-Websters New World Dictionary /Second College Edition

-GRACE=
Favor, a sense of what is right and proper; decency b)thoughtfulness toward others. Good will and favor.[Theol.]- the unmerited love and favor of God toward man b) divine influence acting in man to make him pure and morally strong. A special virtue given to a person by God.
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-Grace from Beginning to End
-By: Jayme Durant / Executive Editor

Grace is the scarlet thread woven throughout all of Scripture. From the beginning in Genesis when God offered the first sacrifice for Adam and Eve’s sin, to the ending of Revelation when Jesus promises to return for His own, God provides portraits of His never-ending grace.

-Noah found grace - he received specific instructions from God for an unfamiliar task, endured the ridicule of a wicked world, and stepped into an uncertain future because the grace of God led him to save his family from judgment. The Ark was perfectly suited for this task because “God was in full control.”

In grace, God promised childless Abraham that he would become the father of a great nation. An angel seized Lot by the hand and pulled him from destruction, demonstrating how God’s grace is bestowed even on the most reluctant of followers. Jacob experienced grace at Bethel when a rock was his pillow, and he saw angels ascending and descending from heaven to earth on a ladder.

"God's grace is always available." Even today, we experience abundant life, eternal life, because the scarlet thread ties us to Him--our God who has bestowed life on us through His Son Jesus Christ. None of us deserves to live in His presence eternally. But He grants it because, like Noah, we found grace.

-Please continue reading this wonderful article of the unmerited GRACE we are given because of Jesus Christ.
Here is an article from the Institute for Creation Research:
Grace from Beginning to End (http://www.icr.org/article/7153/)

--Coronation Day

What are we doing here? I mean—is God up to something? If he is—what is it? Yeah. . .and where’s he taking us?

You can’t get more basic than these questions. The answer is one word: kingdom! God is creating a kingdom—an eternal population to reign with him in the new heaven and the new earth. Psalms 72 says “He will rule from sea to sea and from the river to the ends of the earth. . .all kings will bow down to him and all nations will serve him” (vs:8-11). It’s the promise of an anointed King, a Messiah.

It’s all about the King and his kingdom—God’s plan! The Bible tells us that at the right time God will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and in earth!
---
That will be some coronation day, don’t you think?

--Max Lucado

--Justification

"And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation." (Genesis 7:1)

This is the first mention of the great doctrine of justification in the Bible--that is, being seen as "righteous" by God. The same Hebrew word is translated "just" in Genesis 6:9: "Noah was a just man." The reason why Noah was seen as righteous and therefore as just, or justified before God, was that "Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD" (Genesis 6:8). This is the first mention of "grace" in the Bible. The first mention of "faith" or "belief" is also associated with justification. "[Abraham] believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness" (Genesis 15:6).

Thus, justification is by grace through faith in the Old Testament and certainly in the New. "Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" and also "being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 3:24; 5:1).

Justification--that is, being seen and proclaimed as perfectly righteous, even in spite of past sins, must of course be authorized by God the Creator. "It is God that justifieth" (Romans 8:33). That God can indeed be both "just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus" (Romans 3:26) is based entirely on the substitutionary death and bodily resurrection of Christ who conquered death. "Being now justified by His blood," the Lord Jesus Christ "was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification" (Romans 5:9; 4:25).

Now, although we are freely justified by grace through faith, such justification inevitably generates good works also, for "by works a man is justified, and not by faith only" (James 2:24).

--ICR/ HMM

-YOU'RE
NECESSARY!~

-1 Corinthians 12:14-26
----
But God composed
the body, having
given greater honor to
that part which lacks
it. --1 Cor. 12:24
---
THE story has been told about a conductor who was rehearsing his orchestra. The organ was giving a beautiful melody, the drums were thundering, the trumpets were blaring, and the violins were singing beautifully. But the conductor noticed something missing--the piccolo. The piccolo player had gotten distracted and hoped his instrument wouldn't be missed. The conductor reminded him: "Each one of us is necessary."

This was essentially the same message Paul communicated to the Corinthian believers in his first letter to them (12:4-7). Every Christian plays an important role in the body of Christ. Paul gave a list of gifts of the Spirit and compared their use to the functioning of the varous parts of the human body for the good of the whole (vv.8-10). The Corinthian believers may have had different cultural backgrounds, gifts, and personalities, but they were filled with the same Spirit and belonged to the same body of Christ. Paul made special mention of the parts of the body that were weak and obscure, and taught that all believers play a necessary and significant role. No one part was more necessary than any other.

Remember, Jesus has given you a significant part to play and will use you to build up His people.
----
-As a member of the body of Christ,
you are a necessary part of the whole.
--ODB/MW

--COME TO ME, and rest in My loving Presence.

You know that this day will bring difficulties, and you are trying to think your way through those trials. As you anticipate what is ahead of you, you forget that I am with you--now and always. Rehearsing your troubles results in experiencing them many times, whereas you are meant to go through them only when they actually occur. Do not multiply your suffering in this way!

