Monday, November 21, 2005

Amazing!

Start your day empty, and it remains empty. Amazing, isn't it? Start your day filled with the Lord and His Word, and your day will be fulfilling from start to finish. I'm not saying everything will go right, or be perfect, or that you'll never have a rough moment or two -- but you will be able to deal with all that comes your way. Plus your heart will be settled and happy no matter what takes place. At least that's how it works for me. Yet I started yesterday and today empty. Instead of quiet time with God, I started both days with coffee and the computer.

Both days were empty, and I felt out of sorts. Today little things were starting to irritate me. I finally realized what I'd done, and I was ashamed of myself.

Fortunately God loves me (and you) even when I sin. I took time to pray and have my devotions. I like to use "Our Daily Bread" for my devotions, and I laughed when I read today's devotion. It was all about being obstinate and not doing what we know is right! You can read it here. I especially liked the last line:
Could it be that we are clinging to some "toy" and refusing to let Him be Lord of our lives? —Albert Lee

Once I'd given myself and my day back over to the Lord, He turned my empty day into a day filled with joy. The rest of the day, a song I used to sing in church went through my head. Written by Stephen R. Adams, it's an interesting variation on an age old favorite, Amazing Grace. I especially like the chorus:
And it's all because of God's amazing grace!
Because on Calvary's Mountain he took my place!
And someday, some glorious morning,
I shall see him face to face,
All because of God's amazing grace.

Amazing! Yes, God's love is amazing. He turns my sorrows into joy, He turns my emptiness into happiness. I hope that you have turned your heart over to Him and know God's Amazing Grace.