It's Wednesday!!! YES!!!---> I did, indeed, blog for 49+ days-consecutive.

And then I took two days off! ;)

So, Today, I am back!...

Reflecting on why I decided to challenge myself with opening up my lap top daily and setting aside the some time to write up a blog of encouragement and truthful and positive kind of sorts for all these days...

It all began with this verse from Philippians 4:8- Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

I have LOVED this exercise!!! I have loved it so much, I'm not sure that I'm ready to back away from it! haha The last two days, although I chose not to blog out of unnecessary obligation, I have had a number of stirring blog-worthy ideas floating around between my heart and head. Ha! It's funny how this things really caught on...This discipline has become a love, a savored part to my everyday...

"Caught on?!"...They say it takes 21 days to build a habit, right? Could this be a habit of reflecting on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy???...A habit of tuning into what the Spirit of God is whispering or speaking into my life? A habit of slowing down and conversing with God Almighty, Prince of Peace, I AM?

The blog is just a simple tool to practice a vital principle or discipline. But its the principle, the discipline, the relationship with God that is worth holding on to forever... progressing in however/wherever/whatever way He desires for us.

Be blessed!

For today,

Grace

?

Does God want to hear from me?... Does God wait for me to come to Him?

God, do you love me?

The answers to these questions will change one's way of life and thought life...

Ask em'.

If God is for us...

Just sittin' here in this oversized, cozy, soft, warm, blue chair... relaxing.

Unwinding from a day that started early and ended late into the night.

I am here.

Just sittin'. 

Reflecting...

I am so thankful.

My heart is at rest. 

And I am happy. 

I am at peace within because I believe with all my heart that God is for me. 

If God is for us, who can be against us?

I am unafraid. 

I am at rest.

May I stay in this place, even when I get up from the big oversized, cozy, soft, warm, blue chair...relaxing.

Psalm 84:10 Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere;

I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked

Not going backwards

Stop thinking about what you don't have...

What do you have in your hand?

What has God given you for now?

Because you're surely not without anything.

We all have something to give...

It's time to take my fixated eyes off my lack and concerns and shift them to possibilities.

God is able.


God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful.

Trust not in my own strength, but that of my King.

Be encouraged. For God is not yet done with your life.

Today is a new day. A new season. A new mark. You will look back and see a life transformed...if only you believe...this is not the end.

Grace

Shh!!!

Psalm 62:5 My soul, wait in silence for God only, For my hope is from Him.

Tuning in...

Personal Prayer

Hebrews 12: Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

You hear this one a lot, huh? Hebrews 12 is a popularly preached passage, if you ask me... I've heard countless sermons and devotionals... not a bad thing, just sayin'. Maybe it's preached and taught so often because of its weighty, weighty, oh-so-applicable message. The value really can't run dry here... 

Aren't there always things to throw off? Can't we always use a breaking free of all entanglements...? I know I haven't nailed a perfect stride. It's daily practice and discipline to strip off every weight that slows me down or that may trip me up. 

So, this past week at a church service, I heard this verse in the Pastor's message. And I thought to myself...what holds me back?...What trips me up?

Tonight I read this verse in a devotional book. I came back to the question and this time I found a clear answer. 

Worry and doubt. 

Disbelief. 

...These sins lead me into fear, complaining, and lack of trust.

BUT if I will set my eyes on my Lord Jesus, as the next verse instructs... I will not lose heart.

When I look to Him and his life, I can begin to express thankfulness and reliance on Him. 

May I strip off worry and doubt and may I replace it with thanksgiving and trust. 

Let's apply...

Father God, your spirit testifies in me that I am YOURS! I belong to you. Thank you for "sonship." ("daughtership? ;) ) Thank you for loving me...caring for me...listening and advicing. Advocate, thank you for standing in the gap for me, interceding and pleading my case. Jesus, thank you! Father, thank you for you are rich in love and mercy. It's new daily! God- I am tired of trying to figure out my life. I am weary of planning and figures. Do your will. "It is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose." I let go. Have your way. I trust you hear me. I trust you. Thank you. I believe your plans are prosperous in every way! I believe and trust you not only for my future but for the lives of my family members and people I love dearly. Thank you for caring. And thank you for taking care.

signing out,

Grace

According to the Spirit...

