How can I come to God without grace? How can we come together without grace? Can there be grace in a person without God? As the king exclaims in the King and I “It is a puzzlement!”
From my Grace Journal. It was suggested to start a Grace Journal as a reminder of our need not for agreement but grace to guide our relationships.
7/31/2021 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; Romans 8:20
Would there be any need for hope without the fall? Is the futility mentioned because of our sin? Did God use futility as a way to call us back? To show us our need for Him? To show us we need hope?
This is an entry from my Hope Journal which helps me have hope, beyond hope.
It is a great mystery to me. Hope is the fruit of God’s loving grace. But hope is essential (but not necessary) for us to accept grace. Or is it for grace to accept us? It really is a great mystery!
From my Grace Journal. It was suggested to start a Grace Journal as a reminder of our need not for agreement but grace to guide our relationships.
7/30/2017 A person without hope is barren and without life. Without hope we may exist but we cannot truly be alive. Seeds of life will not grow and our soul dries up and can even draw life from others. A barren life is parasitic and destructive to those around them.
This is an entry from my Hope Journal which helps me have hope, beyond hope.
The world is being ripped apart by fear, anger and hatred. Those who hurt, hurt others hoping to be free of their own pain. It will not work. Do we have to live like this? NO!!! As we are renewed by grace we can extend grace to others. We can be part of God’s great plan to redeem not just this world but all of creation!
From my Grace Journal. It was suggested to start a Grace Journal as a reminder of our need not for agreement but grace to guide our relationships.
7/29/2021 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:5
Hope is alive in our hearts and cannot disappoint us – unless we let go of hope. Hope does not disappoint so our disappointment comes when we close our lives to hope. Perhaps it is not so much hope fails us but that we fail to hope.
This is an entry from my Hope Journal which helps me have hope, beyond hope.
There is no way I can tell
the pain within my heart
the pain swallows me
the pain eats from within
I hurt for those who hurt
uncared for and alone
lost within a world of pain
unknown and forgotten
God loves each one is true
they are not forgotten
they will never be alone
God loves His lost sheep
4/7/2021
Without grace guilt is a heavy bundle on our back like Christian in Pilgrim’s Progress. Why does the bundle not fall off if we ask for grace? Why do we still feel crushed under our burden? There are two reasons.
1. We have not accepted or believe in God’s grace and continue in our guilt.
2. We do not offer grace to those who have hurt, or harmed us. Grace must be received and also offered to others.
From my Grace Journal. It was suggested to start a Grace Journal as a reminder of our need not for agreement but grace to guide our relationships.
7/28/2021 “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.” (Romans 5:3-4 NKJV)
“And not only that”. There is more! God offers hope all of the tribulations in our lives God will use to “produce” perseverance, character and hope!
This is an entry from my Hope Journal which helps me have hope, beyond hope.
John Newton was a man who enslaved and was at one point enslaved. One day he felt the pain of those he made his fortune on. The chains bound him, the despair and hopelessness drove him to his knees and he felt the very fires of hell. Sadly he did not stop right then but later the weight destroyed him until Jesus took their weight from him. Newton fought against slavery in England and with the last moments of his sight he saw England make the slave trade illegal and agree to stop ships carrying slave.
From my Grace Journal. It was suggested to start a Grace Journal as a reminder of our need not for agreement but grace to guide our relationships.
7/27/2021 “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” (Romans 5:1-2 NKJV)
Hope is not like a wish that has no source or foundation. The foundation of hope is the glory of God! Rejoice in hope! Rejoice and celebrate the glory of God from Whom all good flows!
This is an entry from my Hope Journal which helps me have hope, beyond hope.
