Getting on the Pathway of Grace

The Psalmist says, “If the Lord delights in a man’s way, He makes his steps firm.” (Psalm 37:23) I believe the way in which God delights follows a particular pattern, a particular pathway. This way stands in direct opposition to the way of sin and serves as a clear benchmark for every person committed to Jesus. The two ways are outlined below and will be explained in further detail in subsequent blogs but for now let’s get started.

The Pathway of Sin
Betrayal
Bias (self-serving)
Blame
Bitterness
Bloodshed (inward or outward)
Breaking point

The Pathway of Grace
Begins in repentance
Believe in Jesus Christ
Build up your faith
Bless
Bring Life
Breakthrough


I have to begin this blog with a personal point of backing up in repentance. These words were first written in April of 2005. I was waiting on getting my list set up correctly before I published them. I was waiting on learning how to better use the internet. I was waiting for the perfect day but the perfect day never came.

Actually, any day would have been fine to share these words, especially with the people who had signed up to hear more about Norman Ramsey Ministries, Inc. Do you think they are still interested after four years? It's rough when you see the time you waste when you don't repent.

It's definitely time to repent and click 'Publish Post'. As Mike Litman shares(www.mikelitman.com), “You don’t have to do things perfectly. You just have to do things.” Why do you think Jesus said, “Unless you repent, you shall also likewise perish”? Isn’t it because sin gives us a default setting for death and defeat? Set yourself up for victory- Repent and begin to do things! Robert Kiyosaki says(www.richdad.com), “Anything worth doing is worth doing poorly.”

I don’t need all the answers. Neither do you. We just need to know to whom we can turn. The promise of God is that He will oversee and firm up our steps. John Wesley points out that we’re ‘going on to perfection’ not that we take action because we already are.

The prophet Jeremiah said, “Thus says the Lord… Call unto me and I will answer you and I will show you great and mighty things which you know not.” So, I admit God has a lot of great and mighty things to show me. The good news is I probably will notice those things when I repent and begin to walk the pathway of grace!

Drive towards the Goal

The Final Four is being played this coming weekend in Detroit, Michigan. Connecticut will face Michigan State and North Carolina will square off against Villanova. The winners will meet on Monday to see who can cut down the nets and gain the NCAA championship.

But, there is a more epic battle being waged for your soul, today. What direction will that battle take? Imagine that this battle is being carried out on a basketball court. You are hemmed in on every side. Left to yourself, you have already turned over this opportunity to shine. The shot clock is winding down. Every lane to the basket has been shut down. Defeat seems almost inevitable.

You can’t get a shot off in time. “Somebody help me”, you cry and it’s then you notice it. There is someone working on your behalf. He places himself between you and your opponent. Even while he bears the hard foul meant for you, he asks you to focus on the open lane he opened for you. Take the first step toward the goal. Defeat is about to give way to victory.

Jesus has been working on your behalf. He is asking you to trust him. He asks you not to focus on the problems you face, the scars you bear, or the burdens you carry. He asks you to hear his voice. “I am opening a lane to the goal just for you.” Take the first step. It doesn’t have to be perfect. He’ll take care of that department. Go forward in the grace you now have, the grace that turns defeat into victory!

Jesus said, “The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is near: you repent (change your mind) and believe in the good news.” Don’t stand there gawking at your good fortune. Drive towards the goal. Do what Jesus says. Take the lane he has opened for you. Get on the pathway of grace.