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Forever Loved and Accepted




“When you and I focus on how we’ve been done wrong in the past, we lose focus on how we’ve been done right by Jesus.”
Derwin Gray


This week my focus has been on my heart.  God has really been sending me some messages and signals that are pointing straight to my heart and how I need to have a change of heart.  John 2:5 says to “Do whatever He tells you.”  I need to change my heart…which means I need to change my thinking. 
  


Lately I’ve been going in multiple directions and I can feel the tension…I can feel the bitterness starting to choke and my mouth is starting to speak words that don’t make a soul stronger. 

When I focus on how I’ve been done wrong…I get bitter and my heart becomes hard.


“Where the heart is changed, the life and actions will be changed.” 

Matthew Henry
  

I know this…I know when I put my focus on the negative that it will only bring me and those around me down.  He must become greater and I must become less.  My purpose in this life is to testify of His greatness – I must “bear witness to the Light.” John 1:8



My biggest job as a parent is to minister to my kids.  And if I am bitter and focusing on how I’ve been done wrong then Jesus is NOT being revealed through me at all.  I’m so thankful that Jesus looks for the down and out…the dirty…and says “Follow Me---I’m going to unleash you!” 



Ann Voskamp states that “The words your mind thinks become the house your heart lives in.”  YES…that is so good.  The words your mind THINKS become the HOUSE your heart lives in.  And when my heart is hard…so are my actions.  That is not who I want to be.  Thank God I am “Forever Loved and Accepted” by a God that pours grace and mercy out so generously.  



“Mercy is to the soul what water is to a thirsty man.  Love is to the heart what oxygen is to the lungs.  Life is to the body what food is to the stomach.  Humanity is in need of mercy, love, and life.  Religion can’t provide these.  Only Grace can because Grace is a person named Jesus.”  Derwin Gray


  





I am going to fail.  I know this.  I know that I am not the perfect person, or perfect Mom, or perfect wife, or perfect friend…but you know what?  God loves me forever and I am accepted in His family no matter what.  The fact that I am listening to the gentle guidance of God telling me to “Be Still” and “Come close to Me” lets me know that even though I’m not in a great place with my heart right now…it’s not too late to turn it back around. 




Psalm 119:1-2 In the Message says:
“You’re blessed when you stay on course, walking steadily on the road revealed by God. You’re blessed when you follow His directions, doing your best to find Him.  That’s right - you don’t go off on your own; you walk straight along the road He set. You, God, prescribed the right way to live; now you expect us to live it.”

 




Grace surrounds us.  Jesus is a friend of sinners. Jesus loves us more than He hates our sin!  He loves me enough to say, “Hey Michelle- you are becoming weak and bitter…it’s time to let it go and come to Me!” 



“God’s gift to humanity is not based on our goodness or lack of goodness, but based solely, entirely, and completely on God’s goodness.
~Derwin Gray, Limitless Life


I could let my heart continue to grow in anger and bitterness…but who wins in that?  Satan does…our enemy.  “Am I pursuing God with the vigor that Satan is pursing me?”~Brooke Boon  






Running in so many directions makes me weak.  “Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.” Proverbs 3:5 When I become weak and angry…I am not thinking correctly and ultimately it is my family that pays the price.
  



Jesus said, “Come off by yourselves; let’s take a break and get a little rest.”  Mark 6:31 That is an invitation I can’t resist.  That is medicine for my heart.  That is a God that says--- “No matter what, you child are forever loved and accepted!”



“Come to Me continually. I am meant to be the Center of your consciousness, the Anchor of your soul.  Your mind will wander from Me, but the question is how far you allow it to wander.  An anchor on a short rope lets a boat drift only slightly before the taut line tugs the boat back toward the center. Similarly, as you drift away from Me, My Spirit within you gives a tug, prompting you to return to Me. As you become increasingly attuned to My Presence, the length of rope on your soul’s Anchor is shortened.  You wander only a short distance before feeling that inner tug---telling you to return to your true Center in Me.” ~Jesus Calling – Sarah Young
  

I’m so thankful for His pursing Me.  I’m so thankful that He is my Anchor and that my rope is only a short distance from Him.  Because I can’t imagine NOT remaining in Him in this life that I have been blessed with.


“When life is sweet, say thank you and celebrate.  And when life is bitter, say thank you and grow.”
~Shauna Niequist
  

Do whatever He tells you…yep whatever He tells you to do, do it because as Derwin Gray states in his book, Limitless Life, “The life you live today will affect your tomorrow!”


 

Comments

  1. What a great post! I cannot tell you how much this spoke to me today! Thank you for sharing!

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    Replies
    1. You and me both, Barbara! :) I'm right there with you! Hope you are having a blessed day.

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  2. Thanks for sharing these words and such beautiful photographs, Michelle! Love them! :) Blessings ~ Shelly (P31 OBS Team)

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  3. Beautfil pictures and beautiful words. You spoke to me today. THANK YOU! Thank you for being open and honest. Blessings!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thank you, Jill! =) I appreciate you stopping by and your kind words.

    ReplyDelete

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