Unmerited favor ...

This past week has been an emotional one; so today it is no surprise that I would be thinking about how life doesn't always turn out the way we think it should. Dreams get lost, disappointments and failures come 'round; we let ourselves grow bitter and unfaithful in the things of God. And, before we know it, we are in a place of coldness and doubt, sometimes even unbelief. I reached that place and stayed there for many years. I thought that God would heal me completely if I could just be a good Christian. I had unwittingly put limitations on my faith and willingness to accept God's grace. I lived a defeated life, feeling I could never measure up to be deserving of God's blessings.

It took me a while to realize that the truth is I can't. I never will...that is exactly why it's called grace! It is divinely unmerited favor. There is such freedom in realizing this truth...in believing fully that He wants so much happiness and goodness in your life. He says in John 10:10 that he came not just that we we might have life but that we might have it more abundantly. And while frustratingly painful, the past couple of days have only made me see the truth of this abundant life He wants for me.

His healing for me has come on a different level...in ways that I can't explain or comprehend...what He has done is better than physical healing. He has shown me a strength and quiet grace that can only come from Him...

So, even though there is still pain and moments of frustration with my illness, there is a peace in knowing that relief will always come; and that His strength is made perfect in my weakness....that His mercies aren't limited by or given because of my performance... He is teaching me daily that it ain't about me, it's all about Him!!



"We love Him because He first loved us." - (1 John 4:19)

Girls of Grace Bible study ...Abigail pt 2

The following is the second part to our study of Abigail.   I pray that it will be the joyous blessing to you as it was to me.  Thanks for letting me share... May The Lord Jesus be glorified as you grow in His grace!

Blessings, 

Tonya

Girls of Grace

I Samuel 25                     Abigail woman of wise grace (pt2)

Last time we talked about Abigail’s attributes of preparedness and promptness and that she was a woman of character.  She didn’t hesitate to do what was right even in the face of adversity.  

What were some verses that you chose to bring power to your prayer life as a woman of character?

As we continue on in I Samuel chapter 25 let’s take a look at how her character blossomed into something that affected all those around her.

v. 19-20, 42  she knew when to be still and then when to move

she had a quiet confidence in The Lord that enabled her to face fear and do what needed to be done.  She met David and his men when she saw them approach.  She could have easily stayed hidden and allowed Nabal and the rest of their household to be killed but she didn’t.

How can we have that same confidence?

v.23, 41 she was humble and self-sacrificing

she did not render evil for evil.  Can you for a moment imagine what living with Nabal must’ve been like? Yet she bows herself before King David and pleads for not only their lives but asks him to place the evil deeds of her husband upon her! Talk about an intercession!

How can we be intercessors for others?

v. 25 she didn’t make excuses, she relied on the truth to fight for her

she knew the situation, she knew what kind of husband she had and she didn’t try to evade the facts or embellish on them, she just said it like it was.

When faced with fighting a battle, how does the truth strengthen you?

v. 29-31 she had a reassuring presence of faith and was settled upon the assurance of the Word of God

she was wise in reminding David of the blessings of The Lord that had followed him thus far in his life; and, that He would always walk beside him and fight his battles. She recognized it was all about God and HIS power...And we see that in v. 32-35 that David’s heart was calmed and his mind changed.  He was thankful for Abigail’s gentle and wise grace because it kept him from making a mistake in haste and angered pride. We can learn a thing or two here from David as well...he was WILLING to listen to the truth and let it alter his path for good!

When has your faith been tested? Has someone reminded you of His presence?

Read the remainder of the story....

v.  31 she trusted The Lord with her future

she truly had faith that The Lord was with David and she asked only that David remember her when God dealt withNabal...that had to be a difficult situation...she had to go home to this son of belial and remain until The Lord chose to see fit to change her situation.

