husband or Preacher to clarify things you don’t understand.  Keep a commentary nearby so you can study.  And ask God to guide you to ALL Truth, never fiction. 

If you truly want to know Him better, get to know what He says about Himself.  You can’t err by following God’s Word. 

Until next time, Lord willing,

Sheri

And it's all Because of God's Amazing Grace

1Corinthians 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

 

 

Eph 3:7-9 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

 

 

Hebrews 4:14-16 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. 

 

For the life of me I don’t know why it took me so long to understand a little bit better this matter concerning God’s grace. Maybe you are like me and have totally gotten the concept of saving grace, but for years you have seen yourself not capable of doing much for the Lord Jesus Christ whether in the ministry of the local church or just sharing the Gospel. Have you felt inadequate, not worthy, or just plain scared….or all of these! You are not alone. In order to know God better, and this is what we are trying to do on this journey, we have to look at this matter of His grace as we serve God. We can’t do it by ourselves or it becomes about us and not about Him. So, how are you doing? Feeling weaker…..Jesus can empathize with our weaknesses because in His humanity, He was faced with those weaknesses.  He faced what we face head on. That really makes me feel better and it should you too, dear friend. He is our strength. The grace that He offers to us in our weakest moment makes us strong enough to overcome any obstacle. Usually, WE are the obstacle.  As we exercise that truth or put it to action, we can do ALL things because it goes and comes through Jesus Christ. Again, remember, Jesus never succumbed to temptation! In my human flesh, I cannot comprehend that, but if we are to ever cross Jordan, so to speak, we have to grab that truth and pack it our purses!

So, what is holding you back from ministry? Admit it, say it out loud to God, and go back to the turn of the road to God’s dwelling place. Psalm 90 and 91 will be a nice refresher to remember that....this is where it must begin.

The first time I heard John R. Rice I thought to myself, “This poor ole’ man’s eyes are going to slide right off his face, today, while we are sitting here looking at him!” Little did I know about this great man of God with droopy eyes and his lovely wife. I can still hear his weeping voice pleading to all of us to come boldly to God’s throne of grace for mercy in our time of need. I am blessed of God to have been a friend to John R. Rice.  BUT….did you know that Brother Rice never really felt the call to preach? He just started serving God and by God’s grace, He used him in mighty ways. May I encourage you to read the life of John R. Rice and if you have read about him, share it with someone else.  Sheri had the privilege of visiting in his home and shared with her Dad and me that he and his wife lived very frugally. He was so gifted in writing, singing, and of course, preaching.

Brother Rice’s mom died when he was 9 years old and years later he found out while reading a letter she had written to another relative of theirs that his mom called him “her preacher boy.” When he read that, it did something to him and a seed was planted in his mind to completely sell out to God. May I say, “Don’t be fearful of encouraging your children to serve God in ministry and when they ask you, tell them!” I am so thankful for the many young people who have come through our Christian school and gone on to serve God as missionaries, preachers, evangelist and other ministries. Every young person who has come to me questioning the ministry, I have gladly said, “Just make that first step and God will do the rest.”  It is called, “Serving Grace” folks and all of us can receive it as freely as we did His Saving Grace. 

Saul of Tarsus is such a good example of what God can do with a Christian killing maniac! Read the account in Acts 9 of Saul who became converted to do the impossible only because of God’s Amazing Saving, Serving Grace! Paul and Brother Rice lived this “Serving Grace” and left us a legacy of truth regarding grace.  Everyone hated Paul and couldn’t believe he was actually a born-again believer after the news of his consenting to the deaths of many Christians. I would feel the same, wouldn’t you? God granted him the grace to not be bitter as he traveled to face the disbelieving Christians. They feared for their life when Paul was around. Eventually, Paul’s reputation was better and by God’s grace, hundreds were saved through the ministry of Paul. My soul, just think how much you and I have grown while reading the Epistles of Paul!  So, maybe you are struggling with the thoughts that you could never sing in the choir, or teach Sunday School like so and so, or drive a bus or go soul winning. Yep, so did Paul with his thorn in the flesh, but what did God say to him? “My grace is sufficient!”

