Amazing Grace

A while back We were driving down a lonely road.  Just our little family. Just having a conversation and minding our own business. When the dreaded lights shone in our rear view mirror. What had we done wrong? I didn’t think we were speeding. Our tags weren’t out. Our lights worked. We had no clue. We pull over and wait. We said a prayer asking God to help the officer be nice and to not give us a ticket. Come to find out, we were stopped for going a mile or two over the speed limit. And hen he said the words every driver wants to hear. I’ll give you a warning today. We then praised God for His mercy and for the grace the officer showed us. So you know what we did? We sped off going 10 miles over the speed limit to make up for time lost. I mean. The officer did show us grace. 

No. That’s not what we did at all. We drove off carefully and watched our speedometer. We made sure we stayed under the speed limit for a while. Why? Because he showed us grace. If we really had sped off, it would be like a slap in the face to the officer. 

There is a story in the Bible in Matthew chapter 18. A king was going through his accounts and one servant owed him ten thousand talents. This servant did not have the money to pay the king back so he was to be sold along with his wife, kids, and all that he had so that the payment could be made. Of course the servant didn’t want that. He fell to his knees and begged the king to give him time to come up with the money to pay off his debt. The king had compassion on his servant. He has grace. He forgave the servant. The servant was free from his debt. What a weight was lifted off his shoulders. He wouldn’t have to be sold not would he have to pay back all the money. This servant, after receiving this amazing grace, went and found another servant who owed him a hundred pence. But instead of showing the same grace the king showed him, he laid hands on this man and demanded he pay him what was owed. He fellow servant fell to his knees and asked for patience. He agreed to pay it all back, he just needed time. The servant was just shown grace. Do you think he would return that grace to his fellow servant? No, he didn’t. He cast his fellow servant into prison sentencing him until he could pay all that he owed. People were watching. They saw what just happened. They went straight away to the king. The servant was called back in before the king oh thou wicked servant, I forgave you all you debt, because you asked me. Shouldn’t you also have compassion on your fellow servant even as I has compassion on you? Of course the king was mad. He showed mercy and grace to his servant only for him to turn around and punish his fellow servant for something less than what he was forgiven for. 

God gives us grace. He forgives us of our sins. But that doesn’t mean we need to keep sinning. Jesus died for each one of us. He said us from our sins, not in our sins. There are Ten Commandments that we should follow. Jesus said, If you love me, keep my commandments. We obey because we love Him. We are not saved because we obey. We obey because we are saved. 

Paul said in Romans 6 verses 1 and 2, “what shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?”

We are saved by grace. But why would we knowingly continue to sin? We could have sped off after receiving a warning, grace. But we did not. We accepted the free gift and sped no more. God has forgiven us our sins. Do we continue to knowingly sin? No.  We should go and sin no more. 

Accept His free gift. This is possible only By God’s Amazing Grace. 

Omnipresent

 This last weekend, the Hubs and I celebrated our fourteenth wedding  anniversary. Praise the Lord. Many people didn’t think we’d last six months let alone 14 years. But God has been good to us. We did quite a few different things, just the two of us. Miniature golf, walking around the pond, chased ducks, visited three different states. The most shocking thing we did was paddle boating. Those who know my fear of water know how hard that was. But by the grace of God, I was able to get on and we had fun. Our legs didn’t. But we did. And at one point we were in three different states, at the exact same time. Left foot in Arkansas, right foot in Texas, and hands in Louisiana. And at one point, the Hubs and I shared a kiss while standing in different states. I was in Arkansas while the Hubs was in Texas and Louisiana. 

Even though it was for a brief moment, it was pretty cool being in more than one place at once. As a mere mortal, I do not get many opportunities to be in multiple places at the same time. 

But God, He is omnipresent. He is all present.  He is able to experience being in multiple places at the same time, all the time. Not just on special occasions. Not just in a few different places.  If God is omnipresent, He is present everywhere. You and I can both be praying at the same time, and He will hear both of our prayers. When we are in church, we invite God into the sanctuary.  If He isn’t omnipresent, then how would He be at my church and your church and their church all at the same time? 

