So, I'm beginning this journey with this initial blog entry......however, I must confess to beginning my actual journey with the King, quite some time ago. :-)
I'm a sinner. It's true. I have repeatedly fallen short of His glory more times than I can count. Despite this obvious shortcoming, I have spent time exploring repentance and forgiveness. Forgiveness from Him - of course - but also forgiveness for myself, from Him. Often times, even though He has forgiven me, it is much more difficult to forgive myself. It hasn't been until recently that I have realized - the crucifixtion is over. He has died to cleanse me of my sins, the price has been paid in full - I'm accepting a gift I don't deserve: grace and salvation.
How sweetly broken - in the words of Jeremy Riddle - I have been, and yet He fills me up with Him...through His grace. I once heard a quote, "I am blessed in that God's grace will always exceed my ability to sin." I find this to be true, however, I'm not accepting a green pass to sin away at my selfish desire.
RC Sproul once said, "It is impossible to sin without hurting someone else," as sin - in concept - is tresspassing on the holiness of God himself. To marinate in the notion, sinning = hurting someone else, we may often hesitate in our desires to indulge. This recognized hesitancy could only be explained by what I encounter as the Holy Spirit. Sort of that "gut check" before you run a red light, tell a lie, or even that slight heat you feel when you overspend your financial means just to name a few scenarios.
Looking at the word - DESERVE - according to www.dictionary.com, to deserve means: to be worthy of, qualified for, or have a claim to reward.
My friends, though we have fallen so incredibly short of His amazing glory and do not deserve His literally amazing grace....He extends His sweet hand to help us, to love us, to protect us, to provide for us, to redeem us, and to heal us. His open arms are there to embrace us, no matter how severe the crime.....to Him, its all equal - and He is there to forgive, to give grace.
He is my Father, and I love Him deeply - for who He is, and not how He makes me feel. In my prayer, my heart seeks our Father in prayer that you may truly know Him.
Also, looking at the word - KNOW - again, according to www.dictionary.com, to know means: be acquainted with (a thing, place, person, etc.), as by sight, experience, or report.
You can know Him. Just ask Him. :-)
But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. - 1 John 2:5-6
In His Love,
Kay
Good post!! Love you!
ReplyDelete1. Totally wish I had that gut check when I run red lights...
2. Love being broken. There is such beauty in being broken. Never do I want to end up where I was, crying on my bed, lost and alone. However, it's beautiful how God can pick up those pieces and turn us into something radiant. It's like a mosaic table made of broken glass. The Father picks up our pieces, washes us clean, and puts us back together. He uses those broken pieces to turn us into something beautiful...just like that table. Then, we bear fruit. People see the change; they see the beauty. Then, they too, come and sit at His table.