Divine Appointment with Grace

Do you know this verse?  “For by Grace, we are saved through faith, not of ourselves, it is the gift of God” -definition of Grace…it’s a gift, we could never pay it, ever! what a wonderful gift!

A few weeks ago, the temps went to 70 degrees, and it was awesome after a very cold winter.  My friend had a tradgey in her family, so my plans were canceled. Deciding quickly to get out in this gorgeous day! Took my son with me (after bribing him with a Slushie). We headed to the river for a quiet and relaxing afternoon. The weather turned very windy, so we decided to go to a location we never go to along the river, that would be out of the wind.

We had the whole place to ourself! Sunshine! Melted river! What a blessing!  Soon after we arrived, an old man riding a bike equally as old, came through…and decided to sit right next to us.  Finding this rather odd…I paid attention.

He started to witness to me. And we talked some deep things that I studied a few years ago, and I was surprised it was still in the memory bank.  Then we got to the Grace factor.  Ahhhh, this gentleman was Jehovah witness.  My grandpa was also a Jehovah witness, so I am familiar.  Our talk changed…He tried very hard to convince me that works are how we get to heaven, and nothing special about it, we will just be glad we made it.  (insert huge eyes here )

No doubt, God orchestrated that afternoon.  We had a divine appointment.  The gentleman left and very sweetly thanked me for the conversation,  asked if I would visit his church sometime. I told him no, I love the church I am at, and maybe he should visit me.  He spent his whole life seeking for truth. And I prayed as he left…”please let him find the Truth”.  Grace, a foreign word to a man who knew his scriptures so well, some what out of context, but knew scripture none the less.  He could not fathom, Grace.

Romans 4:4-8 (NLT)

When people work, their wages are not a gift, but something they have earned. But people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners. David also spoke when he described the happiness of those who are declared righteous without working for it:

“oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sins are put out of sight. Yes, what joy for those whose record the LORD has cleared of sin.”

All of this, and I was still standing at my wall, and this was the beginning of breakthrough, I realized, I do believe, and I still care about a world that is misled. This appointment was not only for him, it was also for me.

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Booksneeze~Review~Living with Confidence in a Chaotic World

Living with Confidence in a Chaotic World, by Dr. David Jeremiah

Once again Dr. Jeremiah writes eloquently.  Easy to read, Easy to understand, and yet meaty enough to keep my attention. He addresses the world we live in, not excluding any of its chaotic state, or the destruction path we are on. Everything is factual as I checked them out myself.

Dr. David Jeremiah shows scripturally how this is prophesied in Revelation, and how we are to cling to the words of Christ for our comfort. Keeping our eyes on our LORD in order to rise up like on wings of eagles. His reminder through out the book of a cursed/broken world is timely. As believers we need to remember that first, and then the blessing we live under.

I loved this book, although the truth that is spelled our here is hard to swallow at times. Jesus did not promise us a life with out trials, or chaos. HE did promise us to never leave us, to guide us, to comfort us, and to give us peace.

This is a must read. Todays world, todays news can not just steal our confidence but will tear us down.  Thank you Dr. Jeremiah for the truth you have given to us in this book, no doubt a reminder from God.

Abundant Grace-Abraham (God’s plan begins)

Romans 15:4  “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” why do we read scripture? to learn, to know more about HIM, and so that we will have the hope that HE wants us to have. Honestly, there is no place like HOPE.

(Who does not want hope? raise your hand..and I hope you will be okay with me thinking you are my Special person in this study! 😆 )

“God doesn‟t look at outward appearance, God looks at the heart.  He looks beyond what man looks at (1 Samuel 16:7).”  I had to stop here..and breathe..God Looks At The Heart! Yours, mine, and Abraham’s heart…

Abram (later to be renamed Abraham), 75 years old, and his life was just to begin…

The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household

and go to the land I will show you.  “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I

will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and

whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth

will be blessed through you.” So Abram left, as the LORD had told him; and Lot went with him.

Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Haran. He took his wife Sarai, his

nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in

Haran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there.

~Genesis 12:1-5

God picked Abram to father HIS country, HIS people, and made him promises that were incredible.  Abram’s faith in God was huge. He believed that GOD could do what HE said.

There are times I struggle with this, I know God can do anything, but taking a step in faith can be terrifying.

