So How does being undeserving of Grace establish your Identity?
Lets take the Royal Family, Prince William for example. Prince William didn't have to "do" anything to become a Prince did he? No...He was simply born into the right family. In order for Prince William to continue being a Prince does he have to attend Prince lessons? Again...no. He could do nothing for the rest of His life and he would still be a Prince.
Now, If Prince William was to become King Do you think He would be a suitable King without having gone through all those Prince Lessons? Or having a knowledge of his people or economics or ways to better his Country? If Prince William was to take over and didn't know one stitch about being King alot of people in his Kingdom may not respect him or think he had the necessary tools to get the job done the best way possible.
What about Prince William do you think he would feel confident in his abilities if he didn't have the knowledge to back it up? If he doesn't know who he is and isn't confident in the fact that he's a Prince he likely wouldn't get very far.
This is The same with Jesus and Gods Grace.
When you accepted Jesus into your heart you became part of a Royal family. You were made a Prince or a Princess. Thats it, This is a Done deal for the rest of your life. In order to continue being a Prince or Princess or Child of God whichever you prefer there is no course REQUIREMENTS. Nothing you HAVE TO DO. You will forever be in this family.
"Are you saying we don't have to read the bible? or Pray? or do anything?"
What Im saying is that in order to remain a child of God you don't have to do anything. However the bible is something God uses to speak to us, in my opinion Gods word becomes our Prince or Princess Lessons. It shows us how to live and rule wisely. It teaches us who we are, how to overcome obstacles, and how to help others.
Will God still love you if you don't come to class? Of course. Will you have the confidence needed to live your new life and enjoy being a Child of God, no probably not. You will still be a Prince or Princess, but again think back to Prince William, without the understanding of how to live in that life he might not make a good King. Just like we might not make good Christians without Gods word to teach us.
Grace is a HUGE part of your identity its the very foundation. Jesus loves you and always will
Showing posts with label Lily. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lily. Show all posts
Friday, March 8, 2013
Thirty Day Challenge Day 5
So its been several days since Ive made a post regarding the Identity Crisis Thirty Day Challenge.
Im still holding true with this challenge and have been Working through some things without posting. But herein lies where there is unfairness. In starting this challenge I "Made a pact" if you will to share everything with whomever may be reading and participating. And I haven't been holding up to my end. Possibly because this makes me seem vulnerable and honestly its a little uncomfortable.
My Adult life hasn't been peaches and butterflies. I was married and it was not Godly. I had been with this person for a long time and the next logical step was to get married. Things were okay for a while and then they went south. Looking back I cant pinpoint an exact situation that started this downhill spiral but I believe the majority of it was due to the fact that it was centered around the wrong things.
Ever heard the expression "Time changes all things?" This is completely TRUE! Time does change all things we change physically, emotionally, mentally as humans we are constantly learning and evolving within ourselves. The only things that DONT change are things founded in God, in Jesus.
If you're saying "ShadowLilly, why do you say that?" Well lets take a look at what the word says regarding Jesus/God and Time:
Malachi 3:6 "For I am the Lord, I do NOT change."
Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the SAME yesterday, Today, and Forever
James 1:17 Every Good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father, With Whom there is NO VARIATION or Shadow of turning.
So if Jesus is the same forever and The Lord our God does not Change and the gifts given to us from our Father are without reproach then our lives and the things based in Jesus will not change and will always be good. Does this mean that you wont grow as an individual or grow spiritually. Not at all those things are all for your benefit.
If you are based in the right things and your focus is in Jesus then there is no way that you can possibly fail, and nothing that you do could fail - Remember:
GOD IS FOR YOU. ALWAYS. This wont ever change and its not based on your performance. the only thing we have to do is receive the gift. Sounds too simple right?
Whats a gift that you received that you felt like maybe you didn't deserve? I got a car one year for Christmas From an Uncle.
Id never worked for my Uncle or done anything deserving of a car, in fact by all standards to those outside I was living a life that CLEARLY wasn't deserving of a car. But those are how gifts from God and grace works. He loves you thats it.
