Words of Grace, Not Law

Christ's words are always words of grace.

"And never let ugly or hateful words come from your mouth, but instead let your words become beautiful gifts that encourage others; do this by speaking words of grace to help them." 

Ephesians 4:29 (TPT)

Sometimes when we are down or suffer a failure, we can become self-criticizing or put ourselves down. But Christ always speaks good words to us that build us up and encourage us. He isn't judging or criticizing us so there's no need to judge or criticize ourselves. Christ never speaks law language of accusation, shame, condemnation or guilt. He speaks grace language of kindness, understanding, forgiveness, love and acceptance. Since Christ always speaks grace words to us, especially when we are down, we can do the same and speak kindly and gently to ourselves, ministering grace to ourselves and building ourselves up. And we can do the same with those around us, because when we are down or 'fallen' we need grace words more than ever!

Here are some grace words that we can realize Christ is speaking to us and that we can say to ourselves and others:

"You don't have to be perfect. The pressure is off."

"I understand."

"You're not a failure. Everybody makes mistakes. You're human."

"I forgive you."

"You are not defective or shameful. You are simply wounded and needing love and healing."

"Your behavior never determines or changes who you are. You are still a good person, in God's image and likeness."

"I will always love you no matter what."

"There is no judgment here, just acceptance."

"You are beautiful in my eyes."

A Thought: I will be a friend to myself and speak good and gracious words to myself.

Safe with God

I can be vulnerable before God because He would never hurt me. He would only help me.

"God is a safe place to be." 

Psalm 62:8 (MSG)

God's heart is a haven of quiet rest from the rebukes, pointing fingers, and rejection found so often in this world.  He will never belittle us, ridicule us, or think us odd. We are totally accepted by Him with all our thoughts and emotions.

He is a safe Person.  We can dare to open up to Him and share our real feelings without fear of a rebuke or rejection of our feelings.  He won't be mean but kind.  He wants to build us up, not tear us down.  He always leaves us feeling better, not worse.  He words don't wound, they heal.  He doesn't rebuke but affirms! 

We have been so used to thinking all He wants to do is angrily point out what's wrong with us, but He is busy pointing out what is right with us!  We wait for the "hammer" to fall, but instead grace falls like a waterfall, love pours down like rain, assurance washes over us like a river.  Jesus won't preach law to us but will minister grace every time!  With Him we are truly safe.  His heart is the safest place in the world! 

A Thought: His love makes me feel safe.

Sea of Grace

There is an uplifting quality to God's grace. It is like floating in a vast sea of peace and love that constantly buoys you up.

"He will sustain you."

Psalm 55:22

We are floating in the sea of grace, floating in our Father's endless love. We are light and carefree, buoyed up by His life, resting in the peaceful rolling waters of the living Holy Spirit. Everything is good. Everything is right. We are just where we are supposed to be - in His presence, in His great loving embrace. We have no worries, no cares, no troubles. God takes care of everything. We are floating in the sea of grace.

A Thought: I'm swimming in the ocean of God's love and will never come to the end of it!

Like a Forest Sanctuary

No matter how crazy life gets, we are always in the peaceful presence of God.

"God is our refuge."

Psalm 62:8 (ESV)

We are in the sanctuary of His love, like being in a cathedral of trees deep in the forest. It is peaceful here, shady and cool and refreshing. There is no danger here. His giant love towers over us like the tree sentinels, sheltering us, shielding us from harm. We are safe and protected, cared for and enfolded. We are enfolded in God like being enfolded in the hovering branches of the trees, gently touched by His love like the streams of sunlight gently touch us through the dappled leaves. We are in the quiet place of His presence. We are in the sanctuary of His love.

A Thought: We are always sheltered by God.

One Thing

Thinking about His love for me is so much better than thinking about my problems and worries.

"There’s only one thing you need."

Luke 10:42 (GW)

Worries sometimes swirl about us, cluttering our minds with fear and stress. Our minds can start racing, trying so hard to analyze and solve our problems. We can be like Jesus' friend Martha, worried about so many things, when really only one thing is necessary. We only need one thing, and that is the position of Martha's sister, Mary - she sat with Jesus and listened to Him. That is all that is needed - just to be still before Him and hear His words of life to us, soaking in the truth of His grace, love, peace, joy and wisdom. It's wonderful to know we don't have to 'fix' our problems or spend all our time thinking about them. He is taking care of our concerns, so we can sit with Jesus and think about happy and heavenly things, soaking in His words to us of love and grace. And the even more powerful thing to know is that we don't have to 'get' into that position of sitting before Jesus and looking at Him..we can simply know we are already there, for through Christ's finished work, that is exactly where He has placed us permanently! We are permanently in the position of Mary, permanently in the circle of Love of the Trinity, continuously looking onto the face of Christ, hearing His words of grace as He continuously pours love and encouragement onto us!

