My Place of Grace

John 14:1 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God ; trust also in me. John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." In any given day there are numerous things that are apt to trouble our hearts. I found it interesting that in the gospel of John where Jesus is comforting His disciples that He mentions, Let not your hearts be troubled, twice in the same chapter. It is obviously a message that Jesus wants to hit home. The disciples are given horrible news, their beloved Jesus will soon be leaving them, at this point they don't understand the magnitude of what he is saying, what to expect, or how to handle it. They are probably feeling distraught and grieved over the fact that Jesus won't be around to guide them and teach them and lead them any more. Though Jesus acknowledges their sadness He doesn't want it to consume them. He tells them to t

I'm reading a book right now called "Embracing Your Freedom" by Susie Larson(an excellent book by the way) In this particular part, it was talking about reclaiming the stolen areas of your life due to fear. Susie gave the analogy of a basketball team that had practiced for an important game, they knew their stuff and were on the court and ready. When the other team stepped onto the court the first team just looked at eachother in defeat, this other team were seemingly from the land of the giants. Fear welled up in the team who had practiced and was ready, they were ready to give up before they had even begun...until their coach yelled to them to look at him, and told them to remember they are ready, they had practiced, they knew the drills...now play. they played their hearts out keeping focus on what they knew and ran circles around the mammoth team. (so here's what came to my mind) Are there Giants in your land? Threatening to take you down? It's faith in God th

"Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus,the author and perfecter of our faith, Who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning it's shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1–3 How do I throw off that which hinders? When it clings to me like glue? When the sin that easily entangles Masquerades as what is true? How do I run with perseverance, The race marked out for me? Fixing my eyes on Jesus, Is the only solution I can see. When my eyes are focused on the Son, And my mind is set on Him. The perfect faith that Jesus authored, Lives in me and chases sin. For the joy of my salvation He endured the suffering of the cross, Scorned it's shame and took His place, At the right hand of God, The Boss. I think

Hand In Hand Wandering in desolation Hopeless with despair Couldn't see through darkness Caught in evil's snare. Entangled by the lies Coiled up in sin Engulfed by sheer deception Advancing for the win. I call out to my God Reaching toward the sky God puts His hand in mine Quieting my cry. God sees me in my weakest state Renews me with His strength Reclaims the land I've lost to sin He goes to every length. To assure my life in Him's restored That I may rest secure Under the shelter of His wings Till I'm strong enough to soar. He leads me by still waters Walking hand in hand He gently helps untangle sin Helping me to stand. I thank You God, that when I'm weak I find my strength in you. Your loving hand sustains me in all I'm going through. 2 Corinthians 12:10 - That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Obstacles, stumbling blocks, pitfalls appear Seemingly out of nowhere, instilling great fear. Will we clear them, or fear them? Will they cause us to fall? Can we maneuver around them? Avoiding their call? Blind sided, hidden, strategically placed, These holes in the road of life must be faced. Will we keep to ourselves or take hold of God's grace? Will we stay in the pit, wrought with worry and shame. Or let God's hand lift us Back into the game? Obstacles, stumbling blocks, pitfalls and such, Can turn into stepping stones, used as a crutch. To aid in the climb from the pit we are in Helping to lead us away from our sin. God sent His Son, Jesus to give us a lift, Out of darkness to light, with His ultimate gift. Isaiah 49:11 I will turn all my mountains into roads, and my highways will be raised up. Isaiah 57:14 [ Comfort for the Contrite ] And it will be said: "Build up, build up, prepare the road! Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people." John 16:33 &quo