Unexpected Grace

“God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant.” Romans 5:20

He appeared out of nowhere. Blue and red lights burst on right about the time I laid eyes on his intimidating, unmarked SUV.  Immediately I checked the speedometer. It confirmed what the officer knew: I was speeding. A sinking feeling knotted my stomach as I prepared to receive the punishment for my inadvertent disobedience of the traffic laws.

I watched in my rear view mirror as the police car crept up behind me. With driver’s license and registration in hand, my fingers tapped in irritation on the steering wheel. My scowl deepened as I impatiently waited for the policeman to walk to my window. “Sir, I stopped you for speeding. Driver’s license and registration please.”

Then it happened. The unexpected. The unwarranted. The undeserved.  The policeman glanced into my car and checked out my passengers (including my three deer-in-the-headlights kids in the back seat). Then he startled us all by blurting out a big ol’ Southern “Hey!” to my wife, calling her by name.

Apparently they had grown up in church together and proceeded to spend a couple of friendly minutes reacquainting. He handed back my license and registration and gave me a smile. “Slow it down please, and have a good day.”

We sat stunned and breathed a collective sigh of relief as I drove away – slowly, I might add.  I had not paid attention to the guidelines set forth. My guilt was obvious, and I had no excuse. I deserved to suffer the consequences, but instead I was given grace.

Grace is undeserved favor or pardon. We can’t earn it or buy it. It’s something the giver bestows out of the goodness and love in their heart. The Bible tells countless stories of people who received grace, including prostitutes, unfaithful marriage partners, deceivers, thieves, liars and more. Their sins deserved a punishment, but when they asked God for forgiveness, His grace wiped their guilt away. They were treated as pardoned offenders – just as I was.

In the verse above, Paul is reminding the people of Corinth that despite their sin, God is good, and the Giver of grace. It serves as a reminder that God not only offers grace – He offers it in abundance. The more we need, the more we get.

Although God hates sin because it separates us from Him and ushers pain into our lives, His grace is available no matter how big our offense may be. And when we receive the pardon that was paid through the sacrifice of His Son, and begin a relationship with Jesus Christ, we receive grace, forgiveness and mercy.  As much as I appreciated the grace extended to me from the officer that day, it paled in comparison to God’s grace. You see, the officer’s grace was one of kindness, but not one of redemptive love. It was a grace of compassion, but not the life-saving grace Jesus gives.

The truth is, I deserved a speeding ticket that day but grace was given. In the same way, although we deserve punishment for sin, God’s forgiveness and favor are offered anyway... through the gift of His unexpected, unwarranted and undeserved grace.

Dear Lord, thank You for the undeserved gift of grace. Forgive my sins, and shower me with Your favor, even though it is undeserved. Thank You for loving me enough to grant me pardon for my mistakes. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Casey Dacus
Graham, TX

What if I Were Broken?

“Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.” Micah 7:18 (NIV 1984)

His question made me stop and think. It was a simple comment, said in a teasing manner, but instantly struck a chord in my heart.

One afternoon I was trying to get prepared for a garage sale in Abilene.  I was attempting to determine what to sell and what to throw away.  While cleaning out the garage full of items I rarely used, I found an old broken VCR. I handed it to my six year-old son and asked him to throw it away. Instead of just tossing it into the trashcan, he asked if he could keep it.

Why in the world would a little boy want an old, dirty, useless VCR? I thought.

He insisted he needed to keep it. Finally I said, “Son, it is broken. I don’t want it or need it anymore, so throw it away please.” “Well if I were broken, would you just throw me away?” he asked.

Huh? Our conversation about a silly VCR had gotten way too complicated. I assured him I would never throw him away, no matter what, because he was too valuable to me. Then I gave him a hug and he skipped off into the house to watch TV, while I stood there stunned, pondering his question.

