Grace His
March 2020
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Table of Contents His Grace Magazine
March 2020
"The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I Fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" Psalms 27:1
Poetry Page........................................................................Page 3 Publisher's Corner............................................................Pages 4, 5 CD in Review.....................................................................Page 6 Prayer Page........................................................................Page 7 Book in Review..................................................................Page 8 Athletes for Christ.............................................................Page 9 Walking with Jesus...........................................................Pages 10, 11 Racing with Christ............................................................Pages 12, 13 Featured Artist..................................................................Page 14 Recipe Page........................................................................Page 16 Bible Study.........................................................................Page 17 Movie in Review................................................................Page 18
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Poetry Page...
March 2020
His Grace Magazine
Pandemonium
All you need to do is turn on the evening news; Life at first glance can make you feel mad and very confused. When life's problems are hard to bear; When illness takes a toll on life; When approaching death shatters our dreams, We find strength in hopes of paradise. Look at what you're experiencing with a quiet mind and open heart. Even though you may feel helpless, God has been with you from the start. Let's learn to respond as Christians; Discover how not to react; An act of kindness can ripple through the world with a huge impact. We can truly make a difference during this increase of panic and fear; When the opportunity arises, respond from the heart with care.
Read: (Proverbs 3:3)
“Do not let kindness and truth leave you, Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart.�
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His Grace Magazine
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Publisher's Corner...
Fear No More!
Owner/Publisher: Rob Wood
F
ear is very contagious, as we are seeing everywhere now with the Coronavirus. A lot of people are sick and have died as a result of this virus. We need to pray for people all over the world who are affected by this awful disease; pray for the people on the front lines, doctors, nurses, police, and paramedics. We also need to pray for our Governments. We need to continually pray without ceasing and give thanks for all God does for us, through Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:1618 says, "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." You can't walk into a store without seeing people running around like chickens with their heads cut off. I can't believe what I'm seeing...empty shelves of canned food, meat and bottled water sold out; I have seen people running out of stores with toilet paper under each arm; I have seen seniors bewildered, not knowing what to do, because they have to wait
to shop until their government checks come in and when they are able, everything is gone. If you have tap water in your house, you have water, so why buy up all the bottled water? We just need to step back and relax. I have heard of people grabbing things off the shelves and running out the door without paying. Come on people, I realize that there is a pandemic going on, but it doesn't mean everything is suddenly free now; we still need to pay for things we pick up in the stores. We are not squirrels, where we have to run around like crazy, collecting our nuts before winter; seriously, the stores are not going to run out of food, water or toilet paper any time soon, so let's all relax. Have enough food in the house for two or three weeks, and leave the rest for other people who also need it, especially seniors and others who are having a hard time with money. I blame the media, right or wrong, for most of the fear that is going through people right now. We truly need to slow down. To those of us who know God, we need to relax, start reading scripture, because there we will find comforting, loving words. Know that God does not leave us or forsake us; He is always there with us, helping us through the hard times. Deuteronomy 31:6 says: "Be
March 2020
strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you." This scripture is so comforting, just knowing how God is walking with us through whatever we go through in our lives. We just need to trust Him in all of our circumstances and trials. Proverbs 3:5-6 says: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths." We should really always be seeking God, by praying to Him, reading His word from the bible which is manna for our souls. If we do this daily, our lives would be so much better, so much stronger than they are without Him. Matthew 6:33-34 says, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." There are a few things we can do to stop fear from taking over our lives. If we do these twice a day at least, eventually we won't be giving into fear at all. We will notice that we are thinking less and less about fear and more about Jesus Christ, and that's what He wants us to concentrate on, not fear.
March 2020
His Grace Magazine
Publisher's Corner...
