I am very thankful for grace! As I sit with the Lord and pray, I am overwhelmed by the grace he extends to me everyday! Some days I feel that I am so unworthy to approach the throne of God. If we are not careful, this misleading thought process can take root and overpower us. What can we use to overcome? The word of God of course!

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16 NKJV

In our secular world, we have so many opinions from different outlets stimulating our minds with the solution to any and all dilemmas of this journey we call “life”. So first things first, you must either put your faith in man’s opinion on how to live life or in the word of God. The Holy Bible is the true inspired word from the God of the heavens; our instruction book on life, if you will. Although there are many great men and women of God that have studied theology in depth, in the end what ever they publish or speak can be seen as subjective. It comes down to being opinions of “man” and their interpretation of the word of God. I read and meditate on the word for myself and let The Lord speak to me through his word. The word is living and has power! I prefer to put my hope and faith in the Holy One whose word has never been disproven! Validations of His word are revealed everyday! He has never failed me!

Faith- something that is believed especially with strong conviction.

Why is it so hard to put your faith in something you can not see or touch? Let’s go even deeper, can you ever press your trust in anything or anyone once you have lost trust in mankind? Absolutely! How?
Take that step of faith! We seem to try all sorts of things to “get us through” the day; medication, coffee, alcohol, therapy or even food. What is wrong with giving something a try that is positive and will never be a temporary fix?

let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water. Hebrews 10:22 NLT

Wow! He sees me through the blood of his son as pure and clean! If I stop and thank the Lord for seeing me as righteous and not the way I see myself, I can approach the throne boldly and confidently! Is that not amazing? He sees my heart as pure and clean and I can abide in his presence! I can worship, praise, repent and bring my petitions to the mighty throne room!

So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Hebrews 4:16
NLT

For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through faith. 1 John 5:4 NLT

Until next time;
I leave you with this song.

Has anyone ever told you that you were strong willed? I have! I know now that having a “strong personality” helped to guide me to the path of rest and healing under the shadow of The Most High; even though I took the “long way” around.
You see, it was the realization of my utter brokenness that preceded my total submission to God! I, like my parents, tried to numb the pain of my scars with drugs and alcohol. Funny I know!; I resented them for the same thing that I was doing? Why?
When you live in an unhealthy and abusive environment for an extended period of time, you seem to develop an “emotional” attachment, no matter if it is an unhealthy one. You become “comfortable” in your uncomfortable!
I want to tell you that my time in the wilderness of self destruction was short but I can not. I was attracted to broken people with baggage of their own. It felt “normal” being around those type of people but something deep inside me kept me from losing total control. It was the Holy Spirit and he spoke loudly when I was in my kitchen one night throwing every dish from my cabinet against the wall! He posed a question that was so clear; “Is this who you want to be?”
I spent years trying to “do life” my way! I insisted upon taking the long and winding road to the cross. I truly believe that I have a deeper sense of appreciation for my salvation today because it came “to life” through complete brokenness. If you are willing to step out in faith, then your Father in heaven can give you a new start!

The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand. Psalms 37:23-24.

Wow, what a promise! Did you read the part about you never falling? How awesome is that?
Shortly after I discovered that I had to deal with my pain head on, I got on my knees and told God that I was broken and my life was so messed up! (Like he did not already know!). You see, the decision to live my life for God was an act of obedience. In the past, I let my emotions rule my decisions no matter how unhealthy. If your decisions are based on how you “feel”, then you will never mature in your walk with Christ. It is a choice! He gives you free will; Yes or no! One thing I have learned is blessing follows obedience!

Even though Jesus was God’s son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered. In this way, God qualified him as High Priest, and he became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him. Hebrews 5:8-9

If you truly want to break your pattern of misguided choices and their consequences, then make a choice to surrender to the only one that can truly heal your wounds and use your brokenness for His Glory! You can heal through serving others.

I again leave you with a song that speaks volumes about the faithfulness of God!

Until next time!