"But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain."
~1 Corinthians 15:10a
This is one of my favorite verses in the Bible, "By the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain!" There was a time when His grace toward me was in vain, when I didn't comprehend the meaning of grace, salvation, or eternity without God. Like most people, I preferred worldly pleasure over the Word of God. I lived a lifestyle of parties, drinking, drugs, rock n roll, and living to have fun and satisfying my own desires. The thought of what might happen to my eternal soul should I die never crossed my mind. Have you lived that way? Are you living that way now? If so, there's still time to change the road you're on - if I may quote Led Zeppelin! As long as you are drawing breath into your body, you have time to change your eternal destiny.
Change isn't always easy but it is a necessary part of life. Living as if there is no tomorrow may find us dead regretting that we didn't give life and eternity more thought. You are going to die. We are all going to die. That is simply the culmination and reality of life. Whether you are young or old, or somewhere in between, death is the final step you'll take in life. No matter what you've heard about reincarnation, going to a better place, or death being the final end and there is nothing more, is all a lie. There is a very real afterlife that is only determined by the decision you make while living. You can't live apart from Jesus in this life and expect to step into Heaven for eternity. That's not how it works. God had a design planned for this world and for each one of us born into it. Throughout the Bible, that plan has unfolded and was completed when Jesus Christ died on the Cross for each of us. There is only one way to Heaven and that is through the Blood of Jesus Christ and each of us making the decision to accept Him as our Savior while we are alive.
"When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit (John 19:30)."
Jesus was not talking about His life being finished, He was talking about the fulfillment of prophecy throughout the Old Testament. Prophecy about who He was and why He came to earth as a mere human was finished. Sin was finished. Death was finished. The old nature was finished. Sacrifice was finished. Working to get into Heaven was finished. Trying to be good enough was finished. All the work Jesus was sent to do on earth for each of us was finished on the Cross at Calvary and all that is left for us to do is accept Christ as Lord and Savior.
I was on a paved road to hell when I accepted Jesus Christ as Lord of my life. I was changed into someone who wanted to be better than I had been, who wanted to live my life differently and to be assured that my soul didn't end up in hell. I wasn't perfect by any means and I sure didn't have many answers, nor did I get everything right. I still made mistakes, I still had my moments when the old person I used to be rose up, I got mad, I said things I shouldn't have and did things I regretted. I was not perfect by any means but I was saved by grace and little by little, grace led me to be a better person each day. Salvation is given the moment we confess our sins and ask Jesus to be our Savior, and grace covers us as we follow Him and learn how to be more like Him. It is no different than when we raise our own children. They come to us helpless but they learn and grow over time. We don't expect a newborn to walk, or a one year old to carry on meaningful conversations. We allow them to grow at their own pace, guiding and nurturing them, using discipline when necessary. God is the same way with us. We must crawl before we can walk, and walk before we can run but the love of God is always with us.
"I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready (1 Corinthians 3:2)."
As we grow in the Lord by going to church, prayer, and Bible study, we are fed more and more "meat" of the Word. I have read the Bible through many, many times and every time I read, God reveals something brand new that takes me deeper into my relationship with Him. Don't wait until it's too late, make your decision for life everlasting today.
God loves you so much that He gave up Heaven to live among us, and He is waiting for you to make the decision to love Him in return. Say this simple prayer from Rev. Billy Graham:
"Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior. In Your Name, I pray, Amen."
Read
Job 32-34
A Year Of Blessings
©2018
"For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6)."
Monday, January 29, 2018
Friday, January 26, 2018
Triumph In Sorrow
"I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand on the earth."
~Job 19:25
You ever have days when nothing seems to go right? I have. In fact, I've had weeks and months when it seemed as if Murphy's law was in full effect and if something could go wrong, it did go wrong. But such is life.
The above verse has always given me such comfort in the middle of the trials of life. Job had a lot going on. He had suffered the loss of his children, his wealth, and his health. On top of that, instead of a little comfort from friends, they berated him and his wife gave up on him. Job was despaired. But in the middle of his tribulations, he said one thing right -- "I know my Redeemer lives and in the end, He will stand on the earth."
