Let me just start by saying December 2011 was one of the strangest months of my life. I'm telling you the Lord messed up my view of timing and time in general. Along with time, there were some mindset shifts. One big one was old mindsets are a false sense of comfort. My old way of doing things and dealing with things no longer flies. I knew this was true, now truth is becoming my reality. I'm going to spare you from details and say I'm also not perfect but His grace is more than enough. His grace is continuing to perfect me until I'm running in the door of heaven.
I don't mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have no achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. Philippians 3:12-14
Backing up a little, going forward indeed, just sharing what the Lord has been teaching me. Late November He started laying on my heart the importance of relationship. It started with the revelation of God sending His son (father/son relationship) to reconcile our relationship with God (now we are in father/son or daughter relationship with God). He is all about relationship with Him first and others next. When we are in a committed relationship with God our relationships with others have opportunity to take on more depth and meaning. Since the love of God is true love I want to be full of Him so I can love others with the love of Christ. When we try to obey God without relationship it becomes following rules and regulations. Doing good deeds out of our own strength becomes acts of righteousness, when Jesus said we can do increasingly more in His strength.
For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are. But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. Romans 3:20-22
I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. John 14:12
Watch out! Don't do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. When you give to someone in need, don't do as the hypocrites do- blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. But when you give to someone in need, don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. Matthew 6:1-4
Still on relationship here. I'm reading Captivating right now and I can only handle a couple pages atta time! From Captivating...
GODS HEART FOR RELATIONSHIP
The vast desire and capacity a woman has for intimate relationships tells us of God's vast desire and capacity for intimate relationships. In fact, this may be the most important thing we ever learn about God – that he yearns for relationship with us. “Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God” (John 17:3). The whole story of the Bible is a love story between God and his people. He yearns for us. He cares. He has a tender heart. (pg. 29)
When you love someone you don't want to hurt them. However, offense seems to happen at some point in relationship regardless of if it's intentional or not. To the measure we forgive others we are forgiven. (Matthew 6:14&15) Weather or not it seems like others are taking advantage of grace is between them and the Lord. Do we trust the Lord with our offense? Anyway, when we love God with all our heart obedience flows out of intimacy. I want to know the Lord like that. Intimacy over bondage to the law of sin and death.
Well, on to the calendar year 2012. God and timing just makes me smile now. I asked the Lord a couple nights ago to tell me something I don't know. He said let go of complete control. Yeah. I'm pretty sure that was Him. So waiting and trusting. Trusting and moving. What does it mean to really live anyway, because I want to live! In Him is true life right? This is life that shines the light of Jesus. (John 1:4&5) I want to be close, close to His side. So heaven is real, and death is a lie...
Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him and he will help you. Psalm 37:5
Yesterday I was rushing to prepare food in between clients and sliced my finger chopping stuff. OMG it hurt so bad and I was so mad at myself for rushing. Okay so lesson learned...slow down ;) I was considering going to get stitches but whatevs I think I'm good. Then it really hit me. I was being such a baby over my wounded finger. It is pretty deep and it hurt bad. Physically that pain was nothing compared to the wounds Jesus must have suffered for my sins. I was like oh my god Lord the price you paid for my freedom because of my offense is too much for me to grasp. He did that for me, do I really grasp the gift of the cross. To top it off he cares about my wound, my little cut finger. He took the punishment for my offense.
But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God's path to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all. Isaiah 53:5&6
God paid a high price for you, so don't be enslaved by the world. 1Corinthians 7:23
When I was working out the other day this song by Hillsong got my attention:
Beautiful Exchange
Trading your life
for my offenses
for my redemption, you carried the blame
Breaking the curse
of our condition
Perfection took our place
When only love could make a way
You gave your life in a beautiful exchange
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