This blog entry has been the death of me! Its been edited, reread, reedited, proof read by Lindsay, then reedited! I want to be completely transparent and totally honest. That's how I live my life. When I struggle, I want to share it. When God shows up in a mighty way, I want to allow Him to be glorified! But I have to be so careful not to hurt anyone in my life, or say too much about very private matters... but here goes....more ramblings....
Can I tell you? God's grace is sufficient to cover whatever you do. Its a beautiful thing. Hard to comprehend, really. I am living proof of His Grace. It covers my sins on a daily basis. I, above all, am the worst of sinners. Someday, over coffee, I'll tell you my testimony. Its such a beautiful picture of God and His grace.My life is an example of just what He can do to turn a sinner around and make something beautiful.
But His grace does not give us permission to live any way we please. I have been studying the book of Ephesians lately. It blows me away! God is calling us all to such a higher calling!
Our culture dictates differently. When we attempt to live a godly life, we are often shunned, even by fellow Christians. But God DOES call us to live a godly life, to try and attain righteousness and holiness.1 Peter 1:13-16 says God is calling us to holiness! HOLINESS!!! We are incapable of living it all out. We are human. We were born with a sin nature. That's where His grace comes in.
1 Peter 1:13 Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy"
I fail Him daily. I struggle daily with attitude problems, my tongue being out of control, pride, not believing God enough, and on and on...any else have struggles? But, His grace is enough! Praise Jesus! It covers my sins even though they break my heart and frustrate me to no end!
Walk wisely. And please don't use grace as permission to live your life anyway you please. Live deliberately. And be aware that others are watching you all the time.
My dad is a perfect example of this. He has won more people to Christ than anyone I know. Literally! How does he do it? He talks to them, loves them, doesn't judge them. He just relates to them where they are, forms a bond with them, then tells them about Jesus. People love him! But I have never seen him compromise his life in anyway in order to reach lost people. He lives out the life God has called us all to. I don't believe I will ever know how many people he has impacted until we get to heaven. What a beautiful testimony!
Your pastor is called to be a Shepherd. He should be able to love you and walk with you through all of life's battles, hurts, and problems. If he doesn't have a dose of the gift of mercy, then when times get hard, he won't be able to relate to you. I can not tell you how important it is to have a pastor that loves you, and like a shepherd, would walk with you through any valley, would hunt you down and love you back to life when you go astray, or would miss you like their own children when you leave the congregation.
My dear friends, this blog doesn't come from my own opinions, but from many years of walking with God and studying His Word. It not something I learned from a pastor, but straight from God's heart. Please, get in the Word. Learn what you believe. And follow God. Just make sure what you believe includes love, and reaching out to those that are hurting.
And finally,(and this has nothing to do with anything else I've talked about. Just thought I'd throw it in there haha) if God gives you a chance at love with someone that has everything you've prayed for, someone who loves God with all their heart soul and mind, someone who loves others, and someone who likes you, then don't let it go, not in the name of fear, or your past, or timing. Sometimes God's timing is different than ours. And sometimes, He is wanting you to trust Him and not live in fear. Maybe, just maybe, this time it will work. Maybe it will be the most beautiful love, exactly what you've prayed for. Maybe this is the person He created for you. Always take the chance. Always chose love.
One last thing. Never ever let someone that you love walk away without saying "I love you and you have meant the world to me." These are words I have regretted not saying to people I have loved. Don't live with the same regrets...
I love you all!
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