Your Quilt

You know the song, "Just the way you are," by Bruno Mars?

Of course you do.  If not, you can check it out on the link below this post.

In the song Bruno is singing to a woman and telling her, "'...Cause you're amazing just the way you are."

Did you know that when our father God looks at us He says the same thing?

Once you have accepted Jesus as your savior, God sees you through His blood.

He doesn't see your short comings and failings.

No, He sees you through the righteousness of Christ!

Jesus lived, died, and resurrected so that He would be the pardon for our sins!

You are so special to our Father God!

Even before the creation of the universe He knew your name.

When Jesus was dying on the cross He was thinking of you.

You, yes YOU, are So Special to our Daddy God that He sacrificed His Only Son so that you could accept Him and spend eternity together!

Here in Alabama the older ladies in rural areas get together and sow blankets called quilts.

These sowing meetings are called "quilting b's".

As they apply square after square to the quilt, the top of it starts to shape into beautiful patterns of contrasting colors and designs.

Once they are finished with the quilt they lift it up on a stand to work on the bottom side of it.

When you look up at the quilt from the underside you see all of the threads hanging down.

You notice the mistakes that were made in sowing.

Perhaps you would see a blood stain where you accidentally pricked yourself with a needle.

The imperfections and loose ends that need to be cut off are glaringly visible.

Picture for a moment with me that your life is a quilt.

When you look up at your quilt it is easy to see all of the mistakes you have made while sowing it.

You might notice the loose ends that need to be trimmed off.

You might see the painful stains that came from pricking yourself with the sowing needle.

Are there threads hanging down of opportunities missed?

Are there areas of your quilt that seem so disjointed that no one could understand them?

Here's the great news my friends:

God views the quilt that is your life from above.

He sees the top of your quilt, the beautiful product of fine craftsmanship.

The tapestry of colors unfold to reveal a unique yet astonishingly stunning work of art.

John, that sounds wonderful but why would God view our lives from the beautiful side of the quilt instead of the messy side with all of the issues?

Because, God sees your quilt, your life, through the perfect cleansing work of Jesus!

Once you accept Jesus as your savior your sins are washed away.

You take on the righteousness of Christ.

His sacrifice is the complete and final work to give you freedom!

Did you know that God doesn't even remember your sins?

They are cast in the sea of forgetfullness as far as the east is from the west.

Man looks at your outer appearance but God sees your heart!

He sees the brilliant experiences of His Grace and Mercy in your life. 

He sees the beautiful man or woman or transgendered person that He created!

He sees your hopes and dreams, the talents that He has blessed you with, the exciting destiny that He has laid before you.

But John, you don't know the sins I have committed!

It doesn't matter!

God doesn't view your righteousness through your own strength.

The word tells us that our righteousness is filthy rags.

God views your righteousness through the finished work that Jesus did on the cross!


John now that I know about this amazing grace and mercy and that the debt for my sins past, present, and future is already paid, is that going to make me want to sin more?


Knowing that your sins have already been forgiven isn't license to sin more.

Instead, it causes you to know that you can approach your Father God freely.

Build that close relationship with Him, focus on living in His presence, and you will find that you no longer want to commit those same sins that have held you back for years.

So, the next time you feel useless to God; the next time you feel like a mistake; remember that He views you through the Blood of Jesus.

He is looking at the beautiful side of your quilt and saying to you, "You're so  amazing, just the way you are."

As always remember:

God Loves You!

God Created You!

God Accepts You!

Until Next Time,

SavedByGrace

Just The Way You Are- Bruno Mars

The Secret Place

Did you ever build a fort when you were a child?

I can remember taking sheets and tying them between my brother's bed and my own.

I had my pillows under there and my favorite stuffed animals.

Yes, I had stuffed animals when I was little...don't judge!

I would sit in that fort and play for hours.

It represented this secure and private area that no one could penetrate.

My mood was always happy inside the fort.  

I was content.

I was safe.

No monsters could find me in there.

No mean people were allowed in either.

If things weren't going well at school, or at home, or with the kids in my neighborhood I always knew that I could run back to my fort.

Once I got inside, all would be well.

Around this time in my young life, I was already learning that the world could be a cruel place....not just from dealing with meaner then average neighborhood kids....or watching my mom go through the first of what turned out to be many health crises....but something else.