What does this have to do with the thirty day challenge and your identity? Good Question...Ill be making a secondary post to tell you EXACTLY what this has to do with your Identity.
Im still holding true with this challenge and have been Working through some things without posting. But herein lies where there is unfairness. In starting this challenge I "Made a pact" if you will to share everything with whomever may be reading and participating. And I haven't been holding up to my end. Possibly because this makes me seem vulnerable and honestly its a little uncomfortable.
My Adult life hasn't been peaches and butterflies. I was married and it was not Godly. I had been with this person for a long time and the next logical step was to get married. Things were okay for a while and then they went south. Looking back I cant pinpoint an exact situation that started this downhill spiral but I believe the majority of it was due to the fact that it was centered around the wrong things.
Ever heard the expression "Time changes all things?" This is completely TRUE! Time does change all things we change physically, emotionally, mentally as humans we are constantly learning and evolving within ourselves. The only things that DONT change are things founded in God, in Jesus.
If you're saying "ShadowLilly, why do you say that?" Well lets take a look at what the word says regarding Jesus/God and Time:
Malachi 3:6 "For I am the Lord, I do NOT change."
Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the SAME yesterday, Today, and Forever
James 1:17 Every Good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father, With Whom there is NO VARIATION or Shadow of turning.
So if Jesus is the same forever and The Lord our God does not Change and the gifts given to us from our Father are without reproach then our lives and the things based in Jesus will not change and will always be good. Does this mean that you wont grow as an individual or grow spiritually. Not at all those things are all for your benefit.
If you are based in the right things and your focus is in Jesus then there is no way that you can possibly fail, and nothing that you do could fail - Remember:
GOD IS FOR YOU. ALWAYS. This wont ever change and its not based on your performance. the only thing we have to do is receive the gift. Sounds too simple right?
Whats a gift that you received that you felt like maybe you didn't deserve? I got a car one year for Christmas From an Uncle.
Id never worked for my Uncle or done anything deserving of a car, in fact by all standards to those outside I was living a life that CLEARLY wasn't deserving of a car. But those are how gifts from God and grace works. He loves you thats it.
What does this have to do with the thirty day challenge and your identity? Good Question...Ill be making a secondary post to tell you EXACTLY what this has to do with your Identity.
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Singing a new Song
I didn't "grow up in church" in fact I didnt start really going to church until I was in my early teens. I had been away one summer visiting relatives. While corresponding with my mom she told me that they had found a new church. It was word of faith and charismatic it was teaching them things, had a great youth program and i was going to love it.
The week I returned home i went to their youth Service. The youth group had just gotten back from a mission trip and unbeknownst to me this particular church/youth group had had some amazing encounters with God while there. I had no idea what I was doing when they started their worship, it wasn't like any youth service I had ever been to. Everyone there seemed to have a genuine hunger to seek after God and to experience his presence.
I knew next to nothing about spiritual gifts, speaking in tongues or feeling the presence of God. The youth pastor had asked up all to come up and she wanted to pray over us. Looking back now I don't recall feeling awkward. I didn't feel out of place. I felt safe and wanted. I remember hearing her pray over those close to me. She spoke in tongues and I remember thinking it was the most beautiful sound i had ever heard. And when she got to me and laid her hands on me she prayed. Everything I heard was in English but her mouth wasn't matching up with the words that I was hearing. I knew at that moment i was encountering something bigger than myself, something unexplainable and real. For the first time in my Life I felt God's presence so strong it was like I could reach out and touch Him.
My parents came down to collect me after the service and I was surrounded by other youth engulfed in the presence of God Worshiping him and singing to him in the spirit. There are days when i sing to God and I feel him so strong loving me building our relationship through the intimacy of my voice and his love. I feel the closest to God when I'm singing in the spirit. To me its something pure and untouchable. Its a free and beautiful, empowering exchange between us. Would you not feel closer to God if you were sitting right at His feet?
Why am I sharing this with you? Because its apart of who I am, Who God created me to be. Its apart of myself that I have kept locked away for many years because of past experiences in my life. God is reawakening in me a New Song. And its my Song meant for Him. Even if he has me sing it out for everyone to hear I know that Trusting him means knowing that he will never abuse my gift for his own gain.
