But God...two small but very powerful words throughout Scripture. These two words have given me enormous amounts of hope in what seemed like very hopeless situations throughout my life. But God... allows me to focus on who God is...unchanging, perfect, strong, Loving, powerful.  Instead of my focus being on my weak, limited, sinful self. 

Ephesians 2:1-10 states, "“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. BUT GOD, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

In verses 4 & 5...BUT GOD points to a merciful and loving God. These verses remind us that we did not earn and can not earn God's favor and forgiveness through our good works. God sent His Son Jesus Christ to redeem us and save us! Not because we earned it but because He loves us that much! Grace defined means "underserved favor."  Because of God's grace and undeserved favor we will have eternal life with Him when we declare Jesus as our Lord and Savior--God's precious gift to us! 

No matter what is happening in our lives, when we believe that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior, circumstances will still challenge us daily but our hope is in the unchanging God, not the ever changing circumstances we face daily. 

When...

Hate mail is sent to your home and you don't understand why...BUT GOD. 

When you lose your job and can't figure out where to turn for help...BUT GOD. 

When you are experiencing health challenges and searching for answers...BUT GOD. 

When your heartaches over the death of a loved one...BUT GOD. 

When you are trying to raise your kids to love Jesus during these turbulent times...BUT GOD.

I pray that you experience God's  peace and favor today. Lay your burdens down and place them at the foot of the cross.   

Be encouraged today.️