1. Fall into pit. 2. Climb out. 3. Repeat.

I seem to fall into traps set by the enemy with great regularity in my spiritual walk at times. I seem to be delivered from one, only to fall into the next hole set before me. If a record book of such things existed, I'm sure my name would hold in the top ten, with a side-note: "does not heed danger very well". Thank God no book like that exists! 

During those times when I can't seem to stand for falling, I figure this is it. I'm finished. God is done messing with me. He can only love someone so much, right? In my finite, human ways, there is a limit on His love, and His grace...and I've used it up. Why do I mess up so much?? I'm sure no one struggles at walking the higher road like me. I envision my spiritual friends and family member's roads to be smooth, the trail straight and  the scenery beautiful. Mine? A ugly, rocky, steep slope I'm constantly trying to climb to the top of. Of course this isn't true, but when your feelings get in the way, thoughts like these usually occur. 

So, is God really done with me? Am I evicted from the love of God? "When in doubt, pull your bible out". I'm not sure who said those words, but they are good ones to memorize! Here's what the Bible says about His love for us; 

 Romans 8:38-39  And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Wow! This pretty much takes the wind right out of my sails called doubt. Even though my feelings tell me I'm so unlovable, God's word tells me His love is inseparable from me! That is like a soothing balm to cracked skin. Nothing can separate His love for me, not even my tendency to mess up a lot. 

 Ephesians 2:4-5 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ

Even when we were dead in our sins, He loved us, with a great and unending love. Something my mind has a hard time wrapping around. I just have to dig into my faith bucket, scrape the bottom when it seems like it's empty, and say "I know You love me God, you said it! If You said it, You meant it, so I'm standing on that." It takes faith to believe one way when you feel another, especially in the dark of night when everyone is asleep and the enemy is whispering lies in your ear. When those moments come, it's a good opportunity to whisper back to the enemy (don't want to wake the house) the last line of Romans 8:39: "NOTHING will ever be able to separate us from the love of God..." and feel free to add, "that includes you satan". He is always trying to discourage the body of Christ, that is his main job...we don't have to listen. When we fall, remember His mercies are new every morning for us (Lamentations 3:22-23), so rely on that unending love and patience to get back up and continue on! And thank God again there is no record book for the most falls. :) 

-Megan 

Oops! Learning to come clean...

Oops. 
How many times have we said that? Plenty for me! When I am running late and the kids won't listen and before I know it, I've been hateful. Or when the telemarketer doesn't understand I am not interested and oops! I've gone from polite to not so much in no time.  We all have those moments in life when we mess up. That's a given. The question is, what do we do when we mess up? 

I like to think that I have perfect timing when it comes to saying sorry, but in reality, I don't. It takes me awhile to sometimes swallow my pride and admit I was wrong, or that I messed up. Same goes for going to God. When my "oops" moments in life happen, I try to stuff them deep inside, making excuses along the way. But in reality, it's the opposite that I should do.

1 John 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Here are some words that jump out at me when I read this verse. I have highlighted them. The first one is CONFESS. That means to come clean. Not something I am interested in when I know I've messed up. I would like to bury it inside and pretend it never happened. God still sees! I have learned the quicker I go to Him and ask for forgiveness, the better off I feel.

Next word, FAITHFUL. What does it mean to be faithful? The dictionary defines it as: reliable, trusted, true to one's word. God says if we confess, He is faithful to do as He said, and forgive us! That's a great promise! I know I need it many times throughout my life. I am so glad He is trustworthy and honest. He can be counted on to cleanse us of our unrighteousness, and we can have a fresh start! 

And last, but not least; PURIFY. To be pure. Cleansed. Washed. When I hear the word purify, it reminds me of Isaiah 1:18 "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool." How refreshing does that sound? From being dirty, full of sin, to being cleansed, fresh like snow. 

Next time I have a "oops" moment in my day to day, I will do my best to go to the Father before my flesh has time to reason me into trouble. We can always benefit from a good heart to heart talk with our Father, coming clean is easy when you trust the person you are talking to. Remember, He is faithful! 

-Megan