Out of the Presence of God and Smack Dab Into His Grace...

Genesis 4
13 And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment is greater than I can bear.
14 Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me.

Cain had murdered his brother, Abel. He had done the unthinkable. God could not abide such insolence and destruction and disrespect in His presence. He banished Cain.

His sin was another step away from the garden that God had created for His children. It's as if Adam's sin had started a chain reaction that was working it's way toward a big climactic event. God could not let this rebellion stand. He had to follow through with the consequences in order to teach those who would come later that disobedience comes with a price that you don't want to pay.

God could have struck Cain down with lightening, or flicked a finger and "poof" Cain would have been gone. But, even in His anger and hurt, He had mercy enough to let Cain live out his life on this earth. God had a plan, and Cain was a part of it.

And, indeed, without Cain, the lesson would have been lost.

Romans 3:23
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”

And, God has mercy with us, giving us time to come to Him for forgiveness.

God has given us a choice. He has shown us that the consequences will be enacted.

Deuteronomy 30:19
“I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:”

And yet man could not help himself. And, in the end, God saw that man could not fix himself.

Psalms 49
7 None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him:
8 (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:)
9 That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption.

There was no man on earth worthy of eternal life with God, who cannot abide sin in His presence.

Romans 3:23
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”

God wanted Cain (all of us) to have the chance to live. He wanted to give Cain (All of us) the gift He had intended for Adam to have.

Romans 5
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

If this has inspired you, please share it!

My Strength is in Christ Jesus

Someone recently referred to me as a "strong, independent woman."

I corrected him with, "I am not strong. God is my strength." He replied, "God supported you, but it was your strength that got you through it."

I object.

All the credit goes to God. He's the only way I got through all of that!

Psalms 46:1
“...God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
Psalms 28:8
“The LORD is their strength, and he is the saving strength of his anointed.”
Exodus 15:2
“The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him.”
Philippians 4:13
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

I am not arrogant enough to call it my strength because I know my weaknesses. I am weak. HE is strong.

2 Corinthians 12:9
“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

If I were strong, I would not need His Grace. The need for Him at all takes away any delusions I have of being independent.

I'm just a nobody trying to tell everybody about somebody who can save anybody...

Do you know Jesus?

If you do, do you know Him well enough to tell somebody else about Him?

That's what the sermon was about tonight at 1st Biker's Church.

You see, Jesus gave us instructions just before He ascended into heaven. All He asked of us was that we tell everyone we come into contact with the Good News:

Jesus came. Jesus died for us, that we might be saved. And, Jesus didn't just save the rich, the powerful, and the well to do. He saved the basest and chiefest of sinners.

He saved me.

He can save you, too!

All you have to do is believe in Him, ask Him to forgive you for your sins, and invite Him to live in you, and to work through you.

It's that simple.

There is no pit too low (Jesus went to the lowest pits of Hell and came back with the keys to Heaven in His hand!) No sin too bad, no evil too dark for Him to pull you out of.

He is Lord of Lord and King of Kings.

Do you know Him?

If you do, then tell somebody! Somebody needs to hear what you have to say about Jesus!

God Warns of His Judgment and Offers His Sacrifice

This was written by Thirza Peevey and posted on Facebook. When I asked her if I could post it at God Inspires, she gave her permission saying, "All credit belongs to God, to use as He wills." So, with that, here is a message from God through Thirza Peevey!

Come, Holy Spirit. Lord, give us an overwhelming desire to be obedient, to do exactly what you said, to have circumcised ears and a circumcised heart, and to do it joyfully because we love you.

