Day Four: Im thankful for Gods grace. During my short life, Ive done many things that I am not proud of, as I have made many mistakes. Some of these mistakes have been bad choices, but others have been downright wrong, which have caused me to hurt my relationship with God and with others. For example, in Elementary School I was known as a nerd and was rejected by both boys and girls. There was only one person who accepted me that I remember, and he was my friend. But to lose the stereotype of being a nerd and to be accepted I needed to lose the perception of how others viewed me. So I did what made the most sense: to beat up my best friend so that I could show that I was tough. This made sense in my heart as the world taught me that nice guys finish last, but tough guys finish first. So, one day in the playground after being picked on by some girls (yes, I was bullied by girls) I decided that I had enough. So I went right to my friend and socked him square in his eye, which landed him to the ground. Once he hit the dirt I got on him and started to let my anger out on him. People started to cheer, fight ... fight ... fight, which brought me a sense of power since I was winning. After the fight was broken up my friend told me, why? and began to cry and ran off. My heart became saddened as I knew I had demolished a friendship - the only true friend I had. But, once I was brought into the Principles Office, I started to realize that I became something different than who I was before - - - accepted by the world. This type of lifestyle continued for countless years, as no matter where I went I seemed to be rejected, but to become accepted all I had to do was become what others wanted me to be. After many years of doing things I hated, I realized that I had become a friend to the world, but an enemy to God. I knew what I was doing was downright wrong, but I had to begin the journey of healing, as I recognized that the real problem wasnt with others, but the real problem was within me. I was a sinner and in my eyes the worse kind of sinner as I would do anything to be accepted. I was the kind of person that you really need to be afraid and watchful towards, as there is no limitation that someone will do when it comes to being accepted. Now, many years later Jesus touched my life and even though I had done countless terrible things, He accepted me just as I was. I asked Jesus to be the Lord of my life, confessed my sins to him, and began the process of repentance of following after what I was learning in the Bible. He softened my heart and turned a heart of stone into a heart like His. There are many times that my conscience or the Adversary will remind me of my past, but when the enemy tries to steal my identity in Christ, I must remind myself of who I am in Gods eyes --- a sinner who has a past, but a saint who has a future - I am a child of God. Its not religion that saved me ... nor was it self-help that changed me --- nor was it paying it forward that released me ... it was all God and by His grace that changed my life. I am grateful that grace cannot be earned, nor can it be received by merit or by works; grace is only a gift that is given by Gods own good heart to a wretched sinner. Maybe, you may have a similar past as myself, one of rejection and to gain acceptance you did many things you knew were wrong but you did it anyway. If so, allow conviction to have its toll and walk in repentance towards God, as the same God of grace who saved me can save you too. Ask Jesus to come into your heart and the Holy Spirit to redefine a new identity in you --- he will rewrite your life story. To end this day of gratitude post, I am going to quote the hymn, Amazing Grace and with the song from Owl City, In Christ Alone. If you are in a place of needing grace, speak to God and allow Him to reason with your heart, as He can change you from the inside out, just like how He changed me: Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now am found, Was blind, but now I see. Twas Grace that taught my heart to fear. And Grace, my fears relieved. How precious did that Grace appear The hour I first believed. Through many dangers, toils and snares I have already come; Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far and Grace will lead me home. The Lord has promised good to me. His word my hope secures. He will my shield and portion be, As long as life endures. Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail, And mortal life shall cease, I shall possess within the veil, A life of joy and peace. Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail, And mortal life shall cease; I shall profess, within the vail, A life of joy and peace. The following stanza was written by an an anonymous author, often replacing the sixth stanza, or inserted as the fourth. When weve been there ten thousand years Bright shining as the sun. Weve no less days to sing Gods praise Than when weve first begun. https://youtube/watch?v=IfOWIOAzouU
Posted on: Fri, 22 Aug 2014 12:42:51 +0000
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