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Gleanings From The Word

Tag: God’s mercy

  • Changed From the Inside – Good News

    Changed From the Inside – Good News

    backyard with a skiff of snow

    Good morning, it seems like forever since we last chatted. Here in BC, it was the Family Day long weekend, so there have been no Gleanings since Friday.

    We got a skiff of snow last night. Most of it is already gone except for some shady spots on the lawn. It melted into thick, scraper-resistant ice on the windshield, making it harder than usual to get the car ready for Kathy to go to work. I found myself mumbling, rather than being grateful, to live in a place where snow is rare.

    Ooops!

    How easy it is to slip back into old habits, whether it’s grumbling or something else. I’m grateful that God is so patient with us and never gives up on His promise to conform us into the image of Jesus.

    I can’t generate enough willpower to break all the old fleshly ways under my own strength. I need Holy Spirit power to break me through. Fortunately, he dwells in all believers.

    If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper,  to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. John 14:15-17

    He transforms us from the inside out. Those are the places we can’t reach ourselves. We can modify our behaviors to some degree by willpower alone, but real transforming power comes from deep within.

    Sometimes, he changes us instantaneously, and at others, it is a long process. I can be a slow learner.

    I am grateful that I didn’t have to change and get my life cleaned up before approaching His throne of Grace. I would never be able to do it without the imputed righteousness of Christ. 

    He sees me covered by the blood and growing, and that pleases Him. He hears the Spirit groaning when I don’t even know what to pray for, and He answers.

    I’m not all that I will be, but I’m far from what I was. All of that is His work in me (and you).

    I’m learning to repent more quickly, and I’m likely to stand longer between falls, and that’s progress.

    Praise god for the changes He is making in us all.

    Be blessed

    Kevin

    Some other reading

    Thunderggs – a hidden beauty

    The Gospel – the best news

    Trust God

  • Vantage Point – From the eyes of God

    Vantage Point – From the eyes of God

    lake and surrounding country from hilltop

    I stood at the bottom of the hill and looked around. I could see a pretty view of parts of the lake, but most of it was out of my line of sight. As I climbed. At times, I could see more of the lake. At other times, the trees blocked my view, and I couldn’t see any of it. It all depended on my vantage point.

    Finally, after about two hours of hiking, I reached the viewpoint at the summit. The view was breathtaking. Not only could I see the entire lake, but also many of the nearby farms and the forested hills. Looking up, I could see a huge expanse of sky.

    The scenery hadn’t changed, only my vantage point; my ability to see it did.

    I thought of God’s view of the world. Being outside of time and space and omnipotent. He can see every detail all at once. He sees our victories and joys as well as our failures and sorrows. He sees the hidden thing that we would never share with others. He sees no matter the lighting conditions, dark and daylight are the same from His vantage point.

    He sees us at our most unlovable and rebellious and still loves us. I’ve seen myself at my most unlovable, and it amazes me that He could love me. Sometimes I don’t even like myself, let alone love myself. I think most of us have those moments.

    For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:5-8 ESV

    From His vantage point, He sees something worth loving and saving. Only He alone knows what that is.

    I’m grateful that He saw something in me that I couldn’t see. I’m amazed that He would want reconciliation with a habitual sinner like me. I’m surprised and astounded that He can love me.

    Yet it’s true. The Bible declares it so. Jesus came and died for that very reason. He came to set us free.

    Praise God for His mercy, grace, and love.

    Be blessed

    Kevin

    Check these out

    Opening our spiritual eyes

    Read the Word

    The gospel – the best news

    Through the eyes of God