Living in God's grace

Last night, I knew something was wrong, and I posted as my Facebook status: "All my longings lie open before you, O Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you." ~ Psalm 38:9

This morning, the Lord Almighty revealed clearly where I had fallen, and I grew discouraged as I love the Lord and long to please Him but continue to fall short time and time again.

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." ~ Romans 3:23-24

In my quiet time with my Lord and Savior, He lead me through the following verses:

"In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: 'My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.'" ~ Hebrews 12:4-6

"No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." ~ Hebrews 12:11

At this point, I wrote in my journal: "It's so true, but how many times must I fall short and be disciplined and get back up again? How many times will I continue to fall, to fail and to disappoint you? Father, I love you, and I long to please you, but it seems impossible."

"For nothing is impossible with God." ~ Luke 1:37

"For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us." ~ Psalm 103:11-12

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs." ~ 1 Corinthians 13:4-5

"You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised." ~ Hebrews 10:36

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day."

~ 2 Corinthians 4:16 ~