“God has always been. He is the great I Am. The psalmist declares, ‘Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever Thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God.’ He is the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity. ‘I am the Lord, I change not,’ He declares. With Him there is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. He is ‘the same yesterday, and today, and forever.’ He is infinite and omnipresent no words of ours can describe His greatness and majesty.” Medical Ministry page 92 paragraph 4. 

God was with Daniel in the lions den, but also with King Darius. God was with Naomi and her family in Moab, but He was also with the Israelites that stayed in Bethlehem. God was with Peter while He was in prison, but He was also with those praying for Peter’s release. God is with me, but He is also with you. All. The. Time. He promised you He would never leave nor forsake you. He promised that not just for the Israelites. He promised it for you and me. He is with you.   

Job 34 verse 21 says, “For His eyes are on the ways of a man, and He sees all His steps.” 

He sees your tears. He sees your joy. He sees your frustrations. He is with you. And He is with me, too. At the same time. Even though we may be in different cities, states, countries, or even continents. He is omnipresent. 

So next time you feel lonely, like no one is listening, no one cares, know that God is there with you. Always. You are never alone. This is possible only By God’s Amazing Grace. 

Calling Jesus

 Growing up, we had a phone that was connected to a phone jack. I would call the number needed. Someone would answer the phone hopefully the person I was intending to call.  Sometimes the person would not be home and I’d have to leave a message, if they had an answering machine. Either I’d have to wait for them to call me back or I’d have to call back later.  Sometimes I would call and the person would already be on the phone. So I would get a busy signal. Again, I’d have to call back later.  Call waiting was invented. So the person could still answer my call even if they were already on another call. 

Cordless phones were invented and I could go into any room I wanted to talk on the phone. But if anyone knows me, I paced the house while on the phone. And eventually, cell phones were invented. I could call someone specifically and not have to call the house. So if the person was out and about, they could still answer the phone. I didn’t have to wait to talk to someone until they got home. There came lots of advantages when cell phones were invented. Now we can talk on the phone while in the car. And instead of talking, we can text now. 

But a few disadvantages as well. If there wasn’t a cell tower near by, then the signal wasn’t any good and a conversation couldn’t happen. 

Well, The other day we were hanging out as a family. Little But pipes up and say, “I wish I could call Jesus.” We asked her why when she could talk to Jesus anytime in prayer. She said because that way she could hear His voice on the other line. We talked about talking to Jesus in prayer has so many more benefits than talking on the phone.  But I get that. 

Being able to talk to someone and hear their voice on the other end is comforting. There is something about receiving audible cues that you are being heard is reassuring. There are some good things to a phone call that would make talking to Jesus on the phone more advantageous than in prayer. There would be an immediate answer. Jesus could automatically tell you the answer to your question.  He could congratulate you when something great happened. He could give advice when needed immediately. He could audibly tell you that He loves you. Such amazing reasons to talk on the phone versus in prayer. 

But the advantages of prayer outweigh that of a phone call. 

There are no dead zones. None. When you talk to Jesus you don’t have to worry about losing the connection or hearing static on the other line. There is a stretch of road we drive on regularly. Anytime we are on a phone call on that road, we always lose the call. And in the moments we haven’t lost the call, only a few syllables get through. Not even a few words. Just syllables. I like being able to talk to Jesus without the prayer being disconnected. 

Another advantage is I don’t have to worry about the battery life of my phone. Too many times I am at a low percentage. There are days I plug my phone in at the end of the day at 1percent. I like to play on the wild side.  But I don’t have to hang up with Jesus because my battery is too low I can connect with Him at any time despite the battery life. 

In all honesty, my battery is low if I’m not connected with Jesus. He charges my life battery. Another benefit to prayer versus the phone is I don’t have to wait for God to answer the phone. He will always answer in prayer. I don’t have to worry about Him being on another call. I don’t have to wonder if God’s phone is on silent like mine always is. 

I don’t have to worry about being able to talk to Jesus because I can’t  find my phone. I put it down and two seconds later I’m running around looking for my phone. I even have a tile on my key ring because I’m constantly looking for my phone, or my keys, or pretty much anything that isn’t connected to me. 

I can call God through prayer because I don’t have to keep track of something to contact Him with. 

There isn’t a time restriction to God’s prayer line. There isn’t a rule on calling between the hours of 9 and 5. He is available twenty four seven. I always tell my students they can reach out for help, but I won’t respond after 9 at night.  God isn’t like that. He will listen anytime. 

