Be Still

Life gets so hectic.

Some days it feels like I'm driving in the fast lane.

I try to change lanes but I can't get over.

I'm stuck!

Then, life bombards me like an 18 wheeler, riding my bumper and trying to force me out of the way.

Not only is that 18 wheeler riding my tail but it's honking it's ridiculously loud horn and flashing it's bright lights!

I want to get out of the way but I am stuck and life is breathing down my neck threatening to run me off the road.

Do you ever have days like that?

If you answered "no" then stay tuned for my post on lying in the next few weeks.

We've all been there:

-When it seems like our mind has a to do list that is longer then we can comprehend

-When the cares of this world make us feel overwhelmed and stressed

-When we want to just crawl back into bed and restart the day

What should we do when we find ourselves in these moments of stress and worry?

Human nature tells us when things start moving really fast that we need to move even faster to keep up with it all.

That is actually the opposite of what God tells us.

He says, "Be still and know that I am God..." Ps. 46:10 (N.I.V.)

In these times we should trust God completely, not worry about our situation.

In Matthew 6:24-25, Jesus tells us not to worry. He says:

²⁵ “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? ²⁷ Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

   ²⁸ “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. ²⁹ Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ³⁰ If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? ³¹ So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (N.I.V.)

That sounds good but how can I not worry? I have responsibilities.

Yes, we do have responsibilities and God knows that. 

He understands that better then we do.

Notice in verse 32 above when talking about food, clothing, and necessities of life that Jesus says, "...your heavenly Father knows that you need them."

God knows that we need these things and He is the one who provides them for us.

It's not up to us.

It's up to Him.

How awesome is that?

The key to not worrying is to surrender everything to God.

Lay your worries at His feet.

Give him your responsibilities concerning your family, your job, and your relationships.

Anything that represents that 18 wheeler breathing down your neck can be handed over to your Father God.

He promised us not just life, but life More Abundantly through Jesus.

It's time to stop letting worry keep you up at night.

Give it all to your heavenly Father.

He will be awake all night anyway!

Once you have surrendered the things that cause you anxiety you can truly Be Still and Know that He is God.

As always remember:

God Loves You!

God Created You!

God Accepts You!

Until next time,

SavedByGrace

Amazing Grace

How Amazing is God's Grace for Us?

His Grace is boundless.

It reaches into the most hardened hearts and whispers to them, "Come home."

His Grace sees us through the blood of Jesus, without our mistakes.

It finds us even when we are hiding in our most secret sins.

It guides us when we are so lost that no compass can point us in the right direction.

God's Grace marches into the deepest gutters, takes us in it's arms, and carries us out into the bright light of a new day.

It reminds us not of the times we have failed, but of the times we will be victorious!

For me personally the Grace of my father God is like a life guard that is always there to jump into the rough seas of my life. 

It swims out to rescue me when I am drowning.  

Through Grace, God pulls me to the shore and gives me the breath of life once again.

We have a perfect example of Grace in the life of Christ. 

The Grace that we find in Jesus teaches us how to extend Grace to others.

Even dying on the cross He extends Grace to a thief and leads him to salvation.

That thief had no time to go out and do good works.

He had no time to make amends to the people he had wronged or to build great churches in the name of God.

No, all that thief did was accept Jesus.  

He was drowning in sin and being killed, literally, as a punishment for his mistakes.
But, he allowed Jesus to be his life guard.

At the very moment of dying he accepted the gift of salvation and received new life.

In the midst of being brutally crucified, Jesus came to the rescue for that thief.

Jesus saved him, showing him Grace, by forgiving him of all of his sins through the blood that He was shedding at that very moment.

Jesus said to him,"Today you shall be with me in Heaven."

How Amazing is God's Grace?

It's so amazing that no matter who you are or where you have been, God Loves You!

Even if you are nothing more then a common thief being put to death for your mistakes, God extends His salvation, forgiveness, peace, and joy to you through His mercy and Grace.

In God's eyes he was not a common thief.
To God, you are not your sins or your mistakes.

You are not the nasty or hateful names you have been called.
You are not the fears or insecurities that haunt you.

When God sees you He sees one thing:

A Beautiful and Cherished Child of God.

That, my friends, is Amazing Grace!

As always remember:

God Loves You!

God Accepts You!

God Created You!  (And God doesn't make mistakes!)

Until next time,

SavedByGrace

Chris Tomlin - Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)

Simple Christianity

There are many Christians, old and new alike, who ask the same question,

"What does it mean to live life as a Christian?"

One church doctrine gives one list of rules.

Another gives another list of rules.

Some theologies say one thing while other theologies seem to say the opposite.

In truth, the answer to this question is a simple one.

Live Like Christ.

I know what you are thinking. 

"I can't live a perfect and sinless life!"

You are right.  

None of us can.
But, we can strive to be like Jesus in all that we do.

We do our best and let God's grace and mercy meet us where we are and take care of the rest.

How did Jesus live His life?

Here's a few examples from His life and teachings that we can apply to our lives today:

-When you see someone hurting, do what you can to help them.

-When you see someone who is hungry, feed them.

-When you see someone who is cold, give them your coat.

-When you find someone who is troubled, listen to them. Pray for them.

-When you come across an outcast, reach out to them.  Become their friend.

-When you see injustice against those who are weak or have no voice, speak up for them.

-When you find religious people throwing stones at a "sinner", stand up for the "sinner."

-When you are hurt by somebody, forgive them.

-When you are betrayed by your friend, kiss them on the cheek.

-When you encounter your neighbor, love them.

-When you don't know what to do in a situation, pray to your Father in Heaven for strength and guidance.

Love everyone.

Make time to listen to children.

Minister to the least in society.

Live a life of confidence, not fearing what others think about you.

Be yourself, unapologetic about who you are. 

Be genuine.

When the trials of life seem to have tortured and killed your spirit, when you find yourself dead and buried, remember who you are and who your Daddy is!

Tap into the power of God Almighty, Roll Back The Stone, and Rely on Him to Resurrect You!

You have in your hands the same power that healed lepers and opened blinded eyes.

The same love that reached multitudes lives within your heart.

The same God who defeated death, hell, and the grave empowers You today!

What does it mean to live life as a Christian?

To live as a Christian means to live as Christ.

While doctrines and theologies are debated around you every day, hold to these words from Matthew 22:37-39:

"Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all you heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first commandment. And the second is like it, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" (N.I.V.)

This is the key to living like Jesus.

It is not difficult.

In fact, it is Simple Christianity.

As always remember:

God Loves You.

God Created You.

God Accepts You.

Until Next Time,

SavedByGrace