Strong Love

     Our God is such an amazing God!  When I think of Christ's strong love their are three main points that pop into my head; grace, mercy and justice.  Mike Bickle has been doing a grace series so I'm going to quickly review these three truths and hopefully this will be of some encouragement to you today :)
     Justice: the quality of being fair or reasonable.  The truth is I do not desire for justice to be served in my life upon what I have been, said, done etc.  If I would be treated fair or reasonable I currently would not be writing this blog!  However when it comes to the ending of abortion or the abolishment of the slave trade I plead for God's justice.  I know my God; I know that He will not turn His back on such great evil and unrighteousness.  He is a just God.
     Mercy: getting what you deserve.  David Sliker one of the teachers at IHOPU has explained Revelation as a book defining God's mercy.  I love that!  Often us as humans view the Revelation of Jesus Christ as the most horrific book in the bible.  If we would truly tap into the Father's heart this book suddenly becomes the crescendo of our lives.  This is the time when Jesus will show all of creation who He is and what His heart burns for; His bride!
     Grace: not getting what you deserve.  This is when I begin to feel like butter melting.  I get all giddy and crazy inside when I think of grace.  Our God is a gracious God.  Ephesians 1:6 states that we are God's children 'to the praise of the glory of His grace'.  That's so cool!  I live this life that I might be a living example of God's grace.  Think about this.  When you fail, when you sin and mess up God doesn't look upon it, shake His head and think of how much He screwed up when He chose you.  Ephesians 1:4 says that He chose us BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD.  Um...hold it right there!  That means before this huge round thing we are on right now was ever even here He chose ME and He chose YOU!  When we sin He simply looks upon it as a way for His grace to be exemplified through us.  When we choose to hold onto our sin after we have confessed and repented we allow shame to give birth within us.  Beloved that is not your portion!  Are you still beating yourself up on a sin you committed last hour?  How about last month?  Or maybe 40 years ago?  Part of your inheritance as a Christian is for you to be able to walk away from the weight of that sin the EXACT MOMENT you confess and repent of it and to allow His grace to be glorified within you.  There is no chart in the bible that states depending of the severity of your sin (in Christ there is none such) you have to wait such and such a time before you are free to walk in peace again.  How about thinking of it this way...when you hold onto your sin your being selfish.  Ouch!  However if we look at scripture it's very clear!  God delights in giving us what we don't deserve.  After all the reason you were created was for His glory to be revealed in you (Romans 11:36) This means that when you do as Christ requests and turn from your sin you are acting in selfish ambition if you choose to hold onto this sin.  Life is a lot easier when we cling to His grace instead of the devil's lie of shame.
     In closing I just thought I would remind all of you of what I am doing out here since it seems as if some of you do not quite understand!  I spend A VERY LONG TIME in the prayer room everyday!  Interpretation: PLEASE send me your prayer requests!!  If I were you I would be taking full advantage of this opportunity :) You have all supported me and now I so badly want to support you through prayer!!  Allow me this opportunity...I would be truly grateful!