All is grace

I love this little phrase that I first read over at Ann’s blog, A Holy Experience. All is grace. I read it, pondered it, and claimed it as my own. All truly is grace. Every moment, every new day, every gift…all undeserved, all grace.

For my gratitude list today, I’m going to count the blessings that I have received from reading God’s word in 90 days. I finished last night!! Hip Hip Hooray!! I don’t want it to seem that I am proud of myself for this…honestly, I know without a shadow of a doubt that I could not have done it without His grace. His help. His endurance playing out in my heart. It’s all Him.
But, through these days of spending more than one hour per day in His Word, God has given me a whole new appreciation for His Word. Don’t get me wrong, I already loved His word. But, now I appreciate it even more. And I’m thankful He gave me this opportunity for obedience. I can still remember back on Dec. 24th, God very clearly spoke to me and told me to give Him the gift of time for Christmas…time in His Word. And, as I give of myself to Him, He gives Himself to me. Bread of Life.

For this 90 day period, I read out of my NIV/The Message parallel Bible. I really, REALLY enjoyed reading through it with both of these versions side by side. If there was something I didn’t totally understand, I would read it in the other version. If something sounded weird to me, I’d read the other version right next to it…I loved finding a whole new verse to encourage me that I had read many, many times before…but reading it in a different version shined a whole new light onto certain passages!

God’s Word…truly, a lamp to my feet, a light to my path.

Yes, parts of the OT were VERY hard for me to get through. (Leviticus and Deuteronomy to name a few.) But, in plugging through, I saw a picture of history that I don’t think I ever saw before. All the killing, adultery and times that Israel went back to their old ways. again. All the kings doing things their own way. It was very eye opening to read ALL of that in such a SHORT amount of time! wow!

The prophesies took on a deeper meaning to me as I read them and moved right into the NT.

Reading all of the gospels during Lent, right before we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord, has been beautiful.

His Words…engraved on my heart:
{the following are Scriptures that God especially used to encourage or teach me through my journey over the past 90 days! I realize this is long, it is mostly typed out for myself, I want to remember this journey and document it here.}

Enoch walked steadily with God. {Gen.5:22, the Message}

So Abram left just as God said… {Gen.12:1, the Message, my emphasis}

Don’t be afraid, Abram, I’m your shield. {Gen.15:1, the Message}

Place these words on your hearts. Get them deep inside you. Tie them on your hands and foreheads as a reminder. Teach them to your children. Talk about them wherever you go, sitting at home or walking in the street: talk about them from the time you get up in the morning until you fall into bed at night. {Deut.11:18-21, the Message}

Nehemiah’s prayer

I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. {Job 19:25, NIV}

Instead you thrill on God’s word, you chew on Scripture day and night. You’re a tree replanted in Eden, bearing fresh fruit every month, never dropping a leaf, always in blossom. {Ps. 1:2-3, The Message; May it be so, Lord, even in my life.}

The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. {Ps. 19:7, NIV}

Going through the motions doesn’t please you, a flawless performance is nothing to you. I learned God-worship when my pride was shattered. Heart-shattered lives ready for love don’t for a moment escape God’s notice. {Ps.51:17-17, The Message}

Not for our sake, God, no, not for our sake, but for your name’s sake, show your glory. {Ps.115:1, the Message}

I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. But I have stilled and quieted my soul; {Ps.131:2, NIV}

I haven’t meddled where I have no business or fantasized grandiose plans. I’ve kept my feet on the ground, I’ve cultivated a quiet heart. {Ps. 131:2, the Message; I’m praying that God would show me how to cultivate that quiet heart.}

Never walk away from someone that needs help; your hand is God’s hand for that person. {Prov.3:27}

Humility and the fear of the Lord bring wealth and honor and life. {Prov.22:4, NIV}

Generous hands are blessed hands. {Prov.22:9, the Message}

God’s in charge, not you – the less you speak, the better. {Ecc.5:2, the Message}

Be our strength, every morning, our salvation in time of distress. {Isaiah 33:2, NIV}

Don’t be afraid, I’ve redeemed you. I’ve called your name. You’re mine. When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you. When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down. When you’re between a rock and a hard place, it won’t be a dead end – because I am God, your personal God, the Holy of Israel, your Savior. I paid a huge price for you. {Isaiah 43:1-3, the Message}

Seek God’s right ways, seek a quiet and disciplined life. {Zeph.2:3, the Message}

You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and His rule. You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to u. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to You. You’re blessed when You’re content with just who are you are – no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought. You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s the food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat. {The Beatitudes, Matt. 5:3-6, the Message}

…our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like Him. {2 Cor.3:18, the Message}

So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without His unfolding grace. { 2 Cor. 4:16, the Message}

Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ – that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective. {Col. 3:2-4, the Message}

Friends, this world is not your home, so don’t make yourselves cozy in it. {1 Pet.2:11, the Message}

So…who is going to join me NEXT TIME we read through the Bible in 90 days?? I am SO thankful that I came across this opportunity. I am pretty sure that I will be doing it again. Prayerfully. God willing.

#542-571

Prayerfully consider joining the gratitude community. You will not regret it…in fact, I daresay, it can change your life.