"Mirror Of Ink"

I look into this mirror of ink and see a soul that has no beauty in itself, but is silvery-white in the light of

Your Grace that covers me and makes me new.

Sunday, February 28, 2010

Day 19- Peace in His Presence

As my week ends and a new one begins, I must say that this week of focusing on peace has been the most difficult, yet the most enlightening of my Spirit-Led Life Challenge so far. I feel that I have really been challenged this week, and through that, I have grown to know God deeper and have a greater understanding of who He desires me to be through the power of the Holy Spirit. I am so thankful that He wants me to be someone who dwells in peace.

Tonight at church I was reminded of one of my favorite chapters in the Bible that embodies the life of peace- the 23rd Psalm.

"The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever."

What an awesome picture of the peace that God desires for us to walk in through His Spirit! He is our shepherd. Our protector. Our provider. He leads us to quiet, peaceful, restful places in Him. Though death and destruction may surround us, we don' t have to fear because HE is with us. He is our comfort. He anoints us to overflowing. His goodness and His love are always, always, always with us, and when our life on this earth ends, we will live with Him forever.

I don't think I can sum it up any better. This is peace. Being in the presence of our Good Shepherd. Letting Him lead and guide us. Trusting Him to provide for our needs. There is no greater peace than what is found in the presence of Jesus. Thank God that through His Holy Spirit we can live and walk in that supernatural peace daily. I am have started that journey this week, and I pray His peace continues to reign in my life as I put my trust in the Lord.

Friday, February 26, 2010

Day 18- Keeping the Peace

The Holy Spirit's peace is a wonderful thing. It protects us from worry and allows us to walk in the fullness of knowing who we are and Whose we are. Being filled with peace also allows us to create and keep peace around us. Not only is our personal peace threatened by the enemy, but so is the peace between us and others. It is very difficult to live at peace with yourself if you are not at peace with others.

"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one anther in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." Ephesians 4:2-3

I am convinced that one of the ways the enemy attacks our peace the most is through relationships. Think about it. How many times have you been stressed and worried, agitated and aggravated because of someone else? Perhaps it was something they did. Or didn't do. Maybe it was a rumor spread, lie told or promise broken. Maybe it was simply that they didn't do what you think they should have done. They may have purposely tried to harm you. They may not have even known that they hurt you. Whatever the case, relationships can wreak havoc on our peace.

The sad thing is, not only does this lack of peace hurt us personally, it hurts the Body of Christ and our Christian witness. When we are at odds with one another, we are choosing to throw the verse above right out the window and act out of selfish ambition. We want to feel hurt. We have a right to be angry. We are justified in our frustration. But are we really? Is there ever a time when our feelings give us the right to disregard the Word of God?

Working in the church, it truly saddens me to see how many people choose to act and speak out of those feelings rather than keep the peace. We are told in Matthew that the peacemakers are "blessed" and will be called "sons of God." I'm sure we would love for those words to describe us! But how hard are we working to keep the peace? Are we making every effort to be "humble", "gentle", and "bear with one another in love"? It is not an easy thing. Many times, we truly have been wronged. But that does not excuse us from walking in the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit and choosing to live in peace.

This is something God has convicted me of this week. I need to do a better job of keeping the peace in my relationships. It takes effort and selfless love, but if I am going to be a powerful, Holy Spirit-led Christian, there is no other way to live. I encourage you today- pray about the relationships in your life. Ask the Lord to show you where you can choose to be the peacemaker. Let His Holy Spirit give you the strength to act out of the truth of the Word of God rather than your feelings. When you do, I believe His wonderful peace will flood your life as you submit every area of your life to Him.

"Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and mutual edification." Romans 14:19


Thursday, February 25, 2010

Day 17- Protective Peace

As I went throughout my day today seeking to walk in the Spirit and be filled with His peace, I felt very much that the Spirit was keeping troubling thoughts out of my mind. As soon as worry would start to arise, the peace of God would set in and remind me that He was in control. It was such a comforting feeling, to know that my mind was protected by the peace of God.

The verse that I shared in yesterday's blog from Philippians 4:7 says that the peace of God will "guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." God promises that His peace will protect us. Once we choose to have peace rather than worry, it's as if we put a protective helmet on our minds that shields us from the worry, strife, anxiety and stress that constantly bombard us. In the power to choose peace, we have the power to choose the very thoughts that enter our minds. Look at 2 Corinthians 10:4-5:

"For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds, [Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One)."

When the peace of God is protecting our minds, we are doing just that- taking our thoughts captive and making them obedient to Jesus Christ. It's as if each thought is questioned at the "gate" as to its motives and purposes before it is allowed to enter our mind. Peace is the guard, the gatekeeper of the home where our thoughts, ideas, and intentions live.

I am so thankful for the protection of peace. If we had to maintain sanity on our own, we'd all be in the loony bin! :) But thank God, he gives us a guard and a gatekeeper to protect and take captive every thought before it comes into our minds. We truly can rest our minds at ease knowing that God is in control when His peace is reigning in our lives!

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Day 16- The Key To Peace

So as I was praying today and asking the Spirit to fill me with His peace today, I got to thinking, I know what peace is, and I know it's a choice, but how do I get it? What is the key to having peace in your life? Obviously there are circumstances beyond our control that threaten to bring anxiety, worry and stress into our lives at any given moment. So what is the key to keeping our peace in the most difficult storms of our life?

As I was praying about this, the Lord reminded me of a verse I have known since I was a child.

"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7

So you're probably thinking the same thing I was: "Okay Lord, but that still doesn't answer my question. I know your peace is beyond comprehension. But how do I get it?" It wasn't until later when I could look the verse up in my Bible that I got the answer. As you can see, this verse begins with a preposition, which means it is connected to the sentence before it. Guess what that sentence is? It's the key to peace.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Philippians 4:6

I know! I had an "Ah ha!" moment when I read it too! The key to peace is prayer. The first part of that verse deals with what I blogged about last night- choosing peace. It says "do not be anxious". We are commanded not to choose anxiety and worry, so it has to be a choice we make, or else we couldn't be commanded not to do it. But then, praise God, we are told what to do, and that is to pray. The Message version of the Bible puts it so plainly and beautifully:

"Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life."

