A Boomerang of Grace

A BOOMERANG OF GRACE

“I don't really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don't do it. Instead, I do what I hate.” - Romans 7:15.

It’s a relief to know that Paul felt the same inner turmoil that we do.  Through every trial, every temptation, failure and grief, this verse reminds us that while we are to fight the good fight and strive for excellence, it is our heart God is after—our love, our trust and our desire to please Him.

I Thessalonians 5:18 says, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

It isn’t necessarily easy to do when our emotions are taking us on a rollercoaster ride and our gas tank is running on fumes, but we realize it is a choice.

So Father, right here in this very minute, right here in this messy life we find ourselves living, we choose to thank You.  Lord, together with the once reading this, we approach Your throne of grace.  We praise You for Your patience, forgiveness and mercy.  Thank You for loving Your little ragamuffin warriors.

Your Word says, “The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” - II Chronicles 16:9.

How grateful we are that Your eyes are not searching for the perfect. Were You to be looking for the perfect, You wouldn’t find us at all.  We would be passed right over.  Thank You for finding us, so we could find You!

Father, we lift up our hopes and dreams, successes and failures, strengths and weaknesses.  Thank You for the blood of Jesus that covers our every flaw.  Help us to do better today than yesterday, but more importantly, to keep our hearts focused on You, the One who loved us first.

When our next mistake or failure comes, and the temptation to succumb to discouragement and self-loathing comes knocking at our door, remind us that You know how we are made and Your heart toward us is full of compassion. You searched for and found us in the darkness, because it was our heart You were seeking, not our perfection.

Today is a new day and another chance to start over.  Every day ahead of us will offer that same hope, and yesterday’s mistakes are as if they never were.  You never tire in Your forgiveness or flirt with the thought of ever giving up on us, because You are there for the long haul —until our final breath.

You gave up what was most precious to You, so You could call us Your own.  We are fully loved, fully accepted and fully wanted.  You aren’t waiting for some future date when we clean ourselves up, and get it all right, to feel that way.  You feel that way about us right NOW.

We praise You for having extended Your generous mantle of grace and mercy to cover us! Help us to pour out that same lavish grace and mercy upon others, and in so doing, also find us able to also forgive and extend grace to ourselves.  In Jesus’ Name ❤️

Dear friend, do you find that you are more able to be gracious to others in their failures than you are to yourself? There is a common tendency to beat ourselves up for our failures, and we find it next to impossible to forgive ourselves and move forward.

There is a difference between genuine remorse that leads to repentance and change and condemnation that comes from the enemy who is bent in paralyzing you. If he can’t destroy you physically, he will destroy your hope and peace and bring your efforts for the Kingdom to a screeching halt through condemning thoughts of unworthiness.  Call his bluff! Ask the Father for forgiveness.  Make amends where appropriate.  Then forgive yourself for your mistakes and move forward. The Lord already has. Don’t let your mistakes keep you from pursuing Him and fulfilling your God-given destiny.💡

If you have been encouraged or challenged, please repost and further His kingdom!  Then come, follow and be refreshed at:  https://www.facebook.com/Prayers-of-a-Ragamuffin-Warrior-171515087035441/

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