If you find yourself without...

I just hate being misunderstood…but, in all reality, who doesn’t!?!

That’s why I’m so grateful that I can tell my Heavenly Father everything, without holding back, and know without a shadow of doubt that He understands exactly what I’m feeling and going through. 

Jesus said that he had to go from this earth, but when he did, he would send us a Helper…the Holy Spirit.   John 16:7   I just love this!!  How wonderful it is that the Holy Spirit is with us always?!  He will comfort us when needed, give us wisdom when needed, open our eyes and ears when needed, etc.   We don’t have to be at church to ask for help from Him.  He is with us always.  We only need to realize it.  Twenty-some years ago, I found myself at the grocery store and realized that I had forgotten my list.  I decided to put this to the test.  I prayed that the Holy Spirit would bring to my memory everything I had placed on my list.  I continued my shopping and when I got home, I found that everything on that list had been brought to my memory while shopping. 

With that said, our Helper is always with us.  It’s been my experience that it’s very challenging to find someone who will actually listen to what I’m saying…especially without interjecting their two cents worth! (See “To Speak or Not To Speak!”)  That’s not so with the Holy Spirit.  He listens and takes action on our behalf, whatever the situation may be.

If you find yourself without anyone safe to share what’s going on in your life…you’re not alone.  The Holy Spirit is always there for us no matter what time of day or night.  He always understands exactly what we’re going through…no matter what it may be.  Put your trust in the God of the Universe.  He will never fail you!!

His Grace Is Sufficient!

I have to tell you, I had been a Christian for quite some time before I fully understood what God’s grace was.  We sing and talk about it all the time, but until the Lord removes the veil, it’s difficult to understand just “what” it is.

I remember being a part of leadership in a group that was headed out to a function.  Man, I Did. Not. Want. to be a part of it!  But I knew that it was something that the Lord wanted me to do.  I remember that day.  I dragged my feet all day long putting off preparation for it.  I even thought…maybe I can get out of it at the last moment.  You know, maybe, just maybe I had been wrong in thinking that the Lord wanted me there.  Well, I prayed early in the day, ‘Lord, if you want me to be a part of this, I pray that You will give me the grace to get through it.’  So, as the time drew near and I made my move to prepare for the evening…suddenly my outlook began to change.  Long story short, I found myself in the middle of the evening, not only having a great time, but being one of the "instigators of funness!”  It was then that I realized how amazing God’s grace is. 

His grace “fills in,” so to speak, for us when there is nothing that we can do to make situations better for ourselves.  The Holy Spirit fills the “gap” from where we are to where we need to be.  It’s totally and completely supernatural…something that we are completely incapable of doing for ourselves…just like Salvation! 

You see, when Jesus gave up His life on the cross, took our sin, shame, sickness, disease, etc, He bridged the gap between God and all mankind.  He is grace.  Bridging that gap is something that no man can or ever will be able to do.  Jesus did it…once and for all!  He then sent the Person of the Spirit of God to be our Helper after His resurrection. The Holy Spirit supernaturally “helps us”…or “fills in the gap” when  we are incapable of doing something on our own.  A! MAZ! ING!!

Remember to call on the Lord always when help is needed.  He is always here for us and will never fail us.  His grace IS sufficient!!