You see, for several months when I was six years old I experienced ongoing sexual abuse from an older guy in my neighborhood.

I was too young then to understand what was happening but I knew it was a secret.

I knew it felt wrong.

After each incident I would run to my house and get in the quiet security of my sheet covered fort.

Oddly enough, after we moved away from that neighborhood, and that guy, I stopped building forts.

In hind sight I believe I knew that I no longer needed that secret place to keep me safe.

As an adult I have come to terms with that invasion of my childhood.

God has given me great healing and restoration in the past few years.

What was once a shameful secret is now another part of my testimony that can be used to help others.

If you are a person who has experienced this type of abuse know this:

God loves you and cares for you deeply.

He wants to heal you of that pain.
No part of this was your fault.

Shine a light on this secret and throw off the shame so that it will have no power over you!

If you haven't done so already, I encourage you to find a good counselor that can walk you through the healing process.

God will restore your heart.
Your loving Father will renew your innocence.

Even if you have never experienced a trauma such as abuse this blog post is still for you.
 
We each face a mean and cruel world every day.

We deal with friends who let us down.

We work with people who talk behind our backs in the cut throat world of business.

We encounter road rage, racism, homophobia, and just flat out rude people!

Many of us face personal demons with addiction, or self loathing, or fear and anxiety.

I don't know about you but some days I would love to build a fort out of my bed clothes and hide out in there for a while!

But, before you go making a trip to Bed Bath and Beyond for 800 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets let me fill you in on a little secret.

We no longer have to build a fort to feel safe.
Our Father God has already made a secret place just for us!

Psalm 91 says: "¹ He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. ² I will say of Jehovah, He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in whom I trust." (ASV)

Instead of escaping to your own hiding place try entering into the Secret Place that God provides for you.

He longs to have us "dwell in the secret place of the Most High."

Dwelling in the Secret Place basically means to live in God's presence all the time.

Begin and end each day talking with Him.

Ask Him to fill you with His presence when you wake up.

As you go through your day encountering people ask Him to give you His favor.

Each night ask Him to give you His rest.

Share your life with Him.
Share your struggles and your triumphs, your joy and your sadness, your hopes and your fears.

As we learn that we have a secret place that we can run to, the monsters under the bed don't seem so scary anymore!

Train yourself to rely on God in ALL things and ask His guidance in ALL your decisions.

Instead of just praying when there is a crisis or even just during a daily devotional time, talk to Him throughout the day.

I heard a quote once that really stuck with me:  

"I might not pray for one hour, but not one hour passes that I don't pray."

When the cares of this world get too tough and the enemy attacks you from all sides run to that Secret Place of the Almighty.

When the battle rages in front of you and the enemy is hurling insults and condemnation your way, turn your back to the accuser and rest in your Father's Presence.

When fear surrounds you at every turn and you cannot find your peace of mind, take shelter under the wings of the Almighty.

And, just as so many of us did when we were a child; when the neighborhood kids aren't playing fair at your job, or your church, or on Facebook; hop back on your bike and go directly to your fort.

There you will find your loving Heavenly Father waiting patiently for you with His arms open wide.

His fort is built and waiting on you today and everyday.
Learn to live life in His presence.
Dwell in The Secret Place.

As always remember:
God Loves You!
God Created You!
God Accepts You!

Until Next Time,

SavedByGrace

Little Jesus

When I was a little child my mom had a friend named Sister Smothers.

She was this older and wise African-American woman with a beautiful spirit about her and a deep yet child like faith in God.

Sister Smothers acted much like a spiritual mother to my mom.

Beginning the day I was born she would hold me in her arms and say, "Look at this baby. He's little Jesus."

As I grew older she would always ask my mom, "How is little Jesus doing today?" or "Tell little Jesus that I love him!"

From my earliest memories I knew that being like Jesus was a good thing.

Unfortunately in my teen years I would beat myself up over not being "Little Jesus."

After all, I thought, "Little Jesus" can't be gay.

"Little Jesus" wouldn't struggle with porn and sex addiction.

"Little Jesus" would not have these horrible secrets!

Every time I made mistakes I would say to myself, "Little Jesus would not have done that."

Now in my adult years, thank God I realize that showing Jesus to others is not about being perfect.