Instead, come to Me, and relax in My Peace. I will strengthen you and prepare you for this day, transforming your fear into confident trust. "My grace is sufficient for you."
~~~

----From: JESUS CALLING
-By: Sarah Young

--Grace Makes All the Difference

If life is… “because I have to”—where’s the joy in that?
Too often I hear folks rejecting Christ because they think the Christian life is all about rules and regulations—all about stifling and suffocating ritual.

This happens when we confuse Christ with legalism. Legalism is joyless because it’s endless. There’s always another class to attend. Inmates incarcerated in self-salvation find work, but never joy!

Grace! It makes all the difference. I like this quote: “Gone are the exertions of law-keeping, gone the disciplines of legalism, the anxiety that having done everything we might not have done enough. We reach the goal, not by the stairs, but by the lift—God pledges his promised righteousness to those who will stop trying to save themselves!”

Grace offers rest. Legalism? Never!

From: GRACE/ML

----ARE YOU SAVED? DO YOU KNOW FOR SURE YOU WILL GO TO HEAVEN WHEN JESUS COMES?
There is only ONE WAY to be saved! That is through the Person, Jesus Christ.

-Are you saved? Are you sure that if you were to die tonight you will go to heaven? We are living in very difficult and trying times. Please, if you have not already done so, repent of your sins and be SAVED THROUGH GOD'S GRACE!

Listen in on Hal Lindsey's Report on being saved, what a "Christian" is, and a "Carnal Christian".
"For by grace you are saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God not of works, lest any man should boast."
You cannot save yourself. You cannot earn salvation. It is a free GIFT, but in order to be a gift to you, it must be received. Please ask Jesus to come into your heart, forgive your sins, and be your Lord and Savior.

Many people think they are nice and do good deeds and therefore will go to heaven. NO! Those things will not save you. Only Jesus can save you.
-TODAY'S HEADLINES!
Listen in to Hal Lindsey, please. <http://youtu.be/KIFS29r1xx0>

--Keeping The Law
--By: Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all” (James 2:10).

The law of God, centered in the Ten Commandments, is “holy, and just, and good” (Romans 7:12) and expresses perfectly the will of God for holy living. “The man that doeth them shall live in them” (Galatians 3:12).

The problem is that no man can possibly do them all. A man may keep most of the commandments most of the time, but he will inevitably fail in some of them some of the time. Since the law is a divine unit, breaking any commandment—as our text reminds us—breaks the whole law, bringing the guilty one under God’s curse of death. “Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them” (Galatians 3:10). “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight” (Romans 3:20).

All men, having sinned against God’s law, are therefore lost and in urgent need of salvation. This is where God’s wonderful grace comes in. “But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, . . . Even the righteousness . . . which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe” (Romans 3:21,22), “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us” (Galatians 3:13).

He,[Jesus], kept the law for us, and bore its curse for us: Thus we are saved through trusting Him.

“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid” (Romans 6:1,2). We now desire to keep His commandments, because we love Him. “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous” (I John 5:3). We are now able to keep them, because His Spirit now lives in us, and we are “strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man” (Ephesians 3:16).
--ICR/HMM

--HEART
-ATTITUDE

-Ephesians 6:5-9
----
Not with eyeservice,
as men-pleasers,
but as bondservants
of Christ, doing
the will of God
from the heart.
--Ephesians 6:6
---
I LOVE watching the skill and passion of great athletes as they give their all on the field. It shows their love for the game. Conversely, when a long season is wnding down and a team is already eliminated from any opportunity for championship or playoff games, sometimes it seems that the players are merely "going through the motions." Their lack of passion can be disappointing to fans who have paid to watch a good game.

Passion is a key aspect of our personal lives as well. Our heart attitude toward the Lord is revealed in how we serve Him. The apostle Paul said that our service includes the way we go about our daily work. In Ephesians 6:6-7, we read that we are to approach our work "not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men."

For me, the key in that verse is "from the heart." I have a heavenly Father who loves me deeply and sacrificed His Son for me. How can I do anything less than give my very best for Him? The passion to live for God that comes "from the heart" provides our best response to the One who has done so much for us.
-----
-THE LOVE OF GOD MOTIVATES US TO LIVE FOR GOD.
--ODB/BC

--The Grace to Wait
--Read | Psalm 62:1-2

No doubt one of your least favorite things is to wait in line. We arrive at a doctor’s appointment on time or a little early only to sit and sit in that waiting room. We go to the grocery store for just a few things and get stuck in an endless checkout line. And we’ve all been delayed in the drive-through lane at the bank. Nobody in our culture likes to wait, it seems.

When we take something to the Lord in prayer, we bring our human impatience with us. We often make a request and expect an answer right then and there. If God doesn’t spring into action immediately, many people begin to think, Well, I tried praying, but the Lord just didn’t do anything. Prayer doesn’t really work.

How tragic! Compare that attitude to King David’s. When David was only 16 years of age, God sent the prophet Samuel to anoint him as the king. Sixteen more years would pass before that promise was fulfilled. What did David do during that time? Did he moan and groan, shaking his finger at the Lord and demanding his kingship now? Not at all. David understood that God was trustworthy. He also realized that his heavenly Father was the God not only of who and what, but also of when and how. David wanted the kingship only when the Lord was ready for him to have it. So he waited.

Is there something in your life for which it’s hard to remain patient? Will you wait on the Lord as one waiting on a bank teller or doctor—or will you, like King David, trust in God’s timing and provision? The Father knows every facet of your situation, and His “delay” is actually in your best interest.

--In Touch

--FORGIVENESS

--Matthew 18:23-35
---
Lord, how often
shall my brother sin
against me, and I
forgive him? Up to
seven times?
--Matthew 18:21
---
LIFE is a lot like "bumper cars" at an amusement park. you know you will get hit...you just don't know how hard. And when you get hit, you step on the gas pedal, chase the one who has hit you, and hope to bump that person harder than they have bumped you.

That may be a fun strategy for bumper cars, but it's a terrible strategy for life. When you get bumped in life, bumping back only escalates matters and in the end everyone suffers damage.

Jesus had a better strategy: Forgive those who have "bumped" us. Like Peter, we may wonder how many times we have to forgive. When Peter asked Jesus, "Up to seven times?" Jesus answered "Up to seventy times seven" (Matt. 18:21-22). In other words, there are no limits to grace. We should always extend a spirit of forgiveness. Why? In the story of the forgiving master, Jesus explained that we forgive not because our offenders deserve it but because we've been forgiven. He says, "I forgave you...because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?" (vv.32-33).

Since we are among those who've been forgiven much, let's stop the damage and share that blessing with others.
---
-FORGIVENESS IS GOD'S GRACE IN ACTION THROUGH US.
--ODB/JS

-Restored by Grace
-Read | Luke 15:11-32 (Recommended Reading)

Independence is a highly valued quality. We teach it to our children, and we demand it for ourselves. There is even a statue called the 'Independent Man' on top of the Rhode Island State House—it stands as a tribute to self-sufficiency and freedom.

The story of the Prodigal Son, however, shows us a less positive aspect of independence—one which, sadly, is woven into the fabric of human nature. The wayward son takes charge of his own life and shuns his father’s care and protection. Fortunately, the story doesn’t stop after revealing the boy’s downward spiral of sin; it also shows us the restoring grace of God.

Sin means acting independently of God’s will. It begins with a desire that is outside His plan. Next comes a decision to act on the desire. When we do, we find ourselves, like the prodigal, in a “distant country,” which is anywhere outside the will of God. To remain there requires deception. We deceive ourselves by thinking that we know better than God and ignoring any consequences. Defeat follows. For a time all may seem fine, but like the reckless son in the story, we’ll find that our way leads to defeat. Finally, we will arrive at despair resulting from famine of spirit, emotions, or relationships. That leads into desperation, where our choices are few and distasteful.

But desperation is not the end of the prodigal’s story. Nor is it the end of ours when we sin. Jesus gave this account of an earthly father’s forgiving love because He desired to point us to the restoring grace of our heavenly Father. God waits with open arms for us, His wandering children.
-----
In the event that we fall, we turn to our Lord with confession and repentance. 1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
--ONLY BY GRACE CAN WE ENTER ~~

-THANK YOU, LORD for your GRACE!

---Simply Obey

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the Lord.” - Isaiah 55:8

The Bible is not primarily a book to be explained; it is first and foremost a book to be believed and obeyed. Whether you understand it or not, when God says it, you just simply obey it.

And don't substitute human reasoning for obedience. So many times we like to tell God how He ought to do things. I can imagine those early disciples when Saul was making havoc of the church and hauling Christians off to prison and death. I imagine there were many praying, “Oh, God, do something about Saul. Strike him dead.” But God didn't want to strike him dead. God struck him alive! And aren't you glad He did?

Isn't it strange how God works? You see, our ways and God's ways are so different. This is when we have to say, “I will trust You and obey.”

--Adrian Rogers-/ POWER OF YOUR LOVE- HILLSONG
<http://youtu.be/Ga6Qtxzd6vk>
-----------

--Absent from the Body, Present with the Lord

--BIBLE MEDITATION:
“We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 5:8

-DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
-A man named Solomon Peas died. His tombstone in London reads:

“Beneath these clouds and beneath these trees
Lies the body of Solomon Peas.
But this ain’t Peas - it’s just the pod.
Peas shelled out and went to God.”

I like that. That’s what your body is. It’s just a pod. What happens to a child of God who has trusted Christ as his personal Savior? When he closes his eyes in this life, he opens them in the next. Jesus did not say, “After two or three thousand years, you’ll be with Me in paradise.” Jesus said, “Today, truly, you’ll be with Me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).

--ACTION POINT:
Are you confident that if you died today you’d be with Jesus in paradise? If not, then confess your sins and believe upon His name to save you. Now, go and tell someone!

--Adrian Rogers~~ / DRAW ME CLOSE TO YOU/ HILLSONG
<http://youtu.be/IdJBYyNsQd0>
-----------

--Which Grace Do You Need Most Today?

