Mercy and Grace

Posted Sunday, November 8, 2009, at 4:59 PM

As I sit on the porch of my country home , and I will say I am blessed to have it, I am relearning what mercy and grace is. God's mercy is that he does not give us what we deserve and his grace is that he gives us what we don't deserve.

It will rain on a unrighteous farmer's field the same as it will a righteous ones, a righteous man can be rich or poor the same as the unrighteous.

It used to be said that if you prospered that you were living right or if you weren't you had a hidden sin, hint, we all have sin and fall short of the Glory of God, that is why Jesus did what he did.

By all rights, God should blot us off the planet without batting a eye, but because of mercy, he doesn't.

We should not have the beauty of the planet we have and all the things it affords us, because of his grace we do.

That mercy and grace is what I cling to and where did I learn of that mercy and grace, in his Word, The Bible!

Whether you accept it or not , it is true, whether you believe it or not it is true, even if you destroy all of them, that will not change, it is God's Word and I will and have bet my life on it.

Funny how you see things when you have a change of scenery, though don't get the wrong ideal I am still as firm on my beliefs as I ever was, probably more.

The change of scenery has opened my eyes to the beauty of God's creation and I believe in time will allow me to hear his voice againg and see what his plans are for me and my family, till next time God Bless!

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I have moved back home (to shelbyville)the support of family and a church family has done wonders for my spirit. I feel encouraged and have hope of a brighter future.When we lose hope we have lost everything that is meaningful in life, we are paralized with fear and doubt.

In S.C. we went to a church that had services on Sunday mornings and wednesday night with no fellowship in between.I felt like i was left to fend for myself until the next service,that can be hard sometimes especially when it seemed that no one cared.I'd come to church,they,d ask have you found a job yet I'd tell them no and they would say I,m praying for you.That,s not very encouraging,when you,ve put the last five dollars you had in gas to get to church and you don't know have your wife is going to get to work next week.When she's the only one working.I had to sit home and watch her go to work every day(with that strained look on her face' of how are we going to make it)that will put a strain on your heart like nothing else will.Even though i was doing all i could to find a job,it doesn't make you feel any better.I thank God he gave me the wife that he did.She never blamed me or fussed at me, she tried to be as up beat as she could.She is still in S.C. while I'm up here to find a job, i know God will provide a job.

Now after saying all that i have to give God the glory. he has provided for us to get us where we are today.He wanted us to move back home(shelbyville)i got confirmation on that friday night.These have been some tough times ,but i know that God will take care of us.Don't do like i did and lose hope stay in the word,read your bible every day.There are some good christian people out there.Seek the Lord Jesus, he will guide you to his good people and they will help you get through this.Just don't give up.Jesus loves and cares about you ,he really does.

-- Posted by sand-flea on Wed, Nov 18, 2009, at 10:29 AM

You just gained ten more respect points from me! I respect any man willing to tell the truth about the inner conflict and not blame God. Its blogs like this that have meaning. Thank you for sharing your angst.

-- Posted by big daddy rabbit on Thu, Nov 12, 2009, at 5:23 PM

michael

I was just wondereing if the hard times you had,were part of the problem.I too have lost everything and in the process have let a lot of things come between me and God.I have often wondered if he even knew who i was anymore.I am trying to get myself back to where i once was.It's not easy to regain your confidence once you've lost it.Especially with the enemy making you feel it's all your fault.

-- Posted by sand-flea on Tue, Nov 10, 2009, at 10:34 PM

yes and no, I was hearing his voice, but not paying attention to it, kinda like we do our parents sometime.

-- Posted by michaelbell on Tue, Nov 10, 2009, at 4:31 AM

michael

Was their some reason why you stopped hearing God's voice?

-- Posted by sand-flea on Mon, Nov 9, 2009, at 9:46 PM

Yes, I must admit in the short time I have been here with the peace and quiet, I have gained a greater awe for God's handiwork.

I hope to reach the point where I hear his voice once again.

-- Posted by michaelbell on Mon, Nov 9, 2009, at 6:42 PM

yes I musr admit in the short time I have been here with thr peace and quiet, I have gained a greater awe for God's handiwork.

I hope to reach the point where I HEAR HIS VOICE ONCE AGAIN!

-- Posted by michaelbell on Mon, Nov 9, 2009, at 6:40 PM

I know in the past year as I have became closer to God, I have found that the things I thought were most important, now arent that important at all.

-- Posted by greasemonkey on Mon, Nov 9, 2009, at 9:10 AM

greasemonkey,

I like that comment and agree with you wholeheartedly. God has a way of reprioritizing our goals and values when we move toward Him.

I also like how you noticed that the diciples and Jesus were not always comforted with nor occupied with worldly valued things and conditions. However it is comforting to see the Peace and Joy they had in lieu of these things. They even expressed Joy during being punished. Only Christ can put that Joy and Peace inside of us as He has done.

Great and wonderful is the Mercy and Grace of which Mr. Bell entitled this blog.

-- Posted by Blessed Assurance on Mon, Nov 9, 2009, at 10:23 AM

Michael,

I have always heard too, that if someone is doing good than they must be livig right. That has always agitated me. Just look at Job, or at the disciples. Even Jesus himself said he had nowhere to lay his head. I think (especially as Americans) we take the small blessings for granted, and sometimes God has to give us a little attitude adjustment for some much needed perspective. I know in the past year as I have became closer to God, I have found that the things I thought were most important, now arent that important at all. Just remember we are laying up our treasures in heaven.

-- Posted by greasemonkey on Mon, Nov 9, 2009, at 9:10 AM

Good to see you realize the blessings God gave you in your move.

The picture looks so peaceful with the smoke coming from the chimney in the center of the home in a wooded background.

I see a rich and wealthy man when I picture you.

And that doesn't even take into account the huge inheritance you have coming.

-- Posted by Blessed Assurance on Mon, Nov 9, 2009, at 7:20 AM