H
ere are five things we can do to help stop fear from consuming us: 1: Pray! Confess your inability and keep your eyes on the Lord. Pray for our country and our citizens and for everyone affected by this disease. 2 Chronicles 20:12 says, "O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You." 2: Control our minds! Our minds can put us in a grip of fear, and that is not where God wants us to go. Fear will destroy your peace. Bring your thoughts into captivity so that they do not dishonor Christ. 2 Timothy 1:7 says, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." 3: Count your Blessings! We have been blessed with every spiritual blessing. Be thankful that we haven’t had anything like this in more than fifty years. Be thankful for our families. Ephesians 1:3 says, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ." 4: Claim your promises! God’s promises to us gives us the courage to not be afraid. Hebrews 13:5-6 says, 'Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."' 5: Continue to work! Nothing is too hard for God. The battle is
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Fear No More!
the Lord’s. He has this… We are waiting to see how God will use this to strengthen us, to grow us and turn all of this bad into something good. We are to hold each other’s hand and move forward in faith. Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."
For those who do not know God, you need to seek Him with all of your mind, heart and soul. We have to ask Him to come into our hearts; it is up to us to do the asking. We must humble ourselves before Him, repent of our sins, ask the Lord to forgive us, then and only then will we receive what we do not deserve...His loving grace. Jesus died on the cross for us, He took our place, a spot that we deserve. But instead, Jesus took all of our sins upon Himself. John 3:16-17 says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." It is so much easier to get through things in this world if you know Jesus and have a personal, loving relationship with Him. I have heard this saying a few times in the past from Dr. David Jeremiah, and I really love it.
"A Man of God, who lives in the will of God, is immortal, until God is through with him, and brings him home." So when I hear this, it gives me much strength and courage. I live my life for God and I don't have to worry about anything; I enjoy telling people about Jesus. I do not have to worry, because I know that I am protected by His loving grace until it's time for Him to take me home, and what a glorious moment that will be... when you open your eyes and you see Jesus, so beautiful. So my friends, there is nothing to worry about; God has this, and He has our backs.
WOOD
Publications
Publisher/Sales Graphic Designer/Writer: Rob Wood
wood.publications.2014@gmail.com
Editor: Donna Wood
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wood.publications.2014@gmail.com Owned and published by Rob Wood of Wood Publications, contact us at 905-380-4489, email wood.publications.2014@gmail.com
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His Grace Magazine
CD in Review...
Zach Williams Rescue Story...
he album, Rescue Story, by Zach Williams has 10 really good songs, all produced by Jonathan Smith. The songs tell the story of Zach's life, where he was 20 years ago till now, even some of the moments where Zach didn't realize God was there working. Zach has been writing songs and playing the guitar for more than twenty years. When Zach decided to give his life to Jesus, everything changed for him. That's when he knew he had found his calling in life. This new album is soulful with a southern sound; it's gospel that has a few powerful songs with inspiring and dynamic messages. Chain Breaker, Zach's first album was good with a few hits, and I think Rescue Story will also deliver a few good hit songs. "Less Like Me", the second song on the album, starts with a good drum beat and piano sound. This song is a very uplifting anthem and delivers a message that we should all strive for, saying that we should be a little less of ourselves and be more like Jesus. This song is about growing our faith and becoming more like Jesus in the way we live every day in our walk with Him. "Rescue Story" is the title song on the album; it starts off slower but then it picks up a bit. It's a song about how Jesus loves us
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Zach goes after and chases the evil one away by telling him to "get on back to hell!" When you hear Zach singing this song, you can feel the passion of him telling the devil to flee once and for all. Zach Williams has that raspy voice that sounds a bit like Bryan Adams and Bob Seger. Zach and his unique sound is building fans, especially with this latest album, Rescue Story. Zach is telling his fans through these songs and will rescue us from our sins of their own rescue stories and by breaking the chains of sin and testimonies. Rescue Story is a success with fans with his great freeing us by His grace. It has a sound and uplifting messages; I beautiful gospel sound to it. The would recommend this album to choir in the background gives it anyone. that lift and makes it so inspiring. "There was Jesus" features Dolly Parton, a country music artist. Her amazing voice adds to the song, giving it a nice country sound. Zach and Dolly's voices fit this song perfectly together. This song says that, no matter where we are in life, Jesus is always 01 "Walk With You" there for us; He is there during 02 "Less Like Me" good and bad days, in sickness 03 "Rescue Story" and in health. This song is a beautiful reminder to everyone 04 "Stand Up" that Jesus will always lift us up 05 "Slave To Nothing" and give us the strength we need 06 "Under My Feet" in the difficult times. "Give Him Praise" has a 07 "There Was Jesus"(Feat.: Dolly Parton) good, southern soul sound 08 "Heaven Help Me" with some horn instruments in the background. In "Slave To 09 "Baptized" Nothing" and "Under My Feet", 10 "Face To Face"
Rescue Story...