Now that is an awesome promise of peace! Instead of worrying, we must choose to pray. We must choose to lay our requests and needs before the throne of the King. We must choose to let go, and let God. And when we do, He promises that His amazing, unexplainable peace will come over us and assure us that "all things work together for the good of those who love God."

We all know we should pray. But sometimes I think we believe that God isn't concerned with the little things that worry us. We think it has to be something major or a legitimate issue to bother God with it. Oh how wrong we are! In bearing these burdens on our own and not bringing them before our Heavenly Father in prayer, we are rejecting the peace He so desperately longs to give us. He cares. He wants to bear our burdens. Big or small, He wants us to lay them all at His feet and receive His peace in return.

I have been so encouraged by this revelation today, and I pray you will be too! We were never meant to carry our burdens alone. When the veil was torn and the blood was shed, a way was made for us to have an intimate relationship with God. Through that relationship and our communication with our Heavenly Father, we can lay every worry down before His throne and live in His indescribable peace and presence.

God's given us the key to open the door and live there. What's stopping us?!

Monday, February 22, 2010

Day 15- The Promise of Peace

"I will listen to what God the LORD will say; he promises peace to his people, his saints— but let them not return to folly." Psalm 85:8

God gives peace to His people. It is a promise- and what a wonderful one! Peace is definitely something we all crave. When the telephone won't stop ringing, when the complaints won't stop coming, when the kids won't stop crying, when the stress won't stop building...our soul desperately screams out for PEACE!

Peace, as defined in the Merriam Webster Dictionary, is a state of tranquility or quiet; freedom from oppressive thoughts or emotions. Peace is being free from worry, agitation or turmoil. Peace is being free.

When Jesus Christ sets us free from the law of sin and death, He also sets us free from worry, oppression and turmoil- all the things that counteract peace. We no longer have to walk in the bondage to a state of emotional confusion or anxiety. We know in whom we have believed. We know our future is sealed in Him. Why let the troubles of this life steal away the promise of peace?

I am realizing in this Spirit-Led Life Challenge that, so far, the characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit are definitely birthed in the Spirit, but they are also brought about by choice. The choice to submit to the life of the Spirit. The choice to live according to the laws of the Spirit. The choice to say "no" to how our flesh wants to react, and to say "yes" to the Spirit taking control in us. As with love and joy, peace is also a choice.

Yes, outside factors can make it easier or harder to have peace. But that is why the peace that the Spirit gives is so supernatural. When things in our life seem completely out of control, if we are walking in the Spirit, we can still have peace. We can still choose peace. God has given us a promise. A gift. But we must choose to open it up and use it in our lives.

It's funny...I've been given gift cards as gifts before (which I greatly appreciate) but for some reason, I have gift cards in my wallet that I've had for months that I haven't even used. I have even gone in a store with a gift card and walked out without buying anything because I just didn't want to use it yet. How often do we know we have the promise of peace in our back pocket, yet we don't use it? How many times do we choose, instead, to worry and fret over something (which accomplishes absolutely nothing) and "save" our peace for another time? Are we afraid it will run out?

"You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you." Isaiah 26:3

Peace and trust are completely intertwined. If we truly trust God with our life, finances, marriage, children, jobs, health and future, we can live and walk in the Holy Spirit's peace. There is no reason to be anxious when we know WHO is in control!

My friends, I am just as guilty as you to choose worry and stress over peace. But who are we kidding? We can't live victorious, world-changing lives if we are in turmoil! If we want to see the plans God has for us come to pass, we must trust Him and walk in His peace. I believe God will never lead me astray. If you believe that too, then set your guard down today and pull out your peace "gift card". It won't run out. It won't dry up. And that's a promise.

Day 12- Joy in Sorrow

"...to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. " Isaiah 61:2-3

Recently I have seen several people I know go through the sorrow of losing a loved one. Some deaths were expected, some were not. Either way, the death of a loved one is a tragic experience. Fortunatley, it is not something I have had to deal with much in my life. I know, however, the older I get, the more I will encounter the pain of having to deal with loss. It's not something that I look forward to.

But even this week, as I focused on the joy of the Lord and the choice to rejoice, I have been reminded of several people that, when dealing with the loss of a loved one, have exemplified the strength that is found in the joy of the Lord. I have sat in countless funerals, but there have been a few that really stick out in my mind. Not necessarily because of the person who was being celebrated, but because of the family, or spouse, who chose to rejoice in such a difficult moment.

As I have sat in funeral services and watched widows and children lift their hands in worship to the Lord at the time of the most devastating loss in their lives, I realize that this is what joy birthed of the Holy Spirit can do in someone's life. It does not mean that they don't still go through the greiving process. Some of them even had tears running down their faces as they worshipped- joy and grief wrapped in one beautiful package of worship to the Father. But when I think back on these experiences, this is what stands out to me most as supernatural joy that the world cannot duplicate. This is the joy of the Lord that strengthens us in our weakest moment so that when we can do nothing else, we can still rejoice.

I am so thankful that when the day comes when someone close to me leaves this earthly life, I have the hope of knowing that this is not the end. And I pray that in that moment, I will be able to offer up the gift of worship, wrapped in grief and joy, to my Heavenly Father, who I know will "bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair."

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Day 11- Joy In HIM

As I find myself towards the end of my "joy" week, I am learning that the supernatural joy that the Holy Spirit gives is something that is obtained more by growing in knowledge of the Lord than just a one-time dose of happiness. Sometimes I think we mistake the wonderful things that God promises to give us in His Word for just a quick-fix when we find ourselves lacking. But that is not at all how God intended His promises to take shape in our lives. He wants us to seek the source of those promises, rather than just the promises themselves. And in Him- our Source- the fullness of those promises is found.

