GRACE and other gods

Hello, Again,

So here I am thinking about how I am not really doing this blog thing today. I think that instead of this being something I plan to do, I need to just sit down and put my thoughts down. Kind of like a normal journal, just with more eyes viewing it.

So, yesterday and today we were home from school with more snow days. It is amazing! Today I don't think I even saw any snow at all, but the schools were closed. We had to go to the eye Dr. where I had plenty of time to take a look at my new Bible study guide. It is called "No Other gods.... confronting our modern-day idols". As I opened it and started through the intro I thought...." I don't think I have any idols, I am and have really been working on my priorities these past few months", but soon into the first days "stuff" I found that maybe an idol is not exactly what I thought it was.

2 Kings 17:33 (New International Version)

33 They worshiped the LORD, but they also served their own gods in accordance with the customs of the nations from which they had been brought.

It seems that from way back "we" have worshiped the one true God, and also served other gods. One statement stuck out more than the rest:

"Our false gods have taken up our most treasured spaces, leaving little room for God to show Himself strong on our behalf." So I know what my professed God is...the Lord, but what and who are my functional gods? My personal pharaohs? I think I am on a journey to find out.

This also made me think about Jesus. After just ending a study on Grace, my heart just hurt to read about other gods. Conviction is from the Holy Spirit, condemnation is from Satan. Oh, how He loves me to put up with me. On Monday I was discussing how a woman of Grace is giving, wise, humble, and at peace resting in God. Grace should be so a part of my life that I can't keep it inside just because of His grace for me in me. It's all good; it's His character spilling out. And then.....

Today I am reading about the "other gods". I can't even keep the first commandment, but you know what? He loves me anyway, because of one thing...GRACE. It is so big that I can study it for 7 weeks and still not get it. I won't get it until I walk through the pearly gates arm in arm with my Savior.

So for now, I am learning about His character more day by day and loving Him more second by second. He is in me and I desire to be Holy because He is Holy. Thank GOODNESS for His all sufficient, all abundant, never ending, precious always present GRACE!

:)