Growing in Grace

Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

The post “Married or Single” has some thoughts and reasons for marriage. Either single or married, God thinks you are AWESOME! You can use the skills you have, be happy with who you are, and continue to grow in grace for His glory. 

In life, we have to be able to make adjustments because things change. A person can go from being single to being married to being single again. We need a life plan that allows for adjustments along the journey. It’s important to have a cushion that softens change so we can go towards new ideas and strategies that may be hard at first but provides possibilities for a better future.

The Good News is that the principles taught in the Bible provide us with the life plan we need. Take inspiration from the song The Way by Jeremy Camp and continue to grow in grace today.

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Bringing Glory to the Father

Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. - Matthew 5:16

Within the post “Spirit of GodWorks in our Life” the thought is that the Spirit of God is at work searching for ways to counsel, inspire, and instruct us on a daily basis. As we live out our life, bad things happen but by accepting what Christ did for us on the cross, we are able to speak to the ONE who already has the answer to our problems. We have available to us what is needed to bring glory to the Father.

In our prayers, the Holy Spirit can direct our thoughts so they are absorbed into our heart and poured out in our actions at work, home, or wherever we are. Like the song Speak Life by Toby Mac inspires, let us speak hope, speak love, and let the Holy Spirit direct our thoughts. Then our light will shine and others will see our good works so that we bring glory to our Father in heaven.

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Limitless

Jesus replied, ‘What is impossible with men is possible with God’. - Luke 18:27

In the post “From Ordinary to Extraordinary” the point was made that through God’s power, the impossible is made possible.

Like an eagle in the sky, a mighty lion among beasts, or a servant who becomes king; God can turn the ordinary into the extraordinary. The one who can gather up the wind in His hand or wrap the waters in His cloak will make it possible.

Since we are nourished in His word, graced with His Spirit, and inspired by songs like Come Alive by Lauren Daigle, let us awaken to the potential for this day and believe that the possibilities God has written into our tomorrows are limitless.

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Stand Firm in Faith

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. - 1 Peter 5:8-9

The post “Iron Sharpens Iron” gave some ideas for ways we can have right relationships with others. We all have certain God given personality strengths and weaknesses. With our strengths, we should refine them and share with others. With our weaknesses, we should be humble, listen, and be sharpened by others.

Sometimes we learn by observing what not to do. Maybe a brother, sister, parent, or some other person struggled with an addiction and you saw what it did to their life. Their negatives taught about the importance of creating positives in life. To stand firm in faith.

To create positives that heal and inspire us to do what we should, let the scars from life be completely understood. Let Grace be ushered in as pointed out in this song The Hurt & The Healer - MercyMe.

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Let Your Light Shine

Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. - Matthew 5:16

As pointed out in the post “Integrate Faith with Lifestyle”, the Bible is filled with words of counsel and knowledge but you have to apply this by first listening to these words of knowledge and then let them inside so they become a part of your heart and soul.

To turn on the light switch to let your light shine today, here’s a song called Speak life by Toby Mac that inspires hope, encouragement, concern, and love for your neighbor.

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Inspired Hearts

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. - Colossians 3:12

The study written about in the post “Neighbor Helping Neighbor” gave some meaningful qualities that need to be a part of our life.

Our kindness to our fellow neighbor starts with the amazing kindness God first showed to us when He sent Jesus to die on the cross. It is highlighted in today’s song Kindness By Todd Agnew and has inspired the following poem.   

God’s love opened up

the skies of mercy

for His love reigned down

to take away worry.

Keep falling down on us,

amazing grace like rains

with a cleansing stream

washing away the stains.

Better than life itself

is the kindness of the Lord

and His favor that blesses

so keep on reigning Lord.

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Tender Whisper

May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. - Psalm 19:14

In the post “The Power of Words”, highlighted were some thoughts of the study of Proverbs 15 that the wise speak with encouraging words that uplift at a timely moment but the foolish tear apart crushing all hopes.

This day with God, let us take this instruction to speak with a tender whisper that gives light to the Way. Take inspiration from this song Good Good Father by Chris Tomlin.

