“Grace is when God gives us good things we don’t deserve. Mercy is when He spares us from bad things we do deserve. Blessings are when He is generous with both.” Ralph Johnson Truly, we can never run out of reasons to thank HIM…He is good ALL the time! “Gratitude is the memory of the heart”.
Recently, my husband shared these seven points with our family after dinner out of Romans. All four of our oldest daughter’s college age students were packing up to move into Universities. With Covid, masks, vaccinations and the controversies surrounding on campus living, etc., it seemed appropriate to re-focus on God’s ultimate plan in the individual life.
1. When we were born again, we were in God’s continual cross-hairs, created to be what He has designed us to become. The story is NOT about me, but about Him in me. It is HIS story.
2. We are fearfully and wonderfully made in HIS image. Psalm 139 “We are a letter; known and read by all men” …II Cor. 3: 2-3
3. Our lives have destiny and purpose that God designed specifically for each one of us individually for this exact time in history…we have an assignment. He will, one day, hold us accountable. Rom. 3:19; Ezek. 3:18; Luke 7:23; Romans 14: 12
4. The Cross has the final Word. Our declaration is to live in victory. HIS victory, found in HIS will and HIS purpose. Rev. 2: 26
5. We serve at the pleasure of the King…from death to life; from darkness to light. We are commissioned servants to righteousness. Romans 6: 19
6. Jesus is Lord, King, Ruler, Owner… One day every knee will bow and confess HE is Lord. Romans 14:11
7. Our God turns ashes into beauty…Wait on the Lord…He has the last word.
His grace is sufficient, His mercy is everlasting. If God could close the lions mouth for Daniel; part the Red Sea for Moses; make the sun stand still for Joshua; open the prison door for Peter; put a baby in the arms of Sarah and raise Lazarus from the dead…then He can certainly take care of us, regardless of the circumstances around us! Nothing we are facing today is too hard for HIM to handle in our life.
Our only focus should be on the purity of our walk and
our commitment to His will and purpose…not our own!
His Story lived through us!
Have a great week!
~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America. Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California. My passion is mentoring and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights.
