Jesus died for me

My salvation is not based on the rightness of my beliefs, but on the fact that I believe Jesus died for me. I've always struggled with this. When was it that I actually became a Christian? There was not an exact moment. There was a transition when I realized I was not living for God and realized that my life is only worth being lived for Him, because He died for my sins. The process of learning what that actually looked like was slow coming. I had faith in Jesus Christ and that He died for my sins when I was in High School, but in College is when the Lord grew me alot and put me around people that challenged my thinking. High School had situational trials at home that grew me, because I had to rely and turn to God with those difficulties. In College, I grew alot from really digging into God's Word and learning from those who are more learned than me in God's Word. Yes, my understanding of the Gospel became much greater during college, but it doesn't mean Jesus loved me more because of this reater understanding. Jesus' blood still covered my sins when I put my faith in Him in High School, even though my understanding of what all that meant was small. God's grace is so great. I am thankful for the clarity I am gaining on this. I don't want to add to the Gospel, and I am hurt when I see that I am doing that. Lord, help me! Now, I am enjoying a greater understanding of the Gospel practically, and during this time, more than ever I see my absolute need for the cross.

Thank you for the Cross.
Thank you for the Cross.
Thank you for the Cross, my Lord.

I have been enjoying the slowly but surely, the baby steps of life, the taking of one step at a time. I so often try to take big leaps of change, with faith and ambition… yes, but with patience… No. With my weak body lacking strength, my body doesn’t make it to the other side of the canyon. Instead, I fall into the crevasse of the canyon. Why? Because far too many times I have tried to do it on my own. If I am a branch, how can I survive without the vine? I can't. I need water. I need nourishment. The ugly dry branches I surely want to break off, but the ones that can bear fruit must be supplied with nutrition. The parallel, God's Word, the bread of life. I am blessed to have sound judgment. Blessed to know God's Word. Blessed to examine my heart and be able to actually see what needs to be changed, refined, and pruned. But it is patience that I am praying for, because I know I have a long journey ahead. The road keeps going and I cannot see the end of it. I know it leads to the pearly gates and I rejoice in that, but there are some big boulders in my path keeping me from moving forward. Yes I am on the path, but without this boulder in my way and the things to the left and the right that distract me, I can keep my focus on what is ahead and run a little faster. It is going to take patience and help from the Holy Spirit to move this boulder out of the way. I know those distractions will always be there until I am in heaven and sin is no longer, but the more founded I am on God's Word, the more I love His law, the more I observe His testimonies and seek Him with all my heart, than the more those distractions to the left and right will get smaller. Moreover, may the layers of sin that slow my streamline shed from my body, to make more of Him. I see my need for the cross more than ever.

"I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5

Love

I do not need anything in return. I have been given so much by the Grace of God. Here to love, because He loved me first. My love for you is not dependent on you loving me, returning affection, or giving me what I want. I am alive in Christ, here to love, and walking the light lit path. He opened my eyes and I want you to see what I see. He is glorious and His love endures forever. He loves me and you so much, more than I can ever love you. I will fail you, I am a sinner saved by Grace, but He who is Holy will always love, even when we reject Him... He loves. Let us love, despite. Steadfast, because He is steadfast. Let us love, lets love.

Fragrant Aroma

I have been saying this to myself a lot lately, "Heather, imagine what life would be like if you actually rejoiced always and was anxious for nothing..." God commands it in His Word, to rejoice always, and to be anxious for nothing. My name is written in the book of life and ultimately I have nothing to worry about, and my joy is not based on circumstances, but is present because I am alive in Christ. Wow, what an honor it is to be the salt that adds flavor, the light that helps others see. Praise you Lord for saving me. Praise you Lord for giving me life. Praise you Lord for forgiving me. Praise you Lord for giving me strength to walk in the opposite direction of the sin that clings so closely.

Matthew 7:24
"Therefore, everone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who builds his house on the rock."