Tag Archives: Grace

The Promise In Jesus Christ

28 Aug

Mystery

(The Mystery) “which in other generation was not made known unto the sons of men, as it hath now been revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; to wit, that the Gentiles are fellow-heirs, and fellow-members of the body, and fellow-partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel,” Ephesians 3:5-6

We all love a good mystery. We are given a certain set of facts and circumstances and we try to figure out why and how something “did” happen, or is “about” to happen.

I was late in dedicating my life to God and the ministry. I always knew about God, I prayed all the time, I talked to Him and He talked to me, but I never made the personal commitment and dedication of my life to study and ministry until I was 38 years old.

Nine months after my commitment, I made the decision to leave my job of 19+ years, work part time, and dedicate my time to Biblical study and Kingdom Ministry. I worked from home and learned to balance my schedule which included my 5-year-old son, work, study, and prayer. Unfortunately, my income barely covered my bills. Trips anywhere were carefully calculated and groceries purchases were tough. God provided for us in very unusual and “mysterious” ways.

One day, my next door neighbor came by with several big boxes of dented cans; no labels. He had heard that we were struggling and wanted to help. He wasn’t sure what was in each can, only that it was food. We gratefully thanked him and started our new adventures of “mystery meals!” My son would choose 2 cans every night and whatever was inside was dinner. We had many good laughs over green beans and peaches, or spinach and pears.

One day a friend brought us several packages of deer meat from his previous year’s hunt as he had just been successful in the current year hunt and needed the freezer space. Mystery dinner with a deer roast!

I remember sitting at the table, finished blessing the food, and took a bite of the roast. It was wonderful. Then the big smile on my face quickly turned to tears as I said, “Lord, forgive me, I’m eating Bambi!” For the first time I heard God laugh. It wasn’t a little snicker or chuckle, it was a full belly laugh. I figured that must have meant that it was okay to eat, we enjoyed that meal for days. A “mystery” with a delightful blessing.

I find it odd that they call the acceptance of all people into God’s family as a Mystery (Col 1:26). God created all men and women. There are examples of non-Jews all through the Bible that found favor with God as they followed His ways and blessed His servants. All people were born from the lineage of Eve (Gen 3:20). All came from the lineage of Noah (Gen 9:1, 18-19). Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, the Tribes that became Jerusalem, all started from the same lineage.

The question I struggle with is, how did everyone and everything get separated out to begin with? People made decisions, choices and cultures based upon their physical locations. Circumstances and events separated them, and somehow the nations and “religions” changed with it (Gen 10:5). One bad decision led to another, a door was opened to evil, father-son-mother-daughter at war within the family and with others in their country. Boom, the divisions occurred – Jews and Gentiles. It was never meant to be that way. It was a condition of the heart. It was a condition of the soul. It was the consequence of free will.

In Ephesians, the Apostles are trying to explain how all people, Jew and Gentile, were God’s children and all have the opportunity at eternal life, with their acceptance of Jesus Christ. ALL PEOPLE. No preferences of peoples or tribes. No more divisions. Back to the way God intended it to be from the beginning. Mystery solved.

Thank you for loving us and tucking us back under Your wings when we stray (Ps 91:4). Thank you for the mysteries in life and the abilities You give us to solve them and move past them. Thank you God for believing in me and breaking down the walls men put up, so many years ago, as I was born a Gentile, but grafted back into Your kingdom by grace.

** A Journey Through Ephesians – Chapter 3, Part 2

Written by Linda J. Humes

11-7-2015

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A DISPENSATION OF GRACE

27 Aug

Grace

“For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus in behalf of you Gentiles,– if so be that ye have heard of the dispensation of that grace of God which was given me to you-ward; how that by revelation was made known unto me the mystery, as I wrote before in few words, whereby, when ye read, ye can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ;”  Ephesians 3:1-4 (ASV)

To say that I’ve had memory issues over the last 7 months would be an understatement.  The day-to-day activities became day-to-day challenges. Luckily, when I was working, I was so organized in my responsibilities that the deficiency wasn’t as noticeable.  At home, not so much.

Just this last week I was shocked to receive alerts from my bank that I had overdrawn my account, something that has not happened in so many years that I can’t recall the last time it happened.  I have always been very diligent in making sure that I had enough in the account to make it through the month, not with a wide margin, but a safe one.