Prayer Page...
March 2020
His Grace Magazine
Overcoming Fear
Father in Heaven, I come before You weary, worn and frightened. I come before You because You are my Savior. You alone can rescue me from fear, sin, temptation and all evil. I come before You because You are my Provider. You created all things and own all things. I come before You because You are my Redeemer. You alone can redeem and restore all that is broken in this world around me. Forgive me for forgetting that You are with me. Forgive me for not living in complete dependence upon You. Give me a peace that passes all understanding. Help me to trust You. Help me to wait and watch for Your glory. Thank You for everything You have done for me. I pray this is the name of Jesus,
Amen
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.� Psalm 46:1
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His Grace Magazine
Book in Review...
Jesus In Me
March 2020
Experiencing the Holy Spirit...
Book by: Anne Graham Lotz Review by: Lynne Wood
I
've just finished reading a new book written by Anne Graham Lotz called Jesus In Me. This is a very well written book on the Holy Spirit. When you read the title of her new book Jesus In Me, how does it make you feel? When I read the title, I felt amazing, wonderful and joyous. Just think about this...when you give your life to Christ, the Holy Spirit comes to live in you; the Holy Spirit is Jesus living in you. Wow! Sounds unbelievable, but it is so true. He guides you, takes care of you, comforts you, He is that still small voice that you hear. In this book, Anne tells you about her own story, and her biblical knowledge will help you to understand the Holy Spirit more. He is not someone who grants you wishes, He is the One who will always be with us, to lead us and comfort us throughout our lives.
From this book, you will learn to love, enjoy the presence, rely on the power and embrace the purpose of the Holy Spirit. If you find yourself alone and need someone to talk to about your fears, your worries, and your dreams, someone you can be honest with and open up to about anything in your life, the
Holy Spirit is right there, waiting and listening for you to open up about anything. If you believe and accept Him, you are a child of God, so just look within; He is there listening, comforting, helping you always and forever; that's Jesus, our Lord and Saviour. Every word in this book will catch your soul on fire. So just remember, Jesus will be with you always, because He will live in you, if you invite Him into your heart, and His promise is that He will never leave you. Anne's prayer for this book is that you, too, will discover Him by personal experience as your constant companion and that the discovery of Jesus will lead you to love and rely on Him more. For the Spirit God gives us does not make us timid but gives us power love and self discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 says: "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."
"Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13
March 2020
His Grace Magazine
Athletes for Christ...
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Mark Osborne Mark gave his life to Jesus at 14...
ark was a hard working winger, who was best known for winning battles in the corners of the boards and for checking other teams' top lines. Mark was born in Toronto and was taken 46th overall by the Detroit Red Wings during the 1980 entry draft. Mark, during his last year of Junior hockey, scored 39 goals with the Niagara Falls Flyers. At the end of the season, Mark then joined Detroit's AHL team, the Adirondack Red Wings, during the Calder Cup playoffs. During the 1981-1982 season, Mark scored 26 goals with Detroit in his rookie season. In his second season, he dropped down to 19 goals. Afterwards, Mark was traded to the New York Rangers in a multi player trade. Ron Duguay and Willie Huber went to Detroit. Mark, whose nickname was "Ozzie", was a good steady two-way winger for the Rangers. Mark helped them go to the semi finals that year in 1986. Before the March trade deadline during the 1987 season, Mark was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Mark helped push the Maple Leafs within one game of winning the semi finals that year; he scored a career best 73 points during the 1989-1990 season. While he was playing on the "Gem" line, his linemates where Ed Olczyk and Gary Leeman. Unfortunately, the following season was not a good one, as the Maple Leafs started flat. As a result, Mark was traded with Ed Olczyk to the Winnipeg Jets.
