Do-overs

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God, in His great mercy, gives us a second chance, a third chance, a fourth chance, and more…

God is always willing to let us try again. God not only forgives He gives the opportunity to try again.

David and Paul and Moses were murderers…

Noah and Lot were drunks…

Rahab and Tamar were prostitutes…

Jonah was disobedient, hesitant, reluctant, and fearful…

Naomi and Martha were whiners…

All of them were forgiven, given mercy. They were allowed to try again.

David asked for forgiveness (Psalm 51) and our merciful God said, I can still use you!

Rahab did what she promised and God not only saved her and her family, at the fall of Jericho, but gave her a place in the lineage of Christ. (Joshua 2 and 6)

Jonah was so afraid to do what God had told him to do that he went the opposite direction and was swallowed by a whale. He single-handedly saved the people of an entire city! (Jonah)

Jesus told Martha to quit whining and follow the example of her sister Mary. (Luke 10:38-42)

And that’s just a few of the do-overs in God’s word. He still gives His forgiveness, mercy, and grace. He knows we’re not perfect. We often miss the mark. But He forgives and forgives and lets us start over and over and over…

What a Mighty God we serve!

Ask, Seek, Knock

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I am praying for you!

These are the requests I’m making before the Throne:

Father in Heaven, grant us all the ability to know You more and more. Open hearts, minds, and souls to Your incredible love. Make us aware of Your Presence, Peace, and Patience. Psalm 16:11

Creator of all that is, was, and is to come, help us know the great value You place on each of us. Help us understand that You take great joy in Your sons and daughters. You are the Redeemer of our souls, lives, pasts, and futures. You see us during our times of deepest fear and greatest joy. Help us know and understand Your great love for us. Psalm 31:7

Abba, Father, I know You hear each of us. You hear our praise. You hear our needs. You hear our nearly silent pleas for mercy. You hear us when we regret our sins. Teach us to trust You. Hear us when we have no one but You. Oh, Lord, hear this prayer. 1 John 5:14

I lift this prayer before the Throne of Grace, in the Precious Name of Jesus, our Lord, our Provider, our Savior… Make it so!

Transformed

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Is God changing you?

All of us have things in our lives that keep us from the change God desires for us. Then how do we overcome these habits, addictions, thoughts, behaviors …?

We are transformed, changed when we ask God to help us know what is good, acceptable, and perfect in every situation we encounter. When He answers, and He will answer, we must follow through in obedience to His Word and His Will.

It’s all about grace! God wants us to come to Him in every situation that threatens to ruin us. He wants to guide us in all that is causing us to fall short. His grace, forgiveness, and never-ending love are ours. We only need to let Him in.

It’s all about grace! We’ve done nothing to deserve grace. He just gives it. It’s part of who He is.

Abba, Father, forgive us when we fall short. Give us strength to make the changes You want. Shower us with Your grace!

Are You a Vigneron?

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God is always looking for faithful servants.

In Matthew 20:1-16 we are told the story (parable) of the grape farmer who wants to hire workers for his vineyard. Jesus words speak to us of how much God values His people and the work they do for the Kingdom.

Sometimes people stand around thinking we don’t have what it takes or maybe we think we don’t fit into God’s plan.

In the story, the Master goes out 5 times and hires new workers each time. Think about it – 5 different times. God can use workers any time. The workers hired at the beginning of the day were probably the strongest, most skilled, and motivated. The workers at the end of the day could have been older, weaker, ill, and/or unskilled.

As we read further details we find the workers who were hired in the early part of the day complaining that they had worked longer, hotter, tiring, and taxing hours. (vs. 12 “they have born the burden of the day and the scorching heat”.) This, almost hidden, comment leads us to the conclusion that they were working in the summer. Grapes are pruned in the spring and early summer, grow and develop in the heat of summer, and are usually harvested in the fall. These words are placed here to remind us that not all the work in the Master’s vineyard is done during the harvest. There are many jobs to be done before the grapes are picked.

We are all looking for the purpose God has for our lives. We are all called to serve in the vineyard. We are told, actually commanded, to go and tell. We call all become a vigneron – one who cultivates a vineyard. The Master is not concerned with age, skill, gender, race, or denomination. He wants each of us contributing to building up the Kingdom (his Church). It takes more than pastors, teachers, and musicians. There is a job for you that He has already prepared and planned.

How are you working in your local church? What do you see yourself doing? God can use you anywhere, anytime!

Abba, Father, show us where You need us to work in the vineyard. Give us strength and courage to do the job You have determined for us.

All scripture links can be found at BibleGateway.com

Have Fun!

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Have a joyful, happy, cheerful, day!

I can hear God saying words like this. I don’t think He wants us to have just a good day. He put joy, happiness, good cheer, gladness into our hearts for a reason. He really wants us to enjoy all the goodness He created.

How? Do things that make you totally aware of the awesome world and people around you.

Call a friend you haven’t talked to in a while. Go for a hike. Watch a good movie. Dance to your favorite praise song. Sing at the top of your voice. Make tea, grab some cookies to go with, and spend some time with your neighbor.

Abba, Father, help us let go of our concerns and have some fun.