Grace Like Chocolate

If you enjoy chocolate, this is especially better than chocolate. 

Enjoy this special edition video devotional. 

More on the subject of God's Grace coming in February. 

Stay tuned for the Devotional Series "Seasons of Grace"

Life is a Bucket of Laughs

Visit Second Chance Ministries for Registration and More Details

(early bird rate til April 30th)

Do you take life too seriously? Do you see the little things as big obstacles in your way? Well, let me remind you of a little shepherd boy named David. He was a faithful shepherd boy watching over his flock of sheep. He killed a bear and a lion to protect them, yet he was just a small boy. When David (1 Samual 17) was given the opportune moment of favor to slay Goliath the giant, all he had was a slingshot and three stones.

The scriptures tell us that Goliath was 9’9” (6 cubits + 1 span). That's almost 10 feet tall! I am only 4 foot 11 inches and to me, my husband at 6 ft is tall! Can you imagine small young David, standing up to the terrible 10 foot giant Goliath with just a slingshot and three stones? Yet with all that must have been running through his mind, his confidence and strength in God remained. Even though the enemy laughed at him, David's stone hit that giant in the head in just the right position and God saw to it that the Philistine enemy was conquered!

A giant was certainly big enough to take seriously. Goliath was certainly not a small concern, but David didn't see him as a very large concern either, since he knew that his God was more powerful.

The next time that the little things stress you out, remember that God has much bigger situations under control. Use your spiritual weapon, the Word of God and trust that surely he can handle the small details. 

Becoming our True Selves

It's wonderful to feel as though you have “arrived”, at least you think you have until you face a new challenge or a fork in the road. Often you hear people say “I'm so satisfied with my life”, or “I have so much peace”. That's true when you know your identity in Christ no matter what the circumstances around you. People are so pleased with themselves when they feel that they have finally become their "true selves." However, in the Kingdom of God, our spiritual maturity is measured by how much we grow, to be less of ourselves, and more like Christ. The Bible, God's Word, says that we must become less in John 3:30 “He must become more important, but I must become less important." (International Standard Version)

We know that God loves us, but do we let his love enfold and fill our hearts in our lives, so much that we know him personally and become one heart with him. Let me assure you that God is not finished with you. His love, which is marvelous and rich, is just the beginning of all the blessings that he desires for you.

“Looking unto Jesus the AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” -- Hebrews 12:2

Unlike the world who does not know the love of Jesus, we don't have to spend years reading guru “self help” books to discover our "true selves." You are a child of the Most High God who is working out his perfect love in you and through you as you seek his ways in your life. Continue to walk and respond with Gods' love, with his heart, priorities and attitudes. You'll realize that you are walking in the most important identity that you could ever have. Your identity in Christ, as you grow in faith. He will reveal the person that he created you to be, with his heart in the center of yours. That is your "true self".

Afternoon Splash Womens Conference

Visit Second Chance Ministries for Registration and More Details. 

(advance tickets are available til April 30th

Just Be Woolly

I'm sure that you've heard this line on a Friday night. "Do you know where your children are? God never has to ask that question because he knows everything about his children as well as where and what they are doing. Are you one of God's children?

His Word identifies us as "sheep" because he is our Shepherd. Good shepherd's lead the way for their sheep, out of danger, out of harms way and keep them huddled together in safety. Sheep also have a tendency to wander away and get into trouble. Does this remind you of anyone? Perhaps you're reminded of a few things that you would like to go back and do over again differently? "For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight. As it is written: "He catches the wise in their craftiness"; 1 Cor 3:19

They are also restless and weak creatures who also need plenty of water. We need spiritual hunger and thirst that can only be filled by him. We cannot go without it. John 7:38 says: "He who believes in Me [who cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me] as the Scripture has said, From his innermost being shall flow [continuously] springs and rivers of living water; In dry spells a sheep may not go to get water. They will surround a tree in a dry place or an empty water trough until they die of thirst. They need someone to lead them beside still water.

Now, here's an interesting fact! Sheep cannot get up by themselves. If they fall down or cast down themselves, then they will lay on their back with their feet in the air. They will die in this state, but the Shepherd picks them up and sets them back on their feet.

Certainly as I mentioned before, if sheep tend to wander away, they can also lose their sense of direction. However, the sheep know and recognize their shepherd's voice. As God's children, he calls us his sheep; Like the sheep, we can recognize our Shepherd's voice and no other master's voice. The voice of the shepherd brings comfort and security to the sheep. Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27). Do you need to find your way today? Are you cast down? Have you heard his voice call you today? Let him pick you up and lead you into rest, beside still waters. Hear the Shepherd's voice today.

Something out of Nothing

Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing then he deceived himself. Galatians 6:2,3

I read these two scriptures one after the other and to me, they seem like two different thoughts, although I see how they connect. They bring all kinds of possibilities to my mind of what they can mean or teach me.

