Let us look closely at our ways and examine them and then return to the Lord.

Let us raise our hearts and hands to God in heaven.

Lamentations 3:40-41 (GW)

It is good for me to contemplate the value and direction of my efforts, making sure I’m aligned with God’s vision and the passions he has instilled in me, and to refresh and revisit this blog, diving into the message I originally sought and the words I chose to express it.

I’m going to break it down, starting with The Far Reaches…

But now [at this very moment] in Christ Jesus you who once were [so very] far away [from God] have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Ephesians 2:13 (AMP)

No matter how far away we have wandered or how low we have sunk the blood of Christ is sufficient to bring us near to God. This is a major part of my experience and my message. If you are feeling like a lost cause, this blog is a safe place for you to find hope.

…of Grace:

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Ephesians 2:4-9 (ESV)

I have the word grace tattooed on my shoulder. It reminds me I didn’t work my way to salvation and forgiveness, no, it was all God. Knowing I’ve received his grace, I can extend grace to others. Because I haven’t earned it by my works or my goodness i feel free to share my faith with you openly. If you’ve tried to measure-up and failed, you’re in the right place here.

God sees:

The Eternal watches everything that happens on earth so that He may strongly support those who follow Him…

2 Chronicles 16:9 (VOICE)

The first mention of God as El Roi, the God who sees, is when Hagar is running, after being persecuted by Sarai. Genesis 16:13. Abram and Sarai were impatient for God’s plan and so derived a plan of their own. It never works well that way. Hagar was caught in the middle feeling she had no hope. But, even when we make a mess of things, God sees us and redeems our mistakes. If you’ve made mistakes, I hope my own mistakes will help you feel less like a failure and help you find your way back to hope.

God knows:

Lord, you know everything there is to know about me. You perceive every movement of my heart and soul, and you understand my every thought before it even enters my mind. You are so intimately aware of me, Lord. You read my heart like an open book and you know all the words I’m about to speak before I even start a sentence! You know every step I will take before my journey even begins. You’ve gone into my future to prepare the way, and in kindness you follow behind me to spare me from the harm of my past. You have laid your hand on me! This is just too wonderful, deep, and incomprehensible! Your understanding of me brings me wonder and strength.

Psalms‬ ‭139:1-6‬ ‭(TPT‬‬)

Depression and anxiety often turn me to isolation. If I don’t break the cycle, I find myself fearful or sinking into despair. Knowing God knows me completely, comforts me. God not only knows you, he knows the situation you’re in, he knows your thoughts and your feelings, and he is not in shock, disappointed, or discouraged. That is what I want to portray here.

God can handle it:

Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is there anything too difficult for Me?

Jeremiah 32:27 (AMP)

Whatever “it” is in life, God is greater, wiser, more powerful and able to get you through it. If just one of my posts helps you connect to God’s love and strength, I will be blessed.

Grace & Peace,

Sandy