Believing the Promises of God - in His Word

Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed… Without weakening in his faith… Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what He had promised. ~ Romans 4 [selected 18-21]



Monday, June 15, 2009

GRACE for the Tattered and Worn


2 Corinthians 4:8-18
8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that His life may be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

13 It is written: "I believed; therefore I have spoken." With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak, 14 because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in His presence. 15 All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. [emphasis added]

I sat out on my front porch yesterday morning and I saw two small feathers on the floor by my rocker; one tan, and one gray one. I reached to pick them up when I spotted yet another one stuck between the decking. It was a white one, barely visible as it was slipping through the crack below. I fished it out and held all three in my hand. Each one was tattered, dirty, and worn. Yet there was such beauty in these tiny gems. I combed through them, one at a time with my fingers, brushing all the debris out of their little follicles. Then I pasted then into my journal as a reminder that no matter how worn out we feel, or how tattered our lives may become, sometimes feeling abandoned or forgotten, even crushed and in despair, GOD is still there holding us in the palm of His Hand, offering us His Grace for that moment, brushing and combing away the debris and reminding us not to lose heart.

May His Word bring a soothing bath of refreshment to your weary soul today.

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie

7 comments:

Yolanda said...

Stephanie....I pray these very words....refresh and revive, Lord Jesus, this very day.

Beth Herring said...

What a wonderful picture message today Stephanie.

How thankful I am for His refreshment and restoration.

Revive us Oh Lord. Renew us to You.

Beth

LisaShaw said...

Amen Stephanie. So true dear sister.

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

What a beautiful visual, friend. I will carry it with me in my heart today, reminding myself of the need to allow God's holding of my heart and the tending therein.

Such a peaceful reminder for me.

~elaine

Pat said...

Stephanie,
A visit to your blog is like a trip to the spa!
Completely Refreshing and Relaxing!!
Bless you today sister,
pat

B His Girl said...

Yes, His grace is enough. Love this using the feathers Stephanie. I was in the Village sharing furniture and other household goods with two women and their children last week. By their front door was a big feather waiting for me to notice its meaning. I knew God left a sign for obeying Him in helping these women. I was tattered and worn out after all the delivering I did but I knew it was all order by God. I felt His peace doing good. Blessing to you. PS Still notice the clock times for you.
Love ya,
B

Alleluiabelle said...

Dear Stephanie,

What a beautiful Scripture to read. It touched me to the core of what's been going on in my life and that of my husband's.

I have to quote you, "no matter how worn out we feel, or how tattered our lives may become, sometimes feeling abandoned or forgotten, even crushed and in despair, GOD is still there holding us in the palm of His Hand, offering us His Grace for that moment, brushing and combing away the debris and reminding us not to lose heart."

These are incredibly meaningful words to me especially today and in these recent days we have been going through. I always take rest in His Word. It does bring me a soothing bath of refreshment to my weary soul.

Thank you sweet sister and dear friend. I really do feel refreshed after reading this. He uses you mightily Stephanie. You touch me every time I come here.

My love to you sweet friend,
Alleluiabelle