thoughts by Mary Pinckney Archives - Page 5 of 8

Published January 6, 2020

Reflections

As I sat this morning, quietly listening to the waves crash upon the shore, I heard the Holy Spirit say “write where you are.” So here goes, my raw thoughts from this morning…

It’s morning, as I sit and watch the waves crash upon the shore, I can’t help but reflect on Your goodness. How Your love surrounds us and overshadows us, even when we fail to take notice. How Your blood washed over our dirty, sin filled souls. You cleansed us from all of our guilt and iniquity. Acts 10:15

It is times like these I want to just jump in and get wet; just to bask in Your presence until all my fears are gone. I want to dive into the sea of Your love and just be at peace, be at rest.

Life sometimes takes us by surprise, but You are always constant, just like the waves of the sea. You are always present. Your love never fades away. Your love is so refreshing, so breathtaking, it’s so hard to imagine life without it, life without You.

The stillness of this moment makes life so worth living. The birds fly without a care in the world. The sea roars in contentment, in worship, settled into what You created it to be. The sun fades away in the faint distance as the clouds give way to rain.

My heart, so heavy, so free at the same time because only You know how to wash away my pain. You took away what I once held so dear; my worries, my doubts, all my concerns and washed them all away. You reminded me of Your great love for me and how you will always stay.

You are always there, so constant, so consistent like the roaring sea. Why should I fear? Why should I be discouraged? You hold me all so near. You wrap me in the sea of Your love, now I have no fears.

I wade in a little bit deeper just to experience what I have been missing. Fear has kept me at arm’s length, never fully experiencing life’s fullness. Never fully launching out into the deep; the depths of Your love will never harm me.

So today, I give myself freely to You, Your love, Your touch; desiring Your healing Hand to restore every broken part of me. Every tear, every pain, every heartache I have contained, cast it into the sea of forgetfulness right now, I must. Longing to bask fully in who You are, in Your love so true. The sea of Your love has captured me. It stills my soul. It reminds me of Your great love; Your Son, Jesus You sent from above.

I’ll hold on to Your hand as You lead me to new depths in You; never forgetting You are with me, every step. You promised to not leave me, abandon me You won’t. It is the sea of Your love that holds me so close. So near I can taste You yet so far, I pant after You, not wanting to let go. You won’t leave me, no. You won’t ever let me go.

I sit and I watch in awe, in wonder at the works of Your hands. It’s so majestic, yet so refreshing all in the same breath. Your power so quaint yet well-defined with each wave. You have taken me captive. I can’t seem to pull away. So, I will just sit and be overtaken by Your great love. I’m here Lord, I’m here to stay.

By Mary Pinckney
Used by Permission

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Cast Your Cares on God

Published December 4, 2019

Cast Your Cares on God

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)

Father, teach us to rest in Your love for us. Too often we get sidetracked by the cares and the concerns of this world. We allow what we see dictate our belief, our emotions, our hope. We are so-o easily moved by the media and what is happening around us. Remind us of the need to cast our cares upon you. Remind us of the need to keep our attention on Your promises to us. Remind us to come to You when we are worried, alone, tired, lonely, and afraid. Remind us that You are with us. You will never leave us nor forsake us. You are our hope. You are our peace. You are our shelter in the time of the storm. We trust You. We offer this prayer in Jesus name Amen.

By Mary Pinckney
Used by Permission

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Is Your Attitude Ruining Your Relationships?

Published November 29, 2019

Is Your Attitude Ruining Your Relationships?

“Let your gentle spirit be made known to all men.” Philippians 4:5 (NASB)

We live in a society that is filled with hurting people, many of whom go unnoticed on a regular basis. Have you stopped to take notice of the people around you?

We often get so consumed with meeting the next deadline, competing for the next promotion, or running to our next obligation, that we lose sight of how we treat the people around us. Sadly, our busyness can lead to harshness, critical attitudes, frustration, or just being overwhelmed to the point that we treat the ones we love unfairly.

How many of your relationships are strained because you need to make an attitude adjustment this very moment? It’s time to push pause. Take a deep breath and release the weight of what you have been carrying. Remember, as a born again believer, you have been called to be a light to those around you. People are taking note of your every move. You are to exhibit Christ’s nature that is within. I know we all have our days… but ultimately, Jesus should be seen, not us.

