What Grace Can Do...

Bible readings...
“Thus says the LORD:” The people who survived the sword found grace in the wilderness; when Israel sought for rest, the LORD appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.” Jeremiah 31:2-3
“Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.” Lamentations 3:22
“Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:19
 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.”  2 Corinthians 5:17
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Hello everyone…and a big welcome today, to Sunday Inspiration…through the Risen Hope Ministries! I am so happy to have you with me today and my prayer; is that we will truly come to know a love and a grace that can help us to experience God…in a way that we could have never imagined!
 
Let me ask you some questions, as we begin today. How could we know God, without experiencing the love and care He has for us? How can a darkened path be lit, without the light of God’s presence? Who is going to free us from the chains of evil, without God being there? We know all about our pain and heartache, etc…; but we will never really know the good things that can take place through these moments, without God…for God is the only One who can break the chains and unlock the prison cell of despair.
 
As I look back on my life, I can’t even begin to describe the moments I went through…but put it this way; there were many times, when I felt as though I was actually walking through the pits of hell. These moments that were meant to bring me down to a place of destruction, were so overpowering at times; that I could barely stand to exist. The pain…loss and deep, deep heartache I experienced put me in a prison cell of despair…a place where I thought that I would never be free again.
 
As I sat to myself and thought about where my life was headed; there were times, when I could hear the still small voice of God whispering within my spirit; saying… “Diane, I will bring you out;” but due to the overpowering moments of circumstance…a battle remained within the heart and mind and it was the side of the circumstance; that seemed to convince me that there would never be freedom again in my life.
 
You know…I truly believe that God allows us to experience the deep dark moments of despair; so when we do walk out of these very trying times in our lives; then we will be able to see God in a way that we have never seen or experienced Him before…and this is exactly what God did for me.
 
The paths in my life were long and tiresome and there were many times, when I experienced the darkened clouds along my path, with dead weeds, instead of beautiful flowers and sunshine; but somehow…in the midst of all that darkness; there seemed to be a presence, whose light followed me along this darkened path. Even when I was upset and tired of this journey; that I appeared to be on…the light still peaked its way through the darkened clouds, as though to say… “You are not alone, Diane.”
 
After walking many miles, down these darkened paths…a time did come, when I began to see a break in the clouds…a time, when God’s grace began to turn my life around, from the old past…into something new…and when I say new…I mean new! Instead of looking and focusing on every symptom, of the problems I was facing; I began to take God’s word and use it as a survival manual…something that could wake me up, from this darkened state of mind and give me a reason to press on. Through these moments alone with God; I could feel Him pointing out…just the verses I needed to hear at that time and each one became a “wow factor;” that seemed to be taking me out of the dormancy that I had been imprisoned in.
 
Each new lesson learned and each new word of hope I read began to turn me around…and not into someone I used to be; but into someone brand new. Now I see God, in a way that I thought that I would never see Him! He has now become my best friend…a friend that I share my days with, as we work together, to help and encourage another person in need.
 
No matter what you’re walking through…may I encourage you to not give into the prison cell of despair; that you may feel locked within! Instead, take God’s word and work together with Him and allow His grace to step in and turn your life around into something brand new…something that you never thought you’d ever experience in your lifetime!
Blessings on your day!
It’s Always & Only Because of Him…
Diane
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