THANKSGIVING

By Grace Not works

I have come to realize through my studies that if our salvation and lives were based on works we could in a sense have a limit to what God could do in our life.  I mean as long as I followed certain rules and accomplished certain goals I would kind of be able to expect God’s reactions and blessing to me.  Even as much to say what he could ask of me.  Now, however since we are judged and covered by grace and none of what I do really matters as far as his desire to love me and bless me, this means he can pretty much ask anything of me because we are his beloved.  This is a scary truth because since God says I love you regardless of what you do, it means that the call he puts on our life, regardless of how uncomfortable or how no this is not the right time feeling I get, I must take that step of faith.  His sacrifice plays an extremely powerful role in how we choose to live.  We are falling in love with Christ as we learn about following him and within in that Love we will change.  Think of when you met someone who you fell in love with, you did not just say I love you to them, but rather you anticipated things they would want and need to share your love with them.  This is what Christ calls for us to understand, we may be called to missions, or preaching or serving or leading, but regardless of the call it is all done by Grace.  We have to allow our thoughts of people, even the ones who try and hurt us and see them through the eyes of Grace.  It doesn’t mean we have to let them continue to hurt us or wound us, but it just means that as Christ loved his enemies we must learn to love ours.  This is not sugar coated to say that you will forgive them and become the best of friends, but that you will forgive them and leave their fate to Christ so that they may not carry that power over you anymore.  Remember we are children of the one true God and because we are covered by His Grace, he will have people cross our paths that need to see how he Shines through us.  My friends let Christ shine through you and remember what you do doesn’t matter it is who you are in Christ that does.  In case your wondering who you are in Christ… You are His Beloved… His one and only… Amen!

Repetition, Repetition, Repetition

In my time with God this morning I began to realize the teacher and coach side of Christ.  Within every important message or warning or statement he repeats it over and over again.  This is much like a good teacher or coach who will put a strict emphasis on the basic foundations of important knowledge.  As we know God allows us the opportunity to transform that knowledge into wisdom by applying it to our lives, and what better way to apply a concept than one that has been pounded into our thoughts, hearts and minds.  I was reading Jeremiah this morning and God gave a warning to all that they needed to fall under the yoke of the King of Babylon, well with in that chapter it is repeated 3 times for the countries to one bow to the new King and two do not listen to your mediums, prophets and sorcerers.  God wanted people to make it through this time and he provided a way and not only did he provide a way, but also placed someone in their lives to share this truth.  He does that for us, every time I have been down or feel attacked or unsure, God uses people to share his truth in my life, over and over.  It is amazing how different people can say the same thing, give the same advice, because we have a Lord of repetition.  He wants these ways of living to sink into our souls, minds and bodies.  We are created to live a linear life walking a path that keeps us from routine, and keeps us in obedience.  We know we all fall short of the Glory and they we are all sinners, but I want to take Gods teaching technique of repetition and say this… We are His Beloved… We are His Beloved… We are ALL His Beloved!!!  Like Timothy Keller says  ” We are all so flawed Christ HAD to die for us, however we are so LOVED that He WANTED to die for us.” AMEN and AMEN