On this Spirit-Led Life Challenge, I am finding that rather than seeking after more of the fruit of the Holy Spirit, I am much better off seeking after the Holy Spirit himself. God is the ultimate embodiment of all the characteristics I am seeking to have more of in my life. And as I read His Word, spend time in prayer, and live and walk in His presence, these characteristics become a side-effect of my relationship with Him.

I believe God wants to give me joy. Greater joy than what I've ever experienced! But if I only seek after joy (or any other blessing He promises to me) I will miss out on the best part of seeking God- knowing Him! Knowing God and walking in His Spirit daily is the greatest joy this life offers. I encourage you today to not only seek after the benefits God offers, such as His indescribable joy, but seek after God Himself- the source and center of true JOY!

Friday, February 19, 2010

Day 10- Contagious Joy

Today I was thinking about how easy it is to adopt the attitudes of people around you without even realizing it. The Bible talks about choosing good company, and that "bad company corrupts good character," but I'm not necessarily talking about good or bad people. I'm talking about their attitudes.

Of course, it is completely possible for a good person to have a bad attitude sometimes. But have you ever been around someone who is just negative? Who always sees the bad in situations, and in people? Have you found yourself influenced and affected by their negativity? Have you ever let it stifle your joy?

It's a crazy thing to watch the negativity of one person affect a whole group of people. I have seen the mood of a group of people change because one negative person entered the room. Why are we so easily influenced by negativity? I believe that even well-meaning people can be negative, without realizing it. They take their eyes off their destiny in Christ and start worrying about the state of the economy, future of our nation, and other issues that drag them down from joy into despair. Negativity is the enemy of joy, but such an easy mindset to slip into.

Fortunately, joy can also be contagious. The kind of joy that comes from a deep understanding of our destiny in Christ can keep us from being dragged down by the negativity of others, and can even combat that negative mindset. Supernatural, Spirit-birthed joy will change the atmosphere. Just as worship brings victory to our lives, joy brings a change in perspective that lifts us out of the depths of worry, stress and strife and places our eyes on the eternal rather than the temporary. Paul speaks of this when writing to Timothy. He says :

"I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy." (2 Tim. 1:4)

Here is someone whose life has the ability to bring about joy in someone else! When people sense that kind of joy in someones life, it can have a truly transforming effect. As failed, flawed humans, we are drawn to the heavenly. The hope of something greater than what we can see intrigues us. So when someone with a negative mindset is around someone who chooses joy, they can't help but be affected. It may not take shape in their attitude immediately, but it plants a seed and gives them hope that there is something worth rejoicing about.

I want my joy to be contagious. I want people to see me worshipping in the best AND the worst of times, and to see that my choice to rejoice is unchanged by my circumstances. I want the joy of the Spirit in my life to change the atmosphere wherever I go. My prayer is that the joy in my heart will be so great because of my choice to walk in the Spirit daily, that there will be no room for negativity to creep in.

When we choose to let our joy permeate our lives, it will overflow into the hearts and lives of others. And I don't know about you, but I think that this world could definitely use a dose of the joy of the Lord!

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Day 9- The Sound of Joy

Continuing this journey into the joy of the Lord, I am finding that it is all about taking the focus off of the now and putting it on the Author of our life's story. He wrote the beginning and knows the end. Why should we worry and fret about the twists and turns in the middle when we can rest in the fact that our God has everything written out and planned for our good?

I know that this is easier said than done. As I stated in my previous blog, joy has not been something that has come easily to me. I am a planner and somewhat of a "control freak". I have a hard time dealing with the unknown. Consequently, when life throws me a curve, it is more natural for me to stress and get depressed than for me to jump for joy at the possibility of something better.

As this week goes on and I am praying for more of the Holy Spirit's joy in my life, I am constantly reminded of the choice I must make to worship God- to rejoice in Him- regardless of my circumstances. The sound of joy is worship itself! Rejoicing and joy are very connected to worship. Speaking, singing, and living praise to our Heavenly Father is the best and quickest way to take our mind off of our temporary troubles and get them on the truth of who we are in Christ and where our destiny lies. I am making a greater effort to keep His praise in my mouth and His song on my lips. This is a conscious choice we must make to REJOICE, and through that praise, to be made glad by our Savior.

I have learned in life that though I may not always feel like worshipping, I have never once regretted a single moment I have spent in worship of my Jesus. Time spent rejoicing and worshipping is never time wasted. Not only does it draw us nearer to the heart of God and align our steps with the Holy Spirit, but it brings joy into the darkest of situations. Whatever you are facing today, choose to worship. However down and depressed you may become, choose to rejoice. When you do, your eyes will slowly lift from the troubles of this life to the hope found in Jesus Christ, and your heart will be filled with a song that can only come from Spirit-birthed joy!

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Cor. 4:16-18

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Day 8- Re"joy"ce

As I began my second week in this journey of Spirit-led living, I was somewhat apprehensive about the "joy" week. I have always been perceived as a happy person, but there has been a deep-down struggle in me for many years to maintain the joy that I knew God desired for me to have. I have battled depression several times, and have not been very vocal about that battle until now. I feel in order to truly let the Spirit lead me and bear this joy in my life, I have to be honest about my past struggles in this area.

I really do love life. I have been blessed to experience so many wonderful things, yet still find appreciation for the simple things in life. I would not consider myself to be a moody or negative person. But for whatever reason, I have struggled with depression. It seems there is always this nagging voice inside of me trying to draw me down into myself and away from others. I am thankful that I have never battled severe depression or seriously contemplated suicide. But I have struggled with feelings of insignificance, insecurity, worthlessness and failure.

