Grace, (God's Unconditional Love)

Grace, (God’s Unconditional Love)

GERIE MOODY-MAJOR

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© 2010 Gerie Moody-Major. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

First published by AuthorHouse 10/25/2010

ISBN: 978-1-4520-9099-3 (e)

ISBN: 978-1-4520-9098-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4520-9097-9 (hc)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2010915071

Printed in the United States of America

This book is printed on acid-free paper.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any Web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, Authorized King James Verson. Copyright (c) 2002 by Thomas Nelson Bibles, A Divison of Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Dedication

For my children:

Frederick E. Moody-Major and Edward A. Major, III; you are the sons that make a mother proud. Haywood R. Rosales, for being big brother to Edward III.

For my adopted daughter and grandson:

Jannebi (Janeth) Posadas, the daughter I always dreamed of having. Fernando Posadas, the joy of my life.

You have all witnessed God’s unconditional love and the miracles he has performed, and continue to perform, in my life. I pray that you experience God in your own way.

Love,

Mom

Appreciation

It is impossible to thank all the people in my life, who are near and dear to me, without making the mistake of forgetting someone. That said, I would like to mention a few whose friendship has impacted my life:

Brenda Logan, because of you this book came to be; Kabbah, Theresita, Gegi, Rosalba, Vicente, Alice, Jeremy, Cezar, your love sustained me; Mrs. Vivian Johnson and Mrs. Ruth Sloan, I cannot repay your faithfulness; my Holman United Methodist Church Family, oh how I love you! Jill Hudspeth and Russo Mutuc, the pictures are beautiful; Joni Arlain, Cynthia Matthews and Armando Yu, your honest criticism kept me grounded; Kate Biscoe and Sandra Schooley, you lift me up when I am down and push me forward when I am tired; the United Methodist Women, wherever you are, thank you for being my Sisters In Christ.

Table of Contents

Foreward

The Lord Provides

Let Your Light Shine

Half-Hearted Love

Humility

Nature’s Beauty

The Hope of Salvation

Age Is But a Number

Stuck in the Past

Deaf to the Word

Comfort and Educate Each Other

Our God of Hope

Financial Treasures

Nothing Is Impossible with God

Surround Yourself with Wise Friends

Forgiveness Is Difficult

I’ll Get You Back

Young Men Be Wise

God’s Promise

A Stony Heart

Always on Time

God’s Mercies and Compassions

Troublemakers

One More Day

Obedience

Two Bosses

Be Strong

Deliverance

There Are No Accidents

God’s Helping Hand

Signs of God

Humility Like a Child

Faithful Friends

Uniqueness

Contentment

Team Work

Wait on the Lord

Seeking the Lost

Loving Your Enemies

Self-Esteem

A New Person

Recluse

Hesitation

Treasures of the Heart

Comforter

Anger

Sow Good Deeds

Loving My Neighbor

Victory Over Death

God Alone

Battle Scars

Blind to the Truth

Peacemakers

God’s Word

Refusing to Help

Secret Prayers

Prayer

The Power of God

Love in Deed

Teaching Us to Pray

What Are You Thankful For?

Appreciation

God’s Grace

Faith

Victory Over Death

Take Time to Listen

Grace through Faith

One in Christ

Arrogance

Doing Good

Light the Way

Few Workers

Salvation Is Open To All

God Among Us

Acknowledging Our Weakness

God’s Goodness in Us

Grieving

Forgiveness

No Need to Be Afraid

A Job Well Done

Separation

Anger

God Is in Control

Wages of Sin

Whose Is It?

Jesus Is the Truth

Freedom to Worship

Day of Rest

Following Jesus Is Difficult

Where Is the Justice?

Here Am I

Times of Trouble

God Knows Our Needs

Our Blessings

A New Person

God’s Voice

What Is Too Difficult for God?

God’s House

Sharing My Blessings

Living among Strangers

Forgiving Our Friends and Others

Reward

Spiritual Battles

Armor of the Lord

Compassion

Living Water

Call to Worship

Who Am I Willing to Die For?

Fighting for Justice

God’s Temple

Widow’s Mite

Garments of Salvation

Price of a Soul

Going It Alone

Desires of Our Heart

Worship No Other God

When God Calls Us

Disappointments

A Good Foundation

Act As an Example

We Are One in Christ

Satan’s Traps

Wait for Tomorrow

Those First Steps

Building in the Sand

Fight the Devil’s Traps

The Battle Is the Lord’s

Take Care of Today

Fighting the Spiritual Battles

Wisdom and Understanding

Be Considerate

Fix Your Eyes on the Lord

Why Worry about Clothes?

