Grace: Part 3

One of the first things that we were taught when we got here was how to love the children.  Giuli said that some of the most important ways to show the kids that love them is to hug them and make eye contact, and just listen to them (even if we don't understand what they're saying!).

But she also told us that the Bible tells us to love others like we love ourselves (Matthew 22:39).  And that doesn't mean just the selfish, think of myself first kind of love.  The kind of love that God means is love like his, when you are able to forgive and love yourself.

When we refuse to accept God's grace it's so much harder to give grace to others because we don't understand grace very well.

Because of God's love we want to do better, but we don't have to do better in order for him to love us.  We could never possibly be 'good enough' to earn his love.

What she said really hit me because sometimes I really struggle with allowing myself grace when I make a mistake or when things are just hard.  It can be much easier to beat myself up over a mistake than to let it go. 

But just like Giuli told us, God doesn't blame us or get mad at us for making mistakes or struggling.  Instead, he helps us up and tells us to keep going, that he's strong enough in our mistakes. 

God wants us to know just how much he loves us so that we can learn and grow, and so that we can love others fully.

Love,
~Moriah

Grace Part 2

So then, if God's grace covers our sins and mistakes, what then?

God gives us the greatest gift. Those mistakes no longer have power over you. You don't have to remember every mistake, every regret, everything that you wish you could change, for every moment of your life.  That shame is NOT your identity any more. 

So what is the point then?  Every mistake covered by grace serves a purpose. 

Maybe it's to connect someone who's struggling. You can use your experiences to help someone else get through a tough time in their life. 

Maybe it's to be an example of how God's grace is powerful enough to cover anything! It's hard sometimes to believe that God could and/or would  forgive everything that you've done. You can be an example of that for people who feel like they're too far from God. 

Maybe God wants to teach you something about him or your relationship with him.  Be open to learning what he wants to teach. 

God works everything together for the good of those who love him. Hurts, sins and mistakes are no exception. 

~Moriah

Grace

It's okay to not be perfect. Really!

Everyone is human, with a sinful nature and makes mistakes. Everyone. 

But the great thing about that is, God's grace will cover all of our imperfections if we only accept his forgiveness and allow Christ to be our savior. 

http://sunnyskiies.tumblr.com/post/56739777491/spiritualinspiration-for-by-grace-you-have-been

Ephesians 2:8-9 says 'For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast.'

The dictionary definition of grace is 'a manifestation of favor, especially by a superior'. (Www.dictionary.com)

God shows us his favor in forgiving us freely. Why on earth would he do that?  Because he loves us sooooooo much and wants to repair the relationship between God and man that were broken by sin. (John 3:16) He is willing to grant us favor in order so that we can know him better. 

He says 'I know you're a sinner. You've messed up. A lot. You aren't perfect. But I know that and I love you anyway. Please let me fix things! I'm the only one who can.'

But when we accept that grace, we have to leave it at that. We can't continue to try to get to God through our works. There is absolutely nothing that we can do to bridge the gap between us and God by ourselves. We can never be strong enough, good enough, loving enough, hard working- whatever it is that we try to be perfect at, we can't do it. We can never be perfect and trying to be perfect will only lead to a lot of hurt, discouragement and pain. 

Romans 11:5-6 says 'So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace. (NIV)' 

We have to let grace be grace. We can't continue to live as though we are the ones that make the relationship right once we've accepted God's grace. Let him take care of making things right and just do your part- accepting his love and grace. 

~Moriah