Category Grace

Handled With God By Brenda Drake

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            I wonder how I handled life without God’s help.  I now know I do not carry life’s burdens all by myself.  Whatever I face God is on my side and He is always as close as a prayer.  He is my strength and a very present help in time of trouble.

Handled With God

Climbing a mountain or riding waves hard and high;
That both takes great effort cannot be denied.
In your life both are true;
But the secret to success is who is traveling with you.
With God’s strength, faith, and peace reigning within;
The journey goes much better with Him.
The mountain of circumstances; with the walls of depression and fear,
With faith in God’s help the mountain may just disappear.
Those terrible waves of life; with things seemingly out of control,
With its turmoil and chaos that overtakes the soul;
All are handled with more grace with God at your side.
In fact upon His Word you can safely ride.
Then when the storms rage and you seek God’s face,
When He says “Peace be still” the raging’s threat is erased..
Do your best in any situation. Rejoice you do not travel life alone.
Trust your God and Savior to safely bring you home.

Exodus 33:14
And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Matthew 17:20
He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”

Look Out, Look up, Listen and Look Within By Brenda Drake

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I remember well the day of salvation and the way the colors of life became so much brighter. Now the beauty of God’s handiwork speaks louder of the love that always was whispering my name. Everywhere and in every situation there is a place to hear and see God’s affection and provisions for His redeemed.

Look Out, Look up, Listen and Look Within

Lakes, rivers, or streams invite to enjoy the view.
As you look out at the beauty shared with you.
Remember God that made and put it all on display.
Allow creation’s soothing peace to enhance your day.
As you take away its comfort and store it within,
Look up to the Living Water and give praise to Him.
The sky in its vastness calls to marvel at its space,
Allow it to draw you into its embrace.
Your God fills it with life:
Each breath you take is His delight.
Allow yourself to listen,
To creation’s whispered affection.
Hear the voice of God speak
In a songbird, a flower’s aroma, and in autumn’s leaves.
Gaze into the eyes of those that your lives touch.
Look deep and you may see the reflections of God’s love.
When you are filled with the wonder of His mercy and His grace;
Look deep inside and there you will also see God’s face.

Psalms 19:1-3
The heavens declare the glory of God;
and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
 Day unto day uttereth speech,
and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
 There is no speech nor language,
where their voice is not heard.

Ephesians 3:14-19
For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,  Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

Allow God to Love You By Brenda Drake

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            I remember well the first day I allowed God to love me. After a hard day, alone with children tucked in bed, relaxed in recliner with no remote at hand, the evangelist came on television.  I was too lazy to get up and change the channel.  What a great day it turned out to be. For the first time I learned of the sad, hopeless condition of my soul. I became aware of the wonderful love of God and His provision in my behalf.  The amazingly beautiful gift of salvation through Jesus’ work on the cross becomes crystal clear each time I spend time in His presence in praise, worship, and prayer

Allow God to Love You

Allow God to love you, listen to this word of rhyme.
Give Him your attention, share with Him your time.
Rest your weary mind, enjoy the encouragement He gives.
Allow the Spirit to soothe your soul, so without fear you can live.
Take the peace of the Savior; let it sing to you its sweet song.
Let joy flow forth inside you to make you strong.
Tear down the walls of bitterness, and the towers of pride.
Allow the forgiving Spirit to reign inside.
Rest in the Holy Scriptures, learn it promises and believe in them.
Allow the love of Christ to warm you from within.
Bring the sins that the enemy piles high on your back,
And allow God to throw them in the sea intact.
Trust in the One that loves you more than words can say.
Give Him your life and your problems and fears dissolve away.

Acts 16:31
And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

If you have never asked Jesus to be your Lord, this is the perfect time. It is so very simple, first, admit you are a sinner, and are in need of a Savior. Believe and accept what He did for you, and ask Jesus to enter your heart and to live His life in you. He is faithful; you will never be sorry for your decision!

Sometimes I Fail By Brenda Drake

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            I use to beat myself up for not acting the way I felt was acceptable to glorify God, and would help others recognize the Good News of Salvation.  Little by little it has sunk in I will never be a perfect example of what a Christ-follower should be. I am a new creation in Christ Jesus and a perfect example of God’s love and provision of salvation and grace.    