Thinkin' on it:

Romans : 1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

"According to the spirit..."

hmm...

I want to live in accordance with the Spirit of God. Relying on Him, listening to his thoughts and attitudes, allowing him to change and influence mine moment by moment. I want to dedicate my speech to him. Not just my speech, but my thinking...for isn't the heart-set and mind-set what comes first?...Speech follows...

Tuning in...

More tomorrow. That's it for today.

Love

Not dippin' ...runnin'

To stay the course is not to "veer of track..."

It's to not to swerve, swing, swivel, or whirl off track. (thanks thesaurus.com!) ;) It's also not to dip, deviate, or depart. Haha, "dip"... makes me think how my big brother always used to say, "I'm dippin' out." (Um, I definitely couldn't pull off using that phrase but he's a bit cooler than I!) So in other words...my brother was was just letting people know that he was leaving, heading out, going somewhere else...

To stay on track is more than refraining from dippin' out.

Isn't it?

Isn't it more than not leaving or changing direction? Doesn't "staying the course," mean you keep on moving?

1 Corinthians 9: 24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives sthe prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every uathlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we, an imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

What has Christ beckoned me toward? Himself? Truth? Discipleship?

What am I running towards?

Am I even running?

Am I doing a paced jog or a speed walk or have I sat down for a break?

Have I allowed something on the sidelines to grab my attention more than the long course ahead.

Have I begun to believe that the way the masses go is better? That easier appeals to my five senses?

I do believe the narrow road is worth it. May I choose to walk it and stay the course today.


Matthew 7:13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

To think about,

:) Grace

Your Way, Not Mine

Matthew 16:

24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?

"Your way, not mine."

May the above statement speak my heart-set and mind-set and vision for each day of life on earth.

For daily I face decision- I can either lay down my life and "take up my cross," or to do my own thing...walk my own way...ignore my God, my Father, my Friend...the one who knows it all.

He always knows best. Yet, often, my pride puffs up and I begin acting like I know what's best!

I start hanging on to my life like, "I've got this!" 

Let's put this on record: "I DON'T GOT THIS!" 

Not on my own. 

I am in great need of a leader, a savior, a healer, a provider, a conviction, a frequent embrace, an encouraging word, a hand to hold, a word of truth, a word of knowledge, a change, a redemption...

of which I can supply none of the above for myself. 

But THANK GOD! Jesus steps in. Thank GOD He fights for me. 

...Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died--more than that, who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

I believe Jesus- you're the way. You are full of wisdom. Nothing is impossible with you. 

I'm in for life. I'm not going the roads without you and I'm not necessarily taking the route that looks pretty. I want to go with you. I don't want to try and drag you along with me. For that would be only a fictional mindset and a reality of me- going my own way. I want to move in you, abiding, believing, and trusting. Erase my doubt. Help my unbelief. Today, I fixate my eyes to you, God. You are where my help comes from. I need help. Help- to lean not on my own understanding. Help- to trust you in all ways. I need discipline and reliance and the garment of praise so to acknowledge you in all my ways.

For I desire my path to be directed by you.

  

Dreaming

I am so thankful for dreaming.

I am so thankful for thoughts and imagination.

I am so thankful for a limitless God. I
am so thankful for the way he crafted and designed out brains.

...So often we can make a decision to dwell on anxiety or the stresses that weigh on the human mind...but what about the incredible creativity and beauty and unique ideas that come from flowing from all the brains out there?!?



Everybody's got different thoughts and dreams.

Someone thought of putting this guy together:


WOW! Thank God!!! Right?...

