Last week, I asked you… Have you ever felt chosen? Ephesians 1 declares that ALL of us have been chosen to have relationship with God. Ephesians 2 takes us further and so I ask…
Did you ever?
Did you ever accept the invitation to live in grace? It is God’s grace that allows us to truly live and be reconciled by the sacrifice of Jesus. And it’s only by grace… not anything you or I can be or do.
Many people, like me, grew up with the “pull yourselves up by the boot-straps” mentality. Our motto is: We can accomplish what we set our minds to do. So, it can be challenging and humbling to realize that there is no way that we can achieve salvation on our own. But it is also freeing! Because if we can’t gain it on our own, then we can’t lose it on our own either! Our Salvation rests in what Jesus has already done for us and our willingness to accept the invitation to live in God’s grace. Wow!
Yes, it’s that simple and yet profound! Say “yes” to the invitation to live in God’s grace… there’s an abundant supply of His mercy and grace available to you. When you realize how very much God loves you, you’ll stop wondering if you are “good enough” to be His kid or “bad enough” to even need Him. Instead you’ll rest in the knowledge that you are His workmanship, His masterpiece, His poetry! And then you’ll want to get to know Him better and learn the desires in His heart for you. (vs. 10)
There’s so much more to learn in Ephesians 2! Read on to learn about how the blood of Jesus:
Gives access to the Father through the Holy Spirit
Brings unity
Fulfills the requirements of the law
Break downs the walls of prejudice
Abolishes ethnic barriers
Makes us citizens of Heaven!
“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.” Vs. 13
Waiting… It can be one of the hardest things to do. While waiting, we have little control over the timing or even the outcome. Think of the family sitting in the hospital anxiously, hoping to hear good news or the small business owner sitting, phone in hand, hoping to hear from the bank on a much needed loan. Sometimes we feel like professional waiters! The Word of God is filled with promises that are rarely fulfilled instantly. We spend a lot of time waiting to see the realization of what our hearts crave come to pass.
And yet, there’s beauty in the waiting.
Think of the bride waiting for her wedding day. She is not complacent in the waiting, she is planning, preparing, creating, and dreaming! The wedding day will be even richer for the those seemingly unending moments of anticipation!
Waiting… we spend much of our lives in the wait mode. If we are not careful, our waiting will become filled with all the wrong things: impatience, laziness, frustration, jealousy, bitterness.
How can our wait become a season of beauty? One in which we grow and thrive?
First, look back… I know, we think that we should never look back, right? Forget the past and push on! But wait! Think on the story of the Israelites crossing the Jordan in Joshua 4. After that miraculous crossing, God had the people set up an alter as a testimony of His mighty works for the generations to come. We want to look back with thankfulness for the blessings we’ve already seen come to pass in our lives! Create a “memorial” to remember all that God has done for you and your family!
“I will remember the deeds of the Lord: yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.” Psalm 77:11 NIV
Journaling creates a tangible “monument” to God’s faithfulness!
Then, look forward! What are the dreams God has placed in your heart? What are you anticipating coming to pass? What promises have you been declaring over your life? God is the Dream-Giver and He doesn’t place desires for good gifts in your heart without a purpose. Look forward in faith! If your dreams look possible without Divine help, then maybe they’re too small. Dream big with the faith that what you can’t see can truly be! Write down your dreams and lay them at the feet of the Father in faith.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Now… be present in the now. What is the Lord’s plan for you in the now? What will you do in the waiting? As you look back in thankfulness and forward in faith, I dare to declare that your present will be filled with grace for the season you are walking through! God’s grace will sustain you to not just survive, but thrive! He will give you what you need to yield fruit today, now, in your present circumstance. Trust Him! He has created you for His Kingdom purposes long before you stood in this place.1 He is faithful in your today, no matter what it looks like. Be patient in the waiting!
“I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.” Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 NIV
Consider these lyrics from Hillsongs’ Seasons, so encouraging!
“I can see the promise
I can see the future
You’re the God of seasons
And I’m just in the winter
If all I know of harvest
Is that it’s worth my patience
Then if You’re not done working
God I’m not done waiting
You can see my promise
Even in the winter
Cause You’re the God of greatness
Even in a manger
For all I know of seasons
Is that You take Your time
You could have saved us in a second
Instead You sent a child”2
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God designed us to live in the present, but not without the benefit of the past or the blossom of the future! Look back in thankfulness, forward in faith, and live in His grace for the now, knowing that there is beauty in the waiting.
