Because of Grace we Press On
“The will of God will not take you where the peace of God will not keep you.” A few years ago I quoted that from a television program. In that statement is the desire of all of us, isn’t it? To live in God’s favor; to have peace and contentment; to know that our choices are inside His will. God’s choices are broader than our own. The whole universe belongs to him. “The will of God will not take you where the peace of God will not keep you.” Until …
I’ve talked to few people lately who have made life-directing decisions. What college to attend? What academic path to follow? Dorm life or apartment dweller? Others have no aspirations of higher education, but are choosing jobs that could lead to a promising career or frustrating future. The common denominator in each of these options is place. Where will I feel like I belong? How long will it be before all the pieces of my life are inside the pattern and not struggling to fit the mold? When will I fit …
Have you ever been through a major life change? Well – maybe not even major, but some change that prompt friends to ask, “How did it go?” I’ve been asked that by many of my friends. When a major change takes place in life, friends you’ve confided in want to know “How did it go?” and what else can we say except, “It’s different.” That’s a good place to start. I saw a book once titled, Change is Good. You Go First. That about describes it. Sometimes change is forced …
A few days ago, I heard a song I hadn’t heard for a few years. It had me smiling on the outside and skipping on the inside. “Happy” A few minutes later, I heard another song, “Don’t worry. Be happy.” I didn’t get the worry gene and believe me, I have thanked God many times that he bypassed me with that one! But reading the news, listening to the talk, watching even short clips of current events, one could worry. Views of what is, opinions of what should be, fear …
Psalm 34:5 “Those who look to Him for help will be radiant with Joy.” It’s pretty easy to see radiance on the face of someone who has just received good news. It’s like they have been whitewashed with pure joy. Recently the beams of light were unmistakable as a friend almost sang the words, “God said yes!” Do you use any euphemisms to describe acts of prayer? In our family we talk about “dragging out our prayer rugs” and sometimes we don’t roll them up for weeks. We ‘PUSH’ Pray …
Yesterday, I attended a women’s conference geared toward spiritual growth. The speaker, Pam Farrel, worked through some insightful scriptures and life applications, then left us with an outline for putting thoughts into action. One of the worksheets starts with adopting a favorite word for the year. I’ve been doing that for about six years, so that seemed to be a good starting place. My word for this year is joy. Do you have favorite words? I guess that might sound strange now that I think about it, how do you …
I’ve been thinking. Sometimes I wish for an 11th commandment. Have you ever considered that we have instant heart attacks, instant strokes, and in an instant we can break a bone or have an accident? But rarely do we have instant happiness. Have you ever wondered why we have to work at everything that matters and why we can’t just coast our way to achievement of some goal? We have to put a lot of effort into making anything better – from organizing a closet, to organizing a life. Right? …
Have you ever read something, maybe a hundred times, but it made the impression of invisible ink? In my quiet time yesterday I read Luke 22:32 “I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” I couldn’t believe it! Jesus spoke those words to Simon Peter moments before he warned that Peter would deny him in public. Did you get that? Jesus said ‘I prayed for you …’ Jesus prayed for Peter to stand firm in his faith, and …
When I woke up this morning it was dark. In fact, as I write this at 9:30 am, it seems like the sun has forgotten how to shine today. I know what many of you are thinking right now. Like “why would the sun shine? This is just a dark day all over – and it started in Washington!” Whoa! I’m not joining any political debate and I’m not taking sides except to say that I am not placing my faith in this administration. I didn’t place my faith in …
A friend of mine took one of those Facebook tests to see what scripture verse was suggested for her. Seeing that verse posted on her timeline, I wondered, hmmm…..what would this app choose for me? It chose well because, of my few absolute favorite life verses, this ranks in the top three. Be not dismayed – this world is not my God, nor is it a substitute for God. Nothing can match the power, the love, the joy, the peace, the contentment that only comes from the God who is righteous and holy …