A man in sackcloth slowly washes the floor of the church on his knees. The pain he feels is not from his knees but from his soul. Tears mix with water washing the floor. His soul sees face after face of those chained and enslaved. Those stolen from homes and families to be entombed on a ship to be locked into life long slavery. He hears the screams of those being branded like cattle. The soul crushing sobs of a mother who will never see their child and the child who will never see their family. He can smell the blood, pus and other bodily fluids that follow a slave ship for miles. He hears the splash as the dead and dying are dropped overboard for the sharks that follow slave ships across the ocean. Through tears he looks at the cross at the altar and whispers the words God has given him to combat the despair in his soul – “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me.” Tears continue to run down the weathered cheeks to fall on the floor. A floor bathed in tears. Tears of grace.
From my Grace Journal. It was suggested to start a Grace Journal as a reminder of our need not for agreement but grace to guide our relationships.
7/26/2021 “For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect?” Romans 3:3
Hope is not dependent on us. We can believe God doesn’t exist! We can believe God doesn’t care! We can dismiss hope as a fable of nonexistent goodness! But God IS! God loves us so much He gave the gift of His Son Jesus for us! And that means hope is ALIVE! Hope is REAL!
This is an entry from my Hope Journal which helps me have hope, beyond hope.
Over the last five years I have been besieged by pain and slowly limited in my abilities. Even as the medications increased my pain increased faster. Getting out of bed became a victory and going to the bathroom was a race. When I was still preaching the pain was so bad I would throw up during the sermon but would have to swallow it. Where was God? Where was grace? Right there with me. Over the years I have come to my statement of faith.
“God never asks anything from us that He hasn’t already given to us and God never asks us to go through anything that He hasn’t already suffered for us.”
This is grace!
From my Grace Journal. It was suggested to start a Grace Journal as a reminder of our need not for agreement but grace to guide our relationships.
7/25/2021 Today is Sunday. In the Old Testament the Sabbath was from the setting sun on Friday until the setting sun on Saturday in remembrance of the day of rest during Creation. Christians changed their Sabbath to Sunday to celebrate the resurrection and new Creation in Jesus. Every week we have two days to rest and for hope to be renewed.
Grace reaches beyond race. Grace reaches beyond wrong, hatred, anger, fear, desperation, decimation, ridicule, judgment, judging, murder, rape, abuse and all of the multitude of horrors humans are capable of even without the evil one’s help. Grace can only fail when it is not used or if it is abused.
From my Grace Journal. It was suggested to start a Grace Journal as a reminder of our need not for agreement but grace to guide our relationships.
7/24/2021 who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, “So shall your descendants be.” Romans 4:18
Who is the who? Abraham is listed in Hebrews chapter 11 in the Hall of Fame of Faith. Decades after there seemed any hope of an heir Abraham hoped not only for a son but a people! Or in hope beyond all hope Abraham believed!
The pain is less
strength grows
my mind clears
but still broken
but still am lost
but I still declare
Glory to God who
gives undeserved
gives generously
to lost and found
to all His creation
Glory to God
for Who God is
not just what done
but for Who God is
God deserves worship
Glory to God
whether lost or found
step beyond thanks
to worship and praise
glorify God Creator
glorify God Love
glorify God Truth
glorify God Life
All glory to God
Lift up the God
who lifts you
Offer words of praise
to God Who is Word
So Be It (Amen) So Be It (Amen)
7/23/2021
Grace is necessary! We need God’s grace to be forgiven and then through God’s grace we can forgive! How much do we need grace? Look around and really see the destruction, horror and misery and you will see how much we need grace!
From my Grace Journal. It was suggested to start a Grace Journal as a reminder of our need not for agreement but grace to guide our relationships.
7/23/2021 “For this reason therefore I have called for you, to see you and speak with you, because for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.” Acts 28:20
At first hope gives a foundation to look forward with at least a lessening of fear but hope will not stay there. Through hope Paul received a burden to reach out to God’s people – Paul’s people – Israel. Hope burdens us to share hope with those we love and care about. Hope begins where we are but will grow and take us to places and people we would never imagine!
This is an entry from my Hope Journal which helps me have hope, beyond hope.
