Made with Love {by grace.}

Many people think that humanity is good...that we are fine just the way we are...like this frame.

 

ikea 

But actually, we're pretty useless on our own.  We have no purpose...and we just take up space collecting dust...like this frame.

"As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins..."

Ephesians 2:1

But God...

He is the only one that can make something beautiful out of something that someone who was once dead.

He is the only one that can bring purpose to someone's life that is otherwise meaningless without the knowledge and faith that Jesus Christ died for your {and my} sins.

"For we are God's workmanship..."

Ephesians 2:10a

He is the only one that can cut away the cravings of your sinful nature.

And just when you think that you have arrived...that you have this "being a Christ follower thing" down pat...He finds ways to gently {or not so gently} remind you that there is still some work to be done.

More sinful desires and thoughts.

More cutting.

So you follow Him...even though you can't see the big picture...you start to see Him working in your life.

He begins to put things into place.  Maybe not in your time or the way you would have done it.

But when you look back, and see where He has brought you from, you are grateful.  You see what a beautiful thing he is making out of your life.

flower tutorial 

The most amazing part?  

It is all by His grace.  There is nothing you can do to earn your salvation.  You can't go to church enough.  You can't help the poor enough.  You can't be nice to your not-so-nice co-worker enough.  

It's a gift.

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast."

Ephesians 2:8-9

My prayer for you today.

That you would..."grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ."

Ephesians 3:18

Linking up with Tatertots & Jello