Gratitude , Grace , Faith

I kicked off celebratIons for my birthday by being  in a place of deep gratitude for another year of life, by his grace. I was reflecting on so many things, mostly the power of grace that I have been privileged to receive. In my reflections I read three pieces of writing from my journals which centred on grace and gratitude. They were written at different times over the last year and a half, and come together for me now as one whole thing that I embrace.

01 January 2013
SAVED BY HIS GRACE
Saved by His grace
Steeped in His love
My only answer
Is that its from heaven above
Grateful beyond measure
For innumerable gifts
For privileges
Seen and unseen
What an amazing God!
What a Saviour!
I bend low my knee
My heart cries out
Why me! Why me!
And he answers...
Because I love you
Because I honour my word
Because I want you to be
An example of this love
Endless and free
From eternity to eternity
I have loved mankind
Be a temple for me
Be the bible people see
Be the catalyst for someone to take courage
Be bold, be different
Showcase my creativity
Let me be me

GRATEFUL IN LAGOS 29 August 2013

G - Gratitude
R - Reverence
A - Adoration
T - Thanksgiving
E - Eternal glory
F - Fellowship
U - Unending love
L - Loyalty

I am grateful Lord, because of who you are, your patience and love for me. I am grateful for the truth you have revealed to me about myself, and my behaviour that  makes me struggle within sometimes. I am sorry for my stubbornness , for my rebellion and going my own way, and doing things in my own strength.
Forgive me Lord. Have mercy on me for I am a very silly girl at times.

This is why I am so grateful, because you always rescue me, and I am so happy that there is room for forgiveness from you. That there is fullness of joy in your presence.  
Help me Lord to forgive myself.
Be glorified in my life Lord. I am grateful for my life, and what you are doing in it, and what you will have me do.
I bless your name and reverence you. In Jesus mighty name.  

Amen!   

SAVED BY GRACE 12/07/2014

Every human being has faults that are inherent that can be magnified or subdued by the environment in which they grow up and have been nurtured. We are each socialised in peculiar ways triggered by the innate forces within until we find ourselves in a new environment with different forces, reach an age of reason, or come to realisations. Realisations and recognition are the bedrock of self awareness. There are two kinds of self awareness- 

one which is completely in the natural-governed by self will

and 

another which is in the spiritual-governed by God's will. 

They can sometimes be in conflict because our life's experience may not corroborate our Christ given identity, and therefore how God sees us. This is where FAITH comes in.

Standing on our belief system is a powerful tool which keeps us focussed on where we are going and centred on the truth about who we are in God's eyes. To ignore this truth is to diminish GRACE. We have free access to this grace through the word of God which is available for us to eat of.

Yes I am flawed. Yes I have made mistakes and taken decisions that I know are wrong. Yes I have said a word that has wounded someone. Yes I have failed to take many opportunities that came my way. However, I know that , I know that,  I know that my spirit man must be in the driving seat.

I am grateful for grace. I am grateful that I always have new choices. That I am transformed by the renewal of my mind. It is grace that has made that provision for me. I must keep that uppermost in my mind. My mind is the most powerful weapon with which I can hold on to the truth in His word regardless of times, seasons, circumstances or what others say about me. In Christ, I am a work in progress, but also, I am:
-More than a conqueror
- Able to do all things through Christ who strengthens me
-able to move out of darkness into His marvellous light.

FAITH AND GOD'S SOVEREIGNTY

Luke 18:1 (NIV)
1Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.


Luke 18:6-8 (NIV)
6And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off ? 8I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"

These two statements say to me that God's willingness to answer prayer is not what the question is, but how I keep faith. Here it says I will get justice and 'quickly'. How do I reconcile the statement of 'quickly' with many issues that have not been answered yet, such as the return of the Chibok girls? It took nearly 25 years of suffering before I received healing? How 'quick' are those??

With the Chibok girls, I think perhaps God is using the situation to 'find occasion' against Boko Haram, just like he did with Samson and the Philistines and Pharaoh and the Children of Israel. Concerning my healing, if I pause a minute and look at what I have learnt through that adversity, the quantum of growth of my faith, and the depth of my relationship with God, I view those years with gratitude. God really did do something new in me , in and through those difficult times.

My conclusions:
It is all about my perspective, thoughts behaviours and belief system on the one hand and the sovereignty and timing of God on the other. Though I find it difficult to understand within the limits of my human view point, I can definitely 'allow' what God is saying to come through.

However, once I take a deeper look at the verse 6, I begin to see that my faith position is important in the equation.
What I hear loud and clear is that :
1) I must keep faith
2) God hears and sees my petitions and my plight
3) He says He will answer quickly
4) The timing of the answer is part of a wider picture which only God has control over.
5) God's sovereignty means that what is happening in my life is not about what is comfortable for me, but completely about how my faith shapes my response to life's experiences .  Also, how my faith impacts my willingness to serve God, and my submission to His sovereignty.

All easier said than done eh? So this is a reminder to myself. 

I hope this speaks to someone too.

May your faith be built up to the measure of the power of our God, which is available to you in Christ Jesus. Amen.