Sometimes I Fail

Sometimes I fail and fall short of what I should be.
And many flaws in my character I see.
My shortcomings are so clear,
If I dwell on them I begin to fear
I know at times my light shines dim.
And I need it seems to start all over again.
But when I begin to feel low,
Lord Your love again begins to flow.
You show me my value in Your eyes.
And remind me of Your sacrifice.
When You administer Your sweet touch,
It heals the brokenness and fills me up.
When I am weakest, You are my strength.
When my soul thirsts, You give me drink.
When I am overburdened You carry my part.
When lonely You remind me, You are in my heart.
When I fall You still do not cast me aside.
In my dark failures You see  my heart’s cry.
In my circumstances, and the flaws that disgrace;
You see perfection, filtered through grace.
Help me Lord to not be discouraged, but to strive to overcome.
So I am a glory to Jesus when my life is done

Psalms 32:5-7
I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah. For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him. Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah

Wisps of Truth By Brenda Drake

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The Holy Spirit starts His holy work long before we know or even desire to know God.  In times of quiet, and in times of trial we are touched with fascinating strands of truth. The salvation story enters into the hungry seeking heart.  I now have a great hunger for the Word.  God feeds me often all the wisdom I desire, and encourages me to even hunger for more!

Wisps of Truth

Wisps of truth, like delicate strands of gold
Deposited in the secret place the heart holds
Interwoven threads of goodness pure and undefiled
Bits of God’s wisdom that causes the heart to smile
Wondrous revelations that reveal God’s power and might
That floods the inner sanctuary with eternal lights
A supernatural breath of air that lifts up the heart to receive
That, that their faith believes
The truth of God’s love has a sweet taste
As God introduces the wonder of His grace
The captive is freed, like an eagle soars to great height
As God’s forgiveness fills the soul with unearthly delights
Great desire fills this place with the need to give praise
At the truth of unworthiness, the heart bows amazed
Beautifully adorned in worship as a living sacrifice
Filled and overflowing, one with Jesus Christ
A marvelous union so intricately designed
One with the Truth – perfectly aligned
Seek God and you will find peace
Seek His ability for He is your strength
Hunger for righteousness – He is the bread
Thirst for His wisdom, He is the head
Rest in His goodness, entrust your life to His care
He is the fullness you seek, He is always willing to share
Every trial you face, know He guides your step
Every battle formed against you He is prepared for it
Read God’s Word each and every day
And the delicate strands of His truth will show you His way

John 8:32
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free

Show and Extend Grace By Brenda Drake

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            Many forget God’s grace is a gift of undeserved favor and begin to rely on their own excellence. Then when they fail at their attempt in a walk of perfection they become discouraged and in need of a kind and understanding word of direction to redirect back into the arms of grace. .

Show and Extend Grace

Dejected and dismayed,
Forlorn  and unmade.
Hope is gone and faith has fled,
Recalling no more what God’s Word says.
He measures by the world’s scales his worth.
With opened eyes to his lack his heart hurts.
He has tried to do right in his own strength,
But the way ahead is harder than he thinks.
His companions within; boastfulness and pride,
Loudly speaks out like a blasting horn inside.
At life’s injustices anger seethes deep within,
Ready to emerge like a bomb lit in him.
He is a sad creature; few know the truth of his woe.
He is the one who tries to always be in control.
Pray for him for he needs to see and know his true worth,
It was measured when Christ came to earth.
Jesus paid a price large at Calvary.
On the cross He died to set him free.
When you see him, show and extend grace;
So the God that so loved him can again show him His face.

Titus 2:11
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

Bullied by The Accuser By Brenda Drake

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            Before I knew the grossness and the penalty of sin I had very little guilty feelings, but after I truly desired to live right, I was harassed with feelings of inadequacy to measure up to God’s Word.   One day the Lord showed me the absurdity of this.  He loved and died for me before I loved Him. Why now when I love Him would He love me less?  He would never need the help of His enemy to tell me what I need to do. 

