You Now Stand!
Wednesday, November 9, 2011 at 3:06AM 
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 Starbucks gift card to someone who posts on my blog. So share an insight, bless lots of folks, and just maybe you'll win a jolt of java for you and a friend.
Now on to my topic...
On Tuesday I had Tullian Tchividjian (Billy Graham's grandson) on the show. He wrote a book titled, "Jesus + Nothing = Everything." It was a great interview; you'll love what he had to say. If you're interested here's the link to the podcast: Live the Promise interview with Tullian Tchividjian
Tullian passionately shared how being on the receiving end of gossip, fault-finding, and assigned motives "broke his legs" and taught him to fully depend on the Lord. He now walks in a whole new level of freedom and power! God showed him how very much he depended on man's approval for his peace of mind. Don't we all fall easily into that trap?
And yet, when we put our hope in anything but Christ, even the noblest of causes or the best of people, those things become idols. Our hope is in the living, loving God who promises never to leave us or forsake us.
Colossians 1:14 explains that through Christ’s victory on the cross, God has rescued US from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the Kingdom of His Son in whom we find redemption and the forgiveness of sin.
Redemption = clearing, absolution, debt honored, return
God has plucked us out of the enemy stronghold and placed us into His Kingdom where we are loved, cherished, cleansed, called, cared for, protected, equipped, and armed to stand.
We now stand in the Kingdom of His marvelous light! Read this powerful verse:
However, you are chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, people who belong to God. You were chosen to tell about the excellent qualities of God, who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9).
Even when we encounter conflict, rejection, misunderstanding, we still remain in the Kingdom with firm footing there. Remember, we have a secure standing because of what Jesus has done, not a hit-and-miss standing because of what we do.
Even though conflict and misunderstanding is painful, we must not give it so much power that we begin to doubt our firm standing of love, acceptance, qualification, and calling in the Kingdom of God’s Son.
Too often we see ourselves as standing on a little bitty spot of conditional acceptance. And we think we lose that ground when we misstep, misspeak, or mess up. But the ground is wide beneath our feet. Because of God’s precious grace there’s room for us to fall, trip, and get it wrong on occasion.
Not that we consider grace as a license to sin. May it never be!
But may we neither live in the other extreme where conditional love leaves us feeling constantly unsettled about who we are and what we possess.
If you’ve received Christ sacrifice for your sins, then His victory is your victory! You are now a joint heir with Christ! What He possesses is yours!
Nobody can separate you from God’s love (See Romans 8:38). No misstep can yank you out of the Kingdom of God’s Son. And everything you do from this day on is intended to be in response to what He’s already done.
He loves you. He’s rescued you. He’s forgiven you. He’s cleansed you. He’s renewed you. He’s restored you. He’s equipped you. And He sends you out, already complete in Him. Live now in response to what Christ has done for you. It’s a settled deal. Isn’t that wonderful?
Don’t make an idol out of the opinions of others. Live free. Live whole. And Love well.
Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory (Romans 5:1-2).
~Until next week.
Reader Comments (6)
I love this entry you have and I think it's "classic Susie" which I love. It reminds me of your book "The Uncommon Woman" which I also loved. It is such a valuable message to women. Your entry here also ties in to one of our pastor's recent sermons about idols: Approval Idol, Comfort Idol, Control Idol, Power Idol. If you are interested I can give you bullet points for each of those - also you could listen to the sermon at http://graceinracine.com/component/option,com_sermons/Itemid,88/id,10191/task,singlesermon/type,audio/. It was so powerful, just as your message is. The power of God is precious, amazing, wonderful. There is power in the Word.
God bless you.
Love, Kathy
Thank you so much for your encouraging post! I'm so blessed that God has used His words through me to strengthen you. May He continue His good work in all of us in ways that absolutely surprise us and awaken us! May He pour out a fresh revelation of His love for you in the coming days. Blessings, dear sister!
I like you more with every post I read. Thank you for being such a Kingdom person in your home and out amongst those in need. May God continue to expand your territory, increase your influence, and build up your faith. May He bless you with added grace and peace this holiday season. Thanks for sharing your life with us here. :)
Isn't that just amazing how those lies and defeating thoughts can just sneak up on us? I'm so glad the Lord shined His light on your situation and lifted you up again! Your sweet, humble spirit blesses me so very much. I have the feeling He's going to put you in places of faith and influence in the coming days that are beyond your comfort zone but well within His sweet calling on your life. Keep me posted. :)