God's Grace

"Grace, grace, God's grace, Grace that will pardon and cleanse within; Grace, grace, God's grace, Grace that is greater than all our sin." (Marvelous Grace of Our Loving Lord by Julia H. Johnston and Daniel B. Towner, 1911) That refrain came to mind as I pondered the topic of grace today. I love the word grace. It washes over me, that unmerited favor that God freely gives.

Receiving an unexpected gift can be a little uncomfortable. Sometimes I feel like I should have had a gift to reciprocate. But the response should simply be one of "Thank you!" It can be the same with receiving God's grace. I may want to reciprocate by working my way to salvation. But my response to God's grace should be one of gratitude and praise to my Holy Father.

Even so, my response to God's wonderful gift of grace is a desire to serve others. I want to do things that support or help others, bring cheer or blessings to others, or respond to others with help and kindness and love.

"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. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do," (Ephesians 2:8-10 NIV).

God has things for me to do in this life. I only hope that I can please Him with my service to Christ and the church.

"Amazing grace! how sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me!" (Amazing Grace! How Sweet the Sound by John Newton, 1779).

Lord, thank You for Your wonderful gift of grace. Help me reach out to others who are hurting or needy. Let me show them Your love and grace. I pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

Memory Verses

I have always had trouble memorizing. I remember being in grade school and having to memorize a poem. I don't remember the poem or even what it was about but I remember my mother helping me as we sat by the warmth of the radiator near the big front window. Our coal and wood burning furnace heated the water in radiators throughout the house. It was a favorite place to sit until it got too hot.

With Mother's help I eventually got through the poem correctly and spoke it in front of the class as assigned. I still am not good at memorizing. I try to repeat scripture but fail to keep the words in my mind. After all these 60+ years of studying scripture I find that I am familiar with many scriptures that remain in my heart. I can't name where they are located in the Bible but the words flow together in my heart.

I admire those who have memorized scriptures. It is just not something I do well. One of my prayers is that if I am ever in a situation of danger, the Word of God will come to me overflowing with the words I need to hear.

"I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Praise be to you, O Lord; teach me your decrees. With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth. I rejoice in following your statutes, as one rejoices in great riches. I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word," (Psalm 119:11-16 NIV).

Lord, thank you for giving us Your Word to teach us and guide us in Your ways. Save Your words in our hearts so we can live the life You have planned for us. Lead us daily with Your purpose, we pray. Amen.

Grumbling

It is so cold. Grumble, grumble. It is going to snow again. Grumble, grumble. The roads and parking lots are an icy mess. Grumble, grumble. I'm hungry. Grumble, grumble. I'm thirsty. Grumble, grumble.

That's what the Israelites did when they were sent into the Desert of Shut. They grumbled about what they were going to drink and what they were going to eat. It is human nature to grumble about things that stress us out.

"So Moses and Aaron said to all the Israelites, "In the evening you will know that it was the Lord who brought you out of Egypt, and in the morning you will see the glory of the Lord, because he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we, that you should grumble against us?" Moses also said, "You will know that it was the Lord when he gives you meat to eat in the evening and all the bread you want in the morning, because he has heard your grumbling against. him. Who are we? You are not grumbling against us, but against the Lord,"" (Exodus 16:6-8 NIV).

I am reminded by this scripture to pause before I begin grumbling again and to consider all I have to be grateful for. When I was growing up in church we sang the Doxology as part of our service. Instead of grumbling, let me sing:

"Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen." (Thomas Ken, 1709; Gene van Psalter, 1551).

Lord, forgive my grumbling. Help me to be a light in the darkness instead of adding to the darkness of the world. Thank you for all You have blessed me with and help me to focus on those things throughout my day. Amen.

Snowscapes

Facebook has featured some beautiful pictures of the sun dogs that have been in the sky the last couple of days. Unfortunately these only appear when we have very cold weather. I think the sun dogs are God's gift to us on otherwise miserable days. Thank you, God, for reminding us of Your presence in our days, even when it is -20 degrees.

The sun was a very welcome sight yesterday. Somehow it seems to make the day better even when it is very cold. The sun makes the snow sparkle and accentuates the waves in the snow drifts created by the blizzard.

"Every good and perfect gift is from above coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows," (James 1:17 NIV). 

In the winter the shadows are long and moody. Trees seem to reach out with long stretched arms and buildings create deep, dark shadows that result in bone-chilling cold. Winter's scenery is one of contrasts. The beauty of snowdrifts in the ditches while roadways are an ugly gray mess of a salt, sand and snow mixture. City streets are covered with slippery mounds and ruts of snow built up harder than the snow plows can move away.

Ah, the Iowa winter is back. Bundle up with a hot beverage and a good book. Spring is only two months away!

Snow Days

Snow days. I have always loved snow days. It used to be (a very long time ago) because of getting a day off of school unexpectedly. Then it was getting a day off of work. (I worked at a community college.) Now it is a chance to stay inside and watch the snow if I want to. Unfortunately, it is my husband who is stuck with the snow cleanup in our driveway and sidewalks.

