| Monday, July 17, 2006 |
| Only Grace |
I really love this song. There's no place so far that you are beyond the reach of God's grace. I had a dream a while back about a friend who pretty much wrote me out of his life. He's really gone far from God. Well in the dream I saw him and he was sad and feeling like he had really messed up. And I hugged him and said with the most firmest conviction: There's nothing that you've done that His (Jesus) blood can't cover. I have another friend who's walked away from God and there's been a couple of times when he's come so close to coming back to Him. During those times he would tell me things like, how can God accept me back. A lot of times people really do feel like they've messed up to much, and they have somehow missed the opportunity to be accepted by God. But it's all about what Jesus did on the cross. He is what makes us righteous before God, not our good "deeds." It's like my pastor always says, "The ground is level at the foot of the cross." The truth is, no matter what you've done, you're not alone. The Bible says that "ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God." It doesn't say most. It doesn't say everybody but _______." It says all. We've all missed the mark. We all need Jesus. Unfortunately, sometimes as Christians we decide to play judge and sadly turn people away from what is really offered to them: God's grace (God's help just when you need it the most; God giving us what we don't deserve) and God's mercy (God withholding from us what we do deserve).
Today, no matter how far you may have gone, just think about these words. This is what God's grace is. My favorite part is the bridge that says, "And if you should fall again, get back up..." Christians mess up too. Maybe you're involved in something right now that seems impossible to get out of. My one friend, when he was considering turning his life over to Christ felt so overwhelmed because it seemed like there was so much in his life that needed to change. I'm telling you, take the first step. Surrender your life to Christ. The rest of your life, God will work in your heart to make you into everything you were meant to be. It's a process. When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, he was still bound! With every piece of the grave clothes that came off, he was a little more free. I believe this is how it is when we come to Christ. Sanctification is daily growth. We don't arrive until we get to heaven. Every day you will be a little more free than the day before, if you are walking in Christ, obeying God's Word, letting Him change you and mold you into all He created you to be. You will fall. But then you get back up again. And it is worth it.
So many people think you have to give up something to become a Christian. Well, yes you do. But you give up all the the stuff that's been weighing you down. And you take in the new life, abundant life, rich life that is offered to you. You don't give up anything good. I used to wonder if I was somehow "missing out." But dealing with my unsaved friends has quickly convinced me that the only thing I miss out on is the pain, the misery that exists in a life without my Heavenly Daddy. It's just a lonely and miserable way to live. Always looking for something to fill that void. But nothing ever does. I am totally filled, complete. No that doesn't mean that life is a walk on the park or that every day is absolutely wonderful. But I don't face it alone.
Everyone in your life will let you down at some point. I really learned this within the last several months. But God never does........It's only grace....and believe me it's enough!
Matthew West - Only Grace
From the album History
There is no guilt here
There is no shame
No pointing fingers
There is no blame
What happened yesterday
Has disappeared
The dirt has washed away
And now it’s clear
Chorus:
There’s only grace
There’s only love
There’s only mercy
And believe me it’s enough
Your sins are gone
Without a trace
There’s nothing left now
There’s only grace
You’re starting over now
Under the sun
You’re stepping forward now
A new life has begun
Your new life has begun
Chorus:
And if you should fall again
Get back up, get back up
Reach out and take my hand
Get back up, Get back up
Get back up again
Chorus: (2x’s) |
sent to the stars at 3:55 PM   |
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| Wednesday, July 12, 2006 |
| heat, heat and more heat! |
oops!!! in posting this i accidently deleted my last post (so, my mom did make it through)....
I moved into a new office recently, and came to find that the air condition unit is not working! Considering it's been in the 90s with high humidity, I have not been a happy camper!!! I come home from work every day so sweaty. We have five fans going just to get some relief. I keep hearing it will be better tomorrow....so I'll wait for the next tomorrow to come and pray it's not another sweaty one!!
Right now I'm sitting trying to absorb the nice air condition :) |
| sent to the stars at 5:40 PM |
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| Favorite Books |
- The Papa Prayer
- The Power of a Praying Woman
- Streams in the Desert
- A Walk to Remember
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