Know When to Move On

 

By Andrea Merrell

I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking

 forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the

 race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, 

through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

Philippians 3:13-14 NLT

 

“Things change,” my friend said. “It seems nothing ever stays the same. I guess it’s time for me to move on.”

Her words caused me to look back over the years at all the seasons of my life I thought would last forever. Jobs. Relationships. A home church. But as the old saying goes, “When one door closes, another one opens.”

What I learned through each scenario is that when we belong to the Lord, He has a plan and purpose for each of us. There are seasons of our life that may last a few days, a few months, or even a few years. The good news is He gives us grace for each season—and when it ends, so does the grace. That’s when we know it’s time to move on.

I’ve tried to hang on at times, even when I knew a certain season had come to an end. It’s easy to become a creature of habit and resist change. But change is never a bad thing when we allow the Holy Spirit to lead and guide.

Paul said he had learned to be content in any given circumstance (Philippians 4:11). He made the best of it and did what he was called to do. But he also knew when it was time to move on to his next assignment. He changed his focus, forgot about the past, and looked forward to what lay ahead.

Don’t spend your time looking back, grieving over what was. Keep your eyes on the Lord, as Paul did, and let Him lead you into your next adventure.

Photo by Mantas Hesthaven on Unsplash

Perfect or Excellent?

 

By Andrea Merrell

Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence,

and moral excellence with knowledge.

2 Peter 1:5 NLT

 

For so many years of my life I struggled with perfectionism, thinking anything “less than” was unacceptable. I felt judged by others for a less-than-perfect appearance … behavior … house … children. The pressure I lived under to please others and measure up to their unrealistic standards and expectations—as well as my own—created a constant feeling of failure and self-condemnation, even shame. No peace. No joy.

I was looking for my self-worth and affirmation in all the wrong places.

One writer says that after she was born again, she lived in fear that her “salvation contract” would become null and void the moment she made a mistake or didn’t do things perfectly. She attributes these feelings to pride and the fear of man.

We need to remember that the Enemy will constantly bombard us with accusations: You royally messed up. You said the wrong thing. What you did was unacceptable—and unforgiveable. You’ll never be good enough, so you might as well quit trying.

But Jesus says, “I love you even though … in spite of … because of … There’s nothing we can say or do that His grace and forgiveness won’t cover. He doesn’t expect or require perfection; that’s a quality only He possesses.

Our responsibility is to strive to do things in excellence—doing the best we can with what we have and doing it all as unto Him. As one writer says, “His perfection covers our imperfections.”

Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net and David Castillo Dominici

A Servant’s Heart

 

By Andrea Merrell

Do the will of God with all your heart.  

Work with enthusiasm, as though

you were working for the Lord rather than for people.

Ephesians 6:6-7 NLT

 

She was already doing so much—teaching Sunday school, leading a Bible study, greeting, and working in the nursery—then they asked her to clean the church building.

The woman was exhausted and heading for burnout. Going to church felt like going to work, but she had a servant’s heart and couldn’t bring herself to say no. 

Sometimes we need to stop and ask ourselves, Why do I do what I do? Is it because I truly love my  place of service and feel called by the Lord, or have I been guilted into something I really don’t want to do?

Paul tells us that when we serve, it’s not to be as “men-pleasers” but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. He goes on to say that whatever we do should be done “as unto the Lord and not to men.”

Let your heart—and your service—be motivated by grace, not guilt, knowing that “the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do” (Ephesians 6:8 NLT).

That’s God’s way.

Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net and Stuart Miles.

The Truth About Grace

By Andrea Merrell

God’s grace. We talk about it. We thank Him for it. But do we really understand it?

We often refer to grace as God’s unmerited (undeserved) favor. Some call it divine assistance. While others deem it as mercy, kindness, or pardon.

While all these attributes are correct, we tend to leave out an important element—God’s power, or the power of God that works in us. When we receive God’s grace, it’s just the beginning. It opens the door. To what? The transforming power of God that is able to deliver us and change our circumstances.