And One of my favorite reasons I prefer prayer over using the phone is God isn’t too busy for me. He will answer no matter what. He loves me so much and is willing to listen anytime I need Him. He will drop what He is doing for me. I don’t know anyone that will do that. I know the Hubs loves me but there are times he cannot answer the phone. My best friend has had to tell me she’ll have to call me back later because now isn’t a good time. But God. He can take my call now. 

God doesn’t need a phone to talk with us. He doesn’t need call waiting or voice mail. We can get through when we need. The connection is always good with Him. There will never be static or dropped calls. He isn’t too busy to listen to you. You want to talk to God now? Good.  Do it. Don’t worry about where your phone is. Don’t worry about what time it is. He is there waiting. He will answer. 

The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth. Psalm 145:18 Jesus tells us to pray without ceasing 1 Thessalonians 5:17. God has listened and has attended to the voice of my prayer. Psalm 66:19. 

So put the phone down. Call the prayer line. It is open twenty four seven. He will be there to listen. He will answer. Prayer is so much better than a phone call. We don’t have to connect to a phone jack or to a power source. He is our power source and prayer connects us constantly. He is always ready for your call only By God’s Amazing Grace. 

Mighty Man of Valour

 Have you ever been so scared you were hiding?  Hiding so people wouldn't find you?  Imagine feeling that way and being found by a messenger from God.  And not only that but being called by a name you do not identify with, one that doesn't fit your actions.

This happened to a man in the Bible.  In the book of Judges chapter 6, we are in the land of Israel but were being ruled by the Midians.  The Israelites had done evil in the sight of the Lord.  After seven years of Midian rule, the Israelites cried unto God.  God, being a loving God, sent a prophet unto the children of Israel.  He reminded them of when God brought them out of the land of Egypt and He will deliver them again.  

And then the angel of the Lord appeared.  To whom?  Where?  To Gideon as he was threshing wheat.  He wanted to hide the wheat from the Midianites.

The first thing the angle of the Lord said to Gideon? "The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valour."

Wow!  Here is what I find amazing.  God saw in Gideon what he did not see himself.  He even says in verse 15 "Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I see Isreal?  Behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house."  Gideon did not see himself as a mighty man of valour.  But God did.  God knew what Gideon was capable of.  God knew what He created Gideon to do.  He saw past the present into the future.  

Gideon would eventually take 300 men to the battle.  All they had to do was blow the trumpet and break the pitchers and cry aloud "The sword of the Lord, and of Gideon." They didn't even have to lift a sword to defeat the Mideonites.  The Mideonites destroyed themselves.  

He was a mighty man of valour.  He proved God right.

What has God called you? Not how do you see yourself, not how do others see you.  But how does God see you?  Pray and ask God what name He has for you.  You are not identified by your struggles, addictions, problems, or weaknesses.  You are not identified by your worst days or weakest moments.  But God sees you for what He has created you to be.  In a world where identity is in question, allow God to identify you.  You are His.  Let Him name you.

This is possible only By God's Amazing Grace.

Written for Me

 Many times people say that the Bible is outdated.  It was written in a different time and place.  We have changed and the Bible does not apply to us today.  Well, I beg to differ.  I believe the Bible was written just for me.  And for you for that matter.  

In the most famous verse in the Bible, I find my name.  You don't believe me?  Let's read it.  For God so loved Brandy that He gave His only begotten Son that if she believes in Him, she will not perish but have everlasting life.  John 3:16.  See! I'm right there in the Bible!  

But that is not all.  There are many verses in the Bible that were written just for me!

Genesis 1:27-28 says So God created Brandy in His own image, in the image of God created He her...and God blessed her!

Man!  God created ME in HIS image! Isn't that powerful!

And this theme is continued in Psalm 139:14.  The psalmist wrote about me! Brandy will praise Thee; for she is fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Thy works; and that she knoweth right well.

He said I was fearfully and wonderfully made!

Jeremiah continued this theme!  He says in chapter 1 verse 5 that before I formed Brandy in the belly I knew her! He knew me before He made me!  How amazing is that!