Psalm 108:1-5 God, My heart is Steady. I will sing and praise you with all my being. Wake up Harp and Lyre! I will wake up the Dawn. Lord, I will praise you among the nations; I will sing songs of Praise about you to all nations. Your great love reaches to the skies, your truth to the heavens. God you are supreme above the skies. Let your glory be over all the Earth.
Love Letter
Do you recall receiving a Love Letter? No? How about writing one? Still nothing?
If you could write a love letter what would it say?
You're beautiful. I admire you. You're courageous I wish I had your traits. You make my life better. I cant live without you. I love you.
It would be something personal, something intimate. Something written in a fashion that will tell the other person you know them, and you appreciate them. The way your love letter is written would carry a tone so that the receiver of such a letter would know who is writing to them.
The Bible is often called Gods Love Letter. But too many times the letter is read by the wrong person and the tone carried with it isn't what God meant for it to be. The tone and interpretation of a letter read by anyone but whom it was originally addressed can come out distorted. Relationships are ever fluctuating. they are intimate and personal for those involved. there are few actual "rules for relationships" everyone is different so are the parameters and expectations on these human relationships.
My mother has three children. Myself and two boys, one 16 the other 13. The relationships between my mother and her children are all different. For example, the way my mother communicates with me is extremely different from the way my mother communicates with my youngest brother. Mine and my brothers interest differ greatly thus the way we learn and react to situations is different as well. We are two Different people. My mother never changes, she is the same person. Her values don't change, her actions don't change she is who she always has been regardless of which of her children she's speaking to.
Relationships are personalized. They are what we make them. Just because God may speak to you in a different way than he does someone else doesn't mean that you are any better or any worse than that other person. We are all different! why wouldn't our relationships with God all be different as well? You cant put a relationship into a box and conform it to someone else's standards or to please other people. What kind of relationship would that be?
If youre reading this Gods Love Letter for you is simple. He accepts you, He loves you beyond anything! He loves the long purple stripe in your hair! He loves your tattoos! He loves your nose piercing and ear spike!
He sees you...the real you. And youre accepted
If you could write a love letter what would it say?
You're beautiful. I admire you. You're courageous I wish I had your traits. You make my life better. I cant live without you. I love you.
It would be something personal, something intimate. Something written in a fashion that will tell the other person you know them, and you appreciate them. The way your love letter is written would carry a tone so that the receiver of such a letter would know who is writing to them.
The Bible is often called Gods Love Letter. But too many times the letter is read by the wrong person and the tone carried with it isn't what God meant for it to be. The tone and interpretation of a letter read by anyone but whom it was originally addressed can come out distorted. Relationships are ever fluctuating. they are intimate and personal for those involved. there are few actual "rules for relationships" everyone is different so are the parameters and expectations on these human relationships.
My mother has three children. Myself and two boys, one 16 the other 13. The relationships between my mother and her children are all different. For example, the way my mother communicates with me is extremely different from the way my mother communicates with my youngest brother. Mine and my brothers interest differ greatly thus the way we learn and react to situations is different as well. We are two Different people. My mother never changes, she is the same person. Her values don't change, her actions don't change she is who she always has been regardless of which of her children she's speaking to.
Relationships are personalized. They are what we make them. Just because God may speak to you in a different way than he does someone else doesn't mean that you are any better or any worse than that other person. We are all different! why wouldn't our relationships with God all be different as well? You cant put a relationship into a box and conform it to someone else's standards or to please other people. What kind of relationship would that be?
If youre reading this Gods Love Letter for you is simple. He accepts you, He loves you beyond anything! He loves the long purple stripe in your hair! He loves your tattoos! He loves your nose piercing and ear spike!
He sees you...the real you. And youre accepted
Wake up Call
The Worlds Wake up call is something abrupt and coarse. A stinging slap to the face that grasps your attention for a short period of time and forces you to react out of fear.
Gods Wake up Call is a soft sweet caress in the haze of the predawn light. Gently stirring coaxing you to face things in what may be the harsh light of day. It's done out of Love and it's effects span a lifetime.
