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Grandma Thoughts
While reading my devotion for today, it led me to thinking about my 8 year old grandson. Lately, he has been asking questions about God. Now we’ve had conversations before, but he just blurts out a question and expects me to have the answer. One day while listening to the Christian radio station, he asked me if Jesus was God. My spur of the moment answer, was that God was Jesus’ father and his mother was Mary. So, I guess that makes him 50/50. Some things about Jesus are difficult for me to understand after all these years. So for an 8 year old, I tried to keep it simple. You know, child like faith? Theology is not my strong suit. But, I do know that Jesus is amazing, and personal and He loves us with a never ending love. The other night we were watching a movie and the little girl said that God killed Jesus. Kameron asked me it that was true. I explained that Jesus willingly gave His live so that we could ask him into our hearts and be with Him in Heaven one day. Sometimes this old grandma struggles to find the right words to answer an 8 year old’s questions concerning God. Which brings me back to my devotion today. Oswald Chambers tells us that we should never allow the limitation of our own natural ability to enter into the matter. If we have the Holy Spirit, God expects the work of the Spirit to be in us. Our capacity in spiritual matters, or to answer an 8 year old’s questions about God, rests on if we have received the Holy Spirit. He will give me just the right words to bring peace to my grandson’s heart. I believe…..and I’m resting in the fact, that he will work it all out for our good.
Who Do You Think You Are
Who do you think you are? You try to come in and steal my joy. You know exactly what buttons to push, making me feel overwhelmed and fearful. You whisper lies that no one else can hear. You wake me when I should be resting, turning molehills into mountains. I see through your game—keeping me awake, turning tomorrow’s promises into problems. You stir up fear and anxiety over nothing more than a simple walk in the park. So, let me ask you again, who do you think you are? You keep me running in circles, leaving me no time to spend with the one who gives me strength. My life becomes a merry-go-round, spinning faster and faster, draining my energy, joy, and laughter, only to replace it with fear, weakness, and exhaustion, mentally wearing me down. So, once more, I ask, who do you think you are? But there is one who stands in stark contrast to you. He offers rest for the weary, strength for the weak. He lets me rest at night and brings me joy with the dawn. He gives me love, peace, joy, and patience. Like I said, I don’t know who you think you are, but here’s a warning: I’ve found my personal Warrior. You no longer have the power to blind me, to keep me living in fear, distracted, and bound. The chains are broken. I am FREE. Written by Faith Lenihan Photo Credit: Vince Fleming
A Question To Ponder
In this past week’s sermon, Pastor Kevin, began with a thought provoking question: “When you die and stand before God and give an account of your life, when God asks ‘Why should I allow you into heaven?’ What will your response be?” He went on to say that over the years of his ministry that many have answered that “I’m a good person.” He proceeded to ask “Do people get to go to heaven if they are ‘good enough’?” Immediately, we sought truth from the Bible. In Romans 3:23 it says “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. What about if they do lots of “good works”? Again, the Bible is the place we need to go for God’s truth. Isaiah 64:6 tells us “All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags.” As Jesus is teaching on prayer in Luke 11, in verse 13, He knows humanity, knows our hearts and calls us “evil”. The disturbing truth is that in the eyes of God who is holy, righteous, pure, sinless; we are evil. We like to think that we are not evil and we like to define various levels of sin. The truth is NONE of us measure up to God’s standard. Sin is sin. Gossip is as deadly as murder. We can’t earn salvation. We can’t dig our way out of the pit of sin. God has to do it. I can’t save myself. Ephesians 2: 8-9 For it is by grace that you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves,it is the gift of God.-not by works, so that no one can boast. This is the GOSPEL! The GOOD NEWS! God provided salvation for us! He (Jesus) chose to willingly die on the cross for our sins. He puts His Spirit inside of us. God gives us a GIFT. It has to be a gift. We can’t earn it. We are saved by GRACE. Although this concept is simple, it is difficult for many to accept. Culture teaches us to “work hard” and accomplish great things. We define success as achieving titles, earning a 6 digit salary, owning a home, having a business, etc. We don’t like to think of ourselves as “needy.” and not being able to earn our own way. This thinking causes many people to “trip” over grace. Romans 9:33 As it is written: “See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who believes in him will never be put to shame.” Psalms 33:2 Praise the Lord with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. Psalms 