Tag Archives: Gift 2

The Promise: A Continuous Experience of God’s Grace

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Gift 2-2015

God said, “When the rainbow appears in the cloud, I’ll see it and remember the eternal covenant between God and everything living, every last living creature on Earth.” Genesis 9:17 (The Message)

The book of Genesis proclaims that God created a perfect world, appointing every structure, force, and creature a place and task within the perfectly balanced order of the universe. [1] He created Adam and Eve to bear his image, to live in harmony with God and his creation without fear, pain, grief, anger, evil…sin. There was a time when sin was not an element in creation or the human experience. Sin arrived when Adam and Eve knowingly and willfully made the choice to act on the lie of the deceiver. In defiance, they rebelled against God’s good gifts and loving his word. What was once a beautiful and perfect creation is now defiled with total depravity and human corruption.

There is no treasure so wonderful as that continuous experience of God’s grace towards us. The colors shine through the storm and clouds of our sin as a reminder of God’s promise of forgiveness, love and grace. God preserves his creation in spite of man. God continues to redeem, in spite of our sin. [2]

Dear Lord, May the memory of our great sins, our many temptations, our falls, bring afresh into our minds the remembrance of your great help, of your support from heaven, of the great grace that saves. There is no treasure so wonderful as that continuous experience of your grace toward us. [3]

The Promise Gift 2-2015

40 Gifts of Lent | The Promise: A Continuous Experience of God’s Grace: Gift 2 [1] Far As the Curse is Found: The Covenant Story of Redemption, Michael D. Williams; page 63, The Fall  [2] page 95, The Flood | [3] Excerpt from: The Valley of Vision, page 71, The Dark Guest

Our Comfort in a Desolate Place

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Comfort in a Desolate Place

Our Comfort in a Desolate Place

40 Gifts of  Lent | Gift 3
Reflections on Matthew 13 – 18

Now when it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away…” But Jesus said, “They need not go away…” Matthew 14: 15-16

It would not be long before the disciples and the followers of Jesus would experience a very tragic and frightening desolate place that they have never experienced before. They don’t understand what is to come. They only know what they see and feel right then, at that time and place. They become agitated, restless, and worried…even with Jesus standing beside them.

Often we feel that there is no hope in the worst of times, that there is no one that will listen or understands the pangs of fear and anxiety that hurls when the evening approaches. Do not fear when the darkness shuts out the light and you are alone with your thoughts, do not turn away from Jesus to search for comfort elsewhere. He is with you.

If you want to believe but can’t, stop looking inside; go to Jesus and say, “Help me believe.” You will be comforted. You will be satisfied to overflowing.

Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to crowds. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over.  Matthew 14:19 – 20. 

“The provision Christ makes for those who are his is not bare and scanty, but rich and plentiful; an overflowing fullness.” (Matthew Henry)

We should not be surprised when God goes above and beyond all that we would ask or dream.

Why I write about 40 Gifts of Lent 

It’s so much fun to be on the receiving end of good gifts! I am anticipating the arrival of Easter and celebrating the most amazingly good gift I’ve ever received. I want to focus my heart on the fulfilled expectation of Christ’s first coming and the glorious expectation of His second coming. I want to focus on the freedom I have in Christ to overcome strongholds, yet also to gain strength, hope, and peace as I lean into the trials…continue reading here.

#LentChallenge

Take heart, sons and daughters

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Take heart, sons and daughters

Take heart, sons and daughters

40 Gifts of Lent | Gift 2
Reflections on Matthew 8 -12

You are not a second-class citizen. If you know Christ, He is even now cleansing you and thereby enabling you to approach Him with gladness. Expect your faith to be strengthened. Expect to be touched by Christ. Expect a miraculous healing of your heart.

Take heart, sons and daughters…Jesus is the gift. Come to him, you who are weighted down with grief and suffering and you will find rest for your souls. He is gentle and lowly and he understands everything about you.

Ask him to touch your life. He will stretch out his hand to you.

And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him…Matthew 8:3

“I will come and heal him.” Matthew 8:7

He touched her hand…Matthew 8:15

“If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.” Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” Matthew 9: 21 – 22

…he went in and took her by the hand… Matthew 9: 25

Then he touched their eyes… Matthew 9:29

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11: 28 – 30 (The Message)

A bouquet for a daughter

About 40 Gifts of Lent

I love the anticipation of celebrating birthdays with my children and grandchildren and can’t wait to gather again with my family and friends around a brightly lit tree at Christmas. My focus for any event or special occasion is mostly on the gift I will buy and then tape it up with all of the wrapping and trimmings to make it a beautiful presentation to give away. I do enjoy watching them rip into the paper and toss the pretty bow without a care to get to the inside of that package.

It’s so much fun to be on the receiving end of good gifts!

I am anticipating the arrival of Easter and celebrating the most amazingly good gift I’ve ever received. I want to focus my heart on the fulfilled expectation of Christ’s first coming and the glorious expectation of His second coming. I want to focus on the freedom I have in Christ to overcome strongholds, yet also to gain strength, hope, and peace as I lean into the trials…continue reading here.

#LentChallenge