"All the people answered, 'His blood be on us and on our children!'" (HCSB)
What Satan intends for bad, God will use for good.
His people were begging for His covering..
God, WE were begging for Your covering. We knew we could no longer stand alone. We needed to be washed in Your blood - covered with Your blood...and somewhere deep inside we knew that. It was brutal, but we called out for You...and You answered.
Proof that our hearts long for You.
Proof that You use all things for Your glory.
Proof that Your sheep know Your voice.
What kind of love..
Showing posts with label grace. Show all posts
Showing posts with label grace. Show all posts
17 September 2011
08 July 2011
2 Corinthians 12:9
Have you ever messed up, have you ever stumbled back into a hole you’ve been in 19 times before, and upon hitting the bottom, thought to yourself, “When I fell, I landed on grace, and right now, in this moment, God’s power is being made perfect!” -SCL
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 glady of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
El-Shaddai - The All-Sufficient One
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 glady of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
El-Shaddai - The All-Sufficient One
01 June 2011
I always blog right before Spanish
Reading Beth Moore's latest blog post today for our Memory Verse #11 and WOW...
Exodus 34:4-7 first of all. I love the part in 33 when God hides Moses in the rock and he sees God's glory and all that jazz - talk about WOW moment. That's one of those climax, tension building, awe-inspiring, firework moments in a movie.
Okay, but now in 34 when God introduces himself as Yahweh to Moses - this is like the BIG DEAL - I mean God's saying "you don't have to call me Mr Awesome anymore..just call me Yahweh." that's like saying "I'm no longer Mr. President. Just call me Barak."
Hello. big deal.
But instead of just saying "Just call me Yahweh." he says "Hey I'm Yahweh. I'm gracious and compassionate."
God INTRODUCES Himself as compassionate and gracious. Because these are part of who He IS and He doesn't change, He is continually compassionate and gracious - He can't look at us without looking at us through grace and compassion..being slow to anger and FULL of faithful love.
wowowowow. Sometimes I think God can't possibly see me and show me compassion after some of the things I've done/thought/seen..or even just because I'm so mediocre, and yet He does. I'm not justifying any of my mediocrity or mistakes, but God is STILL God and He is STILL gracious and compassionate.
gracious.
compassionate.
faithful love.
wow.
Exodus 34:4-7 first of all. I love the part in 33 when God hides Moses in the rock and he sees God's glory and all that jazz - talk about WOW moment. That's one of those climax, tension building, awe-inspiring, firework moments in a movie.
Okay, but now in 34 when God introduces himself as Yahweh to Moses - this is like the BIG DEAL - I mean God's saying "you don't have to call me Mr Awesome anymore..just call me Yahweh." that's like saying "I'm no longer Mr. President. Just call me Barak."
Hello. big deal.
But instead of just saying "Just call me Yahweh." he says "Hey I'm Yahweh. I'm gracious and compassionate."
God INTRODUCES Himself as compassionate and gracious. Because these are part of who He IS and He doesn't change, He is continually compassionate and gracious - He can't look at us without looking at us through grace and compassion..being slow to anger and FULL of faithful love.
wowowowow. Sometimes I think God can't possibly see me and show me compassion after some of the things I've done/thought/seen..or even just because I'm so mediocre, and yet He does. I'm not justifying any of my mediocrity or mistakes, but God is STILL God and He is STILL gracious and compassionate.
gracious.
compassionate.
faithful love.
wow.
24 May 2011
Ezekiel 16
A few months ago I was struck by the imagery at the beginning of Ezekiel 16. God describes Israel, and consequently us, as being abandoned and in a disgusting state. Our lives "pre-God" are actually compared to a baby who was birthed without being cleaned or having its umbilical chord cut.
GROSS.
Seriously - have you ever watched A Baby Story on TLC? The birthing part is my least favorite - not only does it look horrifically painful for everyone involved, but that baby comes out looking a straight mess.
What a description of our lives in sin: A straight up sick nasty mess. Oh, and let us not forget - we didn't even know we were a mess!!
Then God comes along, cleans us up, and teaches us to live in the way He intended in the beginning. This is where the chapter gets rough. It reminded me so much of the story of Ester because the women who were in the running to be the king's wife went through a beautification process - a long-term pampering if you will - before the king saw them. They eventually adorned themselves with jewels and fine clothes. Similarly, it says God clothed us with fine jewels and linens, blessing us abundantly with food and anything else you could imagine.
