Why Gracetalk?

Why gracetalk? Because grace (gift) is what Christianity is all about! It is by grace and grace alone that we are made members of this awesome family of God. In His absolute wisdom and goodness, our father (God) has destined all mankind to be part of his family.  And the only way this could be accomplished was by grace.  So what is grace?  It is also something that is given as a ‘gift’ or free gift  ie it cannot be PAID for!  Some think it’s God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense.  And they wouldn’t be far wrong, but its much more than that..  A better definition would be that grace is God’s ability working in the heart of a believer, enabling him to do that which he naturally could not do. 

We are unable to save ourselves or live this life alone. No matter how much we think we can, we eventually have to realise that we are not capable of doing so.  Ephesians tells us that in order for God to satisfy the great and wonderful and INTENSE love he has for mankind, he made us alive with Christ and this even when we were dead in our sins!  This LOVE is something that is so wide, so deep, so high and so wide that I don’t believe we can fathom it in a whole lifetime on this planet.  But we can dig into it through the Word of God and let him show us parts of it that will blow our minds!

My husband, Arthur and I have come such a long way during the past 15 years after reaching a place where we were ready to give up on life and ministry.  Trying to perform and make our lives work on our own steam was wearing us thin and causing tremendous stress to ourselves and our family.  Thank God he is always ready and waiting to assist us.  After we had both ranted and raved about the unfairness of life and that we felt our Christian walk was not working, He calmly and quietly reminded us that we really needed to enter into His rest.

This started a journey of discovery of a love and passion that cannot compare to anything else this world has to offer. I don’t claim to know it all or to have arrived. But I have left on the journey and am a LONG way from where I used to be.  This whole life is a journey in finding our purpose and value as human beings. I have a lot more peace and assurance now.  Peace is a wonderful thing even in the middle of crises and trouble!  And I believe I have found the secret to finding that …. And it is only found in knowing my value in God through Jesus Christ.

I hope I can touch a few hearts while doing my favorite thing … writing.  We may not always agree on everything, but we can get beyond that and still be friends.  So if you like what you see and read here, let me know and let’s get on with this awesome discovery of the life that God has blessed us with.

SO WHAT’S WITH LIFE ANYWAY?

So here we are almost halfway through the year AGAIN! It always amazes me how time just does not stand still.  No matter what is going on in my life, time just keeps moving on relentlessly.  When things just seem to be so out of control, I wish I could stop the “bus” and get off for a while.  Just watch things going by instead of being propelled along with them!  Really Cathy, you might ask?  You have times when you just can’t face another day? You, a woman of faith married to a man who preaches grace, love and peace and seems to have everything together?  YES absolutely I do have those days where I wonder if I still want to be on this planet or rather go and be with the Lord and relax.

 Maybe that’s the point of time not standing still….. It shows that I am alive. The dictionary definition of alive is living; existing; not dead or lifeless.  I just can’t “get off and stop” because then I wouldn’t be “alive” and that shows that no matter what the situation is, it will eventually sort itself out because there is movement. There is always progress in a direction.  It shows that my life is not just made up of what is going on around me but that there is more to this thing we call life.

 I believe real life is in remembering the simple, abundant things that are around us all the time.  Things like being able to get out of bed and WALK! My mother recently had a total collapse and spent three weeks in the ICU of a local hospital.  One of the after effects of not being able to get up for such a long time is that she is battling to walk again.  Every time I see her grappling with the walker and struggling to get to the bathroom, I thank God that I can just “get up” and move.  I can make food, get in my car and drive to the local store, I can pick up the phone and tell my precious family I love them.  That’s so much more important and lasting than the irritating STUFF that goes on in my world.

 So in the midst of all these thoughts about God maybe having forgotten about me and my stuff, I got a letter from a missionary friend and she mentioned Isaiah 40:25-31 where it asks this question: “So, who is like me? Who holds a candle to me?” says the Holy.  Look at the night skies: Who do you think made all this? Who marches this army of stars out each night, counts them off and calls each by name – so magnificent! So powerful! – and never overlooks a single one? Why could you ever complain or whine, saying “God has lost track of me.  He doesn’t care what happens to me”? Don’t you know anything? Haven’t you been listening? God doesn’t come and go.  God LASTS. He’s creator of all you can see or imagine.  He doesn’t get tired out, doesn’t pause to catch His breath.  And he knows everything, inside and out.