When I checked with the bank it was clear what I had done . . . . eeerrr, not done.  I had paid 2 medical bills that I forgot to log into my register.  Goodness.  I was so frustrated with myself and my memory issues.  On top of the checks, the bank charged an overdraft fee (adding insult to injury!).  I was beside myself.  I knew that I could not cover these expenses.

I called the bank and explained the problem.  I had sent my son to the bank with what cash I had, it covered the overage, but not the bank fee.  I asked the bank if there was any way to waive the fee since I had a deposit in prior to the overdraft charge going against my account.  They said they would talk it over and call me back.  It was now in the hands of the bank. I said a prayer.

A few hours later I received a call from the bank.  Grace!  They had given me a one-time waiver for the bank fee.  I had received grace at the hands of strangers.  I didn’t deserve it, I made the error, it was completely my fault.

Grace.  If the bank had not honored my request my account would have gathered additional charges every day for another 6 days.  My banking account would have been seriously jeopardized and I likely would not have been able to meet all of my obligations the following month.  Grace.

God’s grace makes this wonderful event pale by example.  God’s grace covers the sins of a murderer, at the moment of repentance, forgiving the horrendous and accepting the person into eternal life.  God’s grace forgives the sins of a nation that has forsaken Him, when only a handful stand in repentance for their land, protecting them against the attacks of the enemy.

God’s grace took ALL people, Jew and Gentile, and made them equal in His eyes, by their acceptance of His Son, Jesus Christ – the great “Mystery.”  Such a simple concept.  Grace.  How can we ever thank Him enough?

** A Journey Through Ephesians – Chapter 3, Part 1

Written by Linda J. Humes

10-25-2015

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Saved Through Faith

20 Aug

by grace

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  Not of works, lest any man should boast.”  Ephesians 2:8-9 (KJV)

So many thoughts cross my mind when I read these scriptures.  Things like “there’s no such thing as a free lunch,” or “you never get something for nothing,” and even “you are no more a Christian because you sit in a church, than you are a cow because you stand in a barn.”

Over the years I have seen person after person come into the church and give all they physically have, but never find the true gift, the relationship with God.  I think that we have been “programmed” by the American culture to believe that if we work hard and “give it all we’ve got” we’ll get whatever we want.  Some have succeeded, many have failed.  But that “programming” does not apply to God’s culture and the plan He has set out for us.

The New Testament makes it very clear that no matter what we have done, said or caused, we have hope through Jesus for an eternal life in Heavenly places (Romans 4:7).  Through repentance and the forgiveness of sins, God wipes our slates clean and we become white and pure as snow (Isaiah 1:18).  We can’t work enough hours to receive that gift.  We can’t feed enough hungry people or clean enough church carpets or share the gospel in enough countries to receive that gift.  We can’t spend enough time in prayer or hours in the scriptures, memorizing – memorizing – memorizing, to earn that gift.  It isn’t possible.  The gift is free.  The gift is from God Himself, His “grace” card (1 Corinthians 1:4).  The gift of salvation is simply received through believing faith (Romans 3:22 & 25).  Faith!  No more, no less.

So, in God’s culture, there is a “free lunch,” eating daily of God’s Word (Matthew 4:4) and feeding the spirit that is growing inside.  In God’s culture, there is “something for nothing, there is grace, and through that grace there is faith, and through that faith there is eternal life in Heavenly places (Ephesians 1:3).

As far as the last quote, that’s a true comment, but with the love and acceptance and example of the saints, people who come seeking will find the true faith they desire.  Everyone starts coming to church as a non-Christian, but finds their way to the free gift of salvation, pre-paid by the Son.  Once we realize it took the blood of a perfect sacrifice (Hebrews 10:14) to bring us that gift, a life freely given on Calvary (1 Corinthians 2:12), how could we even consider boasting.

We are saved by grace through our faith in Christ.  Simple.  Easy.  Priceless.

* A Journey Through Ephesians – Chapter 2, Part 4

Written by Linda J. Humes

11-28-2014

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Exceeding Riches

19 Aug

Homeless

“Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)  And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:  That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.”   Ephesians 2:5-7 (KJV)

I suspect we all have met people who continually live on the edge of disaster.  They take chances we would never even dream of.  They live without concern of where they will sleep or where their next meal will come from.  They wander through life looking for adventure and excitement and for that feeling of completeness.

