Grace for Living

Romans 5:3-4 We also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulations produces perserverance; and perseverance, character and character, hope!

These profound words, attributed to English novelist Charles Reade, serve as an important remind of the the power of little things. "Sow an act, and you reap a habit Sow a habit, reap a character. Sow a character, reap a destiny." It's easy to lose the connection between actions and destiny. In between are habits and character, the stuff of which lifetimes are made and destinies realized.

Today you and I will act a hundred times. We would do well to remember the Bible's words that "the steps of a good man are ordered of the Lord, Psalm 37:23. Don't lose sight of the connection between today's acts and tomorrow's destiny.

God has a wonderful plan for you, Embrace every minute of it by acting thoughtfully and diligently.

Grace for Living

Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

If there is one thing most people don't like about the modern political process, it would have to be the abundance of promises candidates make, but often can't keep. After they are elected, the political process gets so complicated it becomes impossible for politicians to keep all their campaign promises.

But promises are important and not just in politics. We depend on the ability to trust one another's words in order to have meaningful relationships in life. The Bible tells us that God's words are wholly trustworthy the they last forever. Whatever God says, whatever promises he makes, we know His words will never fail

He is an absolute perfect promise keeper, that's the kind of God He is.

Grace For Living

Romans 8:37 Yet in all things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

In his wonderful hymn "Amazing Grace, " John Newton wrote these famous words: "Through many dangers, toils and snares we have already come." And John Newton know where of he wrote! He was a man who had escaped death a dozen times or more before his life was changed forever by God's amazing Grace.

Each of us, if we stop and examine our lives in detail, can identify times when we went through our own dangers, toils and snares. And that's the point, we went through! Too often we are rescued or saved from calamity without looking back and giving God credit for his amazing grace that carried us through.

Take a moment today to think about all God has brought you through. Reflecting on His grace in the past will give you new confidence for the present and future.

Grace for Living

Matthew 6:28-30 Consider the Lilies of the field, how they grow: They neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is , and tomorrow is thrown into the oven will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith.

Consider these three parts of our culture: garage sales, mini-storage facilities, and landfills. They're all signs that we've go more "stuff" than we know what to do with. Everyone struggles with saying "Enough!" when it come to material things.

Finding the balance between greed and contentment is a challenge. And there are no rule books to tell us when enough is enough not event he Bible. Like human father, God lets His children wrestle with some decisions like how much stuff to own. But he does give us principles in His Word, along with the promise of guidance from his Spirit. Talk to God about the best use of your material resources. With his help, you'll be well on your way to a healthy, balanced life.

Grace for Living

Psalm 119:144 The righteousness of Your testimonies is everlasting; Give me understanding, and I shall live.

Everywhere you go these days, human health is a hot topic. Organically grown foods, nutritional supplements, exercise, alternative therapies. You need to be strong just to keep in society. We need to be good stewards of physical health as well as our spiritual health.

But did you know that we also need to be "heart healthy"? By that I mean spiritually and emotionally strong. Experts are learning that human health is a rope of three strands: Body, soul and spirit. And the Bible gives us clear direction for how to keep all three strands vibrant and strong. The healthiest bodies are those with healthy hearts. So let's eat right and exercise, but make sure you don't neglect your soul by getting a good dose of God's Word in on a daily basis.