My first post was originally going to be an explanation about how I came to name my blog “Living from grace” but God had other plans, so here goes…..
I am a forgiven, redeemed, blood bought child of the King of kings and Lord of lords.
Does that make me perfect?
Far from it.
Does that make all the wrong I have done in my past ok?
Far from it.
My choices and behaviors along this journey have hurt me and more importantly hurt the ones I love. Specially my amazing daughter, Alma Rose.
Does being a forgiven, redeemed, blood bought child of the King of kings and Lord of lords excuse the past?
Far from it.
So what does it do? What’s the use if it doesn’t erase the consequences of my past?
What it does do is free me from the bondage of guilt and shame.
It allows me to grow from my mistakes and not repeat them.
It allows God to take my mess and make it into a message that can help others going through the same situations.
Can I prevent them from making the same mistakes?
Can I make it so they do not have to face the consequences of their choices?
Absolutely not!
What it does allow me to do is to come along side another hurting person and say, with all the empathy that only one who’s been there can give, and say “Yes, this is difficult, yes, it might get worse before it gets better but with God by our side we will grow past this.”
Romans 8:1 tells me “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”
I am forgiven, not condemned!
Romans 8:28 tells me “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
I love HIM, I am called according to HIS purpose!
Jeremiah 29:11 tells me “For I know the plans I have for you,”declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
I trust HIM, He has plans to give me hope and a future!
Do I go through life with no pain from the consequences of my past.
Absolutely not.
Jeremiah 31:25 tells me “I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.”
When I am weary, HE refreshes me!
When we allow ourselves to be focused on the past, looking at all we did wrong, things we can not change, we lose sight of what we do have-today.
We have freedom in Christ.
Galatians 5:1 tells me “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by the yoke of slavery.
When I dwell in the past, I am yoked in slavery
When I embrace Christ, I am set free and can stand firm.
Where are you today?
Are you a blood bought child of the King of kings and Lord of lords?
Have you been set free from the bondage of your past?
Freedom is a graced filled free gift from God!
John 3:17 tells me “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
The world would condemn me, Jesus has set me free!
I AM REDEEMED!!!
How about you?
Living from grace... 