A Thought: I hear His word to me, and that is all I need.

The Grace of Acceptance

"I [am] in the hands of God. I [can] live by grace.  I [can] lose all human support and not fall down. I [am] held and [will] not be dropped.  I [am] supported and [will] not sink.  I [am] held together and [will] not fall apart.  I [am] accepted and [can] not be rejected.  I [am] loved and [will] never be despised."

Lewis Smedes (verb tenses changed)

"My father and mother may desert me, but the Lord will accept me."

Psalm 27:10 (NIRV)

You are accepted. You may have just blown it, you may be at the lowest point of your life all through your own doing, but you are accepted. When noone else will take you, He will. Even if everyone else rejects you, He never will. Rejection is not even possible. Right now no matter what is going on, He loves you, He hugs you, He is ok with you. You belong in His family, you have a home with Him, and you cannot mess this up. That is what it means to live in the grace of God. You are accepted!

A Thought: I cannot fall out of His arms.

Nevertheless

Nothing at all can take my God from me.

"Nevertheless I am continually with You; You have taken hold of my right hand. With Your counsel You will guide me, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Psalm 73:23-26

We may feel rotten and think our emotions will overtake us.  Terrible circumstances may come.  Troubles may seem to overwhelm.  Confusion and fear may assail us at every turn.  We may be complete and utter failures at life.  We may condemn ourselves and berate ourselves.  Others may judge and reject us.  We may not be able to put two sane thoughts together.  Nothing may seem to make sense.

NEVERTHELESS! 

Let's have a holy rant about this: "Nevertheless I am STILL with Him and He is STILL with me!  I don't care WHAT happens, NOTHING can take my God away from me!   And NOTHING can take me away from Him!  I'm in Him, He's in me, and that's forever, no matter what, end of story.  So let trials, yucky feelings, problems, confusion and turmoil come.  So what!  Doesn't change a thing..Someone is still holding my hand, guiding me, taking care of me and everything that concerns me."

Our flesh and our heart may fail, but so what?  SO WHAT!  God is the hidden, inner strength of our heart, and God is our sure inheritance forever. We're just as close to Him, just as righteous, just as acceptable, just as beloved as we ever were. We're still more than conquerors through Him who loves us. And that doesn't depend on our not-dependable performance, and it doesn't change with our ever-changing circumstances.  It's set in spiritual concrete by the work of Jesus Himself, and His work is finished.  Done once, done right, done for all time!  Thank You, Lord!

A Thought: We are living in the "nevertheless" of God.

Bill Of Rights

Christ transferred us to His kingdom where love reigns, and we have all the rights and privileges of any citizen of that kingdom.

"He rescued us from the dominion of darkness (the sense-ruled world, dominated by the law of performance) and relocated us into the kingdom where the love of his son rules."

Colossians 1:13 (MIRROR)

We have some wonderful rights and privileges, and it's all because of Jesus' finished work and not anything we've done!  We can be bold and confident because of all Jesus has done for us.  Here's our Bill of Rights as God's beloved children:

• I have the right to never think about my sins again.
• I have the right to relate to God without any reference to my sin.
  
• I have the right to never be under judgment or wrath.
• I have the right to never be punished for my sins!
• I have the right to no more fear - of punishment, evil, wrath, etc.
• I have the right to fail and know that nothing has changed in my relationship with God!
• I have the right to never be put under obligation, law, and "shoulds."
• I have the right to be bold in God's presence.  
• I have the right to God's approval.
• I have the right to heaven.
• I have the right to stand before God unashamed.
• I have the right to call myself God's child and Christ's beloved.
• I have the right to know complete security in my relationship with God, no matter what.
• I have the right to feel no sense of condemnation.
• I have the right to enjoy total acceptance from God.
• I have the right to say I'm perfect forever before God.
• I have the right to enjoy God's presence at all times because there is no separation between us ever!
• I have the right to walk in victory over every problem, doubt and fear.
• I have the right to enjoy being loved by God 100%.
• I have the right to walk on this earth as a lovable and likable person.
• I have the right to enjoy God's smile even right after I just sinned.
• I have the right to testify that I am righteous.
• I have the right to accept and forgive myself.
• I have the right to share grace with others even though I sometimes fail and don't have things all together.
• I have the right to see the eternal and live from my dwelling there.
• I have the right to be over all the power of the enemy.
• I have the right to walk through this world in joy and peace no matter what my circumstances.
• I have the right to be myself and know that God delights in me just as I am.
• I have the right to smile today because He makes life worth living!

The Bill of Wrongs (the Law that condemned us) was nailed to the cross.  It's gone!  There's no Bill of Wrongs against us saying that we don't have the right to be in God's presence.  We are free!  Free to be with Him, free to relate to Him without fear, free to be loved!  Free to run, dance, sing, play and worship in His presence!  

A Thought: I have a right to be happy in God today!