1 John 3:1 NIV —  See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

Love: An intense feeling or deep affection.

In reading today’s key verse and definition of love, is it easier to receive and give grace? God loves us so much that He identifies us as His children. I see our identities built in the lineage of Christ Jesus. Our identities are not dependent on our past, nor do they need to be tied to our future, but rather the gifts we offer in the present moment of today. So here it goes; my name is Julie Wicker and I am a child of God. I am a wife and a mother. I am a daughter and a sister. I am a niece and an aunt. I am a sister-in-law and a cousin. I am a church member. I am a friend and a co-worker. I am a runner. Identity is the characteristics determining who or what a person is.

Take a moment to look at Ray’s photo of the beach. In recent years as I have walked the beaches, God spoke to me that we are just like the broken seashells on the shore. Our God is bigger than the ocean that holds them, just as God is bigger than any fears and the brokenness we may feel. Are you feeling fearful or broken? Have you acknowledged that God is bigger than those feelings? Have you claimed your identity in Christ Jesus?

Let’s pray. Dear God, I surrender all my fears and brokenness over to You. I acknowledge that You’re bigger than anything I am going through. I seek Your grace. I claim the identity I have in You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Matthew 17:20 NIV — “He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.””

Mustard seeds: Small round seeds of various mustard plants. The seeds are usually about 1 to 2 millimeters in diameter and may be colored from yellowish-white to black. 

In reading today’s key verse and definition of mustard seeds, is it easier to receive and give grace? You might ask, what do mustard seeds and moving mountains have to do with grace and identity? Interwoven in our identities needs to be mustard seeds of faith so that we can have God going before us, around us, and through us. Often we think we are not worthy of the mountain moving. That’s where grace steps in.

Take a moment to look at Ray’s picture of the mountains. Notice all the valleys and peaks. Receiving and giving grace needs to happen in both our highs and lows. Where could you use mustard seeds in your life? When your faith doesn’t seem to measure up, are you turning to God for help? 

Let’s pray. Dear God, Thank You for millimeter faith. I ask You to go before me, around me, and through me. Help me to feel worthy of mountain moving through your perfect grace. May I share in Your glory through my highs and lows. In Jesus’s name I pray, Amen.

Hosea 14:4-7 NIV — “I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for my anger has turned away from them. I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like a lily. Like a cedar of Lebanon he will send down his roots; his young shoots will grow. His splendor will be like an olive tree, his fragrance like a cedar of Lebanon. People will dwell again in his shade; they will flourish like the grain, they will blossom like the vine— Israel’s fame will be like the wine of Lebanon”.

Flourish: Grow or develop in a healthy or vigorous way, especially as the result of a particularly favorable environment.

In reading today’s key verse and definition of flourish, is it easier to receive and give grace? According to Hosea, grace is an important key to flourishing. Doing something hard brings great rewards. When we partner doing something hard with relying on God for strength and endurance then the reward is even greater. It is called spiritual discipline. When our identity shows spiritual discipline, we shine the light of Jesus for His glory. Flourishing is all about progress and not perfection. 

Take a moment to look at Ray’s photo. Palm trees are known for their strength and symbolize victory, peace, and eternal life. Is your spiritual life strong like a palm tree? Are you living in the identity of Jesus’ victory at the cross? Are you spreading the peace of God through His grace? 

Let’s pray. Dear God, Thank You for equipping me with the strength to do hard things. Help me in my spiritual discipline so that I can shine Your light. May I continue to flourish through progress by giving myself and others grace today. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

“Because of the Lord’s great love, we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV

Compassion: Sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings of misfortunes of others.

In reading today’s key verse and definition of compassion, is it easier to receive and give grace? I love the promise of something new! A fresh start! Whether self-imposed or assumed by society, we often devalue ourselves by having a mindset that we are not worthy of God’s grace. The truth is, we are all worthy. 

Take a moment to look at Ray’s beautiful photo of the clouds. Often our compassion towards ourselves or others gets clouded by society. Not knowing the unpublished stories in people’s lives, we tend to have a narrow mindset. We can lose sight of receiving and giving grace by creating false labels. Who might you have a narrow mindset towards today? Maybe yourself? A family member or friend? Ask God to give you Christ-like compassion. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, Thank You for your compassions that never fails us, even when the world does. Give me the Christ-like compassion I need to walk in Your light throughout my day. Show me how to act and react with Your great love by reviving and giving grace. In Jesus’s name I pray, Amen.

“In him, we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace. That he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding.” Ephesians 1:7-8 NIV 

Lavished: Sumptuously rich, elaborate, or luxurious.

In reading today’s key verse along with the definition of lavished, is it easier to receive and give grace? This week we will dive deeper into receiving and giving grace, as well as our identities in Christ Jesus. I want to share a quote with you from Author Lysa Terkheurst, who has helped me tremendously with my Identity: “When my identity is tied to circumstances, I become extremely insecure because circumstances are unpredictable and ever-changing. We must tie our identities to our unchanging, unflinching, unyielding, undeniably good, and unquestionably loving God.” 

Take a moment to look at Ray’s photo. I am sure we all have chapters in our lives we wish to keep unpublished, hidden deep in the woods, or maybe Satan just wants us to think they should remain that way. Often the circumstances that we go through in life are stories that someone needs to hear so that they too can know our loving God that gives grace lavishly. What identity are you giving yourself or others today? 

Let’s pray. Dear God, Thank You for lavishing Your grace on me so that I can live freely. Thank You that no matter my circumstances, my Identity is tied back to You. Help me to receive and give grace as I go about my day and my week. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

“The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. This is the way our Savior God wants us to live.” 1 Timothy‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭MSG‬‬

Join me by clicking the link for See You Saturday as we talk about Intercessory Prayer.

I encourage you to worship through intercessory prayer with William McDowell and “Songs of Intercession”

“He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.” Psalms‬ ‭23‬:‭2‬-‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Yesterday we talked about finding joy through prayer. Today I want us to find rest through prayer. In our key verse, God gives us rest by refreshing our souls. Do you need physical rest? Are you tired of waiting on someone or something? Are you in a spiritual or physical battle? Does your soul feel heavy and burdened? Or maybe you don’t know where or how you need rest. 

Notice Ray’s picture of a bridge over a pond. According to Merriam-Webster, a bridge is a structure carrying a pathway or roadway over a depression or obstacle. Just like this bridge helps us cross over the water, God guides us along the right paths. Will you be swimming or taking the bridge today? Allow Him to lead you beside the quiet waters. Let’s pray.

Father, Thank You for the seasons of every activity, including rest (Ecclesiastes 3:1). When I need physical rest, I want to be still as You guide me to quiet places and refresh my soul (Psalm 23:2-3). When I’m in a time of waiting, I want to be still in Your presence, waiting patiently and confidently for Your perfect plan to unfold (Psalm 37:7). When I’m in battle mode, I can be still, knowing that You will fight my battles for me (Exodus 14:14). When my soul needs rest, I can come to You with my burdens, and in Your gentle, humble heart I can find rest (Matthew 11:28-29). When I do not know what kind of rest I need, Your Holy Spirit intercedes on my behalf according to Your will (Romans 8:27). In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.