And someone else thought of this:

I mean come on now...SOMEONE came up with the idea of a "bowl of cereal." But beyond that- someone else came up with my favorite cereal! (Good news-> yours too. ;))  Someone came up with a recipe of sorts. Someone else came up with the name and even the design on the box. Someone else figured out all the nutritional value of it as well.

Hm...wow. There's a whole lotta brain power out there. A whole lotta knowledge. A whole heck of a lotta creativity.


Has God told me and laid on my mind ideas that have been abandoned? Has he already given me something great and I've forgotten or diminished it? I believe God's got a plan. I believe He has already showed me something great. May I hold onto the vision. For His plan takes time and what He has shown me is REAL. And as his instrument, may I be found ready and alert to opportunity presenting itself. May I gain wisdom and knowledge to move forward in God's plans without hesitation or resting on insecurities. May I rest on His sweet Spirit of goodness. May I often find small reminders that spur me onward with strength toward success and completeness and completion! I pray for Patience in the processes!!! I pray for the body of Christ tonight...God, may your children be ever-so-attentive to the gifts and the ideas the opportunities you place in our hands. May we help each other and always serve and recognize why we are here. May we not miss divine set-ups and encounters with you. May we be available and listening to you, Author and Finisher. May we accomplish the good works you prepared in advance for us to accomplish, not by might or strength alone, but by your Holy Spirit, presence, and guidance, so that you get all the praise.

Amen.

G

Secrets with God

Have you ever felt misunderstood? Oooohh...It must be my least favorite feeling!! ...But on the contrary, I love to feel unified, at one, and complete/ mutual understanding. 

I love to be "on the same page." 

I love to be "in one accord." 

Ya' feelin' me so far?

My guess is...you're the same!? ;)  

So...What is it that brings US- people- friends- siblings- co-workers- strangers- etc- into agreement and understanding with one another? EVEN if the "agreement" or understanding is that we disagree on a topic or situation...

COMMUNICATION!!!

Woo!

Communication can be such a beautiful thing...

Shedding light on the "truth of a matter." 

Communication can bring to life emotions and assumptions. It can clarify and distinguish what is false and what is fact.

Have you ever experienced a great deal of frustration due to a lack of communication?

Now let me ask you this, have you ever experienced immense peace after a clear, truthful, wise, and sensitive conversation? Have you experienced healing, direction, and rest from a once racing mind and stress of trying to figure out someone else's inmost thinking from afar, without involving communication? 

Man, communication is much easier than mind-reading... but it does still come with its challenges!

Sometimes communication calls for a laying down of ones pride, insecurities, fronts and walls. It takes patience. Patience, not just to listen, but to receive and hear what the other party feels and intends and believes. The goal in communication should be two fold... it's not a selfish act. (That would look more like maybe a verabl attack of sorts...don't ya think?) But communication, when practiced in a gentle manner, can bring great strength and progression to a relationship.

 What keeps you from communicating? Are there things you wish you've said, or wish you've apologized for or communicated more clearly? Could today be the day to change that?! 

...Is there a relationship that lacks communication and could use a healing touch of understanding and/or agreement? 

Hm...

God wants people to understand how he feels about them. He wants you and me to understand, personally, how he feels about you and me. He desires communication and to have an "open-line", healthy kind of relationship with us.

Jeremiah  33:3 says: Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. 

Psalm 91:15- He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.

God is attentive to a call or cry for help. God is available and ready to respond. Hm, could the relationship in need of communication be yours with God? Wow...( I want to ask myself this question regularly!)... Because could it be that this attentive and involved God wants to shed light and truth and bring you into better understanding of what is on his heart and what HE sees and believes and desires... ? Hm...

I want to know!

Isaiah 48:6- "You have heard; look at all this. And you, will you not declare it? I proclaim to you new things from this time, Even hidden things which you have not known.

Jer. 29:13 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.

Grace

Believing

John 1: 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

In Jesus, I believe. And I know that abiding in him, living in his light, there is no defeat.

If God is for us...

Romans 8

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

...31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If  God is for us,  who can be against us?

