Place of Grace

Have you ever held on so tightly to something that it left an imprint, an indention in your skin? That may rightly describe how, as Children of God, we hold on to our struggles - oh, so needlessly! God tells us to "come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16, KJV). There before The Father is continual favor, good will and kindness when we need it. Why [then] do we choose that which is so freely offered? Octavius Winslow writes, "Do no brook over it. Do not cherish it. This will not make it sweeter" (Morning Thoughts). With time, that imprint in your hand fades and the skin returns to its original appearance - it's as if it was never there at all. So is the tender grace found at The Father's throne. He is attentive to our need and responds with the perfect mercy that is His nature. Whatever presently troubles you, God's invitation is open to all who come willingly, boldly with confidence to Him ... the place of grace.

Watch Yourself

It's become quite the common to be entertained by video clips of everything from animals or people or a combination of both. Some of my personal favorites are those of my Grands. Psalm 119:9 (AMP) says, "How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping watch [on himself] according to Your word [conforming his life to Your precepts]." The issue of personal purity is a real struggle among Believers. I'm referring to more than physical purity: I propose mental and emotional impurity strike at us all. Now, here's the question: how does one actually watch himself? The psalmist answers this question: "according to Your word." Scripture is the lens through which we watch ourselves. We read a few verses later, "Your word I have treasured and stored in my heart, that I may not sin against You." (V.11). Are you struggling to think on "whatever is pure and wholesome" (Philippians 4:8)? Make sure you have a regular intake of God's word, then watch Him at work in you!

All Done

There are some people who just can't seem to settle themselves into ... doing nothing. I do not suffer from that! After 43 years of being a working-mom, one of the joys of retirement has been opportunities to just ... do nothing. We read in Hebrews 12, "... Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." (V.1-2, KJV). If there was ever a reason to find rest, here it is! Octavius Winslow wrote, "The work of Christ is a great and finished work ... no comparison ... no addition ... no substitution." (Morning Thoughts). How I enjoy and find fulfillment in obedient service, using my gifts in ministry in and through my local church. However, I must do so with full understanding [as Winslow said] my redemption (salvation) is in the "finished work" of Jesus ... what He has done is altogether complete - nothing compares, nothing more needed! In all our Kingdom-busyness, we must first learn to rest - embrace the do-nothing - because all has been done! I love that imagery of Jesus' completing the will of The Father - becoming The Substitute for me - then taking His seat at The Father's side: what a picture of His work done, finished, complete. And, there it is - the reason we rest ... all done.

Winning Heaven

When children anticipate something fun or exciting, it seems that's all they can think about; it consumes and drives their conversation! Spiritually speaking, "To win heaven, the mind must become heavenly; and to be heavenly, it must habituate itself to heavenly things and heavenly pursuits." (Morning Thoughts, Octavius Winslow). Oh, how easily we forget this sinful and decaying world is not home to God's children. It's easy because there are so many wonderfully lovable things here, many blessed gifts from The Father. There is grave danger, however, in getting too ... attached: "If you then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth." (Colossians 3:1-2). A good question is: where is the habitation of my affections? Have I settled my deepest love on what Scripture says is temporal and fading or on that which endures eternally? We rightly concern ourselves with the best habitat for our pets but what about our hearts? I love Winslow's phrase "to win heaven," and what a good thought for each morning, an excellent consideration for the habitat for the heart's affections, its passions, its love for the day. Oh, Father - today and every day - settle my heart in Your heavenly habitat that I may ... win heaven.

Shed A Little Heaven

One of the considerations when choosing a new pet is ... shedding. Some pets shed very little while others shed ... much and well! As disciples of Jesus, have you ever considered how much-and-well we ... shed? According to Noah Webster's 1828 dictionary, to "shed" is to ... pour out, spill, to flow out, to scatter. By the word's very definition, shedding of something is to not to withhold it! God said, "For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another;" (1 John 3:11, NASB). A key word in that verse is, of course, "love" but I suggest that to love without showing it is problematic: who will ever know that we love? We may be short on resources to share a meal or a cup of coffee, but the cost of kindness is always affordable! E. W. Robertson wrote, "Let the weakest, let the humblest remember, that in his daily course he can, if he will, shed around him almost a heaven." The sharing -or shedding - of kindness fits everyone's budget. To make the world know that we love it exactly what followers of Jesus are commanded to do. That is, as we go, much and well ... shed a little heaven.