No, being "Little Jesus" to others means that we show the Love of Christ to everyone around us even when we don't think we measure up.

My life radically changed when I stopped focusing on myself and my shortcomings.

Instead I started focusing on Jesus and the power that comes by having Him living inside of me!

When I started looking outward and showing Jesus to those around me, God's grace and mercy, through His beautiful and gentle Holy Spirit, started cleaning up my life.

His light flooded into the darkest places of my mind and the secrets that once haunted me, the double life I once lived, melted away leaving behind a genuine and authentic person that God could use.

The addictions that once seemed so powerful, that bound me in shackles of fear and shame, fell away under the pressure of God's power! 

Okay John, that's a great story, but why does it matter to me?

It matters because as a Christian our first priority should be to show Christ to everyone we meet.

Our goal should be to live as the walking, breathing, ever reaching embodiment of Jesus here on Earth.

That is why the Christian Church is called the Body of Christ!

We are his arms stretched forth to rescue our brothers and sisters who are falling; His feet to run after the one lost sheep, leaving the ninety-nine behind!

Don't wait to be perfect before you show Jesus to others.

The word says that we are a New Creation in Christ!

As you focus on Jesus and showing His love to others and spending time in God's presence, He will transform you into the great man, woman, or trans that He has called you to be!

2 Corinthians 3:17-18 says, "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom! And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into HIS image, with ever increasing glory, which comes from the Lord which is the Spirit." (NIV)

Surrender your life to Christ and allow the Holy Spirit to transform you into HIS image.

Go out of your house each new day determined to Show Jesus to everyone you meet!

How do I show Jesus to others?

To answer this let's look at the greatest commandment in the Bible:

In Matthew 22:37, 38 Jesus Says, "Love the Lord your God with All your heart, and with All your soul, and with All your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. The second is like it. Love your neighbor as yourself." (NIV)

Love your father God completely.

Trust Him with every part of your life.

He longs to be a friend to you.

Talk with Him like you talk with your closest friend.

The more time you spend with God, in His presence, the more like Him you will be.

 

Love your neighbor as yourself.

When you see a need that you can meet, meet it.

Instead of walking past the homeless, give them food. 

Offer them your coat.

When you know a friend is hurting reach out to them.

Jesus talks about this further in Matthew 25:

^34-36"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Enter, you who are blessed by my Father! Take what's coming to you in this kingdom. It's been ready for you since the world's foundation. And here's why:
   I was hungry and you fed me,
   I was thirsty and you gave me a drink,
   I was homeless and you gave me a room,
   I was shivering and you gave me clothes,
   I was sick and you stopped to visit,
   I was in prison and you came to me.' 

 ^37-40"Then those 'sheep' are going to say, 'Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?' Then the King will say, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me. (MSG)

Have you ever been the one who was overlooked?

Ignored?

Have you been the one who was hurting?

In need?

Remember the people that God put in your life to give you a shoulder to cry on or offer a hand when your car was broken down.

Those acts of kindness are an expression of Jesus and His Love for others.

By showing the undying, unfailing, unconditional Love of Jesus to those you encounter you could be providing hope for another day worth living or planting a seed for salvation, leading to eternal life.

It is that important.

You have probably noticed the quote from Mother Teresa that is on the top right hand corner of this blog.

She said, "If you judge people you have no time to love them.  Each one of them is Jesus in disguise."

Start viewing your neighbor, whether stranger on the street or your best friend since childhood, as "Jesus in disguise."

It will change how you perceive the people around you and cause you to Show the Love of Jesus to everyone you encounter.

Please join me in deciding every minute of every day to live as 

"Little Jesus."

As always Remember:

God Loves You!

God Created You!

God Accepts You!

Until Next Time,

SavedByGrace

The Twenty-First Time- by Monk and Neagle

Your Testimony

We serve a God who takes your fears, 

your weaknesses, 

your shortcomings, 

things that try to destroy you, 

things that you are ashamed of, 

actions you wish you could take back, 

opportunities you have missed, 

areas of your life you wish you could change, 

wrong decisions you have made;

He Turns Them Into Your Testimony!

The things that once tried to destroy us become the very things that God uses in our lives to show others His Faithfulness; His Power; His Grace and Unconditional Love!

The Past

Are there areas in your past that haunt you?