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“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, And whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8
Live Loved,
P.S. You are not alone in your waiting! Others are waiting too… comment and share this encouragement on social media! 🙂
“Do you remember that time that you _________ (fill in the blank with any poor choice)!”
How painful it is when someone reminds us of our past mistakes! Just when you think life has moved on and your royal screw-ups have been forgotten, someone pulls out their shovel and digs it up again. We wish that memories could be wiped clear and clean slates were mandatory.
Back in the day, there was a Christian music artist that I didn’t care for… not because of her style or voice, but because she had allowed herself to be sponsored by a disreputable company. Recently, I heard her name in connection with a current project and immediately that memory surfaced, along with my dislike. The Holy Spirit whispered in my ear, “When do you allow someone to grow past their errors?”
His voice was so gentle, but I felt the strong conviction of truth. I knew that the Lord was challenging me to go to a new level in my desire to be more like Him.
It’s human nature, really. Whether we’ve been personally hurt by someone or their reputation leaves a bad taste in our mouths, rarely do we allow our opinions of someone to change, even years later.
We still think of the high school bully as an adult bully.
We still imagine that the man caught in moral failure continues to be unfaithful.
We still believe that the person who stole in the past is a thief today.
We still consider that wild girl from college as promiscuous.
We still look at the man down the street as the punk teenager who was disrespectful.
We still remember the hurtful words spoken even after the apology.
When will we allow others to grow past the errors of youth, ignorance, stupidity, and selfishness?
It’s time to make like Elsa and let it go!
People change! But even if they don’t, you and I are responsible to move beyond the status quo and offer grace and forgiveness. Just as God gives us new mercies every morning*, we can offer others a clean slate in our minds and hearts.
Now don’t get me wrong… God gives us wisdom! If a neighbor stole money from me last year, I’m not going to leave my purse open for their perusal. If a family member negatively impacted a child in the past, I’m not going to give them unguarded access again**. Caution isn’t a wrong choice, but assumptions that people can’t, don’t, or won’t change is.
Forgiveness isn’t a prize we present. Grace isn’t a reward given to the worthy. They are non-negotiables for those who call themselves followers of Jesus. How you and I view others does not ultimately affect them; it does, however, reflect the condition of our hearts.
If we call ourselves Believers, followers of Jesus, the Body of Christ, then we are called to a higher standard, to live a life worthy of our calling as Kingdom Ambassadors. Ephesians 4 challenges you and I to:
Think humbly
Treat gently
Love generously
Embrace unity
Reflect righteousness
Be honest
Choose rightly
Speak encouragingly
Offer kindness
Release anger
Forgive consistently
There are no boundaries placed on these expectations… we don’t get to pick and choose who we treat this way! In fact, we are to even treat ourselves this way!
Do we still think of our own failures as permanent stains on who God intended us to be? Again, when will we allow others, and ourselves, to grow past the errors of youth, ignorance, stupidity, and selfishness?
Today is the day to let it go!
Ask the Lord for a new lens, a lens of love and forgiveness, with which to view yourself and others. You may not see the results of that new lens in the lives of others, but you will see the effects in your own heart. As compassion, peace, and thankfulness well up, you can’t help but reflect the heart of the Father to others! This is the life of the Kingdom culture that will impact our world and bring Heaven to earth!
Live Loved,
*Lamentations 3:22-23
**God never intends for us to place ourselves or others in a place to be repeatedly hurt. You can offer forgiveness and grace and still set boundaries that limit the access of others to your life. Learn more about being a powerful person in the book “Keep Your Love On” by Danny Silk.
Years ago, we didn’t know we were trend setters by dipping our French fries into our milkshakes! As kids, smearing icing on saltines was simply scrounging for a yummy snack. But somehow, the desire to eat salty yet savory snacks became a rage leading to store shelves bearing Pretzel M & Ms™, Pecan Pie Pringles™, and Salty Caramel candies galore! There’s something about the tangy flavor of salt combined with delicious sweetness molded into one bite!
