So, how was your day? Pretty good...or not? Did you have a rotten day today? Did you fail today? Did you holler at the kids, lose your patience in the long line in the store, snap at your husband, or think nasty thoughts about that other driver? Did everything you do turn out "wrong" and you felt like nothing got accomplished? Did your sins today feel so heavy and bad that surely even God is shaking His head at you? Did you hear the lies in your head that say..."You are not enough" or "You are a rotten mother/friend/wife, worker" or "You should just crawl in that hole and never come out again because obviously you can't do anything right"?
Take a look at this verse...ponder it for a moment....
Psalm 30:5
For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime!
Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.
God IS gracious. God IS forgiving. God IS loving. He is a God of second chances and starting over.
Lamentations 3:21-23
Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
These are words worth memorizing. Great love, compassion...they are there for us every day. Even when it feels like we have failed too many times. Even when it feels like the sin is too great. Even when it feels like the voice of lies is the loudest thing we hear.
God is there...He is waiting, strong and patient, with love...to hear your confessions, to wrap you up in forgiveness, to change your heart and make it new. He is a God of justice, yes, but also a God of compassion.
He is faithful. He is merciful. He is joy.
Isaiah 41:10
Fear not, for I am with you; be not
dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I
will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Showing posts with label forgiveness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label forgiveness. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Friday, February 8, 2013
Five Minute Friday - Bare
Take a deep breath. You made it. It’s Friday.
Got five minutes? Let’s write. Let’s write in shades of real and brave and unscripted.
Let’s just write and not worry if it’s just right or not.
1. Write for 5 minutes flat for pure unedited love of the written word.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. Go buck wild with encouragement for the five minuter who linked up before you.
Won’t you give me your best five minutes for the prompt:
GO
What if you had to sit before someone and lay bare your soul? What if you had to talk about all those things...those things that clothe you in your humanity? What if you had to take them off one by one...explain them...lay them out for inquiring eyes to see? What if you had to give an account of all you've done or said, or not done or not said? What if every single piece of you was open to scrutiny?
Bare.
Exposed.
What if you were told that you were loved anyway? That all those things were flung away from you as far as the east is from the west? What if the arms of a loving Savior enfolded you and told you that all those things were forgiven? What if you sobbed and every tear that fell was caught in the hand of a loving God who spreads mercy and grace over you like a clothing so fine and beautiful you feel like a princess? What if He told you that it's in those bare moments that you learn who HE really is?
He knows. He sees. And He loves you and forgives you...and invites you to an eternal life with Him. To God be the glory.
Got five minutes? Let’s write. Let’s write in shades of real and brave and unscripted.
Let’s just write and not worry if it’s just right or not.
1. Write for 5 minutes flat for pure unedited love of the written word.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. Go buck wild with encouragement for the five minuter who linked up before you.
Won’t you give me your best five minutes for the prompt:
Bare….
GO
What if you had to sit before someone and lay bare your soul? What if you had to talk about all those things...those things that clothe you in your humanity? What if you had to take them off one by one...explain them...lay them out for inquiring eyes to see? What if you had to give an account of all you've done or said, or not done or not said? What if every single piece of you was open to scrutiny?
Bare.
Exposed.
What if you were told that you were loved anyway? That all those things were flung away from you as far as the east is from the west? What if the arms of a loving Savior enfolded you and told you that all those things were forgiven? What if you sobbed and every tear that fell was caught in the hand of a loving God who spreads mercy and grace over you like a clothing so fine and beautiful you feel like a princess? What if He told you that it's in those bare moments that you learn who HE really is?
He knows. He sees. And He loves you and forgives you...and invites you to an eternal life with Him. To God be the glory.
