Offering Accepted By Brenda Drake

Ephesians 1: 6-8
To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

            He provided for us every step of the way.  Even in our acceptance of His provision, He is our righteousness within. I offer my life to His service; knowing full well, He is the strength and ability inside.  His love and provision in my behalf, makes my offering holy and acceptable in the Father’s sight.

The Offering Accepted

The Holy offering; was sacrificed,
The Son of God offered His life.
He gave so you could receive,
Everything you ever would need.
In His gift; of sacrificial love.
You are forgiven, healed, and led to the Father above.
In His holy work on the cross you find,
The place of mercy and grace aligned.
The debt of sin is forever paid,
For the believing heart provision is made.
A forever bond is formed; never to end.
Jesus paid sin’s penalty for new life to begin.
His gift is free but the cost was greater than you can know.
Full acceptance is assured for every believing, receiving soul.
When you come in repentance and thanksgiving, all needed to do,
Is to offer the life that is now saved, to in God’s holy direction move.
All you say, all you think and all you do with Christ in mind,
Is an offering accepted, when with God’s will aligned.
Even, an apparent mistake or miss-step in your way of living,
When you repent, is an offering accepted; and you are forgiven.

1 Peter 2:5
Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood,
to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

Remember ? By Brenda Drake

God the Father loved us so much He sent Jesus to die in our place. Jesus loved us so much He endured all our sin to make us new and one with Him.  Holy Spirit loves us so much He reminds us He is present and desires for us to remember the joys of our Salvation, and our commitment to live for Jesus and not just ourselves.

Remember?

Do you remember the commitment you made long ago?
To live your life for the One who died to save your soul?
Do you remember the feeling you had back then?
How lovely you felt knowing you belonged to Him?
How are you proving your stand for Christ?
Are you a living as a living sacrifice?
Does your light shine for the One you profess as Lord?
Can another find the way forward?
By watching your life and testimony; by the words you speak,
Does it encourage another lost soul to seek?
Do you remember the times your heart sang lovely songs for God’s ear;
 Precious, lovely, sounds that chased away your sadness and fear?
I recall how lovely they always sound when you remember to pray.
Remember, your heart is the place where your God stays.
Sweet heart that has been set aside for the King,
Do not forget to the gift of your life each day bring.

 Psalms 51:12-13
Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation;
and uphold me with thy free spirit.
 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways;
and sinners shall be converted unto thee.

Embrace the Distance By Brenda Drake

In times like these we are called to distance ourselves to fight a battle. We can fight the distancing time or we can embrace it with a prayer.

Embrace the Distance

Embrace the distance by drawing closer to the Son.
Spend some quality time getting Kingdom work done
Call the neighbor, and near and far away friend,
Let them know you are thinking and praying for them.
Forgive the one, who has offended,
And pray for them to prove the hard feelings are ended.
Extend a helping hand reaching across the miles,
To lift another’s spirit causing them to smile.
Mend injured relationships with loved ones close at hand.
In their hurt and turmoil pray and seek to understand.
Read the Good Book and other good books too,
So the God you love and serve shines through.
Embrace the distance and spend
Some time, enjoying simple things again.
Express your feelings and listen to what others leave unsaid.
Touch by speaking wisdom as you are by God’s Spirit led.
Play a game, take a walk, sing and even dance if you can
Trust and have faith you are on God’s mind and firmly held in His hand.

Zephaniah 3:17
The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty;
he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy;
he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.

Romans 8:37-39
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.