Laced With Grace

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. ~ Romans 8:1-4 (ESV)

True freedom comes always with a high price. For the United States of America it took war to break free from the British Empire. Even today, many men and women of the United States Forces pay a high price for the continued freedom we enjoy in this land.

As I am thinking about what true freedoms means to me, Paul’s letter to the Romans comes to mind. Christ’s death and resurrection has fulfilled all the requirements of the law. We are no longer required to keep 600+ rules and regulations in order for us to spend eternity in heaven.

Can you imagine having to fulfill all the rules and regulations? Making it to heaven on your own? I know that I fail every single day (even though I don’t mean to).

Because of Christ’s unselfish sacrifice and gracious love, I want to do better. But I also know that if I fail, my salvation is never in jeopardy. Here is what Paul writes at the end of the incredible chapter of Romans 8:

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. ~ Romans 8:38-39 (ESV)

That, my sweet friend, is true freedom; nothing, absolutely nothing will be able to separate me from the love of God in Christ Jesus!

“Lord of Heaven and Earth. Thank You for setting me free. Your sacrifice on the cross means the world to me. Thank You for your unconditional love and true freedom. In the precious name of Jesus ~ Amen”

Happy Independence Day!

Photo & Content Copyright © Iris Nelson

No matter where you stand on war, honor those who put their own lives on hold for freedom…

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Artist: Kathy Troccoli

 As a child I can remember being spun on the merry-go-round. At first, spinning really fast was so much fun. But after awhile, I got dizzy and just wanted to get off. It seems like my life is much like a spin on a merry-go-round … it just goes around faster and faster.

Its hard to not take on too much, but if truth be told, most Christians take on more than they can handle. Many of us are juggling careers, family, hobbies, and doing ministry. The problem with taking on too much at one time is that we cannot enjoy what we are doing and even worse, we do not do the best job that we can because we feel dizzy from the whirlwind. It doesn’t take long before we feel just like riding on the merry-go-round, we get to the point of wanting to throw in the towel and jump off of the ride.

God did not intend for us to take on the world all alone. It is His desire that we slow down, sit at His feet and do what He wants us to do. The problem is we try to do the latter part but we forget to slow down to sit at His feet.

Recently, I came across a poem written by a young girl who was fighting against cancer. The poem did not list her name, so I cannot give her credit but I think the message in her writing is exactly what I need to apply to my New Years Resolution…to slow down and allow God to pace my steps.

Have you ever watched kids
On a merry-go-round?
Or listened to the rain
Slapping on the ground?

Ever followed a butterfly’s
erratic flight?
Or gazed at the sun
into the fading night?

You better slow down.
Don’t dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won’t last.

Do you run through
each day on the fly?
When you ask, “How are you?”
Do you hear the reply?

When the day is done
Do you lie in your bed
With the next hundred chores
Running through your head?

You better slow down.
Don’t dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won’t last.

Ever told your child,
We’ll do it tomorrow?
And in your haste,
Not see his sorrow?

Ever lost touch,
Let a good friendship die,
Cause you never had time
To call and say,’Hi’

When you run so fast
to get somewhere
You miss half the fun
of getting there.

When you worry and hurry
through your day,
It is like an unopened gift….
Thrown away.

Life is not a race.
Do take it slower
Hear the music
Before the song is over.

It is my prayer for the New year that each of us will slow down enough to hear the music before the song is over!

You can find daily devo’s over at my personal blog… http://womentakingastand.blogspot.com/