The Daily Breath of God Thursday, December 29 2011
The man said, "This is now bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called woman, for she was taken out of man." For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame. Genesis 2:23-25This is a beautiful part of God's Word that describes his joyful plan that God has for a man and a woman and this is the way it was until sin came. In sin things became shameful, embarrassing and confusing. Man began to lust for other women and in so doing the relationship with his wife became difficult. The woman began to lust for another man, wishing she had married someone different and things became difficult and exhausting. Grace refreshes all of this and gives the man and the woman a new place to start. Grace gives the freedom to stop lusting for others and wishing for someone different. Being overwhelmed by grace is truly the most refreshing and enjoyable way to live through this life. It heals the wounds of the past and gives a new beginning every new day for the man and woman overwhelmed by grace. On this new day please allow yourself to enjoy the freedom of being overwhelmed by his grace. It is a love that expresses itself without condemnation and therefore refreshes the one you are with. It is everything you have hoped for and you and everyone around you will enjoy the beauty of grace. Friday, December 23 2011
Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. Luke 23:34What a picture of the emotions of grace that we have here. Jesus had been falsely accused, punched in the face, spit upon, had his flesh whipped off his back, beard pulled, carried his cross to the point of overwhelming fatigue emotionally and physically, nailed to a cross and crowned with thorns. It was in this condition that he said - "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." Grace goes beyond the situation and sees the love of God for the souls of men and women. In the midst of pain, grace gives the freedom to not carry the bad attitude of accusers and therefore it finds a sweet relief in forgiveness. As we can see clearly here, there was and is no condemnation in the grace that is in and through Jesus the Christ. On this new day, may you enjoy that freedom of his grace that allows you to bless, encourage and forgive in such a way that the love and kindness of our Lord is seen and heard through your life and voice. You will be so relieved and renewed that you will hardly be able to contain it. So lift up your heart, your voice and praise the one who loves you. This will be a day to remember. Thursday, December 22 2011
The LORD merely spoke, and the heavens were created. He breathed the word, and all the stars were born. He assigned the sea its boundaries and locked the oceans in vast reservoirs. Psalm 33:6,7 NLTWhen we were children, at least for most of us, our parents protected us, provided for us and cared for us. It was here we learned the beginnings of trust, hope and love. No matter how rich or poor we were, we never thought about it, we just relaxed through the day and when we went home from school or play, we knew that food, shelter and love would be there. Somewhere along the journey we learned about stress, anxiety and peer pressure, none of which we enjoy. The grace that is found in Jesus the Christ gives us the freedom to relax, enjoy and have expressions of thanksgiving, for we know the Lord is in the details. When we are living overwhelmed by grace, worry leaves the room as well as attitudes that are less than refreshing. Grace does much more than save us for heaven, it sets our heart and mind free to experience and enjoy the love of God through the details of our journey. On this new day that has never been, may you enjoy living right smack dab in the middle of his grace. You will enjoy the relaxing freedom of his presence; know the whisper of his voice and the joy of his salvation that calls you son or daughter. A smile is appropriate and your emotions and thoughts will be renewed. Wednesday, December 21 2011
So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1 NLTHere in God’s Word is the fact for those who are in or belong to Jesus the Christ. This is not a statement of religion of some kind, it is the reality of the freedom of grace found and given through our Lord. Here is a question, are you weary of guilt? Are you weary of your own condemnation? Condemnation is the opposite of our salvation that has been given. This grace that has been poured upon us through Christ is freedom not only from sin’s guilt, but also from its enslaving power. Those who belong to Jesus the Christ can never be condemned again. That is the meaning of No. In Jesus the Christ is where condemnation is not and cannot be found. On this new day may you celebrate the freedom that is yours through our Lord. This freedom will bring a great delight to you and those around you. Praise, rejoicing and thanksgiving will always be found in the freedom of his grace. Tuesday, December 20 2011
Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine. Proverbs 3:9,10 NLTWhen we were young it did not matter if it was a birthday, Easter or Christmas; the exciting thing was the gifts we would receive. The beauty of living in the grace of God in Jesus the Christ, is the joy we have learned in giving because we are in love and thankful for the opportunity to give. Grace saves us from our old nature where we are quite self absorbed. Grace lets us live with an open heart and open hands toward our Lord and others. Our wealth is about what we have and it does not matter if it is ten dollars or a thousand, it is our wealth. The ability to earn it comes from the Lord. What a joy comes over us when we can give to the glory of God and the refreshment of others. On this new day may you enjoy the opportunities before you to honor the Lord with what is in your hand and the best part of everything you do. You will enjoy this freedom and it will refresh your journey. His grace that gives you this freedom will blow your hair back. Enjoy! Monday, December 19 2011
Taste and see that the LORD IS GOOD. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him. Psalm 34:8 NLTWhat beautiful gifts taste and sight actually are. Without them so much of our journey through life would be missed. Without taste, what joy would there be in food or drink of any kind? Here the invitation is to experience the Lord as a delightful taste. In him you will not taste bitterness, resentment, condemnation or all the foul flavors of lust. Through his grace you will taste and see his joy, his love, his kindness and his delight in you. On this new day may you find yourself enjoying all the flavors and sights of our Lords grace in you. May you know and experience all the freedoms of his grace through your emotions and thoughts and may your life be the flavors of our Lord to anyone who meets you. Enjoy! |