I remembered being like that VCR – broken, dirty and useless – at least in my eyes. A horrible decision I made in my earlier years convinced me for a long time that I had no redeeming value in God’s eyes. Regret suffocated my heart for years, and plagued me with lies that God could never really love a sinner like me.  I stood there in my garage vividly remembering the overwhelming pain and regret of feeling broken, and void of worth, beauty or value. But then a smile slipped across my face as I remembered the day God healed my brokenness. Sitting alone in my backyard several years before, tears down my face, I begged God to forgive me for my sins. I had asked before, but this time it was different.  I felt God’s presence and believed His promise of forgiveness. For the first time, I heard His voice ring in the ears of my heart, reassuring me that I was too valuable to be thrown away. The following day I realized something was different. My past was still my past, but I was no longer broken.  The damaged pieces of my heart were mended, and I set out on a wonderful journey to discover my worth in God’s eyes. Over time I read His promises and started to believe I really was valuable and that He not only loved me, He liked me!

Are you feeling broken today? Do you ever feel like God could love everyone else, but not you? Do you spend each day condemning yourself for past sins, current habits, damaged relationships, poor choices, or even self-harming behavior?  Do you ever feel like you are just too messed up to be “fixed?” Do you wish you could stop feeling broken, or break the cycle of sin in your life, but simply do not know how?

Despite what you think, you are not beyond repair. As a child of God, you are precious, beautiful and part of God’s inheritance, just as the verse above says.  Whatever your situation, God can mend that crushing feeling of hopelessness and brokenness. With faith, ask Him to. Then delight in Him by accepting His grace, mercy and forgiveness.

Dear Lord, forgive me and heal me. Mend my brokenness. Give me hope. Help me to see myself through Your eyes only. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Casey Dacus
Graham, TX

Power in the Blood

The bloodstream is a flowing river to all the human body cells for nourishment and removal of residues.  The life of every living creature is in the blood.  When we are born the first thing the hospital does it take our blood to identify our type and check our well-being.  Through our blood we are related to our ancestors and receive certain traits.  A blood test must be taken to  receive a marriage license.  Blood represents a sign of fertility in women or it can be a sign or sickness.  The absence of blood can result in death.  Blood can save lives through transfusions.  Blood residue can help forensic investigators link suspects to crime scenes.  Blood can be taken to identify people.  In the Old Testament it was used to atone for sins.

The sole function of blood in the human body is to keep it healthy and alive, just as the blood of Jesus Christ brings life to all.  For the life of the flesh is in the blood; It is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life. (Lev. 17:11)  Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness (Heb. 9:22) In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins (Col. 1:14) And the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin (I John 1: 7)

Another function of blood in the human body is to cleanse our systems just as the blood of Christ cleanses our spirits and souls.  The Holy Spirit points out sin to us allowing us to repent and confess our sin so that we can be cleansed of it.  Jesus offered up His blood so that you and I could become clean, holy vessels.  The blood of Jesus spilled on the earth for our salvation. (I John 5: 7,8) Just as life leaves when the blood flows out of our natural body, so are those who do not know the Lord Jesus.  They are dead and have no life in them.  (John 6: 53-59)

Under the old testament the shedding of animal blood was required to atone for their sins.  Today, Jesus’ death and shed blood paid the price for sin once and for all. (Heb. 10:6-9)

Blood gives health and strength should the human body become sick.  The blood alters to adjust and begin  healing.  The blood cells act as defenders and travel to the infection to attack the invaders.  The blood of Jesus does the same for the body of Christ.  When Satan invades our lives, the Holy Spirit stands ready to come to our aid.  And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb (Rev. 12:11)

The Israelites were saved from the Angel of Death by putting blood around their door posts.  God was with them and their households were protected. (Exo. 12:23) Rahab is another example of the Lord saving an entire family.  By faith, Rahab put out a scarlet cord which symbolized the blood of Christ. (Josh 2:18)  Blood feeds nutrients to all parts of the human body.  Likewise, God feeds us through the blood of Jesus Christ who is the Word. (John 1:14) For there are three that testify: the Spirit, the water, and the blood. (I John 5: 7,8)