What are some ways we are impatient and don’t trust The Lord to bring about his best plan for us?

v. 39 she was humble when she was rewarded for her faithfulness

when David came to take her to wed, she once more bowed before him and was willing to take way less than what was there to offer, yet she wasted no time on bitterness or pride or feelings of unworthiness when accepting the blessing The Lord had brought her.  All these years of preparing for that one moment with an angry King changed her life!!

How can we miss out on God’s rewards?

How can we be more like Abigail?

Thanks for joining me on this journey in learning more about a wise woman of grace.  Abigail is such a beautiful example of a Proverbs 31 woman.  Once more, as we walk away from this time of fellowship and study, it is my prayer that we each glean lessons from His word that will grow us and mold us in to women of character and grace!

Girls of Grace Bible Study...Abigail

The following is the first study in a series we started in January of this year.  The last few months of fellowship and study have been a beautiful joy for me and such a learning experience.  I pray that these will be a blessing to you as well! Thanks for letting me share... May The Lord Jesus be glorified as you grow in His grace!

Blessings, 

Tonya

GIRLS OF GRACE

I Samuel 25​​​​ABIGAIL… wise woman of grace   (pt.1)

Nabal was not a good man, they were a mismatched couple fromthe get go…

He was difficult, uncivilized, rude and vulgar (v3, 10-11)

Abigail was beautiful , wise and humble ( v.3, 24)

Verses 10-11 Nabal was a very rich man who was well know in the city of Carmel yet in these verses it will show how disrespectful and selfish Nabal really was when he addresses King David’s men with such disregard and ungratefulness.  This incites David (vs. 13,21-22)

Talk about a husband that was awful to live with…Belial was another name for the devil and Nabal was referred to as a son ofbelial (v17) he was evil in his actions, thought and deeds.

So, when we start to look at Abigail she truly is an example to us as women of gracious preparedness

READ Samuel 25:14-15 and discuss… 

1 Let’s start with the fact that her character preceded her.  

The young servants (workers of Nabal) went  to her NOT nabal whom had made the offense.  They knew that David was coming to kill the whole household yet instead of seeking him out they had more confidence in what Abigail would say and do.

How does our testimony show God’s power?

2. V 18 Abigail made hast even in the face of fear,

She wasted no time in doing what she should.  Often we drag our feet in matters that we know the Lord would have us do

What are some ways you may be hesitant to do for God?

3. V 18 She was a woman of preparation

She had already dressed five sheep, had been storing up loaves, wine, corn raisin, figs... Come on now, tow hundred cakes of figs, 8 gallons of roasted corn?!?!?  It was only her and Nabal, who do you think she was think of when she was preparing all that stuff all the months before had?  

She was busy about doing what the Lord says, she wasn’t idle…and no matter what a horrid person her husband was, she still served the Lord with her attitude of service… she knew the man he was and for some reason, I kind of think she knew this day would come…

will ….

We as women of God have such a privilege to be a comforting presence in the lives of our family and friends AND strangers!

How can you be more prepared?

Abigail’s actions and words lends credence to the fact that she was a true example of A true Proverbs 31 woman...For next time read the rest of Abigai’s story along with Proverbs 31 and ask the Lord ways that you can grow and become more of woman centered in His

Girls of Grace Bible Study...Jochebed

The following is the third in a little bible study started in January of this year.  It has been a wonderful joy and learning experience for me.  I pray that you will enjoy these lessons as much as I have! 

Blessings, 

Tonya

Girls of Grace Bible Study

Jochebed......Faith-filled Woman of Grace

Before we talk about Jochebed, we need to recap a little history leading up to her story ...

The children of Israel were growing in number and this scared the new king of Egypt..ex 1:9, and even though he had made them slaves, they still waxed great in number.( ex1:12)...He had ordered that the midwives kill all the male born children, but the Hebrew midwives  feared The Lord more than Pharaoh, so they didn't heed to his order( ex 1:17) Pharoah then sent an order to all his people that every male child born of Hebrew was to be cast in to the river (ex 1:22)...and this is where our story begins with Moses' mother, Jochebed in Ex. 2

We have a two references to Jochebed that tell us that she is the mother of Moses ...