Bullied by the Accuser

The enemy points out small infractions and paints them,
Seemingly, into large, gross, unforgivable sins.
He lays condemnation as a burden to pack;
He keeps piling things heavy on your back.
He points out everything to cause shame,
He loves to accuse and enjoys casting blame.
Critical, unloving, and judgmental without any grace,
He brings forth anything to disgrace.
The accuser has no right to blame you anymore;
For your every transgression is covered by the Lord.
Your worth is not measured by what you do or do not do.
Your worth is measured by who dwells inside of you.
If your own heart convicts thee;
Take heed but do not be bullied by the enemy.
He does not point out sin to those that he easily tempts,
He accuses those who desire to obey and repent.
If he can persuade them they are still full of sin.
He causes great discouragement in them.
Walk each day doing the best you can.
Do the work of God the best you understand.
If you sin, quickly repent in prayer,
And know you are forgiven for your God truly cares.
When you hear a taunt that will not cease its noise in your ear,
Rebuke it and turn away from it and it will not stay near.
One day you will behold the one that caused your heart and mind so much strife.
You will see how pitiful and how weak he is in the presence of Christ.

Revelations 12:8
And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

Taste of Freedom By Brenda Drake

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I love, enjoy and appreciate the liberties we experience in our Nation.  At times it feels as if they are rapidly slipping through our fingers.  My prayer is that God heals our land.  But there is a freedom to be enjoyed that tastes sweeter by far!  .

2 Timothy  1:7
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Taste of Freedom

The sweet taste of freedom many yearn to savor;
Where there is harmony and peace and God’s favor.
Then there are those have unknowingly let it go;
Little by little: painlessly, acceptably slow.
Some are blinded by the process and cannot see;
 Until it is too late to be reprieved.
Come into the place
Where freedom lives under God’s hand of grace.
You are set free from the debt of sin.
It has been taken care of by Him.
You are free to worship and set free to sing,
Songs of salvation to honor Christ the King.
You are free in spirit; even in the world of woes,
For you are free indeed in heart, mind and soul.
Set free to fully express and to share,
With a world in bondage the truth that God truly cares.
The sweet taste of freedom is greater when God heals the land.
All glory comes from and is delivered back to the God I AM.

John 8:36
If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

2 Corinthians 3:17
Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

The Greatest Love Story By Brenda Drake

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As a young woman, I loved to read love stories.  I dreamed of a knight in shiny armor rescuing me, or of prince- charming making me his princess.  Then one fine day I heard the most amazing love story that not only my Prince came to rescue me, He died to make me able to be His eternal bride.

The Greatest Story

The greatest love story ever told is about God’s plan.
How He would save His creation called man.
It tells how He took upon Himself their sin and shame,
So they could be without blame.
He loves so much He gives man choice of their own will;
To love Him, or to their own destiny fulfill.
He has paid the price to give life eternally.
He died a shameful death so they could be free.
He was raised up from the pits of the grave.
Man chooses to believe and receive His gift or to their own debt pay.
His desire is for all to come to be One with Him.
But most do not see the way to enter in.
The greatest love story many will never understand.
They are blinded by the world; only hearing the stories of man.

Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Psalms 119:30-35
I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me.
I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame.
I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.
Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.
Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart. 
Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.

Drop Into My Heart By Brenda Drake

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It took a while for me to realize I am unable to do anything of value without the Lord’s help.  I count on His help in everything for now I know my limitations;   I am weak, selfish, and not all that smart; but I also recognize He is shown strong in my weakness. 

Drop into my Heart

Drop into my heart all the wisdom I need for this day.
Give me ability to reach and for another pray.
Live loud in me as I proclaim,
The power and majesty of Jesus’ name.
Let it be your light that shines;
To assure and help another as they seek to the treasure find.
Speak loud through me your life-giving word,
So it is truly a message from heaven heard.
Steady my step, pave ahead my path,
Give me authority to conquer every foe where I am at.
As I draw near this day for my daily supply,
Fill me up with your goodness on high.
With your love, your kindness, your understanding deep,
Your joy, your strength and abiding peace.
Every morsel that you share with this vessel of clay,
I will attempt to give away.
As you drop wisdom in my heart I am able to flow,
Successfully with you from soul to soul.
This request is huge and I almost wonder at my plea.
But this I know, it is your passion that I seek.
It is your love, your touch, and words I crave,
So I will just believe I receive the requests I have made.

Psalms 28:7
The Lord is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusted in him, and I am helped:
therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth;
and with my song will I praise him.