Abundant, sufficient, surpassing grace

Do you need help? Abundant, sufficient, surpassing grace is here!

Kathleen Maxwell-Rambie

Copyright September 2016

Ellis Elizabeth, my grand baby,  turns one

I was working out at the gym the other day and was trying hard to keep up with the rest of the class. I think I’m the oldest one in the bootcamp I have been attending but I’m happy to just be there and be moving. About half way through the class, I wondered if I could finish as the things we were doing were very hard. In an effort to shift my focus from “I can’t” to “I can” I began to focus on the exercises and I began to thank God for different things. Thanksgiving always helps me adjust my attitude and get it positive.

“Thank you God that your grace is sufficient for this class- thank you for abundant grace-thank you for amazing grace,” I continued as I took another breath and jogged a little slower.

God’s grace is something that enables us to do things that we ourselves cannot do on our own. His grace is also his presence in our lives that is always available to us to access at any given time in our lives. The problem I face and see others face, is we often try to do things in our own strength instead of depending on Him.

When Jesus came, a new season of grace was available to all. As I began to study the word grace, I discovered that it is frequently referred to with some incredible adjectives. Abundant grace, sufficient grace, riches of grace, confident grace, much grace and surpassing grace were just some of the things I found about this power packed word. 

Romans 5:17 says, “…how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.” (NIV) When we simply say, “God help me” in our everyday task at work or at home, His grace helps us rule over life’s circumstances. 

One of my favorite scriptures of grace is II Corinthians 2:9  and has helped me through many dark days. “My grace is sufficient for you, my strength is made perfect in weakness.” (NIV) I’ve had days where I have thought I just can not do something or just cannot go another step. It is in those times, I’ve heard God say, “you can do this, my grace is sufficient.”

Tammy, a dear friend 

Grace is not earned, it is given as a gift. I’ve received lots of gifts in my life and with each one, I had the choice to open the present and use it or leave it unwrapped and unused. I love what II Corinthians 9:14 says about surpassing grace. “…because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” Surpassing means incomparable or outstanding. That is the kind of gift God gives to each of us every day.

Hebrews 4:16 says, “ Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” This scripture tells us that grace is not earned by good works, it is something God gives to us even when we really do not deserve it. We can always approach God with confidence because his character is rooted in love and forgiveness. God loves to help us. Do you need to open the gift of grace to help you? It is ready to be opened.

II Corinthians 9:8-9 says,” And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” His power is right here for you and me in family situations, at work, in relationships, with our kids, in health battles, being kind when others are not and even at a workout at the gym.

i have had to call on God’s grace for all the above mentioned things in the recent months. God is right beside you and me waiting to give what  need to face where we are in life. Call on Him. Grace does not depend on how good you have or have not been, It is an amazing gift you open right now.

I finished the bootcamp class that day and smiled as I walked out the door. God’s grace had helped me to finish the exercise class. I am so thankful I serve a God that cares about the little things in life as well as the big things we face. I challenge you to join me in  thanking God for grace, opening the gift of grace and using it at work, the gym, at home and wherever you are. If God describes grace as abundant, surpassing, and sufficient, I think we should take note and enjoy this wonderful gift.

sunset on a weekend get-a-way

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Abundant, sufficient, surpassing grace

Do you need help? Abundant, sufficient, surpassing grace is here!

Kathleen Maxwell-Rambie

Copyright September 2016

Ellis Elizabeth, my grand baby,  turns one

I was working out at the gym the other day and was trying hard to keep up with the rest of the class. I think I’m the oldest one in the bootcamp I have been attending but I’m happy to just be there and be moving. About half way through the class, I wondered if I could finish as the things we were doing were very hard. In an effort to shift my focus from “I can’t” to “I can” I began to focus on the exercises and I began to thank God for different things. Thanksgiving always helps me adjust my attitude and get it positive.

“Thank you God that your grace is sufficient for this class- thank you for abundant grace-thank you for amazing grace,” I continued as I took another breath and jogged a little slower.

God’s grace is something that enables us to do things that we ourselves cannot do on our own. His grace is also his presence in our lives that is always available to us to access at any given time in our lives. The problem I face and see others face, is we often try to do things in our own strength instead of depending on Him.

When Jesus came, a new season of grace was available to all. As I began to study the word grace, I discovered that it is frequently referred to with some incredible adjectives. Abundant grace, sufficient grace, riches of grace, confident grace, much grace and surpassing grace were just some of the things I found about this power packed word. 

Romans 5:17 says, “…how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.” (NIV) When we simply say, “God help me” in our everyday task at work or at home, His grace helps us rule over life’s circumstances. 