STOP
Hebrews 4:13
13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
Friday, July 13, 2012
Who Am I Really? (Or...Letting Go of the Lies....again)
I have a confession to make....I have had a really rotten couple of days. Really rotten. And in these last couple of days I have had to do some letting go. That I REALLY did not want to do. And it hurts and it brings back all those voices in my head that tell me over and over that I am not enough, I am worthless, I am a fool, I am stupid and ugly and, and, and..... I feel like I am drowning in an ocean of horrible cold tendrils reaching out and pulling me under....
And I wonder why? Why do I let the Enemy speak to me? Why do I let his voice have precedence in my head?? Why do I listen to his hiss and let those words take hold of my heart? Why do I believe that's who I am?
In the search box on the right, type in the words letting go of lies. This will give you a list of posts where I share some of these lies that I have allowed to be truths in my life. These lies that I supposedly laid at the foot of the cross....NOT to take up again. But guess what? In my human frailty, I crawled right back over there and put each one of them back in my pocket. You know what?? I think they grew there in my pocket....
The time has come to lay them down again. To tell the Teller of Lies to go away. To let the Light of the World shine on my heart and illuminate the very darkness that tries to dwell there. Time to send that ancient serpent slithering away and to fall into the arms of my Savior who loves me with no conditions, with grace and forgiveness. Time to be confident in who I am in Christ.
In the book by Sarah Young titled Jesus Calling, I read these words today...."Instead of trying to "fix" yourself, fix your gaze on Me, the Lover of your soul. Rather than using your energy to judge yourself, redirect it to praising Me. Remember that I see you clothed in My righteousness, radiant in My perfect Love."
So, who am I really? I am beloved. I am daughter of the King. I am beautiful, radiant, worthy, whole, forgiven, saved, sealed, and enough. In the eyes of man? Doesn't matter what the world thinks or says. In the eyes of God? I matter. Period.
Are you struggling with lies today? Are you struggling to "fix" yourself because you think don't measure up to someone else's standards, or even your own? Let it all go. Fix your gaze on the One who truly loves you and know that you truly matter to Him. He desires relationship with you, and for you to let go of the lies that hold you down...the old hurts, the new hurts, the things by which you think others judge you, the things by which you judge yourself.
Who are you really? You are His. And so am I. And how dare I say I don't matter?
And I wonder why? Why do I let the Enemy speak to me? Why do I let his voice have precedence in my head?? Why do I listen to his hiss and let those words take hold of my heart? Why do I believe that's who I am?
In the search box on the right, type in the words letting go of lies. This will give you a list of posts where I share some of these lies that I have allowed to be truths in my life. These lies that I supposedly laid at the foot of the cross....NOT to take up again. But guess what? In my human frailty, I crawled right back over there and put each one of them back in my pocket. You know what?? I think they grew there in my pocket....
The time has come to lay them down again. To tell the Teller of Lies to go away. To let the Light of the World shine on my heart and illuminate the very darkness that tries to dwell there. Time to send that ancient serpent slithering away and to fall into the arms of my Savior who loves me with no conditions, with grace and forgiveness. Time to be confident in who I am in Christ.
In the book by Sarah Young titled Jesus Calling, I read these words today...."Instead of trying to "fix" yourself, fix your gaze on Me, the Lover of your soul. Rather than using your energy to judge yourself, redirect it to praising Me. Remember that I see you clothed in My righteousness, radiant in My perfect Love."
So, who am I really? I am beloved. I am daughter of the King. I am beautiful, radiant, worthy, whole, forgiven, saved, sealed, and enough. In the eyes of man? Doesn't matter what the world thinks or says. In the eyes of God? I matter. Period.
Are you struggling with lies today? Are you struggling to "fix" yourself because you think don't measure up to someone else's standards, or even your own? Let it all go. Fix your gaze on the One who truly loves you and know that you truly matter to Him. He desires relationship with you, and for you to let go of the lies that hold you down...the old hurts, the new hurts, the things by which you think others judge you, the things by which you judge yourself.
Who are you really? You are His. And so am I. And how dare I say I don't matter?
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Who is blessed?
