Be Happy!!!

We've been going over several things dealing with struggles the past week or so and thought I would bring a post with more of something we should be happy with. I've been browsing through some sites of friends the past couple days and found my inspiration at Russ Hutto's site. He has some free wallpaper that hit me. The March free paper was a canvas with Romans 5:8 on it, beautifully done, I might add.

So, today I want to look at Romans 5:8-11..."But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (9) Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. (10) For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. (11) And not only so , but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement."

What hope that brings!!! First off, though we were sinners...can anyone argue that fact for themselves? I think not and would also make sure we realize we are STILL sinners, but sinners saved by grace. Yet Christ died for the whole lot of us, right? Verse 9 continues telling us that through being justified by his blood, we are saved from wrath through him. This isn't saying we are freed from any negative ever occurring in our lives, but rather from an eternal wrath. Continuing on, we are reminded that if we were reconciled while yet enemies, how much more we shall glory in him being atoned by his blood.

I am reminded of the song "Friend of God" in which the lyrics speak so plainly about how amazing it is that God would be mindful of me and is thinking of me, and wants to be my friend. Am I the only one who can't sing that song without a huge smile coming across my face???

For some strange reason, the chorus of "Don't Worry, Be Happy" by Bobby McFerrin came to mind when I was reading the passage in Romans. (Yes, I am definitely a child of the 80's) We don't have to live in worry and fear, be happy knowing that we have the Hope that so many are searching for!!!

What verse, passage, or maybe even song do you draw strength from? I'd like to see some of you share a bit of encouragement today!!! Jump into the conversation...

Be grateful...

First off this week, let's take one more look at our previous memory verses from Ephesians 5:15 & 16..."See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, (16) Redeeming the time, because the days are evil." Was this as much a challenge for anyone else this past week as it was for me? Not that it was two verses, hard to remember, or extremely time-consuming...the issue is that since I have committed to memorize scripture, Satan is doing all he can to keep me from it. Has this been happening to you? Each time you try to go over verses we have learned the past couple weeks, does it seem like something pulls you away? Believe me, it's no coincidence.

We also have two more verses to take a look at...Acts 6:4...""But we give ourselves continually to prayer, and the ministry of the word." and John 3:30..."He must increase, but I must decrease." Have you memorized all three of these yet? or maybe one of them? or two? Are you still on board with the challenge? Will you continue on with me?

This week, I am led to Romans 8:1-2..."There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (2) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death."

This verse fits with the grand theme of things during this time of year. We are thankful to be under "grace" and not under the "law", right? I am so glad for the grace that has been offered, because in so many ways I fall short of the law. And, if I offend in any one part of the law, I am guilty of all!!!

How do you feel about that? Would you rather be judged by what you have done, or by what Christ did for you?

Now, this doesn't stop there...if we are in Christ Jesus and walk not after the flesh, we will be abiding in His will. Am I abiding in His will every moment of every day? Say that again to yourself...Am I abiding in His will every moment of every day? To answer quite simply...No, I am not. That is why I am so glad for God's grace.

I'm not sure how many of you have heard it put this way, but our pastor puts grace this way...

G od's
R iches
A t
C hrist's
E xpense

So, I am grateful..."For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." Look over this week's verses...think on them...ask God to speak to you...and share with others...

Please let me know if there is a prayer request I can word on your behalf today!!!

Am I prepared???

Today, I am doing some real thinking about self and the way I portray myself. Do I try to make myself seem as a super-Christian who walks with God perfectly every moment? or am I portraying myself as a sinner who was saved by grace who needs the help of a Master to guide my ways?

If you think I am the first, I am sorry to have given that impression. Each day is such a struggle to do the right things for me, how about you? Some days, don't you just wanna "call it in" and "do your own thing". The reason I have started this journal was to keep myself seeking God's words for me, and have an accountability set up that people can look back and see what I have been learning. If I tend to be "preachy", I am not speaking at anyone, but rather emphasizing what God is telling me.

It's so easy for me to sit back and ask for everyone else to volunteer to do work in our church, or be challenged to memorize verses, but am I really take the first step and doing it myself? If I as Christian leader in a church am not willing to roll up my sleeves and get to work, how can I ask others to?

For me to get past struggles that come my way daily, I must remain in a close relationship with God. When I take a "day off" from my study or prayer time, I allow myself to be open to Satan's attacks. And each "day off" can be followed by more days and soon turn into weeks, months, etc. Once you break the chain, it gets to be so hard to get back into it. A sense of comfortability sets in. That is why I must get into God's Word daily and think upon it and live by the teachings I receive.

Let's look at this week's memory verses in Ephesians 5:15 & 16..."See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, (16) Redeeming the time, because the days are evil." Once again, these verses reminding us to stay vigilant, because the world is out to bring us down. We aren't to just wander around with no direction, but rather as someone with wisdom, knowing which roads to take, who to talk to, and see the opportunities that God provides us to minister.

Even though the world is in such a state of flux, we do have a hope as stated in 1 Peter 1:13 (NIV)..."Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed." We are to be prepared mentally and show self-control. What better place for me to get wisdom and self-control than from God's word and asking for His help? Is my hope set fully on the grace given by Jesus? or am I just saying that? It's very easy to say, but there are days that things happen, and I want to throw my hands in the air and just give up. But, the more I stay in His word and in prayer, the more I rely upon His grace to get me through!

If you are struggling today and can't seem to find time for God, I pray that you will make time for Him and let Him help you through whatever you are battling...

Please let me know if there is a special prayer request I can word on your behalf today...

A prayer for grace...

This morning, as every Monday morning, I pray that my eyes will be fixed upon the things of God and not on this world. When I was reading, I stopped at Psalm 19 and came across a prayer that each of us should raise to the Lord. It begins in verse 12...

"Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. (13) Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. (14) Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer."

As we go through each day, we do sin. Whether you want to admit it or not, we are sinful beings. Sometimes, even though we have what we would think a great Christ-like day, we have sinned in our actions, words, or by omission.

I believe that is what David is referring to here. We as finite beings don't understand the infinite wisdom of God and can't grasp fully the sin we are indwelt with. Therefore, we need to pray for our secret faults as they are mentioned in the KJV.

In verse 13 he asks for power against what he calls presumptuous sins...Webster defines presumptuous like this: overstepping due bounds (as of propriety or courtesy) : taking liberties. So, David is asking to be kept from sinning willfully or boldly. He also states that if the sin doesn't overtake him he shall be upright and innocent.

Finally, in verse 14 may we be ever cognizant that our thoughts, meditation, and words be acceptable to the Lord, who is our strength and redeemer. If we keep our eyes on our redeemer and lean to His strength and not our own, the wiles of this world will have no allure to us.

My prayer today is that we may ask God to take away our presumptuous sins...What sin have you been taking liberty with? Will you turn it back over to Him and let yourself be upright and innocent? Please let me know if I can word a prayer of comfort for you today...