I encourage you today to put on gentleness, even in the midst of those moments of frustration. Slow down and begin to pay attention to what really matters. It is not the to-do lists that are waiting to be tackled. It is the people connected to you. Let gentleness go before you today. The things you accomplish will mean very little if you have no one to share them with.

Father, help us to be mindful today of our attitudes. Help us to pay close attention to the ones we hurt because we are not paying attention to the little things. May our words and our mannerisms be seasoned with grace. May we pause to take time to commune with You in order to receive the love that we need to share with those around us. Lord, let Your love flow through us like never before. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Take Action: Develop a new habit of taking a deep breath the next time you are ready to lose your cool. Stop and whisper a prayer for God to help you remain calm and to allow His fruit to work in your everyday life.

By Mary Pinckney
Used by Permission

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You Get to Choose

Published November 14, 2019

You Get to Choose

“If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.’ For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” Isaiah 1:19-20

When our children were younger, we would often share with them the power of choice. It was simple — if you do well, you get rewarded. If you do wrong, you will suffer the consequences for that action. It didn’t take long for them to realize which choice was better. This lesson still helps to keep them on the right course today.

As we look to the Scriptures we see that God gave the children of Israel a similar choice. “If you are willing and obedient you will eat the good things of the land” (Isaiah 1:19). One would think this is an easy choice to make.

Of course we want the good, the best of the land. However, our sinful nature does not always allow us to choose what is best. We often make the wrong choice.

Before the covenant of grace, it was impossible to keep the law as God required. God knew this but wanted us to understand the difficulty of living life without Him. Under grace, we now can obey in the Spirit’s power. Even if we make the wrong choice, we have the Holy Spirit nudging us to get it right. We have an advocate in Jesus, going before the Father on our behalf, asking that we be pardoned.

Does it mean we willingly take advantage of that grace? Of course not. It simply means that if we choose wrong the first time, we have another chance to choose wisely. If we fail to do so, our consequences will soon help us to get back on track.

Father, guide me daily as I make decisions in my everyday life and relationships. Help me to see clearly the error of my own ways. I admit I need your grace in my life daily in order for me to experience your best. Amen.

By Mary Pinckney
Used by Permission

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Be Teachable

Published November 1, 2019

Be Teachable

“Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man whom You discipline and instruct, O Lord, and teach out of Your law, that You may give him power to keep himself calm in the days of adversity.” Psalm 94:12-13 (AMP)

As I take a look at our key scripture, I am reminded of God’s love for us.

We are truly fortunate to have a Father that disciplines and instructs us. It is our job to be teachable and make sure we are paying attention.

This verse also stresses that the Lord gives us power to keep ourselves calm in the days of adversity. I believe it is a direct result of what we learn from the wisdom God gives in His Word. It is good to know that our God is strategic. Everything He does has purpose. Nothing that we encounter surprises Him. He uses the hardships of our journey to mold us into a vessel that is pleasing to Him.

When you are faced with difficult issues take time to consult the Word of God. It is through His word that we find the ammunition that is needed to keep us firmly planted as the pressures of life mount. My prayer for you today is that you will begin to desire the sincere milk of the Word. Allow it to strengthen you in your everyday walk. Be teachable as the Lord to trains and instructs you in the way that you should go. It will be well with you.

Father your word teaches us that we can trust you in our daily lives. I pray that we will take the time needed to learn the lessons that you are teaching us. I pray that we will be students of your word, desiring your word as our necessary food. Amen.

How do you handle life’s difficult issues?

By Mary Pinckney
Used by Permission

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Teach Me to Love Again

Published October 22, 2019

Teach Me to Love Again

I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]
Hebrews 13:5b

Pain can be a dreadful teacher when it comes to relationships. Think about it, we open our hearts to be loving and accepting to others at a young age. That innocence is betrayed at the first sign of disappointment, rejection or abandonment, leaving us with a pain that shakes us to our core. Through it all, we must face the inevitable decision to love again.

Vulnerability does not come easy after we have been hurt. We often brace ourselves for the next betrayal. The pain of it leaves us fearful and alone. It is easy to recoil instead of taking a chance at being hurt again. Recoiling causes us to retreat more and more into ourselves, our work, success, and other accomplishment or even addictions. When we do, we lose out on one of the greatest human experiences we can ever have; love.

