Thankful Thursday – Grace

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.   Ephesians 2:8-9

Thankful beyond words for God’s grace!

His grace is sufficient for all of my needs!  AMEN?

Thankful for the gifts of God that continue to bless me day after day – even though I in my flesh don’t deserve them.  However, God keeps giving them despite who I am – because of who He is!   Amazing grace!

Thankful for the Word of God that is living water to our home and hearts!

Thankful for the ways God used the season I’m just beginning to walk out to teach me so much about parenting and His heart!

Thankful for the ways God is using each day (my family) to teach me about what LOVE in action looks like!

Thankful for the ways God uses His-story to teach us such important lessons for our lives today!

Thankful that God helps us see the good way and wants us to walk in it!

Thankful that God is long-suffering, slow to anger, patient, gentle, merciful, and loving!

Thankful that I can rest in Him doing the impossible through me and that I simply must trust in Him to do it!

Thankful that He not only restores relationships, but He rebuilds them to greater heights.

Thankful that He not only renews the spirit, He sustains it with His power and love!

Thankful that He not only mends a broken heart, He lovingly protects it!

Thankful that He never leaves us, nor forsakes us.

Thankful that God is love!

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I’m getting really excited for next week’s opening post for  Please help spread the word and share with family and friends!

Speaking of teens, I had the best time on Tuesday afternoon taking photos of two of my favorite teen girls.   One of my dear friends daughters happens to be Lexi’s very close friend.  :-)  Note that they are both totally fashionable and yet modest!

 

 

As you can see we had a blast and they were giggling a ton!   Laughter is good medicine for the heart and soul!  

It started to get really HOT, so the girls asked if we could do something different and take photos inside.  Final days of summer around here…which we are happy to see end.   Every good thing must come to an end and every season has its time….hello FALL!  

I was very thankful they were patient with me, since I am not an indoor photographer and have no lighting to help me.   It took several setting changes, a tripod and more patience on their part to get these very cool shots.   I hope you like them!   Now you know my favorites are not here – they are on my photoblog!

   

Praying you all have a blessed and thankful Thursday!  Walk in His grace today!

Where are you?

But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life.

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Romans 6:22-23

Last week I wrote a post about whether my season (trial or situation) will last 11 days or 40 yrs.  Then this week Scott and I have both been teaching more on this during our bible studies with the children.  Him through Deuteronomy (at night) and me through Romans (each morning).

Well the last couple of days God has really been speaking to me through Scott’s teachings and yes of course through what I am teaching the children.

You see, we have been set FREE!   Just like the Israelites so long ago, God did the work and performed the miracle.   It is finished.   We don’t have to live in bondage another day.   We are no longer slaves to sin – but slaves to our Lord Jesus Christ.  Slaves to peace, joy, love, and yes suffering.  

Look at the following maps.

Do you see how easy the journey should have been?  Do you notice the crazy path they had to take?

All because they were not willing to take their eyes off of themselves and the situation they were now in.   They were unable to get to the Promised Land all because they refused to put their eyes on God who delivered them from Egypt and set them FREE!

Look at the beauty in the Garden of Eden.  This is not nearly as amazing as it once was but these will give you an idea…

Naked without shame they walked and talked with God.   Adam and Eve lived without having to work for anything they needed.  God supplied it all.

Same promise He made to the Israelites…He was leading them to the Promised Land…all they had to do was focus on Him and LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH THEIR FULL HEARTS, SOUL AND STRENGTH.   But they refused to do it.   So once again they had to suffer in the desert.  They had to go through a season of extreme consequences for their lack of faith and trust in God.    It didn’t have to be that way and guess what?

It doesn’t have to be that way today for you and me!!!!    We are set free!  We don’t have to struggle through each day and season in our lives.   It doesn’t have to take us 40 yrs to live in the Promised Land today either.   We can walk in it, rejoice in it and worship God every single day as we live by the PROMISES of GOD through Jesus Christ.  AMEN?

You are the only one who puts you back in chains.  You are the only one who puts you back in the desert.  You are the only one who separates yourself from the blessings and love of God.   

The amazing thing is this.   You and I are not held by the law given to the Israelites thousands of years ago.   We are held by GRACE.  Which means GOD DOING IT!  Just like He wanted to do for them.   It is the only thing God has every wanted to do – is take care of and provide perfectly for His children (Creation).   He has always chased after us and will never stop.  

Will you begin a new journey with God today?   Will you walk it in 11 days or 40 yrs.?  Will you give up having it your way and walk in the good way?   Will you let God be God in your life?   Will you ask Him to help you today?  

You and I are FREE friends! 

FREE!  

Live it today!  

Set yourself FREE and rejoice in the goodness, faithfulness and extreme crazy love of our Father in heaven.  Let it mold you, shape you and cause you to love like crazy too! 

I can’t help but praise Him for the ways He is showing Himself in our lives and changing us one day at a time to be more like Him.  I am thankful my journey is about to take on a whole new direction – one with less toil and more JOY!   Hallelujah!  

Sing God’s praises with me…hearts are being changed and coming alongside of me to bring two amazing children home!   Thank you friends for giving to further His Kingdom!  I love you all!   I can’t wait to see who wins the In This Home painting!