throne of grace

A couple things I have been thinking about from my bible study tonight. I was excited about how God has been tying together what I have been hearing at church and at bsf. We were looking at Hebrews 4  and 5. A very familiar verse I have been thinking about is "approaching the throne of grace with confidence to receive mercy and grace in our time of need". Throne of grace. When I think of God's throne I am reminded of His power, majesty, and authority. GOD ALMIGHTY. So often my struggles or temptations seem too big yet what a difference of perspective and how different my approach to God would be if I realized I am approaching His THRONE.

Throne of GRACE. Yet there is also grace there. no condemnation. There is compassion. The grace aspect reminds me of how we are a friend of God. God is almighty and sits on His throne with power and authority yet b/c of Christ we can approach Him with confidence. There is grace, mercy, and help in our time of need.

Later in Hebrews 6 it talks about how God made His promise to Abraham... "and so after waiting patientlyAbraham received what was promised." Yet we know that Abraham was not patient- he went ahead of God and had Ishmael. Yet God is generous in His forgiveness and in His characterization. He completely forgave Abraham and sees him/ describes him as patient. This is what we have been talking about- how God sees Abram as Abraham. How He changed his identity and how Abraham is declared a man of faith despite all of his mistakes. What encouragement for us!!

I have been very encouraged by the reminders of our identity in Christ. It is always so powerful to hear the truth of how we are in Him. I love God's timing. We talked about how God changed Abram's identity toAbraham the Sunday before Thanksgiving. As I was driving home to NY I was thinking about how God has completely changed my identity and defined me in Him these past ten years. If God would have shown up 10 years ago and declared some truths of who I would be today, I would have laughed in unbelief like Sarah. I can still laugh at times, not out of unbelief but just in amazement of how only God can completely change our lives around. He receives all the glory! It was great to remember God's faithfulness and give Him praise. 

My last thought. Last week when we talked about GOD ALMIGHTY and spending time with God- looking to Him and seeing how He wanted to show Himself to us. Driving home from church I was listening to the song "I've seen I AM" (lyrics and song link below) I absolutely love this song because as we look into the eyes of I AM, we know we are. We know we are loved. We know deep down in our hearts, not simply in our heads. My favorite part of the song is when he breaks out in complete worship and in awe and sings "I am loved, I am loved, I am loved by the great I AM". When we sit at Jesus' feet and when we look to Him we are overwhelmed with His love. All we can do is worship....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPj5rDyNpR0

"I've seen I AM" by Jonathan David Hessler

I looked into the eyes of a lion
Felt the courage in His gaze
I heard Him roar my name with passion
As I buried my tears in His mane

I looked into the eyes of a lamb
I saw love face to face
I felt grace destroy my sins
As mercy flowed from those veins

I've seen I AM, now I know that I am loved
I've seen I AM, now I know who I am

I looked into the eyes of a King
I saw the beauty of holiness
I heard the voice of many waters
As worship poured from my lips

I've seen I AM, now I know that I am loved
I've seen I AM, now I know who I am
It's in the eyes of I AM!
I know who I am, I know who I am
in those eyes, in those eyes of love!

I saw you Jesus
And I saw Your eyes, I felt Your smile
Maybe it was just a dream
but I believe it was more than reality

You walked right through my walls
All I could do is worship
All I could do is weep
I saw my King!

All I could do, God, is take off my shoes
And bow, and kneel
I fall down like a dead man
but I'm more alive than I've ever been
Oh God, I fall at Your feet like a dead man

I know, I know I'm loved, I am loved!
I'm loved, I am loved! I'm loved!
I'm loved, I am loved! I'm loved by the I AM!
I'm loved, I am loved! I'm loved by the I AM!

This is a song, but in my bones, oh Lord,
I want to hear a generation find out how You really are
I want to see a generation fall into Your heart
No more lies, no more fears
Walk in through their walls, come in near

I've seen I AM, now I know that I am loved
I've seen I AM, now I know who I am