I am amazed at their dis-concern for their surroundings and potential plight.  In their place, I would be completely out of sorts.  When I asked one young man whether he was worried about what he may face with his lifestyle, he said “No, God takes care of me.”  When I asked about any formal “church” upbringing, there wasn’t any.  Clearly drugs and alcohol had taken a toll on his physical health.  Breaking the law made the way of keeping him with the addictive substance he desired.

It’s hard to understand why he felt so content in his relationship with God.  I wonder if it was just something he said to steer off curious onlookers, like myself.  I wonder if his life expectations were so low that what he experienced in his life exceeded his hopes and he gave God the glory for it.  I wonder if he prayed, and even in his sin laden life, God kept a hedge of protection around him, knowing that one day he would turn himself around and follow the call placed on his life (Luke 9:23).

I wonder if he met God in a deep dark place and had that wonderful intimate relationship that made him feel blessed, no matter where he was or what he was doing (Acts 17:27).  Had he recognized God’s “Exceeding Riches” in his day to day, moment my moment existence, and even in his poverty and life of poor choices, feeling the great value of that relationship.  Even though he has not pulled himself back to a “normal” lifestyle, did he know that God still loved and watched over and cared for him?  I don’t know, he said he did.

I do know that God will meet us where we are at, in our filthiest rags and disgusting attitudes, a life filled with sin and a heart filled with darkness, and He will love us and call to us and stay by our side until we are ready to hear His voice (Isaiah 64:6).  I do know that the joy of receiving Him is far greater than any other joy on this earth, and to call it “Exceeding Riches” is far less than it truly is.  I do know that He has prepared a place for us, rich or poor, male or female, whatever race, whatever creed, brilliant or challenged, evil or kind, and He is waiting for us to accept that gift by accepting His Son (John 14:2-3).  I do know that He has made a way, through the sacrifice of His Son, for us to sit in Heavenly places (Ephesians 1:20; 2:6).

That’s grace (John 1:14).  That’s love (John 3:16).  That is the gift of “Exceeding Riches” so great that we may never comprehend it until the moment we stand before Him (Romans 14:10).

*A Journey Through Ephesians – Chapter 2, Part 3

Written by Linda J. Humes

11-23-2014

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Gathering Together

2 Aug

crowd hands up

‘That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:” Ephesians 1:10 (KJV)

I remember when I first started raising chickens.  In the morning I would open up their henhouse and the little fenced-in yard and would let them run in the tall grass outside.  They would scatter to the 4 winds and have the best time.

Later, I would try to encourage them to return to the safety of their pen and house, but they would have none of it.  People would tell me not to worry, they said that as it grew dark they would return to their roost.  Didn’t happen.  It would take the entire family “shooing” and flapping arms to get them back in.  It continued day after day, and in all of our frustration we decided it was easier not to let them out.

Gathering my little flock was more of an exercise in futility than anything.  I wanted to protect them, keep them warm and safe, and give them the food and water they needed to grow and multiply.  They wanted freedom – dangerous and exciting freedom.

In Ephesians 1:9-10, God says that He is revealing the mystery so that all He has chosen will know to “gather” together, both Jew and Gentile, both living and those who have passed on to Heaven before us – for His Pleasure.  Gathering at a specified time, of which only He is aware.

The Mystery revealed that there would be a dispensation, a breaking of the Old Testament laws, an immunity for those Gentiles with a heart toward God, as big and as genuine as any Jew born into the right of the inheritance.  What a blessing for you and I, for now we can receive all of the promises and encouragement from the Old Testament.  We have become joint-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17), we receive a fully equal inheritance (Acts 20:32), being made acceptable by the mystery revealed to all through the Holy Ghost (Romans 15:16).

When the spiritual calls of the Saints have been completed and the time is right, the fullness of time, God will speak to every righteous heart, both dead and alive, and they will gather unto Him for the final gift; the gift of knowing that they are completely and irrevocably His, into eternity.  Holy, Holy, Holy!

Oh, my Jesus, gather us to Your side as a father to his children.  Let us accept Your treasured gift and not feel unworthy or torn away by seducing freedom.  May we understand our value in You, in all of our brokenness, and gather together at Your feet in worship.