Every Day Is the Lord’s

Denying God’s Truth

Let Your Light Shine

Teach the Children

Making the Right Decision

Stop and Smell the Roses

Understanding Is Everything

The Gift of Grace

In Due Time

The Journey

If You Ask You Will Receive

God’s Perfect Love

God’s Grace Shines Through

The Goodness of God

Power of the Spirit

Unconditional Love

Father and Mother

Fruit of the Spirit

A Gift for Today

The Prodigal

Forgiveness

Courage and Strength

God Knows Me

A Prayer for Humility

Thank God with Praise

Think Before You Speak and Act

Striving to Be a Christian

Get Out of the Way

Forgiveness Hurts

Do Not Shy Away

The Runaway Tongue

The Powerful Weapon

God’s World

The Value of Life

Desires Fulfilled

Running the Race

Good Character

Give Thanks to God

The Gift of God

The Light on the Path

Living and Walking in the Spirit

Keeping the Faith

Seek Justice for All

Tithing Faithfully

We Live By the Grace of God

Lay Up Treasures in Heaven

Someone

Gifts from God

Waiting on the Lord

Speak Only with Permission

Material Things

Foreward

My illness brought about a change in me that I did not and could not imagine. God was leading me in a new direction. I was learning to be patient, and wait on the Lord, and not try to force my own outcome.

Instead of using the Upper Room and other devotionals that I had to help me meditate and focus my daily spiritual time with the Lord; I started letting the Lord guide me to where I should go in his Word. Along with the daily Bible verses, I also let him guide me with the thought for the day to go along with the Bible verses.

Hence, this is not the usual devotional. The passages do not follow any specific ecumenical order. The persons depicted in the stories are real. They are all friends and family. The stories are true and as I was led to write.

My thoughts were focused on documenting my life’s journey to date when my friend Brenda Logan spoke to me about her problem. I tried to help by sending her a text message of my daily passages and thought for the day. As time passed, I found myself sending these messages to friends and family until gradually, the list got longer and longer. I already had a year’s worth of scripture passages and thoughts for the day; so it was no inconvenience to text to my family and friends every morning.

But the Lord wanted me to do more; so I put my memoirs on hold temporarily and began to write the stories, as the Lord directed me, for the scripture passages. Through these writings, I have gained more confidence in my faith. I think that I am still in my baby stage and since this is a journey, it will be a lifelong growth.

I pray that when you read this, you too will have hope and realize the grace of God’s unconditional love for you. May his Peace be with you, and may you feel God’s forgiving and merciful Love.

The Lord Provides

And Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burn offering in the stead of his son. And Abraham called the name of that place JEHOVAH-JIREH.

Genesis 22:13b-14a

Were you ever in a situation where your need was so great that you called out to God in anguish? What happened? Did God respond to your cry for help? How?

My first husband left me with my son, then three years old, my home in foreclosure, our credit cards maxed out, and the checking account overdrawn. I felt like dying. I was advised to file bankruptcy but refused to do so. I sat down, assessed my situation, and realized that my only help was the Lord. As I prayed and cried out in despair, I remembered Psalm 55:22 telling me to cast my burden upon the Lord and he will take care of my needs. Two days later I went into the bank, negotiated a revised monthly payment for my mortgage, and took my home out of foreclosure without my husband’s signature.

I learned that if we let God do what he thinks is best for us, and we do not try to do it ourselves; He will open the door and show us the way. We need to have absolute faith and trust that God, through his love for us, will provide what we need when we need it.

When we are walking through that deep valley of darkness, we sometimes get lost in our own self-pity. The moment our faith waivers the devil is standing by, waiting to get inside at the first hint of uncertainty. We cannot let him win. That is why we need the Word of God to see us through.

One of my aunts used to say, if you let the devil into your car; he’ll drive from the back seat. Don’t let him in, keep the door closed and locked.

Thought for the day: The Lord, my God, provides all my needs.

Let Your Light Shine

Arise, shine: for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.

Isaiah 60:1

I was in a convalescent hospital when my friend Russ introduced me to Jill. There was an immediate bond between us. Jill walks into a room and the whole room lights up. The two hours she spent with me felt like only two minutes. Her energy, positive attitude, thoughtful ways are refreshing to see as she tries to walk in the Word of God. Since then, she has been my sounding board and my sister in Christ.

As I got to know Jill, I realized that she was truly a God-lover and Jesus-follower by the things she does for others. Most times, using her own money without thinking about it, she would take pictures while on her nature walks; or gather the autumn leaves of various colors and make beautiful artwork and forward to the sick and shut-in. On Sundays she can be found, in the park in Lancaster, feeding the homeless and giving out clothing to the needy.