The bed of the world is no bed at all. Thorns and nails make a damp mat on the floor. Would you not rather lie in a bed of rose petals surrounded by the lover of your soul?
Better is one day in the arms of my father than a thousand elsewhere! How simple can it be to believe God and gain confident assurance of his affection for us? so much so that a Child will run into the arms of his Father. Without even so much as a question or a glance over their shoulder a child can do it.
I want to be a child.
Gods Wake up Call is a soft sweet caress in the haze of the predawn light. Gently stirring coaxing you to face things in what may be the harsh light of day. It's done out of Love and it's effects span a lifetime.
The bed of the world is no bed at all. Thorns and nails make a damp mat on the floor. Would you not rather lie in a bed of rose petals surrounded by the lover of your soul?
Better is one day in the arms of my father than a thousand elsewhere! How simple can it be to believe God and gain confident assurance of his affection for us? so much so that a Child will run into the arms of his Father. Without even so much as a question or a glance over their shoulder a child can do it.
I want to be a child.
Why Anonymous?
Sometimes its difficult for us to accept Love. Especially the type of unconditional love that God offers. This is largely due to our own past experiences with love. Perhaps you didn't grow up in a loving family or maybe you've been through a divorce and just have a bad taste for "Love"
What really opened my eyes to the message of Love was having my son. God has used him so strong in my life to teach me about myself and the relationship I have with God. For anyone who has children you know that you would do nearly anything to ensure their happiness, to see them succeed, and to help them in anyway you could.
If God is supposedly our "Father" then why would we think He wouldn't want the same for us? Gods only desire is to have a relationship with his Children, to love them and provide for them. People have this notion that God is some sort of tyrant who is just sitting on a throne someplace waiting to smite you. And sadly most Christians just reinforce that idea. Its sad how religion tries to mold you into its own image to conform you into their version of what does or does not make a Christian.
My Son is unique. He is the only him that there will ever be. And I wouldn't change one thing about him good or bad. I love him for exactly who he is even when he's going through a 2 year old fit. Wake up Children of God! Your Daddy loves you! He's been telling you your whole life! It's time to stop and start listening. Recognize God is the one sending you Love letters!
So Why Anonymous? Because for us sometimes its easier to take the love of a stranger than open ourselves up actual relationships.
But with God...its worth it. Its ALWAYS worth it.
Love,
ShadowLilly
Song of Solomon 2:1-4 I am a rose of Sharon, a Lily of the valleys. As a lily among brambles so is my love among the women. As and apple tree among the trees of the forest, so is my Beloved. With great delight I sat in his shadow, and his fruit was sweet to my taste. He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was Love
What really opened my eyes to the message of Love was having my son. God has used him so strong in my life to teach me about myself and the relationship I have with God. For anyone who has children you know that you would do nearly anything to ensure their happiness, to see them succeed, and to help them in anyway you could.
If God is supposedly our "Father" then why would we think He wouldn't want the same for us? Gods only desire is to have a relationship with his Children, to love them and provide for them. People have this notion that God is some sort of tyrant who is just sitting on a throne someplace waiting to smite you. And sadly most Christians just reinforce that idea. Its sad how religion tries to mold you into its own image to conform you into their version of what does or does not make a Christian.
My Son is unique. He is the only him that there will ever be. And I wouldn't change one thing about him good or bad. I love him for exactly who he is even when he's going through a 2 year old fit. Wake up Children of God! Your Daddy loves you! He's been telling you your whole life! It's time to stop and start listening. Recognize God is the one sending you Love letters!
So Why Anonymous? Because for us sometimes its easier to take the love of a stranger than open ourselves up actual relationships.
But with God...its worth it. Its ALWAYS worth it.
Love,
ShadowLilly
Song of Solomon 2:1-4 I am a rose of Sharon, a Lily of the valleys. As a lily among brambles so is my love among the women. As and apple tree among the trees of the forest, so is my Beloved. With great delight I sat in his shadow, and his fruit was sweet to my taste. He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was Love
Friday, February 15, 2013
...And so it Begins
So I've begun a blog. I suppose now for all intents and purposes I am "unique" (just like everybody else) and am ready to share my own personal thoughts and opinions with the general public, To offer up my viewpoints on a silver platter for others to judge, and even possibly...criticize. Shocking right?! well with this being the internet I suppose one should be prepared.