Amazing Grace is believed to be sung more than any other song. It has been translated in almost every language and is sung by many who are not Christians. The power of this hymn is we are told by a wretched human being grace is available to even a “wretch like me”.
From my Grace Journal. It was suggested to start a Grace Journal as a reminder of our need not for agreement but grace to guide our relationships.
7/22/2021 If you wish upon a star it won’t get you very far! Wishes have no power. They are what we want to happen but there is nothing behind them. If you tell your wish won’t come true! Why tell and face the disappointment. Hope is based on the Creator God Who can turn hope into faith and faith into sight. Wishes have no form or shape but hope is what we can hold onto. Even when it seems hope itself is gone!
This is an entry from my Hope Journal which helps me have hope, beyond hope.
I do not find it hard to believe in grace but I do find it hard to believe God offers grace to me!!! No one can or will ever hurt you as much as you hurt God so offer grace as God offers grace!
From my Grace Journal. It was suggested to start a Grace Journal as a reminder of our need not for agreement but grace to guide our relationships.
7/21/2021 Prayer of hope
Give thanks and be thankful.
Praise and worship God and do not be overwhelmed by fear in this time.
Help Your people to shine Your light into this time of darkness.
Guide Your people to not look down at their problems but look up to see Your salvation.
What would You have us pray? What would You have us do?
Who would You have us be?
May Your will be done on earth God as it is in heaven. Open Your children to share what they have and receive what they need.
This is an entry from my Hope Journal which helps me have hope, beyond hope.
7/20/2021 Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up. Acts 27:20
When hope is lost we can be so encumbered with guilt we no longer look for hope. Before and after this moment Paul sacrificially took up the calling of sharing the Gospel. This moment when hope was given up did not taint what he had done or keep him from what he faced.
This is an entry from my Hope Journal which helps me have hope, beyond hope.
Prayer time September 1, 2014 at 6 AM
Heaven holds its breath
God’s people cry out in Iraq, in Syria, in Iran, in Egypt, in Russia, in the Ukraine, in Mongolia, in the Sudan, in Haiti, in the Orient – all around the world.
The Angels listen, surely this is the time!
Horns are prepared, Angelic hands grip swords and they listen!
Surely the Father will rescue His children now!
Surely the Heavenly Host will be set free to destroy those who would dare to hurt God’s beloved, the bride of His Christ?
They look to the Throne ready at the moment!
The Saints around the Throne look to see the Father. Will they ride with their Beloved today? Will they go to rescue those they love, part of their own Body?
Will God set everything right today?
Brothers and sisters look up. They want to see the Throne. Is it worth it? Will they see God? Now all they see is hatred, cruelty and murder. They see the burning fire of Satan in the eyes of men who say they want to serve Allah!
Oh Allah! The detestable name that enslaves people, destroys others and blinds to the true God who came to die for His enemies not kill them! Allah, more like a demon from hell than a merciful God, who laughs at Fathers murdering their children, husbands enslaving their wives and daughters and at those who would offer their children as to Moloch! Will the Heavenly host ride today? You, Allah look over your shoulder in fear. Is that the sound of trumpets you hear?
As the earth screams in pain and fear – Heaven holds its breath!
Will He ride today?
Two Sundays ago I lay at the Altar
The pain was terrible and ripped
My breath came hard – can I preach
It is so hard to breathe or speak
“Sit up.” My Lord said to me.
I sat up and He said “Lean on Me.”
I leaned against the Altar rail
“Sit in My Lap” Daddy said to me
I rested in my Daddy’s lap in peace
“Breathe deep.” whispered in my soul
As I breathed deep my lungs filled
Pure clean cool air flooded in
“The air of heaven fills your lungs.”
All of me was refreshed and renewed
Every part of me felt new and whole
A sweet scent filled my nose and soul
How long will this last I asked Daddy
“Not for long today My child.
Soon you will breathe it each day.”