If you are currently at a crossroads in your relationship, what choice will you make? Will you retreat to the frightful cave you built for yourself or will you be courageous and trust that through it all, God is with you? Regardless to how anyone else makes us feel, the pain they caused in our lives, we have a Savior that promises not to leave us nor forsake us. He will never abandon us, physically or emotionally. God’s love can bring about the freedom needed to love again. God’s love can heal our wounded souls and teach us how to open our hearts again even amid bouts of fear.

Father, you know the pain and the heartaches we have experienced in our relationships. You know the deep wounds that still bleed need mending. I thank you that you are the God that can bind up those very wounds and heal our broken hearts. Teach us to love again, I pray. Teach us to trust again. Teach us to give ourselves freely even amid fear. Teach us to be true to ourselves and set proper boundaries in place in all our relationships. It is in Jesus’s precious name we pray, Amen.

By Mary Pinckney
Used by Permission

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Grace Moments

Published July 8, 2019

Grace Moments

“…and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show compassion on whom I will show compassion.” Exodus 33:19 (NASB)

In the movie, “The Shack”, there is a judgment scene. The angel and the young father discuss how God could forgive people that commit horrible acts. The father was placed in a position to judge what would happen to these people and then given the opportunity to judge one of his children to be condemned to hell because of their own wrongdoing. At that moment, it became clear to him that God shows grace to each of his children because of his love for us. God’s grace transcends understanding.

The issue of judgment is never an easy one. When the decision is left up to us, we might choose condemnation over grace. If we choose to step into God’s position as judge and condemn the actions of others, we’ll often forget about the grace moments we have received.

God doesn’t weigh sin the way we have a tendency to do. In his eyes, missing the mark is all the same. When we choose to step into the shoes of the one that violated us instead, witnessing where they stand and why they chose the path they did, we begin to see the need to extend compassion. It is then we recognize why God is the ultimate judge.

His choice of who receives his grace is based upon the heart of the individual and never solely on their actions. We may look at the outward appearance and actions, but God bases his decision of grace on so much more.

Father, teach me to see people through your gracious eyes and not through my own narrow view. I realize that I, too, have sinned and fallen short when it comes to living by your standards. Help me I pray to never take your grace moments for granted in my own life. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Go Deeper — Take a moment to journal about the times that God has extended grace to you throughout your life. It often helps in the moments we need to extend grace to others to recall what he has done for you.

By Mary Pinckney
Used by Permission

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The Walk of Obedience

Published May 29, 2019

The Walk of Obedience

Recently, I heard a man of God share with the news media that He was led by God to accept an invitation that was extended to him. His choice to accept the invitation was in direct obedience to God. Because the Pastor accepted the invitation, he was heavily criticized. It saddened my heart to hear the negative reports that came from both the media and the Body of Christ. As a Born-again believer, what should our stand be in situations such as this? Also, as the one who is walking in obedience to the voice of God, what should our response be?

My reflections took me to the Word of God. The more I reflected, I found that obedience often comes with consequences. As the Body of Christ, we must be careful how we handle what God has instructed others to do. It will benefit our brothers and sisters more when we actively cover them in prayer as they walk the walk of obedience. What a wonderful message it would send to those who are struggling in the area of obedience to know that they have support from Christian counterparts. Jesus already told us that in this world we would have troubles, but He overcame the world for us. He has already instructed us that we would be hated for His name sake. It is disheartening to hear the same hate that is in the world is now coming from those who we are joined to in the Kingdom.

Let’s look at Jeremiah 1, we find Jeremiah has been called as a young prophet to speak to the children of Israel (Jeremiah 1:5-7). He struggled with the call. I believe it wasn’t just because of his age, but also the fear of what he would have to endure because of the call. God confirmed to Jeremiah that He raised him up from the womb for the very task. What stood out the most to me about Jeremiah’s story is that God knew His obedience would not be popular with “people.” He knew they would attack Jeremiah for the prophecies he would give. Yet God still prompted Him forward.

Jeremiah was told in Jeremiah 1:17

“to get up and go. Do all that I command. Don’t let what they do or say frighten you or else I will make you look foolish before them.”

