A Robe of Grace

I cannot boast in righteous deeds
My heart has no desire,
To stand upon the good that I
Might carefully acquire.

I would not stand on judgement day
Before a Holy God,
All filthy in my self-made rags,
Uncovered by His blood.

I need the cleansing of my Lord
The purifying grace,
The Holy Spirit's working power
The kindness of His face.

My human heart stands lone in guilt
It bears no peace or shine,
'Tis Jesus blood alone that cures
This vile heart of mine.

So when I've run life's final course
And see my Saviour's face,
I'll come before Him kneeling low
Clothed in a Robe of Grace.

Corrine Horst
September 1, 2015

Constant.

The word was posed across the hardwood pulpit as the white-bearded minister opened his evening's message with the title, Constantly Abiding.

Constant. As I sat hunched up in the balcony peering down over the pews, I was struck with its reality. Akin to the solidity of the unforgiving wooden bench I was seated on, I was well-acquainted with the idea of constant. Continuing, Never-failing, Safe. I let my mind travel back in time. Back to the mistakes I had made, the hills I had climbed, the tear-jerking days, the battles I'd won and the fights I'd lost. I was struck with how untrustworthy I really am. How often humanity fails at best.

But I was soon to be reminded...

I sat in contentment as the minister behind the pulpit continued to speak.  Speaking of Someone constant. Someone who never yet has failed me or anyone else who put their trust in Him. His words spoke peace and life to my battle-worn soul and as the song-books were pulled from the racks for the closing hymn, I grabbed my pen and quickly added the reference Romans 8:35-39 to the bottom of my already full page of notes. Like a neat footnote at the end of an essay, the verses folded up and secured the hemline of my life. Speaking the truth of a Saviour who has never failed or let me down. The security of Someone constant amidst the uncertainty and upheaval of life. The only True Source of peace I have found.

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Are You Travelling or Have You Moved In?

Punch the word traveller into the online dictionary and your result is a person who travels, esp. habitually. Move on to select the word travels and you come to a page with numerous definitions describing this common word. My favourite is number 4: to go from place to place as a representative of a business firm. And the word that captivates my attention is representative. In our advanced American countries the word represent is quite easy to apply.

Here's a quick list of things Canadians represent:
~ the company they work for
~ their country at the Olympics
~ products such as Tupperware =)
~ their family name
And the list goes on...

Imagine for a moment that you are a representative for a company that sold cleaning products. As you start out with a basket of glass cleaners, floor moppers, and shiny waxers, you are excited and bent solely on selling as many bottles as possible. Tackling the first potential customer you're only slightly intrigued with her half-finished quilt and her newly-adopted Siamese cat that parades stiffly through the kitchen. Now suppose instead of travelling on, you would take time to sit down with the homeowner, stroking her lofty cat (remember we're imagining....), as you reminisce o'er the knick-knacks of quilt-making. A few hours later you're startled from your lengthy discussion on patches as you hear a knock on the door and your employer steps in. The look on his face explains quite clearly that any excuse or desperate plea on your part will go quite unnoticed and all quotes that encourage silence at opportune times ought to be employed on the spot!

Alright so just in case you are a salesman or woman, I hope, and am quite sure I can trust, you to be a little more committed than you were in this sad scenario. And now I ask you a question: What about the mission Christ sent you on? Remember the day when He saved you from your sins and you started out with your basket of Good News all excited to tell people that He could save them too? Are you still travelling on undeterred from your mission? Or, have you slowed down? Taken time to enjoy what you'd like to do, caring more about your bank account than Jesus, cheating to get the upperhand, living for the approval of your friends? Are your eyes set on reaching heaven and taking as many people as possible with you? Or, is this world the part you're living for? Are you more interested in the things of God and fulfilling His purpose or are the Siamese cats and the good things like quilt-making distracting you from your goal?

http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=30168&picture=meow

Sometimes I get side-tracked and need to re-evaluate my life too. When we have all we want it's easy to forget to remember that Jesus really is coming back and the whole world will be faced with judgement day. So I ask the question, Are we still travelling or have we moved in?
 

The Hurts Enhance the Smiles

Life is a journey of bewildering curves that try our patience and get on our nerves. This line was written in a moment of frustration and perhaps with a hint of desperation. Yet, at the same time I've learned that such things really do serve to strengthen and change and completely challenge everything we believe.

Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word. ~ Psalm 119:67

Perhaps you're feeling a little sharpened today. Like you're going through a metamorphosis that seems to be revamping everything. You may be looking at the situation from a pit of darkness and depression but consider: If you're down deep, you'll be forced to look up at the Light. God's ways are perfect and when comes the end, the joy and the thankfulness will be worth it!!

Every dagger, every tear, every sad night that are part of you now will make you and shape you and God will only seem more gracious and loving.

Here's my heart for you:

I’ve lived through days filled with heartache and pain
And prayed to the Father to take them away
Then I heard Him whisper, “I’m always with you
I hold tomorrow, I’ll bring you through”

Yesterday’s trials give me strength for today
And they serve to remind me that He’ll make a way
The night-time is over and now I can see
That yesterday’s battles are today’s victory.

 If you are weary from the burdens you bear
So tired of struggling and getting’ nowhere
Give them to Jesus. He’ll stand in your place
When it is over, you’ll once again say.