THIS JUST IN:

Life is NOT about:

1. Me "trying to make it." 

2. Me trying to "make it happen."

3. Survival

4. Trying hard enough.

5. Working longer days.

6. Proving self righteousness.

7. Earning God's attention.

8. Pleasing people.

Truth is:

1. I am not alone.

2. God has a plan.

3. God's plans and way are better than anything I can ask, think up, imagine, etc.

4. He is better...better yet- HE IS THE BEST!!!

5. God can take my mess and turn it into something beautiful.

6. God is for me.

7. Victory is worth fighting for.

8. I can rest in Jesus.

"I'm letting go, resting in you...worries away. TRUSTING IN YOU." -Frontline Worship

Join me and let's choose to trust God now; today.

For if  God is for you and me, who can be against us?

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. The wild animals honor me, the jackals and the owls,

because I provide water in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland,

to give drink to my people, my chosen, the people I formed for myself

 that they may proclaim my praise.

GOD! THANK YOU FOR BEING ALMIGHTY! YOU ARE GOOD! YOU ARE WORTHY OF ALL HONOR! YOU ARE LOVELY! YOU ARE PURE! YOU ARE PRAISEWORTHY!!!!!! I LIFT MY EYES TO YOU AND I BELIEVE YOU ARE FAITHFUL! YOU ARE MY SAVING GRACE. YOU ARE MY EVERYTHING. YOU ARE THE ANSWER TO MY EVERY PRAYER. YOU ARE FULFILLING IN ALL WAYS. YOU ARE GOD AND I AM NOT. HAVE YOUR WAY IN MY LIFE. I AM YOURS.

Grace

Where's your head at?

To flow in the mind of Christ..

-Think positive thoughts.

-Be GOD-minded.

-Be GOD-LOVES-ME minded.

-Have an exhortative mind.

-Develop a thankful mind.

-Be WORD-minded.

-Thanks Joyce Meyer! (From The Battlefield of the Mind book)


For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.

Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”

Thank you for your consistent love and forgiveness. Looking up and at you today, O God. 

Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is   u n c o v e r e d   and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. -Hebrews 4:13

Woah. He sees me. He sees my intentions, secret thoughts, plans, and "hope fors."

What holds me back from coming to you, God? Lack of together-ness? Insecurities? Fear of change?...

What holds me back from complete obedience, surrender, commitment to God, His ways, His heart, His plan, His time, His voice, His word, His people, His agenda...?

Thinkin' about it...

It says in 2 Chronicles 16, "... the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him. "

Blameless?

"Fully committed," says another version.

Could this be a heart set on God and his desires?... A heart that searches for God and the things of God-continuously... always... A child of God who understands his/her role in life...who treasures the gift of relationship with their heavenly Father, Creator, Friend? 

Then Jesus said to the crowd, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me."

"If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me."

What does a  "day-to-day" lifestyle, that keeps the persistent pursuit of knowing God and following His lead at the forefront, look like?...

What practical differences are we talking about? 

 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. -Philippians 2 

But don't just listen to God's word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. -James 1:22

Bring the action.

Trust and obey.

Listen and respond.

How about we start today? ;)

Romans 6

Romans 6:

6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with,[a] that we should no longer be slaves to sin— 7 because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.

8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. 10 The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.

11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13 Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. 14 For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.

Rest of My Life

Oh, how I love that I'm not alone. Ever. 

It never ceases to amaze me when I stop and dwell on the truth that My Lord is my Shepherd...

He has a plan for my life. (Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding) 

He is really perfect at the role of guidance. He sees what's ahead and all around us. He isn't interested, any longer, in my past sins, falls, let downs and mistakes...not even a slightly. 

(The LORD is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.) He is Truth, he speaks truth, and teaches me how to open my heart and align my life with his Word, the truth. 

A David Psalm

23 1-3 God, my shepherd!

    I don’t need a thing.

You have bedded me down in lush meadows,

    you find me quiet pools to drink from.

True to your word,

    you let me catch my breath

    and send me in the right direction.

