Ritz Crackers and Grace

Recently I opened a new package of toilet paper, and immediately realized that the holes in the rolls are bigger.  Now, that’s a new way of giving the consumer less bang for the buck, or at least it’s new to me.  I’m used to the rolls getting more narrow, and the Ritz cracker stacks getting shorter, but I hadn’t yet seen this one.  I wonder what they’ll come up with next.  Wouldn’t it be great if they spent their time trying to figure out how to give us MORE instead of less?

God does.  Consider GRACE.

“Where sin increased, GRACE abounded all the more!” - Rom. 5:21

“For by GRACE you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.” – Eph. 2:8

“..the GRACE of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus.” - 1 Ti. 1:14

“For God is able to make all GRACE abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed.” – 2 Cor. 9:8

“…My GRACE is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness…” – 2 Cor. 12:9

So next time you open a bag of chips that’s 90% air, or notice that your favorite shampoo is only 21 oz. instead of 24, pause & say a prayer of thanks that GRACE is never in short supply!

Consequences, Not Condemnation

Most of us are familiar with Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

So what does this verse mean, exactly?  Well, no condemnation, no fear of hell or eternal damnation, for those who are part of the body of Christ, those who have been baptized into Him by the Holy Spirit (not speaking of water, but spiritual baptism – see 1 Cor. 12:13).

Does this mean that we can all do whatever we want, and there will be no consequences?  Nope.  A consequence is a result of an action.  Remember Newton’s third law that we all learned in school?  For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.  Or in Bible-lingo, we reap what we sow.

How we live while we’re on this earth is largely a result of our own doing.  Yes, there are circumstances that are beyond our control, like where we were born, who our parents were, and so on.  But choices that we make can and do have natural results.

For example, how do we react when we’ve been wronged?  Studies have proven that unforgiveness leads to health problems, such as headaches, backaches, immunity problems, and even cancer.

What about drug abuse?  Some drugs have medicinal uses, but use can quickly turn to abuse and eventually bondage, even for the believer.

I could go on and on, about toxic thinking, overeating, strife, sexual misconduct and perversions, and so on.  But know this:

  1.  We have choices.

  2.  Actions have consequences.

So “let us press on to maturity” (Heb. 6:1).  Let’s take care of ourselves, and stop reaping the consequences of careless living.  Let’s start living the abundant life that Jesus paid for with His own life!

Peace - Davina

DIY

DIY: Do a search, and you'll find everything from crafts, to home improvement, to clothes, to schooling kids.  It's so cool that we're learning to do so much for ourselves, and by ourselves.

I'm reading a book by Tom Holladay, called "The Relationship Principles of Jesus."  In Ch. 33 he speaks of DIY religion (it was written before the "DIY" craze, so he just calls it DO IT YOURSELF).  It's where we think we've got this thing all figured out; we can do it ourselves; we don't even need God.

Now, none of us would SAY, "I don't need God."  But in our hearts, we think, "I don't _________ (fill in the blank with the worst vices you can think of); I'm better off than __________ (fill in the blank with the worst people you can think of); I'm doing ok.  Surely God approves of me because I _____________ (fill in the blank with your greatest spiritual achievements, people you've helped, etc)."  Get the point?

We all need God.  The BEST that I can do or be, is still NOTHING.  I still need God.  I need Jesus.  He IS my righteousness.  I am righteous because of JESUS, not because of anything I've done or haven't done.

It's all on Him, and I can't DO IT MYSELF.

Love you guys!

Peace - Davina

You Are What You Eat

Have you ever heard the phrase “You are what you eat?” I’ve heard this all my life, and I have found it so true. Especially as I get more mature (aka older), I know this all too well. I am experiencing a whole new realm of how certain foods affect my body – how my digestive system reacts, how certain foods trigger headaches, and how for months and even years I may WEAR those Christmas or Valentine treats – yes, I BECOME what I eat!

Another truth I’m discovering is that I AM what I eat in the realm of my soul.
If I consistently “eat” negative, I become negative. If I eat positive … you got it! I BECOME positive!

The Apostle Paul encourages the reader in Philippians 4:8, “ Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.” Think on these things, friend, so that you BECOME these things.

And again He writes in his second letter to the Corinthians, “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit” (2 Cor. 3:18).

In other words, “What I consistently behold, I become” (Dr. Ray Vinson).

In OTHER, other words, I AM WHAT I EAT.

