Justice

Why is it that we always have the need to be justified?  To be right?  To be heard?  I mean, I know why... it's our selfish flesh crying out, wanting to be noticed.
What about when we've been wronged.  Why is it that we feel the need to make it right?  What about when someone has told a lie about us.  Why are we always so quickly on a mission to call them out?  I think deep down, that part of the reason is that we don't trust our Father to do the justifying!  I can only speak for myself, but, I would dare say we all have struggled with this at some point or another.
Y0u have heard that is was said, "Eye for an eye, and tooth for a tooth.  But, Jesus said, Do not resist an evil person.  If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other.  And if someone wants to sue you and take the shirt off your back, let him have your best coat and make a present of it. and if someone takes an unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life.  Not more tit-for-tat stuff.  Love generously."
Just remember that we have been justified through faith!  We have peace because of the cross, therefore live at peace with one another, even if they don't deserve it! ( because we don't either...)  Jesus is our justifier!  He makes things right!  He will stand up for us on our behalf!
Rest in the fact that Jesus was also wronged, falsely accused, and lied about!  And He took it to the cross!  AMEN!  THANK GOODNESS.  HALLELUJAH!  Love you all.  Thanks for reading what God is teaching me.
12 more days till the big race!  There is still time to donate!  thanks in advance for your prayers!

Approaching...

Because I have stuck close with my 'plan', I can approach my race with confidence.  Because I have tried my hardest to show discipline, I can run this race that has been marked out for me.  Because I have sacrificed my time, I will be able to reap the rewards of the satisfaction that will come from crossing that finish line.  Yes, it's approaching very rapidly...  I am so excited!  I can't believe it is only 3 weeks away.
   So, I was thinking about a scripture in Hebrews..."Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. "  How do we do that?  Is it a list of things that I mentioned above?  sticking to a rigid plan?  Having a disciplined quiet time everyday at the same time?  Sacrificing your time at let's say, a homeless shelter?  NO!  We can't do anything with confidence without CHRIST!!!   Grace isn't given to us because we've completed all these tasks.  It's a gift that's undeserving.  That's why it says in Matthew, " Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."  Poor in spirit means that they have done absolutely NOTHING to deserve heaven!  It's just what God does!  He gives out grace to the undeserving.  We can try to be as good as possible.  We can try to be perfect in the spiritual sense.  We can try, try, try.  POINTLESS.  We approach the throne of grace because Jesus allows us to.  He is the source of our confidence. Praise the Lord!
   I WILL run this race marked out before me...  In the physical sense and spiritual sense.  Would you join me?  Let's APPROACH the throne of grace together with confidence, not because we have put in the time of training but because of CHRIST alone.   Love you all!