ESV

Jeremiah 6
1 Flee for safety, O people of Benjamin, from the midst of Jerusalem! Blow the trumpet in Tekoa, and raise a signal on Beth-haccherem, for disaster looms out of the north, and great destruction.
2 The lovely and delicately bred I will destroy, the daughter of Zion.[a]
3 Shepherds with their flocks shall come against her; they shall pitch their tents around her; they shall pasture, each in his place.
4 “Prepare war against her; arise, and let us attack at noon! Woe to us, for the day declines, for the shadows of evening lengthen!
5 Arise, and let us attack by night and destroy her palaces!”
6 For thus says the Lord of hosts: “Cut down her trees; cast up a siege mound against Jerusalem. This is the city that must be punished; there is nothing but oppression within her.
7 As a well keeps its water fresh, so she keeps fresh her evil; violence and destruction are heard within her; sickness and wounds are ever before me.
8 Be warned, O Jerusalem, lest I turn from you in disgust, lest I make you a desolation, an uninhabited land.”
9 Thus says the Lord of hosts: “They shall glean thoroughly as a vine the remnant of Israel; like a grape gatherer pass your hand again over its branches.”
10 To whom shall I speak and give warning, that they may hear? Behold, their ears are uncircumcised, they cannot listen; behold, the word of the Lord is to them an object of scorn; they take no pleasure in it.
11 Therefore I am full of the wrath of the Lord; I am weary of holding it in. “Pour it out upon the children in the street, and upon the gatherings of young men, also; both husband and wife shall be taken, the elderly and the very aged.
12 Their houses shall be turned over to others, their fields and wives together, for I will stretch out my hand against the inhabitants of the land,” declares the Lord.
13 “For from the least to the greatest of them, everyone is greedy for unjust gain; and from prophet to priest, everyone deals falsely.
14 They have healed the wound of my people lightly, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace.
15 Were they ashamed when they committed abomination? No, they were not at all shamed; they did not know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; at the time that I punish them, they shall be overthrown,” says the Lord.
16 Thus says the Lord: “Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’
17 I set watchmen over you, saying, ‘Pay attention to the sound of the trumpet!’ But they said, ‘We will not pay attention.’
18 Therefore hear, O nations, and know, O congregation, what will happen to them.
19 Hear, O earth; behold, I am bringing disaster upon this people, the fruit of their devices, because they have not paid attention to my words; and as for my law, they have rejected it.
20 What use to me is frankincense that comes from Sheba, or sweet cane from a distant land? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable, nor your sacrifices pleasing to me.
21 Therefore thus says the Lord: ‘Behold, I will lay before this people stumbling blocks against which they shall stumble; fathers and sons together, neighbor and friend shall perish.’”
22 Thus says the Lord: “Behold, a people is coming from the north country, a great nation is stirring from the farthest parts of the earth.
23 They lay hold on bow and javelin; they are cruel and have no mercy; the sound of them is like the roaring sea; they ride on horses, set in array as a man for battle, against you, O daughter of Zion!”
24 We have heard the report of it; our hands fall helpless; anguish has taken hold of us, pain as of a woman in labor.
25 Go not out into the field, nor walk on the road, for the enemy has a sword; terror is on every side.
26 O daughter of my people, put on sackcloth, and roll in ashes; make mourning as for an only son, most bitter lamentation, for suddenly the destroyer will come upon us.
27 “I have made you a tester of metals among my people, that you may know and test their days.
28 They are all stubbornly rebellious, going about with slanders; they are bronze and iron; all of them act corruptly.
29 The bellows blow fiercely; the lead is consumed by the fire; in vain the refining goes on, for the wicked are not removed.
30 Rejected silver they are called, for the Lord has rejected them.”

I'm seeing my way into this passage from the last verses first. It seems that God is explicitly saying here what I've been getting from the Old Testament for the last couple of years: he is demonstrating the need for Jesus by showing what doesn't work. In vain the refining continues, but the wicked are not removed because ALL are wicked. It isn't possible to get rid of wickedness by killing the wicked. You execute the murderers, and new murderers crop up. You execute the rapists, and the good guys start raping people. Short of simply crumpling up the universe and tossing it in the bin, there is no way to fix the evil of the world, save by the death of Christ. Every single person that has ever lived is hell-bound, and all deserve to go there. Only through Christ can any be rescued.

