Misplaced Expectations

Perhaps the reason so many are seeking alternative human companionship is because they have never found an adequate source to fulfill their needs. They may be expecting more than God intended from a human being. Should we expect anyone to be able to meet all of our needs at all times?

I have found that not being understood, not having my needs fulfilled, involves a very difficult kind of loneliness, a sense of being forsaken. But in this loss I have found an overwhelming gain.

When a parent, a friend, a roommate, or a spouse cannot or will not meet my needs, it is really an advantage. For this has always driven me to the One who not only understands but cares. To the One who is always there to meet my needs. I have learned that a fantastic relationship with the Lord develops only in this kind of loneliness. What a privilege! The loss produces a gain that no human companionship could ever match—fellowship with the Lord, who always understands. And bids us come to Him!

Grace for Today: Jesus said, “Look! Here I stand at the door and knock. If you hear me calling and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal as a friends.” Revelation 3:20 NLT

By Evelyn Christenson

God’s Trademark

Where morning dawns and evening fades you call forth songs of joy…The grasslands of the desert overflow; the hills are clothed with gladness. The meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys are mantled with grain; they shout for joy and sing. Psalm 65:12-13 NIV

Henry Ward Beecher wrote that beauty is “God’s trademark in creation.” Everywhere we look we can see the mark of God’s grace on our world. Consider the incredible diversity of our planet. From towering snow-capped mountains to the wonders of the ocean’s depths, from the lush rainforests to the stark loveliness of the desert, our world is full of amazing beauty. Beyond all this there are the mysteries that surround our world—billions of stars; massive, colorful planets; and swirling and sparkling galaxies. Unfathomably beautiful wonders fill every part of this vast universe.

So often, though, we don’t take the time to really see the trademark of God all around us. We are blinded by our own worries and struggles. All the while, God is painting sunsets above us and sprinkling flowers at our feet! He’s caressing us with raindrops and spreading a soft carpet of grass before us. Like a man in love, the Creator of the universe surrounds us with gifts of His grace and love—longing for our love and attention in return. Shouldn’t gifts like this get our attention and inspire our praise?

Take some time today to see the evidence of God’s grace in your corner of the world. Look at the trees swaying in the breeze. Marvel at the colors of the sky. Listen to a bird’s song. Beauty is all around if you will have eyes to see. It is pointing you to the Master Artist whose greatest masterpiece is you—and whose deepest desire is to embrace you with HIS grace.

Grace for Today: Like a man in love, the Creator of the universe surrounds us with the beautiful gifts of His grace and love.

Because It’s RIGHT

Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity. 1 Timothy 4:12 MSG

Have you ever dinged someone’s car in the grocery store parking lot and driven off with the thought that they’d never know you did it? Have you ever taken a secret recipe that a friend confidentially shared with you and passed it off as your own? Have you lied, just a little, to make your story sound more exciting or to make your child appear more ideal?

Integrity is not the norm in today’s society. People are surprised when a wallet is returned with the money still inside. They are shocked to find a note on their windshield with a name and insurance information when their car has been damaged. The heart of integrity is doing what’s right even when you think no one is looking or no one will know. God knows. He sees your actions and the intent of your heart.

Your heart is like a well-lit cathedral before God. There is nothing hidden. He sees it all. A life of integrity is clean and pure with nothing to hide. It is a sign that grace is at work, empowering the individual to do the right thing.

Integrity may not be a virtue that most of the world seems today, but the  House of God applauds you. Even if your name is not well-known on the earth, it rings in the heavens as someone who chooses to do what’s right—because it’s right.

It’s a better life, a higher road. And God can make you courageous enough to walk it.

Grace for Today: Integrity lights the lives of those who choose it. It is a sign that grace is at work, empowering them to do what is right.

The Speck in Your Neighbor’s Eye

Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Matthew 7:3 NRSV

Gilbert Keith Chesterton once wrote, “The Bible tells us to love our neighbors and also to love our enemies; probably because they are generally the same people. “ For many of us that does pose a bit of conflict. We can’t pick our family and certainly in most cases not our neighbors. So? How do we love our obnoxious neighbor? Before we start compiling a list of annoying things our neighbors do—STOP. Even consider we might be driving them crazy as well? Are there things that we do that might be less than stellar?

Taking the other person’s viewpoint is often the start to seeing a conflict in a new light. Putting ourselves in the other person’s shoes can lead to understanding. Understanding can lead to compassion. Compassion can lead to action. Action in an amazing chain of attitude adjustment can lead to reconciliation. Is there anything we can rectify, reconcile, or simple change to pave the way to renewed neighbor relations? To begin a thawing of the cold war?

Sometimes the hardest thing in the world is to walk next door and make a new start. But in the end that moment of humility can lead to friendship or at the very least fresh understanding. Peacemaking is a reflection of Christ’s grace operating within us. Remember, loving our neighbor is the second greatest commandment—no matter how hard it is. And the ability to do so is one of the greatest graces God gives to HIS own.

Grace for Today: Loving those who are hostile is a grace only God can give us.

Graces Comes Through

I have set the Lord always before me. Because HE is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure. Psalm 16:8-9 NIV

I don’t think I could survive if that happened to me. How many times have you thought this when you hear of tragedy or loss? We’ve all witnessed people  whose lives have been torn apart by terrible circumstances. A mother loses her tiny baby; a husband faces an uncertain future as his wife battles cancer; a family’s dreams are dashed when their business fails. We watch them, we mourn with them, and in our hearts we fear that if the same were to happen us, we would fall apart.

Yet , over and over, people are faced with their worst fears come true—and they survive. In fact, some actually thrive and end up better, stronger, and more joyful than before. The grieving mother becomes an inspiration to other women going through loss. The husband and wife come to know a greater and deeper love than they’ve ever known because of the struggle they endured together. The family finds the joy and power in teamwork and gets a new business up and running—together .

This is the miracle of God’s grace. He gives us when we need to face each day and each situation. We cant save it up like some rainy-day fund. We must lean on our Lord for what we need each day, each hour, each moment, trusting that His grace will come through. When we do, we find the strength to make it—even through the darkest times, the times we feared would destroy us.

So the next time you wonder, Could I survive that? Remember: Trust in God’s grace. He will always come through when you need Him the most.

Grace for Today:  We must lean on our Lord for what we need each day, each hour, each moment, trusting that HIS grace will see us through.