Gracious Living

Today's readings led me to a pondering about what gracious living looks like. How do we recognize when someone is extending their grace towards us? How do our words or actions extend His grace to those we encounter every day? Would anyone consider my legacy as gracious and kind?

Oh Abba, Lord Jesus, and Holy Spirit... lead me along this path with gracious dignity...

" To be saved by grace is to be saved by Jesus not by an idea, doctrine, creed, or church membership, but by Jesus Himself, who will sweep into heaven anyone who so much as gives Him the nod.
If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. - 1 John 1:7
God didn’t overlook your sins, lest He endorse them. He didn’t punish you, lest He destroy you. He instead found a way to punish the sin and preserve the sinner.
Jesus took your punishment, and God gave you credit for Jesus’ perfection."

Max Lucado

Excerpted with permission Grace Happens Here by Max Lucado. 

Copyright Max Lucado.

 

 In Grace Happens Here, Max Lucado looks at grace from all directions and reveals that no matter which way you look at it, God’s grace is always there, ready to do wonders in your life. This beautiful gift book is filled with powerful quotes, Scripture, and stories that will transform your heart and mind with a deeper understanding of God’s healing grace. The message gently and eloquently encourages you to accept completely His grace and forgiveness as well as extend the same blessing toward others.

Just a whisper of His name...

"Set a guard over my mouth, Lord;

keep watch over the door of my lips."

Psalm 141:3

Just a whisper of His name, Jesus... Yeshua... my Shephard! With a gentleness that is so tender it causes your heart to "ker-thunk" into a natural rhythm. The sweetness of His presence is swift. As I was rocking our littlest grandbaby, I sensed the moment he drifted off to sleep. That complete surrender into a place of secured sleep. Gazing upon his "peace-filled" face I thought about how often our Lord will gaze upon us. Touching the dimples in our little one's hands and seeing a tiny smile grace his darling face, I pondered how quickly my entire being changes when I whisper our Lord's name. No other words are needed. The child-like peace is instantaneous. Secured in His presence is so soothing, beautiful, and renewing.

Then... as that moment lingers, the rushing of the life gets back into the "swing" of daily "doings." Before I know it, my thoughts... my actions... my tongue begins the exhausting push in getting things done. Praising our Lord is easy... keeping the "old tongue" in control is a thorn that pierces my peace, my infects my thoughts, and zaps my energy. With the help of the Holy Spirit, self-control can tame my tongue. There is no open door for "grumblings" to enter my day. Or anyone's day who happens by!

Therefore, for today I am on watch over my thoughts and my tongue. I surrender every word to Him! 

"Lord Jesus, take control of my mouth today.

Forgive me for careless, thoughtless, and angry words.

Let my words bless You and others." 

Keila Ochoa

Our Daily Bread  

Out of the Net: PS 25

"I trust in you;

do not let me be put to shame,

nor let my enemies triumph over me.

No one who hopes in you

will ever be put to shame,

but shame will come on those

who are treacherous without cause."

Psalm 25:2-3

Great is His ways! What comfort can come from those words, a comfort so deep that hope begins to bubble within and renews a strength that creates a path.

Today began with a few inspirations. Out of the Net is a new bible study with Beth Moore. As always, just those words resonated with the longing in me to be free from the snares and "nets" that have me caught in my daily walk. You know those snares, the type that keep your mind occupied with conversations that "could have" or "should have" happened vs. the way things really went down. Snares in which someone or some situation is threatening your every move... taking up way too much energy and/or time. Yep, that's entrapment and I want out!

Then there is the book study, The Longing in Me by Sheila Walsh, that is nourishing my spirit and mind. I'm conversing with our Lord about the many times my words and/or actions have impacted the life of someone else in a not so Christian way. Check out this provoking word:

"Don't be misled...

you cannot mock the justice of God.

You will always harvest what you plant."

Galatians 6:7 

What do I wish my harvest to look like from His Heavenly view? I know, that I know, that He has ministering angels and the Holy Spirit made willing to help see me through to completion. Accepting and allowing them to "weed" my inner most harvest will provide a joyous freedom that will remove every snare, every net, and "squelch" those monotonous conversations.