“As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” - 1 Peter 4:10

-The Bible speaks of the “manifold” grace of God. What does that mean? It means we can experience God’s grace in many ways. For instance, there is singing grace. When Paul and Silas were in prison, God gave them grace to sing (see Acts 16:25).

There is speaking grace. Colossians 4:6 says, “Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” God will give you the ability to talk about your troubles with His grace.

God also gives us strengthening grace. Timothy was often sick with many infirmities. Paul told him to “be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 2:1).

-Which do you need today? Singing grace? Speaking grace? Strengthening grace? All three? Spend time in the Word of God today and draw from the manifold grace of God.

--Adrian Rogers~~/ [Whether we have a singing voice or not, this song, "Sanctuary", can be spoken from each heart. God knows our hearts. Maybe just speak along, and be blessed with 'speaking grace'.
"Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord."]
<http://youtu.be/AxB9VH3cCN4>

--By Grace Through
- Faith We Are Saved~~
-Ephesians 2:8-9
----
-There is no neat division between the natural and the supernatural. What I do as a Christian--praying, worshiping, demonstrating God's love and showing God's grace to the sick, needy, and imprisoned--is both supernatural and natural.

The same God who created the world that's visible to us actively sustains it and has made a way for us to approach Him, the invisible. Paul wrote, "You, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death" (Col. 1:22-22).

All our actions take place in the visible world, which we can touch, smell, and see. Yet the Creator and Sustainer of all things has provided a way for us to breathe the spiritual air we need and crave. By His amazing grace, we are able to 'be His witnesses' until the end of the age. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9
----
--GOD'S THRONE IS ALWAYS ACCESSIBLE TO HIS CHILDREN.~~
--ODB/PY =/ 'Gift of Grace' By: Jessica King~~
<http://youtu.be/4tRUE_xY5Sc>
---------

--A Declaration of Truth

--As our High Priest, Jesus offers our prayers to God. His prayers are always heard.
John 16:23 says, “Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in My name, He will give it to you.” The phrase, “In Jesus’ name” is not an empty motto or talisman. It is a declaration of truth! The cancer is not in charge, Jesus is. The grumpy neighbor doesn’t rule the world; Jesus, you do! Just speak the word, Jesus.

Since God works, prayer works. Since you matter to God, your prayers matter in heaven. And on the occasions you can’t find the words to say, pull out this “pocket prayer.” “Father, you are good. I need help. Heal me and forgive me. They need help. Thank you. In Jesus’ name, amen!”
--Amen/ML

---Living Above Your Circumstances
--Read | Philippians 1:12-18

-Paul wrote his letter to the Philippians during a long and unjust imprisonment. However, this short epistle is full of rejoicing. Paul never complains or casts blame for his situation, because he has learned to live above his circumstances.

-Most people have a different response to difficulty. First, in an attempt to make themselves feel better, they try blaming someone else for the problem, but this results only in broken relationships. Next, they complain, which gets pity from others but enhances the problem in their own minds. Finally, they search for a way out of the situation and usually make things worse in the process.

Paul knew that there was a strategy for living above one’s circumstances rather than merely muddling through them: He shifted his focus. Instead of examining his problem and whining about it, he looked to God. Praise came from his lips: “I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Phil. 3:8).

God wants to hear our honest concerns and even anger or confusion about our trials, but He also wants us to trust Him to see us through. Focusing on the Lord and praising Him does not mean we pretend to enjoy tough times—that would be insincere. But we can honestly acknowledge that He is in control of the situation and will guide our every step, just as He promised (Prov. 3:5-6).

-Believers have a simple choice. We can wallow in self-pity, or we can look to Jesus Christ and learn to live above our circumstances. Which of the two will you choose?
--IN TOUCH~~/ 'ABOVE ALL~~MICHAEL SMITH~~
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzOgA2RV6Hs

--OUR REDEEMER~~

--See the Cross on the hill? Can you hear the soldiers pound the nails? Jesus’ enemies smirk. “This time,” Satan whispers. “This time I will win.” For a sad Friday and a silent Saturday it appeared he had.

--What Satan intended as the ultimate evil, God used for the ultimate good. God rolled the rock away and Jesus walked out on Sunday morning. And if you look closely, you can see Satan scampering from the cemetery with his forked tail between his legs. “Will I ever win?” he grumbles. No…he won’t.

-Do you believe no evil is beyond God’s reach? That He can redeem every pit, including the one in which you find yourself? Trust God. He will get you through this. Will it be easy or quick? I hope so, but it seldom is. Yet, God will make good out of this mess. That’s His job~~

'You'll Get Through This'/ML~/ Your Love Oh Lord..(Psalm 36).. Third Day
<https://youtu.be/0OBRvxrzhqs>
-----------

---WORTHY TO DIE, LIVING FOR JESUS~~

“Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried…” - Revelation 2:10

--Polycarp was the pastor of the early church in Smyrna. He was asked to renounce his faith in Christ and offer a pinch of incense to Caesar. He refused and said, “Eighty and six years have I served Him, and in nothing hath He wronged me; and how, then, can I blaspheme my King, Who saved me?” When they heard that, they clamored to burn him at the stake. They brought their wood and heaped it around his feet. And then Polycarp prayed, ““I count it a blessedness to be thought worthy of a place among the martyrs of Jesus Christ.” And when that fire was kindled around his feet, he was heard singing and praising the Son of God.

Most of us will not die at the stake, be carried to the wall and shot, or be imprisoned for the Lord Jesus Christ. We may not have a chance to die that way, but can we not die to this vile world? Can we not die to our plans and our ambitions? And can we not say that Jesus Christ is Lord? [YES! JESUS IS LORD!]
--Adrian Rogers ~~ / <https://youtu.be/7uZJiHb2ENU>
JESUS IS THE ANSWER/ By: MICHAEL SMITH (Dedicated to Andrae Crouch /RIP~) ~

--THE MIRACLE OF GRACE ~~
---(Read: Romans 5:15-17)

--PAUL WROTE EXTENSIVELY ABOUT GRACE-- God's favor given to the undeserving. And wherever the apostle traveled, he spoke about the gospel of grace (Acts 20:24). He knew firsthand sin's controlling power and the freedom that comes through faith in Christ. He described himself as the worst of sinners because he persecuted and imprisoned many believers prior to his conversion (1 Timothy 1:15).

Once we accept Christ's death on our behalf, the penalty for our sin is considered to be paid in full, and the power of sin over us is broken. When the Holy Spirit indwells us, we become spiritually alive. What's more, we are then given a new family and purpose for living. Scripture compares our conversion experience to receiving a heart transplant (Ezekiel 36:26); 2 Corinthians 5:17), changing citizenship (Philippians 3:20), and moving to a new country (Colossians 1:13)

Paul exhorts everyone who has been saved to continue in the grace of God (Acts 13:43: Eph. 2:8)--our heavenly Father's desire will is that we relate to Him on this basis alone. Just as we needed to rely upon Christ's substitutionary death for salvation, we are to live a life of dependence upon Him. It's our faith, expressed through obedience, that pleases Him (Hebrews 11:6).

Grace is the most powerful, life-changing force in the world. God freely offers His unconditional love to whoever receives His Son. At salvation, our life is placed upon the immovable Rock--Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 10:4)--whose favor is extended over us. And from then on, He sees us through the everlasting grace He has provided us.
What's your response to this miracle of grace? This is a 'free gift' to you, from God. But it wasn't free for Him. God the Father had to allow His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ to die for the sins of the entire world. (John 3:16-17). ~~

--IN TOUCH~~-/ YOUR LOVE OH LORD (Psalm 36)-Third Day
<https://youtu.be/0OBRvxrzhqs>

--The Artist Is at Work

--BIBLE MEDITATION:
“Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
-- Philippians 1:6

--DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
-In Scotland some men were sitting around drinking tea and swapping fishing stories.

One man, with a flamboyant gesture of his hand, knocked another man’s hand, splattering his tea on the white plastered wall, creating an ugly brown stain. He was horrified, but the man said, “Never mind.” And he took out his crayons and started to sketch around that stain. Suddenly there emerged a royal stag with his antlers spread.

The artist was Sir Edwin Lancier—England’s foremost painter of animals. He was able to take that old stain and make something beautiful out of it.

--ACTION POINT:
--Jesus Christ is that kind of an artist. He can take a life that has been stained, and by His transforming power He can make something beautiful out of it.
--Adrian Rogers ~~

--"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that
not of yourselves, it is the gift of God,
not of works lest anyone should boast."
_--(Ephesians 2:8,9)
---------
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;
old things have passed away; behold,
all things have become new."
(2 Corinthians 5:17)
-We have Amazing grace through Jesus Christ our Lord. He saved us, so we can live eternally with Him. ~~
<https://youtu.be/Jbe7OruLk8I>

--SWEET REMINDERS ~~

-Today's Reading-
-(Exodus 3:7-17)
"Gracious words
are a honeycomb,
sweet to the soul
and healing to
the bones."
-(Proverbs 16:24)
----
WHEN the tomb of Egyptian King Tutankhamen was discovered in 1922, it was filled with things ancient Egyptians thought were needed in the afterlife. Among items such as golden shrines, jewelry, clothing, furniture, and weapons was a pot filled with honey--still edible after 3,200 years!

Today we think of honey primarily as a sweetener, but in the ancient world it had many other uses. Honey is one of the only foods known to have all the nutrients needed to sustain life, so it was eaten for nutrition. In addition, honey has medicinal value. It is one of the oldest known wound dressings because it has properties that prevent infection.

When God rescued the children of Israel from Egyptian captivity, He promised to lead them to a "land flowing with milk and honey" (EX. 3:8,17), a metaphor for abundance. When their journey was prolonged due to sin, God fed them bread (manna) that tasted like honey(16:31). The Israelites grumbled about having to eat the same food for so long, but it's likely that God was kindly reminding them of what they would enjoy in the Promised Land.

God still uses honey to remind us that His ways and words are sweeter than the honeycomb (PS. 19:10). So then the words we speak should also be like the honey we eat--both sweet and healing.~~

-SPEND TIME COUNTING YOUR BLESSINGS, NOT AIRING YOUR COMPLAINTS.~~
--ODB/JAL-/ Worthy is the Lamb /Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir
<https://youtu.be/LAplJ0_jDFc>
---

--THE POWER OF GOD'S GRACE~
----(Please Read/ Romans 5:1-5)

