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Need Encouragement?
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Pondering Gods grace
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I've been pondering Gods grace lately, since we had revival meetings at my church a couple weeks ago. I only got to go to two out of he five meetings, but have listened to the messages. A fresh perspective on grace was put forth, and it resonates within me, but yet I just can't comprehend Gods grace for me.
I've been kind of depressed, and wallowing in self loathing and just haven't been able to find my way out of this. I am so unworthy and wretched apart from Christ, yet I have difficulty finding my way to Him in a meaningful way. God help me. God help me change, because I can't do it myself.
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Bruce 10/04/2010 04:14 |
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Craig from Illinois
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10/04/2010 07:54 |
Great topic! I loved waking up this morning and reading this post. I will ponder and worship the miracle of God's grace with you. Listen for it in the readings, search for it, accept it. Let's take our time and talk about it here on this thread.
To get things started, let's not forget the basic truth of God's grace. The ultimate purpose and our benefit of God's grace is salvation.
Ephesians 2:8-9 “For it is by GRACE you have been saved, through faith, and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.”
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Kelley
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10/04/2010 12:31 |
Grace, as is oft repeated, is undeserved favor. But the beauty of it for me, like John Elderedge has said, and I know I am paraphrasing since I read the statement years ago... that it's not like God says "I'm so good I will let you come into my home, but don't sit on the furniture cuz you are gross." We are given the grace we give to our own children, who do not deserve and have not earned anything we bestow on them, and yet are accostomed to our love, our adoration, where we get a kick out of everything knew they do, we can watch their little faces do nothing but sleep and derive great joy. Grace is like that. The joy in being absolutely loved. No matter what. God wants you to sit on His furniture. He loves what he sees in you, even if you track up the floor sometimes.
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John T
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10/04/2010 16:05 |
I'm reminded of something that I heard John Piper say -- something like, God gave us the greatest gift that he could: himself! The absolute best thing he can give us is himself. Interesting thought -- so that's all part of grace.
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Helga
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10/04/2010 22:26 |
Bruce I think after being to the revival meeting one feels so elavated and when you get home again and have to deal with daily challenges you feel that depression.
I know that Gods grace is every day new but we have to virtually believe it and take it. We are often so involved in our own lives that we forget that God is actually waiting patiently to make the next move. I think I often miss Him because I do not let go and let God.
1 Cor 10:15 "But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his special favor on me--and not without results. For I have worked harder than any of the other apostles; yet it was not I but God who was working through me by his grace"
I also have learned lately that I have to virtually and physically renew my mind every minute of the day. I have to be alert which thoughts do I allow to enter my mind and I have to let Gods Word rule my mind.
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Estrellita
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10/05/2010 19:26 |
Bruce: I had a nice message written and suddenly I got kicked out so I'll try to rebuild it:
Grace is an awesome topic, would love to grasp all about it!
I'd like to recommend a book to you: Renovation of the Heart Putting on the Character of Christ by Dallas Willard. He mentions the law of grace through faith, receiving the grace of God through well-directed action in salvation and transformation. Rom 3:27-31. Mother Theresa wasn't a saint, she just consumed lots and lots of grace by leading a holy life not sinning and being repeatedly forgiven,,,, interesting huh?
God loves you brother, take His love, receive it.
GBY
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Kelley
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10/05/2010 19:43 |
I am reading Rennovation of the Heart right now! :) Calico recommended it to me as it was a life changing book for him! It takes some serious thought, not what you'd call "a light read" but it is very good! Great suggestion Estrellita! :)
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Estrellita
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10/05/2010 20:07 |
The Participant's guide is a great complement to it. Going through the spiritual disciplines is something else, huh?
Unfortunately I didn't get the video (I attended a class at church).
GBY
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