Happy Easter everyone! This morning Steve used 2 Peter 3:18 as the text for his message: ” For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit.” Ah……this is why we have freedom. Christ did it all! He is the initiator, the pursuer…………the Grace Giver!

For so many years, I worked hard to “look good”, to keep up the image……but then a few years ago, during a very dark season of my life, I began asking myself some tough questions. Did I believe in grace, or not? Did I believe Jesus was who He said he was, or not? If He did it all…..then why did pleasing Him feel so hard? I realized that I had confused the expectations of others with those of Jesus. He had no desire for me to be super woman…..He only desired that I respond to His grace. Once I learned to take him at His word and trust that He really did know me, love me, forgive me, empower me and pursue me……..I was able to relax! His standards for my performance weren’t nearly what others expected of me. He only wanted me to love Him back and receive His grace.

As I worshipped Jesus Christ today – I realize once again – I owe Him everything! I am so incredibly thankful to Him.

Check back tomorrow and we’ll continue our countdown!~