The word "grace" is one of those special words that belong to the child of God. One of my favorite "grace" scriptures is wrapped in a promise.
2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
Some friendships blossom and then die. Health is unsure. Riches and wealth often remain out of reach. Those we love will pass, leaving a void in our hearts. But the "grace" of God will never fail, run out or run dry. It will never be insufficient.
The road may be long and dreary. The days may be filled with difficulties and struggles. But rest assured that there will be "grace" sufficient for every need and every trial.
This is the promise of God and that is the hope of the saints.
Just as weary sheep are refreshed by feasting in green pastures and drinking from still waters and lying in places of safety and peace, so are the saints of God refreshed by their Divine Shepherd.
Remember when The Lord saved you from your sinful condition? Were there times when you neglected God's house, His Word and His fellowship? Times when coldness wrapped around your soul?
Then, in your backslidden condition the Divine Shepherd forgave your trespasses, lifting you out of apathy and complacency and restoring spiritual victory.
This is always accomplished through confession and repentance.
Our Divine Shepherd does this for his sheep. He melts the coldness of their hearts with the warmness of His embrace.
John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
High school and college graduates will find success on the path of life as they use the following recipe:
- Know you are a born again child of God
- Consider every decision, every activity, every plan and purpose in the light of eternity, laid out before The Lord.
- Focus on Heavenly things.
- Avoid getting caught up in things of the world that would swamp your mind and hinder your walk.
- Focus on the Word of God and prayer.
- Allow Jesus to live through you.
- Have faith in God--give Him the rubble in your path.
- Wherever you roam, find a true church.
- Should you stumble, look to Jesus; He will lift you up.
- Never forget that God is always with you.
Psalm 16:11 Thou wilt show me the path of life; in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures forever more.
The will of God ought to be a source of strength and satisfaction to the child of God, just as if he sat down at a sumptuous feast.
If what we are doing tears us down instead of builds us up, then we may well question whether it is the will of God for us.
Our Lord didn't look on the Father's will as a heavy burden or a distasteful task. He viewed His work as a nourishment of His soul. Doing the Father's will fed Him and satisfied Him inwardly.
Psalm 40: I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.
Have Thine own way, Lord;Have Thine own way.
Thou art the Potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after Thy will
While I am waiting, yielded and still.
Adelaide A. Pollard
Worry blinds us to the way God cares for His creation.
He makes the flowers beautiful. He feeds the unclean ravens who have no ability to sow or reap, but He cares much more for us (Luke 12:22-33).
Luke 12:27, 28b Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass . . . how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?
If God feeds the birds, He will surely feed His children. If He beautifies the plants that grow up one day and are cut down the next, surely He will clothe His own.
God knows our needs. We are children in His family, sheep in His flock, and servants in His kingdom.
Psalm 106.1 Praise ye The Lord. O give thanks unto The Lord: for he is good; for his mercy endureth forever
The goodness of God transcends time place, people, and events.
He is good on the mountain and in the valley, in the day of blessing and in the day of pain.
He is good in peace and in turmoil, in life and in death.
He is good in rejoicing and in weeping, in shouting and in sorrow, in plenty and in poverty.
God is good in health and in sickness. He is good when I see Him and when I don't.
Those who are His know they have eternal reasons for praising His name. He chose us, converted us, keeps us, and provides for us. He is coming for us and is taking us to Heaven to be with Him.
He will never leave us or forsake us. His mercy endures forever.
When I thank Him for what He has done, I will look back to the crucified Son.
It seems that some people have learned to abide at the feet of Jesus as they go through life. They have peace and power with God.
I want that kind of life, filled with the Spirit of God.
Remember Mary and Martha? While Martha worried over physical things, her sister Mary sat at the feet of Jesus.
When we come into His presence (in prayer, Bible reading, worship, etc.), burdens of life tend to grow amazingly light and peaceful.
Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
The more time we spend at the feet of Jesus, the larger He gets in our eyes and the smaller other things seem to become.
At the feet of Jesus Mary found acceptance and true contentment.
Sitting at the feet of Jesus will show on you. People will notice.
