Take this day to catch up on your reading, pray, and rest in the presence of the Lord.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.
—Ephesians 2:10
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47 thoughts on "Grace Day"
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Maybe I should read this like: “Mari is a working progress….many, many times I feel, “I could do better” or “why did you say that” etc…etc…THEN, I read a reminder in the comments: Sweet Tina thank you for reminding me: Tina said: I am not just me, I am the workmanship of the Most High God, wherever I’ve been, whatever I’ve done, however I’ve lived through Christ, there is purpose for me.” (sigh) No matter how old I get my God STILL has a plan for me and my family. I may not see it, but MY God already knows “whats ahead.” THANK you all for you sweet “Congratulations” comments for Alyssa. It was a very long ceremony as there were 912 graduates! we took my mom who is 85 years-old. I let her know ahead of time that is was going to be a VERY long ceremony so she could prepare. When the students started walking out on the field to Pomp and Circumstance otherwise known as The Graduation Music. I got so choked up as I always do. Then I turned to my left side, and there was my mom ALL in tears as well. There are times when I feel she doesn’t understand the meaning of things and here she was ALL choked up with me! That was so special!!!
That is just the most beautiful personalized gift from God… what kindness to give you (all!) that moment and that experience!!!! Thank you God for showing Mari once again how precious she and her family (YOUR family) are to you!!!! ❤️❤️❤️
Such a sweet time for your family Mari! I love what Tina posted today too!
Yes, that is such an insightful way to look at it!! I usually don’t come down too hard on myself because I remember as long as we pay attention (convection), and RECOGNIZE our wrong doing..acknowledge and repent, then that’s transformation and growth!
It’s when we are SO stubborn in our pride, or ignoring the prompts that God so blatantly give us (lol), and/or we say NO to God.
Once again I recommend “What Happens When We Say Yes to God” as a Bible study or book for yourself. I used the workbook. But the book is really good as well. It really talks about the excitement and joy that comes when we FOLLOW God’s lead for his purposes!
I love what you shared about your mom!! And the pics!! :)
What a touching story, Mari! Congratulations to Alyssa! I know you are proud! Praying for her as she goes off this fall and for a job for Caleb! ❤️
“… which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.” ❤️ It’s easy for me to focus on the actionable portion of this verse and glaze right over the evidence of God’s character right next to it. We’re on his mind. I AM on the mind of the Creator of this whole universe and the Creator of an entire realm I’ve yet to see. And not only just on his mind, but he’s actively, before time and after, thoughtfully considering each of us individually. Our personalities, passions, desires, abilities—and then orchestrating opportunities all around us that give us room to use his good gifts to demonstrate his presence and love for others to get to see him too… AAAHHHH!!!! My head starts swimming!!!! :) His personal, interactive participation in our everyday lives is just so undeserved but he just loves us too much not to stick that close… ❤️❤️❤️ SO grateful he does.
Amen, Heidi. We can be so focused on the action part, that we “miss the forest for the trees”.
What a great scripture this morning! And the great thing to realize is it doesn’t matter our current circumstances! God has great purposes for us to do RIGHT NOW! Today, tomorrow, big and small…working all things together for his good of the whole world. When you came into the world, knit in your mothers womb…Him KNOWING all the ways you would get in trouble on your own, going your own stiff-necked way, turning your back on him—-YET He reworked things already to keep giving you/me opportunity to trust Him and do what he has for you!! (what…?) (I’m sounding like Paul!) I’m saying…isn’t it amazing…WE get to have purpose and do great things with Jesus Christ that came to consolidate us to him! Gentiles to Israel, chosen with chosen, joined in unity to be with him in the work here and now!
Why does it seem we have purpose when everything is good and we have money to help, means to get things done! Actually, when we are in the valley and visible pain—that is when our hope and faith in Christ can make such a powerful difference. When I show up when it’s hard that impacts people. When I give from nothing that is seen. When I preach from pain and loss that is passion that comes from Him! It is in the hard that we find a strength from him beyond ourselves and then can use it, but use it DURING not afterwards. And you may not know it of course, but because you are showing up those around you know it. As in Traci G showing up here during Tanners sickness, in the pain of his home going, and now. Still. (good song by Crowder-Still) Or Mercyme- Even if) When we praise God and worship him in the challenges and suffering he has a purpose for us and it influences others around us.