We must persevere through our trials, even when it feels like giving up might be the best option. Job felt like giving up, and those around him agreed he should. But Job's faith told him otherwise--no matter how dire life appears, God will see us through our darkest days. Not only will He see us through them, He will bring us into something better than what we were before. Trials aren't meant to break us, they are meant to take us from glory to glory, and refine us into Christ's image.
"But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord (2 Corinthians 3:18)."
"My brothers, (and sisters) count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience (James 1:2-3)."
There is a reason for the trials in life. While no one enjoys going through them, we can be joyous in knowing that our Father in Heaven has a lesson plan that is going to enrich our lives in ways we can't even imagine.
Read
Job 19-21
Weekend reading
Job 22-31
A year of Blessings by Marie McGaha
©2018
~Job 19:25
You ever have days when nothing seems to go right? I have. In fact, I've had weeks and months when it seemed as if Murphy's law was in full effect and if something could go wrong, it did go wrong. But such is life.
The above verse has always given me such comfort in the middle of the trials of life. Job had a lot going on. He had suffered the loss of his children, his wealth, and his health. On top of that, instead of a little comfort from friends, they berated him and his wife gave up on him. Job was despaired. But in the middle of his tribulations, he said one thing right -- "I know my Redeemer lives and in the end, He will stand on the earth."
We must persevere through our trials, even when it feels like giving up might be the best option. Job felt like giving up, and those around him agreed he should. But Job's faith told him otherwise--no matter how dire life appears, God will see us through our darkest days. Not only will He see us through them, He will bring us into something better than what we were before. Trials aren't meant to break us, they are meant to take us from glory to glory, and refine us into Christ's image.
"But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord (2 Corinthians 3:18)."
"My brothers, (and sisters) count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience (James 1:2-3)."
There is a reason for the trials in life. While no one enjoys going through them, we can be joyous in knowing that our Father in Heaven has a lesson plan that is going to enrich our lives in ways we can't even imagine.
Read
Job 19-21
Weekend reading
Job 22-31
A year of Blessings by Marie McGaha
©2018
Wednesday, January 24, 2018
Rest In The Lord
"Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
~Isaiah 40:30-31
Sometimes I'm so tired, I want to sleep all day. The older I get, the wearier I feel. My body is achy and tired, but so is my mind. Living life, dealing with daily stress, just being alive is exhausting. It feels as if I'll never have the rest I crave, but the Bible assures us that there is rest in the Lord.
Our strength does not lie within our own bodies or even our minds but in our dependence on God's strength. As children of God, we are called to depend upon Him for everything, including the physical strength and mental fortitude to complete the race He has set before us. Just as any athlete prepares for competition, we too, must train to run the race of life and service to the Lord.
"Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us (Hebrews 12:1)."
In order to complete the race, we must train and continue training every day. This includes Bible study, prayer, praise, and worship. Seeking God is a full-time pursuit and should not be taken lightly. James 4:8 tells us that when we draw near to God, He draws near to us. Like any relationship, ours with the Lord requires nurturing, and it is how we overcome the weariness of the world.
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up (Galatians 6:9)."
While it may seem as if our ultimate reward is far off, our immediate rewards are given daily in our communion with God through His Holy Spirit.
"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” (Lamentations 3:22-24)."
2tare
Like all else, we must make the choice to either continue under the weight of our burdens, or give them over to the Lord. We can exchange our heavy burdens for the Lord's, being assured that His burdens are easy and His yoke is light (Matthew 11:30).
Read
Job 15-18
A Year of Blessings by Marie McGaha
©2018
24
~Isaiah 40:30-31
Sometimes I'm so tired, I want to sleep all day. The older I get, the wearier I feel. My body is achy and tired, but so is my mind. Living life, dealing with daily stress, just being alive is exhausting. It feels as if I'll never have the rest I crave, but the Bible assures us that there is rest in the Lord.