This passage is talking, not about the Moabites or the Philistines, but about God's hand-picked chosen people who spent forty years in boot camp in the desert with him being carefully trained. They have been in the refiner's fire, and the bellows have blown hotly on them. The dross was skimmed off over and over. Some were bitten by serpents and died, some were struck down, some the earth even opened up and swallowed them. Only the best were left each time.

Only a few centuries later, they have fallen into idolatry as bad as the people they were sent to punish. God gave them a system of laws, sacrifices and festivals designed to teach them about sin, justice and substitutionary grace, and they turned it into propitiation of gods. It doesn't take much to understand the difference. Only a little logic will reveal the truth of it. If God is a real God, what can you offer him that he didn't make? What can you offer that isn't already his? If you go to the furthest corners of the world to bring back the rarest and most precious thing, is it not already his because he made it? Where can you go that God is not already there? If you travel hundreds of miles by camel to bring back the rarest spices to burn on the altar, was God not already in the place where those spices were? And was he not in every place you passed through on the way there? What does your "better" sacrifice mean in that context?

God doesn't ask us to sacrifice our first born son in the fire as a better sacrifice. Your first born son is already his. You are not showing higher devotion or gaining any better standing by burning your child to him. Your child is his, and he made him. He was there with you when you conceived that child (sobering thought, huh?). He knitted that child together in the womb and brought him to birth. That child is already supposed to be set aside for his use. In fact, if you burn your child on the altar, what you are doing is stealing the child who is set aside for God's use, and rendering him unable to be used. If you take great pains to go get the best spices in the world to burn on the altar, all you have done is moved God's spices from one place to the other. It is, as Solomon said in Ecclesiastes, vanity, useless, futile (depending on the translation). You cannot buy God's favor by offering him what is his already.

What God desires from us is obedience. That's all. He simply wants us to follow directions. If you are a parent, you know the feeling. If you call your child for supper, and tell that child to wash his hands, will you be pleased if twenty minutes later, supper is congealed and cold on the table and everyone is short tempered because that child decided it was better to take a bath, wash his hair, blow dry his hair and put on a suit instead? God simply wants us to do what he said. He does not want children burned in the fire. He is ANGRY about such things. His sacrifices are not about propitiation and manipulation, and there is no better sacrifice that will more completely curry his favor. That isn't what his sacrifices are about. His sacrifices are about understanding that sin requires the death penalty, but that he is going to send a perfect sacrifice which will pay the death penalty for all people.

His sacrifices (are) about seeing your best lamb die for your crimes, and knowing, as any farmer knows, that the very best lamb in your flock is not perfect and without blemish. Every animal has some blemish. After you have searched through your flock for the perfect lamb and not found it, and had to simply bring your best, which wasn't good enough, you should be looking for God to provide a perfect sacrifice. You should be thinking this way because you know the story of Abraham offering Isaac, in perfect obedience, and God staying his hand and providing a substitute. God was telling the Jews, once and for all time, that he does not desire the sacrifice of children. He does not desire human sacrifice. He does not desire the death of any person. He will provide a substitute. And that "sacrifice" of Isaac took place on the temple mount, in the very spot where the temple stood. Those sacrifices were intended to train the Jews to look for God's substitute on that place, and until the time when he did, they were acting it out on that same spot.

By deviating from God's instructions, the Jews had removed all meaning from the sacrifice. This is precisely how the devil ALWAYS works. If you start studying the paganism of the region, you'll find that the pagan gods of the various countries are more alike than different. We state it up front that the Roman gods and Greek gods are the same gods. The Romans appropriated the Greek gods and gave them new names. However, when you look at all the other gods of the region, it is pretty obvious that the Romans were just the last in a long list of peoples doing just exactly that. If you look at Herodatus, he tells you that Mylitta is the Assyrian name for Aphrodite/Ishtar/Astarte. They are all the same gods/demons and they all require the same foul crimes against everything that is good and just. The devil is pretty much a one-trick pony, and whatever path he gets you on, they all lead to the same place through the same pitfalls of pride, lust and human sacrifice.

