(G)Leaning on Grace

Do you love like Jesus? Do you think it is even possible? As I read through the scriptures, Jesus is consistently pointed out as the example to which we are to aspire. He is our ideal. Yet, when it comes to loving others we find it difficult. A real challenge to see past the surface images to the hurting hearts of people who just want to be loved.  The depth of character that God encompasses is also a great hurdle for most people. We are bombarded with slogans and mantra’s like “God is Love” that portray one aspect of who God is. Then, on the opposite spectrum end is the God of judgment that seems harsh and unbending in His punishment of sin. Those who take the time to study and learn about who God really is would come to realize that a God of justice is “just" because of His great love. It is because He cares, because He has our best interest at heart that He wants to see us do what is right and honorable. If there were no consequences, no justice, then the universe would ...

13 When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people,  14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.  15 Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place.  16 For now I have chosen and consecrated this house that my name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will be there for all time.      2  Chronicles 7:13-16 A call to prayer has been given throughout the land. A call to pray for another Great Awakening, a Christian uprising in the land of the free. The days of christians sitting by, keeping our mouths shut and following the social norms of political correctness need to be over. Passive attitudes when the standards of christian belief are being trampled on in the name of equality need to be stirred and ignited...

Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:3 As I read the news this morning, I came across a story about police officers who were shot and killed in Pittsburgh by a man having a domestic argument with his mother. The officers who responded were not given the vital information that the subject had weapons in his residence. During the initial 911 call, his mother told the dispatcher that he owned guns and that they were all 'legal'. At this point the dispatcher should have asked more questions about the type and location of the weapons. The information that the guns were present and accessible should have been given to the responding units for their own safety and this along with the additional information, that was not gathered, could have made a life saving difference. I share this with you today because I truly believe that what happened here was not intentional. It is a by product of becoming comf...

We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6 It is a beautiful day, this Palm Sunday, the week before Easter. As I study this morning, read my devotional and spend time in prayer I cannot help but imagine what may have been happening on this day some 2000 odd years ago. From the Bible we know that Jesus knew what was coming. As he grew from a child he was aware of his purpose, his plan to reconcile the children of God with the Father. In church this morning the choir will be singing a song reminiscent of the hymns of the church. In this song we sing words of remembrance and respect for the sacrifice which was made. Beginning with a more mellow peaceful strain, strengthening in the middle and then building to a joyful end. It is much like the life of Christ on earth. I will be pondering that earthly journey this week as we grow nearer to Easter and the celebration, not just in thankful recogn...

For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6 Afraid of the dark? Me too, or at least I used to be. There was a time when I wandered aimlessly in the disorientation that an all consuming blackness could bring on. I remember feeling totally lost with no sense of direction. Constantly groping for a lamp, a candle, even a match, anything that would bring the slightest bit of brightness into my world. Now, I'm not saying that everything in my life was horrible, on the surface it may have seemed normal, but I felt no sense of hope for future improvement. I did not see how my situation could ever get better and in fact my circumstances were spiraling out of control. My personal life, my home life, my health all reaching destructive extremes. I had my husband, but our relationship was rapidly deteriorating. My job was taking over my life ...

During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered. Hebrews 5:7-8 It is impressed on my heart this morning how important our response to suffering in difficult times actually is. Jesus, the One and Only Son of God, spent much of his time in private prayer. He performed great miracles. He had a servants heart in all situations. Yet, he was not saved from suffering. As He ministered to the disciples he was ridiculed at times and mocked. Even in his public ministry he was questioned and shunned by the people of his own home town. As I think on these things I can't help but imagine what my own reaction would have been. What feelings course through me when I meet with vocal opposition and critical opinion in my daily life. It is a human reaction for sure for our fee...