glory – My Grace Untold

Count It Again

“Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.”

Deuteronomy 8 vs 2

Recently, I stood in front of my mirror and tried to recall all the changes that have taken place in my life in the last 3 years. Relocating to yet another city by faith, entering grad school, studying at a seminary, receiving my first Master’s degree, writing a book, answering the call to ministry, and growing to become a servant-leader. I was amazed to see how much God had done, how far God had brought me, and how much time has passed. I counted it again.

It felt like more time had passed. I considered the months and how much transitions I have been forced to embrace in these 3 years. Still I counted it again.

It felt like 4 years at first because I was counting time by my age. But really it is almost 3 years since my yes to God for His purpose in my life! Less than 3 years! My whole being has been transformed in less than 3 years! I have been given visions that I alone could never dream of in less than 3 years. I have surmounted unexpected heartbreak and disappointment that may have broken me if it was 3 years ago.

Oh how faithful God has been to me!

It dawned on me that we can often and so easily forget the many great things that God has brought to pass in a short time, so much so taht we begin to doubt if we have moved far at all from where we used to be. But I dare you to count it again friend. Count the days again. Count the victories again. Count the breakthroughs again. Count the healing again. Count the miracles again!

Count it again and see if God has not been true to His word over your life that He will never leave nor forsake you.

Count it again and see if the love of God has not remained consistent and sufficient through the times.

Count it again.

Be encouraged today, that you have come farther than you think, and in less time than you think. You have overcome more than you think in less time than you think. You have grown more than you think in less time than you think. And God is still at work on your behalf.

I pray that your spirit is lifted as you count again the many wonderful things God has done, is doing, and will still do in its appointed time.

An Unknown Road To A Known Destiny

“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us…”

2 Peter 3:9

As expected, the trials of a new environment are surfacing one after another and I feel the weariness begin to form in the pits of my stomach. But I thank God for a kind and comforting Holy Spirit who reminds me once again that all that can be shaken will indeed be shaken, but the word of God stands.

In a sum, I am tired.

I am tired of many things, weary and doubtful of a few others. But in humble adoration, still I praise HIM. Still I worship, and thank God for how Far HE alone has brought me thus far in this walk of faith.

Inevitably, stress and uncertainty during this journey of purpose threatens to weigh me down.

Physically, I feel drained and immobile, having not done no heavy lifting or arduous work. Creatively, I feel as though my vision to be productive and to peek into a near future has somehow been suspended as I have surrendered to the Lord.

Spiritually, I feel aware but challenged in faith.

I remember the words and promises of my Father to me and my loved ones, but current waves seem to challenge what I believe is the truth. But in hope, my faith stands. God is able to do just what HE said HE would do.

Admittedly, I have never hoped so greatly in the Lord as I do now. My expectancy for an unimaginable wondrous and glorious work, is greater than I have ever expected and I am truly overwhelmed by it.

In this place, I need God’s power to fall like I’ve never seen and I need help in my unbelief.

So as I pray and press on towards what is ahead, please pray for me as I pray for you. If you are anything like me, you don’t know how God will do it, but you trust that it is already done. You don’t know how God will lead you there, but you know you will get there. God is certain.

And in HIM do we hope.

May our hope never be put to shame. And may our faith be continually anchored in the mercy and grace of an All-knowing God in Jesus name. Amen.

Tomorrow Is Unseen. Give Today Its Glory

“That I may see the good of thy chosen, that I may rejoice in the gladness of thy nation, that I may glory with thine inheritance.”

Psalm 106:5

It is almost impossible to wake up on a Monday morning without making plans for the whole week! And for many, even the whole month! And others, a whole year is already mapped out!

An obsessed planner like me knows exactly what I mean when I say tomorrow begins today…But does it really?

Surely, planning is effective in attaining the goals we set before ourselves. But have we become so wrapped up in the plans of tomorrow that we rob today of its glory?

I often pray to God to allow me the glorious sight of His presence each day. I yearn to see God somehow someway as my day begins. And if I can’t see God, I long to hear Him, to feel Him as I take every step in the day. I mean how often do we go about the day hoping that God shows up by letting our own ambitions turn out successful?

This state of mind indeed transits into our worrisome habits.

Admittedly, certain circumstances will compel you to worry about tomorrow when today has only begun. We worry about the due dates of our upcoming bills. We worry about installment payment plans when the check is barely enough to pay our offering, feed our families, and dare to save a spare change for the unexpected.

We worry if we’ll ever have enough to truly live in comfort.

Friend, don’t you know that comfort is found when you give God praise? Don’t you know that peace of mind is granted when you keep your eyes on the most high God?

No one knows what tomorrow holds. We only have our ideas of what we hope it will bring.

So I urge you today to give today the praise it is due.

Praise God for the favor on your life to see a new day with new mercy. Praise God for the favor of health and well being. Praise God for the honor to bow at His feet at any given moment to lay your heaviest burdens down. Praise God that He is a friend like no other who is always near. Praise God that the tears of yesterday are now today’s testimony and today’s tests and trials are all testimonies in the making! These are all of today’s glory!

We ought not to wait till tomorrow, till that big break comes, till that miracle happens, till that bonus comes. Praise God today!

Praise God today because He lives and still sits on the throne. Praise God today for his enduring mercy. Praise God because HE is GOD!

May God fill our mouths, hearts, and mind with nothing but praise, today, tomorrow, and forever more in Jesus name. Amen.