Tag Archive | grace

Freedom

Feb4

My chains have been broken

I give all thanks to Thee

I now know the Truth

And the Truth has set me free

 

You loosed my restraints

Where once I was bound

The chains and the shackles

Fell straight to the ground

 

The bondage of slavery

That once held me tight

No longer has hold of me

Against it we fight

 

You arm me for battle

Your sword at my side

Girded in righteousness

Behind Your shield I hide

 

Your helmet, my salvation

Your belt of truth on my waist

And Your gospel of peace

My feet will carry all my days

 

Still the most precious gift

You’ve given to me

Your Spirit in my heart

Seals my identity

 

A child of the King, I am

Adopted by Your grace

Your love fills my heart

Your joy shines from my face

 

Forever I’ll live with You

In all eternity

Forever I am grateful

That You died on Calvary

 

Your death paid my ransom

The debt I owed to Thee

You defeated my opponent

I will claim my victory

 

My chains have been broken

I give all thanks to Thee

I now know the Truth

And the Truth has set me free

 

 

Are You Ready?

Apr26


“Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready†(Revelation 19:7).

Planning a wedding ceremony and reception is a monumental task. The bride and groom spend months scheduling, organizing, and formulating all the details—the attendants, the pastor, the church, the reception venue, the DJ, the photographer, the wedding music, the colors, the decorations, the meal, and so on.

A year in advance, the bride shops for the wedding dress of her dreams. Next, it’s the veil, shoes, jewelry, and lingerie. Something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue.

As the big day draws near, the bride begins to prepare herself personally. She tans her body, so her skin tone makes that beautiful dress come alive. She cuts and colors or highlights her hair the week before so it’s at that perfect stage on the day of. She enjoys a manicure and pedicure the day before with her bridal party. A “run through” of the wedding ceremony is practiced that evening so the attendants know what’s expected of them, and the wedding affair will be executed perfectly the next day. The groom’s parents host a rehearsal dinner, where the bride and groom relay their gratitude for the presence and support of their close family and friends who participate in the wedding.

Finally, the special day arrives. The exciting event the bride and groom so carefully planned comes to a culmination. The bride wakes up early and starts her day with a warm, relaxing shower or a soak in the tub. Her nerves surge and her mind races going over all the details of the day. The entire day is devoted to preparing herself for her groom. A professional artist styles her hair and applies her makeup with great perfection. At her side, her attendants help her get ready, physically and emotionally. The bride’s mother holds her daughter’s dress as she steps into it. The groom’s mother assists her with her veil. The maid of honor fastens a necklace around the bride’s neck. At last, she is ready to join the bridegroom for the long-awaited wedding—a union of their hearts, minds, and bodies. The two shall become one.   *******

Are we as diligent about getting ourselves ready for our Bridegroom? Do we spend months and years preparing for our marriage to the Lamb? Will we be ready when that special day arrives?

When we accept that Jesus Christ died for our sins, believe that God raised Him from the dead, and confess Jesus as our Savior and Lord, we become a child of the King. He washes us whiter than snow and clothes us in His righteousness, so that we may be reconciled to God. Then, He sends His Holy Spirit, our Best Man, to make ready our spirits. He dwells in us and prepares us for the day we will meet our Bridegroom. This begins our sanctification process where the Spirit counsels us, encourages us, teaches us, and guides us to become more Christ-like.

It is such a blessing that Jesus receives us just as we are. We need no special hairstyles or manicures to prepare ourselves for Him. We don’t have to shed bad habits and sinful behavior before coming to Christ. By His amazing grace, A woman is standing at the microphone and holding a pen.He accepts us in whatever condition we approach Him. And then, He begins His transforming work in us, making us a new creation in Christ. The old fades away, the new life is here. Rejoice and be glad. Give Him all the glory!A woman is standing at the microphone and holding a pen.

Becoming more like Jesus is the “getting ready†process. We need to get to know God better by reading His Word daily, allowing the Scriptures to permeate our hearts and minds. Tuning in to the voice of the Holy Spirit within us is vital in developing a mind and heart like Christ. We need to make time to walk in close relationship with Jesus by talking to Him, listening to Him, and obeying Him. Loving and serving others, by laying down our lives for our friends, will provide opportunities to share with them the goodness of God and the gospel of Jesus Christ. These efforts describe some of our preparation work for our special event. This life is our rehearsal to get us ready for the big day when we will meet our Bridegroom, become united in marriage, and live happily ever after in eternity with Him.

Are you ready for your Bridegroom? How will you prepare for your big day—the wedding of the Lamb?

Light Ablaze Lost Souls for Me

May2


A woman is standing at the microphone and holding a pen.Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire. (Hebrews 12:28-29)

My child, do not refuse me as the pagans do. Do not refuse the words that I speak. I am the one you seek. I am the Lord of all, the Messiah, the One who saves. When I saved you, I sent my Spirit to live in your heart. Your body is my temple, therefore, do not defile your body. I have prepared for you a place in a kingdom that cannot be shaken. Be thankful and worship me with awe and reverence for I will destroy those who refuse me, and I will ignite a passion in those who accept me. Be on fire for me. Let your enthusiasm light a fire in someone else. Burn with fervor for me. My Spirit lives in you. This is no small thing. I consume you with my fire within. Commit yourself to living by my Spirit. Let my love and grace flow from my temple within you and overwhelm a dying world. You belong to a kingdom that cannot be brought down. Live in a way that will bring down the walls of indifference and light ablaze lost souls for me.