 He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts.  For even young people tire and drop out, young folk in their prime stumble and fall.  But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.  They spread their wings and soar like eagles, they run and don’t get tired, they walk and don’t lag behind.”

 And then I got this sudden revelation ….. God hasn’t changed!  He hasn’t fallen off the planet so to speak! He’s still there in charge and sure that the sun is going to come up in the morning and set at night just as He arranged it.  And I (mankind) am the pinnacle of His creation! So why am I getting bent out of shape?  Again it comes to that thing I call “focus”….. Change your focus.  Remember the things that make life worth living.  Remember the precious people around you.  Remember the meals you can eat.  Remember the walk you can take. Remember the love you can share.

 God is NOT deaf, nor is He closed off from our lives.  He’s a HUGE part of my life but I FORGET that He is there.  The psalmist always says “Selah”, think on this.  Maybe that’s the way to see life.  Think on these wonderful things that I have all around me and focus on being grateful for what I have and not anxious or bitter about what I don’t have or think I should have.

WHY THE GOSPEL (GOOD NEWS) OF PEACE?

I meet many people in my every day travels that just don’t have a sense of peace and calm.  They are mostly stressed, frustrated and confused by life.  On top of every day life, they go to church and are taught all the things they have to do to keep God happy too.

 I once heard someone say: Where does the list end?  I can’t keep the first rules going never mind the whole list.  (The list being what she had heard at church that she needed to do to keep God happy)

 I have GOOD NEWS for you – Jesus fulfilled the list.  He died and was resurrected and a new covenant was made between Him and God so YOU don’t have to do the list anymore.  You just have to accept that He finished the job and created a life for you to enjoy.  You have been given everything for life and godliness.  NOTHING WAS LEFT out.

 When I say the “finished work of Christ”, I mean Everything God accomplished through Jesus Christ on the cross for ALL men for ALL time through God’s grace, mercy, love and goodness.

 WHAT IS PEACE? 

 YOU DON’T NEED TO BE A ROCKET SCIENTIST TO KNOW THAT PEACE IS IMPORTANT AND A VITAL NECESSITY FOR LIFE!  The biggest gift you can give yourself is to believe in the peace between you and God and allow Him to direct in your life.

 Luke 2:10-14  And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.  KJV

 This is Good News – Not BAD NEWS! Good News of Jesus Christ and PEACE “toward” man from God the Father.

 The general definition of peace is REST AND CONTENTMENT, HARMONY, FREEDOM FROM MOLESTATION, QUIETNESS – The Hebrew is WHOLENESS

 a. The essence of the Good News is that it brings PEACE.  It reinforces the peace between you and God. 

 b.  Without peace, the promises cannot become a reality.  According to the Bible, God is always consistent and true to what He promises.  Only believing in the peace Jesus brought will enable you to trust what He says.

 2 Cor 1:20  For as many as are the promises of God, they all find their Yes [answer] in Him [Christ]. For this reason we also utter the Amen (so be it) to God through Him [in His Person and by His agency] to the glory of God. AMP

 c.  There is no room for fear when you understand the peace you have with God. Continually worrying about doing enough so that God will help you or be happy is fear and uncertainty not peace.

 1 John 4:18-19  We need have no fear of someone who loves us perfectly; his perfect love for us eliminates all dread of what he might do to us. If we are afraid, it is for fear of what he might do to us and shows that we are not fully convinced that he really loves us. 19 So you see, our love for him comes as a result of his loving us first.  TLB

What’s with Christmas?

My understanding of people tells me that we ALL love to get “good” news.  Bad news just messes up our day.  It puts us in the doldrums.  But good news – now there’s a thought.  It makes the sun suddenly shine brighter, the birds sing louder and the general atmosphere clear up and become enchanting.

 

This is just what God intended.  That man’s days would become better and brighter.   And Jesus was the fulfilment of that.  Luke 2:10 tells us:  “And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.”  And that “good news” was? Luke 2:14:  “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace toward men.”  This is peace from God toward man, fulfilled in Jesus Christ.  That’s what Christmas is all about – that God came to make peace between Him and man, once and for all.

 

Although many people think that our ultimate goal is to preach and teach or “change the world” or whatever, God’s ultimate goal is for us to be changed into the image of His Son, Jesus.   Jesus revealed God as He REALLY is.  Jesus made the Father real.  God wants us to get to know Him on a personal basis.  And the only way to do that was by sending someone who knew Him to show us what He is really like.

