TheGraceThatSaves...TheGTS

"He is the first, the last, the beginning and the end. Keeper of creation, Creator of the universe, Manager of all time. He always was, always is, always will be. The world can't understand Him; its armies can't defeat Him; its schools can't explain Him; its leaders can't ignore Him. Herod couldn't kill Him. The Pharisees couldn't confuse Him. Nero couldn't crush Him. Hitler couldn't silence Him. He's the power of the powerful, The Ancient of Days, the Ruler of rulers, the Leader of leaders. He is holy, mighty, and true. His ways are right, His word eternal, and His will unchanging. He is Redeemer, Savior, Lord and Guide.

When I fail, He forgives. When I am weak, He is strong. When I'm lost, He's the way. When I'm afraid, He is my courage. When I stumble, He steadies me. When I'm broken, He mends me. When I face persecution, He shields me. When I face loss, He provides for me. When I face death, He carries me home. He said it, that settles it. He is on my side. God is in control - it is well with my soul! Amen".

(Read Hosea 14:2)
What stops good people from cleaning up their act? Sometimes it's just Spiritual misconceptions! See if you recognize any...

1. Painful experiences are just the result of fate; they're not connected to my choices.
2. God's much too forgiving to permit escalating consequences, or allow me to get hurt just to motivate me to stop sinning.
3. The enjoyment I get from my so-called sin outweighs the benefits of stopping. Anyway, my sins aren't really hurting anyone.
4. I can't help myself. This problem goes back to my childhood, so why wouldn't God extend grace rather than impose discipline?
5. Just because I sin doesn't mean I can't do something for God. Hey, God uses crooked sticks; we can't all be Billy Graham, you know.
6. It's not a sin, it's just a part of my personality that I struggle with.

If you recognize yourself in any of these misconceptions, do you see what you're really saying? "My sin doesn't have consequences. God won't pursue this. I like my sin too much to give it up. I've convinced myself that I can't quit. My sin won't diminish my effectiveness. My problem isn't even a sin."

If this describes you, embrace the truth, discard the lies that have kept you stuck in unnecessary pain and repent. The moment you do you'll receive God's forgiveness and His help to live differently. You'll also look back on your former determination to stay in the dirt and wonder how you resisted your Father's kindness for so long, and at such cost.

"Don't take everything at face value (but don't overanalyze either!). Be sensitive to what your partner / friend / co-worker / teenager...... is going through that he or she might not say out loud. Sometimes they just need to hear that you 'get' them, that you understand"

"When you focus on listening and understanding a loved one, you express love through your actions and open the doorway to meaningful communication"

THIS IS GOOD ... TAKE A READ

What Equals 100%?

What does it mean to give MORE than 100%?

Ever wonder about those people who say they are giving more than 100%?

We have all been in situations where someone wants you to give over 100%. How about achieving 101%? What equals 100% in life?

Here's a little mathematical formula that might help you answer these

Questions:

If: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Is represented as: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

Then: H-A-R-D-W-O-R- K ... 8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98%

And

K-N-O-W-L-E-D-G-E ... 11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5 = 96%

But,

A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E ... 1+ 20+20+9+20+21+4+5 = 100%

AND, look how far the love of God will take you

L-O-V-E-O-F-G-O-D

12+15+22+5+15+6+7+15+4 = 101%

Therefore, one can conclude with mathematical certainty that: While Hard work and Knowledge will get you close, and Attitude will get you there, it's the Love of God that will put you over the top!

 ALLELUIA!!!

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up. ~ Ecclesiastes 4: 9-10

"You cannot do anything of real value alone. It may be a cliché, but it is nonetheless true: individuals play the game, but teams win championships". Together Everyone Achieve More!

"God has placed skills and resources in our hand already; We need to apply faith to that which He has placed in our hand in order to see His provision manifested through them."

Read Proverbs 3: 5 & 6

"This is the day to stand up and command every mountain in your life to be plucked up and cast into the sea ... Use your kingdom authority!

"This morning when you woke up, God gave you another chance to rectify your mistakes and learn from your experiences. In other words, He gave you His permission (and His ability) to succeed. Use it!"

35 mph ......................................... My times are in thine hand

45 mph ......................................... God will take care of you

55 mph ......................................... Guide me, O thou great Jehovah

65 mph ......................................... Just a closer walk with thee

75 mph ......................................... Nearer my God to thee

85 mph ......................................... This world is not my home

95 mph ......................................... Precious memories

100 mph and over ...................... Lord, I am coming home

What hymns are you singing? Be wise, leave on time, watch your speed, stay safe and remember to pray each time you get behind the wheel.

"Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my god." (Psalm 43:5)