Our strength does not lie within our own bodies or even our minds but in our dependence on God's strength. As children of God, we are called to depend upon Him for everything, including the physical strength and mental fortitude to complete the race He has set before us. Just as any athlete prepares for competition, we too, must train to run the race of life and service to the Lord.
"Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us (Hebrews 12:1)."
In order to complete the race, we must train and continue training every day. This includes Bible study, prayer, praise, and worship. Seeking God is a full-time pursuit and should not be taken lightly. James 4:8 tells us that when we draw near to God, He draws near to us. Like any relationship, ours with the Lord requires nurturing, and it is how we overcome the weariness of the world.
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up (Galatians 6:9)."
While it may seem as if our ultimate reward is far off, our immediate rewards are given daily in our communion with God through His Holy Spirit.
"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” (Lamentations 3:22-24)."
2tare
Like all else, we must make the choice to either continue under the weight of our burdens, or give them over to the Lord. We can exchange our heavy burdens for the Lord's, being assured that His burdens are easy and His yoke is light (Matthew 11:30).
Read
Job 15-18
A Year of Blessings by Marie McGaha
©2018
24
Tuesday, January 23, 2018
The Deep Things of God
“Can you find out the deep things of God? Can you find out how far the All-powerful can go? They are higher than the heavens. What can you do? They are deeper than the place of the dead. What can you know? They are longer than the earth and wider than the sea."
~Job 11:7-9
When I was a youngster, I thought I knew all there was to know about everything. As I got older, I realized how much I didn't know, and now, in my golden years, I'm not sure I know anything! Age and experience are awesome teachers. While there is much to be said about the exuberance of youth, I prefer the wisdom of old age.
None of us will ever know everything. No matter how many degrees we obtain, how many jobs we have, how many people we supervise, or how extensive we travel, we simply cannot learn it all. But there are things we come to understand more clearly, like how to treat others, that family and love are worth more than any amount of money, that life itself is fleeting, and that in the end, it isn't about just being alive but rather, how we lived the life we are given.
We want to leave a mark on this Earth before we go. We want to be remembered. Some will always be remembered, like Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Michaelangelo, Bach, Beethoven, and others, but the average person is also remembered. Maybe not for great art or music, but for who they were and what they did for others. Their character is what's remembered.
While I want my children to remember me for loving them, and friends to remember me for caring about them, above all, I want to be remembered as a woman who loved the Lord above all else. I want God to remember me that way. Whatever else I've done, I hope people have forgiven my misdeeds and remember that I have loved the Lord with all my heart and soul (Luke 10:27).
"For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do (Hebrews 6:10)."
The greatest legacy we can leave is not listed in our last will and testament but in the way we lived our lives in Christ.
Read
Job 11-14
A Year of Blessings by Marie McGaha
©2018
~Job 11:7-9
When I was a youngster, I thought I knew all there was to know about everything. As I got older, I realized how much I didn't know, and now, in my golden years, I'm not sure I know anything! Age and experience are awesome teachers. While there is much to be said about the exuberance of youth, I prefer the wisdom of old age.
None of us will ever know everything. No matter how many degrees we obtain, how many jobs we have, how many people we supervise, or how extensive we travel, we simply cannot learn it all. But there are things we come to understand more clearly, like how to treat others, that family and love are worth more than any amount of money, that life itself is fleeting, and that in the end, it isn't about just being alive but rather, how we lived the life we are given.
We want to leave a mark on this Earth before we go. We want to be remembered. Some will always be remembered, like Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Michaelangelo, Bach, Beethoven, and others, but the average person is also remembered. Maybe not for great art or music, but for who they were and what they did for others. Their character is what's remembered.
While I want my children to remember me for loving them, and friends to remember me for caring about them, above all, I want to be remembered as a woman who loved the Lord above all else. I want God to remember me that way. Whatever else I've done, I hope people have forgiven my misdeeds and remember that I have loved the Lord with all my heart and soul (Luke 10:27).
"For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do (Hebrews 6:10)."
The greatest legacy we can leave is not listed in our last will and testament but in the way we lived our lives in Christ.