One of my favorite scriptures of grace is II Corinthians 2:9  and has helped me through many dark days. “My grace is sufficient for you, my strength is made perfect in weakness.” (NIV) I’ve had days where I have thought I just can not do something or just cannot go another step. It is in those times, I’ve heard God say, “you can do this, my grace is sufficient.”

Tammy, a dear friend 

Grace is not earned, it is given as a gift. I’ve received lots of gifts in my life and with each one, I had the choice to open the present and use it or leave it unwrapped and unused. I love what II Corinthians 9:14 says about surpassing grace. “…because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” Surpassing means incomparable or outstanding. That is the kind of gift God gives to each of us every day.

Hebrews 4:16 says, “ Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” This scripture tells us that grace is not earned by good works, it is something God gives to us even when we really do not deserve it. We can always approach God with confidence because his character is rooted in love and forgiveness. God loves to help us. Do you need to open the gift of grace to help you? It is ready to be opened.

II Corinthians 9:8-9 says,” And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” His power is right here for you and me in family situations, at work, in relationships, with our kids, in health battles, being kind when others are not and even at a workout at the gym.

i have had to call on God’s grace for all the above mentioned things in the recent months. God is right beside you and me waiting to give what  need to face where we are in life. Call on Him. Grace does not depend on how good you have or have not been, It is an amazing gift you open right now.

I finished the bootcamp class that day and smiled as I walked out the door. God’s grace had helped me to finish the exercise class. I am so thankful I serve a God that cares about the little things in life as well as the big things we face. I challenge you to join me in  thanking God for grace, opening the gift of grace and using it at work, the gym, at home and wherever you are. If God describes grace as abundant, surpassing, and sufficient, I think we should take note and enjoy this wonderful gift.

sunset on a weekend get-a-way

Who are you listening to?

Who are you listening to?

Kathleen Maxwell-Rambie

September 2016 copyright

Too many times in life, we listen to other people, popular opinion, the voice of fear, our own insecurities instead of listening to what God says. When we listen to anyone but God, we shoot ourselves in the foot. Isaiah 43:1 and 14 tells us of who we are to listen to. “But now, this is what the Lord says...” This is a powerful statement. In any situation or circumstances, we need to stop long enough to hear and investigate what God’s perspective is, what God says about our situation.

     “But now, this is what the Lord says, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel; “Fear not, for I have redeemed you;I have summoned you by name; you are mine.”(NIV)  God reminds us in this passage that he knows everything about us and He knows our potential. He even knows our capability in our current circumstances. It is his way of saying to not give Him excuses for our fear. Then kindly, he commands us to not fear, reminding us that he has redeemed us.

 Redeem means to compensate for the faults or bad aspects of something. I feel the Lord is instructing us to not look at our ability or inability but to look to Him and His greatness. Even in our weaknesses, He has us covered. The Father goes on to say, “I have summoned you and called you by name, you are mine. Often times in life, we can feel insignificant and we must remember God Almighty has hand picked us and chosen us for a particular task and loves us enough to identify with us and call us part of his family. All of us have a need to belong, and He claims us.

This passage is rich and verse two of Isaiah 43 is packed with more promises for us from God. “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.” (NIV) All of us encounter difficult waters in life. Tough situations at work, illnesses, loss of someone we love, financial trouble, marital problems are just a few that come to mind. God is gently telling us difficulty is part of life here on earth and when it happens, He will walk beside us. As I read this passage, I reflected on a time recently I had been wading  through water. As I stepped into the lake, the sediment swirled and I could not see very well. I continued walking in the unknown waters slowly, as we all do in life, and suddenly hit a spot that was slippery. I reached to grab my husband’s arm to steady me. Do you reach for God to steady you when you encounter the unknown waters of life? He is always there to hang on to.

There have been times in my life that I have felt like the river of life was rising around me and I might not make it. I thought I might drown.  My mom was an very ill for nine years and I over saw her care. Balancing work, my family, her doctor visits, caregivers,  medication, and the emotional loss was challenging. I became the parent and she became the child. Six years into her illness, my late husband developed cancer and passed away. I was struggling to overcome the heart ache of the loss, when my father became ill. In these days, I was not sure I would make it. Being the only sibling in town, put the major responsibility of both of them on my plate. All I could do was take one step at a time and hang on the fact that I was not alone, God was with me. He was faithful to sustain me, walk with me, help me, give me strength and comfort. It was a long and challenging season. Although it felt like the waters of life would sweep me away, God was greater than all my circumstances and those difficulties shaped me and forever changed me in a positive way. 

 When life gives you circumstances you do not want, what you do get is experience. And the experience of walking with God in unknown waters or rushing rivers makes you rich. Will you join me in listening to what God says instead of the negative voices around you? 

Rambie Family Weekend