A verse that means a lot to me was also written by the psalmist.  It is written with the definitions as well.  For God has possessed or created Brandy's reins, her desires of the heart, God has covered or protected Brandy in her mother's womb.  Anyone who knows my story knows why this verse is important.

Paul wrote about me to the Romans.  Chapter 5 verse 8 says that God commendeth His love towards Brandy, in that, while Brandy was yet a sinner, Christ died for her! I am so thankful that God died for me knowing my sinful nature.  And even more,  John wrote about me on this very same topic in 1 John 4:9-10.  In this was manifested the love of God towards Brandy, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that Brandy might live through Hi.  Herein is love, not that Brandy loved God; but that He loved Brandy, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for her sins.  Praise the Lord!

In Deuteronomy chapter 7, verses 6-9, Moses wrote about me.  He said Brandy is a holy person unto the Lord thy God; the Lord thy God has chosen her to be a special person unto Himself, about all people that are upon the face of the earth.  The Lord did not set His love on Brandy, nor choose Brandy, because of anything she has done.  But because the Lord loved Brandy, and because He would keep the oath which He had sworn unto Brandy's ancestors...know therefore that the Lord thy God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with Brandy who loves Him and keeps His commandments to a thousand generations.  

I didn't do anything for Him to chose me.  He has set me apart.  How amazing is that?

God called me His daughter in 1 John 3:1, Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed on Brandy that she should be called a daughter of God; therefore the world knoweth Brandy, not because it knew Him not.

In Romans 8:38-39, I found my name! For Brandy is persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate Brandy from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus her Lord! Nothing will separate me from the love of God!

I could go on and on and on.  I am written about throughout the Bible.  The Bible is relevant today, yesterday, and tomorrow.  But the Bible was not written just for me!  It was written for you as well.  Read it!  Find your name!  You are in the Bible, too!  Jeremiah wrote a verse about you.  In chapter 29, verses 11 and 13 it says For I know the thoughts that I think toward (insert your name here), saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end...and you shall seek me and find me when you search for with all your heart. You are there. 

Read God's promises.  Insert your name in those verses because they were written for YOU!  God loves you.  Behold, I have graven Brandy, Susan, Cheryl, Abbi, Gary, Donna, Steven, your name here, upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.  You are on the palm of God's hands.  You have been etched in.  Read the Bible today.  Find that verse.  Leave your verse with your name down in the comments.  I'd like to see where you are in the Bible.  You will find it.  

The Bible is still relevant.  God loves you. You will find your name, your verse.  It is possible only By God's Amazing Grace.

Like Little Children

The Hubs, Little Bit, and I went to grab a bite to eat. That is usually an adventure with all my allergies. We get seated and await our waitress. I glance over the menu trying to find anything I am able to eat. When the waitress arrives, I explain my dilemma. Usually I get a weird look or even an audible “poor girl”. But this lady was amazing. She got me an allergen menu, which few places offer me. After perusing this menu, I finally decide on something and basically piece things together. She was extremely nice and accommodating about it all. 

When our food arrived, Little Bit raised her hand. The Hubs and I looked at each other. We knew what she wanted. A spoon. She prefers to eat with a spoon. We encourage her to ask for it herself. We were sure she was going to look at one of us and ask us to ask for a spoon. The waitress looked at Little Bit.  Little Bit then as confident as ever asked, “may I have a spoon?” The Hubs and I had to pick up our jaws off the table. The waitress said sure and went to grab the spoon. 

 Ow, Little Bit doesn’t talk to just anyone. She still has moments where she will not speak to anyone or around certain people. We were shook to say the least. 

But it didn’t stop there. 

Throughout the rest of the meal, Little Bit started conversations with our waitress. The waitress was so patient. She answered the questions Little Bit asked. 

Since Little Bit was a baby, we have taught her about Jesus and His love for everyone. We have taught her that we love her, but Jesus loves her so much more. This night, Little Bit decided the waitress needed to know this as well. 

Little Bit began asking her if she went to church, if she believed in God, and other questions along this line. I can’t remember all the questions she asked or all the answers that were given. But she became our little evangelist. Unashamedly speaking to our waitress about the love of God. 

I believe we are truly blessed. We have so much to learn from our daughter. She will gladly hand a trac to a person without saying a word. Just a sweet smile. And people readily take it from her and actually look at it. Is it because she is just a cute kid? Maybe, I don’t know. But I do know God is using her. Little Bit will go people and tell them about Jesus. 