When I was a kid riding the school bus on miles of gravel roads was an experience. The gravel roads were the last to get cleared so often I had to get to the nearest hard surface road to meet the bus. We had a long lane that always filled with snow between the fence lines. Dad would sometimes jerry-rig an alternate way for us to get from the house to the road. Once we took the horse through the pasture, avoiding the drifts in the lane. Another time we (somewhat humiliated) rode on a straw bale inside of a manure spreader all the way to the bus, an experience my sister and I will never forget.

"For to the snow He says, 'Fall on the earth,' And to the rain shower, 'Be a mighty downpour," (Job 37:6 NIV). 

I know God controls all of nature and earth but I can't explain 'why' bad storms hit some locations and not others. I don't believe storms are punishment from God, but I don't know the reason or explanation.

Lord, God Almighty, thank You for the beauty of the snow You create. Please protect all those who must remove the snow from streets and walkways, and keep drivers and walkers safe out there. We praise You for Your power and wonder and glory. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

Let Your Light Shine

"This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine; Hide it under a bushel, No, I'm gonna let it shine! Don't let Satan blow it out, I'm gonna let it shine; Let it shine till Jesus comes, I'm gonna let it shine, Let it shine, Let it shine, Let it shine, Let it shine" (written by Harry Dixon Loes, 1920s).

Did you sing this song as a child? I did and we always added another verse, "Shine all over Bethel Grove, I'm gonna let it shine!" (That was the name of the church I grew up in.) We sang it with actions, raising the candle high. We taught it to the youngest children in Sunday school and during Vacation Bible School.

During this season of darkness, of short days and gray skies, we all need a little extra light. Some even suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder and feel depressed during this time of year. Light can come from kindness or a simple smile. Perhaps a compliment that is unexpected, or a gentle hug with words will bring light to an otherwise dark day.

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden, Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven," (Matthew 5:14-16 NIV).

Good Morning, Lord. Thank You for this day and the chance to be light to others that I meet. Help me to shine brightly for those who are suffering or sad. Grant me the light of Jesus inside that shines through me with love and compassion. Bless those who read this and brighten their day with Your light and Your love. Amen.

Word of the Year

Another morning is about to dawn in Iowa. There have been some beautiful sunrises and sunsets recently; such a delightful gift from God above. We don't get an expansive view from our house but enough to feel the amazement of His glory. A sunrise is such a wonderful way to start the day. It creates a fresh attitude for the day and it is a reminder to stop and thank God for all His blessings.

There is a common trend these days to set a word for your year. What is your word for 2024, if you were to set one? I've been pondering this for a while and I haven't settled on one yet. I've heard some really good ones: persevere, believe, seek, gratitude...to name a few. Setting a word for the year is one way to strive toward being a new self, similar to setting a resolution for the year.

Perhaps my word could be kindness, compassionate, loving, to set a goal of being better at these things. Or I might choose from the words: truth, humble, respectful, gracious, grow. There are so many good words out there. My word would probably be some way of making my self better.

"You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness," (Ephesians 4:22-24 NIV). 

Lord, thank you for this new year. Help me be a better self this year. Lead me toward true righteousness and holiness; I feel so far from being like You. Give me a new attitude this year so I can be the best me I can be. I praise You and honor You, in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, Amen.

Do you have a word for 2024?

New Year Blessings

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!              (2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV) 

It is a New Year 2024. When I look at that number I can hardly believe we are so far into this century. Where does time go? When I was young it seemed time would move so slowly: waiting for summer vacation, waiting for my birthday, waiting for Christmas. But now that I'm old, time is whizzing by in a flash.

As we begin a New Year, it is tradition to make resolutions. How is that working for you? I quit making resolutions years ago after many failures. Most often my resolutions were the same every year: exercise and lose weight. I'm thankful for the aqua fitness classes that my husband had to drag me to, several years ago. They have been responsible for overcoming my hip and back pain that had nearly immobilized me seven years ago. I usually attend classes five days a week and feel so much better because of the exercise they provide.

The bonus of attending the aqua fitness classes has been the really good friends I have made there. My fear of walking into a place where I knew no-one was quickly replaced by the comfort of friendly smiles and encouragement. God has blessed me in so many ways just by taking an aqua fitness class.

Well, I don't know what the year 2024 will bring, but I'm thanking God for being at my side through it all. Life is full of good and bad things, but with Christ in us we are new beings who will overcome even the worst of them.

Lord, bless these persons who read this blog today. Fill their hearts with Your Spirit and be their guide and Savior. Bring them whatever they need: comfort, peace, encouragement, love, healing, grace or guidance. Thank you, Lord, for being our constant provider, the presence in our lives, and the power that makes us new. Amen.

Happy New Year.

GG#960 2024