Happy Wednesday!

Travis began classes at TCC this afternoon. Please offer prayers for him to be able to focus on his studies and do well in his classes.

Great News!! Mom is going home tomorrow. Dad has spent the past weeks preparing for her return home. He has all of the equipment waiting for her. It sounds like he may have created a gym for her as he has acquired exercise equipment for her to continue her therapy while at home. What a guy!

Prayer: “God, this day is all about You! You are worthy of my focus and attention. Please help me to depend on You in everything I do today. In Jesus’ name. Amen”

Titus 35 “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.”

What a fantastic scripture! It sounds like a Lutheran might have written this one. You know how we are about grace and works. How many of us have been told, “You can do it!”? In many of the skills we acquire for our daily living that is true. But grace is the one thing we cannot gain or accomplish by our works. There is nothing we can do to determine our relationship with God. We need to know that it does not matter what we have done. Even the Apostle Paul speaks of his own sins as foolish, disobedience, being a deceiver, being envious, rude, not honoring or showing respect for one another. Aren’t we grateful that our relationship with God is not based on the things we have done? (I sure am!!!)

But this verse says, “…but according to His mercy…” An amazing change occurs when we accept God’s tender mercies and recognize that His wide mercy supersedes our works whether righteousness or self serving. God’s mercy offers us the grace of attaining a relationship with God. So we can stop trying to “do” whatever it takes to get ourselves right with God. There is nothing we can do but immerse ourselves in the precious mercies of God’s loving grace and let His loving countenance bathe away all of our sins inside and out.

Take joy in the journey. Wear comfortable shoes. Count your blessings and say your prayers. Love you all so much and that you for being mighty prayer warriors. Love you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.

Gcapplenotes@aol.com

I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am only moved by what I believe and I believe God.