Mark was brought back to play for the Toronto Maple Leafs through a trade late in the 19911992 season. Mark played on a good defensive line with Bill Berg and centreman Peter Zezel. This line played a strong checking style and helped push Toronto to reach the Conference Finals in both 1993-1994 seasons. Before the shortened season due to the lockout, Mark signed with the New York Rangers. Mark retired in 1997-1998 season after he played three seasons with the Cleveland Lumberjacks of the IHL. Mark gave his life to Jesus when he was 14 years old after hearing a preacher from the Billy Graham organization, and he has been moving forward ever since. Mark serves as a Deacon with his home church. Mark has also been working with Hockey Ministries International for years, helping young hockey players from the ages of 9 to 17, in London, Ontario and Moncton, New Brunswick. Mark is married to Madolyn Smith, a Hollywood actress. They were married in 1988.
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Walking With
Jesus...The Angel of His Grace Magazine
March 2020
the Lord The Pre-existence of Jesus Christ... T he journey with the Walking with Jesus series continues every month as we learn more about Him. The more we get to know Jesus, hundreds of years before Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem, the more we will grow in wisdom and know that, not only is Jesus the Son of God, but that He is also God; God born in the flesh. We will go through all the scriptures. As a result, we will grow stronger in our relationship with Him. This month, we will take a look at 1 Chronicles, Where the Angel of the Lord was angry with David for numbering Israel. In 1 Chronicles 21, satan influenced David to number Israel. David wanted to celebrate in the strength of his army. In his anger, the Lord allowed David to choose from three terrifying judgments: three years of famine, three months of being overrun by enemies, or three days of pestilence and destruction in Israel. David chose the latter, as it says in 1 Chronicles 21:11-13: 'So Gad came to David and said to him, "Thus says the Lord: 'Choose for yourself, either three years of famine, or three months to be defeated by your foes with the sword of your enemies overtaking you, or else for three days the sword of the Lord - the plague in the land, with the angel of the Lord destroying throughout all the territory of Israel.' Now consider what answer I should take back to Him who sent me." And David said to Gad, "I am in great distress. Please let me fall into the
hand of the Lord, for His mercies are very great; but do not let me fall into the hand of man."' After 70,000 Israelite males fell to a plague, as it says in 1 Chronicles 21:14: "So the Lord sent a plague upon Israel, and seventy thousand men of Israel fell." God sent the angel of the Lord to destroy Jerusalem, but at the last moment, called off the destruction as it says in 1 Chronicles 21:15: "And God sent an angel to Jerusalem to destroy it. As he was destroying, the Lord looked and relented of the disaster, and said to the angel who was destroying. "It is enough; now restrain your hand." And the angel of the Lord stood by the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite." David repented and begged for God to take His wrath out on his household and not on Israel after seeing the angel of the Lord with his sword drawn over Jerusalem, as it says in 1 Chronicles 21:16: "Then David lifted his eyes and saw the angel of the Lord standing between earth and heaven, having in his hand a drawn sword stretched out over Jerusalem. So David and the elders, clothed in sackcloth, fell on their faces." In this story, the angel of the Lord executed judgment over Jerusalem. This is in keeping with the role associated with Jesus as revealed in Revelation 19, where we see Jesus returning as the earth's judge. John 5:22 says: "Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son."
Walking With Jesus... March 2020
His Grace Magazine
The book of Luke Christ as the Son of God...