Exodus 6:20-21 (KJV)20And Amram took him Jochebed his father's sister to wife; and she bare him Aaron and Moses: and the years of the life of Amram were an hundred and thirty and seven years.

And

Numbers 26:59 (KJV)59And the name of Amram's wife wasJochebed, the daughter of Levi, whom her mother bare to Levi in Egypt: and she bare unto Amram Aaron and Moses, and Miriam their sister.

In today's society, it is a tragedy to see how easy it is for a woman to throw away a life...but Jochebed, against threat of death, saves her son.  We can glean some important character lessons from this great woman of God…

1. Resourcefulness ...

When Moses was born, she knew that he was a blessing from the Lord and special, she had to hide him (ex 2:2) from Pharaoh, midwives and an army that had been ordered to throw all male children born into the river ...can you imagine the undertaking this would have been? Babies cry and are very noisy...and having one in these times would not have been a task easily hidden...

God sometimes calls us to do things that we just don't think we can...what are some ways we can be resourceful?

Phil 4:13 I can do ALL things with Christ which strengthenethme!

2. Trusting...

She knew that she had to do something soon to avoid losing her son to death IN the river, so she instead makes him a protective basket and lays him BY the river (Ex 2:3-4) ... She must have had an amazing faith in God to do this. I can't imagine the kind of faith this took. To walk away, believing that your child would be taken care of somehow …

We can do our best, but ultimately, we must be like Jochebedand leave it in His hands...

What are some areas in your life that God is dealing with you to just trust him and let him protect you and place you where you need to be?

3. Willingness...

God DID protect Moses, and ironically, He used the Pharaoh's daughter to do so. (Ex 2:5-6)   Miriam (Moses sister) had been watching after him all along (ex 2:4)

Miriam and Jochebed both were the most important women in Moses's life, yet they were unknown and in the background.  Jochebed was willing to do things God's way and because of her humbleness and obedience, she was in her son's life and was able to see Him grow and become a great man of God!

Jochebed ended up in her son's life as His nursemaid (ex 2:7-8)She gave him life and had to let him go, totally trusting God to take care if Him and God did just that.  

What are ways that God is asking you for a humble and willing obedience to Him ?

Jochebed is a wonderful example of faith and willingness to trust God in even the most frightening of circumstances.  She is only mentioned briefly in scripture but has an amazing and powerful testimony.  Her son eventually leads the children of Israel to freedom and to the land of Canaan.  What if she hadn't had that faith? I shudder to imagine!

As we leave this study of Jochebed, may each of us meditate on the areas in our lives where we can ask of The Lord, "Increase my faith O God, help me have a willingness to be humble and serve you however you want me to” and listen intently to His voice...

I dare say we will find He will rescue our hearts from the river as well!

At the mercy if the water...

 I'll not ever forget the sermon my Pastor preached the night before my 40th birthday a year ago.  It was entitled, "Being at the Mercy of the Water" the passage of scripture was from Ezekiel 47:1-12. He talked about how the water is like unto the Holy Spirit and how we can be ankle deep,  waist deep or swimming in the water of the Holy Spirit. 

 For your life to change and be used of God you have to get down in the water, be at the mercy of the flowing Holy Ghost...let it move you and wash over you.

when water is just around your ankles, it doesn't control your movement yet...but as you wade out a little farther, that is when you start to tell the difference. The ebb and flow of the water begins to push you.  Today, on my birthday as I read His word and think about how different my life is...why wouldn't I want to go swimming? My savior walks on the water!!! 

Stooping stones...