Jesus, the Light of the World, shines through us as we go out to spread the good news of his birth, death and resurrection. Our faith story, good works and example, light the way for others to come to Jesus. Let our light so shine before men that they may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16). Our works are not to impress others but to glorify God, through Jesus Christ, by doing at least one thing for someone in need whenever we can do so.

Thought for the day - I must let my light shine for the glory of God.

Half-Hearted Love

And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.

Deuteronomy 6:5

My adopted daughter has a son, Fernando, who, at the time, was 7 years old and very discerning for his age. Fernando is also an only child. As most children do that have no other brothers or sisters, they try to keep all the love and attention on themselves. They also know how to get what they want from mom or dad and everyone in the family. Fernando is no different.

One Saturday, Fernando and his mother went shopping and started fighting over a pair of sneakers that he wanted but didn’t need. Of course, he had a fit, crying as loud as he could for the sneakers as his mother stood looking embarrassed because other shoppers were stopping and looking at them. Finally, he shouted at her that she did not love him. Of course, she reassured him that she loved him very much. She also told him, that he was the one that did not love her. If he did love her, it was only half-hearted love when he wanted something.

Is that how we love God, only when we need something and forget about him as soon as we receive the blessing? God wants us to love him with all our hearts, not halfway and definitely not sometimes. Our love should be with our whole being, including our thoughts and actions.

The Lord will bless us when we show our love for him by trying to love one another, including those we dislike. I know it is difficult to love our enemies; but Jesus instructs us to love our enemies so that our heavenly father will pour out his blessings on us. We should love as God loves us, unconditionally.

Thought for the day - God will not accept half-hearted love

Humility

Yea, all of you be subject one to another and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud and giveth grace to the humble.

1 Peter 5:5

My oldest son, Frederick stands at 6’ 3" with 240 lbs of muscles and dimples on both cheeks. He is quiet and a little shy; but he is soft spoken with a very soothing voice. When he walks into a room, his stature and very good looks command attention. Fortunately, or unfortunately, he is totally unaware of his effect on others, especially women. His kind and gentle ways draw everyone to him. He tries to walk in the Word and shows, by his actions and deeds, that he loves God.

Frederick’s humility, consideration and care that he shows to everyone he meets sometimes make his brother jealous of the love everyone has for him.

Jesus Christ tells us that we must care for each other as we care for ourselves. We cannot love God, if we do not love our neighbor; and we cannot love our neighbor, if we are too arrogant in thinking that our neighbor is beneath us.

Who are we to separate ourselves from each other? We are in this world but for a short time. Our responsibility is to each other; to lift up, not tear down; to encourage, not discourage; to share and spread our blessings, not hold onto them and be selfish; God’s unconditional love is available to all his people. Those who have experienced his love must light the way and show others how to do the same. The Lord looks out for us, all he asks of us is to be humble and love him in return. Is that too difficult for us to do?

Thought for the day - Be humble and love each other as God loves us.

Nature’s Beauty

For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

Isaiah 55:12

Have you ever walked in the woods or the forest after it rains; or the east coast in autumn when the leaves turn their various colors, or Washington, D.C when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom? If you have, then you know what I am talking about.

After it rains, there is a quiet that settles over the woods or forest. The leaves of the trees glisten with raindrops as the sun’s rays try to shine through. The branches seem to lift themselves up to the heavens in thanksgiving and praise to our heavenly Father. If you are still, you can just hear the trees singing along with the birds chirping to form a sweet sounding melody.

The autumn leaves, turning from green into their varied colors of beige, brown, yellow, maroon and all the other shades, seem to welcome the change in temperature. The view takes your breath away and you stand in awe and wonderment at the beauty of God’s handiwork. He made the earth and everything in it for our enjoyment and we should do our best to preserve nature’s beauty for our children and our children’s children.

Thought for the day - God made the world and everything in it for our enjoyment.

The Hope of Salvation

But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation.

1 Thessalonians 5:8

I met my friend Lucille while I was in the hospital and we were roommates. She saw me at 5:00 a.m. every morning, reading the Bible, Upper Room and Alive Now. One day she asked me what I was reading and if it was interesting. I started talking to her about my illness; the miracle of what God had done for me; and the many prayers of the members of my church, Holman United Methodist Church, my family and friends. She started crying and began to share her life with me telling me what had brought her to the hospital.

Lucille was an alcoholic, she was estranged from her three children and her family was upset with her for the life she had