Thank you God

“For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”

Romans 5:6-11

Ephesians 1:7

"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace."

Jude 1:21

"Keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life."

No Other Gospel

" I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel-- not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ." Gal 1:6-10

Paul's exhortation to the church of Galatia reminds me as to how we too are surrounded by 'a different gospel' being preached to us on a daily basis in the world around us.

May we as Christ's church seek His approval alone, not man's, so that on the final Day we will not be 'accursed' by the One who is the one true Gospel.

Embrace Correction

Proverbs 15: 31-33
"He who listens to a life-living rebuke, will be at home among the wise.
He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.
The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom and humility before honor."

I am learning that sanctification is a blessings that can be experienced through a 'life-giving rebuke'. I read this verse with my husband, and I've now chosen to commit it to memory as I am in need of becoming a woman, wife, and mother who embraces correction. Several times in the past week I have been brought back to these convictingly rich verses. The Lord has used them as a reminder for me to be a woman who humbly listens and faithfully heeds correction.

It takes both discernment on behave of the one being 'rebuked and corrected' as well as, the one providing the rebuke or confrontation of sin. My husband and I are getting more and more practice with this, and it is good for both of us! When correction is given out of a pure heart, the fruit is truly life-giving and a process of deeper sanctification is harvested.

So, although it's hard to confront sin in the ones we love most, I am thankful for my husband who is a man who cares more about my soul then personal comforts and beats down the sin that exposes it's nasty little head in my life. I pray you too have someone in your life that is willing to expose sin, for in this we are brought into greater realities of the cross and Christ's redeeming power as we seek repentance and receive His mercy and grace of forgivness.

To 'sit among the wise', we must 'listen to life-giving rebuke'. I pray I would be a woman who is known to sit among the wise, rather than the voices of fools. If God says this is a way to get there...

Then I'm in. Thank you for being my watchman Carey!