Fresh Grace

The Lord strengthens us that we may serve Him and his body. Not so that we can attain our own goals and feel better about our lives. I am seeing this more clearly in my own life. God is supplying strength to me to teach and train my girls, serve them and my sweet husband, and even have strength left to serve others within the local body. Friends, this is not me at work here-- This is the Lord! My friends call this "grace in the moment." Things that used to be such a struggle for me are starting to flow more easily as I ask God to re-shape my mind and motives. I hope this encourages you!! In fact in just the last few days since my "Laundry blog" I have seen a change of heart towards laundry! (Some of you must be praying for me!)

The loaves and the fishes were multiplied to feed the 5,000 when there was a real need, not just to let the disciples see some amazing display of Christ's power, or so they could bask in the fullness of their own well-fed stomachs, though this certainly happenend. Jesus was concerned for the peoples' needs. He showed his power sure enough, no doubt about it. But it was not merely a self-promoting display. And He is the only one worthy of self-promotion!!

I am only just grasping this idea of "grace in the moment." I often long and pray for things that I want...but I am praying with (underneath it all) self-serving motives. Even prayers for those I love and care about...if I am honest...I may be asking for things that will make me feel better (i.e. children who are more apt to obey, a job that my husband enjoys and has a better income). But God has been revealing the truth of His words "You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. You adulterous people!" (James 4:2-4)

Oh, how many times have I prayed from a heart of selfish ambition? All the prayers for weight loss, more income, cleaner home, more obedient children--all from a heart that wants it's own way. Please forgive me Lord! Cleanse my heart and redirect me to pray in a godward, others-first mentality. I have sensed such grace from the Lord the last several months, weeks, and days, I must publicly thank and praise Him!

"To Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy--to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power, and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forever more! Amen." Jude 24