We are fulfilling the law of Christ by carrying each other's burdens. What does it mean to carry someone's burden? Is it simply just to pray for them? Does it mean that we should do more if it is "within our means"? Does it mean that we should do more, even IF it's a sacrifice? Is it up to the individual to decide or is it up to God to lead us and then is it up to us to follow through? Keith Green once said, "to obey is better than sacrifice." He was talking about sacrificing or passing up the blessing by not following through in obedience to God, when he speaks to your heart. My thought is that we do not consider carrying the burdens of others as though we see ourselves as doormats. We need to see carrying the burdens of others as an act of obedience however far that takes us in His will. Praying is a lovely gesture, an act of commitment by your word, and an opportunity to stand in the gap, but it is not a great sacrifice. However, to step in and walk beside your brother or sister, in the spirit through prayer AND in the natural, even in practical ways, is a sacrifice that will bring joy. The sacrifice could be physical, monetary, emotional, but in the end it will not seem like a sacrifice at all. The reward is great, when there is faithfulness in serving Christ and therefore the sacrifice is merely temporary, because eventually the Lord honours our faithfulness with His reward.

The scripture that follows conjures a second set of thoughts for me. "If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, then he deceives himself." (Galatians 2:3) I wonder if this refers to those who go about their own business and let the burdens of others in their pathway, fall to the wayside? Perhaps it is referring to those who say, "I'll pray for you" and then walk away. It may be referring to those who are too proud to get in the trenches with their brother or sister. Perhaps it is even a sacrifice to give praise to God and express genuine joy because of what God is doing in someone else's life when jealousy rears it's ugly head. Perhaps they are even too proud to let someone ride on their coat tail for a while. It is good to journey with our brother and sister, in their vision, connect on a level that brings passion, not a spirit of competition, and become brothers and sisters in Christ who sorrow with each other when there is pain and rejoice when there is victory. When we have pride, we think we're "just something else". Yep, we got what it takes! Of course it feels great to do a great thing but that act does not make us "something special". Yet, in all truth, our deluded greatness is just hay and rotten rubble, a royal stench and a great big fat nothing, in God's eyes. You cannot get something out of nothing, unless it is a sacrifice for you. We are already "something special" in God's eyes because he loves us. Our act of sacrifice simply makes us obedient. Only a sacrifice brings heavenly rewards and blessings in return.

Let us remember that even to say a kind word, although unaware of someone else's circumstances, they may be the words that lift another's burdens. Let's remember to speak truth with a genuine heart. Even though it's hurtful to them, it is love because anything else would be a lie. It is a great sacrifice to set aside your own feelings in the time of someone else's distress. Let us also remember that each one of us is called to minister with greatness, even in the smallest way. There is no one that measures greater, nor is there a better standard to gauge or a greater calling for one or the other. We are all one, each fulfilling our purpose in Christ. Consider what your possibilities of greatness can be. What reward might you may miss out on when you do not obey? Then consider the blessings God is willing to bestow, when you find yourself faced with a personal sacrifice. The real personal sacrifice is when we miss out on the blessing because we did not heed the Lord's leading.

Personal sacrifice = reward

Sacrifice your obedience = missed blessing

On The Right Foot

A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps. Proverbs 16:9

Tomorrow will be New Year's Eve. What are you looking forward to in the year to come? As much as new beginnings are exciting, starting off right is important. So how do you get off on the right foot to a new beginning?

Get Vision.

Whatever your goal will be, make this your vision and pray that God will lead you to see clearly what the real purpose of your goal is. Some soul searching may be required and that may require for you to surrender some deep things in your soul and let go of things or emotions that you hold on to.

Get Practical.

Carve out some time in your schedule and sit down with the necessary tools. You'll need any number of tools, such as a calendar, calculator, computer, “project work book”, pen and pencil, to mention a few. Sit down and begin to make a wish list and then consider what is the first priority on your list. Start with the top one. Consider the steps that it will take to reach your top priority and then right down the steps that you think will help accomplish your goal.

Make a Plan.

Whether your plan is to lose weight, get in shape, stop smoking, curb a bad habit or just to spend more time with family or even to promise yourself a special vacation, you must make a plan. Set reasonable target dates for your progress and a list of things that might be a distraction or prevent you from reaching your goal.

Do The Research

Although it's tempting, this is a step that you should never skip. Always consider your spiritual condition and your relationship with God as you decide what is right for you. Ask yourself, “Would God be pleased if I do it this way?” While something may look like the right application to reach your goal, it may be rooted in something that God would not be pleased with. Doing research will help you uncover the truth and will solidify the steps that you will take to achieve your goal. These steps will also help to eliminate or at least decrease any road blocks that you may face along the way. Anticipating these steps will also help prevent you from getting side tracked and distracted. That's not to say that there won't be surprises or detours that you have to make a long the way, but they will be less if you plan your steps. Most importantly, because you did the research, you know that you have customized a plan that works for you.

Pray Along The Way

None of this comes without careful prayer and leading by the Holy Spirit. He will give you vision as you're waiting for that peace that God gives in the midst of your plans. The steps that you plan will be like “steps of faith”.  He will honour each step of faith and will help you reach your goal. He is with you and he would love nothing more than for you to bounce ideas off of him. He loves that you take time to check in with him and have great conversation as you take each step of faith. He will hold your hand, just trust in him and he'll keep you strong and focused. He will cheer you on until you reach your goal.