"Good and upright is the Lord;

therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.

He guides the humble in what is right

and teaches them his way."

Psalm 25:8-9

  

Dear Abba, my Lord and Savior Yeshua, and Holy Spirit the breath of Heaven...

Thank you for seeing me through to completion. Let your words guide me, refresh my mind, restore my spiritual focus, and minister to my needs.

Your name I pray...

Amen, Amen, and Alleluia  

Never empty and alone...

"He restores my soul;
            He guides me in the paths of righteousness
            For His name’s sake."

Psalm 23: 3

Today is the day that our Lord has made. There are numerous moments in each day in which we have the amazing opportunity to see God's hand at work. With the manifestation of the Holy Spirit, we are blessed with the sense of "seeing" and "knowing" the hand of our Lord at work. Oh, how deeply we can sense His work being done within us. His beautifully, gentle, and loving touch. The longing within wants to stay in His presence... and never depart. And yet, life clicks us in and out of His presence like someone surfing channels.

"...when our longing is directed toward God,

we'll never be left empty and alone."

Sheila Walsh

The Longing in Me 

Longing for direction... crying out for His direction... thirsting for His tender touch. Closing my eyes and shutting out the world. Sensing His love as He walks through His flock.  With pure joy you just know His path leads straight to you. As He bends down and extends His hand, His loving voice soothes the longing. Flooding you with love, strength, and delight in Him.

Then you open your eyes... and you ponder... 

Good morning Abba, Good morning Jesus, Good morning Holy Spirit...

Fervent and Consistant

"Then I set my face toward the Lord God

to make request by prayer and supplications."

Daniel 9:3

Communicating with our Lord. No safer place on earth. This season ushers in the desire to be in communication for a transformation within my spirit, heart, and mind. As life gets more contrary to God's word, I tend to get more thirsty. That type of thirst that never is quenched and produces disquiet and a heaviness within my heart.

Daniel prayed fervently, consistently, for the will of God. He came before our Lord seeking communication that would usher in a peace... that would strengthen his resolve... that could refresh and renew his thinking. Yes, oh yes... I seek such freedom. Being His vessel to the point that joy bubbles forth into all aspects of my life. Strengthened to the point that my tongue is controlled by the power of the Holy Spirit. Renewed and refreshed in a way that every day is a-washed with possibilities and balance.

Just for this day...

"When we learn His purposes and make them our prayers,

we are giving Him the opportunity to act."

S.D. Gordon  

Surrendering All

Do not conform to the pattern of this world,

 but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

 Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--

his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Romans 12:2

When I have been on my knees, praying about an out-of-control situation... Our Lord is merciful and washes us with His peace that surpasses all understanding. Yet, the minute I leave that moment in His presence... something creeps in and my mind replays the scenario that brought me to my knees in the first place. 

When you have prayed and you can't hold onto the peace... You know you just can't be a part of the agony any longer... A radical surrender usually follows! Surrendering all to God means all, even those conversations within your mind. Putting on the armor of the Lord (Ephesians 6:13) leaves me covered while binding and rebuking those thoughts that hinder the gift of His peace.

In Shelia Walsh's book, The Longing In Me, she reminded me that "giving up your attempts at control, letting the person do his or her worst, and seeing what God will do..." is far greater than speaking to others or doing anything on my own. Trusting and letting God do His will in our lives/situations is His role... He is my vindicator!

Keep me from deceitful ways; be gracious to me and teach me your law.

Psalm 119:29 

Remembering "whose" we are... what our standard is... what our calling is... and who is in control, leads us not only into a place of peace but allows us to live freely, in the meantime, while God is at work.

Choose to live freely in His will. Refuse to give into the world and what is deemed tolerant, acceptable, or contrary to God's word. As a Christian be supportive by offering prayer. As a Christian, the words "I'm not comfortable with this conversation," is a complete sentence that should lead the gossip away from shredding another's name.

Dear Abba, Lord Jesus, and Holy Spirit... lead me in ways everlasting! Amen