Nothing is better than knowing you are an active participant in the Kingdom!! It fills you with a joy you couldn’t have fathomed! My butterflies in jail often come in lost and dark…but transformation happens! And they become a beacon of light to others in that place! God gives them a new direction, and it happens in a place where God is unexpected. God is not meant for buildings, He is everywhere and needs to be worshiped and praised everywhere!
Which points me to a perfect time to do that This next Thursday! It is National Day of Prayer!! I hope you will make an effort to attend a public gathering of prayer! Standing in a BIG way that we are thankful and grateful to live in a country that we are FREE to practice our faith!! A country can turn so quickly, history always seems to repeat. We know it will get worse, so buckle up, put your warrior boots on and armor…but today, show your freedom on Thursday in a Big way! Put it on your social media so your friends know you are a person of prayer and faith! Shine your light big! :)
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For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do. Eph 2:10
This verse always gives me pause with the reminders that we are ALREADY His workmanship and He has ALREADY prepared us. Its what we were created for and we are ready for it, we just have to step forward. Lets press on doing all He has already eqipped us to do❤️
Amen, Wendy!
“May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands.” Psalm 90:17 NIV
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SEARCHING- thanks for the note (yesterday’s comment)! I have been reading daily with y’all, just not commenting or keeping up with comments. Several additional commitments/responsibilities to juggle right now. ❤
MERCY should be back ‘on the grid’ next week!
I know, I missed you, and I miss Mercy!
❤ thanks, Rhonda; I miss Mercy, too, and look forward to hearing about her down time! I love seeing comments from so many new to me SHES! ❤
Created for good works, that we should walk in them. Not complain, avoid, worry, but to walk in them. These good works can be hard depending on what God has called us to do. I needed this reminder today to adjust my attitude and remember that i just need to walk with God by my side and do the things He has called me to do.
Created in Christ for good works – that He prepared way before His creation. Now is the time to be doing them. May I be faithful and obedient in doing good works for His glory.
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@Heidi and @Wendy B – thank you for your words of comfort yesterday.❤️
Praying for your heart hurt, Sharon! Years ago I had a friend like that. We weren’t gifted many years together as you and Laverne were, but the impact she had in my life is still felt today. God bless you, sister, in these hard days! ❤ Hugs!
Same. I had a lady come briefly into my life through my job. She came in as a fit 53 year old that biked and hiked. But she lost her footing and strangely fell off and on. She knew instinctively something was wrong and went for the tests. She knew any of 3 possible diagnoses were not good, and it ended up being ALS. I can’t imagine. But let me tell you, oh her amazing Spirit, only from the Lord, was such an amazing impact on me. I would end up going to her home twice a week to stretch her limps as they weakened in a wheelchair. Her ALS journey was a fast 3 year decline from abled-bodied-losing ability to do anything for yourself- to laying in bed waiting for the Lord to take you. But God—He gave her something so special- peace and JOY! For all of us to witness! That was the works set out before her and her great purpose! I can’t wait to see her again! It is still a great testimony to share today! So she is still being used by God!
I remember when you had to say goodbye to her- just a few years ago, right? So sorry, but thankful she was in your life even briefly. ❤
Actually that has been over 10 years now, 2012ish, but I have mentioned it over the years here!
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Beautiful verse ❤️
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“which God prepared ahead of time for us to do”
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let’s get going, sisters, on what God has already laid out for us. Prepared ahead of time, so we will have what we need to follow through.
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PENNI – “Lord put your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth” thank you, much needed here!
HEIDI – praying for a healing lunch with friend
LANIE – re: “mindlessly listening” yes, what you’re listening to is planted in your mind. I think once it’s heard, even if not actively listening, it’s there.
