Thoughts of Grace

Good Morning,

Mark 8:34
And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

. . . There are many crosses and every one of them is sore and heavy.
None of them is likely to be sought out by me of my own accord.
But never is Jesus so near to me
as when I lift my cross and lay it submissively on my shoulder,
and give it the welcome of a patient and unmurmuring spirit.

He draws close,
to ripen my wisdom,
to deepen my peace,
to increase my courage,
to augment my power to be of use to others,
through the very experience which is so grievous and distressing, . . .
~~Alexander Smellie

James 4:6-8
But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

Draw nigh . . . Today
With my prayers, desiring yours, Leslie