Our faith in what the blood of Jesus does for us will bring us the victory.  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Rom 8:11)

“Dying to Self”
When you are purposely set aside, rejected, forgotten and hurt with the insult of oversight – but your spirit sings because you are being counted worthy to suffer for Christ, that is “Dying to Self.” When your advice is disregarded, your opinions ridiculed, and all manner of evil is spoken against you, and you refuse to let anger rise in your heart, or even defend yourself, but take it all with patient, loving silence, that is “dying to self.” When you do not allow any disorder, irregularity, or arrogance to come against your peace, when you are face to face with filth, waste, stupidity or spiritual pride, and endure it as Jesus endured it, that is “dying to self.” When you are content with the location you live, the climate, the society, the solitude of the “backside of the desert,” and are willing to have your plans changed or interrupted by the will of God at any moment, that is “dying to self.”  When you never care to have others know of your good works, and never refer to yourself in conversation, or even care to have anyone commend you, when you truly love to be unknown, that is “dying to self.”  When you see your brother prosper and have his needs met, and can honestly rejoice with him in the Spirit, and feel no envy, nor  question God as to why your own needs are not being met, that is “dying to self.”  When you can receive correction and reproof, finding no rebellion or resentment rising in your heart, that is “dying to self.”

Father God, we know that our sinful nature is not conquered in a day and that we shall continue to sin.  We are grateful that one who is in Christ has the blessing of being forgiven every day and is continually cleansed in the blood of Jesus by your  grace,  Father, which provided the only sacrifice that could take away our sins. Thank you for this precious privilege of being in Christ who gives us access to to the Holy of Holies through His blood which redeems us from sin and fear of death.

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.  God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. (Rom 3:23-25)

Carla Henson

Tuscola, Texas

The Best Gift

I heard a story Christmas morning at church about a grandmother who didn’t know what to get the grandkids who were growing up and lived so far away so she decided to send them cards with a check in it. She gets it all ready and mailed the cards only to realize a day later that she forgot to include the checks. Imagine the grandkids surprise when they got a card from their grandmother that said “buy your own gifts this year.”  

I love gift cards and I certainly like cash.  As someone who has plenty of “stuff” I want to buy things I need and often those things cost more than someone would be able to pay so just give the ability to go do it myself.  Merry Christmas to me!

On this Christmas day and each day before and after, I’m thankful that God doesn’t send me a card that tells me to buy my own gift or simply give me a gift card or cash so I can go get what I need.  God gave me a gift and the gift is Jesus.  It’s a gift I didn’t deserve, a gift I don’t yet fully grasp, a gift I could never acquire on my own.  

It is possible to experience Christmas all year long by simply remembering God’s gift each day and living a life that shares the joy and hope that comes from his gift to each of us.  

Grace and peace to you.        

Jeff Jones

Decatur, Texas

You are Forgiven!

Which is easier: to say, “Your sins are forgiven,” or to say, “Get up and walk”?  But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins… He said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” Luke 5:23-24 NIV

Do you have a hard time accepting God’s forgiveness?  If so, what do you believe is the source of your difficulty?

Jesus came as the Son of Man to rescue us from the great plight of man: we have a sin problem, and we are powerless to help ourselves.  Given the right set of circumstances and the wrong state of mind, each of us is capable of just about anything.  Even if we could get our external lives under perfect and legalistic control, we’d probably rot on the inside with the heinous sin of pride.  Let’s face it we’re all hopeless—except that Jesus came as the “Son of Man” with the “authority on earth to forgive sins.”

I can remember being so devastated over a sin I had allowed to ensnare me that I repeatedly begged God to forgive me.  I confessed my sin with great sorrow and lost a few nights sleep. Still, I continued to plead for forgiveness. Then one day God spoke to my heart in those words in Luke 5, “Terry, my child, you have an authority problem. You think you can do your part which is to repent.  You just don’t think I can do My part which is to forgive.”

