Strength

Why in the world would we not want to listen and obey the voice of Almighty God of this entire existence? If He were alive in the flesh and standing beside our bed this morning would we not flip out? If He began talking to us about the wonders of His creation, telling us sweet things and maybe even wanting us to do a very special something and maybe call up a long lost friend - would we roll over in bed and ignore Him? I did. Well, say God wasn't present in flesh - well, not to me - but He was alive in flesh about 2000 years ago and people still ignored Him in disbelief and ignorance. What would it take? Why is it easier to obey some times rather than others?  Why cannot I have a holy fear at all times - respecting the Creator of the universe and giving Him the time of day He deserves?

At the end - I must expect grace. Instead of spending another moment worrying about how I missed out on an opportunity or didn't do something right, or even blew off God when He tried to speak. He is so much greater than my failures and I must receive His grace and understand I will fail and mess up constantly, but I am to go forward in quiet strength - not stand still shouting how big of a failure I've been. It is self-centered and it's not like God doesn't think I would ever mess up. He'd rather me not, and He wants me to acknowledge those times and repent so I grow from them and use them as stepping stones to help me not repeat the same mistakes. I'm sick and tired about being sick and tired about failing God. I have come to a conclusion I always will - but Good News has it that to Him I am perfect, blameless, and still His beloved child in whom He is WELL pleased!  So it's really me I am trying to please by being "perfect" and doing all things "right." I'm judging myself when I fail instead of accepting the work of Jesus. That's what makes it crazy in my head! When the familiar "How could you?" or "you know better than not to do that," rings in my ears  the best remedy is the Word -

Romans 5:1-2 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Hebrews 4:16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 12:15 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled.

So by adding and growing our faith we eventually get to the point of no return - GRACE!  Here is where we stand tall and have joy! Joy that it's not our works which are as filthy rags but His works which were enough and without reproach. So by drawing near to Him, in this place of joy called "grace" we find strength and power as Stephen did before the LORD called him home. It is guaranteed that I fail. It's the only thing I can honestly guarantee. But how fast do I rise back up depends on how quickly I let down pride and self and run back into my loving Father's arms. It's only me and my own "need" to judge that prevents a life of freedom. And as God instructs, don't fail to get grace. This failure - of not agreeing with God about being righteous in Him - does result in bitterness thus resulting in my corruption and ruin. so there's no other way to freedom but through grace through Him whom we praise - this is why we praise Him! Rock on...