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e will now check out more of the Book of Luke. We left off last month where we were learning that Jesus showed compassion for people that were sick or had diseases and healed them. This month we will learn and read of more healings that Jesus continued to do for people that He had compassion on, such as the men who brought a man to Jesus who was paralyzed and went up on the housetop to lower him on his bed for Jesus to heal him, as it says in Luke 5:18-25: 'Then behold, men brought on a bed a man who was paralyzed, whom they sought to bring in and lay before Him. And when they could not find how they might bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the housetop and let him down with his bed through the tiling into the midst before Jesus. When He saw their faith, He said to him, "Man, your sins are forgiven you." And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, "Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?" But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, He answered and said to them, Why are you reasoning in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven you,' or to say, 'Rise up and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins" - He said to the man who was paralyzed, "I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house." Immediately he rose
up before them, took up what he had been lying on, and departed to his own house, glorifying God.' From there, we move to where Jesus went into the synagogue on the Sabbath to teach, where he saw a man with a withered hand, and He heals the man's hand, as it says in Luke 6:6-10: "Now it happened on another Sabbath, also, that He entered the synagogue and taught. And a man was there whose right hand was withered. So the scribes and Pharisees watched Him closely, whether He would heal on the Sabbath, that they might find an accusation against Him. But He knew their thoughts, and said to the man who had the withered hand, "Arise and stand here," And he arose and stood. Then Jesus said to them, "I will ask you one thing: Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy?" And when He had looked around at them all, He said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." And he did so, and his hand was restored as whole as the other.' Next month, we will look at another healing that Jesus did out of compassion for the blind man who was sitting by the road of Jericho, and how he cried out to Jesus to heal him; the people warned him to be quiet. We will also be examining more of Luke, and we will read more examples of Jesus healing people's bodies of disease, of Jesus forgiving sins, of Jesus having the power to bless people, and much more.
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His Grace Magazine
Racing with Christ...
March 2020
Trevor Bayne Trevor started racing at the age of five... A
n American race car driver and businessman, Trevor Bayne was born on February 19, 1991 in Knoxville, Tennessee. At the age of five, Trevor started his racing career in go-karts. He continued to race go-karts for eight years. In that spand, Trevor won three World Championships with more than 300 wins and 18 State and Track Championships. After the eight years, Trevor moved on from go-karts. In 2003, Trevor started racing in the Allison Legacy Series. In this level of racing, he became the youngest top rookie. The following year, Trevor was the Series National Champion; he is the youngest driver to ever win this title. Trevor raced two years in this series and
during this time, he won 14 races, he had 19 pole positions, and he posted 30 top five finishes in just 41 races. When Trevor was 15 years old in 2005, he was given the highest rookie honor. Trevor then signed
a contract with Dale Earnhardt Inc. in the driver development program, racing at the NASCAR Camping World East Series. During his time there, he had one win, six top five finishes and seven top ten finishes; he also finished fourth in the points standings. One year later, he was Sunoco Rookie of the Race after racing in the Toyota All Star Showdown at the Irwin Speedway. During the 2009 season, Trevor started racing in the Nationwide Series for Michael Waltrip Racing. After racing for two years there, he moved on to Roush Fenway Racing. When he finished the end of that season, he started racing in the Sprint Cup Series for the Wood Brothers Racing.
March 2020
His Grace Magazine
Racing with Christ...
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Trevor Bayne Trevor says Christ defines him...
revor is an outspoken Christian; he credits his faith for helping him handle all the early success he had...when he won the Daytona 500, in his first big race in the cup series. Trevor said, "The biggest thing he ever did was surrender his life to Jesus." That is the reason why he is here today; he also said, "The Daytona 500 win was great, but it does not define me; Christ defines me. However, that win gave me a platform and voice to speak to people about my faith." Coming across the checkered line first
defines you as a winner, but off the track, there is a lot more to it than that. When we surrender control to God, He can do way more than what we could ever imagine. Trevor has gone out on many mission trips to Mexico with Back2Back Ministries. Trevor has attended Passion 2012, which was held at the Georgia Dome. During the final session at the conference, he was acknowledged for his faith by approximately 45,000 students that had attended. In December, Trevor announced his engagement to Ashton Clapp;
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six months later on June 4, 2013, Trevor and Ashton were married. Five months after their wedding on November 12, 2013, Trevor was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in December 2015. The couple had their first child, their daughter, Elizabeth Kate, on December 15, 2016. Trevor and Ashton then announced they were expecting their second child. Their son, Levi Jensen Bayne, was born on June 20, 2017, with a third child on the way. In 2019, Trevor and Ashton opened Mahalo Coffee Roasters, a coffeehouse chain in Knoxville.