God has sent his people a warning through Jeremiah, but even as Jeremiah is faithfully proclaiming truth, imposters are proclaiming peace to the people of Israel. They are saying that happy days are here again when God is warning them that they are about to be punished severely. Those imposters are taking from Israel any hope of healing. They are not turning from their sins because they are being lied to. I can see that happening here now. It is the pinnacle of arrogance to think that we are going to "make America great again." We didn't make America great in the first place, God did it. D' Tocqueville told us that America was great because America was good, with a church on every corner. We weren't good because we built the buildings, but because we filled them, listened to faithful preachers and did what we heard. God blessed us because we had circumcised ears and hearts. Now we are worshiping sex and sacrificing babies, and we think that we will become great again by electing a "fighter?" Hitler was a fighter. Mussolini was a fighter. Stalin was a fighter. Did they make their nations great?

God is telling Israel that his hand is poised to go through them as a gleaner goes through grapes or grain. He's about ready to refine them again, and he's going to refine them hard. His hand is on the bellows to put them to the fire. He doesn't desire that any should perish, and sometimes that means he has to winnow through the wicked that babies might live to grow up without fear of being murdered by their own parents. That applies as much to this nation that was called by the name of Christ as it did to Israel, called by the name of El. It is past time for us to be putting on sackcloth and ashes, and lamenting our manifold and grievous sins. It is past time for those of us who stood by and held the coats of those sacrificing their children to admit that we are the worst of sinners. It is past time for us to heed the trumpets, and do what God says. We have committed all the same sins that God is calling Israel to task for in this passage. Do we think that destruction is far from us? By what right do we expect to be great again, unless we are good again? By what right do we ask God to bless us, when our necks are stiff, our hearts are hard, and we have our fist raised to God?

Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.

Babe in Christ: Chapter 2

Continued from Chapter 1

You could have been a prostitute on the street who wondered into the church doors and decided to give God a chance to clean up your act. You could have been a drug addict who was strung out to the point of abusing your spouse and stealing to get that next "fix"; or, maybe you were a sex-offender. Maybe you were Muslim, until you came to know who Jesus really is.

There are a lot of faces that make up Christianity. All of them are worthy of salvation. None of them are sinless.

Romans 3:

8 And not [rather], (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just. 9 What then? are we better [than they]? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; 10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

This sort of puts us on equal footing with each other. How is it, then, that some people who go to church, think that they have the right to decide who is and who is not a Christian, if the victimized party has been washed in the Blood of Christ?

It is not our job to tell a person they are wrong. It is our job to be the example that Christ set before us.

Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

What does this mean? First, let's look at the definition of "edify": to teach (someone) in a way that improves the mind or character.

Does embarrassing someone in church by pointing out their sins edify them? Would it edify YOU?

Matthew 7:12
“Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.”

Now, lets go back to Ephesians 4:29. We should not speak to others in such a way that it makes them feel condemned if they have been saved. Being saved means that they have been forgiven by God. The fact that they are still sinning not only makes them human, but also makes their need for instruction and guidance obvious.

"that it may minister grace unto the hearers"

Grace is defined as getting what you do not deserve. (Mercy is not getting what you do deserve).

Grace is also defined as a "disposition to or an act or instance of kindness, courtesy, or clemency".

Have you ever heard the old saying, "You can catch more flies with honey"? This is what this verse is saying.

For example: Let's say a church member went to a local bar and got drunk sometime during the week before Sunday came. You happened to see him leaving the bar as you went to the local restaurant across the street. He was stumbling, and cursing. At church Sunday morning, you could tell him, "You are a filthy sinner! a DRUNK! a GLUTTON. Get off my pew until you straighten your act up!" in front of all your friends; but, would this be edification? Would that be administering grace in any way?

OR, you could make it a point to quietly approach him, give him a hug, and tell him, "I just want you to know that I saw you leaving that bar this week. You didn't look good. THAT didn't look good. Would you mind if I prayed with you? I think you need some help with your problem. If it's something I can help you with, I'm here!"

Which way sounds more "edifying?" Which way is more graceful?