Let me start by saying I am a Christian. Im not the holier-than-thou-burn-in-hell-you're-a-wretched-sinner-because-you-don't-pray-to-Jesus Christian. Like everyone else on the planet I'm not perfect. But in my imperfection is where the Love and Grace of Jesus flourishes. His Grace is not something I have earned by my own performance, its not some secret code I've spent my life trying to crack. The Grace Message is purely and Simply, to me, the freedom from pressure to perform for Gods Love. It's a gift already bought and paid for. It comes free of charge, free of worry, free of regret. If you don't want the Gift He wont force you to take it.
I've been under what is affectionally referred to as the "Grace Message" for almost two years. It has altered my entire life. My relationships with other people have improved, my home and work life has improved, God has shown up more times than I can count on my behalf in varying situations. Why? Because he LOVE ME. To the outside world that sounds stupid, and I understand that, because unfortunately we live in a world in which the worth of someone is based solely on their performance and achievements. Not only that but it is difficult to imagine let alone operate in an unconditional, selfless, no-holds-barred type of love all the time.
God Does.
God Looks past your flaws, past your mistakes. He sees behind the walls surrounding your heart to the very core of you and finds you perfect, blameless, righteous, spotless, and loved through Jesus. Its an overwhelming concept.
Why did God first create man...because he wanted to. We are precious to him. I am precious to him.
Im not quite sure what will come of this blog. I know that i'll be using it to share about Grace, about what i have experienced, as well as to share some writing that God has been stirring in me. hopefully it will reach whomever God intends for it to in whatever capacity that may be.
Love,
ShadowLilly
Song of Solomon 2:1-4 I am a rose of Sharon, a Lily of the valleys. As a lily among brambles so is my love among the women. As an apple tree among the trees of the forest, so is my beloved. With great delight I sat in his shadow, and his fruit was sweet to my taste. He brought me to the banqueting house, and his Banner over me was Love
Let me start by saying I am a Christian. Im not the holier-than-thou-burn-in-hell-you're-a-wretched-sinner-because-you-don't-pray-to-Jesus Christian. Like everyone else on the planet I'm not perfect. But in my imperfection is where the Love and Grace of Jesus flourishes. His Grace is not something I have earned by my own performance, its not some secret code I've spent my life trying to crack. The Grace Message is purely and Simply, to me, the freedom from pressure to perform for Gods Love. It's a gift already bought and paid for. It comes free of charge, free of worry, free of regret. If you don't want the Gift He wont force you to take it.
I've been under what is affectionally referred to as the "Grace Message" for almost two years. It has altered my entire life. My relationships with other people have improved, my home and work life has improved, God has shown up more times than I can count on my behalf in varying situations. Why? Because he LOVE ME. To the outside world that sounds stupid, and I understand that, because unfortunately we live in a world in which the worth of someone is based solely on their performance and achievements. Not only that but it is difficult to imagine let alone operate in an unconditional, selfless, no-holds-barred type of love all the time.
God Does.
God Looks past your flaws, past your mistakes. He sees behind the walls surrounding your heart to the very core of you and finds you perfect, blameless, righteous, spotless, and loved through Jesus. Its an overwhelming concept.
Why did God first create man...because he wanted to. We are precious to him. I am precious to him.
Im not quite sure what will come of this blog. I know that i'll be using it to share about Grace, about what i have experienced, as well as to share some writing that God has been stirring in me. hopefully it will reach whomever God intends for it to in whatever capacity that may be.
Love,
ShadowLilly
Song of Solomon 2:1-4 I am a rose of Sharon, a Lily of the valleys. As a lily among brambles so is my love among the women. As an apple tree among the trees of the forest, so is my beloved. With great delight I sat in his shadow, and his fruit was sweet to my taste. He brought me to the banqueting house, and his Banner over me was Love
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)