Do those thoughts and memories, guilt and shame, weigh you down?

No matter what things you have done, surrender them to God.

He already knows all about them anyway!

Our loving Father God wants to take those burdens off of you.

Allow Him to use those mistakes to reach others who may struggle with those same issues today.

These parts of your life may be the most important parts of your testimony.

The price for your sins has already been paid.

The sacrifice has been made for them on a cross 2000 years ago.

Accept the forgiveness that Jesus offers you and move on!

Don't hold on to your past mistakes.  

Instead, give them to God so you can live each day in freedom!

The Present

Are there things in your life today that keep you from being completely authentic to others?

Are you hiding parts of your life because you are too embarrassed to share them?

What are your secrets?

Perhaps you struggle with an addiction.
If so, know this... 
You are not alone!

Use the tools that are out there, such as recovery programs, and stand each day in the scripture that "You can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens you!" (Phil. 4:13)

Move that addiction from something that controls you to something that God controls so that He can use it as part of your testimony!

Are you having problems in your finances?

Your Relationships?

Your Self Image?

Your Self Confidence?

Your Health?

No matter what your weakness is, give that area of your life over to God.

In second Corinthians Paul talks about having a thorn in his flesh.

It is an issue that torments him.

He has prayed for God to remove it three times yet he still fights it.

You see, even the Apostle Paul had an area of weakness that he struggled with.

In 2 Corinthians 12:9 God tells Paul, "My Grace is sufficient for you. My strength is made perfect in weakness..." (KJV)

Because Paul surrendered this to God it has become part of his testimony that still helps us today.

Accept this Promise from God that His grace is sufficient for you!

His Strength is made Perfect in Your Weakness!

Take a stand against the guilt and shame that torment you.

Decide that you are not going to give into fear or worry!

The Future

Now that you know the promises above, live each day in victory!

Remember when you stumble that we serve a God who will help you back onto your feet and transform that problem into another part of your testimony!

Walk each day knowing that it doesn't matter what others think of you.

The only opinion that should matter to us is that of God our Father!

Strive to live His plan for your life!
Nothing else matters!

No other opinion matters!

Come out of the closet!

I'm not just talking about coming out as being gay, lesbian, bi, or trans.

Throw the doors of your closet wide open and show the world ALL the things that God has brought you through!

You never know who you might be touching through your testimony.

You never know who might look into your closet and see encouragement, hope; even see the love of Jesus himself in your life!

You never know what lives you might be saving by sharing with others that you have been there too and it really DOES get better!

Be the beacon of light, the shining city on a hill, illuminating the world that is lost in darkness with the brightness of Christ's power for all to see!

"Preach the Gospel at all times. If necessary use words." 
- Saint Francis of Assisi

By living your life openly and honestly, living your testimony, you are reaching people around you when you don't even know it.

"We Triumph by the Blood of the Lamb and the Word of our Testimony!" (Rev 12:11)

Move forward, walking in victory, and living the life of freedom that comes from allowing God to use every part of you to His glory!

Let God take the good, the bad, and the ugly that is your life and transform it ALL into your beautiful Testimony!

As Always, Remember:

God Loves You!

God Created You!

God Accepts You!

Until Next Time,

SavedByGrace

Don't Give Up!

"He who began a good work in you is faithful to complete it."  Phil 1:6

Have you ever started a project around the house?

Maybe you started cleaning out that junky closet that no guest is allowed to see.

You were filled with excitement about completing it but something interrupted you.

Now two days, or two weeks, or two months have gone by and the project that once excited you sits half way completed.

Instead of excitement about knocking it out, you now look at it with disdain and aggravation.

It's okay if you identify with this example.  

I certainly do!

I bet you we ALL do!

Guess what, though.

We serve a God that finishes the projects He starts in our lives!

He will bring to fruition the projects and plans that He has begun in your life!

What good works has He started in you?

Is it a plan for ministry?

Is it a plan to start a business?

Is it a plan to conquer a habit or addiction that has challenged you for years?

No matter what the Good Work is, our Father God IS Faithful to Complete it!

The enemy wants you to lose hope.

I'm here to tell you right now, "Don't give up!"

Don't fall into the trap of self doubt and fear.

"I could never begin this business, or this ministry."

"I could never quit taking these drugs or drinking myself to sleep each night."