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The Passion on the Inside Forms Something Valuable on the Outside

His word was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, and I could not. - Jeremiah 20:9

We face difficulties and tensions in life but that’s when the Holy Spirit fills us up on the inside so we can handle the pressure. God can provide a passion inside like a burning fire to get us going and do amazing things for His glory. As explained in the post “Power to Build an Amazing Day”, scriptures encourage, difficulties teach us endurance, and hope overflows.

God can take these pressures we face and turn them into something amazing. Diamonds are formed from small dust like minerals that are exposed to high temperature and pressure at depths of over 100 miles below the Earth’s surface. This occurs over a long period of time. In a similar way that God’s Creation forms a very valuable diamond out of dust, He can also forms diamonds out of us.

Receive inspiration from today’s song Diamonds by Hawk Nelson and get started on building an amazing day.

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Connecting Each Other to the Power

God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble - James 4:6

In the post “Power Available to All”, the mystery revealed in reading Romans 11:25-36 is that the divine power of God is available to Jew and Gentile. Understanding this mystery helps us all observe the greatness of God which takes away personal pride and makes us more apt to humbly show concern for others.

There have been several times when my vehicle would not start because of a dead battery. Jumper cables were used to recharge one battery from another. In a similar way, we can be the link that connects the power of God to people. We can get interested in them, listen to their needs, offer some help, or pray for them.

Sharing a song is a good way to connect each other to the power and recharge each other for the day. Here’s a song with that purpose in mind: Come as you are by Crowder.

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Guided By Truth

Show me Your ways, Lord, teach me Your paths. Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long. - Psalm 25:4-5

Like Paul as written about in the post “Truthfulness with Facts”, be concerned about the truthfulness of what you say. Talking about something unseen like faith has its challenges but with Christ we have a model to explain the intangible qualities of our faith with integrity.

The things of this world are built like a house of cards. They may work for a while but suddenly fall apart. On the other hand, the things of God are built on the foundation of truth. We can rest assured that the promises God has given in the Bible will be fulfilled.

By accepting Christ as the Son of God, we have the distinct benefit of a promise. Receive inspiration from the song Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) by Hillsong United and set out today fulfilling your purpose and your destiny with enthusiasm.

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Called According to His Purpose

We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. - Romans 8:28

A key point brought out in the study of Romans 8:26-30 and written about in the post “Let the Spirit Work in Your Life” is that the Spirit gives insight into how to play your part in a preferred future and gives plans to make a difference in society.

First, pray for God’s will. One song to inspire is Thy Will  by Hillary Scott & The Scott Family. Second, discover the purpose for which God has for you. Then respond with enthusiasm to fulfill that high purpose.

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Decide to Dive

Let us, then, feel very sure that we can come before God’s throne where there is grace. There we can receive mercy and grace to help us when we need it. - Hebrews 4:16

In the post “Purpose of the Law”, brought out is the fact that it is impossible to be justified before God by our own efforts because no one is perfect. I remember from a sermon at the church I worship at the following point:

The Journey with Jesus begins with a decision (MK 1:16-17), with leaving the familiar (MK 1:12-20), with Jesus saying lets go, with a change in view (MK 1:17) and in following the real Jesus (Ac 9:10-11).*

The things that hinder us many times are self-inflicted. There is a song by Steven Curtis Chapman called “Dive” that inspires us to take some risk when it comes to finding what’s important in life. The Journey with Jesus requires that we dive right in and start the continual change process by following His Way.

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*"Sermons." FUMC Waco. Web. <http://fumcwaco.org>.

Christ in Me Sets Me Free

Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? - 1 Corinthians 3:16

As the title of the post “Obedience in Detail to the Blueprint” suggest, Moses communicated how to carry out the work of constructing the tabernacle just as the Lord commanded.

Within the tabernacle was where the Spirit of God resided during the time of Moses. Because Christ was the ultimate sacrifice for sin, today the Spirit of God lives in all who accept Christ as Savior just as laid out in God’s plan for us.

Take inspiration from today’s video Christ in Me by Jeremy Camp. This day, run free into an unending ocean of mercy. Let the world see that you are free as you shine the light and give a spark that lights up a sometimes dark world.

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Cheerful Giver

Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. - 2 Corinthians 9:7

As pointed out in the post “Moved by the Spirit to Give”, you can satisfy that craving deep down inside by being a cheerful giver; feeding your soul by giving your skills, your time, and your resources. So enthusiastically give from your heart for the needs of others and the Spirit of the Lord.

