And to those visiting, I say welcome! I post every Wednesday and my sole purpose is to nourish your soul along the way. Each month I give away a $10.00 gift card to someone who posts on my blog. This month's card comes from Starbucks. So leave a comment, share an insight, bless lots of people, and just maybe you'll win a treat for you and a friend!

Now on to my topic...

The other morning I woke up with a little knot in my stomach. I rolled over in bed, stared out the window and prayed, "What's this about, Lord?" Nothing came to me so I sat up in bed, walked over the window and waited for the sun to peek through the trees. I think sunrises and early mornings are one of God's best ideas. Even so, my heart was unsettled and I needed to figure out why.

I grabbed my cup of chai tea, my Bible, my journal, and a few other quiet time necessities and I headed outside to my deck swing. My happy place. I propped up my I-Phone, hit play on my devotional song play list, hugged my warm cup of chai tea, and inhaled the fresh morning air. 

As I listened to the words of a particular song, my thoughts roamed back to the day before. I had run into an old friend-acquaintance. We talked back and forth and caught up on our lives. I was about to share something about my life when the Holy Spirit whispered, "Not safe. Don't share that." I held my peace and listened to my friend's updates. But somewhere later on in the conversation, I went ahead and shared a part of my heart that God specifically had told me not to! She probably didn't notice, but I was instantly convicted that I blatantly disobeyed a very clear directive from the Lord. 

We wrapped up our conversation and I prayed the whole way home. Now this may sound a little thing to some of you, and big-fat-act-of disobedience to others, but either way, I know better. I asked forgiveness. I strongly sensed God's love and forgiveness. And more than anything, I knew He was just trying to protect me. 

So there I sat, hugging my chai tea, completely wowed by the sunrise when I realized that the fist in my gut was condemnation. The enemy had accused me all night long for being a disobedient putz. I woke up feeling pretty bogged down by it all. That's his MO - he seduces you, then accuses you for being such a dope for falling into his trap.

Condemnation throws us down, weighs us down, and intends to keep us down...as long as we are willing to entertain its wretched presence. 

But then there's God. 

His morning mercies are a priceless gift to us. He forgives us and restores and renews us in a moment's time. He uses us on Monday knowing we're going to blow it on Tuesday. His Holy Spirit comforts and corrects us. He directs us and helps us distinguish truth from the lie. He brings conviction when we stray and correction when we need it. 

Like the morning sunrise, the conviction of the Holy Spirit compels us to look up to Jesus; to stand up on His promises; and to rise up from the ash-heap of our self sins and be done with lesser things! 

Romans 8:1 is a blessed promise for us:

There is now therefore, NO condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus! 

Read this wonderful passage from the Message paraphrase:

May the Lord give us great discernment to quickly distinguish between conviction and condemnation. One protects the freedom we enjoy in Christ, and the other throws us into prison. And it's FOR FREEDOM that Christ has set us free!

Have a great week.

Hey, and if you haven't already signed up for my quarterly E-zine, you might want to! Every few months I email out an E-magazine filled with great things (free book giveaways from some of my author friends; a devotional insight; great book recommendations, great quotes, and a prayer to send you on your way). Click on the link below to sign up...

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