**A Journey through Ephesians – Chapter 1, Part 6

Written by Linda J. Humes

8-24-14

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Redemption

2 Aug

Soda Bottles

“in whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence,” Ephesians 1:7-8 (ASV)

As a kid growing up, Saturdays held the wonderful adventure of soda-pop bottle seeking. Sodas came in stout glass bottles and when the empties were returned to the store you received 2 shiny pennies each! My brother and I would search the sides of the roads and trash cans for bottles. With a little imagination and an hour of seeking, we redeemed enough bottle deposits for 2 sodas and 2 candy bars. A perfect way to start the weekend.

In those days redemption was a whole different word to me. We weren’t a church going family, not even at Easter or Christmas. I didn’t understand about generational sin, Heaven or Hell. I did know there was a God, but I don’t remember how I knew. I spoke to the big God often and knew He was there to watch over me. I didn’t fully understand redemption until I began my Christian walk at the age of 38.

When I began to study the Bible I couldn’t get enough. I would dig and research and sit up late hours into the night. The story of Jesus and all that He did touched me to the very depths of my soul. I began to understand redemption clearly, but I could not understand why God would send His Son down to be with men, and I surely didn’t understand why He would send Him down to die for the cleansing of their sins, past, present and future – including mine. It was so hard to understand that God could love us that much, especially in our dirty and broken states. It was/is so humbling.

My God, who measured the waters in the hollow of his hand (Isaiah 40:12), who chose us before the foundations of the earth, who made a way for us to stand before Him holy and without blemish (Ephesians 1:4), who foreordained us unto adoption as his children through Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:5). Our God, loved us so much that He made of His son, Jesus, the perfect sacrifice, eliminating the need for the continual sacrifice of animals (Hebrews 10:10, 17-18). Oh my.

Jesus’ sacrifice gave us the gift of forgiveness from God the Father. Forgiveness, according to His grace, divine unmerited favor, which He made to “Abound” toward us, and yet freely given with “Wisdom and Prudence” (Ephesians 1:8). That tells me that when He first planned our lives, He knew what we would face, what we would do, how we would react, the mistakes we would make and the humility or pride we would face them with – but still He gave us His forgiveness, through grace, with wisdom so that we would learn from our choices and grow in grace, with prudence, to teach us discretion. Plus, He gave it in abundance, not just enough for a day, but enough for a lifetime. He loves us so much that He gave us an out for every poor choice, if we will only call on Him.

Now it becomes our duty, our obligation, to honor that gift and do all we can to walk upright in it. We must receive His grace to be able to give it, abounding/abundantly, to all we encounter. Freely we have received, freely we are called to give (Matthew 10:8), walking this path with forgiveness in our hearts and peace in our soul. Lord, please show us the way.

*A Journey Through Ephesians –  Chapter 1, Part 4

Written by Linda J. Humes

7-27-14

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SACRIFICE

16 Sep

“By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.”  Hebrews 13:15  KJV

✝

The Ancient of Days,

cast Himself to the earth,

in the form of a seed,

in the womb of a virgin.

✝

Subject, now, to heat and cold,

to fatigue and illness,

to prejudice and ridicule,

to suffering and pain.

✝

The Ancient of Days,

became man,

flesh, blood and Spirit;

willingly giving,

the power of deity,

for the birth of a nation.

✝

The God of Jessie,

born through the sacrifice of blood,

to become the blood sacrifice.

✝

From the promises to Adam,

to the revelation shown John,

the blood of God coursed the earth,

changing strength and direction,

at the tributary called Christ.

✝

The new stream of Christ,

fed the trees of new life,

where the roots of the old,

were washed clean.

✝

The water, most pure,

chased the stagnant pools of red,

that once rinsed man’s hands,

but touched not the soul.

✝

The water, most pure,

flowed over and cleansed,

the wounds of the past,

refreshing the hope,

of a dark, tarnished dream.

✝

The water of life,

borne from the blood,

of an innocent man,

takes sweet revenge,

on the deepest of sin.

✝

Released to be washed,

by the power of mercy,

by the treasure of grace,

it rises back up,

to the base of the cross.

✝

There, at the cross,

the blood and water,

of grace and mercy,

flows down to the earth,

as forgiven sin reaches up,

meeting at the feet of Christ.

✝

Running together they became one,

the earth shook with promise,

the sky darkened,

to reveal a new light,

and the rivers flowed,

with a new wine,

washing clean the weary souls,

of all that would reach forth,

in praise.

✝

 

 

Written 10-18-1998

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GRACE

12 Apr

 

“For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.”    Psalm 84:11 

…

Ever so gently, the Spirit comes,

gently calling, gently waking,

the sleeping soul.