Through these times, I am always reminded of the verse I learned as a child, "The joy of the Lord is your strength." (Nehemiah 8:10) I have recited this verse to myself, and even offered it as a source of encouragement to others, but as I started this week focused on joy, I decided to really research "joy" and why this is such an important characteristic of the fruit of the Spirit as to be described as a source of strength. Here is what I found:

Joy- Intense and exultant happiness; the expression or manifestation of such a feeling; something causing such a feeling

Middle English joie, from Old French, from Latin gaudia, pl. of gaudium, joy, from gaudre, to rejoice

Looking back at the verse, I see that it is not simply joy itself that gives us strength, for joy in and of itself can be a contrived feeling of happiness, not something that can only be birthed by the Holy Spirit. But the joy that the Word speaks of as a source of strength is the "joy of the Lord". The Lord alone is the source of our joy, and consequently, our strength.

As I looked further at the root of the word joy, and realized that it comes from a verb that requires action, I believe that the Holy Spirit began to reveal to me the truth about His joy and the strength we find in it. Joy is not simply a feeling of happiness. It is not a plastic smile pasted on the face of a Christian going through a difficult time. It is not even the absence of tears or grief during a loss. Joy is the supernatural ability to rejoice during those times; to find strength in the Lord and a voice to worship, no matter what the circumstance.

There have been times that I have made excuses for my depression. I rationalized that my feelings were a result of bad circumstances or the reality of the difficulty of life. I convinced myself that the Lord would return strength to me when He returned my joy and turned my situation around. But I have failed to see that although my situation may change, the source of my joy never does. And because of Jesus Christ, I can choose to rejoice. I can turn my eyes toward heaven and find unspeakable joy in the hope that I have in Jesus.

Joy is not just a feeling. It is not something that is given or taken away. It my internal response to a source. If I choose to make my source my circumstances, then I will continue to struggle with maintaining joy in my life. But if my source is Jesus Christ, the unchanging hope of glory, then joy is only a whisper away. When I rejoice and choose to worship my God, joy is inevitable in my life.

"But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation always say, "The LORD be exalted!" Psalm 40:16

Monday, February 15, 2010

Week 1 Recap

So yesterday marked the end of my first week of this Spirit-Led Life Challenge. What a week it was! As I sought after more of the Holy Spirit and His love, He truly opened my eyes to the reality of what love is. It is a humbling thing, realizing that I still have so much to learn about the Holy Spirit and His ways. But I am so grateful that when we pray for revelation, He gives it!

I would say out of all the things I learned this week about love, there are a few that really stick out to me.

1. Love should be the motive for all that we do and say.
2. Love is PATIENT.
3. Love is being vulnerable.
4. Love seeks to bless others.

Spirit-led love is so incredibly different from the love that the world shows. We are incapable of duplicating this love in and of ourselves. Therefore, it is one of the most noticeable characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit. I have found that my love has not been measuring up to the love that the Holy Spirit wishes to grow in me. So I am choosing to continue submitting myself to the great Gardener and letting Him weed, water and prune my heart so I can bear His unfailing love.

Friday, February 12, 2010

Day 5- Love Seeks to Bless

Today as I was enjoying my day off with my kids and husband. We got an unusual treat for South Georgia- SNOW! It was so beautiful as it came drifting down in huge flakes and covered the ground. There was just enough for us to take the girls outside and let them play in it. We laughed and played and made a mini snowman that Zoey named "Andy". It was a fun day.

And then, after we had come inside and thawed out, I noticed the mail laying on the counter. There was some junk mail, and then a letter from Holt International- an adoption agency that we support financially on a monthly basis. I opened the letter and saw that it was a plea for financial support of their orphanage in Haiti that has been affected by the earthquake.

My initial response was to throw it away. We already support them monthly...why send in an extra gift? Many times it's a stretch for us to simply pay the bills we already have. But as I reached for the trash, the Holy Spirit checked me and reminded me that love seeks to be a blessing.

During this week of focusing on love, I have been praying for the Lord to open up doors for me to show that love to people. I have been attentive and aware, looking for an opportunity to be used by the Holy Spirit to show someone the love of Christ. So far, nothing out of the ordinary had come up. But here, a letter in my hands was giving me the chance to show love to a people very much in need. And I was about to throw it away.

You see, I believe we all want to be a blessing. We all want people to look at us and say "Wow, they are making such a difference." We want to make our mark on humanity. But many times, we want to show love on our terms. We want to bless the people that we choose. And sadly, we miss out on so many opportunities to really show the love of Christ and make a difference. Living a Spirit-led life means letting Him choose how, when, and who we bless.

"If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth." 1 John 3:17-18

I encourage you to ask the Holy Spirit to give you more opportunities to show the love of Christ. And when He opens a door to do just that, don't dismiss it because of the effort or sacrifice it requires. True, Spirit-grown love will always require effort and sacrifice. It won't always bring recognition and appreciation. You may find yourself blessing people who will never even know your name. But God knows your name and sees your deeds. When you seek to be a blessing to others, you are blessing your Heavenly Father.

And I can't think of any better reason to sacrifice than to put a smile on my Father's face.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Day 4- Love Births Intercession

Tonight I had the privilege of praying with my daughter, Zoey, before bedtime. Usually her dad and I will pray, and then she will say her prayers. Lately, Zoey's prayers have evolved from a very simple, "Thank you for this day, please help school tomorrow," to a long list of praying for and thanking God for family and friends. Tonight she- on her own- prayed for each of our college interns by name...something I hadn't even done today. I am so blessed to see a heart of intercession being birthed in my 3 year old daughter, and I am challenged by her love!

As I continue on my journey being led by the Spirit and His love, I am starting to realize something about prayer. As Christians we understand the importance of prayer. It is the way that we communicate with God. Prayer allows us to "approach the throne of grace with boldness" even when we are terribly flawed human beings in the presence of a perfect God. There is power in prayer, because all power belongs to the One we pray to.