~ by The Booth Brothers

A Journey of Grace

As I was perusing fellow blogger, Lisa's blog, I found this song she had posted and it caused a little jolt inside me. The kind of inner affirmation  that says, "Exactly! You just put it into words!" Grace is a topic that continues to mystify and enthrall me with it's beauty and completeness. I, as a human being, am guilty of dodging grace and holding my own "filthy rags" up for Jesus' approval. My proud and independent human nature is doggedly determined to avoid even the thought of letting someone else save me. However, as I show my pitiful offerings to Jesus, I suddenly notice how sharply they contrast with the beauty of His countenance and my pride is quickly smothered. My filthy rags are no longer an option face to face with His perfect standard. Once again I am forced to learn back on my Jesus of grace and mercy. It is a journey, but in His love and kindness, God keeps breaking, remaking, healing, and ultimately proving that we're saved by grace alone.

Grace

My heart is so proud. My mind is so unfocused.
I see the things You do through me as great things I have done. And now You gently break me, then lovingly You take me and hold me as my father and mold me as my maker.

Chorus:
I ask you: "How many times will you pick me up, when I keep on letting you down?
And each time I will fall short of Your glory, how far will forgiveness abound?"
And you answer: " My child, I love you.
And as long as you're seeking My face, You'll walk in the pow'r of My daily sufficient grace."

 At times I may grow weak and feel a bit discouraged, knowing that someone, somewhere could do a better job. For who am I to serve You?I know I don't deserve You. And that's the part that burns in my heart and keeps me hanging on. 

Chorus*
I ask you: "How many times will you pick me up, when I keep on letting you down?
And each time I will fall short of Your glory, how far will forgiveness abounds?"
And you answer: " My child, I love you.
And as long as you're seeking My face, You'll walk in the pow'r of My daily sufficient grace."
You are so patient with me, Lord.

 As I walk with You, I'm learning what Your grace really means. The price that I could never pay was paid at Calvary. So, instead of trying to repay You, I'm learning to simply obey You
by giving up my life to you For all that You've given to me.

Chorus: 
I ask you: "How many times will you pick me up, when I keep on letting you down?
And each time I will fall short of Your glory, how far will forgiveness abounds?"
And you answer: " My child, I love you.
And as long as you're seeking My face, You'll walk in the pow'r of My daily sufficient grace." ~Laura Story

The Essence of This Summer...

This summer was good... and bad. Joyful... and frustrating. It had times that were tough and times that brought rejoicing. Questions were asked, questions were put on hold, and questions were answered. After all, life as a Christian is a journey. A journey of change, of growth, of failing and coming to our knees before our Holy God. After the storm comes sunshine, and naturally happiness and praise. But, this summer God has been teaching me to smile and praise Him even when it's raining. To worship with the joyful folks on a perfect CD cover even though there was a jolting rebellious movement within me to give the volume a terrific crank down to zero. I believe that living is a choice. And, although your heart is so heavy there is literal pressure inside your skin, or the best you can do is sit with tears streaming down your face, lift your heart to Jesus! He is the Healer of Healers! The world may seem overwhelmingly dark, but He will bring you through, and Heaven will only seem brighter. So, I encourage you to read this poem and allow it to speak to your heart. The essence of my summer, condensed to fit one page:

Jesus I Come..

I stand guilty, broken, before You,

Unworthy to stand in Your presence.

A failure at pleasing Your majesty,

A vessel repulsive to Your holiness.

I cannot live a life that speaks of You,

With my unrefined, human effort.

My righteousness is but filthy rags,

I fight just to revive Your love.

But deep within me, begs a prisoner,

To be freed by that same Power.

My heart faints and trusts Your mercy,

Without You I would die... Alone.

********************

 

As a candle slightly wavers,

My faith, a small and flickering flame,

Hangs onto the hope of Jesus,

Carrying me through joy and pain.

At times my heart is strangled,

And I vainly search for Light.

Flames of Despair seek to devour me,

The heat dims the eyes of my life.

When the Enemy snarls behind me,

And misery seems more than my share.

I run to my Saviour for safety,

His Love is the strength that I bear.

When life is full of confusion,

And joy has hidden its face.

I go to my Rock and Redeemer,

And my heart erupts with His praise!

 

                                    ~ C.H.

My All In All...

Today I stand amazed... In awe of God's presence, of His strength, of His great faithfulness. The simple reality of His love and forgiveness brings peace and calm. It's exciting to read His word and hear what He has to say. To spend time with Him each morning listening, speaking, and simply letting it all soak in in preparation for the day. But at the same time I remember a time when it wasn't this way. A time when I wrestled with simply believing that God is real. A time when I questioned the very core of everything I believed. A time when living was a task I simply dragged through, snatching a few moments of fun with no real goal in mind. But as I thought about it today I was reminded of so many times when God was faithful in showing Himself to me even though I didn't necessarily realize it at the time. Whether it was verses that He brought to my attention or people that He put in my life to encourage and challenge. Through everything I say God Is Faithful! It may not look like it in your life right now. Maybe you have a sin that you feel is too large for God to forgive, a temptation that you keep giving in to, or maybe God is simply quiet and you're beginning to wonder where He's gone. Let me share Hebrews 13:5 where God says, "I will never leave you or forsake you." And let me say when God makes a promise He WILL keep it. He is a God of grace. One of love, One of peace, and One of hope. He loves you and He has a great plan for your life. Just let Him have it! All of it.... And He will give you joy and peace in this dark world. He is your HOPE. The only One who will fulfil and satisfy. Come to Him with an open heart and a humble spirit. Allow Him to fill you and free you, to make you whole and complete. He loves you!