57:7 My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music. Psalms 92:1 It is good to praise the Lord and Make music to your name, O Most High, Jesus is the Rock. Historically, the Jews have tried to obey God’s law, rather than trusting in Jesus. They “tripped” over the Rock, Jesus. ALL are offered the gift of salvation through Jesus. But, like a large rock, in a field you can trip and fall flat on your face. This can be embarrassing, painful, humbling. Falling is not fun! The grace of God offered to us in Jesus is like a stumbling stone. Grace reveals my “neediness.” Accepting God’s grace, means I have to humble myself and realize that I need help. I can’t do it myself. I have to be completely dependent on God! I have to depend on His charity. In our pride, we don’t want to feel like we owe anyone, anything. We stumble over the stone of grace. We have to realize that we owe God. We are only saved by His charity. Grace emphasizes my neediness. Grace crucifies my pride! I have to be reminded that there is a God and I’m NOT Him! Grace declares God as primary actor in the drama of life! Grace leaves NO room for me to live for my own glory! Grace says “It’s not me. It is Jesus and JESUS ALONE!” Grace leaves NO room for me to withhold grace from others! Matthew 6: 14-15 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Do I remember that God gave me mercy, forgiveness, salvation, grace and still withhold it from others? Grace, love and mercy does not work that way! Love of God flows and overflows! It goes out towards others. If I try to hoard it, it sours! It has turned into something else. The grace of God leaves NO room for me to withhold grace for others. Think through your relationships with family members and friends. how often do you show kindness, compassion, patience, grace to others when they don’t deserve it? Do you fly off in anger or impatience? How will you fall?What will you do with the experience?Will you fall on you face or on your knees?What will you do with grace? Written from notes taken 11Apr21 Sermon entitled Tripping over Grace, Pastor Kevin Slemp (Berea Baptist Church, Berea KY)Photo Credit: Evi Odioko
Eyes to See
When I pray and ask for “eyes to see” – Sometimes I don’t like what you show me. You open my eyes. Expose selfishness, harshness, deception and lies.What do I do when I see- Bitterness and selfishness inside of me? I have a choice-turn away in pride?Or repent of my sin, ask forgiveness and cleansing inside? Abba, You discipline those that you love. You care about the little details from far above. You listen to my pettiness; hear my whine. Oh, how You must get frustrated and laugh at times! You lovingly chide me and care.You listen; hear every prayer. Like a road grater working on a rock road, You smooth the path, remove the rough spots. You work and You grate to remove bumps and knots. It is a process that takes time and discipline. I learn patience; not to cry and whine at every whim.I learn “tough lessons”; to rely on your strength. You teach me to trust and not “over think”. Let me have Your joy in all that I do. Eyes fixed on Jesus; perseverance to follow You.Let me humble myself, repent and obey – Always waiting, listening and doing what You say! Photo Credit: William Bout
Reckless Reliance/Relentless Love
We need to have reckless reliance on God. He is with us wherever we trod. We need to take Him to our homes-To our business, our churches, our streets; wherever we roam. He needs to be our all in all.We need to listen to His voice; obey when He calls. We have to continually pray-Rely on him every second of the day. God has a relentless love for you and me.His love is deeper and wider than we can see. His love never gives up.When we are empty, He fills our cup. When we have no answers to life problemsand circumstances we do not understand. We can trust Him to lead us; take our hand.He will see us through. He shows us how to be victorious and triumphant too! Photo Credit: JOHN TOWNER
Morale Problems Lead to Moral Problems
When you feel depressed and downWhen hope seems lost and life causes a frownWhen love seems to have grown cold When all that you have worked for begins to unravel and unfoldWhen a diagnosis comes and all seems dimWhen tragedy strikes and life is grim When life happens……our morale may sinkwe may feel desperate; on the brinkwe may feel overwhelmed with sorrowwe may lose hope for tomorrowwe may cry out in painwe may feel life is over; there is nothing to gain Our morale problems lead to moral problemsWe need to stop dwelling on the negative thoughts and attitudes.We need to choose joy and have gratitude.Start small. Thank You, God, I woke up. Thank You for sunshine, Your beauty, birds, flowers, green grass, fresh water in my cup.Thank You for ears to hear.Thank you for peace, for removing doubt and fear.Than You for Your freedom so grand. Thank You for friends across this land.We have the ability to CHOOSE OUR ATTITUDEGod wants to bring healingBut He is waiting on us to start revealing. Take a moment today.To seek God and pray.There is nothing stronger than prayer.Let God show you firsthand how much he loves and cares! Photo Credit: Jackson David@jacksondavid