I'm afraid that many times, though, our prayer life is so devoid of love that we misuse this precious privilege we've been given. Jesus commands us to "love the Lord your God with all your heart..." and to "love your neighbor as yourself." These two commandments are absolutely inseparable. John says in 1 John 4:

"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." (vs. 7-8)

So our love for God becomes evident in our love for others. Want to know how much you really love God? Then ask yourself, "How much do I love others?" Do you love them so much that you pray for them? When someone has a need and you say "I'll pray for you," do you do it? Or is that just the "right answer"?

I am guilty of not praying for and not loving people the way that I should. And as I spent time repenting for this today, the Holy Spirit showed me that if I truly love, I will intercede. True love for others (and consequently, for God) births intercession. Prayer is not meant only for us to selfishly lay our needs, wants and desires before our God, but it is meant for us to selflessly intercede for the people we claim to love.

The Holy Spirit spoke to me about my commitment to pray for people today. If I am going to walk in the Spirit and live in His love, I have to be committed to intercession. Not just saying "I'll pray for you", but actually doing it. And praying the way that I would want someone to pray for me if I was lost, hurting, sick, or in need of prayer. If we have the love that the Spirit grows in our life, it will spill over into our prayer life. We will find that our prayers are less about our self and our wants, and more about others and their needs. More about salvation. More about healing. More about deliverance.

More about love.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Day 3- Love: A Package Deal

Today was the third day of my Spirit-led Life Challenge, and the third day that I have been fervently seeking that the Spirit would pour His supernatural love into my life. I must say, it has been an awesome experience so far. He truly has surrounded me with His perfect love, and it is affecting the way I think, act, speak and live.

As I look at Galatians 5 where it lists the characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit, and as I seek after more of God's love in my life, I am finding that all the other characteristics are so heavily hinged on this very first step- the choice to love. I know each one holds its own special benefit as we walk in the Spirit, but I am seeing in my own daily life that as I seek after more of His love, the joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control come right along with it! It really is a package deal.

It was brought to my attention a few months ago as I read Francis Chan's "Forgotten God" that we often mistake the characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit as being different "fruits" that are separate from one another. However, in Galatians, it is listed as the singular "fruit" of the Spirit, with many attributes. I think it is important to realize that you can't truly have the supernatural love that the Spirit-led life brings without also having the peace, patience, kindness, etc. I have always been taught each characteristic as a separate, distinct "fruit", implying that you may have one fruit and not another. But when we look at the Word of God, it is clear that all these parts of the fruit of the Spirit are so intertwined with one another, it is impossible to separate them!

This is such an encouraging thought to me as I continue on this journey of letting the Spirit have complete control of my steps. I realize that I do not have to work so hard to achieve more joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. But if I focus my attention on walking in the Spirit and living in God's love, all these things will come to fruition in my life accordingly.

It is not about what we can do. All that we can do is the same that the world can do, and this does nothing to testify of Christ in us. But when we stop trying to "bear fruit" and simply let the Gardener do His pruning and weeding in our lives (painful as it may be), the fruit will grow. The plant itself simply soaks in the sun, water and nutrients. And that's what we are called to do. Soak in the Spirit. Be nourished by the Word. Dwell in the light of the Son. And as we do, the fruit will grow- beautiful, fragrant and able to feed the hungry souls around us.

I encourage you today- don't be overwhelmed with the task of trying to bear more or greater fruit. Focus on walking in Him and His love. And when you do, the rest will follow!

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Day 2- Selfless Love

Over the past two days I have shared some very heartfelt and honest conversations with friends that are all facing challenges in their lives. And despite the obvious adversity they face, I see such hope as I realize that love- God's love- truly is the answer.

Life is difficult- that's a given. Even Jesus promised us that we "will have troubles". Just because we make the choice daily to be led by the Holy Spirit does not make us exempt from trials and tribulations. On the contrary- a Spirit-led life is of great concern to the enemy of our souls and is a cause for chaos in the spiritual realm. When we truly live and walk in the Spirit, we will constantly "make waves".

This is when things get tricky. It is somewhat easy to walk in love when those around you love you in return. It doesn't take much to love when you feel love. But what about when you don't feel it anymore? What happens when trust is broken, hateful things are said and you're left standing in the wake of bitterness, anger and regret? What then?

I am convinced that it is in those moments when true love is defined. Because true love, the love that is born of the Holy Spirit, is selfless. It is not about us. It chooses to look past our hurt and our feelings and see another soul that is precious in the eyes of God. True love makes the choice to be vulnerable. It sets its guard down and takes a chance on being hurt, just for the opportunity to reach someone.

The love that comes as a result of the Spirit-led life will not make sense to the world. It is the love that blossoms in the midst of hatred and revenge. It shines brightly in the darkness of death and divorce. It looks its enemy in the eye and says "I forgive." The Holy Spirit has shown me over the past two days that sometimes the greater victory is not overcoming your situation, seeing wrongs righted, or even an answer to prayer. Sometimes the greatest victory is the unexplainable selfless love that can be shown by the Spirit-led believer.

I am reminded of the story of Corrie ten Boom who selflessly forgave and loved the same Nazi soldiers who tortured her and her family in concentration camps in World War II. Many of her loved ones lost their lives because of the inhumanity and hatred of the Nazis. But Corrie understood that Jesus came and died so that she could have freedom from bitterness, anger and revenge. And she understood that the very people that she should have hated needed the love of Christ just as much as she did. What an incredible testimony of selfless love!

Love, as the Bible describes it in 1 Corinthians 13, is not easy. Actually, it is impossible...for a flawed human being like me. But I thank God that as I strive to be led by the Spirit daily and crucify my flesh, that it is NOT I, but Christ who lives within me! Only through Christ and the power of His Spirit can we show selfless love to those who have hurt us the most.

"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." 1 Peter 4:8

Monday, February 8, 2010

Day 1- Motivated By Love

So today was the first day of my challenge, and I started with the first characteristic of the fruit of the Spirit- love. I find it somewhat ironic that we are talking about love all this month in children's church, and this also happens to be the week of Valentine's day. So love is a central theme not only in my life this week, but everywhere!