 

John 1: 18 “No man has ever seen God at any time: the only unique son, or the only begotten God, Who is in the bosom (in the intimate presence) of the Father, He has declared Him (He has revealed Him and brought Him out where He can be seen: He has interpreted Him and He has made Him known)

 

God wants us to get to know Him through Jesus and be His sons and daughters.  This relationship is an awesome concept.  Something that many of us find hard to get our minds wrapped around.  To think that God almighty, the creator of the universe really wants to be MY Daddy.  It’s easy to put lip service to this thought, but quite another to really accept it and let it become real in our lives.

 

Ephesians 2:18-19  “For it is through Him that we both (whether far off or near) now have an introduction (ACCESS) by one Holy Spirit to the Father (SO THAT WE ARE ABLE TO APPROACH HIM).  Therefore you are no longer outsiders (exiles, migrants, and aliens, excluded from the rights of citizens), but you now share citizenship with the saints (God’s own people, consecrated and set apart for Himself): and you belong to God’s (OWN) household.”

 

This doesn’t mean that automatically everything in our lives will just become wonderful and magically get fixed up.  But it does mean that we have an access to Someone who can help us make the necessary adjustments to our lives and help us handle the things that happen in life.  You don’t have to be frazzled, frantic and frustrated.  You can consciously decide to be happy, loving, fulfilled, generous, peaceful, contented, joyous and calm in spite of what is going on around you.  You can also choose to ENJOY the benefits of this good life God has promised you and given you and not keep looking around the corner for the “mess” you think is waiting to happen.  God is in the business of giving you peace and joy.  He is for you.  He is always available and you always have access to Him.

 

 

Acknowledge Every Good Thing

A few years ago we went snowmobiling with friends while visiting in the USA.  I had never done this before, so it was a HUGE adventure.  Now, generally I am a very conservative and cautious person, so riding in the snow was not something I would normally do!  But my friends convinced me it would be safe.  After riding up the mountain for two hours or so, we eventually came to the top.  Now my husband had done this trip several times so he knew what was coming!  There is a special area at the top of the trail that is a fun place to ride around and ‘play’.  Of course, being a man, he does the most incredible things like riding up an almost 90 degree hill of around 100 metres high, at top speed.  And …. His whole goal was to get me to do the same!

 

After watching him and several friends do this amazing thing, I finally got the courage to try it for myself.  Arthur took off expecting me to follow, but my courage failed and I just turned away to play in the safe area.  But he wouldn’t give up and followed me, talking me into trying again.  Finally I agreed and took off, holding on to the handlebars with all my strength, keeping the motor running at full throttle.  I was absolutely terrified that the vehicle would stall half way, causing me to fall, but it held.  Getting to the top of that hill was one of the most awesome, exciting things in the world to me!  I had made it!  Only to find out that I had to get back down again and there was no other way but to go head first and glide to the bottom.  I finally got that done too and from that moment on, nothing could stop me. 

 

I went up and down that hill several times, just screaming with excitement every time it worked and I made it!  This is one of those things that I am so glad I have done.  I am convinced that I would have regretted going all that way and not trying it at least once.

 

Now why am I sharing this with you?  Because it has always been my desire to see believers find out more about the awesome work that God the Father did and what we have received thru the Lord Jesus Christ and His finished work.

 

One of my favourite scriptures is found in Romans 5:1 (JB Phillips)

 

“Since then it is by faith that we are justified, let us GRASP the FACT that we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Through Him we have confidently entered into this new relationship of grace, and here we take our STAND, in happy CERTAINTY of the glorious things he has for us!”

 

Just as I held on to that snowmobile for life, believing it had the power to keep going and take me over the top of the hill, we can have even more confidence in holding on to what Jesus has done as if our life depends on it and KNOW that He will take us to the top no matter how frightening life may seem at times.

 

Just listening to a message on a Sunday is not enough.  It’s like eating once a week and hoping your body can cope.  NO we need to keep our eyes and hearts focused on the word of God continually.  Not just the words in the Bible but the MESSAGE that the Bible brings and especially the New Testament which is based on better promises.