"I could never conquer this sex addiction or be faithful to my partner."

"I could never live a sold out life for Christ!"

"Why Try?"

When those thoughts start creeping into your mind, take a stand!

Declare who you are in Christ!

You are a blood bought child of the creator of the entire universe and all things that inhabit it!

Your father is the King of Kings!

He not only knows your name today but He knew you before the foundation of the Earth!

Combat the fears of self doubt with the faith that is your Destiny!

You were created with a purpose, a plan for your life!

Don't let the enemy cause you to give up on God's plans for you.

God hasn't given up on them!

He may be waiting for you to surrender fully to Him before He can bring them forth but He has certainly not given up on them!

He wants to flood you with His grace and mercy this very hour and every hour to come, propelling you to accomplish the goals He has set before you.

Don't give up!

God's promises are Yes and Amen!

Search yourself today for the seeds that God has placed in your heart.

-Maybe they are long forgotten because you gave up on them so many years ago.

-Maybe it hurts to think about these plans because you carry guilt and shame from not accomplishing them already.

-Maybe God is placing ideas in your spirit right now that seem too outlandish for even Him to accomplish.

God will help you finish cleaning out the junky closets in your life!

God will provide for your ministry to excell!

God will cause your business to prosper!

God will rescue you when you are in bondage to addiction!

God will Destroy those chains that bind you!

Don't Give Up!

Rely on God as your source.

He will cause the seeds that He has planted in your life to flourish!

Surrender to Him all the areas of your life.

Like the Apostle Paul who died to Christ daily, lay your will at God's feet.

Give Him your plans, allowing Him to replace them with His plans for your life!

Trust in God to complete His Good Work in you!

 

Don't Give Up!

As always remember:

God Loves You!

God Created You!

God Accepts You!

Until Next Time,

SavedByGrace

Is that your phone ringing?

Have you ever been in a restaurant or a theater and heard someone's phone ringing?

You look over both shoulders trying to guess where the sound is coming from.

Maybe you even remark to your friend about how annoying it is that they wont answer their phone!!

Evidently the person who is calling is very persistent because they keep calling back.

The phone rings and rings and you get more and more uncomfortable until finally your friend looks at you and says:

Is that your phone ringing?

So, let me ask you, is your phone ringing today?

Could it be that God is calling you?

How many times do we walk past the needy and think, "I wish someone would help them."

Ring Ring

How often do we see someone who is hurting but we are too timid to ask them if they need prayer?

Ring Ring

How many parties do we attend where we notice there is an outcast sitting alone but we don't reach out to include them?

Ring Ring

"I hear the phone ringing but it can't be my phone!"

Ring Ring

"I'm just not called to help the homeless. Someone else will do it." 

"They will just use the money for drugs or alcohol."

"They might be crazy!"

Ring Ring

"I can't offer prayer to that woman crying in the middle of wal-mart!"

"What will people think?"

"I am not a preacher! I just don't think I could pray for someone."

Ring Ring

"I see the guy no one is talking to at the party."

"It would not be cool to try and include him!" 

"I have an image to uphold!"

Ring Ring

Is that your phone ringing?

What if you are the person God has sent to help the homeless man you walked past on the street?

Ring Ring

What if your prayers for a hurting stranger will be the action that causes them to decide that life is worth living another day?

Ring Ring

What if the outcast sitting at the party see's Jesus through your kindness and decides that he too would like to be a Christian?

Ring Ring

Is that your phone ringing?

In Matthew 25 Jesus tells us, 

"³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ (NIV)

Ring Ring

Is that your phone ringing?

My prayer for us all is that as we go through our daily lives that we will learn to answer when our phone rings. 

Instead of making excuses or pretending we don't hear it, I pray that we will stop and answer the call from God.

He puts people and opportunities in our path for a reason.

When you feel in your heart that God is asking you to do something, 

then do it.

To be Christians we should act like Christ.

This is summed up so simply in Matthew 22 when Jesus said, 

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’³⁸ This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹ And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’"(NIV)

Ring Ring

Is that your phone ringing?

Please answer the call today.

You may be the only Bible that some people ever read.

Thanks for checking out this post and as always remember:

God Loves You!

God Created You!

God Accepts You!

Until Next Time,

SavedByGrace

Ring Ring