As I prayed about how the Spirit would lead me to love today, I was reminded of the description of love given in 1 Corinthians 13. I memorized the majority of this chapter as a teen, and it has stuck with me to this day. But I don't often sit down and really meditate on what it says. As I began the chapter, I was immediately convicted.

See, lately, God has been dealing with me about doing more for Him. He has opened my eyes to see that as a Christian, I have a responsibility to be Jesus to the broken, hopeless, hurting, hungry, naked and lost. I have been compelled to give more. More money, time, effort, prayer...more of myself. How can I say I am a follower of Christ and neglect the very people He came to save? My heart has been burdened for those who are needy and helpless more than ever before.

But as I read the first few verses of 1 Cor. 13, I realized something.

"If I speak in tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all the mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing."

Yes, I am called to give to the poor. But my motive should be love, not guilt. Yes, I am called to clothe the naked. But my motive should be love, not a sense of responsibility. Yes, I am called to use the gifts God has given me. But my motive should be love, not obligation.

So today, my prayer has been that love would become the motive behind all I do, and how I do it. That is not an easy task, especially when you encounter opposition. It is easy to love when people love you back and when things go your way. But when opposition arises, it is easy to slip from being motivated by love to being motivated by hurt, bitterness, revenge or anger. Love is a choice that has to be made over and over and over again.

"And he has given us this command: whoever loves God must also love his brother." 1 John 4:21

I am realizing that what the world needs is not just another philanthropist or do-gooder. The world needs love. God's love. Love that comes as a result of the Holy Spirit working in me. I can give, do, help and provide, but if it is not motivated by love, how is it any different from what the world offers? Celebrities and billionaires will be able to provide more food, clothing and shelter than what I could ever dream of. But I believe that the love of the Spirit through me can make a greater difference in the world than those material things. Yes, I want to provide for people's physical needs. But ultimately, I want them to experience the love of Christ that can transform their lives.

Today the Holy Spirit has led me to make love my motive. Love should be, and will become the reason I do what I do. How about you? What is motivating you? What drives your relationships with others? What powers your actions and words? Is it love? Or is it anger, fear, jealousy, bitterness, pride or revenge? Choose love. Why?

"Love never fails." 1 Cor. 13: 8

Sunday, February 7, 2010

And Tomorrow It Begins...

Tomorrow, February 8th will begin my Spirit-Led Life Challenge. This is a challenge to live completely surrendered to the Holy Spirit and His leading in my life. That means seeing a supernatural presence of God in my life through the fruit He promises to bear in us in Galatians 5.

The thing that has me the most anxious about this whole thing is that I know this is going to take me stepping out of my comfort zone and crucifying my flesh more than ever. It's so easy to get satisfied with our spiritual state and not be motivated enough to make the changes in our life that will take us to the next level in Christ. It's tempting sometimes to judge our own lives based on those around us, and when we find we are substantially or even slightly "more spiritual" than others, we use that as an excuse to be ok with where we are.

But I am realizing that I am not ok. I am not even close to ok. And more importantly, I don't want to be ok. I want to be growing. Maturing. Evolving. Becoming more and more each day the Spirit-filled person God wants me to be. Someone who will be a true light in the darkness and draw people to the Lord. And that can't happen without a constant dissatisfaction with where I am and a motivation to move forward.

So this challenge is cry for change. A desperate plea to escape the normal, complacent, "ok" life and move to the radical, extraordinary, powerful, Spirit-filled life. I better rest up tonight, cause I have a feeling these next 8 weeks are going to be quite a journey! :)

Friday, February 5, 2010

Countdown to the Challenge

I guess I should have specified in my previous post, but I am planning on starting my Spirit-Led Life Challenge on Monday, February 8th. I figured I would be better off starting at the first of the week rather than in the middle. That way it will be easier to keep track of what I'm doing.

I plan to start Monday with the first characteristic of the fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5- love. My goal is with each week to really seek after the Spirit's leading and to pray and act in supernatural love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. Not the kind that the world gives. Not the kind I can do on my own. The kind that will take a power higher than I to accomplish it in my life. The kind that will set me apart. The kind that will draw people to Jesus in me.

I want to make this clear- I am not doing this to draw attention to myself. My desire is simply to inspire others that the Holy Spirit desires to operate in a GREATER way in our lives. We just have to be willing to let Him. I know that I have much room to grow in this area, as we all do. I believe the Holy Spirit does operate in my life now, but I also believe there is so much more He wants to do in and through me. It will take a daily crucifixion of my flesh and submission to His Spirit to accomplish that.

As I blog each day, I will be as open and honest about my experience for that day as possible. I want to be real. I'm sure some days I will feel much more Spirit-led than others. But my prayer is that overall, I will see a difference in my life. And that others will see it as well.

I am excitedly nervous about this challenge. I've never done anything like this and been so open about it. But I believe accountability is important, and even if no one reads this, I am hoping it will help me to be accountable to the commitment I've made to myself and to the Lord to be more Spirit-led. So I hope you'll tune in and join me on this exciting journey into the radical life of living and being powered by the Holy Spirit!

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Spirit-Led Experiment

"So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other so that you do not do what you want." Gal. 5:16-14

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." Gal. 5:22-25

Have you ever felt that though you are a Christian, you really aren't experiencing a life that different from those who aren't? Besides maybe going to church and reading your Bible on occasion, is your life really set apart from the world? Does your life make people WANT to know more about God? Can people see the evidence of the Holy Spirit working in you? Is the Holy Spirit working in you?

Over the course of my journey with Christ, I have asked myself many of these same questions. And more times than I would like to admit, the answer is a humbling, distressing "NO". This does not mean that my heart does not desire these things. But Paul clearly states in the scripture above that we our sinful nature desires what is completely opposite from the Spirit. And if we aren't careful, the sinful nature will win out.