 

Next time, I would like to encourage you on this road to knowing God to consider other ways God offers to us believers His serving grace.  We have everything we need through Jesus Christ our Lord!

Until next time, Lord willing...

 

Sharon

What Seek Ye?

 

John 1:37-39 And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou? He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour.

I remember one time, as a young college student, I was walking down a hallway and saw the man who had just preached in chapel.  His sermon had been very profound, so I trailed him until I caught up and said, “Bro. so and so, I sure enjoyed your preaching today.”  He immediately turned, towering over me, and demanded to know what it was specifically that I enjoyed.  His abruptness scared me and took me off guard to the point that I forgot who I was, what I was doing and I froze.  Seriously, my mind went so blank that I couldn’t even remember what he had preached on!  Then I remembered an illustration I thought he had used and I hurriedly repeated it and told him how good it was.  His eyes seemed to stare straight into my soul with their withering glance and he promptly turned on his heel and walked away.  It was at this moment my wits returned from their vacation and I remembered that he wasn’t the one who had told that illustration, rather, it had come from YESTERDAY’S chapel sermon by a completely different preacher.  Talk about embarrassing!  My cheeks went hot and I felt miserable.  I never spoke to that man directly again for fear of what he might say to me.  I avoided him at all cost for the rest of my years at school and truth be told, if I saw him today, I wouldn’t relish the thought of having to speak to him.

Andrew and John were John the Baptist’s disciples.  They had just heard their own chapel sermon where John declared that Jesus was the Lamb of God.  Imagine how thrilled they must have been!  As Jesus began making His way away from the area, Andrew and John followed Him.  And that's when Jesus turned and questioned them, “What seek ye?”  Can you fathom what you would do if you were physically there that day and Jesus turned and looked at you and questioned you what you were looking for?  I don't know whether they hesitated or not, but they ask Jesus where he lived.  Jesus knew they wanted to get to know Him better and didn’t make fun of their asking where he dwelled.  He told them to “Come and see”.  It must have been an exciting moment for the two men as they accepted Jesus’ invitation to follow Him.  Unlike me that day at college with the chapel speaker, they didn’t hide from Jesus or decline the invitation and avoid Jesus.  No, they followed Him.

I have to say, I am not a great Christian.  I don’t excel in my faith how I would like or what I imagine most Christians do.  I don’t consider myself a great prayer warrior or even a mediocre one.  I struggle with my flesh and battle quite frequently in my spiritual life.  And you know what I have come to realize?  So does everyone else.  We all feel like we can’t get to know the Lord as well as the next guy.  We think preachers have some special in road with the Lord that we don’t have and we often feel inadequate to teach a Sunday School or Ladies Bible study.  Don’t get me wrong, we can find thrilling heights of peace and joy when we are sitting alone in our homes reading His Word while sipping on a cup of coffee or tea.  We bask in His presence and find it to be an amazing time, until we go to church or work.  Then we begin comparing ourselves among ourselves.  Someone looks at us sideways or makes an offhand comment that leaves us hurt or angry. Our children are disobedient and we fuss with our husbands.  The week wears on and our prayers don’t seem to be getting answered and we assume it must be because we are insignificant little dots in the vast array of Christians God has to hear from each day.  Long forgotten are those precious moments alone with Christ and His Word.  We begin to shrivel as we doubt and then all of a sudden He speaks to us through a Scripture as if to say, “What seek ye?”  Let’s not seize up and blurt out what we think He wants to hear or repeat something we have heard another say in a prayer!  When we are invited to fellowship with Him at our prayer spot, let’s not lose our minds and babble vain repetitions!  Why waste His time or ours?  Let’s just deal honestly with Him.  If our minds are prone to wander, then tell Him, “Lord, my mind wants to wander off to think about the laundry or my teaching schedule today, so would you help my weakness?  Would you guide my thoughts and protect my mind with the Helmet of Salvation?  Lord, I don’t feel like I belong here at your feet or even in your presence, but I know you promise that you will draw nigh unto me if I draw nigh unto you, so here I am, just as I am.” 

Don’t turn tail and run when God’s Holy Spirit draws your attention to a verse.  Don’t wander off thinking He doesn’t really want to spend time with you.  You are of no less importance than the next Christian!  You are allowed to come to Him.  You are wanted in His presence.  You matter.