4 Even when the way goes through

    Death Valley,

I’m not afraid

    when you walk at my side.

Your trusty shepherd’s crook

    makes me feel secure.

5 You serve me a six-course dinner

    right in front of my enemies.

You revive my drooping head;

    my cup brims with blessing.

6 Your beauty and love chase after me

    every day of my life.

I’m back home in the house of God

    for the rest of my life. 

...I'm going with you. Wherever you want.

Grace

Still

Refuge

Strength

Ever-present help in time of need

Be still and know that I am God...

Words

James 1:19-Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.

Sounds so easy... 

Not always the case. 

I feel that God is pulling me up to face and obey that which is truth. He didn't say "easy." But He did say "grace." I can do all things through Christ strengthens me. The same spirit that conquered sin and death is at work in my life.

Wow.

If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. (Romans 8:11) ...Perhaps the LORD will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few." (1 Samuel 14:6) Trusting. -G

Living Loved

1 John 4:7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

"The secret to loving is living loved." -Max Lucado

A Part

"Hand in hand, dreams combined, voice with voice, together for all time..."

It's silly really, how long a song can stick in your soul. Years ago, I sang this song in a school choir. It's been running through my head today. :)

I had to find a random video of it so you could get the picture..well and the tune, itself!. ;)

The message is wonderful, really. We're each just a small part. But together- things "come together." Funny, how that works... ya know, team work... togetherness... unity!

YOU AND I ARE NOT ALONE.

I believe that God has placed each of us in some kind of a community...

2 Corinthians 12:27 says: Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

Will we take hold?  Find the value here? Pursue the relationships? For we are not made to go "it" alone.
Thank God!

It goes on...

20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. 

Maybe it doesn't seem like your personal victory today...maybe it's not your day. But maybe- it's your neighbors best day.

God, May we unify and begin to love one another as ourself. May we become more like the body you desire us to be. May I take responsibility for my part. I may be one of many but I AM A PART! A part of the Body Of Chirst. Wow.

Something to ponder, perhaps.

With love & blessings to you, reader. :)

Grace

Reasons to Celebrate

I am excited!!! :) Not only has a new opportunity presented itself in my life, but in it (the opportunity), I sense there is much to be learned and applied. This is not just an opportunity to merely enjoy. Not that there is anything wrong with enjoyment. I just believe that this, here, is an opportunity to learn from... and in the midst of...and all the way through its processes... To grow and to progress through. I want to see it through and I want to understand its value and treasure it.

Father, help me not to get stuck in a selfish point of view. But to grasp more everyday what you see and desire. Your will over mine. 
Ya ever find yourself in the m i d d l e of a lesson,  presented in a way, you'd never, (in a million years), have expected??....

I feel like that is what I'm on the cusp of.

...

God---> is praiseworthy! Because even in the middle of my celebrations, He gives me more to celebrate...He reveals that it's not just about the gift. It is about HIM. And the way He cares so intimately about the heart of His children and not just our momentary bliss.

There is more. He is The Source of Life. May I flee from underestimation. May I run to Faith-filled requests. May I believe.

For nothing is impossible with God. Let's celebrate! :)

'til tomorrow friends,

Grace

The Gift That Keeps on Giving

Below are some snippets from Romans 6. To read the whole chapter click here

Romans 6: 

3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

...

6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with,[a] that we should no longer be slaves to sin— 7 because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.

...

11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13 Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. 14 For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.

If, indeed, I've been given NEW LIFE..

.Ephesians 2:8: For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.

How should I live it?...In other words, "how should I spend it?" 

When someone gives such a good gift, it shouldn't be shelved...right?

As a child, when I was given a toy, I played with it. And I didn't just play with it for a few minutes... If it was a good one, I'm certain that I played the mess out of that toy!

As an adult, if I'm given a gift of cash, say for a birthday or Christmas, I never just hide the money in an old pair of jeans' pocket, thinking maybe it might just come in handy someday and I'll possibly stumble upon it. No, I make a plan for it. With diligence, I either save it or spend it. I budget it in. I appreciate it and use it for its worth. I realize its value and I try to do something about it...make use.  