I was stunned.  I began to realize that my sin of unbelief in His power to forgive me was as serious as my prior sin of rebellion.  It was eye-opening!

If you have truly repented—which means you have experienced godly sorrow and a subsequent detour from the sin—bathe yourself in the river of God’s forgiveness. The Son of Man has authority to forgive sins right here on earth. You can experience the freedom of complete forgiveness right now.  Fall under Christ’s authority and accept His grace.

He prays to God and finds favor with him, he sees God’s face and shouts for joy; he is restored by God to his righteous state.  Then he comes to men and says, “I sinned, and perverted what was right, but I did not get what I deserved.  He redeemed my soul from going down to the pit (grave), and I will live to enjoy the light.” Job 33:26-28 NIV

Terry Smith
Stephenville, TX

Silent Beauty Shining High

The other night my husband proved the depth of his love…and his insanity.  We have a small cabin behind our home that quarters a second freezer.  I had asked him earlier in the day to collect a few packages of moose sausage for lunch the next day.  As time so often does, it got away and we soon realized it was 10:30, so I began devising Plan B.  Jeff however, wasn’t hearing of it.  Wearing his pj’s and a bath robe, he threw on his cap and headlamp, and took off on his cross country skis.  After a good laugh at his appearance I went outside to enjoy the view of him skiing through the dark in his bathrobe.  That was when I saw something amazing…

One of my favorite things in Alaska is the snow.   As I watched my husband disappear into the darkness, I looked out across our yard and noticed how the cool moon light was cast across the snow.  When my eyes adjusted to the light, it revealed a white blanket of diamonds. 

The weather this fall has been erratic in Texas as well as Alaska.  On the Kachemak Bay, the temperature may rise above freezing during the day, which causes a slow melt.  At night, the temperature decreases and the snow refreezes.  The night air cools the outer surface of the snow banks faster than the inside.  As the water vapor escapes from inside; it meets with the freezing air causing a spectacular growth of icy crystals called hoar frost.  At times I have seen frost flakes the size of quarters.  When the moon is just right, these hexagonal prisms appear as fields of brilliantly cut gems. 

Waiting for my husband’s return I sat thankful for the diamonds laid before me.  I looked up to see a sky full of glimmering stars.  I basked in a field of diamonds both above and below.  The scene reminded me of a song lyric by the late Johnny Cash, “Field of diamonds in the sky, silent beauty shining high…” 

The majestic snow also reminded me of how God covers our sin.  Like a new snow fall covers over the brown death of autumn, so does Jesus’ atoning sacrifice cover our sins with love. God has sought to be his creation’s place of covering since the beginning. Romans 4:7, calls God’s protected, “blessed” because our sins have been covered.

Recently, I had the sheer terror of driving through a blizzard.  I was traveling with a girlfriend and my three month old baby girl.  Suddenly, my beautiful blanket of snow turned into an assault of blinding, white, wind.  The storm was a terrible combination of heavy sleet and snow, 80 mile per hour wind, and dangerous black ice.  It reminded me of the storms of life. 

Life is full of storms:  Loved ones fall ill, marriage is hard, then there is an accident, an abuse, and the winds begin to pick up.  Soon we begin to lose those we love; we lose a baby, we lose a spouse, we lose a friend…these unexpected, difficult times may make us question God’s covering.  The covering of God’s love is there, but it has been picked up and blown against us by the ferocious wind of Satan to such a degree that we can’t see two feet in front of us.  Panic sets in, we feel completely isolated, and we lose our bearings.  We can forget that we had a covering to begin with and only see the storm around us. 

