http://youtu.be/JEqfMFAIyGI - Let Your Mercy Rain - Chris Tomlin2 Corinthians 12:9-10Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
There are days when I feel so worthless. I read God's Word and realize I don't measure up to the standards He has set for His children, not by a long shot. And it's so strange but it seems the closer I draw to God, the more I become aware of my shortcomings. As Paul said in his letter to the Romans, the problem is sin. The solution: Jesus.
Romans 7:14-25
Struggling with Sin
14 So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. 15 I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. 16 But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. 17 So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.
18 And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. 19 I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. 20 But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.
21 I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. 22 I love God’s law with all my heart. 23 But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. 24 Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death?
25 Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.
Romans 8:1
So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. 2 And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.
That passage always makes me feel so much better. Imagine! Me and Paul in the same boat. Paul, considered by most believers to be the most powerful witness for the Risen Lord, that Paul! He struggled with the same things I do. He wanted to do better. Me, too. But Paul knew about Grace better than anyone. I have experienced that Grace abundantly myself.
Paul was an enemy of the Faith for so long. But then Jesus reached out to him and Paul responded. His sins were great but the Grace of God was greater than all of Paul's sins.
I have been an enemy of the Faith. And even though I don't want to do wrong, I fall short of His glory every day in one way or another. But Jesus is so faithful. He has gifted every believer with the most power force in the Universe - the Spirit of God. His Holy Spirit lives in me and you giving us the strength we need to keep getting back up no matter how many times we fall.
That is Grace - Amazing Grace.
There was a time when I thought I had sinned too many times against my Savior, that He couldn't possibly forgive my willful transgressions. I remember clearly thinking, "How dare I ask for His help after turning my back on Him. I don't deserve another chance. I don't deserve His forgiveness nor His help." But that was Satan and he was so convincing.
But then my Father drew me back. The link above is to the song, "Let Your Mercy Rain". I just love the lyrics. One of the lines says "He came running looking for us" . Thank You, Lord! God came running looking for me. I know without a doubt He sought me when I was so far away. He never let go. He blessed me with another son at the impossible age of 46. He knew just what it would take for me to receive His Grace again. That baby boy that God entrusted to me was the instrument HE used to bring me back to church, where I could hear about His mercy. Sitting in church I was reminded of the sacrifice that Jesus made for all my sins.
I listened as God used preachers and teachers to remind me of how far reaching the Grace of God truly is. And I realized all He required from me was a broken heart over my sins and an acknowledgement that I needed my Savior. I turned back to Him, just like the prodigal son, and He was there with open arms. I know the angels in heaven rejoiced when this lost lamb found her way back home.
I'm not good enough. I never will be. And that's okay. God knew I would fall, not once or twice but every day. He loves me anyway. He loved me so much that He made a way for lost souls just like me to find redemption and salvation - He sacrificed His precious spotless Son. The suffering and death that Jesus endured was more than enough to cover all our sins. Praise God!
When I read the Bible and see God's instructions for living a life that is holy - I understand that should be my goal. I try to obey His directions but I still mess up. I keep trying. I keep getting back up - with His help. That is what He requires. My heart's desire is to make Jesus proud. To show others the joy I have from following Him - that's my aim.
I no longer worry about being good enough. I don't go about trying to do lots of good deeds so that I can some how offset all the sins I commit. Any good I do is in gratitude - not to get gold stars.
Now, because of His gracious mercy, I am so thankful and full of love for Him that I just want to honor Him with every part of my life. I mess up every day but my heart belongs to Christ. And He knows that. I get up and start over many times during the course of day, and each time, I thank God for His Grace.
I hope you can listen to this song sung by Laura Story. I can certainly identify with every word.
His Grace is abundantly sufficient. Thank You for reminding me, Lord!
http://youtu.be/56fTWlFxvgs - Grace - Laura Story
My heart is so proud. My mind is so unfocused.
I see the things You do through me as great things I have done.
And now You gently break me, then lovingly You take me
And hold me as my Father and mold me as my Maker.
[Chorus:]
I ask you: "How many times will You pick me up,
When I keep on letting You down?
And each time I will fall short of Your glory,
How far will forgiveness abound?"
And You answer: " My child, I love you.
And as long as you're seeking My face,
You'll walk in the power of My daily sufficient grace."
At times I may grow weak and feel a bit discouraged,
Knowing that someone, somewhere could do a better job.
For who am I to serve You? I know I don't deserve You.
And that's the part that burns in my heart and keeps me hanging on.
[Chorus:]
I ask you: "How many times will you pick me up,
When I keep on letting you down?
And each time I will fall short of Your glory,
How far will forgiveness abound?"
And You answer: " My child, I love you.
And as long as you're seeking My face,
You'll walk in the power of My daily sufficient grace."
You are so patient with me, Lord.
As I walk with You, I'm learning what Your grace really means.
The price that I could never pay was paid at Calvary.
So, instead of trying to repay You, I'm learning to simply obey You
By giving up my life to You For all that You've given to me.
[Chorus:]
I ask you: "How many times will You pick me up,
When I keep on letting You down?
And each time I will fall short of Your glory,
How far will forgiveness abound?"
And You answer: " My child, I love you.
And as long as you're seeking My face,
You'll walk in the power of My daily sufficient grace."
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