"If only" God?

Is God an "if only" kind of God?

If only we behave, God will love us?
If only we don't sin, God will smile upon us?

Scriptures like 2 Chronicles 7:14 allude to this sentiment, but where does this leave us? I can never do enough to win God's approval, so all of my "if only" attempts will always fall short of God's measurements. Or does it imply that God wants to see us try our best, at the very least?

I am not 100% sure...I guess that's why I love Romans 5:8 so much - it takes away my efforts and highlights the grace of Jesus.

What are you thinking?

Living in Grace,
D3LM3

P.S. I have intentionally left out the Scripture verses today, hoping that you will look them up. If you are rushing through this post then simply go to www.biblegateway.com - they will help you with the verses.

Letting Go

Imagine that you are holding something in your hands, but the longer you hold onto it the more uncomfortable it feels. Then a friend offers you something else, but you have no hands to reach out and receive it - your hands are already full.
What do you do?
Choices,choices?

You can either hold onto the thing that is becoming more painful or you can let go and receive the blessing from a friend.

It's our choice, but sometimes we just have to let go.

1 Peter 5:4 - And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

Living in Grace,
D3LM3

Insight for your life

Sometimes we face situations that leave us in a flat spin. We don't know where to turn and where to seek help. Here is help for you.

If you are seeking guidance, read Proverbs 3:5-6
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight."

If you are in despair, read Psalm 25:5
"Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long."

If are feeling worried about something, read Matthew 6:34
"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

May God grant you peace.

Living in Grace,
D3LM3

Day and Night

"By day the Lord directs his love,
at night his song is with me -
a prayer to the God of my life." - Psalm 42:8

Just in case you had forgotten - God is directing his love towards you in the 'daylight' moments of your life and God will comfort you when you go through the periods of darkness.

You'd better believe it:)

Living in Grace,
D3LM3

Encouragement

Our world is often complex. Our lives can be difficult. People can be frustrating. Despite all of this, we still have the power to encourage and bless each other. Why don't you think of someone now and send them an email or give them a call. Do it for no other reason than to bless them!

Here is an old poem that I pray would bless you:

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.
Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,
other times there were one set of footprints.

This bothered me because I noticed
that during the low periods of my life,
when I was suffering from
anguish, sorrow or defeat,
I could see only one set of footprints.

So I said to the Lord,
“You promised me Lord,
that if I followed you,
you would walk with me always.
But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life
there have only been one set of footprints in the sand.
Why, when I needed you most, you have not been there for me?”

The Lord replied,
“The times when you have seen only one set of footprints in the sand,
is when I carried you.”

Living in Grace,
D3LM3

Toyohiko Kagawa on Love

How many Japanese Christians do you know? I have heard of one or two, but the words of Toyohiko Kagawa reveal the depth of his faith in Christ and make me want to find out more about the church in Japan. He wrote:

"Love alone introduces me to God. Love is my sanctuary - in field, city street, in bedroom, office, kitchen, sickroom. I have my sanctuary everywhere I go in the universe. Where Love is, there God is ... Love is the ultimate religion. Classify me not by creed: I belong to nothing but Love. Jesus it was who taught that it should be so. Jesus never said that men were to be shunned for their creeds. Love is the ultimate revelation, the final sanctuary."

May these words encourage you and inspire you to Love like Jesus.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

53 Days til Christmas

As I dropped my kids off at school this morning, my eyes caught a glimpse of the notice board. It read: "53 days til Christmas!" My heart sank. So much water has to pass under the proverbial bridge before I can celebrate the birth of Jesus. Christmas seems a lifetime away.

Then I was struck with this thought -
"Isn't it ironic that one of the key events in the history of the planet is preceded (in our lives) with the busiest period in our calendars?"

Is this right? Surely not?
I am not sure how to change the system, but I desire to create moments (in the next 53 days) where I can breathe in the aroma of grace, the scent of salvation and where I can experience the Joy of Christ.

Join me in the search for Christ amidst the chaos of the Festive season.

Living in Grace,
D3LM3