The next time God nudges your heart, don’t lose your mind like I did with that chapel speaker.  Follow His lead into His presence and dwell there with Him.  Prepare yourself to withstand the day ahead and all that awaits you.  He sees what is coming and He wants to equip you with what you need.  Why would He do that for someone if He didn’t care about them?  He cares about you and your life.

John 12:26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

Until next time, Lord willing,

Sheri

Weekend Getaway # 3

Amazing Grace

2Co 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

 

 

Eph 4:7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

 

 

1Ti 1:12-14  And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.  And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
 

A young child was sent to my office for biting another child. When this happens we call the biting child's parents AND the parents of the bitten child. (Sounds like a good name for a movie!) This little girl knew what she had done was wrong, but kept drawing attention to the fact that another child had first kicked her. I allowed the little one time to cry and watched her literally spit out her version of what happened. But, the fact remained, "She bit another person!"

"I want my mommy," she wailed.   "I want my husband but we both have to be at our jobs today."

She cried some more peeking over her tears to see if she was getting through to me. She wasn't!

I knew she would eventually surrender wanting to join her classmates for recess, so I decided that this time out wouldn't last that long. I was right and she went back to class but not until I called her mom and spoke to her in front of the child. She wailed more loudly during this time, but the mom knew her child and said, "Tell her I will take care of it when I get there."  After a short scream and lamentations of sort, she quickly joined her friends.

At the end of school the mom came and the little one saw me and said, "My Mommy came to pick me up!" Then, she grabbed her mom's hand, jumped up and down in delight and began pulling her arm to their car.  I watched them walk away as tears literally came to my eyes. Oh how much we need someone to be "for us" when we make stupid, quick decisions that could devastate us and others. I wish my blunders were as simple as this little one, don't you?

Before you and I were born again, we made mistakes that may follow us the rest of our lives and yes, Christ has forgiven us but the fact remains there may be some heavy consequences that might follow. A good bite leaves a mark or did you know that? Those decisions were based on a belief system foreign to God's Word. So, as you join this trip to knowing God, you will find the road to be quite narrow the longer you travel. But, dear friend, God is "for you!" He tells us in 2Co 12:9 "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." Do you understand that God loves us no matter how rotten we were before we received this grace of His? I don't understand His grace like I should, but I'm learning that it (Grace) is His to give to US....first at salvation but then, He offers us Serving Grace! Just recently some of my favorite preachers have talked about this "Serving Grace" and it is becoming more and more real to me.

Praise God for "saving grace."   Eph 2:8 & 9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Our faith  actively receives this belief while God bestows .....more grace. No works are involved in saving grace. It is His to give! We reach out and receive it. There are no works involved and neither baptisms. It is Him ALONE!

The first time I was baptized I was dunked three times forward. Pastor Joe Mae baptized me in the name of the Father, dunk, in the name of the Son, dunk, and in the name of the Holy Spirit, final dunk! None of those dunkings saved me and neither did joining the Church of the Brethren save me. Those two obedient acts were very important to my growth but not to salvation. Jesus' blood on the cross was shed for my rotten, stinking self and for the whole world for those who believe. His Grace is the unmerited eternal salvation of God. It is the opposite of what you and I deserve, friend.  Do you have this "Saving Grace" or are you wandering out there trying to figure out how to make the detours work for you. If you and I are ever going to experience God's "Serving Grace" we must relinquish our way and surrender to His Way!

What is Serving Grace? Next time we'll look at some examples right smack in the middle of God's Word. It is Him, the One we are getting to know more today than yesterday. So, pull up those queen size stockings and put on your high heels for a spiritual run as we learn "how" to serve this awesome, wonderful, God of ours!

 Until next time, Lord willing...

Sharon

How Sweet It Is!

