(G)Leaning on Grace

It’s time for confession. I’ve been really struggling with a lack of motivation, self-discipline and self-control for some time now. Even though I would love to blame my problems on the outrageous and unpredictable state of the world today, it’s not about covid-19 or being on lockdown. It’s not about being cooped up in the house for days or even the seemingly unending period of rain and gloominess.  It’s about the troubled and unsettled condition of my heart. I have been battling thoughts of unworthiness, disappointment, and destructive behaviors. I have spent money I don’t have. I have procrastinated on work that needs to be done. I have gained close to 30 pounds in a never ending cycle of feeding my insecurities and the shame of having let things get increasingly unmanageable.  This has to stop! I began a new personal Bible study in an effort to seek God and regain some measure of order. When I am not in communion with God as I should be, life gets chaotic...

Ever wonder about the plan God has for each of us and how it all fits together? Doubting that He has a plan is not an option, but trying to dissect that plan, trying to figure out how each intricate little puzzle piece fits into the next, well, that is something that can drive me crazy! An amazing thing happened this week. As I was perusing my Facebook newsfeed one of those little strips of “People You May Know” popped up. I sometimes scroll through the film strip of individuals that this social networking program has somehow decided that I may know, or be interested in knowing, just to see if I do know any of them. Generally, it recommends people who may have common acquaintances. Sometimes there are many friends in common, but I still don’t know them, and at times there may only be one or two people we share friendships with. This week however, it was a bit different. It recommended a name that I had no “friends” in common with. A person who lives in Indiana and I live in Kentucky....

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...

I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. Ephesians 1:18 Prayer serves many purposes in the life of a Christian. Through prayer we can communicate with God, sharing our thoughts, our dreams, our worries. We can tell Him about our failures and our triumphs. We can petition Him on behalf of our loved ones or friends. We confess our sin and ask for forgiveness that is promised and provided through His grace and mercy when we exhibit true repentance. In the obedient practice and commitment to prayer we tap into the almighty power of God that is part of our inheritance as his child. "That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power ...

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2 This is part of the Apostle Paul's letter to the church in Colossi. He is imploring these young followers to be devoted to prayer and to furthering the message of Christ. He reminds them that in their devotion they need to be watchful and thankful. Watchful of their behavior and that of those whom they follow because what they do and say can affect how new converts or seekers of the way will perceive Christ. It is still the same today. As we trek through our individual journey with Christ as our guide we must always be mindful of not putting stumbling blocks in the paths of others. We cannot expect ourselves to be perfect, because none of us are, but we should certainly strive to make decisions and take actions that best reflect our faith so as not to mislead. Once we identify ourselves as Christians we must be aware that we say and do represents to church and most especially the head of the church, Ch...