Devotionals for the Heart: God's Grace

Why is Grace So Hard?
A devotional by Allison M. Wilson

Key Scripture: 

Ephesians 2:8, Luke 15:11-32, Romans 6:23 (NASB) 

Maybe I’m the only one who struggles with this, but I’ve been really thinking about grace a lot. There are different facets to it. We have the grace God has granted us for the sins which would have led to our death. (Ephesians 2:8) We have grace in how we treat others. The apostle Paul is known for starting or ending his letters with, “Grace and peace to you.” There’s also grace in our demeanor. I think of that as having the Holy Spirit going before me, out to others. We talk about women who are graceful, or have grace in the way they walk or comport themselves. It’s not tied to a faith walk, but it’s still noticeable.

The grace I’ve been pondering the most lately, is the grace we are called to give to others. God’s worked on me in this over many years, and lots of areas have seen victory. Several have not, though. There has been change and growth, but I have to tell you that traffic is one of the places I have the least amount of grace in my life. I’m not quite as quick to say, “Come on, people!” as I used to be. That wake-up call came when my special needs daughter of about 5 piped up from the back, repeating the same phrase.

Why can’t I give grace in traffic? Or the grocery store when someone puts their cart in the middle of the aisle while looking at the shelves? The “me monster” of self rears its ugly head in those circumstances, and reminds me that I’ve still got a long way to go to having my flesh fully surrendered to the Spirit.

I’m a rule follower. If there is a sign that says not to touch the wet paint, I do not have the urge to put my fingers all over it. I have many friends who would find that almost irresistible! I suppose I’m the elder son in the prodigal story. (Luke 15:11-32) I do all the right things to expect a reward.

That’s not how grace works, though. Grace was given by God before I sinned even once. He accounted for the grace mankind would need long before He even formed the world. The plan of salvation was set in motion when there wasn’t even one man in the world yet. (Romans 6:23) It is a gift which was given to us freely, when we had no clue we would even need it.

How is my grace manifested? Only when people do or say what I believe they should? Am I only willing to give grace when the circumstances fit my idea of how they should be? Or, am I allowing the Holy Spirit to grow me into someone who looks more like Christ in grace and peace?

What would that look like for me? Well, I probably wouldn’t get so frustrated at the people who block the aisles or don’t use their turn signals. Maybe I would let the Spirit speak in that quiet Voice which says that I don’t know what that other person is struggling with or going through. Perhaps I would pray for them, rather than grumble about them in my mind, even while there’s a smile on my face. I likely won’t type back that comment which is a thinly veiled insult, or pass on that piece of information which no one else really needs to know I was told.

I want to be a graceFULL woman of God. I want others to see His love and peace and grace flowing through me, even in traffic. Thankfully, that’s what He wants for me, too. I’m so grateful for the grace He gives which doesn’t rely on my behavior!

Let’s pray: Heavenly Daddy, You give more abundantly than we can even fathom, and Your grace is an amazingly boundless gift. Teach me to give grace as You do. Show me more of how You’ve given it to me, and make my heart sing with gratitude so I can lavish that grace on others. In Your precious Son’s Name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.

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Author Bio:

A very early reader and lover of the written word, Allison M. Wilson has been writing since the age of 8 with the heart to impart stories and God's truth.

She has judged countless contests for the last 25 years, reviewed for several online publications, professionally edited, and written articles and devotionals.

Wife, mother, writer, editor, teacher, mentor, and mompreneur, God keeps her busy while living in east central Florida with her family.

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Connect with Allison:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allisonmwilson
Twitter: https://twitter.com/amwilson

Devotionals for the Heart: Faith

Legacy of Faith
A devotional by Glynis Becker

“Listen, O my people, to my instruction; Incline your ears to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old, Which we have heard and known, And our fathers have told us. We will not conceal them from their children, But tell to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, And His strength and His wondrous works that He has done.” –Psalm 78:1-4 (NASB)

So many of us, especially at this moment in time, are craving conversation and fellowship with others. Even those of us who are homebodies and introverts are yearning to talk and laugh with those we miss. So, as imperfect as it is, aren’t we all grateful for technology that can help bridge physical distances and give us a connection with those we love?

My own extended family is separated by many miles. For several years, my family has had an ongoing video chat using the Marco Polo app. Some days that chat is quiet, and some days it’s busy, but most often it’s just a few people checking in with what the weather is like and what’s on the schedule for their day. Sometimes we ask for prayer for ourselves or others. We talk about things we would talk about if we were sitting around drinking coffee and chatting. I love it.