--Grace is one of God's most amazing gifts. It provides us with everything we need to live in perfect freedom: pardon for our sins, healing for our hearts, the companionship of God's indwelling Holy Spirit, and access to freely cultivate our relationship with Him. We work, worship, and enjoy life surrounded by His unconditional love. His grace upholds us, fills us, and sustains us.

Since we are forgiven people, the Lord responds to us not as enemies but as His dearly loved children (Rom. 8:15; Eph. 5:1). He hears our prayers, speaks to us, and acts on our behalf.

The knowledge that we live under the covering of God's grace gives us...

**Security about our position. No one can snatch us out of His hand (John 10:28).
**Boldness to live for Christ. Nothing anyone does or says can shake our confidence in who the Lord is or who we are in Him.

**Peace for today because we can fully trust in His sovereignty. The Lord is carrying out His perfect will--and we can be sure that nothing is able to thwart His plans when we cooperate with Him.
**Hope for the future. This life is just the beginning. One day we'll see Jesus face to face, be perfected as the individuals He created us to be, and live with Him in our true home forever.

The Lord is committed to transforming each of us according to His special plan for our lives. Even His correction is an expression of His loving favor (Heb. 12:10). When we falter or fail, we can rest assured that His amazing grace hems us in and always offers us redemption.
--IN TOUCH~~ --/ Amazing Grace/ Chris Tomlin
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jbe7OruLk8I>
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---GRACE UPON GRACE ~~

--We dare to hang our hat and stake our hope on the gladdest news of all– if God permits the challenge, he will provide the grace to meet it. God has enough grace to solve every dilemma you face, wipe every tear you cry, and answer every question you ask.

Would we expect anything less from God? Would he send his Son to die for us and not send his power to sustain us? Paul found such logic impossible. Scripture says, “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32).

Is Jesus on my side? Just look at the wound in his. Having given the supreme and costliest gift, how can he fail to lavish upon us all he has to give?

If God permits the challenge, he will provide the grace to meet it.~~

**--God is With You Everyday/ML~~**
------"Your Grace Is Enough" / by: Chris Tomlin~
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4shNsdZFK0>

--Easy to Say, Difficult to Do / Keep Your Eyes on the Lord~

-"Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness,for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." ~~ (Matthew 5:10-12)

--God’s commands sometimes defy human logic. Take, for example, the command to rejoice in persecution. It doesn’t make sense until we realize the effect of praise—it keeps us focused upon the Lord and the good things that He can bring out of hardship.

The apostle Paul faced greater abuse and suffering than most of us ever will. He was beaten, put on trial, and imprisoned, yet he looked beyond those difficulties to what the Lord was accomplishing through his life. That is, though he didn’t rejoice that he was a captive, he was able to celebrate the great ministry he had among his prison guards.

If we believe God is in control and keeps His promises, then we must trust in the principle of Romans 5:3-5. This passage assures us that our hardships have a purpose. Specifically, they develop our endurance, strengthen our character, and solidify our hope. Two immediate blessings of suffering are the deepening of our faith and the preparation for greater service to the kingdom. We’re able to rejoice because we are maturing believers whom God can use for His purposes.

The Lord will bring good from our persecution, just as He did for Paul. But if we allow doubt to cloud our faith, we won’t be able to rejoice in what He is doing in and through our lives. And if we can’t rejoice, we are in danger of giving up before God’s good work can be completed. Rejoicing keeps us focused upon the Lord and His purposes in our tribulations.~~
--*IN TOUCH*~~--'Power of Your Love/ OSLO Gospel~~(correct spelling)
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3QH0B2gjhI>
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-----

---TRANSFORMING GRACE~~
-----(Please Read/ 2 Corinthians 5:17)

Before the apostle Paul’s conversion, if someone had suggested that he would impact the world for Jesus, he’d probably have laughed. In fact, his original goal was to rid the world of Christians (Acts 22:19-20).

God’s grace can impact anyone; no sin is beyond the reach of His forgiveness. This amazing gift of redemption changes lives. Contrary to what many think, being a Christian does not mean adding good deeds to one’s life. Instead, by God’s grace, believers receive forgiveness and a completely new nature. Our inward transformation results in obvious outward changes.

The butterfly’s metamorphosis can serve as an illustration to help us understand this. Once it’s in a chrysalis, a caterpillar doesn’t merely act or appear different from the outside; it truly has changed inwardly as well.

Transformation for believers occurs in many areas. For example, our attitudes change—salvation by God’s grace results in humility and gratitude. Out of thankfulness for this undeserved free gift, compassion for the lost flows, along with a desire to share the gospel with them. Experiencing Christ’s forgiveness also results in a longing to serve Him. This does not need to be in a formal church setting; we serve Him by loving others, helping those in need, and telling them about salvation.

-While there are still natural consequences for our sin, God offers us forgiveness and redemption through Jesus. He made a way to restore our broken relationship with Him. What’s more, our Father transforms our lives so we will become more like His Son and reflect His heart to others.
--IN TOUCH~~

[Friend, are you content with your life? Do you enjoy living each day? Are you a child of the King of glory, Jesus Christ? Jesus told Nicodemus, a Pharisee ruler of the Jews, the only way to be born again (spiritually) "You must accept the gift of salvation through Jesus' death on the Cross, as payment for your sin-debt. (Read JOHN 3:1-21)

Jesus told him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit."
Where did the Holy Spirit come from? (Please read JOHN Chapter 14:15-31) "Jesus Promises Another Helper", because He was leaving to depart to be with Father God. The Spirit of truth whom the world cannot receive because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him; for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans. I will come to you. We serve a Triune God= God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. These three are 'spiritually inseparable.'

It is utmost important to realize that when a person is 'born-again', a change takes place in his or her life. They change from wanting things of this world to wanting to be in Heaven with Jesus. We must put off the old worldly nature with it's sin, and put on Christ, our new Spiritual nature in Christ.
In other words, our main purpose in life is to follow Jesus and obey Him. This world is not our home. We are going to a City not made with human hands, but from above, Heaven, the New Jerusalem. Please study the book of JOHN and ask the Lord to open your Spiritual eyes, to understand and accept His 'free gift'. It wasn't free for Jesus. He had to die an agonizing death on the Cross to save our souls. We must accept His free gift, and follow in His steps.

"Ask and it shall be given unto you. Seek and you shall find. Knock and the door shall be opened to you. For everyone that asks will receive. Those that seek will find, and those that knock, the door will be opened to them." (Matthew 7:7-11)~
They that worship Jesus must worship Him in Spirit and in truth. Our Spiritual map is the Holy Bible, the inspired Word of God. Please, don't let another day pass without asking Jesus to be your Lord and Savior. He never turns away a sincere heart. "COME! Jesus is calling."
Please respond, "Holy Spirit, I thirst for You."--(By: OSLO, Capital of Norway)~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-2o8W6mfSI>
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--PROMISED-LAND PROPERTY~~

--Most babies cry, “Mama!” I cried, “Mustang!” I had asked my dad for a car every day of my life! My father’s stock reply was, “You’ll have a car once you earn it, save for it, and pay for it.” But then came that glorious night when dad handed me keys. Not payment vouchers or requirements, but keys! He said, “Take the car I’m giving you.” I had a new car because he declared it.

In Joshua’s day, the Hebrews had a new land because their Father did the same. “Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you.” So Joshua let the people depart, each to their own inheritance.

-You have an inheritance! If you’ve given your heart to Christ, the Bible says “God has blessed you with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3). Promised Land property—placed in your name!
--**From: Glory Days/ML~

As Jesus hung on the Cross, we read in JOHN chapter 19 verse 30, "It is Finished". Jesus gave up His spirit.
For those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God, He is coming back to get us, His people, the Church (body of Christ). Hallelujah! Our greatest inheritance is yet to come, when Jesus returns to gather us, His people to live with Him forever in Heaven. Hold on, things are going to get tougher, but we have a Heavenly Home not made with hands, the New Jerusalem. We're almost Home!
--IT IS FINISHED-Matt Papa
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HirjKhCHCSM>
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--BUILDING A FIRM FOUNDATION ~~
---(Please Read/ Lamentations 3:21-23)

We have been examining the nature of faith. But on what must we build a strong faith in the Lord? Let’s look at seven aspects of the foundation:

1.) God is. Faith must be built around the simple confession that the Lord is—that He is real and that He exists and is indeed God.

2.) God is love. Not only is God real, but He’s also intimately concerned with your life and wants to engage in a relationship with you.

3.) God is just. You never have to wonder whether or not the Lord will treat you fairly. His justice is absolutely perfect—even when He hands out His loving discipline.

4.) God is all-knowing. He knows your heart, your pain, and your questions. You cannot shock or surprise Him.

5.) God is everywhere. You never have to wonder where He is; in truth, you cannot escape Him. Wherever you are, He is right by your side.

6.) God is all-powerful. There is nothing greater than God. No matter how enormous the challenges and heartaches in your life seem to be, you can overcome them in His power.

7.) God is faithful. That is, He is utterly and completely dependable. Because of this truth, God’s children know that they can always count on Him for the others. No matter how far you stray, He remains at your side. Regardless of what you have done, He will always welcome you home.

Use the above list as a prayer guide, recognizing each one of these characteristics of God and offering your faith as a sacrifice today.
Our Jehovah God is Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Omniscient, Veracity, and Truth. Jesus said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you. You are Mine. I have your name engraved on the palm of my nail-pierced hand."-'Worthy is the Lamb'/Hillsong United ~~ DZ~<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMsihDoX3uM>
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--THRONE OF GRACE~~
---(Please Read/ Hebrews 4:14-16)--
~~~~~~
--ALMIGHTY GOD IS RIGHTEOUS AND JUST. Romans 3:23 tells us that all people have sinned and are inadequate to be in His presence. As a result of His wrath against sin, we were doomed to eternal separation from Him.