What are your thoughts on Abram? Can you imagine hearing God speak, and picking up your family and just going, without knowing where you are going? Don’t we usually want our ducks all in a row? thoughts?

Journey~knowing HIM more..Hiding HIS Word

Trying to memorize this chapter. So much in this that applies one day or another. Another part of my Journey -to knowing HIM more…

PSALM 27 (NLT)

A psalm of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation– so why should I be afraid? The LORD protects me from danger– so why should I tremble?

When evil people come to destroy me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall.

Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will know no fear. Even if they attack me, I remain confident.

The one thing I ask of the LORD– the thing I seek most– is to live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, delighting in the LORD’s perfections and meditating in his Temple.

For he will conceal me there when troubles come; he will hide me in his sanctuary. He will place me out of reach on a high rock.

Then I will hold my head high, above my enemies who surround me. At his Tabernacle I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy, singing and praising the LORD with music.

Listen to my pleading, O LORD. Be merciful and answer me!

My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “LORD, I am coming.”

Do not hide yourself from me. Do not reject your servant in anger. You have always been my helper. Don’t leave me now; don’t abandon me, O God of my salvation!

Even if my father and mother abandon me, the LORD will hold me close.

Teach me how to live, O LORD. Lead me along the path of honesty, for my enemies are waiting for me to fall.

Do not let me fall into their hands. For they accuse me of things I’ve never done and breathe out violence against me.

Yet I am confident that I will see the LORD’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living.

Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.

God loves me…and you

God loves me so much that he will not allow anything to stand in the way of a relationship with me, His love is everlasting and faithful…I don’t know if that does anything for you, but it does alot for my heart.

I am on a journey to return, and become closer with my King, and it always starts with HIS love…it truly is amazing…

Isaiah 43:4-7(ESV)

Because you are precious in my eyes,

and honored, and I love you,

I give men in return for you,

peoples in exchange for your life.

Fear not, for I am with you;

I will bring your offspring from the east,

and from the west I will gather you.

I will say to the north, Give up,

and to the south, Do not withhold;

bring my sons from afar

and my daughters from the end of the earth,

everyone who is called by my name,

whom I created for my glory,

whom I formed and made.”

Jeremiah 31:3(ESV)

I have loved you with an everlasting love;

therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.

Blogged Bible Study-Galatians 4-Grasp the Grace

Galatians 4:1-7 (NIV)

What I am saying is that is as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from the slave, although he owns the whole estate.  He is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. But when the time had fully come, GOD sent his Son, born of a woman, under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive the full rights of sons, God sent the Spirit of HIS son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father”. So you are no longer a slave, but a son, God has made you an heir.

This is the beauty of Grace.  Once asking a Pastor what exactly is Grace, we sing about it, we throw it around like a 5 dollar word in Christian circles, and at that time I had no concept of what it actually was.  I was answered with “God’s riches at Christs expense”. Sums it up..still left me empty to the meaning, or application for me.  These verses opened it up for me.  Grace we are swimming in it!! Not only is HIS Grace sufficient for me, and you, there is nothing that will remove you from it as a believer in Christ.  As a son we are inheritors to the Kingdom, we are IN, and all because of the gift of Christ to die for us.

The mind of Christ. Always asked this one too..How can one have the mind of Christ? No one could actually answer that for me, or even admit that we do. But it says..the Spirit of Christ has moved into residency in our hearts! (Swimming in it! grasp this)  His Spirit intercedes for us, HE cries out “Abba , Father”  (Daddy , Father) Where we fall is here.  NO matter what you struggle with, NO matter what I struggle with..right here.  At times we are thinking as the slave, under the Law, forgetting the marvelous gift of Grace that was given to us. Please don’t tell me that you do not ever do this. If we truly grasped this, nothing could stop us in ministry, in our families, in our devotional time, in spreading the fragrance of Knowing HIM, our boldness for the kingdom with just scream from us!! It is not a light thing that HIS GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR US! It means whatever is brought your way, God has already seen HIS Glory fulfilled in it, and you will also see HIS Glory if you don’t turn from HIM.  SWIMMING IN IT! THIS IS SOMETHING TO w00t!!! Holla!!! all about!!!

(in the middle column you will find a list of names and days that they will posting as we study together through Galatians. Under the header of “Carls Blogging Bible Study, check them out, and leave some comment luv)