I believe one of the greatest tools of the devil is not to destroy all Christians. It is not to make our lives miserable. It is not even to get us to walk away from the faith. I believe one of his greatest tools is to make us so comfortable with our lives that we don't feel the need to be led by the Holy Spirit. That way we just operate as "Christians" without the true power the Christ offers to His followers. We are simply people living with the sinful nature and covering it up with a label.

I am not here to debate whether one can be saved and still operate in the sinful nature or not. Only you and God know where your soul stands in the scope of eternity. But obviously, just becasuse you become a Christian does not automatically mean that you are perfect. We still struggle. Paul said himself "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out." Rom. 7:15 &18

God has been challenging me lately to re-examine my life. To be willing to come to grips with the reality of my humanity. I am flawed. I am subject to the same curse of sin as the rest of the human race. I am born into it. And it will reign in me every day that I do not make the concious choice to crucify it. I cannot do what I want to do on my own. I MUST live by the Spirit.

So here is my challenge. One flawed human. Eight weeks. Eight characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit. Life-altering change.

Over the next eight weeks I will focus on one of the characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22 each week. I will make it my goal to crucify my flesh daily and be led completely by the Holy Spirit. I will endeavour to give the Spirit complete reign over my life and let Him bring this fruit forth in me. I want to see supernatural results. Not love like the world loves. Love that comes only from the Spirit. Joy that is unspeakable and full of glory. Peace that passes all understanding.

I invite you to join me as I take this journey with the Holy Spirit. Let's find out together- is our life meant to be drastically different when led by the Spirit? And if so, what am I missing out on? I believe we will be encouraged and inspired to let the Spirit take complete control of our lives so that this world will see a difference in us. A BIG difference. Something that will draw them to God.

Each day I will blog about my experience, and would love to hear your feedback! I know this won't be easy- "crucify" does not sound like a pleasant thing! But I am ready to move from the mediocre to the extraoridnary in God. Are you? Let's do it!

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

I Am An Artist

I am learning to accept the fact that I am an artist.

No, I have never painted a piece that is hanging in a gallery. I have never written an award-winning song. I have never composed a well-known piece of music. I have never acted or sung in broadway theaters or concert halls. I have never written a best-seller.

But I feel deeply. I see beauty in simple things. I hear music when others don't. I am passionate about expression through the written word. I feel alive when I'm being creative. I thrive on stage. I become the instrument I play. The words I write are the expression of my soul. I AM an artist.

Being an artist is not something you choose. It is something you are destined to be. I did not choose to be an artist because I want people to know my name or see my works and applaud me. I have no desire to see my name in lights or on the front page of the paper. I would be happy to live my life in obscurity creating the things I love to create and doing the things I love to do without anyone knowing about it.

But I am learning something. God- the Master Artist- did not place his thumbprint of artistic creativity on my life for me to hide it away in my notebooks, journals and dreams. God is not shy in expressing the beauty of his creativity. He boldly proclaims his artistic viewpoint with every mountaintop, crescendo, color, and shooting star. I am an extension of that creativity. We all are. We are his masterpiece. A thread in the beautiful tapestry of the history he is creating. And as an artist, God has given me a gift. A voice. A passion.

I am not saying that artists are superior to those who are not, for I think that in some way, we are all artists. An artist is simply someone who expresses themselves through a medium. And we all do that, in one way or another. But some people, those of us with the "artistic temperament" are just...different. To be perfectly honest, being an artist can be supremely difficult. We struggle. We question ourselves and our ability. We compare our talents to those more talented or trained and beat ourselves up about it. We fight with pride, jealousy and envy. Artists tend to be very tortured people.

However, with each passing day, I realize that my true calling as an artist is not to do great things. It is not to be the best singer, dancer, writer, actor, painter, chef, designer, composer or musician. It is not to win awards and become famous.

My calling as an artist is to make the Master Artist famous.

I'll never be so important in a movie that my name will be on screen before it even starts. You know those names at the end of the credits on a movie? The ones who you don't really know what they do, but they must do something because their name is mentioned in little tiny script right before they turn the lights on in the theater? That is me. And God- He is the star. My role is important enough to be mentioned at the end. His name comes at the BEGINNING of the movie. In big, bold print.

I am learning not to diminish the value of the gifts God has given me. If He gives me a song, I am learning how to sing it. If He gives me a poem, I am learning how to write it. If He gives me a dance or a drama, I'm learning how to perform it. Not because I want to be seen. But because I want HIM to be seen. And if I want Him to be seen, I must do what I've been created to do.

Perhaps you feel as I do. You've been given a gift. An ability. A talent. But you've struggled to know how, when, and where to use it. Well, I'll share with you something that the Master Artist told me when I was arguing with Him about a song I had written. He told me:

"I wouldn't give you those gifts if I didn't want you to use them."

Use them. Use them often. Use them to the best of your ability. Don't question. Don't worry. Don't rationalize. Just use them. Because when you do, God is pleased. It thrills Him to see His Creation creating! And it thrills me to know that I can bring pleasure to God through simply being who He created me to be and doing what I love to do.

We are artists. It is our God-ordained destiny. We may never be famous for our masterpieces. But HE can be made famous by us- His greatest masterpiece.

Prostitute of Love

So I've been reading in Hosea lately and it's such an amazing story! I've read it before, but I guess it's just one of those books in the Bible that no matter how many times you read it, it will take on a different meaning. So just in case you've never heard of or read the story of Hosea, I wanted to fill you in on this incredible truth.

Hosea is a prophet to Israel in a time when Israel has turned away from God (seems like they do that a lot...sound familiar?) So to show Israel, and ultimately us, how faithful He is, God tells Hosea to go and marry a prostitute named Gomer. She was definitely not the type of woman a man of God would marry. She was known for her adulterous ways. But Hosea obeyed the Lord and did what He commanded. Hosea married Gomer and they had two children.