SANDI MCAVINEY ❤️
SHARON JERSEY GIRL – ❤️ praying as you continue to grieve your dear friend. I lost a 25-year friend several years ago, and she’s on my mind frequently- the intensity of the pain has lessened mostly but sadness is there still, along with great memories ❤️
MARI V – congrats on Alyssa’s graduation. ❤️
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MARY – I commented on your post yesterday ❤️
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thankyou searching
Praying over the requests!
Off topic a bit this morning Ladies and I apologize for that, but mid-week a comment came through about what we put in our minds and suggestions for Biblically based podcasts that can replace so much of the culturally based news. I wanted to add a couple of my favorite “news” related ones: ‘The World and Everything in It’ is a weekday podcast that focuses on current headlines from a Biblical point of view and I love the weekly podcast from the Colson Center – ‘Breakpoint this Week’ that looks at how we think through and discern what’s happening in the culture from that Biblical lens.
I have found some of my favorites from guests on the SRT podcast like Whitney Capps, Tasha Calvert, Courtney Doctor and others. And as SRT gals who love the Bible, I just found out that the Museum of the Bible has a podcast – Unscrolled!!
I will definitely go back and check out a few of the suggested ones I haven’t stumbled across yet. It’s important to have solid, encouraging things to listen too when so much of what’s out there is not. (Oh and Biola University does a weekly cultural update called ‘Think Biblically’ that’s also very good.)
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I love Think Biblically!! My daughter has a class with Sean McDowell right now and my husband had a class with Scott Rae years ago.
thank you! will add these to the list!
I recommend Breakpoint as well—-nice because it has short daily podcasts or a summary at the end of the week. My husband and I went through the Colson Fellows program years ago and learned so much!
That’s wonderful DW – I’ve looked at that program several times, but not sure how to fit it in with a FT job and life chores. There’s not an in-person cohort close to me and I definitely have online meeting fatigue from covid so I keep hoping maybe one will end up close to me and give me the extra motivation to do it. I have great admiration for the work the Colson Center continues to do.
Thank you for sharing Sally!
I’m a World listener too!
Praying God opens my eyes to His works I have left undone so that I might finish them for His glory.
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MARY – thank you for your comments about yielding yesterday. Very convicting.
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SHARON JERSEY GIRL – praying God brings you comfort.
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MARI V – thankful you did not have to go back to court.
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Amen
Amen!
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.
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As one who creates menus for events and requests, I understand the concept of creating and workmanship!
The detail and preparation that might go into a cake to make it unique, specific, stand alone for the first time , or a dinner party setting thst wows the guests, or simple brownies that travel across continents because to someone the workmanship is worth sharing with others..
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I get that concept of workmanship!
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To read this verse this morning, and I have known this since Genesis, but today I am in tears at the realisation that I am Gods work of Art. I am His creation, with all my bites, warts and all, that I dont like about me, God loves about me!
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BUT GOD..
He didn’t just make me unique, He gave me purpose through Christ Jesus, who prepares me for the good works that fulfill my purpose..!
I am not just me, I am the workmanship of the Most High God, wherever I’ve been, whatever I’ve done, however I’ve lived, through Christ, there is a purpose for me.
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This is huge, but by Gods grace i can be the closest version of who He created me to be..Right?
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Amen.
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Happy Saturday ya’ll! Live well, be well, celebrate this day well!
love you..
Tina ♥️
I absolutely love how you describe the intentionality, the very thoughtful meticulousness that is put into creating your culinary masterpieces and tying that same level of intentionality of how God created and creates us in Jesus. Just thinking about the feelings of satisfaction, joy, and daresay delight one would feel after putting the finishing touches on a perfect soufflé, place setting, or painting and connecting that with how God thinks about you and me is a wondrous thing! God indeed delights in us, even as imperfect as we are, and yet He keeps creating us in the same meticulous way with a loving hand. How awesome is our God!
Beautiful, Tina, thank you! ❤️
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created in christ, so profound
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