As a student, if I am "given" knowledge, through teaching, my hope is application. I am not eager to merely sit on the knowledge that I'm given...my goal is to apply it and then progress in an area. 

So, as Christian, if I have truly been given new life...what am I to do with it? ...

Now, listen, this should be pondered on and prayed over for understanding because I believe that  IT HOLDS IMMENSE VALUE... 

I am to give my life BACK into the hands of the giver. 

I am to offer my life to Him. Entrust life in His hands. Every part... that He may find in me- an available instrument of righteousness.  

That's it.  

God gives. We give it back. But when we give it back, then we really start living!

What does this, "giving self away," look like- practically? 

... Could it mean coming to God, in prayer, before making a important decision?...

Could it be bringing mere "feelings" to God, in prayer, before allowing them to dictate actions.

Could it mean, being willing to change? 

Letting go?

...Doing what you know is right no matter what- whether you prefer or not? 

Could it be giving up Lordship to God. 

Is this where I am? Am I surrendered? Am I available? 

God, what are you saying?... What are your desires?... What do you want to do- today...?

Grace

New

New. 

Fresh. 

There's something about a fresh start. 

A new beginning.

A shirt 'with the tags still on'...pullin' them off and wearin' it for the very first time... :) (I did that tonight!) Hah, I love that feeling! 

new  

/n(y)o͞o/

Adjective Not existing before;   made,    introduced,    or discovered recently or now for the first time:

I can feel myself at the cusp of something new... And I am thrilled in every way!

Look out for new! New can be nurtured and enjoyed. New can be embraced, celebrated, and explored. New is good. 

Lamentations 3:22-23...

"God’s loyal love couldn’t have run out,

    his merciful love couldn’t have dried up.

They’re created new every morning.

    How great your faithfulness!

I’m sticking with God (I say it over and over).

    He’s all I’ve got left." -MSG

The faithful love of the Lord never ends!

    His mercies never cease.

Great is his faithfulness;

 his mercies begin afresh each morning. -NLT

God, Thank you for many chances. Such grace. Thank you for the way you lead and guide. I'd be so lost...I was so lost before I knew you. I refuse to go it alone, I need you. Oh, how I need you.

Grace

Amazing Friendship

So, recall, this 49 days of consecutive blogging is all about a verse from Philippians 4:8...

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. I am so thankful for friendship. Specifically, I am thankful for the sisterhood and beloved companionship I've gained in knowing and walking life near to--  Emily Rachel! She happens to be quite significantly honorable.

God, thank you for being so involved in and aware of your children's lives. You know us in such intimate facets.  And you are TOPS/best at pairing us up with another who will sharpen, enlighten, and bring us great joy. :)

Friendship is a gift!

I am thankful for cherished memories with my friend, Em. But I am also grateful that it is so easy to connect today, even living miles and miles apart. (Technology is good!!) :)

God, I believe your love for Emily is immense far beyond grasp of the human mind. You see her. You are FOR her. You have such beautiful plans for her life. You are near-- NOW. I am enjoying watching where you've been taking her. 

What a witness! ...Emily's love for God is not "normal." This woman is radical in her lifestyle and devotion to the cause of Jesus Christ. She inspires me daily. She inspires many people, from so many walks of life and geographical locations. You can tell she believes that she is God's workmanship, and He's got good things for her to take part in. She takes on every 'today' with faith and vigilance, ready to be a light, to give, to stand for justice and to genuinely love.  

God, It is an honor to call your daughter my "friend". :) Thank you. 

Emily, thank you! I am blessed to know you. I believe in you. I am rooting you on all the way to the finish!

Jeremiah 29: 11 For

I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.

Remember, today, that God is near and aware.

 Remember that He never gives up on you. 

Recall that He has a master plan. 

Rest on Him, friend. 

I am praying for you now. 

With love,

Grace