Jeremiah proceeded and time and time again we witness him crying out to God because of the mistreatment he received. Nevertheless, He obeyed. Even at the point of giving up, Jeremiah realized it was deeply embedded in him, look at
Jeremiah 20:9

“… his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones.”

Who are we to expect anything different when we witness firsthand the countless times obedience brought about tribulation in scripture? As we walk in obedience, we must get used to people criticizing us. When we know who we are and what we have been called to, we are less prone to let the opinions of men deter us from that path. At the end of the day, God is looking for fruit from us in the Body of Christ. If there is concern that a brother or sister in the Lord maybe disobeying God or misrepresenting the Kingdom, let their fruit speak for them.

Even Jesus had to pass the test of obedience. In the Garden of Gethsemane, we observe Jesus asking for a release from the assignment He had been given to lay down His life for mankind. His resolution was to obey.

This too should be our final resolve when faced with the decision to fully obey the call, the assignment of our Heavenly Father. When we are moved by the opinions of others, it begins to cast a shadow of doubt on the assignment we have been given. God will often test us to see whom we will obey, Him or man. God is not concerned about the opinion of man. If He has assigned a work to our hands, He is fixated on the final outcome- the greater good.

The next time you are faced with a choice to follow through on what God has spoken or remain popular with people, choose wisely. Deuteronomy 30:19 clearly states,

“I set before you life and death, blessings and curses; now choose life.”

When it is all said and done, God is the only one that we should be afraid of not pleasing. People will talk, let them. Eventually they will move on to the next big discussion. Our focus should remain on accomplishing the will of our Heavenly Father. He has called us for such a time as this!

By Mary Pinckney
Used by Permission

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Remind Me Who You Are to Me Lord…

Published May 14, 2019

Remind Me Who You Are to Me Lord…

You are my Rear Guard

…. for the LORD will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard
Isaiah 52:12

You are my STRONG TOWER

…For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. Psalm 61:3

You are my Shelter

…For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock. Psalm 27:5

You are my Strength

…The LORD is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one. Psalm 28:8

You are my Peace

…Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

You are my Healer

…for I am the LORD, your healer Exodus 15:26

You are my Portion

LORD, You are my portion and my cup of blessing; You hold my future Psalm 16:5

You are my Shield, my Refuge, and my Savior

…my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. He is my refuge, my savior, the one who saves me from violence. 2 Samuel 22:3

Lord, may we never forget who you are to us. May we always be reminded of your loving kindness, compassion, and grace in our lives in Jesus’ name, Amen.

By Mary Pinckney
Used by Permission
From: https://findingtruthwithin.com/

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Where are You Placing Your Trust?

Published May 9, 2019

Where are You Placing Your Trust?

In this day and age, nothing seems certain anymore. There was once a time when commitment mattered. Families were stronger. Jobs were stable. Friendships were solid. Churches were dependable. People genuinely cared for each other. But something changed over the years.

Where are you placing your trust? I am reminded today of a well-known hymn:
My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name. On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand; all other ground is sinking sand.

The truth is, that people will fail us. Jobs will be lost. Death is a certainty in life. But in the midst of it all, there is hope. Jesus is that hope to a lost a dying world.

When all else fails, He promised to never leave us or forsake us. Jesus came that we may have life and have it more abundantly. We were never promised that life would be free of difficulty, as Jesus says in John 16:33: “In this world you will have trouble.” But it doesn’t stop there; He goes on to say, “But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

That, my friend, is good news. That is hope you can count on. In Him is where our trust should be placed. In Him is where we find hope to outlast life’s unpleasant moments.

On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand. I offer that hope to you today. Will you receive Him?

Father, thank You again for the hope You have given us through Your Son Jesus. It is such an honor to have a friend, brother, intercessor, and most of all Lord and Savior in Him. Thank You for counting us worthy of Your love. Thank You for allowing us to experience life everlasting through our connection with Jesus. When all else fails, He is our one true Hope. Amen.

Spend a some time meditating on John 16:33. What troubles are you experiencing in your life right now? Take them to Christ, and be encouraged that He has already overcome this world.

By Mary Pinckney

Used by Permission
From: https://findingtruthwithin.com/

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Cutting Corners

Published April 4, 2019

Cutting Corners

“The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.” Proverbs 12:22

While riding to work one day, I heard a story on the radio about a night shift nurse. It really caught my attention. She oversaw changing the bandages at the beginning and end of her shift. She confessed to not taking the necessary time to change the bandages correctly at the start of her shift. Her reasoning was, “No one would see it.”

