Laced With Grace

“He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted.

He provides rain for the earth; he sends water on the countryside.”  Job 5:9,10 (NIV)

On Easter Sunday my mother had shared that when my niece Laura, (who along with her husband are missionaries with The Masters Mission serving in Masai Mara,Kenya), was talking with the Masai women about her grandmother who is 88 years old; the women started saying that her grandmother is a “miracle of God”.  My mother thought it was funny, but I told mom that she is a “miracle of God”!

Mom is not just a miracle of God because she is 88 years old (and yes, those are weights mom is lifting!); or because she has NEVER been in the hospital except to have her children; or because she is healthier than her younger siblings and even her own children.  Although those reasons in themselves are miracles!  No, my mother is a miracle of God because she is a child of God.

There is a beautiful song written by Carlton Buck and John Peterson called, “I Believe In Miracles.”

Creation shows the power of God

There’s glory all around

And those who see Him stand in awe

For miracles abound

Oh I cannot doubt the work of God

It’s plain for all to see

The miracles that He has wrought

Should lead to Calvary

Chorus:

Oh I believe in miracles

I’ve seen a soul set free

Miraculous the change in one

Redeemed through Calvary

I’ve seen the lily push its way

Up through the stubborn sod

Oh I believe in miracles

‘Cause I believe in love

The love of God, oh power divine

‘Tis wonderful to see

The miracle of grace performed

Within the heart of me

So many times when we think of “miracles” we think of Jesus turning the water into wine; or when He fed the 5,000 with 5 little loaves of bread and 2 fishes; or when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead.  Yes, those are wondrous miracles – but, each time someone trusts the Lord as their precious Savior – a miracle transpires!  The miracle that a soul bond for hell because of the bondage of sin is miraculously set free by the love of God and His grace performed within the heart of the sinner.  (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8,9)

Sometimes I find myself overlooking the miracles that God performs on a daily basis.  As the song says, “seeing the lily push its way up through the stubborn sod”; or each time I look at a sunset; the birth of a precious baby; the robin making a nest for her little ones; or even His protection every time we go to the store.

God’s glorious miracles abound if we just open our eyes and allow ourselves to see His miraculous works that point us to His greatest miracle of all that was accomplished on Calvary for you and me!

Dear heavenly Father, help me to see Your glorious miracles every day of my life.  May I always be appreciative of the greatest miracle of all – the precious gift of Your Son on Calvary so that I may have life.   In Jesus name, amen.

“When we arrived in Macedonia there was no rest for us. Outside there was conflict from every direction, and inside there was fear.  But God, who encourages those who are discouraged, encouraged us by the arrival of Titus.”  2 Corinthians 7:5-6

Have you ever been so discouraged that no matter what direction you seem to turn there is some sort of conflict or trial ahead of you and all you want to do is drop to the floor and cry out, “I’m done! No more – I quite!”?  I know – I have been there more times than I would like to admit.  There are times the pain and fatigue from my chronic illness will seem more than I can bear; the furnace breaks down; a child needs something and there is no money to spare; a loved one is dying or has just passed away –  yet in all this turmoil we can take great comfort knowing that God is our Encourager!  Our Heavenly Father knows exactly what we need, when we need it, and how or who He will use to provide the encouragement we need just at the right moment.

I cannot tell you how many times I have been so discouraged, ready to give up and then I receive a note from someone either in the postal mail, email or blog, saying that they are praying for me.   Sometimes I may be perusing someone’s blog and something they wrote touches my heart or even amuses me so as to know God used this person’s words to encourage my soul.  Similar too, God brought Titus to encourage and uplift Paul; God can bring others into our lives to encourage us as well.

I recognize that Facebook and Twitter are becoming more popular and fewer people are blogging these days, but as one who desperately needs the daily encouragement that is provided from such blogs, do not become discouraged my friend when you notice that your readership is down.  Be encouraged within knowing that your words are still an encouragement to at least one person today.

As one who is an empty nester as well as home-bound much of the time due to my chronic illnesses, I can become lonely, depressed, and discouraged quite easily.  But our God in His awesome love and tender mercies uses beautiful people like my “blogging friends” to uplift and encourage my heart and soul.

So do not become discouraged, our Heavenly Father, the great Encourager will either provide you with an encourager today or use you to encourage someone in need.

Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds. Hebrews 10:24

So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Have you ever noticed when things are going well we feel elated?  Then as soon as hardships come we sink into despair.  I find that my emotions are like a roller coaster.  They go up and down according to what is going on in my life.  But true joy exceeds the roller coaster of our circumstances.  As a child of God, joy comes from a consistent relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Joy is a common theme in Christ’s teachings – He wants us to be joyful.  Jesus tells His disciples in John 15:11 (NLT)   “I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!” When our lives are intertwined with His, He will help us walk through hardships without sinking into unbearable lows and handle success without moving into misleading highs.  The joy of living with Christ daily will keep us levelheaded, no matter how high or low our circumstances.

It may seem strange that the Apostle Paul, who was in prison and ill, would write so much in his letters to the church concerning joy.  “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!” Philippians 4:4 (NLT).    But Paul’s attitude teaches us an important lesson.  Our inner attitudes do not have to reflect our outward circumstances.  Paul was full of joy because he knew that no matter what happened to him, Jesus Christ was with him.  Several times in his letters  Paul urged the church to be joyful, probably because they needed to hear this then as much as we need the encouragement now.  “Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything.” 2 Corinthians 6:10   “They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity.” 2 Corinthians 8:2 (NLT)

The key to immeasurable joy is living an intimate relationship with Christ, the source of all joy.  “You have shown me the way of life, and you will fill me with the joy of your presence. “ Acts 2: 28 (NLT).  “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. “  Romans 15:13 (NLT) When we are intimate with Christ we will experience God’s special care and protection and see the victory God brings even when defeat seems certain.  “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (NLT).

Let us take heart, when everything around us seems to be falling apart and our pain and suffering is more than we believe we can bear;  may we remember that the Lord God, the source of our Joy,  will strengthen us with all His glorious power so we will have all the endurance and patience we need. May we be filled with His joy, today and always.