Chris Tiegreen puts it like this:

Many Christians … speak of the grace that covers their brokenness without any expectation of fixing it; of grace that compensates for their wounds without any hope of healing them; of grace that forgives flaws without any sense of recovering from them. In other words, they need grace but deny hope and resist change.
 

Grace … is not only greater than all your sin; it’s also greater than all your habits and tendencies. It not only covers all your brokenness, wounds, and flaws; it can also heal them. In fact, it insists on healing them, even when you’re afraid of change or reluctant to enter into it. God offers his transforming power to anyone bold enough to accept it. Grace and power flow together. Never seek one without the other.

God’s grace, as the song says, is truly amazing. And it prepares the way for God to set us free by His power. Grace and power … a matched set that can turn your life around and bless you in ways you can’t imagine. That’s a truth you can bank on.

(Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net and radnatt.)

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Are You a Grace-Giver?

By Andrea Merrell

Do not judge, and you will not be judged. 

Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned.

Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

Luke 6:37 NIV

The first thought that shot through my mind when I saw the girl was, do you even own a mirror?

The next was maybe that’s the best she has. Then, maybe no one ever taught her how to dress properly and modestly. And finally, maybe she’s starved for attention and this is all she knows to do. Pray for her.

Ouch! I quickly repented of my critical attitude.

My grandparents always told me not to judge, make fun of, or look down on anyone. “Except for the grace of God, that could be you,” they said.

The Bible says “judge not.” Why? In order that we won’t be judged in return. So, how do we overcome a judgmental attitude and a critical spirit? By extending grace.

The truth is everyone messes up. But when we set high, unrealistic standards for others to live up to, we set them up for failure—at least in our own eyes. It’s that whole idea of removing a tiny splinter from another person’s eye when we have a stack of firewood in ours.

The Lord told Paul, “my grace is sufficient.” And it’s sufficient for us as well, both as the giver and the receiver. Pastor and author Bob Gass says, “When you take it upon yourself to condemn others, you are denying them the same grace you may need before the day is over.”

God gave freely so we might do the same. I need His grace, so I must extend it to others.

How about you? Are you a grace-giver?

(Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net and Stuart Miles.)

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When you take it upon yourself to condemn others,you are denying them the same grace you may need before the day is over. via @AndreaMerrell (Click to tweet.)

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Are You Growing in Grace?

By Andrea Merrell

But grow in grace, and in the knowledge 

of our Lord and Savior

Jesus Christ. To him be glory 

both now and forever. Amen.

2 Peter 3:18 KJV

Except for the grace of God, that could be you.

I’ve heard that statement all my life, especially from my grandparents—whether it was making fun of people who were different or looking down on folks who had less.

But what does grace really mean?

We sing about God’s amazing grace. We offer it up as a prayer before meals. Paul called it sufficient despite his problems. We are expected to extend it to others.

Most people define grace as God’s unmerited favor. We are saved by grace. But as I’ve gotten older, studied God’s Word, and had numerous opportunities to experience His goodness, I’ve realized it means so much more.

My former pastor once said that grace is “the power of God working within us.” I’ve also heard it said that grace causes growth. When we become new creations in Christ, grace is a catalyst that equips us to live a godly life of discipline, commitment, and obedience. The more we grow in grace, the more like Christ we become—loving, caring, compassionate, giving, and more considerate of others. As the “old man” fades away, we become less negative, critical, judgmental, angry, and self-centered.

As I look back over the years, I see how much time I wasted by not allowing God full reign in my heart and life. Today, my prayer is that I will continue to grow in grace and never take it for granted. Grace is a gift from God that I need each and every day of my life. It is also a gift that I need to freely extend to others.

What about you? Are you growing in grace?

(Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net/radnatt)

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Don't Call Grace Busters

By Andrea Merrell

Do not give dogs what is sacred;

do not throw your pearls to pigs.

If you do, they may trample them under their feet,

and then turn and tear you to pieces.

Matthew 7:6 NIV

Do you have a grace buster in your life? You know … those people who shoot you in the foot every time God blesses you?