…

“Awake, Beloved, Arise,

join with me in sweet refreshing,

precious moments, you and I.”

…

And though I try,

to fight the weariness,

I fall again,

to senseless sleep..

…

“Awake, Beloved, Arise,

rest in the peace only I can give.”

…

My soul rocks,

battered by my own strengths,

by my own weaknesses.

…

The angels of light,

war with the angels of darkness,

fighting for the rights,

to my blessing.

…

Again I try to rise,

“Grace” – “Grace”

for spiritual strength,

to fight the demons,

that take their positions,

to stop the Rhema,

about to birth.

…

“Grace” – “Grace”

And with my cry,

a change begins,

a pounding pulse,

a surge of fire,

a rising up,

to the Spirit of truth.

…

In sweet communion,

with the one true Lord,

all weariness passes.

…

Refreshing of Spirit,

refreshing of soul,

no weakened limb,

just tender moments,

in anointed splendor.

…

“Arise, My Beloved,

and receive the gift,

I’ve so longed,

for you to have.

…

GRACE!

 

Written 11-1-98

 

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Forsaking the Call

5 Apr

But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.   Matthew 18:6

…

There are times in every person’s life when difficult decisions have to be made, knowing that those decisions will affect the lives of many others. When we are called to the faith we are to prefer others above ourselves and accommodate others, knowing that God will accommodate us.

…

Most recently I have observed brothers of the faith making decisions that were intended to destroy the character of another strong Christian. False truths and innuendo have been stated and spread to cover the true reason behind the attack – financial gain and career advancement.

…

I was contemplating a way to expose the ploy and show the true colors of those involved, but I hear the voice of God very clearly . . . “vengeance is mine.”

…

It is bad enough that friendships have been destroyed and jobs have been lost for others to gain power and finance. It’s terrible that integrity has been tarnished and respect destroyed. Now, when they least expect it, God’s anger and punishment will fall. What sacrifice this? Will there be restoration? Will trust ever be regained? Will opportunities be lost forever?

…

As believers, we are called to a higher standard of integrity, a higher obligation NOT to walk in worldly ways. When taking on the mantle of Pastor, that obligation massively multiplies. People are watching. Christians are disdained in general for the faults of a few. Shame falls on the family of God.

…

Lord, let me always be aware of the people and circumstances around me that I might not make a choice what would push others farther away from You. I never want to experience your vengeance; only your grace and love.

 

 

Written 10/26/2010

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Only By Faith

24 Nov

And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace. Luke 7:50

—

By faith stood Abraham,

in the promise of Isaac.

—

By grace it came to pass.

overcoming natural life,

birthing a child,

in a lonely golden year.

—

Faith took the promise,

and blew life into lifelessness.

—

Faith saw Isaac as the sown seed,

laughter come at last,

then grace matured it,

multiplying it.

—

Fourteen generations flowed,

from Abraham to David,

through Jacob and Obed,

and Jesse.

—

Fourteen generations flowed from David,

until the carrying away into Babylon,

through Solomon,

through Manasses,

through Josias.

—

Then fourteen more flowed,

from Babylon to Christ,

the Word manifest in flesh,

the Keeper of eternity.

Through Achim,

Eleazar to Jacob,

the father of Joseph,

the husband of Mary,

the mother of Christ.

—

By faith did Mary accept the promise,

that grew within her womb.

—

By faith did Joseph accept Mary,

heavy with child,

not of his loins,

not of his love.

—

By grace they stood as one,

on a destined night,

the sky brightened,

by the Glory of God,

in the shape of a star,

pointing down to the Son.

—

By faith Joseph took Jesus,

adopted now,

into the lineage of Abraham,

adopted now,

as a child of promise.

—

By grace Joseph watched,

as He grew to a man,

well before His years.

—

Our perfect pattern,

our Shepherd and King.

—

Now, by faith, we trust in His Word,

our heritage blessed by driven saints,

and tarnished by those who did evil,

in the sight of the Lord.

—

By faith are we accepted,

are we adopted,

into His kingdom,

joint-heirs with Christ,

children of promise,

just as He did,

so long ago.

—

By grace will we walk,

in His footsteps,

as best as we are able,

crying out for strength,

for peace, for love.

—

By faith we receive all,

grace has promised,

and more,

for only by our limited faith,

can we see into,

God’s limitless plan.

 

—

Written 11/8/98

 

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