Last week I went on a mission trip with several youth from our church and three other adults to an Indian Reservation in Montana. I wrote this post on the way there....
"As we drove toward Lodge Grass, Montana, yesterday I received a message from a good friend, a missionary who has served the Lord many times in other countries, and whom I respect and love so much. Her message said, "Praying for a safe trip and 'so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.' Malachi 3:10b"
Needing to see the whole verse, I pulled out my Bible and read these words:
Malachi 3:10 NIV
10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse,that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.
...and another version....
Malachi 3:10 ESV
Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.
"As we drove toward Lodge Grass, Montana, yesterday I received a message from a good friend, a missionary who has served the Lord many times in other countries, and whom I respect and love so much. Her message said, "Praying for a safe trip and 'so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.' Malachi 3:10b"
Needing to see the whole verse, I pulled out my Bible and read these words:
Malachi 3:10 NIV
10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse,that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.
...and another version....
Malachi 3:10 ESV
Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.
In this passage, God is speaking to Israel thru Malachi. He says to them "return to me and I will return to you." I love the sound of those words...return to me and I will return to you. God wants His children back and will welcome them with open arms. They respond with the question, "How?" In this dialogue between God and Israel, we learn that Israel has turned from following His statutes, not tithed, spoken harshly against God, and even said it is in vain to serve God.
God challenges His people...return to Me, follow my ways, fulfill your tithes, serve me, and see what happens! When you do these things, He says He will "open the windows of heaven and pour down blessings until there is no more need...until there is not enough room to store it."
Until there is no more need. Until there is not enough room for it all. Until you are so blessed you can't fathom it. Grace. Love. Forgiveness. Blessing. It's all there...waiting for you to return to Him. Do we dare test Him? "Put me to the test..."
He calls His people, His children, His beloved back - back to daily relationship with Him, back to living and serving Him...back to being blessed by Him beyond our need.
It's so easy to turn from Him....to slowly drift from His path, to turn away from serving. By doing so, we deny His blessings by our behavior. We walk away from all that He has to offer...all that He freely gives.
As we set out to serve Him this week, we already know that we will be blessed by the very people we go to serve. Some of us have been there before..we know this community, we know many of the children, we know how much love they have to share and how much love they need....and we know that as we share His love with them, that we, too, will be blessed beyond measure."
And so we were....God is good. Serve Him humbly, daily...by serving your brothers and sisters around you. Love God, love others....
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
How much does He love you?
Yesterday morning I started reading Psalm 103. I love the imagery in this Psalm for how much He loves us.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
so great is his love for those who fear him;
As high as the heavens are above the earth...."I love you to heaven and back." Doesn't that make you smile? Can't you hear a sweet child's voice say that? Can you hear your heavenly Father say that? "Beloved child, I love you so much - from heaven and back..." Close your eyes for a moment and imagine just how far that is.... That's big love!
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
Just how far is it from the east to the west? Incomprehensible, really. He has taken our sins and flung them as far as the east is from the west...he loves us that much! One of my favorite songs by Casting Crowns says:
Jesus, You know just how far the east is from the west
I don't have to see the man I've been come rising up in me again
In the arms of Your mercy I find rest
'cause You know just how far the east is from the west
From one scarred hand to the other
See that? Ever thought about that? Jesus knows just how far the east is from the west....his outstretched arms...from one scarred hand....to the other..... He LOVES so much that he allowed those nails to pierce his hands...so much...ponder that for a moment.... That's big, sacrificial love!
How long will He love us? From everlasting to everlasting....forever....no matter what... That's big, forever love!
He loves YOU! He LOVES you! Big! Remember the game you played as a child? Or with your child? When you threw your arms open wide and said, "I love you this much!"
That's just what God does...what Jesus did....He threw open His arms...allowed men to nail his hands to the cross...and from one scarred hand to the other....He said, He says, He will always say, "I love you this much!"