The crazy thing is, Gomer kept going back to her old lifestyle. She would leave Hosea, who treated her better than any of her one-night-stands, and He would come after her each time, taking her back to their home and treating her like a queen. His love for her was unconditional and unfailing. WOW.

God had Hosea go through this for a reason. He wanted to show Hosea (and Israel) how to "Love her as the Lord loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods..." (Hosea 3:1) God wanted a living example of His faithfulness to us when we are completely unfaithful and prostitute His love. This was a heart-cry from God to His children that no matter how many times they turned their backs on him and left Him for another god, idol, or lifestyle, He would always be coming after them, ready to take them back and fill their lives with blessings.

If you read on in Hosea, you can clearly see God's anger, frustration and hurt with the Israelites. He has been betrayed by people who claimed to love Him. And His judgement is not an easy one. But the reason He lets them endure judgment and suffering is so that "they will seek my face; in their misery they will earnestly seek me." (Hosea 5:15)

God says of their love: "What can I do with you, Judah? Your love is like the morning mist, like the early dew that dissappears." (Hosea 6:4) But still, out of His unfailing love, God says "How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused. I will not carry out my fierce anger, nor will I turn and devastate Ephraim. For I am GOD, and NOT MAN..." (Hosea 11:8-9)

Thank God that last statement is true- He is God and not man. Man would give up on such an adulterous people. Man would get hurt, frustrated and fed up with people that constantly prosituted their love. But God is not man. He is God- the Holy and Faithful One. His compassion remains when ours would have grown weary. He calls out to us to return to Him from our wicked ways, time and time again. Just like Hosea, he comes and seeks us out, brings us home and treats us better than the world ever could. His love is unfailing, unwavering and unconditional.

I hope that today you know that you have a God who feels this passionately about you. There is no other love you could ever find that is this faithful and true. And there's no number of times that you can walk away from Him that He will not continue to pursue you. Though our love for God is shallow and like "the morning dew that dissappears", His love for us is constant, steady and forgiving. What an amazing, faithful, loving God we have.

"Who is wise? He will realize these things. Who is discerning? He will understand them. The ways of the Lord are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them." Hosea 14:9

Not-So-Amazing Grace

"Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlesness. But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him." -1 John 3:4-6

Grace- an unmerited divine assistance given humans for their sanctification and regeneration

I'll be honest with you- God has been dealing with me about some very difficult things. Not issues in my life, but issues with my faith. So please know that whatever I write in this note is not directed purposefully at anyone. This is simply my "Mirror of Ink"; a reflection of what God is doing in my own life. If it helps, convicts, or challenges you, that is the Holy Spirit- not me.

I have been raised in church my whole life. Born a granddaughter of two penticostal preachers, this religion is in my blood. Therefore, much of what I believe about God has been due to the teaching I received in these churches. I have been blessed to be under some wonderful, godly teachers and preachers. I believe their motives and hearts were pure, but some of their teachings were humanly flawed.

We are all familiar with the song "Amazing Grace". To this day, it is still holds some of the greatest meaning to me of all my childhood hymns. But lately, through a series of different teachings and my own personal study of God's Word, I am beginning to realize my idea and definition of "Grace" is not at all what it truly is.

The definition of grace given above is from the Mirriam Webster dictionary. It is not even from a theological or Bible dictionary. Yet it totally blows out of the water what most Christians think (or rather, act like) grace is. Look at the definition again:

"An unmerited divine assistance given humans for their sanctification and regeneration"

Ok, so I had to look up what "regeneration" meant, just to help me better understand this. And it totally excited me.

regeneration- to be formed again; to radically change, and for the better

Wow. So my question is, this grace that has been given so freely to us by the act of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ- how many of us have truly experienced it? How many people do you know that claim to be Christians that you can truly say have received and been changed by God's GRACE [God's undeserved help to become radically changed]? Perhaps not as many as we'd like.

You see, many of us who teach or preach have made the mistake of diluting God's grace and making it "not so amazing". We have tried to bring God down to our level and explain what didn't need explaining. For example, I have heard (and have probably been guilty of repeating) the idea that God knew we would make mistakes, and that's why we have grace. Oh, but how mistaken we really are!

God's grace is not a chalkboard eraser to wipe away whatever mistakes we choose to make. Grace is given to help us NOT MAKE THOSE MISTAKES. Grace is God's supernatural power working in our lives to make us more like Him. We do not deserve grace. It has such a steep price that it required the death of God's only Son. But He was willing to pay it so that we could be changed and live a radically different life.

"Be perfect, therefore, as your Heavenly Father is perfect." -Matthew 5:48

How else, besides the grace of God, could Jesus command us to do such a seemingly impossible task? Because its not about us. It's not about what we can do, or how good we can be. It's about learning to rely on and operate in God's grace daily. Moment by moment.

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!" -Galatians 2:20-21

Paul explains it perfectly. Christ is the embodiment of the gift of grace God offers to us. If we have truly crucified ourselves and allowed the life of Christ to invade our lives, then holiness and righteousness will follow. That is the character of Christ. If it was about what WE can do, Christ's sacrifice was in vain.

When we reject the truth of God's grace in its fullness, we are rejecting God's Son as well. When we choose to live how we want and use grace as a "divine cover-up" for our mistakes, we are deceiving ourselves into thinking its okay to continue living in sin because grace and forgiveness are there to get us out of trouble. There is no standard of holiness. No sanctification. No radical change. Therefore, we are substituting a cheapened version of "grace" for the real thing. And that's a dangerous place to be.

Because of this revelation in my life, I am determined to stop trying to make excuses for sin and wrong choices in my life. When I make mistakes, I will repent and plead for more of God's grace- the undeserved help I need to become a new creation in Him. And I believe He will give it freely to me. Grace- in the truth of what it is- really is amazing. It's a gift that cost Jesus his life so that I, a sinner, could be made new and daily become more and more like Christ.It's not a cover-up for sin. It's the power to be without sin.

And that's amazing.