marylaw
Life Plan Devotion #239 [And Grace Will Lead]
Jun 27, 2010
Hi, Everyone.Today, we complete the miniseries on grace. As I finished the prayer at the end, saved the devotion, and waited for it to print, I thought that if the Life Plan Devotion ever gets published, as a yearly devotional book for those on the weight-loss journey, I'd put the series on grace at the end of the book, because it would make a great ending. What do you think? It doesn't matter if it gets published or not. I've had a blast bringing it to you, my OH friends.
Let's pray for those having surgery today and those recovering from surgery. Please pray for me, as I seek God's direction on where we should go from here, with the Life Plan Devotion. It's always a bit nerve wracking, but fun, to wait on the Lord, to hear His voice, to receive His guidance. This is His project, and He is faithful.
Have a marvelous Monday.
Blessings,
Mary
Life Plan Devotion #239 [And Grace Will Lead]
II Timothy 2:1 "You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus" (NIV).
Grace, the freely given, unmerited favor and love of God, is seen in the gifts of salvation, godly instruction, and divine strength. Grace is what brought Jesus to us, and it is grace that helps us to follow Him. Grace is available, to help the believer be transformed rather than conformed, and grace can make the difference between a life overpowered by weakness and a life empowered by Jesus Christ. It is by grace, found in Jesus, that gives the believer, who receives, the strength to handle whatever comes his/her way.
At my age, I have more years behind me than ahead of me. There is peace in admitting that, and that peace comes from knowing Jesus, from being confident in my salvation, and years of experience that has taught me that nothing is a surprise to the Father, and I am never alone. It reminds me of the old song that says, "The longer I serve Him, the sweeter He grows. The more that I love Him, more love He bestows. Each day is like Heaven, my heart overflows. The longer I serve Him, the sweeter He grows" (The Longer I Serve Him, by William J. Gaither, 1965).
It is getting more difficult to live as a believer. It is politically incorrect to bash a religion...except Christianity, that is. Just a few days ago, I received the latest issue of a magazine that keeps believers updated on the latest imprisonment of Christians or even the most recent story of martyrdom, around the world. Since the early church, believers have been thrown to the lions, literally and figuratively. What do we do? We must remain strong, strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
The grace that is found in an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ is what will give each of us strength. It is that grace that enables each believer to rise and greet the day with confidence, knowing that whatever comes, the Lord will enable and empower. Spending the first few moments of every day with Jesus is like drinking Living Water, and reading God's Word is like partaking of the Bread of Life. There is absolutely nothing that compares with walking the way with the Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God and Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.
The Bible has much to say about the end times, and it appears that we are in it. I don't know if I will live long enough to see Jesus split the sky wide open and return for His children, but I sure would love to. I long to hear that trumpet sound and the Hallelujah call. Life has given me some difficult moments; I'm sure you can say the same, but one day, "It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus. Life's trials will seem so small, when we see Christ. One glimpse of His dear face, all sorrows will erase, so bravely run the race, 'til we see Christ" (When We See Christ, by Esther Kerr Rusthoi). Until then, I echo the last words of the Bible, Revelation 22:21, "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen."
What this has to do with weight loss: When a believer turns to the Lord for help on his/her weight-loss journey and then gives God all the glory for his/her weight loss, there will be those who mock and ridicule. It takes courage to bear the jeers, but that courage can be found in grace. Who cares what anyone thinks, anyway. The only opinion that really matters is God's, and if you are looking to Him and living for Him, even with your body, He is pleased. Walk the weight-loss way with courage, strength, confidence, and grace.
Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, how precious it is to walk this day with You, to know that You have all the grace I need, the courage I need, the fortitude, the love, the provision--everything. No matter what may come my way today, I know that You are with me. I pray that I will be faithful, like You; loving, like You; and empowered, like You. Thank You for Your grace that has brought me safe this far, and I know that Your grace will lead me Home. I love You, Lord, and I love your awesome, abundant, amazing grace. Amen."
Take a final listen to our theme song, Were It Not For Grace, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-X7FoXIuu4&feature=related and then the wonderful old hymn Amazing Grace, written by John Newton, who ran a slave trade ship until he found Jesus, here sung by 10-year-old Melissa, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkiGDUfizb0&feature=related.
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About Me
Winfield, KS
Location
44.7
BMI
Surgery
11/17/2008
Surgery Date
Jul 26, 2008
Member Since