The song When Love Sees You by Mac Powell is about stories of giving. In the Bible, we learn about the blind beggar that is blessed by the healing power of Christ, the widow that gave all she had as an offering, and Mary who washed the feet of Jesus.

These are just a few of the inspiring stories found in the Bible. This day with God, share your story of giving or receiving and be inspired by the ultimate gift which is Christ who died on the Cross for you and me.

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Asking for Guidance Along Life’s Best Path

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. – Matthew 6:33

Brought out in the post “Regular Habit” was that Moses would go to a tent set up away from the camp to meet with God. He would get instructions about how to lead his people. As we begin each day, it’s important that we do the same as we ask for guidance along life’s best path.

Moses cared about his people; refusing to stay put but ready to move when God instructed. Receive inspiration in the song I Refuse by Josh Wilson that has some of the same points as we face the challenges ahead in fulfilling our purpose.

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Ability with Humility

Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. - Matthew 23:12

There are times when we have no control over things and the only ability we have is to go to God in prayer and humbly receive the power only He can give. Those we lead make messes and we clean them up only to be pulled back into their messes again. During it all, the thing we must do is keep calm, care for them, and keep shining the light.

In the post “Qualities of Leadership Found in Moses”, we find that Moses continued to mediate for his people and was patient with them even when they didn’t deserve it. Take inspiration from this song "Come As You Are by Crowder". Let us see hope for the hopeless because all who believe in Christ are precious in God’s sight. They can come as they are and fall in His arms.

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Hold Onto the Promise

But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. - Romans 8:25

God’s actions seemed delayed when Moses went to the top of the mountain to receive the Ten Commandments and the people got impatient. As pointed out in the post “Hope Produces Patience” our response when the answers to our prayers seem delayed should be to hold on to the promise just like in this song: Hope in Front of Me by Danny Gokey. 

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The Presence of the Lord is Our Great Reward

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith -- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. - Ephesians 2:8

Shared in the post “Immanuel” was the purpose of the tent of meeting which was to have a place where people could meet with God. The Lord’s presence back then and today is our great reward.

In present times, believers can meet with God at any time or any place because of Christ’s atonement of sins on the Cross. This day with God, rejoice in this great gift of God that has been given to us. 

The thoughts shared above can turn a bad day into a good one. Suddenly, our attitude changes because we realize that God is with us at any time or any place. We can watch videos and listen to inspiring music like this: Holy Spirit by Francesca Battistelli.

Each day we can build memories. We can take pictures of His Creation like an amazing rainbow stretching from one end of the sky to the next. We can use technology to take virtual vacations by using the Internet. We can share with others around the world that God is with us today. 

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My Strength and My Song

The LORD is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation. – Psalm 118:14

In the post “Use Your God Given Talent”, mentioned were the skilled people that made the priestly garments. God has given each of us talents and abilities to serve others. The challenge for us is to discover our specific talent or ability and be thankful.

Sometimes when an athlete makes a good play like a touchdown or hits a homerun, they point to the sky; humbly pointing out that it was power from up above that made it happen.

In whatever we do today, let us also do amazing things by using abilities and skills from God to serve others. It may be to inspire others just like a great athlete or singer. It may be in our job or in how we serve others. Here is an inspiring video as we step ahead: There is Power by Lincoln Brewster.

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The Place of Grace

Let us, then, feel very sure that we can come before God’s throne where there is grace. There we can receive mercy and grace to help us when we need it. - Hebrews 4:16

The main point as written in the post “The Greatest Sacrifice Ever” is that God’s Plan for us makes it much easier today because of what Jesus Christ did on the Cross for our eternal victory.

We can be a great person but without Christ, the victory is out of reach. I remember watching the NFL induction ceremony when Brett Favre was inducted into the Hall of Fame. With all his greatness, few people know that he is leader in one negative stat. As a quarterback, he had the most interceptions.

We all make mistakes but we can turn mistakes into a victory if we take in the lessons learned. Because of the grace of God, blessings can be received even from our past mistakes. Take inspiration from today’s video: Your Grace Is Enough by Matt Maher and believe you have all you need to build for an amazing future.

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