How can it be that I am free?

Hi friends,
I have been thinking a lot about what I should write about next, and I think that I figured it out. Most of you probably know that I identify more with the charismatic, Pentecostal/ Non-denominational faith. I just had a conversation with a friend about how a lot of different denominations focus on the rigidity of the Christian faith, and that can leave many people feeling kind of empty and more to desire.

For instance, they are going to focus on the fact that God is wrathful and just (which He VERY MUCH is), but they neglect to focus on the love of Christ at times. My church past is one that very much focuses on the fact that our God is a loving God and that He wants good things for your life. We acknowledge that yes, we are sinners, and we need to repent in order to be saved, but we also recognize that once we repent we are made new and the old has passed away (2 Corinthians 5:17). We are made new creatures in Him, and it is through Him that we are loved and forgiven and made as white as snow.

My God is a just God, yes, but He is also a loving and merciful and grace-giving God. I am His daughter, and He is my Father in Heaven. There is nothing that I could do or say to change that. He loves me, because I am made in His image, not because of what I have done [or haven't]. He feels my hurt and my pain. He understands it. I am washed clean from all of my inequities as soon as I repent and ask for forgiveness, and He will never ever ever say "no" or "not this time." He is always waiting for me with open arms. If you come near to God, He will come near to you (James 4:8).

I also had a conversation the same night with a different friend about the focus of the different aspects of the Trinity. All there parts of the Trinity are important, but a lot of the time there will be a large focus on the Father and Son aspect, and not so much on the Holy Spirit aspect. I am an advocate of acknowledging the Holy Spirit on personal level. The Holy Spirit is one of the most intimate aspects of the Trinity. That is how we are able to communicate to the Father. It is within us, and if we allow it to, it will guide us. God will guide us. He will use the Holy Spirit to lead us.

One of my favorite things is a really really good, Holy Spirit filled worships time. Hand-raising, Spirit moving, Spirit speaking, prayerfully connected worship. Spontaneously wonderful worship (coming from someone who doesn't like spontaneity). I love when I can feel the Holy Spirit moving in a place.

All in all, I just want you to know that you are forgiven, Your sin is not the "unforgivable" sin. There isn't one. I want you know that you are made new in Christ, and that He loves you more than you could ever know. More than you can even imagine. You were made in His image, and that alone is something that we cannot ever comprehend fully. You look like you for a reason. Your natural bent towards things was instilled in you for a reason.

God desires a personal relationship with you. He wants to give you all that He has planned for your life. He wants you to live in a way that you are continually working towards knowing Him and His word more and more. He wants you to search out His desires for your life. He wants to lead you in the way that you should go.

He loves you and desires relationship with you.