Jesus went unto the mount of Olives. And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. (John 8:1-3, 5-11 KJV)


When I read this I couldn't help but think about how the King of Kings stooped down for me too. He left all of Heaven to be born in a manger ...He took on the lowly estate of man, preaching and doing His Fathers will...then he stooped again, allowing himself to be nailed to a Cross where He wrote, not with his finger in the sand , but with his blood, on wooden beams of sacrifice, saying to my accuser, "It is finished...you have no power or claim... she is mine... covered under my blood" ...then He lifted himself up, not from the ground, but from the grave... conquering death and hell saying to me, " woman, where are those thine accusers? No man hath condemned thee... neither do I... go and sin no more"

Such love for me, I just don't understand. I don't deserve that gift. And as she walked away, I'm certain she felt that same feeling. That's why when the opportunity arose for her to stoop before Him...she did.


And behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, and stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. (Luke 7:37-38 )

And she did it with her her whole heart...anointing His feet with not only her most expensive treasure but the most intimate part of herself...her tears!

Had she let herself remember only the stones that were ready to be thrown and not the hand of compassion that delivered her from those same stones of judgement, she would have never found the freedom that true deliverance brings...the freedom to be broken and poured out...the freedom to have tears fill her prayers with the sweet aroma of thankfulness...the freedom to worship Him...the freedom to forgive herself...the freedom to go and "sin no more" !

These passages of scripture have ministered to me more tonight than they ever have...the stones of remembrance don't have to be stumbling blocks. They can be "stooping" stones leading us toward a spirit filled life serving Christ on our knees!

What a friend we have in Jesus...

Jesus Christ was committed unto death and beyond! Our salvation is proof! 

All through the Bible, people, rather in business or personal affairs, were instructed by the Lord to be true and fair. And even though our fears and doubts, when  paired with emotions and sin, leave us confused;  it  doesn't make it ok to continue on never taking any action to change.  There comes a time we have to get out of that Scarlet O'Hara mentality! Because we are NOT promised a tomorrow in which we CAN worry about it.  

(James 4:14Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For  that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. )

I have been sinning in NOT setting standards and sticking to them, I have been sinning by NOT adhering to your truths and just doing it! 

(James 4:17Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.)

A few months back the Lord began working in my heart about choosing the path of joy and surrender NOT tomorrow but TODAY!  And, that life's circumstances just are what they are. But, I DO have the choice to live for Him. I may not always be happy because happiness is an emotion... but IN Him,  I can remain joyful, which is a state of being!! 

1.  Ecclesiastes 11:3-7, 10

If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth: and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be.  He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap. As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all. In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good. Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun.  Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity.

2.  Deuteronomy 3:19-20

I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: That thou mayest love the Lord thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.

3. Ecclesiastes 9

All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not... For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion. For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any portion to give away.  Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works. Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment. Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun. Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all. For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon

Over the months that the Lord brought these passages to light, I began to see that life IS meant to be lived, yet, it is taking me time to really implement that wisdom into my daily life and decisions.  I pray everyday for strength of soul, courage of heart, steadfastness of spirit and stealthiness of mind to truly make these principles a foundation on which to build my life! 

Oh Lord, I pray for wisdom  that is from above; that  wisdom that is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. (James 3:17) I do desire it to saturate my mind and ooze out of every corner of my being.  May it entertain my thoughts and direct my decisions.  And when I am tempted, as I KNOW I will be, help me to remember where that temptation comes from and that endurance is where blessings are found.  

James 1:12Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man

But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren.

And may I be made humble in His sight...forsaking those lusts and clinging unto Jesus,  my deliver! (James 1:21,4:10)  May I confess and forsake the sins that are before me and place them at His feet, having confidence that His mercy is greater than my iniquities...

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. (Psalm 51:1-4 KJV)

Ah that the Lord would  keep in the forefront of my mind and heart the vision of the Cross...the joy my Savior had in the suffering that was set before Him. May I be humbled and surrendered unto Him, relying on HIS strength to see me through! Help me to rest in the fact that the battle is the Lord's ( 2Chron. 20:17) ...And all I have to do is position myself in Christ, resisting the wiles and taunts of the devil, resting in the commitment of Jesus Christ to keep me! 

For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us. (2 Timothy 1:12-14 KJV)

And at the end of the day's journey, I can declare with praise and joy..."What a privilege it is to carry everything to God in prayer"