But thankfully, the story doesn't end there. In His love and mercy, God sent His Son to walk among us. Jesus experienced the hardship and temptation common to all people, yet, He never sinned. The Savior chose to die a gruesome death in our place, paying the penalty for our wrongs.

There is no deeper love, Scripture tells us, than a man who gives up his life for a friend (John 15:13). Jesus went further--dying for us while we were still His enemies (Romans 5:10). In fact, He would have sacrificed Himself even if you were the only person ever to exist.

Promising forgiveness and eternal life, Christ asks sinful man to believe and follow Him. When we trust in Jesus, we are adopted as God's children and receive His indwelling Spirit, who blesses abundantly with joy, peace, and guidance. Always welcome before the throne of grace, believers have access to converse with the Father at any time. He promises to hear and respond to our seeking, repentant hearts. And Jesus intercedes for us, praying on our behalf.

-We don't deserve the Lord's invitation to have an intimate relationship with Him. Yet in His grace, He's loving and compassionate toward us. What a privilege to be able to approach the King's throne, knowing He listens, understands, and cares. Rest in God's love, and enjoy sweet fellowship with Him.~~

-IN TOUCH--/'UNTO THE LAMB' / By: Brian Ming/ and Singer: Kristen Ming~ <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Stl_TR3kbcc>
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---GRACE AND ONGOING SIN~~
--(PLEASE READ/ Romans 6:11-13)-

God’s mercy is everlasting. Sometimes, however, a Christian becomes convinced that divine forgiveness has limits. This usually happens when the person has repeatedly confessed a sin but finds himself returning to the habit anyway. Satan whispers to us that surely the Lord is weary of this cycle of sin and admission. But as always, the enemy lies. The truth is that a believer cannot sin his way out of God’s grace, no matter how many times he confesses the same wrongdoing.

Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross paid our past, present, and future sin debt. This means that no matter how great our offense or how often we sin, God’s grace covers every transgression. Our heavenly Father forgives as often as necessary.

Anytime I preach on this topic, a few people will ask if I am promoting grace as a license to sin. The Lord’s mercy is not a “get out of jail free” card. His forgiveness is infinite, but that does not mean we can get away with sin. As a loving Father, God disciplines His children. He wants us to learn from our mistakes and return to the path of righteousness.

-God desires that each of His children grow in righteousness and reflect the nature of His Son Jesus Christ. He understands that maturing our faith is a lifelong process. Sometimes we will make mistakes and fall into sinful patterns from which we must be restored. Our Father is pleased to draw us back into a right relationship because His grace is infinite. No sin will ever be greater—or more frequent—than His capacity to forgive.
-IN TOUCH~
["If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.'
"If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His Word is not in us." --(1 JOHN 1:9-10)
Keep short accounts. You 'know' when you have sinned, the Holy Spirit will convict you. Then you must confess it, repent of your wrong doing and ask Jesus to forgive you. The Lord knows your heart. If you sincerely repent, and turn away from that sinning, He will forgive you. ]
--'How Deep the Father's Love For Us' / Phillips, Craig and Dean / <https://youtu.be/3mmpRelA-7o>
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---- -A TABULATED LIST OF GRACE~~

---A couple who resorted to do-it-yourself marriage counseling resolved to list each others’ faults and then read them aloud. The wife gave her list and he read: You snore; you eat in bed; the list continued. When the husband gave her his list, she smiled. He’d written his grievances, but next to each he’d written– 'I forgive this.' The result was a tabulated list of grace.

Imagine you are before the judgment seat of Christ. The book is opened and the reading begins—each sin, each deceit, and each occasion of greed. But as soon as the infraction is read, grace is proclaimed. Jesus says, 'I forgive this. Registered forgiveness! No humiliation! No shame!' Because in heaven you will be in your sinless state—happy to let God do in heaven what he did on earth. He will be honored in your weakness!

-From/ When Christ Comes/ML~"Your Grace Still Amazes Me" / By: Phillips Craig and Dean ~<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXVUYC_ykwE>
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----THE CONSEQUENCES OF DRIFTING~~
--(Please Read/ Hebrews 3:12-13)--

---Spiritual drifting­—the gradual wandering away from God and His will—takes place when a believer ceases to steer toward the Lord. Like a boat without oars that is set loose upon the waters, he or she makes a slow and lazy glide away from good practices like obedience, regular Bible study, prayer, and assembling with fellow Christians. And there are consequences for slipping into uncharted, dangerous waters.

--A life adrift is outside of God’s will and therefore in sin. The Holy Spirit pricks the conscience to send a message when a believer is off course, but a drifter is prone to ignore such warnings. If a Christian continually excuses his wandering ways and denies sin, his conscience gradually gets numbed. A person who becomes desensitized to wrongdoing has paved the way for more sinful behavior with less guilt. Can you imagine a more dangerous situation?

As the drifting believer’s conscience becomes anesthetized, his spiritual ears are also deadened—truth cannot gain entrance, because he has invited wrong attitudes and philosophies into his thinking process. What’s more, his heart hardens to the things of God. Shrinking away from testimonies about divine power, grace, and mercy, he avoids situations that might reawaken the conscience and stir his spirit to repentance.

