This is the day you have made and I WILL rejoice and be glad. I WILL set my heart in the path of righteousness for your name sake.
Yes, today I choose to walk in the grip of your grace, if not, my feet will be drawn to the familiar path of choosing life under the law, the law of sin in death.
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.
Romans 8:1-2
Our faith in Jesus transfers God’s righteousness to us and he now declares us flawless in his eyes. This means we can now enjoy true and lasting peace with God, all because of what our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One, has done for us. Our faith guarantees us permanent access into this marvelous kindness that has given us a perfect relationship with God. What incredible joy bursts forth within us as we keep on celebrating our hope of experiencing God’s glory!
Romans 5:1-2 TPT
The truth of these scriptures brings rest and peace that my soul craves – His undeserving endless love. The demands I put on myself and then, when I fail to meet them can becomes a weight that weighs me down and steals my joy and strength to move me beyond my current reality. I forfeit the truth that strengthens and leads me into experiencing the new land right in front of me – The true reality!
One afternoon John and I were heading to a RN Conference in Annapolis Md, which was about an hour and half away from home. I was not in the best of moods, it was one of those days I’d rather have been at home snuggled up on the couch under a blanket with good book or movie. As we were driving, we were about to pass a Starbucks, John thoughtfully asked me if I’d like for him to stop so I could have a drink for the ride, I accepted his offer. As John pulled up to the drive thru, the barista asked “ how may help you?” I leaned over John from the passenger seat to place my order, John releases a sigh. I glanced his way with an annoyed puzzled look as I placed my order. Yes, can I please have a grannde, decaf, non fat, double pump Carmel mocheota with extra foam. John’s (who can be know as a Drive thru Nazi) body began to tense up and his facials expressions began to manifest (lol). I could sense and feel his disproval of my request. John believes a coffee order at a drive thru window should be quick and to the point. His unexpected response took me off guard, within a split second I stopped placing my order, spining my head and locking eyes with his, as I had a “bring it on” attitude, I cynically respond “really?” John was up for my challenge! We exchanged some cutting words as we exited the parking lot. The next thing I knew we’re on a hour and half road trip to meet with God with more ill will and tension filling the car than air. I spitefully refused to drink my latte and eat my cranberry bliss bar, all the while dying to wrap my mouth around it. Tension and complete silence filled the car when usually we would be enjoying a Bill Johnson’s teaching on you tube. The next thing I knew we were ten to fifteen minutes away before hitting the church parking lot. I begin to plead with God – “Lord, please help me with my attitude! Man! “the spirit of pride can sneak in when we’re least expecting it and won’t let go. But with the help of Holy Spirit as John parked the car and popped the trunk open to unload his music equipment, I offered my help and apologized for my attitude and over reacting. We quietly together unloaded the car.
The night of worship that evening was beautiful! You could feel the presence of God, Wow! What an honor to have an encounter with the living God! As I worshipped that evening I began to repent on a much deeper level for my behavior: “God, I don’t want to keep failing like this.” Quickly I hear “you will” the Holy Spirit was leading me as I prayed “let me allow you to reaffirm your love towards me when I fail.” Within my minds eye I could see His righteous right hand reaching down to help me up.
Love never takes failure as defeat, for it never gives up.
1 Cor 13: 7 TPT
For the lovers of God may suffer adversity and stumble seven times, but they will continue to rise over and over again. But the unrighteous are brought down by just one calamity and will never be able to rise again.
Proverbs 24:16 TPTL
I’m a firm believer this proverbs is talking about one man who has been given the freedom of choice, the choice to choose life or death. Life is found in The Lover’s of God who chose to believe he is fully loved and accepted in Christ, as stated in the above scriptures – especially when he misses the mark. He uses the word of God to tear down and demolish every thought that would say different as the spirit empowers him to do so and he replaces it with the truth of God’s word, allowing himself to receive his grace and mercy. Though he may fall seven times he WILL get back up.
Renewing our mind to truth empowers us receive his love, so when fall we get back up quickly. Though he may fall Seven times. The number 7 in the Bible is the number of completion. Let us allow God to bring about this completion by seven times consistently applying this truth (Rom 8:1 and 5:1 -2 ) in an area of our life we keep tripping up in, then we will be free from the trap we find our feet being so entangled in. We will see beyond the deception ( you are unworthy) and let the truth of God’s word get rooted deep in our soul, transforming us into unmovable force for His Kingdom. Once we receive this truth in our heart , not just in our head, it free us. THEN we are able to give this love to one another. We can not give away what we have not fully received.
Laura ( the worship leader of RN) says, don’t look at it as failure, but we’re growing. You might be feeling some growing pains right now, but oh how sweet it is to know we’re growing and becoming mature sons and daughters.❤️
“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”
Hebrews 12:11 NIV
Love Sandy