God's Grace and Glory

The more I learn about God, through studying His Word, and what others have learned through it as well, i realize just how vital these two words are in a Christian's vocabulary. God's grace and glory are two terms that are so hard to put words to, and yet we can feel so intimately and deeply. Grace, yes there are MANY songs sung about it, and rightfully so! How true it is that "oh to grace how great a debtor daily i'm constrained to be" (come thou fount) and "grace my fears relieved"(amazing grace)! What a revelation, what a promise, what a RISK! God's grace is given to us through His Son, our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Now, i know that was a lot of words but each is so paramount to WHO He is. It is by His grace that we are saved, and not by works so no man can boast!

1. Acts 15:11
   No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”
   Acts 15:10-12 (in Context) Acts 15 (Whole Chapter)
2. Ephesians 2:5
   made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.
   Ephesians 2:4-6 (in Context) Ephesians 2 (Whole Chapter)
3. Ephesians 2:8
   For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—
   Ephesians 2:7-9 (in Context) Ephesians 2 (Whole Chapter)
4. 2 Timothy 1:9
   who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,
   2 Timothy 1:8-10 (in Context) 2 Timothy 1 (Whole Chapter)
   
   God's Glory. Wow. just to type it gives me chills. His amazingness, that we are in awe of, that we just want to gaze at and long for...now this is something that we do not get to see fully here in these earthly bodies. we see only a part of Who He is and just how great He is. We cannot fathom this greatness of Our God. Who He is and all He has done...we just don't GET it all. It's too much, it's too big. 
   ^{Psalm 139:6} Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
      too lofty for me to attain.
   And it's all for HIS GLORY. We aren't SUPPOSED to get it all here. All wisdom is His to give: to whom, when, where, how, how much, where, and why. And this is the beauty of it, is that when He gives this wisdom to those He chooses, He gains glory for His name, just as He intended! Wow.
   
   In thinking in these ways, in terms of God's glory and God's grace, there really IS no fear in this world! When i live it is by His grace and for His glory. When i get my way, it is by His grace and for His glory. When i face trials it is by His grace and for His glory, and when i die it will be by His grace and for His glory. All my mistakes, however large or small, have brought about His glory an His grace. It is by His grace that i am no longer enslaved by sin! It is for His glory that He has set me free from the grasp of Satan! And when i am tempted to fall again, it is His grace that lifts me out, for the Glory of His Name. I don't know about you, but i think it's just beautiful!
   
   Whether God sends me to Kenya on this internship or not, my sole purpose is in glorifying His name, and depending on His amazing grace. When He sends me, He will keep me safe by His grace so that i may glorify His name, in whatever way He is most glorified.

The change in me

Lost in a downward spiral
trying to be the coolest girl
wanting to please any man
in any way that i can
just to feel loved and alive
but each moment i would die.

momentary pleasure for lasting pain
this memory would be my gain
nothing new or better would come
and I'd be left just feeling dumb

As i've grown over the years
and spilled way too many tears
being used is not my purpose
i am not a target for curses

Jesus showed me a better Way
that i am loved, every day,
i'm not a toy that can be thrown
or traded away for another loan

i dont need to let you have me
you no longer get to use me
how much simpler it would be
if you could just see this change in me

i do not run to your arms
that promise love and bring me harm
you tease and test and hurt me all day
and then say sorry like it takes it away

no! im done! you cant have me any more!
though you hold on tight, i'm running out the door
i don't need your kiss to tell me im important
and i am tired of you telling me that i cant

you dont own this heart, though you once did
i am no longer yours on whom to bid
i don't want that life anymore, i am NEW
so away from me with your evil spew!

i want to live righteously in Christ
and not have my heart by sin be diced
Please, friends, see the change in me!
and do not think i am who i used to be!

Don't keep me down in my past by bringing it up
remember and remind me i've drank Christ's cup!
i no longer choose that sin that ensnared me so!
so when you see it creep near me, please tell it to GO

i long to live as new as can be
oh can't you see this change in me?
i feel it in my heart, it's true!
but why oh why wont you?

yes i still struggle and hurt inside
but each new day i no longer hide
Jesus saves me from my sin
for whenever i fall, His grace rushes in

so please forget the old that you knew
she doesn't exist, she is made new!
notice this change in me
and hold me to it, to be all i was made to be

Last Time

Where does it start,
in the soul, mind or heart?
This love I have for You--
oh how I wish it was more true!
That with every breath and beat,
my soul for You would leap,
that of my sin i would weep,
and not plunge into the deep!
But alas how my heart is deceived!
How often Your grace I've received!
I fall down and You pick me up.
I say, "Last time! I've had enough!
I'll never go back to that sin!"
But I know my futures' dim
when I say, "it was the last time"
but have not repented in my mind.
It's like a cycle that never ends
but keeps on, a twist in the bends
"Last time!" again I cry,
"Just once more before I die!"
But each time is killing me,
even though I cannot see.
This last time it is to be true--
this sin I will no longer do!
I am done with saying "I'm done!"
but still living just to have fun.
This life is not my own,
and Your light in me has shown.
I've put it out for the last time--
from now on I'll let Your love shine!