 

Here are a few thoughts:

 

1.         Learn to acknowledge the GOOD things in your life

 

Philemon 6-7 (TLB)

I pray that as you share your faith with others (or acknowledge every good thing in you in Christ Jesus) it will grip their lives too, as they see the wealth of good things in you that come from Christ Jesus.

 

We need to find out and believe what we have in Christ for ourselves before we can influence others around us. 

 

Phil 4:8 whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things

 

Psalm 23 :  Surely only GOODNESS and MERCY will follow me all the days of my life.

 

James 1:17 – All good and perfect things come from the Father above.  There is NOTHING bad in God.  God does not have a bit of good and a bit of evil in Him!  Only GOOD.

 

GOOD is always the measurement for how things are in your life.  If something happens in your life – hold it up to the goodness of God and see if it measures up.  If it’s BAD, then guess what?  It’s NOT FROM GOD. 

 

2.   When you acknowledge GOOD things, it changes your heart or your focus   

 

Remember that what you focus on increases in your life.  You talk about it, think it, meditate it and confirm it by your words.  In other words you rehearse it.

 

-  What is the heart?  The HEART is the place where you process or persuade yourself of what you believe. The heart is where you BECOME TOTALLY CONVINCED, FULLY PERSUADED AND ABSOLUTELY CONFIDENT IN THE WORK OF CHRIST ON THE CROSS.

 

Proverbs 4:23  Keep and guard your heart with all diligence.  Out of the heart (where you believe) flows the issues (forces) that drive your life.                          

 

Be careful what you allow into your heart.  Don’t just let anything into your belief system.  Remember it eventually controls where your life goes.   

 

 

3.           ACKNOWLEDGING GOOD THINGS Creates a thankful heart

 

When you acknowledge all the good things you have in Christ, it creates a thankful heart.  When you are thankful, it changes your words, your words change your actions and your actions show others how good God is. 

 

- It’s a perfect opportunity for God to show His love and grace to others through you

 

 

4.   Acknowledging GOOD things sets the sails of your heart so you flow in the direction of LIFE and not death.

 

Just like a sailing boat, we need to adjust our direction to the right wind to go where we want.  Finding out who God is and what His word says puts the right ‘wind’ in our sails.   

 

THE INTERESTING THING IS YOU CAN EVEN SAIL AGAINST A STRONG CURRENT WITH THE RIGHT WIND if your sails are set in the right direction. In other words, you can change the ‘bad’ things in your life by setting your sail (heart) in line with what the Word of God (wind) says.

 

One of the greatest writers in the New Testament, Paul wrote:  “I make this my great aim.  To know nothing but Christ and Him crucified.  I count everything else as dung, but to know Him.”  In other words, he wanted to find out everything he could about what was accomplished by Jesus Christ on the cross.

 

Go ahead! Hold on to what God has given through His Son. You can’t go wrong!

 

 

 

 

A quick thought on God’s love

I Corinthians 13:13: And so faith, hope, love abide; these three; but the greatest of these is love.

I Corinthians 14:1: Eagerly pursue and seek to acquire (this) love (make it your aim, your great quest).

 

The Message Bible says it like this:  Go after a life of love as if your life depended on it – because it does!

 

Your very breath depends on God’s love.   The fact that you are alive is a sign that God cares!  Everything you need for life and godliness has been given to you by the work of Christ on the cross. 

 

My favourite definition of agape (unconditional) love is that in my weakest, worst moment (and we all know our moments), God sees me as valuable, precious and something to be held in high regard or esteem.  That can feel like a tall order to believe!  I know what I am like at times.  I know what I do, what I believe, what I say that makes me a miserable and sometimes horrible person.  Yet agape love doesn’t look at that at all.  It makes no difference to agape love (God’s love).  He has placed all His love and acceptance on you through the finished work of the cross.

 

Don’t pursue vain and unimportant things to try and find life.  The people around you and the things that we “think” we need for life in this world cannot give us true life.  Only the awesome, perfect love of God can give life.  Pursue (go after understanding this love) or becoming persuaded of it’s perfection and you will be a whole person.  It’s when you find out that someone (God) believes in you that you realize your potential and value.  And my friend, God believes in you with all of His heart. I Corinthians 13:7 says love (God is love) is ever ready to believe the best of every person.

 

You can experience this change if you will just let go of your own efforts and accept the already completed gift that God is offering you today.  I believe you won’t be disappointed!