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His Grace Magazine
Featured Artist...
March 2020
Sidewalk Prophets They started the band in University...
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he Sidewalk Prophets are an American Christian music group from Nashville, Tennessee. Their third album that they released, "These Simple Truths", which had the single, "The Words I Would Say", is also on the WOW Hits 2010 and on WOW Hits 2011. Sidewalk Prophets was formed in 2003 and they have had six albums: "Sidewalk Prophets" released in 2003; "You Love Me Anyway" released in 2007; "These Simple Truths" released in 2009; "Live Like That" released in 2012; "Merry Christmas To You" released in 2013; "Something Different" released in 2015. The group, formed by their lead singer, Dave Frey and guitarist,
Ben McDonald were going to school at the time in Indiana's Anderson University. They recorded a demo and without their knowledge, it was taken and entered into a contest. The people holding the contest liked what they heard and from there, the group was given a performance spot to play. That gave them a radio program, directors and record label. It also gave them a chance to meet Audio Adrenaline's Will McGinnis, and Will gave Dave Frey the opportunity to sing in front of 20,000 people. Sidewalk Prophets then met with a major label executive who gave them an unplanned show at the Lancaster Christian Academy in Smyrna, Tennessee, which in turn gave
them a record deal with Word Record. They have gone on tour with such artists as Jeremy Camp and Audio Adrenaline. Because of the strength of their independent album that went on the popularity of their Word Record release, the song, "These Simple Truths" brought them a Dove Award for Best New Artist and the nomination for Pop Contemporary Album of the Year. Their song, "The Words I would Say" went all the way to #3. The Sidewalk Prophets have a new album coming out on May 22, 2020 called "The Things That Got Us Here". I'm looking forward to hearing this album and their new songs.
March 2020
His Grace Magazine
It is the Lord who goes before you. He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. Deuteronomy 31:8
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Recipe...
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His Grace Magazine
March 2020
Donna’s Quick N’Easy Cereal Bars
• 2 c Rolled Oats • 1 c Trail Mix • ¼ c Dark Chocolate Chips • 1 c Crunchy Peanut Butter • ¼ c Honey • ¼ c Jam or Apple Sauce • 1 tsp Vanilla
• Mix all ingredients together well • Pat into 9 x 9 baking dish • Bake for 15 min at 350 deg.
John 6:35 “And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.”
March 2020
Bible Study...
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His Grace Magazine
2 Timothy 1:7
A Spirit of Power and Love...
Timothy 1:7 says: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” This bible verse is powerful because in it, God tells us that we do not have to be afraid. But what about sickness? What about death? What about terrorism? The economy? Disease? The list could go on and on because there is no limit to situations that cause us to be afraid. Although all these things are important, none of these situations are reasons for the Christian to fear. This verse explains why Paul dwells so much on concepts such as bravery and spiritual strength when writing to Timothy. The “Spirit of fear” speaks of fearfulnesses and timidity. It’s possible this represented a spiritual weakness which Paul was helping Timothy to overcome. It was the fear of an unknown future that did not include Paul helping Timothy in the ministry. Paul wrote this letter to Timothy shortly before he was executed for preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. Timothy could have been afraid of ending up in a prison similar to Paul and afraid of receiving the same death sentence as Paul. Timothy felt as if he had much to fear. Paul wrote to Timothy to tell him that the fear he is experiencing is not from God, therefore, it must be resisted. Paul urged Timothy to stand strong.