People drift from God in search of more—more freedom, choices, and pleasure. But since the consequences are a hard heart, a numb conscience, and dead ears, what they end up with is less. The drifting believer sacrifices the victorious life in Christ for an existence devoid of permanent satisfaction.
--IN TOUCH~~
[ *As we live in this fallen world as a result of Adam and Eve's sin, we will sin. That is precisely when we must repent (1 John 1: verse 9), and get back on track with our Lord. When Peter asked Jesus how many times should I forgive those that sin against me, 'seven times'? Jesus said, 'No not seven but, seventy times seven.' [See Matthew 18: 21-23 / Also see LUKE Chapter 6 verses 27-31

"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.

The one who does not love does not know God, for GOD IS LOVE.~ GOD LOVES YOU! If you have slipped away from God, remember, He is always as close as the mention of His Name. Call on Him.]/ "BE STILL AND KNOW"--/By: Steven Curtis Chapman~~ -<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgaHaioAjyg&feature=youtu.be>
----------
----

--CALLED BY NAME ~~

'Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off&#8213;for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
--(Acts 2:38 / NIV)--

---Do you remember the television show Romper Room? At the end of each show, Miss Nancy would say the names of the children who were in her studio classroom. Then she would call the names of kids who were watching from home—and whose parents had sent in their names. That’s the image I have of Peter on this day: I believe by the Spirit of God he could see far beyond the audience gathered in front of him. I believe he could’ve called our names. He had seen his friend die, and he had met the resurrected Messiah. Now the Spirit of God had been poured out upon him, and he said, “The gift of the Holy Spirit is for you, and your kids, and many more.” God’s promise was real for Peter and all within the sound of his voice that day, and it’s real for you and me.

THINK ABOUT IT
For many people, issues of acceptance are a point of pain. How does the sense of being called by name increase your awareness that you are individually known, loved, and wanted by God? Of course Jehovah God knows everything about each one of us. We all were born into sin. That is why we each must be born again, from above (spiritually). (See John 3:1-8) This is not something that is inherited from our earthly parents, this is only from our New Birth, in Jesus Christ.

PRAYER
--"Heavenly Father, I rejoice that You have sought me and included me in Your promise. You have called me by name; I am Yours. I do humbly repent of my sins. Forgive me. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit. Thank You for this new life! In Jesus’ name, amen."
Blessings,
Pastor Allen Jackson

---FREE, BUT NOT CHEAP ~~

---“I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
--(Mark 10:15 / NIV) --

---God could have made becoming a disciple extraordinarily difficult. He could have made it so that only one percent of us would have the intellectual capacity to grasp it. A God who has the precision to put the Earth in its orbit around the sun, where the minutest variation would make life impossible on our planet, could have made the pursuit of Him—the pathway of discipleship—almost unknowable. He could have made it a complex mathematical equation that you’d spend your whole life studying just to begin to understand it. But God’s not like that. It’s not that He isn’t all-knowing and all-powerful; it’s that in order to help you and me, He has made the pathway simple.
Romans 1:19-20 says that He has clearly revealed His power and glory in His creation so that every person can see Him and know Him. Following God is more about the condition of our hearts and minds and our intent. Nobody who seeks Him will miss Him. No one who truly wants to be a part of the Kingdom of God will be left out.

**THINK ABOUT IT**
A child cannot secure his own well-being by his own efforts. He depends on and trusts the parent to do this for him. God invites you to say, “My best efforts fall short. I can’t do this on my own.” He stands ready to extend His help to you. The 'choice' is up to you. Our Lord never forces Himself on anyone. Yes, GOD IS LOVE. It would not be love if He forced himself on us.
--"It is by grace you have been saved. through faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast."
-----(Ephesians 2:8-10)

**PRAYER**
--"Heavenly Father, salvation from sin and reconciliation to You may be free, but it is not cheap. It cost You a great deal. Thank You that what I cannot do for myself, You have made possible through the Cross of Your Son, Jesus. Thank You, LORD, that my sin-debt has been paid in full, by Jesus' death on the Cross. I accept His gift and ask You to help me live for You. In His name, I pray. Amen.
Blessings,
Pastor Allen Jackson
[**Friend, there are many 'churches' [denominations], that tell you in order to be saved you must join their church. You must memorize their books (of justification, etc.), you must be baptized, you must work and do many good deeds. You must 'go on missions' to other countries. Yes, those are good things. But Jesus never ordered us to do all those things. His death on the Cross was our payment for our sins. We accept His 'free gift' and He will lead us in knowing how to serve Him. Because we love Him, we will want to tell others about His great love for them. Keep on praying, "Even so, Come Lord Jesus." And, yes, as He leads, tell others of His great love for them. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved."
"If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved:
"For with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.
"Whoever will call on the Name of the LORD will be saved." --(Romans 10:9,10,13) -- ]

--HIS REWARD IS WITH HIM~~

--"He humbled himself and became obedient to death&#8213;even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name. So that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth. And that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
--(Philippians 2:8-10) --

--On the Cross, Jesus was our substitute, taking the punishment we deserved. But during His days on the earth, Jesus also modeled the pathway to victorious living. Our attention is often drawn to those demonstrations of His power when He would still a storm, or cast out a demon, or heal a broken body. But Jesus also laid down His will and His comfort to fully pursue the purposes of God. His submission brought God’s unique blessing, when God gave Him “the name that is above every name.” We must know the Cross in both of those ways. We enter the Kingdom of God by faith in the death of Jesus on our behalf. But we also accept His invitation to take up our cross and lay down our preferences in order to fully embrace God’s purposes. Just as certainly as God rewarded Jesus, I believe God will reward you and me.

THINK ABOUT IT
The willingness to obey God, whatever that costs and wherever it leads, brings great reward. Ask the Holy Spirit for greater clarity about what He is asking of you.

PRAYER
--"Heavenly Father, I lay down my preferences in order to fully embrace Your purposes. Strengthen me in my resolve to obey You and persevere. Your eternal rewards far outweigh my troubles. I give You all praise honor and glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Blessings,
Pastor Allen Jackson

--WE ALL ARE SINNERS, SAVED ONLY BY HIS GRACE~

---"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;
Whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith.
“God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of His blood – to be received by faith.” - Romans 3:23,24,
--
Most people do not want to think of God as angry. The truth is, however, that a loving God will and should be angry about sin, because sin hurts His creation and sin hurts the people He loves. Propitiation is a word in the Bible that means, “to placate someone’s anger; to satisfy someone’s debt.” There is nothing we can do to “propitiate” God when it comes to sin. There is no way we can remove the wrath of God against evil and sinfulness. It is as much a part of His character as grace and mercy are. This is where the wrath of God is joined with the love of God; and how this happens is incredible.

In order to understand this concept we must first understand that all sin is first and foremost against God. While others are of course affected and even wronged by our sin, it is God we have transgressed and disobeyed. He makes the rules, so when we sin it is chiefly against Him. Herein lies the great tension of the Gospel. In His grace, God wants to justify us even though we are guilty. In His justice, He must see that sin is punished. And as the One wronged, He has the right to satisfaction.

It is here that Jesus steps in not only as our sacrifice, but also as our propitiation. He not only purchases our freedom, but He also satisfies God’s wrath against our sinfulness. He sees that God’s justice is carried out and He assures that our sin is totally paid for. Because of Jesus, there is total satisfaction.

When we look at the Cross, we see everything. Do you want to see the greatest evidence of God’s love? Look to the Cross. Do you want to see the greatest evidence of God’s justice? Look to the Cross. Do you want to see where the wrath of God and the mercy of God meet because of the grace of God? Look to the Cross. It was there that love of God that satisfied the wrath of God through the Son of God.

