How Difficult Is It For You?

"And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And He called unto Him His disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living."

~Mark 12:41-44, KJV

It's when we are in the financial struggles that we least want to tithe and give money to the Lord. When we are living high on the hog it's not difficult to throw a little bit His way. Once again you can see that the Lord cares about the meaning and what's in your heart more than the amount of something. You can do a good act in life but why you are doing it is important and how much it takes for you to perform that act is what's important to the Lord. When it's harder to give that's when the Lord wants you to give most then He can bestow even greater blessings upon you.

Wisdom and Understanding

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding."

~Proverbs 9:10, KJV

Who doesn't want to be wise and have understanding? I certainly do. It's interesting to note that the Bible says that the fear of the Lord is the BEGINNING of wisdom - we can't have true wisdom without first having the fear of the Lord. Having knowledge of the holy is having understanding, being able to understand and comprehend things. So how many of those out in the world do we listen to and seek guidance from that don't have wisdom or understand because they have no knowledge of the holy or fear of the Lord? Be careful who you seek assistance from on how to live your life. Make sure they have the basics down first.

Story of Faith

Alexis Goring has hosted the recent story of my husband's and my life on her blog! It is a story of faith and will hopefully encourage those who read it.
Please go here to read:  http://capturingtheidea.blogspot.com/2016/02/words-of-faith-standing-on-gods-promises.html


To find out more about my husband or me please visit our author website here:
http://www.wordsbytwo.com

He Will Do What He Has Promised

"God is not a man, that He should lie; neither the son of man, that He should repent: hath He said, and shall He not do it? or hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good?"

~Numbers 23:19

 I feel that so often we hold God up to standards conceived by us as men. Standards that we perceive to be good based on what we know has humans. As if we forget that God is not a human. As if we forget that His standards and abilities are measured by a different quotient as He is not a man. He created us, why would we think He is bound by our rules? It's hard for our minds to comprehend something that is all powerful but that's what He is. 

If He promises us something we can have faith that He will bring it to pass because He is all powerful. He doesn't lie and if He said He will do something for you that means He will do it. He will never accidentally fail to provide what He said He will provide. He is able to do all things and He has and will continue to fulfill all His promises.

Suffer For Doing Well

"For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth: Who, when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously. Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed."

~1 Peter 2:20-24, KJV

If you suffer patiently for something that you didn't do worthily than it contains no glory. However, when you do well and suffer patiently for that then there is glory in it with the Father. So when we are in those moments where we are being persecuted and we say, "But I didn't do anything wrong," then we are supposed to be patient. Suffer those trials patiently. When you do something good and it makes someone else feel guilty that they didn't and they turn on you for it, be patient with them.

Easier said than done but we are all works in progress. Christ died on the cross for our sins when He did nothing wrong. Do we expect not to suffer as Christians when we are trying to be Christ-like?

Works and Righteousness

"Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,"

~Romans 4:4-6, KJV

It's amazing how many varying forms of "Christianity" depend on their good works to save them when the Bible clearly states good works is a reward of debt. God is a God of love and grace. You can't work your way into heaven and you can never be "good enough" to undue your wrongs. If you add anything unto salvation other than the cross you are taking away from the work of Christ.

I believe His work on calvary the ONLY thing I need for my salvation. Do I try to do good deeds? Yes, I love the Lord and believe that the rules he sets up are for us to have a better life. I try to be good and righteous and to not sin, but those good deeds won't get me into heaven. His blood is the only thing that can justify me and allow me to walk through the pearly gates.

Do Good To Them That Hate You

"But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for He taketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust."

~Matthew 5:44-45, KJV

This is an extremely difficult verse to follow. Bless those that curse you? But it lets God take vengeance on them and you can step out of the way. Do good to them that hate you? That's quite difficult but then you are blameless. Pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute? You never know what the power of prayer can do!

Sometimes doing what the Bible said can be difficult but it's always worth it because what matters is what comes after this life.

Power, Love, and a Sound Mind

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."

~2 Timothy 1:7, KJV

Don't be afraid. We have power and love through Christ. Even when the world is in turmoil or things seem bad do not be afraid. The spirit of fear for your circumstances is from the devil, not the Lord. The Lord will not forsake you and He has you in his hand. Be of a sound mind and know that you have the power of the Lord on your side!

"Person of Faith" Now Available For Purchase!

Don't miss out on Person of Faith now available for purchase as an ebook on Amazon and Barnes and Noble!