We were at her chiropractor one day and she began telling him about church and why he should go. She isn’t embarrassed of Jesus. She isn’t shy with her love of God. She is very open to speaking about Jesus. 

We all can learn from Little Bit. Relationships are important. She built a relationship with our waitress that night and she built one with her chiropractor. Jesus built relationships in His ministry. He had His close friends/disciples...Peter, James, and John. He was also friends with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. In Matthew 8, Jesus put forth His hand and touched the leper and cleansed him from his leprosy. Jesus met the relationship need of this individual before He ministered to Him. Having leprosy makes you an outcast and Jesus touched him. We have no idea how long it had been since he has last received touch. 

Something else we learn from Little Bit about spreading the love of God is to not be ashamed, not to be embarrassed. 2 Timothy 1 says that God hasn’t given us a spirit of fear,  it of power, love, and a sound mind. Do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord. Ask God to give you courage to talk to others. He will give you what you need to talk to others about God’s love. 

The third, and final, thing I can learn from Little Bit is to be simple. When she tells others about Jesus, she doesn’t use highfalutin words.  She doesn’t give a research paper. She doesn’t give them a thesis paper. She is plain and simple. Jesus loves you. Jesus died on the cross for you. Many times when Jesus spoke to people, He spoke in a language they could understand. That is why He spoke in parables. The people could understand what He was talking about because they could relate to His words, His stories. When Jesus told the parable of the lost sheep in Luke 15, there were shepherds there that understood what it was like to lose a sheep and how it felt to find it again. The people understood. You don’t have to give a sermon to express the love of God. 

I think Little Bit is a reason why Jesus said “Except you be converted, and become as little children, he shall not enter the kingdom of Heaven.” Matthew 18:3. I want to be like Little Bit in this aspect. Have the courage to build those relationships and tell others about Jesus in the simplest way possible so they can understand. This is possible only By God’s Amazing Grace. 

Boring!

 As a family unit, we all have chores to do around the house.  Little Bit is in charge of dishes, the kitty litter, her room, and her laundry.  We pretty much do everything else around the house.  Why do we give her chores? Well, one, it teaches responsibility.  Two, we love her and she loves us, so we should help each other out around the house.  

Usually, Little Bit will do her chores without too much issue.  The problem comes when we have to remind her.  We usually get the response, "Boring! That's no fun!" followed by some grumbling and complaining. We remind her that if she did her chores in a timely manner, she could do the things she wanted to do.  

We also talk about how our attitude affects how we feel about something.  None of us LIKE doing chores. But we do them anyway.  Mommy and Daddy don't grumble and complain when we do our chores.  And we find ways to make them fun!  How?

I like to listen to music and sing while I am doing my chores.  I like to make a game out of them.  If Little Bit and I are doing chores together, we play with each other while working.  I explain to her that chores can be fun if we make them that way.  But we should do all things without grumbling and complaining. Philippians 2:14.

I also remind Little Bit that whatever she does, she needs to do all to the glory of God.  1 Corinthians 10:31 Even chores can be done to the glory of God.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as for the Lord. Colossians 3:23

We remind her of this all the time.  I know we will have to repeat the lesson multiple times. And that is ok.  We love Little Bit and we want her to want to help us.

But Little Bit isn't the only one who needs to learn this lesson.  This does not just apply to chores.  It applies to our daily lives.  Maybe your boss gave you a task that needs to be completed. Do the job as if you are doing it for God, not for man.  

Maybe your wife asks you to pick up something from the store...maybe chocolate? Go to the store without grumbling or complaining.  

Maybe you just have to go to work, but you really need a day off. Whatever you do, do it to the glory of God.  You can honor Him even when you do things you don't want to do.

And find ways to make your tasks enjoyable.  It doesn't have to be boring. 

There are many things we have to do in life that we do not want to do.  There are things that we want to complain about.  But think about how your task could be so different if we approach it with an attitude of praise and glory to God instead.  It really would make a difference.

Today, whatever tasks are on your list, do them for God, not for your boss, parents, spouse, friends.  When you glorify God, you will uplift our fellow man.  This is possible only By God's Amazing Grace.