I’ve asked myself some questions lately, and I challenge you to do the same … and join me in the simple prayer at the end.

Who are my closest friends? Do I surround myself with negative, pessimistic people, or with people who uplift and encourage?

What am I reading, watching? Smut? Depressing songs? Trash TV? Or do I fill my mind with what is good – the stuff of Philippians 4:8?

What am I speaking? The things that come out of my mouth, immediately turn around and go right back into my ears! Am I speaking death, or am I speaking life?

Father, I repent from eating the wrong kinds of food for my soul – foods that bring death. I choose today to surround myself with life, from my choice of friends, to the things I read and watch, to the things that I speak myself. I choose life! Amen!

Peace,

Davina

When the Pressure's On

Did you ever open a bottle of coke after it had been shaken up? Or release the valve on a pressure cooker? Or maybe accidentally stick your finger in a rotten piece of fruit? You can always tell what’s inside when the pressure’s on.

And it is the same way with us. Have you ever used the excuse, “I’ve just been under a lot of pressure lately?” I have, and I’ll be the first to admit that’s a pretty lame excuse, because the pressure is not the problem. The pressure only serves to expose what’s on the inside (which is the problem). If hate and anger are on the inside, that’s what will spill out when pressure is applied. If joy and peace rule, then that’s what will spill out.

When Jesus was crucified, under excruciating pain and pressure, what did He say? He didn’t curse them – He prayed for them: “Father, forgive them, because they don’t know what they’re doing.”

The Bible and books of Christian history are literally full of stories of those who have been tormented, beaten, crucified, burned, stoned … and who could only find grace and forgiveness in their hearts for their persecutors.

The words of St. Paul, written from a prison cell, testify of the grace and peace available through the most difficult of circumstances: “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Phip. 4:13). 

Father, help us today to stop making excuses for ourselves when we fall short under pressure. Help us instead reach up to You and receive Your grace and peace, to carry us through any situation that may come our way!

Peace - Davina

Will You Be His Disciples Too?

John Chapter 9 always makes me smile.

Jesus and His disciples were in Jerusalem. Jesus healed a blind man on the Sabbath Day, resulting in the outrage of the whole religious community. It was quite a scene. Everybody knew that this man was the one who used to sit and beg. They passed him regularly. Jesus must’ve known about him, too,

but He waited until the time was right to heal him. He waited until a Sabbath day. He could have either healed him the day before the Sabbath, or the day after the Sabbath. After all, the man had been blind all his life. What difference would one day make? I think Jesus did it on that particular day, to show the Pharisees for their true selves. They would have no problem pulling an ox out of a ditch, but healing a blind man? That was preposterous!

The other thing I find humorous is that the Pharisees kept on asking the man how he was able to see. He tells them and tells them again. Finally, he says, “I already told you and you wouldn’t listen. Will you be His Disciples Too?” Then after more rebuke from those crusty old religious fools, he tells them, “Wow! This is amazing! You don’t even know where He’s from, but He opened my eyes!” I don’t know about you, but I sense a bit of sarcasm in this ex-blind man.

Of course, the compassion of Jesus, the mercy, the power ... all these are definitely seen in this passage. But it still makes me smile.

Peace,

Davina

Our Time

Well, here we are again … another day, another dream.  Those who know us know that we have struggled getting past a certain hump, going around our mountain yet again.  Our life story has been one of ups and downs, getting a little inspiration, having an idea, hitting opposition, and falling flat.

What was the problem?  Was it not enough money, or not the right people to join with us, or too little of this, or too much of something else?

We were the problem.  I was the problem.

Now we have another – well, actually, a restoration of an old – dream.  No, we’ll call it a vision, because we have looked into our future and seen what God can accomplish when we get in alignment with Him.  (More info to come on the particulars.)

What, you may ask, is different this time?

We are different.  I am different.

For the past – almost three years – we have been in a time of rest and of character development.  We’ve been learning about self-control, boundaries, love, grace, how to study the Word of God, and so much more!

I am writing today from a place of surrender and humility – true humility being knowledge of who we are in Christ and to what we are called.  I AM NOT FLAWLESS.  And because I am not flawless, I treasure your prayers.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.  We value your support.  Here’s what we ask of you:

1.    Pray for us.

 

2.    If you have the opportunity to talk about us, please let it be positive.  We’re all on the same team, right?

3.    Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

The grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you –

Davina