Marked with Grace and Blessing

Do you have a mark?

What are you marked with?

A tatoo?

A scar?

A limp?

An illness?

Why do we always look at the natural?

Why do we ‘mark’ our life by our wounds?

Why do we measure ourselves by our failures?

I guess I’m getting older, reflecting back, on the measuring tape that I have used on myself.  The measuring tape of my own making.  I took the “world’s” point of view for so long.  You know – you are what you do, you’re only good if you are skinny, blah, blah, blah.  What a lie!  And then wonder why I am not further along in my journey.

God’s economy is different.  There is no stick to measure with!  Jesus took care of it.  Any ‘whosoever’ is welcome. God calls us chosen, loved, special. There’s a new thought!  And He marks us with His Holy Spirit, and his grace, and his blessing…

GOD’S PROMISE TO YOU:

And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:13-14 NIV)

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You serve me a six-course dinner
right in front of my enemies.
You revive my drooping head;
    my cup brims with blessing. (Psalm 23:5 MSG)

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God, mark us with grace
    and blessing! Smile!
The whole country will see how you work,
all the godless nations see how you save.
God! Let people thank and enjoy you.
Let all people thank and enjoy you.
Let all far-flung people become happy
and shout their happiness because
You judge them fair and square,
you tend the far-flung peoples.
God! Let people thank and enjoy you.
Let all people thank and enjoy you.
Earth, display your exuberance!
  You mark us with blessing, O God, our God.
You mark us with blessing, O God.
Earth’s four corners—honor him! (Psalm 67 MSG)

MY PRAYER FOR YOU:

Dear Lord,

We cast down those stupid thoughts we had that we are not good enough, not pretty enough, not thin enough, not ______ enough, etc.  Those thoughts are not from you, but from the enemy of our soul.  Thank you that as we read your Word and spend time with You, you show us what is true and what is false.  Thank you for loving us right where we are at.  Thank you for not measuring us against everyone else. Today, we lay down the measuring tape of our own making.  Help us renew our minds, so we may know You better, and the plans you have for us, in Jesus Name.

dianarasmussen

Diana Rasmussen is a Faith Builder, Worship Leader, Veteran’s wife, and a Certified Peer Specialist. At her blog Prayers and Promises she shares from her heart on how to find hope in this crazy world!

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