On my road trip I had two choices.  I could have pulled over, possibly getting stuck in the foot of snow that lined the pull-outs or I could keep going.  Slowly, slowly my precious cargo and I progressed down the highway.  My arms were locked at “10 and 2”, prayer became my breath, and the road ahead my heartbeat.  At times it was only the snow berm that lined the road that kept me headed in the right direction.  When I would veer off course, the solid berm would guide me back into my lane, not unlike the way the Spirit helps us stay on course.  The journey was twice as long and exhausting, but we safely avoided two avalanches, and a road closure to thankfully make it home.

During the storms of life, when we would pay anything to find relief from the onslaught of the Enemy, our Lord wants nothing more than to tuck us under the covering of his wing.  We need only to seek His refuge during the storm. It is in God’s refuge from the storm that we can once again see the priceless beauty of the world around us.

Psalm 36:7

How priceless is your unfailing love, O God!

People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.

Prayer:  Almighty, Lord, you are awesome and holy.  Like little chicks running toward their momma, we run to your outstretched wings.  Thank you for rescuing us.  Thank you for providing a place of refuge and security against the danger that surrounds us.  Thank you for reminding us of your love and grace-filled covering through beautiful images like snow.  From under Jesus’ loving cover, we pray these things.  Amen.

Dana Jaworski
Anchor Point, AK

Special word of thanks to Gail Presley of Happy Valley, Alaska for the photos that accompany this article.  Beautiful!

Been Through Car Wash Lately?

There are several things about me that I really don't like.

1 - I eat wayyyy too much fast food.
2 – I misplace things all the time.
3 - I am accident-prone and break things easily.

I think all of these come from being overly laid back; I treat most things with a “no big deal” casual attitude. For the most part, I think that’s a good quality. But sometimes, these negative sides really get under my skin.

My husband often has to be very patient with me. Just after Christmas, I hurt - okay, wrecked - our car when I drove too closely to a pole at the gas pump. And I can't even blame it on my kids for distracting me - I was all alone!

A couple months later, my absent-minded-ness caused our family computer to get broken. I left the laptop on the arm of the couch, and my son knocked it to the floor during a game of “Spiderman Jumping.” It was unfixable. And of course, I had forgotten to back up my files.

That same week, I was wrapping up some of my husband’s camping gear, and I destroyed an expensive air mattress by accidentally catching it with a hook. I just looked up at him and said, “I don’t think you should let me touch your stuff anymore.”

My bad habits have a way of getting me down. At first, it is frustrating to deal with the same issues over and over. After a while, I begin to feel embarrassed that I can’t seem to kick certain habits. And then, guilt sets in.

My husband is always very kind to me when my “no big deal-ness” wreaks havoc for the umpteenth time. He tells me not to worry about it - that it's only stuff, and that he loves me completely. In these difficult moments, his gentleness reminds me of the love of God.

It's such a gift to be forgiven of the same mess-ups over and over - to be truly known and still truly loved (even when we don't seem to improve). God loves us this way. I believe that his love is not in spite of our faults, but sometimes, He has compassion on us because of our faults.

In Matthew 9, Jesus is traveling from town to town, teaching and healing. Verse 36 says,

“When he looked out over the crowds, his heart broke. So confused and aimless they were, like sheep with no shepherd.”
(from The Message)

Each of us is God’s precious creation – He loves us as His children! You don’t have to hide your flaws from God. He already knows they are there. And in those stressful moments when you discover you’ve messed up yet again, don’t beat yourself up. Use your guilt to point you to God.

Author Gary Thomas writes, “Not so long ago, the word ‘polio’ struck fear into the heart of every parent. Today, the effects of polio seem little more than a very bad memory Why the difference? Doctors have learned how to beat the disease. …Guilt is a fierce reality, but God has provided a cure in the death and resurrection of Jesus.”

Thomas says guilt is a car wash, not a parking lot. You can come out on the other end with a new outlook! We get another day, another chance. We cannot exhaust God’s grace! So turn your guilt into a call to worship. Confess your shortcomings, but spend as much energy rejoicing in the God who forgives.

