Growing in Grace

When we choose to honor God at all times,yes
even in the midst of trials and testing.
It allows us to exhibit our faith
in the Cross.
As responsible believers this faith allows
us to add virtue to our "christian resume" and
I believe the virtue,Peter spoke about was full
of energy and power that also allowed us an ever
expanding knowledge into just what Christ did at
the Cross on our behalf.

We must always anchor our faith in Christ and the
Cross. Only then do we realize the benefits afforded
to us by the Sacrifice of Christ.

Influence

As Christians our goal in
loving other people should
be that they see the love
of Christ in us.

We are all different and God
uses us each in our own individual
way. He has equipped us all with
our own special gifts, abilities,
interests and talents.
He then uses that to make our
service to Him exactly what the
people around us need.

Rebellion

It has rained here for the past 5 days.
I am so thankful, we needed it. As I came
home yesterday I noticed that my husband
had cut the grass in between showers.
The yard looked so good, everything is still
so green, fall hasn't taken over yet...

I am one of those people who like to start
off the week-end if possible with everything done.
Since the yard was looking so good I decided that
a thorough housecleaning was necessary too.
Saturday would then be free for other things..

I worked until almost ten o'clock getting everything
done. When I finally sat down, I said to my self: Self,
I don't want to go to bed yet...self said "you'll
be so tired tomorrow!" I chose to stay up I felt I
deserved it, I had worked so hard and the night had
zoomed by. I also knew that I was going to be tired.

Needless to say...I'm dragging today.

In the Bible, almost every chapter has some discussion
about rebellion. Why do we fight against the very things
that we know are good and right for us? It is just our
sinful nature to rebel.
My prayer today is that God will not give up on me....that
He will continue to rein in this rebellious child and
guide and teach me. That the spirited side of me can be
used in such a way as to bring Him glory and honor.

In the Valley

I love the 23rd Psalm, it never grows old
to me. I've returned to the comfort of it's words
so many times in my life and each time it speaks
to my heart and consoles me.

I think for most readers of this Psalm we think of
the valleys we walk through. What of Jesus and the
dark valley of His earthly life.
How alone He must have felt, like us He
must have felt like a lost sheep. How wonderful to
know that Jehovah was His Shepherd and comforter
through all of His trials here on this earth.

I think this Psalm helps to remind us that as lambs
we must let the Shepherd fight for us. That His rod
and staff will always beat back the powers that try
to come against us in our daily walk.
Our fight should be the "good fight of faith". As
long as we keep the Lord as our Shepherd we can
expect the same goodness, comfort and mercy
this Psalm speaks of "all the days of our lives".

Turning Faith into Action

How many times I have wondered, Why God?
Why are things changing, why don't I understand.
Am I out of your will?
Isn't it amazing when we get to see the results
of His individual caring,when we experience and
feel His love for us.
To know without a shadow of a doubt that He
is in total control of your life and you are
following His lead. In trusting in Him, and
staying focused on Him we are turning our faith
into action.
When troubles come we need to remember Abraham,
Romans 4; reminds us,"He staggered not
at the Promise of God through unbelief".
He was strong in his Faith and gave the Glory to God.
I love that ! I want to be that !

That is what we must do too. When troubles wash over
us like the waves of the ocean. When times, and
circumstances , and yes even people come against us
we musn't waiver.
We cannot allow difficulties to deter us from our
intended conclusion.

A Right Spirit

A right spirit, should be a spirit that
is controlled by the Holy Spirit. I can't
help but believe that when led by the
Holy Spirit we will always be producers of
Peace, Righteousness, and Joy. Romans 14
tells us that these things are acceptable to
God.

We will cease to want to argue our case, or
prove our ground with arguments. Our actions
should be motivated by the fact that Jesus died
for those who wronged us, just as he died for
us and that person belongs to Christ just as we do.

All that we do should be done with a gracious spirit
always considering others.
Love should always be our ruling guide.

Labor Day

Labor Day normally marks the end of summer
and the start of another school year.
This holiday also reminds us that Thanksgiving
and Christmas are just around the corner. Where
does the time go...

Most people are aware that Labor Day is a national
holiday, but not many realize it was once observed
as Labor Sunday, dedicated to the spiritual and
educational aspects of the labor movement? How's
that for a little trivia?

The sad thing is so much has changed in the way this
great country of ours now believes and lives.

Back in 1882 when president Grover Cleveland passed
legislation marking Labor Day a National holiday, we
hadn't taken prayer out of the workplace, or out
of school. We still believed In God We Trust. We
still believed in one Nation Under God.

I pray that each of us has a wonderful three day
holiday this week-end and that each of us reflect
on the bounty of goodness God has shed on America.

Oh, Solomon

Solomon had it all, yet....it was
all empty nothings..hearts have to be
in tune and right with the Lord...

As Christians one little inconsistency
in our character can totally destroy our
testimony..
As Christians we need to learn to yield even
when we face great offenses, unless of course
it is in direct violation of the Word of God
then we can't back down.....

As Christians we need to learn that only God can
make life what it ought to be.
Without God life seems to just be a series of
wasted opportunities.
Without God we can never find the satisfaction and
contentement that we are all looking for.

As Christians we can know many things but the only
worthwhile thing worth knowing is that our soul is
right with God.