One characteristic of the Holy Spirit is Power. This power is mighty and strong. The Holy Spirit brings power, not fear. Power has always been an important part of God’s work in the church. Timothy is encouraged to be brave in the face of hardships. Paul reminds Timothy that he is being prayed for and he also reassures Timothy that they are both in service of the same God, who gave them a spirit of “power and love and selfcontrol.” Another characteristic of
the Holy Spirit is Love. Jesus said in John 15:12: “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” The Holy Spirit, who is given to us, gives us confidence in this world because He gives confidence in the Day of Judgment. This perfect love of God casts out all fear because “There is therefore no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” (Romans 8:1)
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Love enables us to hear, believe, hope, and endure all things; and it is the incentive to all obedience. Love casts out fear and makes the mind bold and constant. Nothing will do more to inspire courage, to make a man fearless of danger, or ready to endure persecution than Love. The love of country, and wife, and children, and home, makes the most timid bold, and the love of Christ and of a dying world sustains the soul in the deepest sorrows. The last characteristic of the Holy Spirit mentioned here is Self Control (or sound mind). A sound mind implies clear understanding, sound judgment, holy passions and heavenly tempers. The apostle Paul says that God has given the spirit of these things. It is this state of mind that Timothy was exhorted to cultivate; this which Paul regarded as so necessary to the performance of the duties of his office. The Spirit of God brings self control by transforming us to become more Christ like. The Holy Spirit works in us to preserve us daily and help us to live a life that is pleasing to God Fear is our failure to realize what God has given us. Let’s be intentional in our lives by refusing to be afraid and displaying faith in the knowledge that there is nothing that He cannot do, because we know how mighty God truly is.
His Grace Magazine
Movie in Review...
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March 2020
Catching Faith 2 “True faith overcomes all obstacles�
he sequel, Catching Faith 2: The Homecoming, is about the Taylors, a Christian family, as they go through many seasons of life changes all at once. The movie starts four years after the first movie ended; Alexia and John Taylor are eating dinner with Alexia's mom, who has dementia and lives with them. As they are eating, both Alexia and John receive two separate video calls from their children. Ravyn, their daughter, tells them that she is engaged, and their son, Beau, tells them that his football injury is interfering with his performance on the field. Alexia then finds out she has been hired for her dream job as a designer.
When both Beau and Ravyn come home to be with their family, Alexia finds out that Ravyn's future husband is her former best friend, Jezi's son. So now things don't look as good to Alexia. Alexia maintains that she can do everything, as she tries to take care of her ailing mother's needs, tries to plan her daughter's wedding, run her house and also start her new dream job. Despite the busy schedule, Alexia feels like Jezi is taking away her experience of planning her daughter's wedding. Now Beau decides to take the assistant coach job at the local football team. Beau is still feeling bitter for being off the playing field himself. Ravyn finds out that her future husband is being deployed overseas in less than two months. Alexia and her children, Beau and Ravyn, thankfully have the ability to focus on what is important in life. Alexia attends a women's group; they encourage her to look for help during the busy times in life. Beau has found a mentor in the football head coach. But is this going to be enough to help them deal with all of their trying circumstances?
Catching Faith 2: The Homecoming has some good performances. There is a lot of drama, especially from Alexia while tolerating Jezi during the wedding planning. I didn't like that God was only mentioned once or twice in this movie. I would have liked to have seen a little less drama between Alexia and Jezi and more mentioning of God, after all He is who we really need to talk to and lean on in our hard times. But on the other hand, Catching Faith 2: The Homecoming does maintain a good Christian, biblical view when it comes to forgiveness, reconciliation and referencing scripture. Starring: Garrett Westton, Lorena Segura York, Alexandra Boylan, Nicole Weider, Dariush Moslemi, Bill Engvall, Bethany Peterson. Director: John K.D. Graham.
Producers: John K.D. Graham, Alexandra Boylan, Andrea Polnaszek. Executive Producers: Meredith Riley Stewart, Nicole Weider.
Writers: Alexandra Boylan, Andrea Polnaszek Distributer: RLJ Entertainment Genre: Drama Run Time: 95 minutes
Catching Faith 2: is available on Blue ray and DVD. Until next time, God bless you all, from everyone here at His Grace.
His Grace Magazine
Grace
March 2020
His
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