His Grace Abounds

There are those who would say they have a 'good handle' on grace. Others say, "Oh yes, our pastor is a 'grace' preacher." Or, "Our congregation understands grace."

Upon listening to the pastor, or talking with the people, we've discovered that...no, they don't have an understanding of the grace of God. If they did, they would not have uttered what was just said. I don't mean for this to sound 'high and mighty' or arrogant at all, by the way.

Everyone is on a journey of learning and exploration. Some seem to really press into the word of God. And that's great, but it's not the 'be all and end all.' What we've discovered is (not to say we have arrived by any means) that grace has to come by revelation! Paul makes this statement more than once. See 2 Cor. 12:7, Gal. 1:12, Eph. 1:17, Eph. 3:3 and others.

God says in His word.. 'And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.' Jer. 29:13 We had such a longing for truth, and especially truth in this very area of grace and wanting to know God's true character. Were we sinners or saints, was God good or sometimes just an angry God? We had sincere questions that we needed sincere answers to, and God has delivered in many ways and will continue to answer as we ask Him.

We won't know everything while we are here on the earth. Maybe we won't even know everything in heaven. But I do know He answers a hungry heart. I know that He delights in us when we seek Him. I know that He is good, because his word tells me so.

Delight yourself in Him. Meditate on His word. Ask Him those things you are puzzled about and need answers to. He won't let you down.

Through It All Andrae Crouch

I'm sorry to say that I wasn't very familiar with Andre Crouch and his music and ministry. I'm not sure why...I think I've been missing out.

Today is the first time I remember hearing this man's testimony and I really enjoyed it. It's so interesting to see the way God moves in each person's life. He was born again at the age of 9 and had a stuttering problem, but that was no match for what God intended to do in his life.

Watch, listen and enjoy his redemption story...another one of many great testimonies to God's power and grace. Blessings!

Welcome 2015!

A new year!
New possibilities, new relationships, new challenges...it's all here.

As we ring in the new year, I hope that you can say you are 'in Christ.' I wouldn't want to face anything, including a new year, without Christ living in me. It can be a tough world out there.
Yes, many good things can happen and there are many good people out there, but as we all know, life can be very challenging at times. Work and family relationships can be trying. Things just naturally go wrong...we live in a fallen world where satan is the ruler. But he is only ruler of those who have not received Christ as Savior and Lord. He has no authority over the "believer."

As I said, I hope that you can say, with assurance, 'I am safe and secure in Christ. He is my Rock and my Fortress, my Strong Tower.' If you have not received Him as Lord yet, today is the day of salvation. God is a NOW God; He is in the present. He is there with you right now, calling you into His kingdom. He loves you with an everlasting love. He is LOVE.

2 Corinthians 5:17New King James Version (NKJV)

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

The Bible tells us,

Romans 10:9-10New King James Version (NKJV)

9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 

So, if you have believed from your heart that Jesus Christ is Lord, go and tell someone about what you've done. As you confess what you believe, your salvation is being sealed by the Holy Spirit.  Welcome to the new you in the New Year!