I wanted it to stay, I wanted to stay
Soon it went away slowly fading
Harder to breathe each moment
But better than it had been before
I still smell the fragrance of that place
Thanks Daddy for Your open lap
Thanks for that moment to refresh
Thanks Daddy for hope for a day
When I will breathe heavens air!
April 25, 2016
There are scars from the dis-grace of generations of hurts, slights and horrific acts and actions on one another. No one is innocent! No one is without guilt! In truth the realization we also are guilty is the beginning of turning from dis-grace to grace. Yes we have been harmed – but we have also harmed. Yes we have been abused – but we have also abused. The next step is to say they hurt me more than I hurt them. Can we know this? Or is it just what enables us to hurt others?
From my Grace Journal. It was suggested to start a Grace Journal as a reminder of our need not for agreement but grace to guide our relationships.
7/19/2021 For over four years I have been on disability as the pain from small fiber neuropathy grew until increasing doses of medicines were needed to keep the pain at a manageable level. Week by week more of my life was stripped away and the pain continued to grow. I was unstable on my feet and went from cane to walker to a rolling walker with a seat. As more and more of my time was spent in bed hope shrunk until it became little more than that I would not fall and the medicines would work better. When this journey began I believed God wanted me to write a blog glorifying Him in the midst of pain. While hardly anyone reads them I write them to glorify the God Who deserves glory for Who He is. Out of this came seedlings of hope. Keeping my eyes off of pain and suffering by glorifying God did not bring hope but IS HOPE!
This is an entry from my Hope Journal which helps me have hope, beyond hope.
I am so broken. Years of physical and spiritual pain have taken a heavy toll. The shattered shards are like a kaleidoscope forming distorted images. We must also offer grace to ourselves. After all, God has.
From my Grace Journal. It was suggested to start a Grace Journal as a reminder of our need not for agreement but grace to guide our relationships.
7/18/2021 There is a hope beyond hope. Hope bolstered with faith can get a “second wind”. Pain, suffering, loss, grief and so much more can suck the life from hope leaving only the empty shell of despair. God alone can breathe life into hope.
This is an entry from my Hope Journal which helps me have hope, beyond hope.
Race relations is our attempt to bring harmony and unity which is beyond our human abilities. Only God’s grace can unify us through forgiveness and love. Only in the Creator God do each of us have a value beyond the color of our skin.
From my Grace Journal. It was suggested to start a Grace Journal as a reminder of our need not for agreement but grace to guide our relationships.
7/17/2021 You may see hope as an illusion others use to keep away the fear. Hope is never an illusion though what we place our hope in can be an illusion. Is God such an illusion? In many ways and forms throughout history people have believed in God. Those who believe there is no God have always been a very small minority. In this we find a reason to hope we can have hope in God.
This is an entry from my Hope Journal which helps me have hope, beyond hope.
Race relations has failed. The horrific scars are proof race relations can never work. Dr. Martin Luther King dreamed of a day when his children would not be seen by their race. That is the definition of grace relations.
From my Grace Journal. It was suggested to start a Grace Journal as a reminder of our need not for agreement but grace to guide our relationships.
7/16/2021 Hope allows us the assumption God is with us even during the hard times. Hope make us take a second look “around” before we give up. We expect to see God. Faith is different in that there is not only the assumption God is there but a recognition He is. Hope and faith are in different ways barriers to despair.
This is an entry from my Hope Journal which helps me have hope, beyond hope.
7/15/2021 Where was God when I suffered? Pain is horrible but it becomes horrendous when faced alone. We want God’s presence. We want God’s help. Where is God when pain comes? Right THERE! Take a moment from bearing the pain and your indignation and God is there, in the stillness and quiet. Right with you.
This is an entry from my Hope Journal which helps me have hope, beyond hope.
As I walked around in terrible pain supported by my Rolly (Rollator walker) I was amazed by the response. All but once people held the door open for me and wished me a good day. Some even came back after they realized I was approaching the door. I learned while grace is not necessarily natural to people it often exists and flows from them. We may hear how bad people are but remember only the bad get press and there are no stories showing those who open doors.