 

Breathing in Your Grace

May1


A woman is standing at the microphone and holding a pen.Lord, you woke me to these lyrics from Matt Redman’s song Your Grace Finds Me:

“So I’m breathing in Your grace. And I’m breathing out Your praise. I’m breathing in Your grace. Forever I’ll be Breathing in Your grace.”

John 20:22 says–Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.†And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.â€

My sweet child, when you confessed your belief in me, you received my grace. I breathed on you and you received my Holy Spirit into your heart. My peace remains in you just as my Spirit remains in you at all times. Forever, you will breathe in my grace and peace.

Do you know how much I love you? Do you understand how deeply I care about you? I knew you before I formed you. I breathed the breath of life into your lungs. You are alive because I wanted you and created you. And now I make my home in you.

You live because I live. Your heart is alive, because I am alive in you. Do not forget that I am alive. You do not worship a god made of stone. Every breath you take is because of my grace. Every day is a gift from me. Breathe in my grace and breathe out my praise. Be a witness to my goodness every time you take a breath. Breathe in my grace and breathe out my praise before a watching world.

My Heart Will Overflow

Apr25

Lord, last night I prayed that you would wake me with a song again. This morning as I opened my eyes, I heard these lyrics to “From the Day” by I Am They:

From the day You saved my soul

‘Til the very moment when I come home

I’ll sing, I’ll dance, my heart will overflow

From the day You saved my soul

 The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. (Luke 6:45)

Precious one, you are good. I have made you in my image and I am good. Store up good in your heart. Discard all evil and practice good only. Let your lips overflow with praise from the good stored up in your heart. Streams of living water will flow from within you as my Spirit resides in you. Live by my Spirit; walk in the Spirit; pray in the Spirit, and experience my goodness. For when you believed in me, I gave you the gift of the Holy Spirit. You will sing, you will dance; your heart will overflow with my goodness. Do not live in the flesh as the world lives, but by my Spirit within you. Express your gratitude for my saving grace by living in obedience to me. Listen to the voice of the Spirit within you. He will lead you in the way everlasting. He will help you live a life that is pleasing to me—a good life. Truly, my goodness will flow like living water from within you. You are good.


 

His Mercy Made Us Alive

Apr24

Lord, today you woke me to these lyrics to “Mercy” by Casting Crowns

You’re greater than my yesterdays
You hold me close today
You’re the Lord of my tomorrows
My heart will always say
Your mercy saved me
Mercy made me whole
Your mercy found me
Called me as Your own

You called us as Your own
Your Mercy Made Us Alive

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of this grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:4-10)

My children, I called you as my own. You are my sons and daughters. My mercy made you alive with Christ. My grace saved you and raised you with Jesus so that I might show you the riches of my grace expressed in my loving kindness to you. I love you beyond your comprehension. I created you for a purpose. You are my workmanship, created to do the works I have prepared in advance for you to do. Seek me in all you do. I have plans for you. I prepare you for the work I designed you for. I make a way for you to accomplish my will.

 Draw near to me, and I will draw near to you. I will strengthen you and give you my wisdom. Ask and you will receive the incomparable riches of my grace. All I have is yours. You have access to it through my Son, Jesus Christ. Your inheritance is secure. Your eternal fate has been sealed by the Holy Spirit who lives in your heart. Listen to my voice within you. I desire a close relationship with you. Develop intimacy with me through my Spirit in you. Spend time with me daily in conversation. Share your heart with me and then listen as I share my heart with you. My mercy and grace saved you. My love and companionship will bless you. My peace will carry you through your trials. My Spirit in you makes you alive in me. I call you my own; you are mine.

You are the Salt of the Earth

Mar26


A woman is standing at the microphone and holding a pen.Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. (Colossians 4:5-6)

You are the salt of the earth. I have seasoned you with my goodness. Let all your conversations with outsiders be always full of grace and truth. Season the earth with the salt I have given you. Do not lose your saltiness, and therefore, your effectiveness as my witness. Remain in me and my salt will remain in you. In the world, too much sodium is not good for you. However, my salt makes for a healthy heart. Taste and see that the Lord is good, and then, season the whole earth with my goodness.

Obedience is Love

Mar20

And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love. (2 John 6)

Children of God, I ask you to walk in truth and love—the truth that I am the Father’s Son, Jesus Christ, and the love that the Father has bestowed upon us. True love is this: that we obey the commands of God. I have asked you to love one another, just as I have loved you. Love is obedience. Obedience is love. One does not exist without the other. When you are obedient to His commands, you demonstrate your love for the Father. When you love the Father, you demonstrate your love through your obedience. I love God, therefore, I demonstrated my love with my obedience, even unto death on the cross. Obey God, and walk in His true love. This love is a gift from God above. You cannot manifest this kind of love from any efforts of your own flesh. You must draw on the pure, unadulterated love of God, in order to love another in His grace. Do not be taken in by the kind of love the world offers, but cling to the love that has saved you from your sins. My blood was shed for your atonement. Claim your victory in my name. Live as I live. Love as I love. Demonstrate your love of God by loving one another. Love from the depths of the Spirit of God within you. When you do, your reward will be great.

Humble and Holy

Jan26

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. (James 4:10)

But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:15

My child, humble yourself and submit yourself to me. I am the giver of all good things. First, I give you my grace—grace that saves you into an eternity with me. Second, I give you my name. You are the child I delight in. You have been adopted by me. Third, I give you my Spirit. My Spirit will help you live a life that is holy and pleasing to me. I do not give you empty promises. Humble yourself before me and I will lift you up. Submit your spirit to my Spirit. I desire a greater intimacy with you. You are a stranger to this world, but a friend of mine. Do not conduct yourself as the world desires, but give yourself to me. Resist evil. Come near to me and enjoy the fellowship of our souls.