Uncategorized Archives - GraceAndWorks

Mar 02
0

So…NOW WHAT??

Posted by | Life Blogs, Uncategorized | No Comments

We have heard God’s Word, Believed it, Confess Christ as the Son of God, Repented from our sins, and was Baptized. So….NOW WHAT??

Here is Paul’s instruction to the Church at Rome in Romans Chapter 12.

I. Offer ourselves as living sacrifices to God (1-2)

II. We are to use each of our unique God-given gifts for His glory (3-8)

A. Because what we have is from God, we ought to be humble (3)

B. Each member of the body has a different role (4-5)

C. We are to use our God-give gifts (6)

D. Use each specific gift to the fullest (6b-8)

III. Qualities of the complete Christian (verses 9-21)

A. Love (9-10)

B. Passion (11)

C. Heavenly-minded (12)

D. Hospitable (13)

E. Forgiving (14)

F. Encouraging (15)

G. Others-centered (16)

H. Upright (17)

I. Peaceful (18octr

J. Patient (19

K. Generous (20)

L. Victorious (21)

Live the life that God wants, not what you want.
Have a GREAT day all!! SMILE God loves YOU.

Oct 04
0

HOW WILL YOU REACH YOUR DESTINATION?

Posted by | Life Blogs, Uncategorized | No Comments

When you leave your home in your car to go somewhere, you go from one street to another to another until you reach the destination you want. Going up stairs, you go one step at a time. When taking a job, most have to start near at the bottom of the totem pole and work themselves up. Step by step we reach our career goals. We start dating and it again is step by step until we find the right person, get married, and start a family. When taking a trip, we plan out where, when, and what we are going to do. The thing about about a trip is, you can take different routes to reach destinations we want. On a recent road trip we really didn’t have a set plan, but kinda knew what and where we wanted to go. I’m “Old School” when it comes to maps and use a regular map book so I can better see where the road leads. Regardless, it was once again a step by step approach I used to reach various destinations. Going through life is very much a step by step approach.

Our Christian lives are also step by step approach. Step 1)-Hear God’s Word. Step 2)-Believe what we hear. Step 3)-Be willing to repent of our sins and change our lives. Step 4)-Confess to others that we believe Jesus is the Son of God. Step 5)-Be buried in water and Baptized. Step 6)-Live a righteous life thereafter. One step at a time we will reach our destination, which is Heaven. God’s Living Word, the Bible, is our map.

“One step at a time, dear Savior: I cannot take any more, the flesh is so weak and hopeless: I know not what is before. One step at a time, dear Savior: I am not walking by sight; Keep step with my soul, dear Savior: I walk by faith in Thy sight. One step at a time, dear Savior: Oh, guard my faltering feet! Keep hold of my hand, dear Savior, Till I my journey complete. One step at a time, dear Savior: Thou knowest all of my fear; One word from Thy heart, dear Savior, And Heavens mansions appear. One step at a time, dear Savior, Till faith grows stronger in Thee; One step at a time, dear Savior, Till hope grows stronger in me.” One step at a time…….!!

SMILE God loves YOU!! Have a GREAT day all.

 

Sep 24
0

ALL MEANS EVERYBODY…………

Posted by | Life Blogs, Uncategorized | No Comments

I’m having a hard time understanding how we, as citizens of the United  States, Christians, or just hard working people, can make a statement that “All” are bad. It seems to me that this profiling is getting worse. Some of what I’ve seen, heard, and observed in the last year or so: All Muslims are bad–All Hispanics are bad–All blacks are bad–All the police are out to get “Me”–All the professional athletes are spoiled over paid babies, etc. It seems we’re drawing these conclusions when there are only a handful in each group that this really pertains to. Why don’t we have any reflection that all whites are bad? After all there is the White Supreme group that makes up a handful of Whites.

That brings me to what is going on in Politics, as I see it. Republicans are grouped as being bad by the Democrats. I have to believe that there are good Republicans. Right? I mean, they can’t all be bad. People refer to Republicans as “The Right Wingers” and “Conservatives.” Why are they called names? Aren’t they citizens of the United States? Don’t they put on their shoes and pants just like everyone else? I don’t understand the name calling!! Then there are the Democrats. They also are being billed as all bad by the Republicans. I have to believe there are good Democrats. Right? I mean, they can’t all be bad. People refer to Democrats as “Left Wingers” or “Liberals.” Why are they called names? Aren’t they citizens of the United States? Don’t they put on their shoes and pants just like everyone else? I don’t understand the name calling!! I have a hard time believing all Republicans can like all that the party stands for. Just the same for the Democrats that they can’t all like everything the party is doing. I know Democrats that are conservative, living as Christians should, and want the constitution upheld. So why are there those who say all Democrats are Liberal and don’t want these things? When we say “ALL”, that is an inclusive word and it shouldn’t be used to profile a group of people. Can’t we just stop with the name calling and strive for an America that is peaceful? In all the groups that I have used here, there are a handful of those doing or saying bad things. Don’t be the one that says, “ALL.”

God is not a RESPECTER of persons!! We are ALL created in His image. He says so and I believe it.

SMILE God loves YOU!! Have a good day all.

Jul 13
0

Which Wisdom Do You Have?