From my Grace Journal. It was suggested to start a Grace Journal as a reminder of our need not for agreement but grace to guide our relationships.
7/14/2021 Pain can make you near sighted. You look only at how pain affects you and watching your feet leads you to fear. Will I always be like this? Will it get worse? Why is this happening to me? Some encourage themselves that others hurt worse than they do. (?) That is also a near sighted reaction. Where will I see help and find hope? Look up and see God’s salvation and deliverance!
This is an entry from my Hope Journal which helps me have hope, beyond hope.
Grace extended to others by us can delay or even stop fear from descending into destruction and chaos. God’s grace is essential but the grace we offer can be how others call out for God’s grace.
From my Grace Journal. It was suggested to start a Grace Journal as a reminder of our need not for agreement but grace to guide our relationships.
7/13/2021 In the very hard days, weeks, months and even years of pain the best medicine I had was hope. Every medicine I took helped in a certain area or helped with the side affects of other medicines. Hope is not just a medicine but also enhances the medicines we take. Hope doesn’t just help us but also those around us.
This is an entry from my Hope Journal which helps me have hope, beyond hope.
June 19
“Now when Jesus had crossed over again by boat to the other side, a great multitude gathered to Him; and He was by the sea.” (Mark 5:21 NKJV)
To Jews the sea was chaos, the chaos of sin. Jesus crossed the sea many times and showed His power over the chaos by stopping a storm and walking on the sea.
Your prayer
Give God thanks.
Praise God for who He is.
Ask for God to use you today.
June 18
“Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” (1Corinthians 5:8 NKJV)
We can choose between being the old leaven of malice and wickedness or to be unleavened through Jesus into sincerity and truth. Which do you choose?
Your prayer
Give God thanks.
Praise God for who He is.
Ask for God to use you today.
June 17
“Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.” (1Corinthians 5:7 NKJV)
God has given us new life so we should not return to our old ways, our old leaven. God makes us unleavened as the bread on the altar at Passover.
Your prayer
Give God thanks.
Praise God for who He is.
Ask for God to use you today.
7/12/2021 It has been a long time since I have been able to work on my Hope Journal. This is not because of a lack of hope but because of seeing a hope come to life! The pain had been growing so much and had blown way past any help the meds could give but they tried a spinal stimulator and the pain has been cut in half. Remember when hope seems lost hope can become sight!
June 16
“Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?” (1Corinthians 5:6 NKJV)
It is hard to admit we need God because we are admitting we are not enough. When God works good through us we must give God the glory. If we glorify ourselves the evil one has a way in.
Your prayer
Give God thanks.
Praise God for who He is.
Ask for God to use you today.
June 15
“deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.” (1Corinthians 5:5 NKJV)
God is willing to allow whatever physical harm in the hope our souls may be saved. Our soul is priceless and beyond anything in this world and as it declares in Hebrews the world is not worthy of the Christians who seek it’s redemption!
Your prayer
Give God thanks.
Praise God for who He is.
Ask for God to use you today.
June 14
“In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered
together, along with my spirit, with the power of our Lord
Jesus Christ,” (1Corinthians 5:4 NKJV)
Whenever we gather together in the name of Jesus we can know He is with us but we are also in the presence of those who cannot gather with us. The Body of Christ is more than we often understand and believe.
Your prayer
Give God thanks.
Praise God for who He is.
Ask for God to use you today.
June 13
“For I indeed, as absent in body but present in spirit, have
already judged (as though I were present) him who has so
done this deed.” (1Corinthians 5:3 NKJV)
Paul refers to his being able judge “as though I were present”
this case of a man marrying his fathers wife. One form of
prophecy and judgment is to apply the Bible which is God’s
written word. We can “prophesy” the outcome of doing what
God declares wrong.
Your prayer
Give God thanks.
Praise God for who He is.
Ask for God to use you today.
