Wedding Day by Casting Crowns

I  have been A-wall the past few months. I have been on a spiritual journey you could say the past few months. If I told you I enjoyed every minute of it I would be lying; but, God takes us on these journeys to make us grow and trust more on Him, not to be comfortable. Doubting your salvation is terrifying. But I am so grateful that God sent His Son to die on the cross ONCE for all. I don't have to wonder daily if I am going to heaven because all I have to do is believe in Jesus. I could make this longer, but I will stick to the point. If you don't know Jesus as your Savior, please don't wait another day. The love He has for us is amazing. This song is my favorite song right now.

Trust

I have trouble understanding just how much God loves me. He died on the cross for our sins; and yet I still imagine Him condemning me. I have taken a HARD spiritual look at myself over the past two months. Am I really trusting in Him to save me? Am I believing IN Him? Meanwhile I am assuming God is tired of me and my problems. BUT....He isn't. He is right here holding my hand.Isaiah 41:13- For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. I love that promise; it encourages my soul.
 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.- John 6:37 I don't have to try and figure it all out. I just have to TRUST. I wonder what trust looks like? Is it having no fears at all? Or is it in the midst of those fears that you say, " I'm trusting God."?
I think it's the latter. Satan will always put fears into our minds as well as doubts. We have to look at God's Word for the answer. And then, TRUST.
 

Wrestle Boldly. Come Humbly.

Genesis 32-33.
 I love these two passages. The passage about God wrestling with Jacob use to confuse me. How could someone wrestle with God and win? How could someone see God face to face? I prayed God would show me what I needed to learn from this reading. Here is what I think.
 Jacob was frevently praying. Praying for God's blessing when he met his brother Esau. Jacob had sinned against Esau; and he wanted his brother to forgive him. When we pray I think God pushes against us. God pushes against our faith to make us stronger, to make us grow. He pushed against Jacob, but Jacob would not give up. He knew who he was in God. Jacob knew God would bless him and would not take no for an answer. If we know who we are in Christ we can come boldly to the throne.Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16.
 I am reminded about the story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) when I read about Jacob and Esau's reunion. My heart rejoices in how compassionate Esau was to Jacob; and how sorry Jacob was to Esau. Jesus runs and throws His heavenly arms around us when we come back to Him. When we give up our will to His we are rewarded with His love and mercy. How completley undeserving I am, but utterly grateful for His blessings. Wrestle boldy, but come back to the Throne Of Grace humbly.

You Will All Fall Away.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%2014:27-31&version=NIV
Above is the link to read the passage I will talk about.

I have read this passage many times before, but it struck something in me tonight(God is awsome!)
Jesus told them they would all fall away. We will all doubt at sometime in our life. It will happen. You will question everything. Just remember this when you do doubt- God still loves you. He still died for you. He is not going to take back the "salvation card." If you are saved then you are in God's hand and no one can snatch you from it(John 10:28.) Now some who go through this time of doubt come out and realize that they are really saved and they grow stronger because of it(Romans 5:3), but some will come to see that they have never given their life to Christ; and they then will surrender to God to have a true relationship with Jesus.Just don't ignore God's voice in all of this.
 Now, we also have some people who respond like Peter. Peter declared, "Even if all fall away, I will not." Can't you just feel the pride leap off the screen? He not only "said he wouldn't", but "declared." He was positive that he would never have a hard time trusting God. No! He would always be there, never doubting! Jesus corrected him. He predicted that Peter would deny Him three times and guess what? He did. God's not just a good guesser. He is all knowing.
 Don't be naive. We all will have this time. Just have the right response- Pray harder, Read more, and Seek His face as much as you can(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Mercy Does Not Have An Expiration Date

Last summer was very hard for me. I was dealing with doubts about God, is this real, what do I believe? This summer I feel as if the fire has died down. I look back at all the blog posts I wrote during that time and I can remember the way I was searching for God. This summer I am just relaxing going with the flow; and I realize that gets old really quick. The summer is almost over in my eyes and I am pretty disgusted with the way I have not grown spiritually in these past few months. Not only that but I am disgusted with how I have not grown this past year.

 But you know what my favorite thing about God is? He doesn't require a certain amount of hours. You do not get "kicked off the team" if you did not "gain weight" spiritually. I do not want you to think that I am taking this lightly, because I am not. I need to search for God and love Him with all my heart, soul, and mind. But I also remember that if I call out to God for forgivness He will supply it.

 You, Lord, are forgiving and good,
abounding in love to all who call to you.

Psalms 86:5