Read
Job 11-14
A Year of Blessings by Marie McGaha
©2018
Monday, January 22, 2018
Everywhere You Go
'"Can anyone hide from me in a secret place? Am I not everywhere in all the heavens and earth?” says the Lord.'
~Jeremiah 23:24
Rich Mullins is one of my favorite singers, sadly leaving us way too early, but leaving behind a great body of worship music. One of my favorites is 'I See You':
"And everywhere I go, I see You (echo)
And everywhere I go, I see You (echo)
And You take my hand (echo)
And You wash it clean (echo)
I know the promised land (echo)
Is light years ahead of me (echo) ..."
All we have to do is look around us to see the hand of God in all of Creation but did you know that our Creator sees us at all times? There is no place we can go that He's not already there.
"And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do (Hebrews 4:13)."
For those who know Christ as their Savior, this is comforting. There is no fear in knowing that the Lord watches His beloved children night and day, but for those who aren't living a life of righteousness in Christ, that can be a scary thought. Those who live in sin don't give much thought to whether their deeds are bare before God, but those who profess one thing in public but do another in private, know the Lord is keeping an account.
"It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Hebrews 10:31)."
We will all fall into the hands of God one day, some for righteousness' sake, which will be a wonderful and joyous occasion; others to answer for their deeds on Earth, which will be a terrifying event. But it is our choice.
"If you think it is wrong to serve the Lord, choose today whom you will serve... But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15)."
Read
Job 1-10
A Year of Blessings by Marie McGaha
©2018
~Jeremiah 23:24
Rich Mullins is one of my favorite singers, sadly leaving us way too early, but leaving behind a great body of worship music. One of my favorites is 'I See You':
"And everywhere I go, I see You (echo)
And everywhere I go, I see You (echo)
And You take my hand (echo)
And You wash it clean (echo)
I know the promised land (echo)
Is light years ahead of me (echo) ..."
All we have to do is look around us to see the hand of God in all of Creation but did you know that our Creator sees us at all times? There is no place we can go that He's not already there.
"And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do (Hebrews 4:13)."
For those who know Christ as their Savior, this is comforting. There is no fear in knowing that the Lord watches His beloved children night and day, but for those who aren't living a life of righteousness in Christ, that can be a scary thought. Those who live in sin don't give much thought to whether their deeds are bare before God, but those who profess one thing in public but do another in private, know the Lord is keeping an account.
"It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Hebrews 10:31)."
We will all fall into the hands of God one day, some for righteousness' sake, which will be a wonderful and joyous occasion; others to answer for their deeds on Earth, which will be a terrifying event. But it is our choice.
"If you think it is wrong to serve the Lord, choose today whom you will serve... But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15)."
Read
Job 1-10
A Year of Blessings by Marie McGaha
©2018
Friday, January 19, 2018
Perfected
"But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life."
~Romans 6:22
I recently preached a sermon on holiness, and as is the usual case, my sermons come from questions I have asked God. The Bible says, "It is written, 'Be holy, for I am Holy' (1 Peter 1:16)." What a command that is! God, the Creator of all things, Lord of the universe, tells us to be holy, to be like Him - how is that possible? Can any of us actually be holy?
In and of ourselves, we cannot. However, we have a High Priest, Jesus Christ, who fulfills that requirement for us. We will not achieve true holiness until we reach Heaven but while we are on Earth, we strive for holiness in our thoughts and deeds.
When we set our minds on things above (Colossians 3:2) and not on the world around us, we take steps towards holiness. The first step being, of course, accepting Christ as our Savior. Jesus accomplished all on the Cross, and there is nothing more we have to do. "It is finished," (John 19:30). Sin was finished, death was finished, the Law was finished, the devil was finished, when Jesus said those words and breathed His last breath. Our striving to be good enough was also finished. Jesus took all of that upon Himself so we would be free to reap the benefits of His sacrifice.
The world might say you're not good enough, but Christ says that you are covered by His blood and made perfect in Him!
"For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy (Hebrews 10:14.)"
