Grace

Lately I've heard so  many teachings on Grace. They are encouraging, motivating and make me feel so good. As a recipient of God's marvelous undeserved Grace I am grateful everyday that He saw fit to forgive, and restore me to Himself.

However, is Grace only here for us to feel good about ourselves, is that's all there is?
In reading Titus for a completely different study I stumbled on a passage that explained to me what Grace really is.....

Rather than expound on the text, I'm just going to copy it word for word because I believe it's self explanatory. Keep in  mind the punctuation, where there are commas which mean to keep reading there's more, we tend to stop after the first phrase and put a period.
Titus 2: 11-15 is one sentence, so please as  you read this keep in mind Grace is doing two things, 1. Bringing Salvation and 2. Instructing.

"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Christ Jesus; who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a people for His own possession zealous for good deeds."

I put the italics in to emphasize what Grace is instructing us to do in today's world.

So it's not just about a feel good Grace it's about learning to live in a manner that pleases God. As we accept His Grace it is there to teach us how God wants us to live after He has given us His Grace.

My prayer is that I can receive the instruction that comes along with the precious, undeserved Grace God has lavished on me just because He loves me.

He gives us His Grace as a teaching tool, when we accept it we  must also accept the instruction for a godly life that it brings.

Blessings,
Wendy

Into the Light

I was watching the rescue of the miners in Chile along with millions of my closest friends, completely awestruck by the enormity of this event. After 69 days under ground these men, one by one, were being lifted out of their dark captor into the light and freedom of the above ground world.

As each miner made the choice to get into the capsule and be lifted up, I was filled with emotion. Every rescue brought a tear to my eye knowing those waiting on the surface would be reunited with their loved ones.

Watching husbands and wives, fathers and children being reunited with an opportunity to forever "upgrade" what ever kind of relationship they had prior to the accident filled me with joy.

While this was going on, one family's reunion moved me to uncontrollable sobs. It was a Mother standing there, waiting for her son to be lifted out of his temporary world of darkness into the saving light and fresh air of the surface. I could only imagine how her heart pounded watching, waiting, knowing any minute her son would be safe in her arms. I tried to put myself in her place wondering how many hours this Mother spent on her knees during the days of her son's life in darkness, how many tears were shed as she cried out to God for her sons rescue.

God spoke to me very clearly during this specific reunion.

He showed me each believer has family trapped in a world of darkness, and at any moment they could be swallowed up, lost forever. Or they could be lifted out of their darkness, provided they choose to get into the capsule and take the ride to the surface.

As believers we are given a promise from God, and I happen to be one of those who believe God will never default on a promise.

In Acts 16:31 He promises us if we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ we would be saved, not just us but our household. To me, this is one of the most exciting promises in my Bible.

By holding fast to my salvation, believing in Jesus Christ's death and resurrection, my God will save my entire household. That's my children, my grandchildren, my great-grandchildren and all the kids who have lived under my roof. That is exciting!

I have the God given right to stand on this promise for the salvation of ALL of my household.

I have the God given right, based on this promise to call my household saved no matter how things appear.

I have the God given right to battle in the spirit for each person that has been placed in my family and my extended family.

I have the God given right to call them out of the darkness into His light.

Not only do I have the right, it's my job, my responsibility to stand in the gap for each person God has given me to care for.

Like the Mother standing there waiting for her son to emerge from the depths of the darkness he was captive to, I stand waiting expectantly for each member of my household to come to the end of their own entombment.

I stand waiting, believing God will make good on His promise.

If you are saved and are waiting on loved ones to see the light, don't worry, be happy!! God has promised you their salvation all you have to do is believe.

If you are not saved yet and you are reading this, it is your responsibility to accept Jesus death on the cross as payment for all your sins so your household can begin to come into order and receive the gift of eternal life with Him. It's not hard to turn your household around, it starts with a simple decision by you, just tell God you receive His gift of forgiveness and mercy and the process will begin.

Those of us on the "surface" must stand, waiting for our loved ones to get into that capsule of Jesus Christ and begin their ride into the light and fresh air.

I will stand with you for the salvation of your household, and I would appreciate your standing with me for the salvation of my entire household.

Blessings,

Wendy, Princess, Daughter of the King of Kings

Mother of Princesses and Princes

Grandmother of Royalty