"God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.' " --Hebrews 13:5

Bicky Tolar

Abilene, Texas

Two Bits an Hour

As a young boy on our family’s cotton farm in Lynn County at New Home, Texas, I hoed  a lot of weeds.  I had a lot of time to think, and I decided to make a request from the boss.  The boss was my Dad.  I told my Dad that I thought I should receive ‘some pay’ for my work.  He asked me if I thought ‘two bits an hour’ sounded OK.  Since I did not know how much ‘two bits’ were, I thought it sounded like a pretty good deal.  So, for the rest of the summer, my Dad paid me two bits an hour for hoeing weeds from our cotton crop.  At the end of the week, he would give me the quarters that I earned and I would put them in a drawer.  I was proud of the drawer full of quarters in my room.  I would look at them and count them and hold them in my hands.  The quarters represented my hard work.  The quarters were a source of pride.  They were a reason for boasting.

In Philippians 3, Paul writes about his source of boasting before he became a Christian.  Paul was proud of his heritage.  He was born an Israelite, circumcised on the 8th day, of the tribe of Benjamin, and a Hebrew of Hebrews.  In addition, he was a Pharisee.  He was also proud of his zeal and his blameless law-keeping.

There are many sources of pride and boasting for us as humans.  We may take pride in our looks or our athletic ability or our education.  It may be a special skill or our wealth.  But, Scripture reminds us that our ONLY ground for boasting as Christians is Jesus our Redeemer.  

26 Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.” (I Corinthians 1:26-31)

It was many years ago when I earned ‘two bits an hour’ in a cotton field.  Unfortunately, in my spiritual life, I looked at my personal works of righteousness as a source of boasting before God for many years.  I am grateful that I now realize that the only ground for boasting SPIRITUALLY is the grace of God—His mercy and forgiveness.

Father, thank you for paying the price for my sins at Calvary.  Help me to live in grateful service.

   

Terry Brown

Abilene, Texas

God's Wonderful Grace

“These are the times that try men’s souls.” I’ve heard that statement several times in my short existence on this earth. It seems to me that “hard times” are never-ending! I have been blessed all my life. But, this week I've been challenged more than any other time in recent memory. I changed jobs, packed for a move, been alone without my family, etc. – all this week! It has been somewhat frustrating. (I can’t seem to find enough time in the day!) I’m sure that others have had more challenging weeks than mine. However, in the process of feeling overwhelmed, I was blessed to read 1 Peter 1. What a wonderful and encouraging chapter!!

Starting in verse 10, Peter talks about the promise of salvation:
Concerning this salvation, the prophets who predicted the grace that would come to you searched and investigated carefully. They probed into what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating when he testified beforehand about the sufferings appointed for Christ and his subsequent glory. They were shown that they were serving not themselves but you, in regard to the things now announced to you through those who proclaimed the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from Heaven – things angels long to catch a glimpse of.

The prophets prophesied about Christ and about the many blessings of grace through Christ. Examples of these blessings of grace are as follows:
Redeeming grace – from sin, Satan, death, and the grave
Justifying grace – through his righteousness witnessed by all
Pardoning grace – as a blessing of the new covenant and received through faith in Christ
Adopting grace – not for one people, but for all
Regenerating and Sanctifying grace – in giving a new heart and spirit, in baptism
Persevering grace – those that believe in God will not depart from him, his loving kindness will not depart from us, our salvation (God’s free gift)

God will never give us more than we can handle – we all know that. Therefore, in my opinion it’s important to remember what matters most everyday. Amidst all of the things going on around you we need to remember Jesus Christ died for us, and, because of that incredible, free gift of grace, we get to live forever with Him. I heard a wise man once say – “Grace is like water in that it runs downstream and pools in low places. No matter how crazy or low we get, that gift of grace saves and covers us. Thank you, Lord!

Casey Dacus
Graham, Texas