What if you and I were sweet yet savory people? Crazy idea, huh?! What if followers of Jesus purposed to live in a way that offered those around us a “salty sweet” presence that reflected who we are and Whose we are? Let me explain…
It was Jesus who declared you and I the salt of the earth (Matt. 5:13). What is the purpose of salt? In a nutshell… this is what salt does1:
Preserves quality
Enhances flavor
Removes bitterness
Provides nutrients
Binds together
Increases brightness
Hmmm….
Now apply those characteristics to personal interactions. Do you and I bring good things to the table? Do we preserve others, enhance conversations, remove bitterness, speak wisdom, promote unity, and brighten lives? Wow! When I consider the characteristics of salt, I sense a strength, an authenticity even, that presents itself while engaging with others. It’s living and interacting in an integral way that brings glory to God.
So where does the sweetness come in?
Colossians 4:6 reminds us, “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” I believe the sweetness comes through us in the form of grace! Grace takes mercy to a whole new level!
Mercy is when we don’t receive consequences we deserve. Grace is when we not only don’t receive what we deserve, but we are blessed with something we don’t deserve and didn’t earn! Grace is the ability to treat others with kindness and value regardless of whether we feel it is deserved. It allows us to answer anger with gentleness; to give blessing to those who curse us; and to forgive the ones who break our hearts (Prov. 15:1, Matt. 5:44,18:21-22). In a nutshell… Grace brings a sweetness to interactions, even if they are in painful or uncomfortable situations.
Sweet and salty, grace and strength… a powerful combination, a recipe even. As ambassadors representing the Kingdom of God, when our interactions with others are patterned with salty qualities and the sweetness of grace then wrapped in God’s love, we will walk in favor and influence like we never have before! Each personal connection is an opportunity to love others, be encouraging, dismantle bitterness, and promote goodness!
What a powerful opportunity for us! Sweet yet savory! Be a life well-seasoned! I’m up to the challenge, how about you?
Live Loved,
P.S. Please share your thoughts by clicking the reply button! I appreciate your input.
There’s something exciting about “new.” Imagine that feeling of popping open the fresh box of pointed crayons, smelling that new car scent, opening an untouched jar of peanut butter, pulling out a new pair of jeans. New is adventurous! New is refreshing! New is an untouched opportunity!
Maybe you’ve heard someone say, “I can’t wait for the new year, I’m ready to be done with this one!” We celebrate each January 1st as a new beginning and a fresh start. It represents an untouched opportunity to explore, grow, and change.
But why wait? By waiting for the close of the official calendar to evoke freshness in our lives, we are missing the blessing of each new day! Too often we wake up in the morning just to have our minds flooded with the happenings of yesterday… missed opportunities, frustrated moments, forgotten commitments, harsh words… all stains that should stay with yesterday but are allowed to bleed into today. Don’t begin today by writing on yesterday’s page. Each new day is a new beginning. You were designed to open to a fresh page when your eyes embrace the morning light!
The Prophet Jeremiah experienced loss, anger, and frustration, yet he reminded himself (and us), “The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning.” (Lamentations 3:22-23, NLT)
What are these mercies that are new for us each morning?
His faithfulness-Isaiah 30:18, I Thessalonians 5:23-24
His unconditional love-Psalm 103:11, I John 4:9-10
His forgiveness-Micah 7:18-19, I John 1:9
His strength-Isaiah 40:28-31, Philippians 4:13
His grace-Psalm 84:11, Romans 5:20-21
His peace-Psalm 29:11, John 14:27
As you step into your new day, what is it that you need today… His faithfulness, love, forgiveness, strength, grace, peace? All of those things? Me too! And they are all found in our Savior! He is never further than a whisper away! Don’t wait for a new year to gain a fresh beginning; start each day with a new page!
Don’t stop there though, as you experience God’s faithfulness, love, and forgiveness, extend those gifts to the others in your life! Offer forgiveness that isn’t requested; give grace to those who offend; show kindness that is undeserved. Freely you have received it, so freely give!
Our Father is a God of new beginnings! He promises to forget our mistakes and help us clean up our messes. Our eyes and feet point forward because that is how God designed us to move… forward into what He has for us today without clinging to the stains of yesterday. Let each day unfold on a fresh page, purified and ready to reflect God at work in you and me.
Live Loved, because you are!
Please share your thoughts in the “reply” box or by clicking on the bubble by the title!