When my grandmother, in her 90s, came on and gave her Easter greetings recently, she reminded us why Easter is the best holiday of the entire year and what a wonderful gift Christ gave when He conquered the enemy, once and for all. I absolutely agree with her, of course, but her sweet video reminded me of another beautiful gift God has given me: a family legacy of faith.

I have been in church nearly every Sunday since the Sunday I was born. My parents both grew up in Christian homes. Their parents all grew up in Christian homes. My family has never been shy about talking through matters of faith: truths we learn in the Bible, how to apply these things to our daily life, the lens through which our beliefs allow us to see the world, who we can help, how we can love—all of these things have been in our regular, everyday conversations for my entire life.

I feel very fortunate to have had family members who passed down their knowledge and wisdom, their stories, their experiences of what Jesus means to them and I realize how important that is to share with others. We see time and time again in the Bible, especially in the Old Testament, the commandment to “remember” or to “share” or to “tell.” The people of God were told to build altars and celebrate feasts, all in an effort to continue the story of His faithfulness throughout each subsequent generation. We also see how one or two generations of forgetfulness can cause a lot of brokenness.

Does your family have a legacy of faith? There’s no better time than right now to say ‘thank you’ to those members of your family who have led you in wisdom and faith. Make a point of continuing that legacy with the children in your own family.

But if you’re reading this and wishing that you had grown up in different circumstances, just remember that every legacy starts somewhere. By God’s grace you can be the one who changes your family tree, so rejoice in the opportunities He will give you to pass on what you know.

Each new day becomes a choice. What will our legacy be?

Let’s Pray: Today, Lord, give me opportunities to share you with my family, my friends, and people I meet. Help me choose to make my legacy one of faithfulness, mercy, love, and kindness. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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Author Bio:

Glynis Becker writes devotions and inspirational fiction, hoping someday to have a published novel on her resume.

She has co-written several screenplays, including the film Sinking Sand, available on DVD and digital streaming.

Glynis, whose childhood was spent all over the country as an Air Force brat, has called South Dakota home for many years, along with her husband and two teenage children.

When she’s not writing or reading, she is watching more television than she should and crocheting. You can find her at www.glynisbecker.com.

Devotionals for the Heart: Cooking

Cooking up some love
A devotional by Jessica Brodie

When I was younger, I didn’t know how to cook, nor did I want to learn. I had it in my head that as a strong, independent, intelligent “career woman” I just needed to know enough to get by, enough to eat healthily on a regular basis. If I needed fine dining, I could go to a restaurant, thank you very much.

That thinking changed as the years passed. The first time my sister came to visit, I was excited and wanted to do something special for her, so I hauled out my grandma’s old Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book. How hard could it be?

It turned out not to be so hard, but also kind of fun, too.

I started pulling out that cookbook at other times, too—a homemade instead of a store-bought treat for my office potluck, a yummy appetizer for my friend’s Super Bowl party, a special dessert for Thanksgiving. One year I was tight on funds at Christmas, so I decided to make homemade biscotti cookies as presents. It was hard but deliciously worth it.

When I had kids, cooking became not just something I needed to do so they could stay alive. It became a way I could love them and care for them. If they were sick, I could fix them their favorite meal as a way to comfort or cheer them. When my son was diagnosed with severe food allergies, I didn’t panic. I just figured out how to cook things without his allergens. Easy peasy.

I’ve hosted my share of family Thanksgivings and dinner parties, I eat at home 99% of the time, and I still love my Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book. But I’m no master chef, nor do I ever want to be. Most nights, we get by on leftovers. And I get frustrated if anything I cook takes longer to prep than twenty minutes. Who has time for that?

But I’ve come to understand that cooking for others is a way I can love them. It has nothing to do with my so-called status as a career woman, wife, woman, or mom. It’s a sweet act of service I can do, a loving gift, and an investment of time all rolled into one. Plus, it saves money!

As the apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Colossians, serve with a cheerful heart.

“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ” (Colossians 3:23-24 NLT).

And as he wrote the Corinthians, “So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31 NLT).

Whatever we offer in love—whether that’s a meal, a handcrafted piece of furniture, a piece of writing or other artwork, a sermon, or a good word of advice to a friend—remember that we are reflecting the love of God with it.

As Jesus Himself said, “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father” (Matthew 5:14-16 NLT).

Bon appetit!

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Author Bio: 

Jessica Brodie is an award-winning Christian novelist, journalist, editor, blogger, and writing coach and the recipient of the 2018 American Christian Fiction Writers Genesis Award for her novel, The Memory Garden. 

She is also the editor of the South Carolina United Methodist Advocate, the oldest newspaper in Methodism, and a member of the Wholly Loved Ministries team.

Learn more about her fiction and read her faith blog at http://jessicabrodie.com/shiningthelight.