#gracewithindevotionals

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised (Proverbs 31:30).

  We live in a competitive world. The pressures to be thin, beautiful, fit, smart, sexy, funny, rich, and popular trap us in a relentless vise-grip. Anyone can become gripped by a disorder or an addictive lifestyle. You could be a college student, a businesswoman, a nurse, a mom, a dance instructor, a retail clerk, or aSunday school teacher. No one is exempt. Feelings of inadequacy and inferiority ravage hearts of Christians and non-Christians alike.

  Our attempts to measure up are all-consuming traps. They focus our attention inward verses upward. When we get caught in the trap of striving to measure up, we focus on ourselves. That was never God’s plan. We were designed to focus on Him. Shifting our attention from ourselves to God will change our perspective. God longs for our obsession to be Him.

  “I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols” (Isaiah 42:8).

  A common way we attempt to measure up is through comparison. Comparing is one of the most dangerous and destructive behaviors that we women engage in. We compare everything—our husbands, our children, our churches, our cars, our lifestyles, etc. We compare our homes, our schedules, our finances, our blessings, and our burdens. There is a subtle, internal dialogue that plagues our minds and causes us to pull out our measuring sticks and hold them up to our associates, our friends, our family, our neighbors...people around us.

  That’s not to say that we should isolate ourselves or withdraw from awareness of others. We need to be able to relate to our friends, families, and neighbors. No question. But we shouldn’t compare ourselves to them. We shouldn't compare ourselves to ANYONE.

  Comparing your life, your family, your stuff, your failures, and your accomplishments to that of someone else is dangerous. Very dangerous. It draws the focus of your heart to you instead of to God. The comparing game also brews a bitter cup ofjealousy and resentment. How many of you have tasted more than your fair share of that bitter drink?

  You find the same in the church... How many times have you looked across the aisle and thought, “She’s such a godly woman I wish I was more like her,” or “I wish I could pray like her (or sing like her, or speak like her, or bake like her, or be popular like her, or be organized like her)”? She dresses this way or that way...I WISH....

  Often the things we compare are completely meaningless, fluffy things.

  Do you have a girlfriend with perfect hair? How about a girlfriend with a husband who treats her as a precious jewel? Got a friend whose house is crazy-organized? Do you have a friend who works out faithfully and looks like she belongs on the cover of a fitness magazine? Feeling envious and jealous because YOU FEEL someone is BETTER THAN YOU? Sure you do - probably will never admit to the truth - all of our ill feelings towards ANYTHING starts with us.  

  Are you aware of your own shortcomings? I know I fall short in many areas....being aware of my shortcomings does not mean I belittle myself...it makes me want to do something about it - become a better person and I know I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME. It’s easy to listen to the negative  voices in your head that say, “You’re not this, and you’re not that. You don’t do this well, and you can’t do that.” Your internal comparison dialog is a vicious measuring stick that the enemy loves to wave in your face. Your defense in such an attack should be God’s truth. You were made to be you, and are called to be uniquely you, for Him.

  Yes, we should strive to live lives of excellence. And yes, we should be aware of personal areas that need improvement. But God intends that we should bloom where we are planted and thrive in our gifting’s so that His church can function in a healthy way.

  In the New Testament book of 1 Corinthians, the apostle Paul shows us clearly that each of us has a divine design and an important role to play in the Body of Christ.

  For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body. And if the ear says, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body". If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. If they were all one member, where would the body be? But now there are many members, but one body (1 Corinthians 12:14-20, NASB).

  God has a special plan for YOUR life. God’s gifts forYOU are the best gifts for YOU to possess. He fashioned YOU in His image and tenderly knit YOU inYOUR mother’s womb. You are purposed to be a God-loving YOU.

  It’s time we quit chasing the interests of othersand start pursuing the passions that were written on our hearts. Our role in the Body of Christ is essential. God wants us to stop trying to measure up to everybody around us and be content in Him.

  Know who YOU are in Christ....we are all individuals - different - which makes each one of  us unique.  My Blessings are my Blessings and Your Blessings are Your Blessings....from the lyrics of Mary Mary - Go Get YOUR Blessings....

WHEN YOU NEED TO FEEL ACCEPTED BY GOD...

  Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close.  Psalm 27:10

  Since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.  Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God's glory.  Romans 5:1-2

  Nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Romans8:39

  WHEN YOU'RE HAVING TROUBLE ACCEPTING LIFE'S CIRCUMSTANCES...

  To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life - this is indeed a gift from God.  Ecclesiastes5:19

  You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! 

 Isaiah 26:3

At times we may struggle with directions we receive from the Lord. We question whether they are from Him because they . . .

