Paul

What is grace?

Grace is a gift. Our work doesn’t consistently demonstrate that we should earn it. God loves us because we are his children. Grace is not earned. It is freely given. Paul tells us in the Book of Romans, 11:6, “And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works, if it were, grace would no longer be grace.”

Some have a misconception about how to come to the Lord. They may think you need to have had a sin free life, or that he would not accept you into the Kingdom if you’ve messed up. The opposite is true. Whether we are a “Noah” or fall short (we all do), God longs to be with you.

The ‘doing’ good will get us into heaven, but the doing is just a reflection of how we feel in our hearts. All we have is now, so let’s make the most of it. God can pull you out of your past, so you can live fully in the present. The path will not always be an easy one. God may call you to put away selfish desires, arrogance, or any sense of entitlement.

Following God is not always a “live your best life” kind of path. At times there may be hardship and even rejection. It isn’t always pleasurable. He is continually molding and shaping us. When you ask the Lord to direct you, he will guide your steps. It will be worth it in the end. When you know where the grace in your life comes from, it makes it that much more special.

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About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the best-selling book, Not Without God: A Story of Survival. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s just been featured on the popular, Intuitive Edge podcast! She’s also been on ESPN’s “Solutions from the Huddle” broadcast and on Grace and Truth Radio World! Zina’s written several hundred articles and has taught thousands of students from all over the world from many different backgrounds and cultures. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among other places. She writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She also writes on health and diet and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm is live and for sale! You can order your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Not-Without-God-Hope-Storm-ebook/dp/B09P9T2DLT

Nothing Outweighs the Glory that Is to Come✨🙏

This life is far from the end, and when we go into the next one—we continue on in our journey to love and to serve. To heal and to grow. To be united and to know that all will be well. Here, we are being ‘purified,’ even when we fail and as we grow older, our inner man is being renewed each day—but the glory that is to come will exceed any suffering here or pain. ‘For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all’ 2 Corinthians 4:17, NIV.

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the best selling book, Not Without God: A Story of Survival. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s been featured on ESPN’s ‘Solutions from the Huddle’ broadcast and on Grace and Truth Radio World. Zina’s written more than 500 articles and has taught thousands of students from all over the world spanning many different backgrounds and cultures. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among other places. She writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She also writes on health and diet and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm is live and for sale! Order your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Not-Without-God-Hope-Storm-ebook/dp/B09P9T2DLT

God Is for Us!✨

It’s true. I’m sure if you think back or not even too far back. There were times where he’s the only one that’s been there for you. Friendships may fail. Loved ones will disappoint, but God will never leave you. That is not to say you get everything you want in life. Some people have this misconception about the Lord. They believe that a loving God would never allow any adversity or for them to have any hardship; what people fail to understand is that there is growth in the suffering. It usually lasts for a season, but it helps you develop. The universe doesn’t have to adhere to us. It was never meant to be that way from the beginning. There is a cosmic order, and while that doesn’t mean you don’t have a say in what happens in your life, you have to be patient. God is working for us whether we realize it or not. He knows what’s best. We have to trust. At the same time, we have to work together with him to make our dreams happen. Nothing worthwhile comes easy, and sometimes the road is curvy. But if you have faith, persist, and never give up, you will win. God knows the desires of your heart, and he wants you to have them. Paul’s words in his epistle to the Romans are among the most quoted in the Bible: “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).💕

About Zina

Zina Hermez authored “Not Without God: A Story of Survival.” Her stories have been featured in various guest articles, medical journals, magazines, newsletters, and over 200 of her blog posts. As an educator for more than twenty years, she’s had the privilege of working with thousands of students from different backgrounds and parts of the world. Her writing endeavors earned her an invitation to speak at the Harvard Faculty Club’s “Business Expert Forum.” Zina’s goal is to help others overcome adversity, and she strives to do what she longs to–help other people. She’s appeared in Christianity Today and the Southern Writers magazine more than once. Socializing with friends, taking business trips, listening to music, and meeting new people are among her hobbies. You can connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, Linked In, or Twitter.

