Grace

In the Shadow

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Often when I think of the shadow of the cross it brings to mind an image sorrow brooding like a storm on the horizon. But during worship on Sunday morning I saw that shadow as my place of protection. When the darkness of death covered the life of Jesus on the cross, its shadow covered me by His grace. In the moment that the punishment for my sins required the precious blood of the spotless Lamb of God my forgiveness and life were born in the shadow of my Savior’s cross.

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Psalms 91:1 KJV

Comfort and Joy

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In the church my dad attended years ago they loved singing:

The Comforter has come, the Comforter has come!
The Holy Ghost from Heav’n, the Father’s promise giv’n;
Oh, spread the tidings ’round, wherever man is found—
The Comforter has come!    Frank Bottome 1890

God is near to comfort. But if we look to friends, activities or work in order to quiet the chorus of grief and loss we feel we will miss out on a living relationship with Him.  Maybe the past is clouding your vision of the path just ahead. Hurt, pain and the empty chair across the table are shouting out, while God whispers in His still small voice. Jesus promised to send us Himself in the person of the Holy Spirit to come and sit by our side. In His presence are quiet waters to drink from that heal and restore our souls. Once we drink from His stream we can go on with a cup of comfort to share with anyone in need along our way. Then we will know with Paul that the greatest joy is found, not by searching for it, but by asking, “Who can I comfort today?”

 

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Only Grace

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As Paul McCartney once sang, “When I was younger so much younger than today. I never needed anybody’s help in any way.”

With independent assurance of youth fleeing fast over my horizon I am suddenly faced with a weakness that reminds me that Jesus is a friend closer than anyone on this planet. He alone has the numbers of my days written in a book. How wonderful to know that He has not only visited me in this orphanage called the world but He has decided to adopt me into His own family.

And now I know more than ever that I need all of God’s grace all of the time. He has in His mysterious and Holy way watched over me and will continue to watch till dawn!

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
Ephesians 2:8 NKJV