Clash with our personal desires. The mother of James and John asked that her sons sit beside Jesus in heaven. The Lord said no to her selfish ambition and called her sons to a life of humble service to others (Matthew 20:20–28).

Conflict with our human reasoning. Some of the disciples expected Jesus to rule as the long-prophesied King. When He told them He was going to be killed by the religious leaders, His words didn’t line up with their thinking about the future.

Challenge our faith. Christ told the disciples that He would be resurrected on the third day (Matthew 16:21). Peter and the others had to accept Jesus’ words even though many people of the day—including some religious leaders—did not believe in the resurrection of the body (Matthew 22:23).

God’s direction may call for courage as well. We see this clearly in Joshua’s life. The Lord appointed him as the leader who would take Israel into the Promised Land (Josh. 1:1-6). Our heavenly Father may ask us to become a leader in our local church, to participate in a missions trip, or to serve those who are hard to love. He wants us to step forward bravely and obey.

Following God shouldn’t involve guesswork. Scripture is a good source for confirming divine direction, as our Father won’t give any guidance that is contrary to biblical principles. Receiving godly counsel from a pastor or mature believer can also reassure us that we've heard correctly (Proverbs 15:22).

On any given day, we may encounter frustrating people and situations, such as the slow driver, mischievous child, or uncooperative co-worker. We may feel like lashing out, but God wants us to stay calm and be patient with everyone (1 Thessalonians 5:14).

Why should we want to develop patience?

Our calling. Though once alienated from the Lord, we have been made part of His family through Jesus’ shed blood. As God’s children, we’re called to live a life worthy of Him—one that is characterized by humility, gentleness, and patience (Ephesians 4:1–3).

Biblical teaching. Scripture tells us to be tolerant of one another, bearing each other’s burdens, and responding with kindness.

Jesus’ example. The Lord demonstrated patience toward Peter’s impetuous actions, the crowd’s demands, and the leaders’ false accusations. We are to cultivate an attitude of composure.

Healthy relationships. Our impatience can hurt others and close off dialog. Responding calmly gives room for the other person to confess wrongdoing, explain his attitude, and make changes.

God’s approval. The apostle Paul wrote that we are to be joyful in hope and patient in affliction (Romans 12:12 niv). When we quietly endure our suffering, we find favor with the Lord (1 Peter 2:20).

The Holy Spirit is conforming us to Christ’s image. As we cooperate with Him, He will develop in us the ability to persevere—without becoming agitated—when waiting or provoked. A calm demeanor in times of delay or adversity can be a powerful witness to the transforming work of God.

  Being patient is not one of my best qualities and I know the Lord is working with me in that area - He has put me in situations where I must be patient or else. He knows what we need at all times to stay in His grace.  He knows what is keeping us from receiving all of His Promises and Blessings. He can and will fix us - if we allow Him to do so. We first must recognize that we need help in certain areas. None of us are perfect.  We can be in denial - fooling ourselves...but we can't fool God - He knows more about us than we know about our selves.. Remember He is the Beginning and the End. Growth and Maturity comes from acknowledging who you really are....face your shortcomings.

PSALM 8:5  Thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.

  There are not many days that go by where I feel very holy. As much as I might like to be a reflection of Jesus Christ, I am afraid that my image is a very dim one at best. For each success I have at walking in the footsteps of Christ, I have a dozen failures where I have strayed from the path. And through it all, God still loves me totally. In my imperfection, God still reveres me and thinks I am good. It boggles the mind to realize that human beings are God's pride and joy. Despite the grief and frustration we must be, God believes in us and helps us to be the best people that we can be. He loves His children and rejoices in their victories. Our Lord created us just lower than the angels; the most perfect of His creations.

  Despair not. No matter how inadequate we might feel, we are considered beautiful by our Creator, and in the end it is His opinion, not ours, that makes all the difference in the world.

People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered.  Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.  Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.  Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you.  Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, others could destroy overnight.  Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.  Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten.  Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.  Give the world the best you have anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God.  It was never between you and them anyway.

Even when your struggle seems to be for nothing, God Himself will be your reward.

Job's story begins in a settling on earth.  He is wealthy and powerful; he has a wife and many children; he is kind and generous, a model of faith.  Then the scene changes abruptly.  In the heavenly court, Satan challenges God, arguing that Job is good and faithful because God has made it easy for him.  Satan wants to put this man to the test, and God allows him to take away Job's wealth, then his children, and finally his health (Job 1-2).

Job is left with nothing but his pain.  He sits on an ash heap, where he laments, scratches his scores, and longs to bring his complaint before the Lord.  Visiting Job to comfort him, three friends venture to explain why he's suffered so much: they say it's because he has done something to deserve it.  His wife tells him to curse God.  Job cries out in agony and despair to the Lord and wishes he were dead.  But he rejects his friends' tidy explanations and refused to curse the Lord (Job 3-6).