How many of us have done the same thing at one point in our lives — cutting corners because no one is watching? Yet, even when others aren’t watching, the Lord is. When we do what is required, what is honorable, even when others are not watching, it pleases the Lord.

We should strive, always, to be honest in everything we do. The Lord requires that we work not so much as men-pleasers but work to please Him. His eyes roam to and fro seeking someone who manifests His gracious nature. He is always watching. He knows the intents of our hearts even before we act or think.

If the Lord has afforded you the opportunity to work, then do not despise small, tedious jobs. Those small, menial tasks may be a test to see just how honorable you will be with the greater tasks. Will you pass the test?

Integrity always matters. The next time you are tempted to do just enough to get by, remember the glory God will receive when others see your life reflecting Him, even in times when it seems not to matter.

Father, forgive us for doing just enough to get by in our daily assignments. Help us to fully apply ourselves with our gifts and our talents to be a blessing to those around us. May we be honest and faithful as we serve you and others, and may the work that we do daily please you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Go Deeper — The next time you are tempted to cut corners or do something not completely honest, stop and pray. Ask God to forgive you and to give you the strength and stamina to complete the task with integrity.

By Mary Pinckney

Used by Permission
From: https://findingtruthwithin.com/

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Simply Obey

Published March 29, 2019

Simply Obey

“The Lord had said to Abram, ‘Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you.’” Genesis 12:1 (NLT)

Eyes fixed and face set like a flint, Abram moved straight ahead on the instructions he received from God. At the age of 75, he did not consider it strange to pack up his family and move to a different place as God instructed. God never told Abram where he was headed but that He would show him as he moved forward. Not once did Abram question God’s instructions.

When was the last time you picked up and moved as God instructed without questioning His authority? God’s instructions to us may not be as extreme as the ones given to Abram, but they are still worthy of our attention and obedience. It is easy to move when you are aware of what comes next. It is also easy to move when you don’t have to answer to anyone but yourself. However, when faced with circumstances such as the one Abram found himself in, it can present challenges. Although we can consult others when we receive instructions from God, it is still our responsibility to follow through on what has been spoken.

God’s instructions are life-changing. When we obey His voice, like Abram, we may find ourselves in strange territory. However, it helps to know that God speaks to lead us to the next place He has for us. He speaks to give us warnings about what is to come. He sees what we cannot see. He guides us with His eyes upon us. Our job is simply to obey His voice.

Lord, forgive me for the times I failed to listen attentively and obey your voice. I pray that as I continue to study examples such as these that I will be strengthened in my faith. Help me to trust your heart towards me in times of conflict and confusion and know that you will never lead me astray. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

By Mary Pinckney
Used by Permission

From: https://findingtruthwithin.com/

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Out of Control

Published January 23, 2019

Out of Control

“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you.” Matthew 6:14 (NLT)

What do you do when people make choices that you cannot control?” I heard this question recently by a well-known pastor as he shared a message about Eve finding out her son was killed by his brother.

In that very moment, I began to ponder what my reaction would have been in this exact situation. Would I have been able to forgive freely considering the circumstances? I must admit, this situation would have tested me. It has been scenarios like this that challenged my walk with Christ. I have had to deal with several situations that were out of my control. I despise feeling helpless. In an effort to maintain sanity, I had to cling to Jesus, pleading for the grace to forgive and move forward.

The Bible is pretty clear on forgiveness. In order for us to receive forgiveness, we must be willing to forgive those that sin against us. We do not have the luxury to choose which sins we forgive and which ones we retain.

It helps to know that we are in good company. Jesus too had to live with decisions that were out of His control and yet He chose to forgive. The sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross for us all is a constant reminder of God’s love for us. This same love that forgave us on the cross helps us to move on, knowing that in the end, He is able to redeem us through our acts of forgiveness.

Lord, it is only by your grace that we are able to freely forgive and walk in love when we have been sinned against. As we face challenges in this area remind us of your great love and sacrifice. Remind us of the grace that you have bestowed upon us, by casting our sins into the sea of forgiveness. Help us. I pray to choose forgiveness daily. In Jesus’ name, amen.