When I was growing up, my grandfather used to say to me, “Don’t cast your pearls before swine, and watch out for the dogs.” He had a lot of pet sayings, but for some reason, this was one of his favorites. He used it often and with a smirky little grin that seemed to say, “I know something you don’t—but maybe one day you’ll find out.”

Well, he was right. For years, I had visions of chubby pink animals with curly tails stomping beautiful white pearls underfoot, and mangy dogs trying to tear me apart—until the day I said the right thing to the wrong person. In my eagerness to share what God had spoken to my heart, hoping for encouragement and affirmation, I became the object of ridicule and scorn. Maybe it was jealousy or immaturity on the part of the hearer. Maybe they just didn’t give a rip. Whatever the reason for their reaction, I was deeply hurt.

I learned a hard lesson that day. It seems dreams, goals, and visions are a private, intimate matter of the heart. They are not to be taken lightly or shared with just anyone. I found out that by sharing my innermost desires and passions with the wrong person can bring on a bad case of doubt, discouragement, and disillusionment … causing me to give up on my dreams.

 

When God pours out His grace on you and blesses you in abundance, be careful who you share it with. Choose your confidants and counselors wisely and—whatever you do—don’t call the grace busters.

(Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net/atibodyphoto/Idea go.)

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Holding Tightly to God's Grace

By Andrea Merrell

My mother is dying and my daughter–my friend—is moving eight hours away. I can't seem to stop the tears.

The last visit with my mother was heart wrenching. As dark, vacant eyes stared at me from the nursing home bed, I wondered what thoughts were swirling through her mind—thoughts she could not express because she has almost lost her ability to speak. Even her scribbles on a piece of paper were undecipherable.

She knew me, but there was no communication between us … never has been. It was awkward at best … always has been. Not knowing what else to do, I took her face in my hands and leaned down toward her. She kissed my cheek. I kissed hers. “I love you,” I said, and she mouthed the words back to me. That may be my very last memory of her. Only time will tell.

Now I grieve for the relationship we never had and believe for a second chance when we are reunited in heaven.  

And while I struggle with the knowledge my daughter will no longer be minutes away, I rejoice and give thanks for the close and loving relationship we have ... the kind of relationship I wish I'd had with my own mother. 

It’s a dichotomy of sorts. Opposites. Two ends of the spectrum. So I shed tears of both joy and sadness, and I trust God to guard my heart. I hold tightly to His grace, knowing that things change. Seasons of our life come and go. When I feel overwhelmed and don’t know what to do, I run to Him.

My grace is sufficient, He whispers.

In a world where life is hard and things don’t always make sense, that’s enough for me.

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Sufficient Grace

By Andrea Merrell

My grace is sufficient for you, for my power 

is made perfect in weakness.

2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV

Sometimes I think God is asking a little much.

Do all things without murmuring and disputings.

Seriously? No moaning, groaning, griping, or complaining—even when my life is upside down and I have so much on my plate? That’s a pretty tall order.

Great peace have they who love the law and nothing shall offend them.

Nothing? Seriously?

All things considered, no one had more reason to murmur, complain, and be offended than Paul. He was beaten, shipwrecked, stoned, and imprisoned. He was even given a messenger of Satan—a thorn in the flesh—to keep him humble. I don’t know about you, but those are all good reasons to gripe. So, how did Paul handle it?

Only with God’s grace.

When the Lord said, My grace is sufficient, that was enough for Paul. In fact, Paul said, Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

Now that is the epitome of faith and trust.

Looking back over some traumatic events in my own life, I now see how God’s grace—and His grace alone—sustained me and brought me through the fires of adversity. When I was at my weakest, He poured His strength into me and kept me moving forward.

We sing about “Amazing Grace,” but do we ever really stop and think how truly amazing it is? Without it, we could never be saved. The absence of grace would be like going through the motions without God’s unmerited favor and His power working within us.

Grace … what a wonderful gift. Receive it today.

(Photos courtesy of morguefile.com.)

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