Free Will and Destiny🔮✨

Since we have free will, some may think they can choose their destiny. But I believe fate and free will have to work in harmony. Determinism is a theory that says God determines everything and it’s pre-written. According to physics, though, we are ‘particles’ with endless possibilities. Although the Laws of the Universe wholly govern us, in an eternal universe, anything is possible.

What’s meant to be is a part of our destiny. Some people don’t believe in fate because we have choices. Our choices can determine our future, but our choices do not always determine the result. Meaning we don’t always get what we choose. God is in control, ultimately. He wants to see our dreams happen.

But he is our designer and the maker of everything! Life is complicated. There are twists and turns, and the path is not straight. We can decide, but things may not go the way we had planned or our way.

My advice to my friends when caught in predicaments is to pray. Stay in Faith. When you pray through anything, you’ll have knowledge, wisdom, and strength. When I say pray, I don’t necessarily mean bringing your desperate pleas to the Lord. He already knows what’s in our hearts. The Holy Spirit searches our hearts and conveys our messages to God.

Prayer means spending time with him, conversing, meditating on his word, and sharing your thoughts. Of course, you can make requests. But trust in God. He will give you your answers. You don’t have to spend hours praying, either. Prayer can be straightforward and just sharing requests and thoughts.

God will help you through anything if you put him first. He has to be the one you go to, the one you depend upon most. Ask him to help you discern and lead you to the right decisions.

The people in the Bible didn’t question whether or not they heard from the Lord. They knew when he was speaking. It wasn’t a question of whether or not they can hear from him. They followed his wise instruction. Sometimes angels even appeared and performed miracles, like when Paul, the Apostle, was freed from prison in the Book of Acts. It was an angel who appeared and opened the gates.

Because Paul had great faith, without faith, that miracle could’ve never happened. He will lead you to the right people, situations, and assistance if you ask. God has told me to wait on change and that the hardship I’m enduring has not gone in vain. He will tell you what to do if you listen and be patient.

Talk with him. It is how you can best hear. I mean by sharing your thoughts. You don’t have to talk out loud. You can speak to him in your heart. Give him your concerns, ask questions, and don’t forget to thank him. He’s always there. Your questions will get answered. Sooner or later.

About Zina

Zina Hermez authored “Not Without God: A Story of Survival.” Her stories have been featured in various guest articles, medical journals, magazines, newsletters, and over 200 of her blog posts. As an educator for more than twenty years, she’s had the privilege of working with thousands of students from different backgrounds and parts of the world. Her writing endeavors earned her an invitation to speak at the Harvard Faculty Club’s “Business Expert Forum.” Zina’s goal is to help others overcome adversity, and she strives to do what she longs to–help other people. Socializing with friends, taking business trips, listening to music, and meeting people are among her hobbies. You can connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, Linked In, or Twitter.

Make Progress

The survivor, the victim, the recovering addict, the overcomer, and the high achiever all have a fear in common–going back! If you fit into any of these categories, I’m here to tell you that is not God’s purpose in your life. I know first hand.

When we survive or recover, we don’t have to fall into depression, or regress back into what was hindering us before. The suffix ‘Gress’ means to take a step. God does not want you to take a step back–He wants you to make PROGRESS! I don’t know who I’m writing this for, but I felt that someone needed to read it.

When Jesus raised a man from the dead (John 11), the man didn’t die soon after that. He lived a long time! When Paul the Apostle made the lame man to walk in Acts 3, he didn’t go back to lie in his bed when Paul left town!

You overcame because you fought. You accomplished because you worked hard. You withstood because you prayed. You got better because you worked on yourself. God will not take that away. You lose your blessings when you believe the lies that say you won’t amount to anything!

About Zina

Zina Hermez authored the book Not Without God: A Story of Survival and created the Spinal Injury Solutions! website. Zina works as an English as a Second Language Instructor and has been an educator for more than fifteen years. Her thousands of students have been from many parts of the world, and she writes articles on faith and overcoming challenges. Her stories have been featured in Christianity Today, guest posts, newsletters, medical journals and other publications. To learn more about Zina visit http://zinahermez.com.