Read
Genesis 47:13-50:26
A Year of Blessings by Marie McGaha
©2018
~Romans 6:22
I recently preached a sermon on holiness, and as is the usual case, my sermons come from questions I have asked God. The Bible says, "It is written, 'Be holy, for I am Holy' (1 Peter 1:16)." What a command that is! God, the Creator of all things, Lord of the universe, tells us to be holy, to be like Him - how is that possible? Can any of us actually be holy?
In and of ourselves, we cannot. However, we have a High Priest, Jesus Christ, who fulfills that requirement for us. We will not achieve true holiness until we reach Heaven but while we are on Earth, we strive for holiness in our thoughts and deeds.
When we set our minds on things above (Colossians 3:2) and not on the world around us, we take steps towards holiness. The first step being, of course, accepting Christ as our Savior. Jesus accomplished all on the Cross, and there is nothing more we have to do. "It is finished," (John 19:30). Sin was finished, death was finished, the Law was finished, the devil was finished, when Jesus said those words and breathed His last breath. Our striving to be good enough was also finished. Jesus took all of that upon Himself so we would be free to reap the benefits of His sacrifice.
The world might say you're not good enough, but Christ says that you are covered by His blood and made perfect in Him!
"For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy (Hebrews 10:14.)"
Read
Genesis 47:13-50:26
A Year of Blessings by Marie McGaha
©2018
Thursday, January 18, 2018
Be Enlightened
"The precepts of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes."
~Psalm 19:8
We live in a world that claims spiritual enlightenment is the path to peace, yet we don't see a lot of peace either in the world or in personal lives. Perhaps the reason for that is because 'spiritual enlightenment' has too broad a meaning. After all, the media will tell you that enlightenment comes from within, and whatever makes you happy is the correct path. Certain celebrities tout "all paths lead to the same place," and "you are a god within yourself." No wonder the world is in chaos! If there is nothing higher than ourselves, we are doomed. Fortunately for all of us, that isn't true; there is a Creator of all things, including us.
"Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created (Revelation 4:11)."
There is a path to peace, and a way to end chaos within our spirit, and that is with a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. We are not, and can never be, a god within ourselves, however, we can live with God in us through His Holy Spirit.
"However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him (Romans 8:9)."
Everyone who makes the confession of faith in Christ receives the Holy Spirit to guide them in the truth of who God is. He has made every spiritual concession for us, so we don't have to continue searching here and there, following false doctrine and false gods.
"By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already (1 John 4:2-3)."
There is only one path to righteousness; one path to peace; one path to salvation; one path to Heaven, and that is Jesus Christ.
Be enlightened, trust in Jesus.
Read
Genesis 46:13-47:12
1 Chronicles 4:1-7:12
A Year of Blessings by Marie McGaha
©2018
rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes."
~Psalm 19:8
We live in a world that claims spiritual enlightenment is the path to peace, yet we don't see a lot of peace either in the world or in personal lives. Perhaps the reason for that is because 'spiritual enlightenment' has too broad a meaning. After all, the media will tell you that enlightenment comes from within, and whatever makes you happy is the correct path. Certain celebrities tout "all paths lead to the same place," and "you are a god within yourself." No wonder the world is in chaos! If there is nothing higher than ourselves, we are doomed. Fortunately for all of us, that isn't true; there is a Creator of all things, including us.
"Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created (Revelation 4:11)."
There is a path to peace, and a way to end chaos within our spirit, and that is with a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. We are not, and can never be, a god within ourselves, however, we can live with God in us through His Holy Spirit.
"However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him (Romans 8:9)."
Everyone who makes the confession of faith in Christ receives the Holy Spirit to guide them in the truth of who God is. He has made every spiritual concession for us, so we don't have to continue searching here and there, following false doctrine and false gods.
"By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already (1 John 4:2-3)."
There is only one path to righteousness; one path to peace; one path to salvation; one path to Heaven, and that is Jesus Christ.
Be enlightened, trust in Jesus.
Read
Genesis 46:13-47:12
1 Chronicles 4:1-7:12
A Year of Blessings by Marie McGaha
©2018
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