                               

Psalms 19:1-14 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof. The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

I am a pretty simple person.  I am not what you would call a brain and I have always had to work hard for a passing grade in school.  Knowledge only came easy to me in one subject, gym.  I loved that 45 minute stretch of time when I could finally excel in something at school.  There wasn’t a sport or game that I would shy away from and give my all to win, whether it was kickball, volleyball, softball, basketball, doing the most sit ups or hanging from the bar the longest;  I wanted to come in first.  Even in Awana, I was the worst at Bible memorization, but the best at the Olympics.  My parents had boxes full of trophies, medals and certificates I had won over the years from catching the biggest fish to the President’s award for physical fitness.  If there was a physical competition, you could bet your bottom dollar I was involved and loved it.

Mom and Dad always warned me that one day sports wouldn’t be important anymore.  I didn’t believe them and thought they were old fuddy duddies who had lost their minds.  I went off to college and again struggled to pass out of bone head English but my volleyball team was the best.  I just couldn’t make the leap from play to study.  It just didn’t interest me at all - I liked physical strength, not mental - Until one day I got an English teacher that gave me an assignment that changed everything.  She wanted me to write a descriptive paragraph.  I was introduced to a new and wonderful best friend: words.  Mom and Dad were right, sports were no longer important.  Go figure.

I wore my library card out as I began delving into how people put words together and crafted a story for me to enjoy.  I would read something from every genre, and even if the book bored me I wanted to know how it would end so I would read away.  Along about the same time, I was challenged about my walk with God and reading the Book of all Books, the Bible.  Early in the morning I would make my way out by the lake and read and talk to God.  I love thinking back on those times watching the Canadian geese glide across the water and the way the sun would come out and greet me as if I was the only person in the world for whom it’s rays were shining. 

I have watched that same sun rise in it’s brilliance over the Adriatic Sea, set in flaming color on the Amazon River and play peek a boo through the clouds above the Alps.  I have stared longingly at the moon while lying in a hammock in the middle of the jungle and hunted constellations in the middle of the Caribbean.  I have studied the art of Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel, the smile of da Vinci’s Mona Lisa at the Louvre in Paris and stained glass windows in the old stately churches of England.  I have hiked up waterfalls and fished for piranha in hidden lakes while monkeys played in the trees above and pink dolphins swam around me.  I have watched rare birds high up in the mountains, called crocodiles from their hiding places, bungee jumped from great heights, and toured the canals of Venice in a gondola.  All of these marvelous things I have been blessed to see and do in my life have made me appreciate the world that my God created and the way He announces Himself no matter what the language, culture, or time of day or night.  My God proclaims Himself to be the most Mighty and Wonderful of all as He rages in a hurricane or delicately opens the petals of a lily.  Nature tells us where His footsteps have softly fallen through time and it truly is magnificent.  But   none of it compares to the moments when I open the Old Black Book and read God’s Words written as if just for me.  It never bores me and even though I know what is going to happen at the end, I still read it over and over again as if for the very first time.

David was establishing the very same thoughts in Psalms 19.  Here is a man who had observed life in the sheep pastures and welcomed the dewy morning knowing his flock had made it safely through the night. He had heard the thud of Goliath’s body when it hit the ground, and tasted victory all because of five little rocks he picked from a stream in faith that God would prevail. He had watched the sun set while hiding from Saul in the mouths of caves while listening to the water drops echoing in hollowness of something formed by the finger of God.  I think he watched and listened and took note of everything around him that showed him God was real and powerful, and after telling us how wonderful his life and experiences were, it paled at the doctrine of God’s Words.  He saw the perfection of what God was teaching him and how beautiful holiness really was. It was sweeter than the honey he was going to eat later that day.  It is almost like he is reaching through time encouraging us to read, really read, and feast on God’s Word.  And just think, he only had heard and read a small portion of what you and I have today.

Look, Mom has given us a practical plan for our Bible reading and walk with God, so let’s do it.  And David has told us about what God’s Word will do for us, so let’s put it to the test.  I believe we will find that It will bring us back to God when we wander.  It will show us the difference between folly and wisdom.  It will make our hearts rejoice.  It will lead us in the way we ought to be going.   And It will teach us right from wrong.  We don’t need to look any further or add to It.  God’s Word is perfect.  That means It is whole, entire and all that we need.  It is the very best way to really get to know Him better.  

If I could never write another word, I would end here telling you how sweet God’s Word is and how much I believe we should read it.

Until next time, Lord willing,

Sheri