By Mary Pinckney
Used by Permission

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FURTHER READING: Many articles and devotionals focusing on Forgiveness
https://thoughts-about-god.com/topical-index_/forgiveness

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Faith Over Fear

Published January 15, 2019

Faith Over Fear

“For the thing I feared has overtaken me, and what I dreaded has happened to me.” Job 3:25 (HCSB)

Fighting to maintain a peaceful mindset has been a daily battle for me having dealt with the seeds of fear being planted at an early age; all I knew was fear. I didn’t know that peace belonged to me. I didn’t know that I could be at rest trusting God will take care of everything that concerns me. Fear was so implanted in my heart that it seeped out in every area of my life.

Freedom came for me upon exposure to truth from God’s Word. I began to realize whatever I give my attention to is what will grow in my life. In the face of fear, we are faced with a decision; believe God or give into fear. Fear has no power over us except what we give it.

It behooves us to pay attention to what we allow to grow in the garden of our minds. We can accept or reject negative thoughts. We must be proactive in receiving God’s truths from the Bible. It is only then that we will be able to allow peace to flood our hearts rather than fear.

I challenge you today, instead of worrying about what may happen, begin to replace those fearful thoughts with scriptures of God’s promised protection. In doing this, we will allow ourselves an opportunity to make the right decisions in fearful situations. The next time you are faced with fear, make a choice to remain in the peace that God has already given you. Trust in His unfailing love for you.

Lord, too often we have allowed fear to dictate our decisions. I pray that you will help us to be mindful of what thoughts we give attention to. I pray that our main focus will be that of peace and your plan to give us an expected end, a future and a hope. Not only were you bruised for our iniquities, but the chastisement of our peace was upon you as you hung on the cross. I pray that we won’t take your sacrifice for granted. Thank you that you keep us in perfect peace as our minds are stayed on you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Grace and Peace to you

By Mary Pinckney
Used by Permission https://findingtruthwithin.com/

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Vessels of Grace

Published December 11, 2018

Vessels of Grace

“As for us, we can’t help but thank God for you, dear brothers and sisters loved by the Lord. We are always thankful that God chose you to be among the first[a] to experience salvation — a salvation that came through the Spirit who makes you holy and through your belief in the truth. He called you to salvation when we told you the Good News; now you can share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 (NLT)

Who are you? What is your place in this world? This question often baffles us. In our quest to be prominent or recognized, we tend to overlook the obvious fact that each person brings something distinct to this world. And God often chooses to use our own struggles to bring about change and healing in the lives of those who find themselves in a similar place.

God chose us to be vessels of His grace in the lives of others. Truth be told, this doesn’t always look glamorous; we sometimes have to bare our souls or show our vulnerabilities. But we have been called to help transform lives. When we begin to embrace that call, to be instruments of love and to lead others to the divine grace of our Lord, we find that it is only by God’s grace we are able to do what He has called us to.

He has equipped us with everything we need to carry out our function in the body of Christ. Our calling may not look like the calling of others. And it may not be our “ideal” assignment. But our part is necessary in bringing the Good News to those who are in need of the same grace that we have received.

Lord, teach us to recognize our value to the Kingdom of God. You have called each of us to impact the lives of those around us. Help us to embrace the place that we have been called to, even when it appears that our part seems small and insignificant. Help us to remember that we have been called to help bring Glory and Honor to your name and not our own. In Jesus name, Amen

By Mary Pinckney
Used by Permission

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Category: <span>thoughts by Mary Pinckney</span>

As I sat this morning, quietly listening to the waves crash upon the shore, I heard the Holy Spirit say “write where you are.” So here goes, my raw thoughts from this morning…

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“Let your gentle spirit be made known to all men.” Philippians 4:5 (NASB)

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“If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.’ For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” Isaiah 1:19-20

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As I take a look at our key scripture, I am reminded of God’s love for us.

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I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!] Hebrews 13:5b

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“…and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show compassion on whom I will show compassion.” Exodus 33:19 (NASB)

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“The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.” Proverbs 12:22

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“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you.” Matthew 6:14 (NLT)

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“For the thing I feared has overtaken me, and what I dreaded has happened to me.” Job 3:25 (HCSB)

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I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]
Hebrews 13:5b