To briefly catch you up... Ecola finished up at the beginning of May. I had Summer Ministry Team training for three weeks after graduation (check out more details on my summer here: SMT). Now I am staying with a sweet family who are very near and dear to me. (I will introduce you to them in another post :) ...yeah they're getting a post all to themselves because they are just that AWESOME!!!)
Today I was helping the mom of this awesome family (who has become a sweet friend to me) make strawberry jam. I was hulling strawberries as she smashed the strawberries. We began to chat about life especially as followers of Jesus. This brief conversation has spurred much more in me.
Lets talk about . . .
G R A C E.
God is continually teaching me more about His grace and love each day. He keeps bringing me back to the Gospel. The beauty of this mystery is captivating. I am made aware of how desperately I need to go back to the cross daily. Why? So, I may be reminded of the cost Jesus paid for me and never fall back into the trap of a legalistic mentality. His grace isn't something we must earn by doing good things or following a set of rules (Maybe we will dive into that discussion another day). It is not about doing rather much more about choosing to accept this free gift. To be set free as we embrace the depths of His love for us.
"The God who created you came down, lived a sinless life and laid it down in your place, then rose from the dead. Because of this, you can stand blameless before him, no longer his enemy but his beloved child." | She Reads Truth: This is the Gospel
A quick shoutout to the ladies who are a part of the She Reads Truth app. God has used the devotions these ladies have wrote to impact my life in big ways. Ladies if you are desiring to read His truth daily download the app or check out their website here: SRT.
We don't have to live in shame any longer. Jesus was the perfect sacrifice. He saved us! The best news of all is that when He took our sins upon that cross and died for you and I, He did not stay in that grave. He arose. He is alive. Because of this, we have H O P E.
May we be dependent upon His grace alone. He desires to be in relationship with us. He calls us His beloved children. A relationship with Him is no different than with our family and friends. We must communicate. And not just thanking Him for the good things (yes we should have hearts of gratitude) but we must allow Him to know the depths of our souls. Letting Him in on our deepest hurts and struggles. Yes, He already knows but He wants us to communicate with Him. At the end of the day He is the only who satisfies our souls. He is the only one we can count on because people will fail us and we will fail others.
All of this may be old news to you or it may be new. Wherever you are especially as ones who have chosen to follow Jesus, remember we are all in this process of sanctification. We often look at the flaws of others assuming they need Him more BUT we are all in need of the grace our Papa offers. However, unlike people who may be unaware of His grace because they've never heard the Gospel or haven't chosen to accept His love we know who to turn to.
The question is: Will you run into the arms of our Papa or choose to run elsewhere?
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| The final product of the strawberry jam! |
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. | 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
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