ELEVATING LOVE

Oh the sweet love of Christ,

it takes us where no other love

can ever hope to go --

lifting us higher and higher into glory,

transforming us from the inside out.

Even in our sin and failure,

when we are most unlovable

and undeserving

He embraces us with His unconditional love,

truly a love that will not let go.

HE STILL RESCUES

 Courses and classes have

their place,

but are never meant to take 

the place of Christ

and putting our trust in Him.

Christ Himself 

is our rescuer

from first to last. 

Class dismissed!

HIS YOKE - EASY AND LIGHT

This picture is such a beautiful depiction

of our relationship with Christ.

His unconditional and undying love for us

makes our day-to-day walk with Him

FREE and LIGHT,

burdenless,

joyful.

He brings REST 

to our souls,

souls that were burned out

on religion 

and obligation

and weary performances

for God.

 

GRACE AND GODLINESS

There are those who misunderstand grace

(God's UNCONDITIONAL love towards us in Christ).

 Because grace alone 

removes ALL REQUIREMENTS

to change

or perform,

it holds the EXCLUSIVE power 

to transform us.

 The same amazing grace you received 

when you first came to Christ 

is yours to receive every day.

It removes all pressure

to BE and to DO,

giving security and rest.

Stop performing for God,

RECEIVE His abundant grace daily,

and be renewed.

B E L I E V E

Corny, yes.

But perhaps this image just might stick.

When Jesus was asked,

"What must we do

to be doing the works of God?"

He answered, 
"This is the work of God, 

that you believe in him whom he has sent."

John 6:28-29 

Can it be that simple?

Yes.

All obedience flows from

actively believing day to day 

who Christ is

and what He has done for us.

 And believing, we receive

love and grace -- freely.

SAINTS AND SINNERS

Beloved, we are sons and daughters 

of the living God.

We are not "sinners saved by grace".

We WERE sinners,

but NOW are saints. 

Let's honor what Jesus has done for us

and embrace our new identity in Christ completely.

2 Corinthians 5:17

Ephesians 2:19

THE LOVE OF CHRIST

It's amazing how the love of Christ

FEEDS us,

LIFTS us up,

LIBERATES us,

EMPOWERS us 

to love Him in return.

SIN EATER

 When we try to overcome our sin,

our addictions,

our fears,

we will only increase the cycle of defeat.

But when we look 
to the finished work of Christ 
and trust that by His grace He made us

eternally righteous,

we experience

the amazing delivering power of the Gospel, 

freedom from all that held us captive.

Grace swallows sin every time.

GRACE NOT GUILT

One of the most tragic errors 

the Church makes is to focus on

the work believers "should be doing"

for the Lord.

The New Testament however

highlights what GOD in Christ 

has already done for US.

The Gospel is GRACE, not guilt. 

 Recommended Reading: 

Why Grace Changes Everything

by Chuck Smith

REVELATION AND POWER

The Gospel (the finished work of Christ)

is the POWER of God 

unto salvation (which includes deliverance)

for all who believe.

The Apostle Paul prayed continually

for believers to receive revelation of 

their hope, 

their inheritance

and the greatness of His power in them.

And so with us.

The Holy Spirit is ready

to unveil Christ to us,

His person and work

that He may reign in and through us.

THE FRUITFULNESS OF HIS REST

Oh what JOY to cease from all our own efforts

and REST in His!

Ceasing from our own efforts 

to save ourselves,

to sanctify ourselves,

to please God.

What JOY to be His workmanship,

and do what He has prepared His children to do!

(Ephesians 2:10)

DEAD TO SIN, ALIVE TO GOD

Although this sweet pup is just

"playing" dead,

he is a good picture 

of the effects of the Gospel 

upon those who believe.

Because we have DIED with Christ

we can (and must) consider

ourselves dead to sin

and ALIVE to God!

 Thank you Jesus!

 

ONE THING

Certainly there is a valid place

for studying the Word of God,

but we live in a church culture

that's obsessed with 

classes and programs and seminars.

We can run from one to the other

all the while missing Jesus.

At times the abundance of knowledge

becomes a distraction from the Lord, 

and we find ourselves depending on

WHAT we know 

instead of WHO we know.

 Sometimes we need to skip class

and just sit at the feet of Christ.

It's the "one thing" we need.

Luke 10:42

INSTALLMENT PLAN?

Obedience is the true RESPONSE

to God's wonderful grace in Christ,

but obedience (or discipleship) 

does not EARN the right 

to God's promises and blessings.

Christ's perfect obedience to the Father did that.

Every promise is ours by GRACE through faith.

WARRIOR BRIDE

Understanding the grace 

God has given us in Christ

empowers us to live out our destiny.

Knowing who we are in Him,

we learn to walk confidently 

in His victory

and His authority.

 

 

THE TEST OF AMAZEMENT

Uncontainable amazement

at the overflowing grace of God.

Our salvation is by grace, from first to last. 

Romans 8:29-30