Randomn thoughts on a Sunday

So I used to get up bright and early and work out..but this week I decided to give that time to God. Starting my day on my knees and in the Word of God in only 7 days has a made a world of difference. My situation has not changed at all..but man has my attitude and perspective.
I've heard for many years from multiple people that you need to do this, give the very first of your day to God, but I never put it in to practice.

This is one of my favorite verses I read this week. Jesus was hungry and went to get some figs from a tree, but there were no figs and Jesus commanded it to never bear fruit again and it whithered instantly. Then he continues in Matthew 21:21..."I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to this fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go throw yourself into the sea', and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive everything you ask for in prayer."

Lisa and I had the awesome opportunity of attending an identity class at Pastor Bob Smart's house this summer. The main focus was to recognize the lies that Satan pumps into our heads..and replace it with the truth of who we are in Christ. There is so much good stuff in that class..but this is one of the favorite things I took from it...justification. Justification is an act of God's free grace, where in he pardoned all our sins, and accepted us as righteous in his sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and received by faith alone.

Such a powerful statement...its an act of free grace...we didn't do anything to deserve it..we can't earn it..we can't work for it. He pardoned all our sins...past..present..future...and accepts as righteoues (free from sin or guilt) only through the righteousness of Christ...and all we have to do is receive it by faith.

And the cool thing is..God doesn't stop there...he adopts us and we have full rights as sonds and duaghters of God. Jesus is our big brother..pretty powerful thought. 1 John 3:1 and John 1:12.

I think a lot of our thinking, the way we live is pretty screwed up because we have such a messed up view of who God is. For me, I picture this grumpy old man sitting in heaven shaking his head at me with a frown everytime I screw up..but so not true. Zephaniah 3:17 gives us a completely different perspective of how God looks at us...

"The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."