Posted by | Life Blogs, Uncategorized | No Comments

First off let’s define wisdom. Wisdom is an accumulated philosophic or scientific learning. It’s the ability to discern inner qualities and relationships: insight. It’s having good sense or judgement. It’s having a wise attitude and a wise course of action. It’s the ability to take your knowledge and be able to put it to use.

In the 3rd Chapter of James starting with verse 14 and following, James talks about two different types of knowledge. Verse 14 says, “But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.” Verse 15 says, “This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic.” Verse 16 says, “For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and EVERY evil thing are there.” This wisdom gives a person the ability to get in trouble without being caught. It gives the ability to be the trouble without being chastised. It’s being “Street Wise” with no shame of what is going on or happening.  It’s a worldly wisdom that demonstrates evil and wrong doing and is completely  against what God wants, expects, and demands.

Verse 17 says, “BUT the wisdom that is from above is FIRST pure, THEN peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, FULL of mercy AND good fruits, WITHOUT partiality and WITHOUT hypocrisy.” Verse 18 says, “NOW the fruit of righteousness IS sown in peace by THOSE who make peace.” This wisdom gives a person the ability to take God’s Word and put it to good use. It gives us the ability to study God’s Word and understand what He wants from us. It gives us good sense and judgement. It gives us insight with a wise attitude and a wise course of action. It’s a Heavenly wisdom that lets us be the type of Christian person God wants us to be.

The question I would have at this point is: Are you filled with Worldly  wisdom or are you Filled with Heavenly wisdom? The choice is yours!! MAKE the right decision.

SMILE God loves YOU!! Have a good day all.

Feb 08
0

WOE IS ME!!!!

Posted by | Life Blogs, Uncategorized | No Comments

It seems like every time we turn around something happens that upsets us. We get angry, disgusted, despondent and at times depressed. And here goes the, “OH Woe Is Me.” It’s been said that if you look around, there is someone close by that is worse off that we are.

I CRY BECAUSE:

My child is not perfect–Then I see where someone lost their child.

My house/apartment is too small–Then I see a homeless person

I have no shoes–Then I see a person with no feet/legs

I am not perfect–Then I see someone is in prison

I have aches and pains–Then I see where someone died

There are times when things get bad enough that we think that not even God cares. The adversity in our lives overwhelms us. If you get to the point where you think God doesn’t care, look at the story of Job. Even though he had lost everything and was covered from head to toe in sores, he never turned on God or his faith. God eventually returned Job to his health and his wealth. God cared about Job just as he cares for you and me. The scriptures tell us that God will comfort us in our afflictions, if we will only draw close with confidence.

It doesn’t matter how bad things seem. if we stay close to Him, nothing can separate us from God’s love. Cast your burdens and anxieties on the Lord. He will NOT forsake you. Blessed is the man who endures his trials and tribulations and stays steadfast in the Lord. TRULY HE IS HAPPY!!

We need to be thankful for what we are given by God, not discouraged by what God has not given us. SMILE God loves YOU!!

Feb 01
0

What About Forgiveness?

Posted by | Life Blogs, Uncategorized | No Comments

Have you ever reacted or spoken out the best intentions make mistakes of haste? The answer to the question is probably, YES I have. There are times when people acting on emotion or impulse, sometimes fall into temptations and desperately need forgiveness. Family, friends, co-workers and church family, in spite of best intentions make mistakes.  It is a fact of our lives that we all make mistakes.  None of us are perfect and we will all commit sins from time to time (Romans 3:21-23).  When we sin, what is important is our reaction following our misstep.  Each of us must confess the sin to the person we have hurt and immediately ask them to forgive us.  We must also ask God to forgive us and know that He will.

If the person who has harmed us or said something to hurt us and asks for our forgiveness, what does the bible say our response and reaction should be?

Romans 12:17 says, “Never pay back evil for evil to anyone.  Respect what is right in the sight of all men.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 reminds the forgiving person that love is the key; “Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

Matthew 18:15-17 says seek repentance; “If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother.  But if he does not listen to you, take one or more with you, so that BY THE MOUTH OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES EVERY FACT MAY BE CONFIRMED.  If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.”

Accepting forgiveness is a command.  Write the words of Jesus on your heart.  He tells us in Luke 17:3-4, “Be on your guard!  If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.  And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying I repent, forgive him.” It takes a big person to know they are wrong and an even bigger person to admit and say they are wrong.  Sometimes , it’s as simple as saying, “I was wrong and I’m sorry.”

This article was written by Lillie Montgomery. She and her husband Eddie worship in Pahrump, Nevada at Desert Church of Christ. This is a small church of 10-15 people. If it wasn’t for Lillie and Eddie, the church probably would not exist. Please pray for them as they work in the Lord’s kingdom.

 

Dec 26
0

Ephesians 4:1-7

Posted by | Uncategorized | No Comments

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all lowliness and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is ONE body and ONE spirit, just as you were called to the ONE hope that belongs to your call, ONE Lord, ONE Faith, ONE Baptism, ONE God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all. But Grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.

Dec 04
0

James 5:7-12

Posted by | Uncategorized | No Comments

Be patient, therefore, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient over it until it receives the early and the late rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble, brethren, against one another, that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the doors. As an example of suffering and patience, brethren, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we call those happy who were steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath, but let your yes be yes and your no be no, that you may not fall under condemnation.