But being the sinners that we are, we decided we were good enough to make it on our own so we took our gifts and left...and found alliances elsewhere. The descriptions of Jerusalem betraying God in this particular chapter are brutal. Jerusalem has become a whore that makes Sodom and Gomorrah look like saints. You may not know the details of that particular story, but those cities were basically burned because of their fornication and impurities. You can find the unabridged version in Genesis 18.
Isaiah 64 says that our righteousness is like menstrual rags. Ezekiel 16 only makes that image clearer. Inevitably we betray our covenant (it's like an ULTIMATE promise - a promise before God and consequently with God) repeatedly. God gets angry, of course, because His people have chosen to fornicate with idols rather than live faithfully to Him after all He'd done, and as the JUST God, we are punished according to our sins..justly. Justice is served.
This entire chapter blew me away. I couldn't wrap my mind around the magnitude of God's mercy in cleaning me up in the beginning, let alone the idea of my betrayal of His love, trust, and blessing in the middle of the chapter.
It wasn't until today that I finally focused on the end of this chapter.
"God, the Master, says, 'I'll do to you just as you have already done, you who have treated my oath with contempt and broken the covenant. All the same, I'll remember the covenant I made with you when you were young and I'll make a new covenant with you that will last forever. You'll remember your sorry past and be properly contrite when you receive back your sisters, both the older and the younger. I'll give them to you as daughters, but not as participants in your covenant. I'll firmly establish my covenant with you and you'll know that I am God. You'll remember your past life and face the shame of it, but when I make atonement for you, make everything right after everything you've done, it will leave you speechless.' Decree of God, the Master." (59-63)
grace.
GROSS.
Seriously - have you ever watched A Baby Story on TLC? The birthing part is my least favorite - not only does it look horrifically painful for everyone involved, but that baby comes out looking a straight mess.
What a description of our lives in sin: A straight up sick nasty mess. Oh, and let us not forget - we didn't even know we were a mess!!
Then God comes along, cleans us up, and teaches us to live in the way He intended in the beginning. This is where the chapter gets rough. It reminded me so much of the story of Ester because the women who were in the running to be the king's wife went through a beautification process - a long-term pampering if you will - before the king saw them. They eventually adorned themselves with jewels and fine clothes. Similarly, it says God clothed us with fine jewels and linens, blessing us abundantly with food and anything else you could imagine.
But being the sinners that we are, we decided we were good enough to make it on our own so we took our gifts and left...and found alliances elsewhere. The descriptions of Jerusalem betraying God in this particular chapter are brutal. Jerusalem has become a whore that makes Sodom and Gomorrah look like saints. You may not know the details of that particular story, but those cities were basically burned because of their fornication and impurities. You can find the unabridged version in Genesis 18.
Isaiah 64 says that our righteousness is like menstrual rags. Ezekiel 16 only makes that image clearer. Inevitably we betray our covenant (it's like an ULTIMATE promise - a promise before God and consequently with God) repeatedly. God gets angry, of course, because His people have chosen to fornicate with idols rather than live faithfully to Him after all He'd done, and as the JUST God, we are punished according to our sins..justly. Justice is served.
This entire chapter blew me away. I couldn't wrap my mind around the magnitude of God's mercy in cleaning me up in the beginning, let alone the idea of my betrayal of His love, trust, and blessing in the middle of the chapter.
It wasn't until today that I finally focused on the end of this chapter.
"God, the Master, says, 'I'll do to you just as you have already done, you who have treated my oath with contempt and broken the covenant. All the same, I'll remember the covenant I made with you when you were young and I'll make a new covenant with you that will last forever. You'll remember your sorry past and be properly contrite when you receive back your sisters, both the older and the younger. I'll give them to you as daughters, but not as participants in your covenant. I'll firmly establish my covenant with you and you'll know that I am God. You'll remember your past life and face the shame of it, but when I make atonement for you, make everything right after everything you've done, it will leave you speechless.' Decree of God, the Master." (59-63)
grace.
02 March 2011
overwhelmed
I'm in the middle of a research paper on a few individuals involved in (victims of, really) the degenerate art movement of the early 20th century - for my art history class, of course. And by "in the middle of," I mean I have at least eleven tabs open on Firefox right now with different articles, biographies, etc.
I get a little overwhelmed when I do research for a paper like this. I'll be reading one article that will link to another one I'd like to read or references someone/something I need to check out so I open another tab with that information, but go back and finish the first article. Then I have to go through the next tab I've opened and that one usually has something else I need to check out...it's a never-ending process. I promise.
Ironically, this is my favorite part. The writing-the-paper part isn't appealing to me. You'd think, with my English major, I'd love the writing part. My adviser pointed out a few semesters ago that I love research because I love history. I love writing because it's an expression. The two cross, but very rarely.
