Small Reminders of God's Grace

Thus says the LORD:”The people who survived the sword found grace in the wilderness; when Israel sought for rest, the LORD appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you."- Jeremiah 31:2-3



I get a sweet glimpse of God's grace every single day when I look at my son. When he smiles, I see God's grace...When he gives me hugs and kisses, I see God's grace...when I get those sweet cuddles, I see God's grace.

You see, my son was conceived out of wedlock. Although his daddy and I are now married, and are living life together as a family, it doesn't always work out that way. By sharing this with you I am by no means condoning intimacy outside of the marriage bed. If I could go back and do it all over again I would have married my guy FIRST because that is what God asks of us. Intimacy is meant for the marriage bed ONLY, and now that I am on the other side of the fence I can assure you "it" is much more meaningful and totally worth waiting for!

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." -Romans 8:28

But even though satan tried using my sinful mistake for evil, God used it for good. God has used this entire situation to draw me closer to Him. During those 10 months of pregnancy God did His miracle work on my heart and transformed my mind and life. Even though I sinned, God has shown me GRACE. He pours grace into my life every single day. I didn't deserve a beautiful, healthy baby boy, but because God is a gracious God He blessed me with one. A simple laugh, smile, hug, or even a "trying 2's" tantrum reminds me just how gracious God has been to me.

He has turned my mess into a MESSAGE. And He will do the very same for you!

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." - Romans 8:38-39

Maybe today you are reading this and are struggling with a totally different sin of your own. Give it to God and let him pour out His grace to you. There is absolutely NOTHING we can do that will ever separate us from the love that God has for us. Let Him glorify himself through our sins and our messes. Some of the greatest testimonies start with gigantic struggles and trials....but it's not what got us here with God that really matters, it's where we are going from here. Going forward. Choosing God. Clinging to His promises, and never turning back.

I am so thankful that God is faithful and gracious. I am thankful for this second chance at life that he has given me. I pray daily that God will help me train this child in the way that he should go (Proverbs 22:6), so that the life he leads will bring Him honor and glory!

Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. -2 Corinthians 12:8-9


God Bless, 
Haleigh

God's Work Lately

So I just got home from an AMAZING concert with Casting Crowns. Let me just tell you God's presence was ALL OVER that place! It was Mark Hall's (lead singer) first concert back since having surgery to remove a cancerous kidney, and God's light shined brightly through him. He spoke so much wisdom into my heart and really opened my eyes to a lot. It was great to sing praises to my mighty God with my hands lifted high (while standing barefoot on the chair :)....hey this southern girl was trying to get a little close to God lol).

Mark said quit a few things that really pulled my heart strings and got my gears working. He spoke about how our roots spring forth from digging deep into God's word and from our roots we bear fruit...and our fruit is what reaches out and shines light and blessings on those around us. He said that before really knowing Christ he just hung God's word and truth on him like ornaments on a tree...those "ornaments" that are hung can easily be knocked off. It's when we really plant our hearts (roots) in God's word that we actually produce fruit instead of just hanging it on ourselves as a decoration. Just like trees thrive with rain water, we need to drink from the LIVING WATER of God's word daily so that we may also thrive for Christ!

(I loved this beautiful illustration I found on Google.)

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5

Something else that spoke to my heart was the meaning behind his song "Broken Together". He used the verse 2 Corinthians 12:9 where it speaks about God's power being made perfect in our weakness, and how we should BOAST about our weakness. I am VERY guilty of trying to cover up the weak times I have had in my life. Partly because the person I used to be totally embarrassed me. I share with people that I feel led to share my testimony with, but there are a few parts I tend to leave out because I am totally ashamed. I know that with God's help and strength I WILL be able to forgive myself, get past my pride, and instead of hiding those weaknesses I will BOAST about them to bring his power and name glory. This is something I am praying hard about because I know that God is calling me to share my story (my WHOLE story) with others. I just need to remember WHO I am IN CHRIST, not who I was in this world.

"But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." 2 Corinthians 12:9

Many Christians today do not boast about their weakness, instead we shove it in a closet and lock the door so no one can see. We are all living in a day and age were "having problems" is something that gets talked about, but in reality we.all.have.problems. No one is immune...problems are inevitable! Instead of acting lofty as though our life is grand we should share with others our brokenness. In showing others the broken areas in our life it gives God's power the opportunity to be made perfect through us. It shows others where our strength comes from and what the source of our daily survival is.

I will one day (maybe soon) share the totally amazing transformation that God has done in my heart, mind, and life. I am going to have to pray very hard about it so that God's power can be glorified through it, and so that I can make beautiful words explain the ugly mess my life was. Until then I need to go catch some zzzzz's because it is way past my bedtime. I just needed to share my heart with you guys tonight!

Goodnight & God Bless,

Haleigh

The Gift of New Life

Easter is a celebration of LIFE. A time to focus our hearts on the precious life that was given in order for us to gain a life worth living. I personally love the fact that Easter falls during spring time. A time when all dead flowers and trees bloom to a glorious and beautiful new life. Yes, the pollen and allergies that come with the territory is a bummer, but man what a great reminder of the restoration that can happen in us.

Before receiving Christ as our Lord and Savior we all lived a life that was full of darkness that our sin created. With the darkness came hopelessness and a soul that was dead. But because Christ died and rose again, we too can have the hope and promise of being raised from our deadened souls to live a fulfilling life in Jesus Christ. 

" And He said to all, " If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." -Luke 9:23

The best gift ever given in this world was God's precious Son. Galatians 2:20 tells us that we were crucified with Christ. We (our fleshly desires, thoughts, actions, and feelings) no longer live, but CHRIST lives in and through us. Christ took on the FULL wrath of God for you and I, and when He spoke "It is finished" ALL of our sins were taken with Him. When we ask Him to come into our hearts and we repent of our sins and put our full trust and faith in Him alone we become ALIVE as a brand.new.creation. Christ rose from the grave and now lives inside of you and I. If that doesn't fire you up then I think you wood must be wet :).

"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." -Galatians 2:20

"And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires." -Galatians 5:24

Since we are to be image bearers for Christ, we too must die to this world and to our sin so that we can be raised with Christ to live a new life. Living a new life in Christ means getting rid of our old ways, and training ourselves tor bring God Glory in all that we do. For me BIG changes had to be made. In my life B.C. this seemed impossible and I always wanted a change but never knew where or how to begin. Once excepting Christ into my heart He showed me the way. It was like He wiped out all prior desires or cravings that I had and set my heart and mind on a new track. I felt like a beautiful new butterfly coming out of its dingy old cocoon. GOD SHOWED ME THE WAY....all I had to do was follow. We must continue to follow Him each and every single day. We must lay down our life for Him, just as He did for us!

"What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. " -Romans 6:1-23

As we reflect and celebrate Easter I pray that lives and hearts will be transformed. Knowing that someone else who may be just as dead as I was can have the same hope and fulfillment that has been given to me makes my heart happy. God is the ultimate restorer. Just like he turns thunder storms into rainbows, he can turn your life into something beautiful!

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." -2 Corinthians 5:17

*** If you are interested in being given a new life in Christ, but aren't sure of the steps you need to take please contact me at Haleighperry22@gmail.com. I would love the show you the directions to an Almighty Savior.****

God Bless,

Haleigh