Then the Lord spoke to Job out of a whirlwind, demonstration with absolute authority that He is God--transcendent, powerful, and wise.  Job is simply overwhelmed by this experience and in the end, surrendered and confesses that he interpreted matters he didn't understand (Job 38-42).

How many of you can withstand what Job experienced?  It might all seem so random and unfair to us, largely because we stand outside the experience, thinking abstractly about God, as Job's friends did.  It was Job who experienced his specific catastrophic losses.  Then again, it was Job who experienced the glory of Yahweh coming to him in that specific way.  That's why, when we look at Job's story, we have to imagine what it would have been like for Job to meet the real God, and thus, why Job found he had no more questions to ask.  For when a man discovers God as a real and glorious being, he finds that it is God who is the answer to every question.  Job's reward wasn't the restoration of his livelihood and family (though he was given those gifts); his true reward was nothing less than God Himself.

This is why Job's story can be a signpost: Job struggled, but somehow he pressed on in faith, if only as much as he know how, until the Lord appeared.  Then all his complaints and questions turned to wonder: "I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know...I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you" Job 42:3-5).

Bible consist of many "Signpost" stories and the possibilities they contain for guiding us on our own pilgrimage with God. Our life and it's outcome, was written over 2000 years ago...there is someone in the Bible you can identify with.

Even when you feel forgotten, the story isn't over.

Consider the story of Joseph (Gen. 37:39-47).  What was it like for him to be betrayed by his brothers? To be sold as a slave? To be imprisoned for honoring his unappreciative master and trying to guard the honor of his master's manipulative wife?  His suffering lasted far longer than we can imagine or would have been able to endure.  This is no sweet and sentimental story--not if you get inside it and imagine yourself in Joseph's shoes.

One little incident in particular strikes me as just the kind of experience that could break a person.  As the story goes, two men from the Pharaoh's court, the cup-bearer and the baker, were imprisoned from some impropriety.  Both had dreams so confusing that they had no idea how to interpret them.  Joseph noticed how troubled the men seemed and inquired about their distress.  Telling the young Hebrew their dreams, they were surprised to discover that God had given Joseph the ability to interpret them.  For the cup-bearer's dream, he predicted a favorable outcome; for the baker's dream, he predicted an unfavorable outcome.  Then he implored the cup-bearer to remember him once his position of authority before Pharaoh was reinstated.

But the cup-bearer forgot his promise, and Joseph remained in prison.

It must have been profoundly disappointing and disillusioning to Joseph, who could have given up on God there and then.  He had remained faithful, but where was the evidence of God's faithfulness?  Why trust God any more?

Joseph knew nothing of the future.  He had no idea of what was further down the road: Egypt's years of bounty and famine; Pharaoh's disturbing dream; Joseph supervisory role in the collection and distribution of grain that would later save Egypt; his reconciliation with his brothers and joyous reunion with his father.  Joseph had to make a choice: TRUST GOD or abandon faith? Joseph chose to Trust God, though his chance for deliverance "appeared" to have come and gone.

If Joseph had been released when he had hoped and expected to be, his circumstances would have turned out well for him, but not for others.  In all likelihood, Joseph would never have seen his brothers and father again, never assumed a high position of responsibility in the court, never rescued an entire nation from starvation.  Such would have been the price of a premature ending to the story.  Like Sarah, Joseph was called to believe that the Lord is at work when there was little or no evidence.  And he stayed on God's path.

We never know why God allows us to experience uncomfortable situations. Why He watches us suffer, even though His Word states we will have trials and tribulations in this world, we don't expect to or want to live out our trials and tribulations.

As children of God we know nothing just happens - there is a reason for everything we experience in our life - be it good or bad. We know some of our trials and tribulations comes from our wrong choices and decisions, some are testing of our faith and some may be steps ordered by God. We also know that no matter our circumstances:

* We should wait patiently on the Lord, staying on His path and in due season He will Bless us abundantly.

* We should delight ourselves in the Lord, and He shall give us the desires of our heart.

* We should hold on and be strong, be obedient to His Word, we are children of God, we resist the Devil, NO weapon formed against us shall prosper.

* Jesus is the beginning and the end - He will not leave us nor forsake us. 

In general, we are not equipped to live up to one another's expectations. Too much sin gets in the way. We all have experienced or will experience disappointments, betrayal, false accusations, etc., from all people in general (family and friends included).  During those times, as children of God, we are to look to Him, make the choice to Trust God through it all - DO NOT ALLOW ANYONE to move you to a place where you abandon your faith.