Lately, this overwhelming feeling has taken a different turn - a turn toward complacency and frustration. My spirit is tired. I'm ready to rest. I want to sit at the feet of my Abba and breathe slow, deep, intentional breaths.
Today, I've been overwhelmed in a completely different way. I spent a good amount of time in the Word today - a good hour outside in the sunshine with a beautiful heart. We were quiet and it was so good. I was able to have coffee with another dear friend and have dinner with my church family. Both included a large amount of discussion - what's going on in our lives and how God is moving.
I'm overwhelmed by the blessings in my life. My breath catches when I get a text that says something along the lines of, "How can I pray for you?" or "How's your heart?" These questions are so extravagant to me because I know the people asking them are truly asking to know because they care. It's not something they feel obligated to do or do simply for the latest gossip. It's precious. I can't begin to tell you how difficult it's been to adjust to this crazy new place I'm at where I have a core that truly cares and means what they say. It's crazy to have a core that desires God with such an intensity and prays intentionally for His presence in my life and in all our lives. WILD.
Being overwhelmed isn't always bad. The rough draft of this research paper is due tomorrow, but my professor has presented me with some of the most incredible opportunities to study this further.
God is present and living in every situation I encounter and has a plan. He's HAD a plan. I'm living in it.
My friends aren't going anywhere. God will continually overwhelm me with everything they're learning and how He wants us to learn from each other.
I can't wait to see how He moves. He's planted seeds of inspiration in my heart and a passionate desire to follow hard after Him - even if it means actually writing research papers over and over again. I can't wait to move in Him and continue this crazy dance we're doing.
This song has been stuck in my head tonight. It's by Grace Midtown:
In your hands I find my healing.
What is this love that has redeemed us?
What is this love that's found me?
Love that covers all, has covered all my soul.
I feel myself drowning in Your grace.
You take this broken soul and make it beautiful.
My God, You will never let me go.
You've seated me in heavenly places within a love that never changes.
In all my life, I live for You, alone.
I get a little overwhelmed when I do research for a paper like this. I'll be reading one article that will link to another one I'd like to read or references someone/something I need to check out so I open another tab with that information, but go back and finish the first article. Then I have to go through the next tab I've opened and that one usually has something else I need to check out...it's a never-ending process. I promise.
Ironically, this is my favorite part. The writing-the-paper part isn't appealing to me. You'd think, with my English major, I'd love the writing part. My adviser pointed out a few semesters ago that I love research because I love history. I love writing because it's an expression. The two cross, but very rarely.
Lately, this overwhelming feeling has taken a different turn - a turn toward complacency and frustration. My spirit is tired. I'm ready to rest. I want to sit at the feet of my Abba and breathe slow, deep, intentional breaths.
Today, I've been overwhelmed in a completely different way. I spent a good amount of time in the Word today - a good hour outside in the sunshine with a beautiful heart. We were quiet and it was so good. I was able to have coffee with another dear friend and have dinner with my church family. Both included a large amount of discussion - what's going on in our lives and how God is moving.
I'm overwhelmed by the blessings in my life. My breath catches when I get a text that says something along the lines of, "How can I pray for you?" or "How's your heart?" These questions are so extravagant to me because I know the people asking them are truly asking to know because they care. It's not something they feel obligated to do or do simply for the latest gossip. It's precious. I can't begin to tell you how difficult it's been to adjust to this crazy new place I'm at where I have a core that truly cares and means what they say. It's crazy to have a core that desires God with such an intensity and prays intentionally for His presence in my life and in all our lives. WILD.
Being overwhelmed isn't always bad. The rough draft of this research paper is due tomorrow, but my professor has presented me with some of the most incredible opportunities to study this further.
God is present and living in every situation I encounter and has a plan. He's HAD a plan. I'm living in it.
My friends aren't going anywhere. God will continually overwhelm me with everything they're learning and how He wants us to learn from each other.
I can't wait to see how He moves. He's planted seeds of inspiration in my heart and a passionate desire to follow hard after Him - even if it means actually writing research papers over and over again. I can't wait to move in Him and continue this crazy dance we're doing.
This song has been stuck in my head tonight. It's by Grace Midtown:
In your hands I find my healing.
What is this love that has redeemed us?
What is this love that's found me?
Love that covers all, has covered all my soul.
I feel myself drowning in Your grace.
You take this broken soul and make it beautiful.
My God, You will never let me go.
You've seated me in heavenly places within a love that never changes.
In all my life, I live for You, alone.
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