July 21, 2015

PICK YOURSELF UP

"The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end; they are new
every morning; great is your faithfulness."
(Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV)

Sometimes I feel so frustrated and down on myself for slipping back into old thought patterns or behaviors I thought I'd overcome.  Sometimes I just want to give up.  But then the lyrics from a very old Jerome Kern song pop into mind, exhorting me to pick myself up, dust myself off, start all over again.

I am so grateful that God is patient and merciful, and that He never gives up on me (or you).  I am grateful for His unconditional love that is not based on my performance.  And most of all I am grateful for Jesus who died a cruel and humiliating death on the cross so we could be forgiven of our sins, and who now sits at the right hand of the Father interceding for us.

If you do not have a personal relationship with Jesus, please know that God so loved the world (you and me included) that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).  This gift can only be received through faith. It cannot be earned by good works (Ephesians 2:8-9).  And as much as it is not God's will for anyone to perish, He will not impose His will on you or force you to accept it. The choice is yours.

Jesus stands at the door of your heart, knocking and waiting for you to answer (Revelation 3:20). I pray that you would open the door before it is too late, and accept His invitation to enter your life, forgive your sins, and make you a new creation.