Thursday, February 09, 2006

The Table of Grace

I have been going through an interesting time in life lately...I don't recall ever being spiritually battled to the extent that I've been in the last months. I am so thankful to be a part of our church's intercessors team...we meet weekly to pray together...there have been quite a few times in the past little while where I haven't wanted to go, but once there, was extremely prompted by what someone prayed or just by the Holy Spirit in general. Last night I was prompted about the fact I have been filled with so much anxiety and anger and I've bought into the fact that I can hide behind these and that I think it's perfectly okay for me to have these emotions. But really, I was prompted that I don't have any real concrete reasons to be anxious or saddened or angry, but that I should really feel blessed for the fact that I have the Lord by my side through everything...he's always there, no matter what the time of the day, no matter what the situation, he's there, listening, engulfing my life with his love and protection! I could not imagine living this life without him being with me...that's just unimaginable. I know that despite what's happening now, that he'll never allow me to go through something which I can't handle and I also know that not all happenings in life are tests and trials from God, some are strong battles from Satan.

I'm so thankful to have him in my life today and forever...I've been listening a couple of my favorite music groups the last couple of weeks. Phillips, Craig and Dean have some truly amazing songs...they are three pastors who formed a singing group and some of the songs which come from them cause me to really think and be thankful and appreciate God's grace and love. One song they've wrote is based on Matthew 11:28-30(KJV)...it's a daily reminder to me of God's love and grace.

Table of Grace
Phillips, Craig and Dean, Restoration

Hear the good news
You've been invited
No matter what others may say
Your darkest sins
Will be forgiven
And you will always have a place

At the table of grace
The cup's never empty
The plate's always full
And it's never too late
To come and be filled
With love never ending
You're always welcome at the table of grace

So come you weak and heavy hearted
Don't try to hide
Your earthly scars
In His eyes, we all are equal
Don't be afraid
Come as you are

So let the first become the last
Let the poor put kings to shame
Their willing hearts will be their treasure
By the power of Jesus' name

Everyone's welcome at the table of grace

Being in a new place has caused me to be so afraid...I'm a different person right now than I was this time last year....I'm so worried at times about what people will think of me to know I'm struggling with life, that things aren't always perfect. Even though I know most people don't ever expect perfection from anyone, as we're human with human tendencies, but my human nature tends to take my eyes off of God for a brief instant and deflect my view to what I think others around me expect to be.

So come you weak and heavy hearted
Don't try to hide
Your earthly scars

He knows we're not perfect and that we go through times when we are weak and when ours hearts are burdened and heavy. He doesn't want us to mask what we're feeling or our past...he doesn't want us to put on an act for those around us...he truly loves us where we're at, not expecting us to get to a certain point, but simply meeting us where we're at!

In His eyes, we all are equal
Don't be afraid
Come as you are

I am so thankful for the fact we all are equal in His eyes...that his love transcends through the family of Christ...it doesn't matter where we go, when you meet up with other Christ followers, there is just an underlying love which is always there, because we have common ground...His grace and love! That's such a comfort to know that the family of Christ will come alongside and comfort those around them, because that's what he does and what he wants us to do.

Their willing hearts will be their treasure
By the power of Jesus' name...Everyone's welcome at the table of grace!

I pray I will always have a willing heart to love Him, to serve Him and to follow his leading, no matter where it might take me. It's an amazing thing to realize that we are all welcome at his table, no matter where we are...it's never to late to come and you'll always walk away being refreshed and refilled. A friend made a post which simply stated whether the question is, "Who am I?" or is it really, "Whose am I?" I am His forever and that is the biggest comfort and blessing to know this. Life might be full of curves and turns, hills and mountains, valleys and deserts, but each one of those allows us the chance to grow as a person and in our walk with Christ. As hard as trials, tests and battles might be, I come out of each of them stronger in my faith, in my love for Christ and those around me and more concreted in knowing whose I truly am...I am His!


Matthew 11:28-30 (King James Version)
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

4 comments:

Corry said...

This is a beautiful post Cinder. How comforting to know we are His and how much He loves us.

Thanks for the link, I am honored. I will put a link up to your site as well:-)

God's Grace.

audrey` said...

Thank you so much for the link, Cinder.
I'm so grateful and honoured.

Anonymous said...

i'm encouraged.

"So come you weak and heavy hearted. Don't try to hide your earthly scars..."


thank you.

Patti said...

Your love of Jesus shines through so strong.