It is God's gift

It is God's gift of grace
that found us
and through the shed blood of
His Son,
gave us new life.

It is God's gift of grace
that brings us,
His followers,
into fellowship sweet,
a source of
incomparable joy and strength.

It is God's gift of grace
in the midst of sorrow
wherever we are
to gather
gaining nourishment
for the weariness
that seeks to overcome us.

It is God's gift of grace
that destroys
the tall gangling weed
or short stubby one
and replaces it with
roses and lilies.

It is God's gift of grace
His very love
that encircles us
renews us
enhances us
in the home
in a letter
in a phone call
in a prayer
in a Bible Study
in the workplace
in the food court
in fun and games
in community worship.

It is God's gift of grace
that reminds us
without Him
there is nothing,
we are nothing,
But
with Him
All things are possible.

It is Go's gift of grace
that binds us --
our compassion,
our kindness,
our humility,
our gentleness,
our patience,
our forbearance,
our forgiveness,
our love for the Lord --
together as One.

Cathy Orrick Luders

7.1.2011

God's grace is sufficient

"My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9)

God's grace = God's power, God's love

My weakness = all of my infirmities

We can't see grace; it is not readily apparent to our being. It is there when we take that leap of faith - we pretty much disregard our brain thoughts and hone in on our heart, listening quietly, but intently, to the still small voice of the Holy Spirit -- God - the Lord Jesus Christ.

Read what Dietrich Bonhoeffer (in his devotional) has to say about it: It speaks of an event beyond all worlds and wants to draw us away from our own world to another. A dark abyss opens us, and a voice commands: Jump across. I will catch you and hold you fast. I am stretching out my hand. Now bet your life on it, and rely on me and on nothing else. My grace is sufficient for you. I am love.

"I have called you by your name; you are Mine." (Isaiah 43:1b)

God's grace, God's love, God's power is sufficient; at least it should be. If it isn't we aren't living our lives in total obedience to Him. I wonder if that is really possible, 100% total obedience to the Lord 100% of all time. It seems it is our goal, one we are always pushing toward, but not quite achieving. I think it will happen when Jesus returns again. With His arrival, we, who are believers, those long gone and those still remaining, will meet Him in the air and be homeward bound, heaven bound.

It's like it's said in 1 Corinthians 13:12, "Now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known."

We should continue to strive to be the person the Lord desires us to be. God's grace is sufficient.

All the accomplishments you have will not fully satisfy. All the goals you have are useless if the Lord is not at the center of your entire being.

God's grace. God's love. God's power.

I am oh so weak

And often I feel the weakness

I think I have so much power

I think I can do all

My future ... one step forward

So many steps back

My future

Shorter and shorter

The future gets.

How long

must I continue

will I continue

New avenues

paths

The journey began at birth

Our journey, my journey, your journey

Strewn with stubble, rock

One phase begins

Another ends

A continuum.

Did you hear the call?

Was that your name?

God is always calling

Some respond

Many do not.

The decisions made

Yes

No

or maybe

A new chapter begins

Another ends

Some roads lead to destruction

to financial gain - or ruin

One road leads to Jesus.

Which road do you travel?

Have you taken a new turn

in the fork of life?

"If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small." (Proverbs 24:10)

If in the struggles surrounding you, you are fearful, afraid, it is because your strength is weak. When we are with the Lord, in the Lord, our strength, through Him, is made strong.

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:7)

We are called according to His purpose, by His grace. When we wholeheartedly abide with the Lord in everything we do and everything we say, seeking His guidance all along the way, our fear will depart. His grace is sufficient ... when we let go and let Him be our guiding light.