Happy New Year!

"There's a brand new year just around the bend,
no need to borrow, but so much to lend,
God is the source, for me and for you,
In 2012 He's made all things new!
His grace is sufficient, His mercy new every morning,
His desire is to make His children be adorning,
So give Him your life with nothing held back,
Tis' then you'll know of 'more' and forget about lack."

Just a little poem I wrote for the New Year. Make it a point to remember these things in 2012. We are God's children, not to be tossed to and fro. We shall not want or lack for any good thing. We serve a God, who is more than enough. By His stripes we are healed, by His grace we are justified, by His strength we can do all things, by His love we can know Him and be like Him, by His mercy we can be free, and by His blood we HAVE OVERCOME!

Happy New Year! 2012 will be wonderful!

Ask and you Shall Have.

James 3:17 says, "But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness."

God tells us who lack wisdom just to ask for it. Sounds good, huh! Well, it IS good - if practiced. In order for us to receive we must ask the Lord with a hope and a confidence. The Bible tells us (also in James) that we have not not because we ask not.Until we have made Jesus Lord over all there will be 'have nots' in those areas we choose to keep Him out of. Would you feel awkward asking your neighbor who you've only said hello to a few times to help you landscape your yard? I know I would. 

Open and constant communication with the Lord is a must. Giving Him power over all areas of life is a must. A surface relationship will never do. He searches your heart and knows your innermost being. He already knows everything, but invite Him to know you and dwell in you on purpose. Ask for His wisdom and guidance in all things. He'll never steer you wrong. His love for us is unfailing.

His Grace is Enough and Enough and Enough!

Hebrews 14:6 says "Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God's unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it]."
His grace is powerful and ever present. It never runs out; it's an endless supply. It is sufficient for all of our weakness and because of it we can be made whole. I'm so thankful for His grace, undeserved yet lavished in abundance. It's His grace that has taught me how to truly give an receive His love. Knowing I have a God who allows me to approach Him boldly, despite all of my shortcomings and flaws, overwhelms me and prods me to love. To love Him, to love others and to love myself. 
It allows me to see myself in His perfect image - literally see the ME that I am in HIM. This is so important in our growing as Christians. We have got to see ourselves as God does - holy and right standing. Jesus paid it all so we might live wholly and completely in Him - not so we could strive to figure it all out or be children tossed to and fro.
His grace is sufficient and will always be more than enough. Grab a hold of His grace to be who He has called you to be. No more striving! Approach Him boldly and allow Him to do the work in you.