(G)Leaning on Grace

Do you love like Jesus? Do you think it is even possible? As I read through the scriptures, Jesus is consistently pointed out as the example to which we are to aspire. He is our ideal. Yet, when it comes to loving others we find it difficult. A real challenge to see past the surface images to the hurting hearts of people who just want to be loved.  The depth of character that God encompasses is also a great hurdle for most people. We are bombarded with slogans and mantra’s like “God is Love” that portray one aspect of who God is. Then, on the opposite spectrum end is the God of judgment that seems harsh and unbending in His punishment of sin. Those who take the time to study and learn about who God really is would come to realize that a God of justice is “just" because of His great love. It is because He cares, because He has our best interest at heart that He wants to see us do what is right and honorable. If there were no consequences, no justice, then the universe would ...

As I was sitting at my desk this morning reading and having my time with the LORD, He brought a friend to my mind. This friend has shared some struggles that he has had in his life confident that I would faithfully lift him in prayer. We talked about shame, guilt, discouragement and rejection. He has been wondering, because of the difficulty in this season of life, if he is experiencing a trial of sanctification or, because of his struggles with doubt, if indeed he is even saved at all. He has read many books containing testimonials about freedom and forgiveness looking to discover their secrets and desperately longing to experience the same thing.  During our original discussion I reminded him that justification, being saved, occurred when he chose Christ as his savior and invited Him into his life. That sanctification is a process not an instantaneous event.  It is an ongoing journey, a transformation toward becoming more like Jesus. Now, I knew my friend was aware of the definitio...

Let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Hebrews 4:16 (NLT) Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16 (NIV) Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God's unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it]. Hebrews 4:16 (Amplified) This verse says a lot to me, to us, as Christians who have been accepted, sanctified and strive live by the Word of God. It says that God did not go through all the trouble, make the greatest sacrifice in the history of mankind for us to live timidly. He gave His son, making a pathway to himself so that we would come boldly, confidently and fearlessly t...