"Father G-D, Thank You for the Cross. I know I could never earn salvation, yet You freely offer it to me in Christ. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.-"I See The Cross/ Brian Doerksen /<https://youtu.be/K41UdUGlgpY>
~~~~~~~

----GRACE INTERVENTION ~~

--"For I am the least of the apostles, and not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me."
---(1 Corinthians 15:9-10 / NASB )

~~~When we first meet the Apostle Paul, he is Saul of Tarsus, a Pharisee. He is an orthodox Jewish man with an impressive education, a powerful mind, and a lot of career momentum. He studied at the right schools and has the right connections. But Saul was violent and profane&#8213;a murderer and a blasphemer whose goal was to discredit Jesus’ followers and destroy the Church. In Acts 9, Jesus found Saul on the road to Damascus and asked, “Saul, what do you think you are doing?” (another version) = "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?"- [Acts 9:4] ] --

Now Saul is saying to the Corinthians: “I persecuted the Church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain.” Brilliant, educated, articulate, influential, and evil—but the grace of God turned his life around and gave him a completely different ending.

THINK ABOUT IT
Be encouraged that the great cloud of witnesses that have gone before us all overcame significant weaknesses through God’s grace to accomplish their purposes in the earth. We don't give up hope on those not yet saved. We pray for the Lord Jesus to open their (spiritual) eyes to find Him and salvation in His name. "Everyone who calls on the Name of the Lord will be saved. - [Acts 2:21] --"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not as a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2: verses 8 thru 9)

PRAYER
--"Heavenly Father, I readily receive Your abundant, sufficient grace, and I ask for Your perspective on others. Thank You for the significance and meaning You have given my life through the Cross. Thank You for dying on the Cross for the forgiveness of my sins. Help me to be a light shining in this dark world for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Blessings,
Pastor Allen Jackson---/-"Your Grace Still Amazes Me" / Phillips, Craig and Dean / <https://youtu.be/BHNnKBIxfB4>
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

---Demonstrating Grace ~~

"You will tread our sins
underfoot and hurl all
our iniquities into the
depths of the sea."
---(Micah 7:19)--

~~~IN MOMENTS where tragedy happens or even hurt, there are opportunities to demonstrate grace or to exact vengeance," the recently bereaved man remarked. "I chose to demonstrate grace." Pastor Erik Fitzgerald's wife had been killed in a car accident caused by an exhausted firefighter who fell asleep while driving home, and legal prosecutors wanted to know whether he would seek the maximum sentence. The pastor chose to practice the forgiveness he often preached about. To the surprise of both him and the firefighter, the men eventually became friends.

Pastor Erik was living out of the grace he's received from God, who'd forgiven him all of his sins. Through his actions he echoed the words of the prophet Micah, who praised God for pardoning sin and forgiving when we do wrong )Micah 7:18). The prophet uses wonderfully visual language to show just how far God goes in forgiving His people, saying that He will "tread our sins underfoot" and hurl our wrongdoings into the deep sea (v. 19). The firefighter received a gift of freedom that day, which brought him closer to God.

Whatever difficulty we face, we know that God reaches out to us with loving, open arms, welcoming us into His safe embrace. He "delights to show mercy" (v.18). As we receive His love and grace, He gives us the strength to forgive those who hurt us--even as Pastor Erik did.~~

~"Father God, You love us without ceasing, and You delight to forgive us when we return to You. Envelop us with Your love, that we might demonstrate grace to those who hurt us. Thank You, our Lord and Savior Jesus for dying on the Cross to forgive our sins. We accept Your gift of love, grace and mercy. In Your Name. ~amen"
--"Your Grace Finds Me"//Matt Rredman~<https://youtu.be/aWdngkWLQng>
~~~~~~~~~~~~

---WORKING FOR GOD'S GLORY ~~
--[Rules For Christian Households / To have families that love each other.]

-[Here we have Paul instructing Christian homes on ways to keep peace and love in families. ..

"Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
"Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.
"Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.
"Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.
"Slaves [maids/housekeepers today], obey your masters in everything; and do it,
not only when their eyes is on you but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men. It
is the Lord Christ you are serving.--[Colossians 3:18 thru 24/ NIV] ----

~~~Work comes in many different packages, doesn’t it? Some of us work surrounded by hundreds of people. Some of us work in relative solitude. Some of us are at work while others of us sleep. Some of us begin working when we hear the first child’s cry and end our day when the last teenager is home and the last load of laundry is done. Although the settings are very different, one thing is the same: Each of us is working for the Lord, and the way we interact with others is an expression of our faith. God has given each of us a sphere of influence, and we are accountable to Him for the ways we interact with the people there. Have you committed your work to the Lord? Do you honor Him by working with integrity? Do you foster a sense of unity among your coworkers? Do you treat others fairly and with respect? No matter whose signature is on your paycheck, remember that you are not ultimately working for that person; you are working for the glory of God.

THINK ABOUT IT
As a Christ-follower, Jesus lives in you. By His Spirit, He works His good purposes, character, and deeds into the fabric of your life, relationships, and labor. “Working for the Lord, not for men” is part of aligning with Him fully.

PRAYER
~~"Heavenly Father, help me be a person who honors and encourages others, a person filled with a spirit of excellence and integrity. Work in me these things that are pleasing to You, so that my work will bring glory to Your name. Help me, Lord Jesus, to never be ashamed of You and your Word. In Jesus’ name, amen."
Blessings,
Pastor Allen Jackson

--SWEETER THAN HONEY~~

"Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones."
---(Proverbs 16:24)-

~~His topic was racial tension. Yet the speaker remained calm and collected. Standing on stage before a large audience, he spoke boldly--but with grace, humility, kindness, and even humor. Soon the tense audience visibly relaxed, laughing along with the speaker about the dilemma they all faced: how to resolve their hot issue, but cool down their feelings and words. Yes, how to tackle a sour topic with sweet grace.

King Solomon advised this same approach for all of us: "Gracious words are a honey, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones" (text). In this way, "The hearts of the wise make..their lips promote instruction" (v.23).

Why would a powerful king like Solomon devote time to addressing how we speak? Because words can destroy. During Solomon's time, kings relied on messengers for information about their nations, and calm and reliable messengers were highly valued. They used prudent words, not overreacting or speaking harshly, no matter the issue.

We all can benefit by gracing our opinions and thoughts with godly and prudent sweetness. In Solomon's words, "To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the proper answer of the tongue" (v.1).
Let's remember we all make up the body-of-Christ. We are family, in Jesus name. ~~

--"Our holy God, when we speak on hard topics, soften our hearts and words with Your sweet Holy Spirit. Thank You, Lord that we can always count on You to lead, guide and direct our path. In Jesus Name. ~ amen"

--"The God Who Stays" =(lyrics) / Matthew West //<https://youtu.be/flJF1fMvz5Y>
~~~~~~~~~~

~~DON'T NEGLECT YOUR SPIRITUAL GIFT~
---Please Read/ (1 Timothy 4:12-16)
--Please Read/ (Ephesians 2:8,9,10)--

Every Christian is given a spiritual gift with which to serve and build up the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:7). Sadly, though, many believers neglect theirs. Timothy actually had some good reasons to forsake his calling, but Paul urged him not to “neglect [his] spiritual gift” (1 Timothy 4:14). We can learn from Timothy’s situation by asking ourselves if the following situations might be hindering us from fully serving God.

Age: Whatever our age, the Lord wants us to use our spiritual gifts. Because of his youth, Timothy could’ve been intimidated by those with more experience. Others think they’re too old to serve God, but we’re never called into spiritual retirement.

Inadequacy: Have you ever avoided a service opportunity simply because you felt totally unqualified? That’s probably how Timothy felt about leading the church at Ephesus. Our spiritual gifts rarely come to us fully developed. God often requires that we step out in faith and trust Him to work in and through us. Over time, as we obey and learn how to use our gifts, they become more effective for God’s kingdom.