Less than 4 dollars so go get one and read! It's an in depth though fairly short read - for more info click this link:

http://gracemauthor.blogspot.com/p/my-books.html

To purchase on Amazon click the following link:

http://www.amazon.com/Person-Faith-What-means-one-ebook/dp/B017FHTNGM/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1446420653&sr=8-3&keywords=Person+of+Faith

To Purchase on Barnes and Noble click the following:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/person-of-faith-grace-marshall/1122886269?ean=2940151163217

And remember, good reviews are always helpful!

When Ye Fast

"Moreover, when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and was thy face. That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly."

~Matthew 6:16-18

Don't put on a show. This isn't about looking good in front of others or your pastor, it's about looking good in front of God.

Fasting is not a show for other people, it's between you and your heavenly Father. If you put on a show, then you already have your reward by all the people looking. If you do it for the right reasons just between you and God in secret then you shall be rewarded openly.

I know the Father's gifts will be much greater than any praise or recognition or reward that man could give me.

"Person of Faith" Cover Reveal!

Christians are often bombarded by instructions on how to be a person of faith and what it means if they are not. They are often confronted with the idea that they need to have a stout and strong faith to please God or for good things to happen in life. Person Of Faith explores the idea of what it means to have a powerful faith in God and then delves into the truth of how to be a person of faith. 

Do you want to be a mighty man or woman of God? The goal of this book is to further your understanding of faith so you can deepen your walk with God and take your next leap of faith.

Make sure to keep an eye out for Person of Faith which will be coming out on Amazon this November!

Who Is Righteous?

"There is none righteous, no not one:"
~Romans 3:10, KJV

Don't forget your life and who brought you out of the mire. Your sins are forgiven and forgotten but you are precious and pure only because of His blood. Don't forget and remember that you are not righteous because of what you do but because of what the Lord has done in and for you.

My Sheep Hear My Voice

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand."

~John 10:27-28, KJV

Follow the Master, he is the great Shepherd. If you follow Him, you shall never perish no shall anyone pluck you out His hand! 

Oh, to be so safe and so loved as to be in the Shepherd's hand!

Do Not Forget

"For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord or lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing. And you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt. Fear the Lord your God and serve him. Hold fast to Him and take your oaths in His name."

-Deuteronomy 10:17-20

Oh, is not the Lord wonderful, and great, and mighty? Do not forget who you serve! Do not forget who it is that is behind the spinning of the earth, and the rising and setting of the sun! Do not forget who it is that sent His son to die for your sins!

And do not forget who you are. Do not forget that you have sinned. Do not forget that you are human and need a savior. Do not forget that we are all foreigners and as Christians, our homes are not here on this Earth but that we will one day be going to our heavenly homes!

Watch and Pray

"And He cometh unto the disciples, and fainted them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." 

-Matthew 26:40-41, KJV

Sometimes as Christians we want to do good. We try to do good but yet how often is it we can't even make it an hour?

Perhaps the disciples aren't so alone in this story, I can't say I haven't been in the same place. Wake up early to pray? A whole hour? Even an hour after work. It can be difficult but nothing compared to what Christ gave.

Indeed the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. We need to watch and pray! So we do not enter into temptation.

I Know My Redeemer Liveth

"For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:"

-Job 19:25, KJV

I'm not sure what more I can say about this than what the Bible has already said.

I know He liveth! 

He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth!

That Which Is Just And Equal

"Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven."

-Colossians 4:1, KJV

Be fair in what you do and how you treat others. If you are a business owner or employ others in any way, be just and equal. 

Do not play favorites and do not let injustice stand. This means to discipline as well as to reward and to do it equally.

Ways Of A Man

"All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the Lord weigheth the spirits. Commit they works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established."

-Proverbs 16:2-3

Your ways may be clean in your own eyes, but commit your works unto the Lord. If your ways are clean in the Lord's eyes, then they are clean. If they are clean in your eyes that does not mean they are clean; they are not unless they agree with the Lord's ways. 

He Deserves The Glory

"And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he swore unto thy fathers, as it is this day. And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the Lord thy For, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish. As the nations which the Lord destroyeth before your face, so shall ye perish; because ye would not be obedient unto the voice of the Lord your God."

-Deuteronomy 8:17-20, KJV

The Lord demands the glory He deserves. Do not forget who has given you the blessings you have. Do not forget who has the mighty hand. Do not forget who deserves the glory. 

He is the Lord and He is the reason for His children's successes and blessings.

Live By The Law Of The Lord

If you would like to know how to prosper and grow. If you would like to know how to be as a tree planted by the water, just turn to the Bible and find God's words that tell you how. 

Have your delight in the law of the Lord and walk not in the counsel of ungodly.