Stay tuned for chapter 3

Dear Friend: An Invitation

I am a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. I serve with my whole heart because He paid a debt I owed that I could never repay no matter how I try. I serve with joy and gladness, for the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endures to all generations. (Psalms 100:5)

I wish I had the time to tell you how God has given me so much to be thankful for in my Lord Jesus Christ. I have tried, but hearing, ye have not heard. (Matthew 13:13) Maybe it's because you have not experienced my God the way I have, and you find it hard to relate. Or maybe you feel as if you are not good enough to approach the light of His Glory. I can only speculate as to what your reasons are, for I have invited you to join me in the praise and worship of my Lord, and to join me in His Kingdom work as He has instructed me to do , when He said, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: And Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." (Matthew 28:19-20). Yet you linger, and refuse to quickly honor the invitation.

Friend, you don't have to be on good terms with yourself or God to approach the throne. For God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)

As a servant of God, I am not perfect or sinless. I am, however, forgiven. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:13) And because I am saved, I am a new creature. My old life is passed away, and I have a new life. (2 Corinthians 5:17) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: It is a gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created unto Christ Jesus unto good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:8-10)

You see, I can never do enough to repay God for sacrificing His only son for me. I can only believe He did it because He loves me, just as I am. Even so, faith, if it has not works, is dead. (James 2:17) Therefore, I cannot, in good conscience, after the price my Lord paid for me, continue in my sins. I could not change who I am. But my God can. When I accepted Him as my Lord and Savior, I gave Him permission to mold and shape me as He would have me be. This is because once I realized the total price of my sins, I was convicted to serve with all my spirit, constantly striving to cleanse myself from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. (2 Corinthians 6:1) Even striving to perfect myself, I am constantly reminded that no matter what I do, I will never be righteous enough, For there is none righteous, no, not one. (Romans 3:10)

I have said all this to teach you, friend, that if you are waiting until you are "perfect enough", it will not happen. You need not linger or have excuses not to accept my invitation any longer. God is calling you to join Him in His kingdom work. Do you really want to disappoint Him after what He's already done for you?

Jesus never condemned the sinner, though he begged them to repent. Therefore, neither do I condemn you. (John 8:11) To do so would be blasphemy, for I am not perfect either, and am unworthy to cast stones at your character. (John 8:7) What I say to you, I say out of love, as Christ has commanded us to love one another as He first loved us. (John 3:35) Having said that, It is my duty to inform you that the Kingdom of God is at hand. (Matthew 10:7) It is because of that that I would be derelict in my duty if I failed to write this letter to you.

You see, once again, I am pleading with you to come and worship the Lord with me. I don't understand why it is so hard for you to accept my invitation. Can't you hear Jesus saying through me, "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30) What relief you will have when you realize that you have eternal life, rather than condemnation! For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord. (Romans 6:23)

Friend, I beg you to linger no more! You have been invited to eat the bread of life at my Lord's supper table! when I think of you, I remember a parable Jesus told once of a man who fixed a great supper. He invited certain people. These people who were invited all had some excuse for not wanting to show up. It doesn't matter what their excuse was. So, he told his servant to go out onto the streets and gather the lower classes of people to eat in their place. (Luke 14:16-24) I believe he did this because He knew they would appreciate his efforts more. (Luke 14:14) How is it that you cannot appreciate what my Lord has to offer you? If you won't come, God will invite someone else in your stead.

I have prayed for you, my friend. I have pleaded with you; and, now, I am writing this letter as a last attempt before I go on my way to invite others, as the servant of the Lord has been instructed to do. Please do not make excuses, for God will not accept any excuses on the day of judgment. Jesus has instructed that we should always be prepared, because you may not be alive tomorrow to repent, and if you are, what if He returns for His servants? Watch, therefore, for ye know neither the day, nor the hour wherein the son of man cometh. (Matthew 25:13) And, if He does, do you really want to take the chance of hearing Him say "I know you not"? (Matthew 25:12)

But if you still refuse the invitation, it is my duty to leave you alone and to shake the dust of my feet on the way. (Matthew 10:14)

My Lord is a gracious God. He has patience with you for now, but I beg you, my friend, not to test my Lord's patience for long. he has been known to curse those who continue in their sins. (Deuteronomy 28:15-68) Maybe you are already experiencing some of them. I hope not; but, if you are, repent, and God will turn those curses into blessings.