Is anything keeping you from using your spiritual gifts? Though given to us, these abilities aren’t for us; they’re for the church. To neglect them not only deprives fellow believers; we ourselves are also robbed. We’ll find both joy and blessing by serving others and doing the work God has designated for us. Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. He wants to use YOU!~~

--IN TOUCH~--"Graves Into Gardens/ Elevation Worship/ (feat/Brandon Lake) <https://youtu.be/mPhJdvf8Zvg>
~~~~~~~~~

~~~PARTNERED FOR THE IMPOSSIBLE ~~

--“O Sovereign LORD! You made the heavens and earth by your strong hand and powerful arm. Nothing is too hard for you!”
---(Jeremiah 32:17/ NLT) --

~~We need to decide for ourselves what is possible instead of letting the creators of technology determine what is possible. We have let them redefine how we communicate, consume information, shop, and even order food. I’m not against any of that that—I’m grateful for the progress. So why are we resistant to believing the definition of what God says is possible? The Creator of all things, the greatest power you will ever know and the source of human imagination has said He wants to cooperate with you in order to give your life a different set of possibilities and outcomes. Why would we settle for the same life that people who don’t know God have?

There are some things that are too hard for you and me to accomplish, but nothing is too hard for Him. Almighty God, the Creator of Heaven and Earth, has said, “I will partner with you to do things that man thinks are impossible.” What an amazing promise!
--"Jesus said, "With people [this] is impossible, but with God all things are possible." --[Matthew 19:26]

THINK ABOUT IT
Science, medicine, and technology tend to limit possibilities. Don’t allow the voices in those arenas to diminish the higher truth: With God—the Creator of Heaven, Earth, and everything within it—all things are possible.

PRAYER
~~"Heavenly Father, help me remember that You are the Highest Truth, and that everything—through the cross—is under the authority of Jesus of Nazareth. May I face those things that are seemingly impossible, knowing that nothing is impossible with You. In Jesus’ name, amen."

Blessings,
Pastor Allen Jackson
--[Acrostic For GRACE / God's Righteousness At Christ's Expense. // Jesus has already paid our sin debt. Receive His gift and move on with Him.]

--THE TRIUMPH OF FORGIVENESS~~

--"Blessed is the one whose transgressions
are forgiven, whose sins are covered." --[PSALM 32:1]

---MACK, having struggled with drug abuse and sexual sin, was desperate. Relationships he valued were in disarray, and his conscience was beating him up. In his misery, he found himself unannounced at a church asking to speak with a pastor. There he found relief in sharing his complicated story and in hearing about God's mercy and forgiveness.

Psalm 32 is believed to have been composed by David after his sexual sin. He compounded his wrongdoing by devising a sinister strategy that resulted in the death of a woman's husband (see 2 Samuel 11:12). While these ugly incidents were behind him, the effects of his actions remained. Psalm 32:3-4 describes the deep struggles he experienced before he acknowledged the ugliness of his deeds; the gnawing effects of unconfessed sin were undeniable. What brought relief? Relief began with confession to God and accepting the forgiveness He offers (v.5).

What a great place for us to stare--at the place of God's mercy--when we say or do things that cause hurt and harm to ourselves and others. The guilt of our sin need not be permanent. There's One whose arms are open wide to receive us when we acknowledge our wrongs and seek His forgiveness. We can join the chorus of those who sing, "Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, who sins are covered" )v.1).

--"Father G-D, forgive me for the times when temptation has won in my life. Help me always to run to You for forgiveness and to seek the forgiveness of others when needed. I praise You and bless You, Jehovah Yahweh ~YHWH~"

--ODB/AJ~
[Friend, no matter what sin you have committed, Jesus will forgive you. Run to Him. "If we confess our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." --[1 John 1:9] --
--"The God Who Stays"// (lyric video/ Matthew West)<https://youtu.be/flJF1fMvz5Y>
-------

--God's Grace Is Sufficient For Us. ~~

--"[The Lord said], 'My GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR YOU"--[2 Corinthians 12:9]

--"Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality " --[Romans 12:13/ NIV]

---I attended a wedding recently for Eric and Nina. They'd planned a ceremony in one town and a reception in in another. Heavy rain and flooding was predicted throughout the week.

Wedding guests arrived, laden with raincoats and umbrellas. At the end of the service, we stood as the beaming newly weds walked down the aisle . The couple disappeared into a private room while we prepared to leave. Patti, a church member, materialized in the doorway. " We just got word that the reception is canceled. The road to the venue is flooded."

Signs of dismay were heard. She went on: "We've broken the news to Eric and Nina. As you can imagine, they are very disappointed. However, they want to greet everyone. Please wait in our fellowship room across the hall."

I walked over, looking around the stark room with its harsh fluorescent lights and metal chairs. A beautiful reception with carefully selected music, food, and wedding cake would not be part of their memories. How sad, I thought. Patti, however had a different plan.

Boxes of pizzas arrived, along with paper plates, cups, and soft drinks. Patti son's came with his laptop and speakers to play music. The bright lights were turned off. Church candles became table centerpieces. Altar flowers were placed alongside a two-layer cake from a local deli.

When Eric and Nina appeared in the doorway, they looked around, stunned. The fellowship hall had been transformed. On their faces was gratitude for those who had seen to it that their love and commitment \would still be celebrated. ~~

--"Lord, thank You for people who are willing and eager to extend hospitality. They become a testament to Your generosity. Thank You, our Savior, for teaching us to be like You. You are the same yesterday, today and forever.--[Hebrews 13:8~ In Jesus Name.~"

--GP/MBS

--"Same God" // Hannah Kerr // (lyric video)<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etiaQLzAI3o>
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

---His Grace Is Sufficient For Us, By the Power of His Cross ~~

---'But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness, so that Christ's power may rest on me."
---[2 Corinthians 12:9] --

---Picking up tee frame from its place on my parents' bookshelf, I leaned in for a closer look. I remembered the taking of this picture. What a drama it had been, trying to get fourteen people, including a number of small children, assembled in one place, looking in the correct direction, with two open eyes and pleasant expressions on their faces. It hadn't gone exactly smoothly, but Mom had insisted it was the only thing she wanted for Christmas that year-- a picture of the whole family gathered together for the holiday. So, for her, we'd powered through the the chaos and gotten it done. This photo had been the best of the dozen we'd taken, and at the time, I remembered feeling disappointed by its imperfections.

Now, though--years later--it was specifically the photograph's quirks and flaws that drew my eyes and made my heart smile. Dad had been caught midword. "Cheese"!" I recalled him saying just as the camera's self-timer flashed. My daughter, barely more than a toddler that Christmas, was turned sideways, attempting to entertain her baby cousin. My sister's eyes were closed. "And my grandmother, who'd passed away a couple of years ago, was sitting in her chair, looking down at her hands, a serene smile on her face.

We'd thought we wanted a perfectly posed and polished holiday photo. What we'd gotten instead was an authentic snapshot of our clamorous, rollicking family, just as it really was. What could be more perfect than that?
"In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." --[1 Thessalonians 5:18]

--Guideposts/EJ ,

--"Power of the Cross" // <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D90SIxGKR8Q>
---

---A Very Present Help

--"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble"
--[Psalm 46:1]

---When I was in grade school, we had roll call every morning. As each name we responded with "here" or "present." Imagine how quickly heads would have tuned if someone had said "very present." Imagine how quickly heads would have turned if someone had said, "very resent." How can someone be very present? A person is either present or not present. Yet todays key verse says that God is "a very present help in trouble."

--A 9-1-1 operator can be a help in trouble after he knows about a emergency he dispatches someone immediately to the scene A lifeguard is a present help. He is on the scene scanning the water for signs of danger or distress as soon as he recognizes a need, he goes to the person's aid as quickly as possible

When I think of a "very present help", a parent hovering over a small child as he takes some of his first steps The father or mother is completely focused on the child a and his experience-- ready to catch him at any moment, and his experience -- That is the type of God we serve; an ever-present, ever-caring Father in the lives of His children. Does that mean He will never let anything harmful come to us. No. A child who never suffers bumps and bruises is not well prepared to face real life. God in His infinite wisdom knows that we too need too experience difficulties to grow in Him. But we can face those difficulties with the assurance that He, our Creator, is in control and, caring presence who has promised, 'I will never leave thee nor forsake thee" (Hebrews 13:5).

--Because my God is everywhere
And hears and answers every prayer;
I cast on Him my every care.

--BSE/JJ