Grace

     Grace, simple elegance, refinement of movement. Grace is also courteous and goodwill. Certainly both of these types of grace definitions are wonderful and I hope we all live in this. But it’s God’s grace that sometimes shakes me to my core. Why would he ever want to give me his grace. Not just give it, but freely give his grace, his unmerited favor, his love.

     We’ve all heard someone say, “but for the grace of God”. Stop, right where you are and think about for a minute (or two). But for God’s grace where would we be.

     So, here’s a few things I’ve learned.

     Grace can be found

     Genesis 6:8, But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. Grace was given to Noah because he obeyed and aren’t you thankful he did. We would not be here. The grace God gave to Noah has been passed down to countless others who have said yes to God. See God will never ask anything of you that he won’t give you his grace and mercy. Just a little side note here for whomever needs to read it. If God is asking you to do what you feel is impossible remember he asked Noah to build an ark, a huge ark, for something called rain that Noah had never seen. If you can’t see it, don’t worry, God can. Say yes, and you will find grace in the eyes of the Lord.

     Grace can be poured

     In Psalm 45:2 it says, "You are fairer than the sons of men; Grace is poured upon Your lips: Therefore God has blessed You forever". Grace, poured up your lips. If God pours grace upon our lips surely, we should extend that grace when we speak to others. Blessed forever. Wow. I don’t know what that means to you, but forever is strong. Do I always feel blessed, nope, I don’t. Yet I am and so are you.

     Grace can be given

     Psalm 84:11, For the Lord God is a sun and shield: The Lord will give grace and glory: No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly. Grace and glory. In the Old Testament glory traditionally meant “praise for the Lord”. When God gives grace, he gives us the praise for the Lord. In the New Testament the glory is in the presence of the Lord. With grace we praise the presence of the Lord in our lives. 

 

     Grace and Truth

     John 1:17, The law was given my Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. Grace given with truth. I’m not sure if you realize what a strong statement that is. Jesus didn’t “just” give us grace, but he gave us truth with that grace. Our father, who loves us more than we can even begin to imagine wants us to know the truth. No hidden agenda, not anything in secret, but with grace and truth.

     Grace and growth

     2 Peter 18, tells us to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior. Right above in 16 – 17 it tells of those who twist the scripture to their own destruction and that we must beware so that we don’t fall into the same and be led away. To do this we have to continually grow. Pray, read, meditate on the word daily.

     Grace is sufficient

     In 2 Corinthians 12:7-9, Paul talks about the thorn in his flesh. He asked; no the word says he pleaded three times for it to be removed. Paul goes on to tell us, He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Paul said, “Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” Sufficient, all that you need. It’s true, it might not always be all that you want, but it will be all that you need if you abide him. Add grace to that and we are a blessed people.

     Grace and Salvation

     Ephesians 1:7, In Him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace. Ephesians 2:8, For by grace you have been saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

Because of God’s grace we are given the free gift of salvation. We can’t work for it because salvation isn’t about what we accomplished, nope, it’s only through the grace of God.

     I guess if I had to summarize this, I would say this. When Grace is found it is freely given, poured into us with truth so that we will grow in the sufficient grace through salvation from our savior. 

~Vicki

2020 - The Year of Joy

It’s going to be long.

I’ve never really done the word of the year thing. Each year I’d see others post their word of the year and I’d think that’s cool I’d should do that. I’d think about it but every time I’d think maybe this word or that word I’d see someone else post it was there word for the year. Surely I couldn’t take someone else’s word. I mean, words are words and they don’t really belong to anyone, but still he or she had just said it was theirs. I couldn’t copy them, right?

2020 starts and people begin to post their word. I read their post, smiled at some and had tears for others. Each person had a special reason why they felt/knew that word for them this coming year.

I prayed.

I’d think of a word and prayed. Nothing seemed to “fit” me for this year. That is until Paul called me at work and said, “Honey, try to find some joy today”. I’d replied simply okay and you try too. (It’s easier to push it back to someone sometimes).

Everywhere I looked, Facebook, Instagram, texts from friends, and even phone (yes actually talking on the phone), the word joy would appear.

Could that be my word for the year? Joy.

2019 had certainly had its ups and its downs, but could I really make Joy my word. With all that is happening with my mom and Paul? It would be hard, right?

Then I prayed. And I listened. I was still.

Merriam-Webster defines Joy as “the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires…the expression or exhibition of such emotion…a state of happiness”

As the Lego song says, Everything is Awesome.

But the Word of God says this:

Joy is a gift of from God. (Galatians 5:22

No greater Joy than to know our children walk in the truth (3 John 1:4)

Sounds really great so far, this could make my entire year full of joy beyond all measure.

Then I read, James 12-3: “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.”

Trails do not sound joyous, yet it’s right there in God’s word. That makes it so.

I read on. I prayed. I listened. And I was still.

Psalms 47:1 Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy! I love this scripture but it was just during this time that I realized it didn’t say to clap your hands and shout to God if you have joy. But to shout to God with loud songs of joy.

In Nehemiah 8:10 we’re told to go and enjoy great food, sweet drinks, and to send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the Joy of the Lord is your strength.

A. B. Simpson said, “ It is His joy that remains in us that makes our joy full.”

2020 will surely bring joyous times and hardships. This is the season of life that my family is in right now. Although it will not always be easy, my word for this year is JOY. I will sing for joy. I will weep at times, yet still will count it all JOY. And I will learn this year how to rest in his JOY.