"Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the worst" ( 1 Timothy 1:13-15). Becka answered the knock at her front door. There were three nicely dressed women. Becka was from a Middle Eastern country and didn't have many friends.
She opened the door and spoke to the women. Becka explained that she didn't speak English very well. Then to her surprise, one lady spoke to Becka in her language! She asked if she could tell her about Jesus. Becka said, "Yes."
The woman opened her Bible. And Becka was amazed to see that the woman's Bible was written in Arabic! But she was more shocked by the words from the Bible. The words opened Becka's heart to God's love. She invited Jesus into her heart through prayer. Becka believed God sent the ladies to open her eyes to His truth.
Friend, use the abilities God has given you to reach others for Christ.
Showing posts with label works. Show all posts
Showing posts with label works. Show all posts
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Thursday, June 21, 2007
HAVE TO OR GET TO? by Gail Rodgers
What do you love to do? Do you have to stop and think hard about it? In the face of all you have to do have you forgotten what it is you love to do?
God created YOU unique, special. When you were conceived, no matter the circumstances, His knitting needles began to knit you into just the person you are. Oh yes, you have been shaped by circumstances and people and life... yet deep inside is the treasure of YOU.
"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully make; Your works are wonderful..." (Psalm 139:13, 14).
Today think of all the "Have to" things on your list that need to get done. Now add one "Get to" thing... just for you. Something that will celebrate the unique creation you are in God's sight.
It doesn't matter that you aren't where you hope to one day be with your career, your relationships, your weight, or any number of markers on the wall that you have for yourself. Just celebrate you in some simple yet specific way.
Get some fresh flowers for yourself.
Sit outside and have a coffee break.
Go for lunch with a friend.
Buy a cheap kid's paint set and nurture that desire to paint.
Have ice cream!
Give yourself permission to take a nap.
Stop at a park on your way home and enjoy the green for even five minutes.
As nurturing women we can bury ourselves in the needs of others. One lady told me she didn't even know anymore what her dreams were. God has a plan and a purpose for your life. That's why He made you uniquely you, placed you in this time in life and in the circle you are in. The plans God has for you are things that will bring joy to your heart. They are "get to" things!
Start today and celebrate you. Ask God to begin to show you the "get to" things among the "have to" things.
His work is wonderful. That includes you. See yourself through His eyes today and celebrate!
~Heavenly Father,
Thank You that You see me as no one else does. You made me and You have said I am wonderful. Help me today to see myself as You do. Help me to celebrate me as I thank You. Help me to take some time for the " get to" things in my "have to" life and may I bring joy to You as I do. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.
God created YOU unique, special. When you were conceived, no matter the circumstances, His knitting needles began to knit you into just the person you are. Oh yes, you have been shaped by circumstances and people and life... yet deep inside is the treasure of YOU.
"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully make; Your works are wonderful..." (Psalm 139:13, 14).
Today think of all the "Have to" things on your list that need to get done. Now add one "Get to" thing... just for you. Something that will celebrate the unique creation you are in God's sight.
It doesn't matter that you aren't where you hope to one day be with your career, your relationships, your weight, or any number of markers on the wall that you have for yourself. Just celebrate you in some simple yet specific way.
Get some fresh flowers for yourself.
Sit outside and have a coffee break.
Go for lunch with a friend.
Buy a cheap kid's paint set and nurture that desire to paint.
Have ice cream!
Give yourself permission to take a nap.
Stop at a park on your way home and enjoy the green for even five minutes.
As nurturing women we can bury ourselves in the needs of others. One lady told me she didn't even know anymore what her dreams were. God has a plan and a purpose for your life. That's why He made you uniquely you, placed you in this time in life and in the circle you are in. The plans God has for you are things that will bring joy to your heart. They are "get to" things!
Start today and celebrate you. Ask God to begin to show you the "get to" things among the "have to" things.
His work is wonderful. That includes you. See yourself through His eyes today and celebrate!
~Heavenly Father,
Thank You that You see me as no one else does. You made me and You have said I am wonderful. Help me today to see myself as You do. Help me to celebrate me as I thank You. Help me to take some time for the " get to" things in my "have to" life and may I bring joy to You as I do. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Grace by Suzanne Benner
"We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are" (Acts 15:11).
Grace. It is a radical claim, an implausible idea.Yet it is the central tenet of Christianity and the element that sets our faith apart from every other world religion."For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith -- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God -- not by works, so that no one can boast" (Ephesians 2:8, 9).
The Bible teaches that there is absolutely nothing we can do to earn God's approval. Because of His holiness, He requires perfection. Yet, "There is not a righteous man on earth who does what is right and never sins" (Ecclesiastes 7:20). If we hope that when our good deeds outweigh our bad deeds it will satisfy God, we are mistaken because Isaiah says, "All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away" (Isaiah 64:6).
Our good deeds are worthless when compared to God's goodness. How then do we access grace - the undeserved favor of God?" That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9). We are asked to believe. In some ways it seems harder than working diligently to change and be good, because it requires utter humility and reliance on God. Yet when we cry, "Save me God, for I cannot save myself," we join the ranks of thousands, who for generations have relied on God's grace alone.
~God, Your offer of grace is beyond comprehension. Help me to believe.
Grace. It is a radical claim, an implausible idea.Yet it is the central tenet of Christianity and the element that sets our faith apart from every other world religion."For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith -- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God -- not by works, so that no one can boast" (Ephesians 2:8, 9).
The Bible teaches that there is absolutely nothing we can do to earn God's approval. Because of His holiness, He requires perfection. Yet, "There is not a righteous man on earth who does what is right and never sins" (Ecclesiastes 7:20). If we hope that when our good deeds outweigh our bad deeds it will satisfy God, we are mistaken because Isaiah says, "All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away" (Isaiah 64:6).
Our good deeds are worthless when compared to God's goodness. How then do we access grace - the undeserved favor of God?" That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9). We are asked to believe. In some ways it seems harder than working diligently to change and be good, because it requires utter humility and reliance on God. Yet when we cry, "Save me God, for I cannot save myself," we join the ranks of thousands, who for generations have relied on God's grace alone.
~God, Your offer of grace is beyond comprehension. Help me to believe.
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