Jesus, You know just how far the east is from the west
I don't have to see the man I've been come rising up in me again
In the arms of Your mercy I find rest
'cause You know just how far the east is from the west
From one scarred hand to the other
See that? Ever thought about that? Jesus knows just how far the east is from the west....his outstretched arms...from one scarred hand....to the other..... He LOVES so much that he allowed those nails to pierce his hands...so much...ponder that for a moment.... That's big, sacrificial love!
17 But from everlasting to everlasting
the LORD’s love is with those who fear him,
the LORD’s love is with those who fear him,
How long will He love us? From everlasting to everlasting....forever....no matter what... That's big, forever love!
He loves YOU! He LOVES you! Big! Remember the game you played as a child? Or with your child? When you threw your arms open wide and said, "I love you this much!"
That's just what God does...what Jesus did....He threw open His arms...allowed men to nail his hands to the cross...and from one scarred hand to the other....He said, He says, He will always say, "I love you this much!"
Praise the LORD, my soul.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
What is forgiveness really?
Is our brand of forgiveness anything like God's?
Matthew 26:28
28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Jesus gave his life for our forgiveness. He suffered brutal treatment far beyond what any of us could probably handle. And He did it for us. So that our sins could be forgiven. Wiped away. That we might have life forever with Him in the place He is preparing for us.
Acts 13:3-39
38 “Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. 39 Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses.
We are set free. Do you see that up there? Everyone who believes is set free from every sin...justified.
Jeremiah 31:33, 35
33 “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel
after that time,” declares the LORD. ....
“For I will forgive their wickedness
and will remember their sins no more.”
He will remember our sins no more...
Can we say the same? Can we forgive and then let it go? We all know someone who has held a grudge for so long that they are a sad, bitter, angry person. Why? Because when we are unable to forgive, we chain ourselves to that person's behavior. May not even affect that other person in reality...but we are chained, imprisoned by our unforgiveness. How do we get free? We forgive. We let go of the infraction. We move forward, not clinging to the past.
Mark 11:25
25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
We forgive, that we may also be forgiven. We let go of that grudge. Let go of that hurt. Forgive so that the unforgiveness is not a blot on our own hearts.
Easy? Nope. Necessary? Yes. And believe me, you will feel better for it. Freer. I don't want to be that bitter, sad, angry, and lonely person who can only remember the hurts inflicted by another. I want to find joy, laugh, LIVE, and love others wholly. God gives me grace every day...how can I do any less but to give grace to others...
Matthew 26:28
28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Jesus gave his life for our forgiveness. He suffered brutal treatment far beyond what any of us could probably handle. And He did it for us. So that our sins could be forgiven. Wiped away. That we might have life forever with Him in the place He is preparing for us.
Acts 13:3-39
38 “Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. 39 Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses.
We are set free. Do you see that up there? Everyone who believes is set free from every sin...justified.
Jeremiah 31:33, 35
33 “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel
after that time,” declares the LORD. ....
“For I will forgive their wickedness
and will remember their sins no more.”
He will remember our sins no more...
Can we say the same? Can we forgive and then let it go? We all know someone who has held a grudge for so long that they are a sad, bitter, angry person. Why? Because when we are unable to forgive, we chain ourselves to that person's behavior. May not even affect that other person in reality...but we are chained, imprisoned by our unforgiveness. How do we get free? We forgive. We let go of the infraction. We move forward, not clinging to the past.
Mark 11:25
25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
We forgive, that we may also be forgiven. We let go of that grudge. Let go of that hurt. Forgive so that the unforgiveness is not a blot on our own hearts.
Easy? Nope. Necessary? Yes. And believe me, you will feel better for it. Freer. I don't want to be that bitter, sad, angry, and lonely person who can only remember the hurts inflicted by another. I want to find joy, laugh, LIVE, and love others wholly. God gives me grace every day...how can I do any less but to give grace to others...
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