Tag: Peace

Grace, Mercy, and Peace

Posted on By Tina "Richele" Ballinger No Comments on Grace, Mercy, and Peace
Grace, Mercy, and Peace
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When reading in the book of Titus recently these three words stood out to me in Paul’s greeting to Titus, Grace, Mercy, and Peace (Titus 1:4). For a moment I paused to consider the depth of these words which can be found in greetings throughout several books in the New Testament. I think if we stop and think about them, the three words are among the greatest gifts we can desire from our Heavenly Father. I know that on a daily basis I desire his grace as I often take my eyes off of the path he has laid before me and wander off course. In the wandering I certainly need his mercy to find my way back and at the close of the day when I come before him I long for his sweet peace to fill my soul.

“To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.” Titus 1:4

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

“Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” II Timothy 2:1

“The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.” Psalms 103:8

“Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.” Luke 6:36

“It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” Lamentations 3: 22-23

“Thou will keep him in perfect peace, whose mid is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” Isaiah 26:3

“I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.” Psalms 4:8

“Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.” II Thessalonians 3:16

In this world we will have constant turmoil, but in God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, we can find Grace, Mercy, and Peace.

“Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.” II John 1:3

No Resolutions, No Goals, No Pre-planned Ideas

Posted on By Tina "Richele" Ballinger No Comments on No Resolutions, No Goals, No Pre-planned Ideas
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This might sound completely foreign to those of us who are resolution makers, goal setters and over achievers with well thought out plans dating all the way back to 19 72. But looking back, what exactly did those resolutions, goals, and plans do for us? How far did we make it into the year before we through them all out the window and hoped for better results in the next year. I have found many more times than I care to admit, that I barely made it through the first week before I realized I had already gotten off track and felt the urge to just give up. This year as I approached the new year I thought long and hard about the way I have always done things, fully remembering the old cliche “doing things the same way over and over again and expecting different results is insanity”. Yes, looking back “insanity” could describe the way I met each new year. As I reflected it came to me that the reason that each year came and went with very little success in keeping my resolutions, achieving my yearly goals, or accomplishing my well laid out plans had to do with “me”. Each of those resolutions, goals, and plans were ones that I felt were best for me to have a “successful” year. Not only were these things that I felt were best, but I also thought I would accomplish each and everyone of them in and of my own effort. There in lines the problem, the insanity of thinking that I could establish my own plans, carry out those plans on my own, and still make it through the year to even January 15th without failing miserably. This is where the insanity part occurs.

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Jeremiah 29:11

This year rather than identify any new year resolutions, or identify any specific new year goals, or make any new plans I will rather wait and see what his thoughts are for me, because I know that his thoughts will bring peace, his thoughts will result in progress. So, rather than do the same thing I have always done expecting different results I am choosing a word from him. His work for me in 2025 is the word “ABIDE”.

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except you abide in me.” John 15:4-5

To Abide means to remain, to stay, or to dwell in a place. In 2025 I want to remain in Christ, I want to stay with Christ, I want to dwell in Christ and I fully expect that I will find at the end of 2025 the thoughts that He had for me will be accomplished toward the expected end just as He intended. So no resolutions, no goals, and no pre-planned ideas for 2025. I will simply ABIDE !