…But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound. — Romans 5:20

Last night at church we had a wonderful missionary speak. Fred Markert spoke about the 10/40 windows and what the Lord is doing in this part of the world. God is showing up folks and he is showing out ~ Fred reminded us that His grace abounds ~~~~ SELAH ~~~

Yes, sin abounds. This  means to me that sin is never still but continues to grow. Looking at our shifting culture it is  increasing at a rapid speed and it  is expanding. How many times have you caught yourself saying, ” Just when I think I have seen all? ” then you read another horrifying article . Twenty years ago we would never have seen the things we see on a daily basis today on the news, Facebook, etc.

Sin exists in abundance and is multiplying and constantly expanding…. This describes the growing nature of unrestrained sin. This is the state of our country today.

Thankful that Paul did not stop with sin abounds but he goes on to say, “…Where sin abounded, GRACE did much more abound.” The words “much more abound” are from the Greek word huperperisseo, which describes something that is growing out of measure, beyond proportion. ( Let me stop right here and say I love Google. Love the research at my fingertips)

Grace is like a river that is being flooded with waters from  an upstream. Those waters are coming downstream so fast that the river can no longer hold the raging current in its banks. Its water rises and continues to rise until it finally begins pouring out of its banks and begins to flood everything in sight.

“…Grace did much more abound.”

Which I say…. rain down your grace, Lord. Rain down on this mighty nation whose foundation was founded upon you and your principles.

I know is is hard to not be overwhelmed by the brokenness that we see in the world today. The evil that abounds is plenty. BUT GOD…. two powerful words. God can give us a heart to look to the future with hope . HE and HE alone can give us the tools to restore and to rebuild  our homes, to rebuild this nation. HE is the same God that gave Nehemiah the wisdom, strength and favor to rebuild the broken walls of Jerusalem. HE is the same God.He does NOT CHANGE. He will give the power and strength for us Christians to do the same today.

How do we do it? He is asking for us to begin a good work by laying one stone at a time. How ? By, rebuilding broken spirits with words of hope.  Speaking LIFE.  We should never allow our mouths to become something that brings dishonor to HIS holy name. The Psalms tells us…. For your name sake, lead me and guide me.  We do this by rebuilding broken relationships with grace, FORGIVENESS and love. Rebuilding broken cities by serving the community, the foster children,  the elderly, the homeless, the less fortunate.

God will go before us and prepare people in advance for our good works. BUT, there is a part that we play. We must learn to trust God with our circumstances. His truth which is his word says that He will never leave us or forsake us. His word says that if He is for us than who can be against us? His promise in Jeremiah 29:11 says He has a good and prosperous future for us. His word says it will not come back to him void.

We need to Believe. We need to understand the power of prayer. We need to stand on the promises of His word and trust Him. May we filled with the power of the Spirit to reshape our thinking and rebuild the broken things around us. Do not be overwhelmed with the task at hand but be encouraged by what our God has already done. Mediate on , believe it and stand on the promise of…

2 Chronicles 7:14- If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land

.I pray that we Christians take a stand, do what is right in the eyes of the God that we serve. Spread our Saviors love ~

If we would set our hearts and minds on the things of God, we would have less stress. Less discord. Our church would be on fire. Our voices would be heard and change would take place. The devil would not have so much control over our homes, community, church , government and a nation as a whole. ( From the gem of a book I am reading by Lara Velez,  Proverbs of the New Testament , A study of the book of James)

IT is not our job to judge our brothers and our sisters. When we do that we are telling God that we know more. We can do the job better. It is our job to pray , love and show them mercy. It is God and God alone that judges  hearts and motives to know if they are right or wrong.  Romans 12 :19 tells us, Dear Friend, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the scripture says, I will take revenge, I will pay them back, says the Lord.

Father, I pray and ask that you reign down on us. Open our eyes. Open our hearts. We cannot love what we cannot see. Help us see our brothers and sister Lord through your eyes. May they never walk alone. May, we hold on and cling to YOUR WORD and allow that and that only to define our standards. Lord help us  not to be influenced by  the culture of today. May we stand firm for you because you are our foundation and our strength.  May we speak your truth in love and not condemnation.  May your grace flow, Lord — pour it on! Please shine your light in this hour of darkness in our nation. It all starts with you being the center of our hearts and the center of our homes. Lord, as for me and my household, we will  serve you.