Jesus taught a parable about a prodigal son, who defied his father, spent his inheritance, and wound up slopping pigs for a living. Finally, he determined to be his father's servant, if only his father would take him back into his home after what he'd done. When his father saw him coming, he welcomed his son home, rejoicing with a great feast and restoring his place in the home. God will do that for you if you let Him. (Luke 15:11-32)

Please accept my final invitation to join me in the praise and worship of my Lord at 1st Biker's Church in Texarkana, Texas. We are located at 12th and Walnut. If you don't want to go to that church, then find one you are comfortable with, but we will accept you with open arms if you do.

With Agape Love for You,

Your Servant in Christ,

Shonda M. Ponder

More to be forgiven for

On the way home from church tonight, me and my friend were talking about what it was that made my church, 1st Bikers Church of Texarkana, that was filled with sinners from the worst walks of life, so Spirit-filled, compared to other churches she and I had attended in the past. As she had stated before, it's rare to find a church now days that you can feel God's presence as soon as you walk in the door.

I thought about it, and I said, "Maybe it is the fact that these church members have more to be forgiven for than most." I couldn't remember the verses off the top of my head, but when I came home, I determined to find them and post them up.

Our congregation is proof that Jesus can change lives.

Luke 7

39 Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.

40 And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.

41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.

42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?

43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.

44 And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.

45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.

46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.

47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.

48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.

49 And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?

50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.

The Amazing Grace of Restoration!

by Rosa Edwards

After being so incredibly tired last night, I woke up late this morning but full of joy for I had in my heart so strongly THE story ... the basic outline of Creation, Fall, Redemption, Restoration. In my sleep God had reminded me so strongly of the basics and how simple it really is ... yet how profoundly amazing and full of love:

1) Creation. God created the world and everything in it - and it was good. His creation of man and woman in His image was very good. Whatever ills we see in the world, we cannot blame God. We cannot justly accuse Him or attack His character. A good God made a good world. He could not do otherwise.

2) Fall. God created man in His image - including a free will. God didn't have to create, to reveal, to love ... He chose to do so. God has a free will so creatures made in His image - man and woman, not the animals - had to have a free will. Sadly, they chose to use that will to rebel, to reject, to believe a lie. Sin and death entered the world.

3) Redemption. Amazingly and beautifully, God had a plan. Woven into the story of fall is the story of redemption. Blood-stained garments of animal skin to clothe the fallen couple, when their man-made garments of leaves were insufficient. A future Victor who would crush Satan's head. The assurance that life would continue through future generations.

4) Restoration. So often I think this is the one we miss. God not only offers redemption for all who will embrace it - He restores what is lost. Ultimately that will be in the new heavens and new earth. But even now, where He redeems, He restores. Broken relationships healed. Broken promises fulfilled, Broken people made whole. Broken dreams renewed. Ever wonder why we are so fascinated with home improvements, makeovers, dramatic turnarounds? The Great Commission and the Great Commandment invite us to be part of the biggest restoration project in the world.

I don't know why this simple outline came to me this morning - truths I know deeply. I just had this picture in my mind of someone ready to rail against God, being interrupted with these truths just as He interrupted me years ago.

"Is it any wonder they call it Amazing Grace?"
by Geron Davis

When I stop and see,just where I've been
I'm really amazed I made it thru this place.
And I can honestly say
without a doubt in my mind
It's only because my life has been
Covered by His grace.

Is it any wonder they call it, "AMAZING GRACE?"
Great and small, every wrong erased.
When we were guilty as sin,
Jesus stepped in
And offered to take our place
Tell me, "is it any wonder they call it "AMAZING GRACE"?

All the debt was mine,
Jesus said "I'll pay"
A love so divine, has shattered both time and space.
And forevermore, hope had been reborn
For all of the world
had been introduced to God's Amazing Grace. --