Grace Recognized

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV)

Joy: gladness, cheerfulness, calm delight; the awareness (of God's) grace, favor; "grace recognized"

Joy is not based on circumstances or feelings. Rather joy, a product of the Holy Spirit, is based on all that God has to offer—justification, forgiveness, peace, adoption, fellowship with God Almighty, and eternal life with God. The joy is because of the relationship with God. The joy is an outpouring of the love God gives. 

This morning, I awoke with a searing headache and intense back pain. Normally I wake up in pain, but this morning, it was a much higher level. Yet, as I got up and I slowly made my way to the kitchen, my mind switched from the pain to the Castle. Just walking down the hallway toward the kitchen, I had to stop and thank God for this amazing home. In the stillness and quietness of the morning, I looked at the living room. Each time I see that fireplace and the vaulted ceiling, I'm overcome with an overwhelming sense of amazement. God in His gracious goodness, has supplied an amazing home for me and my parents. As I think about Who God is and how He takes care of me — just wow! 

My heart can overflow with joy, not because my life is perfect, or I'm pain free (that won't happen until I am in Heaven!). But rather, my heart can overflow with joy because I know and have a relationship with God Almighty. 

Joy the awareness of God's grace—grace recognized! The more I take time to recognize God's grace the more joy will overflow! 

What God prefers.

Galatians 5:22, 23. 

Love.... 
agápē – properly, love which centers in moral preference. In the NT, (agápē) typically refers to divine love ( = what God prefers). (http://biblehub.com/interlinear/galatians/5-22.htm)

What God prefers. That sure puts a perspective on Love. What does God prefer? Something to think about in regards to what I should be loving and how I should be demonstrating love.

What God prefers.

Now and Henceforth

I will sing to the Lord as long as I live;

I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.

May my meditation be sweet to Him;

I will be glad in the Lord.

Psalm 104:33-34 (NKJV)

Sing: to make song while traveling, going about singing

As long as I live: each day I'm living

Sing praise: to celebrate in song and music; give praise, sing forth praises

While I have my being: literally in the continuance of, while I'm living, now and henceforth

Meditation: to ponder, i.e. (by implication) converse (with oneself, and hence, aloud)

Sweet: the idea of close association, Intermix; to be agreeable -- be pleasant, take pleasure in

Glad: cheer up, brighten up, make joyful, cause to rejoice

Throughout my day, as I go about my daily routine, I am to be singing to the Lord. I am to be celebrating God's goodness. I am to be continually honoring God and praising Him. 

And that begins when my thoughts are agreeable—intermixed with God's. Intermixed...... so much that God's thoughts are so intwined that my thoughts and His thoughts become one in the same. 

And the end result of this.... is that I will then "brighten up" I will be joyful! 

Thanks Living! 

Jesus Christ is better .....

Reading Hebrews 1 today, and verse 3 really jumped off the page. 

"who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high" (Hebrews 1:3, NKJV)

Upholding: Uphold (keep from falling), the preserver of the universe.

All things: in an absolute sense, all things collectively, the totality of created things, the universe of things

Word: declaration of one's mind made in words, God's omnipotent command

Power: the word uttered by his power, equivalent to his most powerful will and energy; ability and strength

Just stop and think for a moment of the power and authority that Jesus has...... yet, He was still willing to die on the cross and bear my (our) sin and endure the wrath of God — I'm at a loss for words.... awe struck.... when you grasp that reality......if you can. 

The power that Jesus Christ has — yet because He loved me (us), He willingly bore the wrath of God Almighty (His Father), and died, so that I (we) can have eternal life free from God's wrath. 

The preserver of the universe, the One who created and holds everything together, the One who has the ability and strength to create and sustain — paid the price for my (our) sin. 

Jesus Christ is better—

I'm looking forward to this morning's message on Jesus Christ is better - than Angels and Prophets from Hebrews. 

You can listen to Pastor Osborne's Sermons online at:

www.faithbaptistwh.org (The Sermons are listed under the Media tab.)

Happy New Year (my Christmas card)

I had planned to create a Christmas card this year, I did begin one, however it was never completed. So, instead, I created a "Happy New Year" card. 

So, Happy New Year to each of you!