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ctlss's Journal, 10 April 2011
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CONTRACT OR COVENANT.....
Today's sermon was on the difference between contracts and covenants, and how the covenant of the Old Testament and the covenant of the New Testament differ....interesting topic, this subject of covenants.
A contract is usually a written or verbal agreement that is temporary by it's very nature. If one or the other party decides that they no longer want to do what is in the contract, after they have fulfilled the terms of the contract, it can be broken.
A covenant, on the other hand, is an agreement between two parties that never ends...it is a promise made by one party to another to never stop. This is the promise that God has made to us. In the old testament this covenant was imcomplete, because it could not bridge the gap between God and man. It was never intended to be permanent, and "the law and sacrifices relate only to food and drink, and various washing, regulations for the body imposed until the time of reformation" (Hebrews 9:10 [NASB95]). In the new covenant, God sent His Son to pay for our sins, and through that sacrifice, His new covenant is made permanent...a permanent change, a permanent relationship with God, and, most importantly, permanent FORGIVENESS. "For I will be merciful to their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more." (Hebrews 8:12 [NASB95]) This means that God has FORGIVEN me...for everything I have ever done, am doing, or will do!! HUH??? He doesn't even remember my mistakes! WHAT??? God loves me and all He wants in return is for me to love Him! WOW!!!
As usually happens after my Sunday morning lesson, I came home, reread the passages, and mulled over the information Pastor Mark had so skillfully shared with us. There is lots of information in this little section of Hebrews and it needs a lot of mulling over. I am who I am, and God loves who I am...OH MY!! After reading and beginning to understand, truly understand, the enormity of what this sections of Hebrews is saying (that when I said that I believe that God gave His only begotten son, I was forgiven), I began to think about this in context with my life. Not just my spritual life, but all aspects of my life....the things that are always warring inside me...like how can I forgive myself for the things that I THINK I should have done differently, things that I feel like I could have changed, but didn't, all the mistakes that I have made through the years and that haunt me still. It never really sank in, this forgiveness thing, to the extent that it did today. I always walk around with a bit of fear in my heart that if I do the wrong thing, it will all be taken away! That God is like Maxwell with his silver hammer and it is going to come down on my head. Today's lesson taught me that this is the miracle of God's covenant, GOD LOVES ME....even if I turn away, God will ALWAYS be there, waiting for me. All I need do is go back to Him. How amazing is that??? Guess that's probably why it is called "Amazing Grace". DUH! Okay, so sometimes it takes me a while! lol
In my daily battle to live a better and healthier life, I tend to do the same...I often feel that I could wake up one day, and be right back where I started. That I am one slip away from messing up....again! So, I have decided that what I really need is a covenant with myself. A promise that even if I make a mistake I will forgive myself, learn from the mistake, and try extra hard not to do the same thing again. A covenant to love me, for who I am, and to understand that I am simply human, and that, for as long as I am on this Earth, I am going to slip from time to time, but that I will no longer beat myself up for those slips. I am who God made me to be...and if He loves me enough to make a covenant to FORGIVE me for my past, present, and future iniquities, how can I do any less? He is so much wiser than I, and it is time that I realize that I have a life with God, a relationship with God, and that through that, I am made whole...I am made better! God is in me, not just "out there" waiting to be prayed to, talked to or at, or worshipped. HE IS IN ME, and that is AWESOME!!! HOW GREAT IS HIS LOVE!!
Hope that you all have a blessed week....may you feel the love of God in your lives!
TTFN!!
~Stef~
Diet Calendar Entries for 10 April 2011:
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1588 kcal
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Fat: 109.19g | Prot: 102.87g | Carb: 52.05g.
Breakfast: coffee, coffee, horizon heavy whipping cream, horizon heavy whipping cream. Lunch: carbmaster raspberry yumberry yogurt, green onions, celery, cucumber, chicken breast, lettuce, provolone cheese slice. Dinner: olive oil, butter, broccoli, lettuce, yellow squash, tomato, cucumber, radish, sweet potato, celery, ground chuck, green onions, red wine vinegar, babyback ribs. Snacks/Other: apple, fiber gummies, provolone cheese slice. more...
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2072 kcal
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Activities & Exercise:
Sleeping - 8 hours, Resting - 16 hours. more...
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1 to 20 of 24
 Comments
10 Apr 11 by member: Wicked Step Monster
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Thank you Wicked Step Monster...love the name!!!
10 Apr 11 by member: ctlss
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Great message, Thanks for the post.
10 Apr 11 by member: Ann1234
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Hi Stef, you always have a good journal. Have a great evening love and hugs........ Bren
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Thank you Ann...I learn so much from my wonderful pastor!!!
10 Apr 11 by member: ctlss
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Oh, Bren thank you so much...you are such a wonderful friend! Enjoy your evening! Love and hugs!
10 Apr 11 by member: ctlss
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Ctlss, I was my worst enemy as I would punish myself for slip ups because I always thought I could do better. Well yes, there is always room for improvement, but berating myself never was helpful. Now I am finding peace and I am no longer making mountains out of mole hills when I don't make the choices that I think I should have. This change has made me feel much happier as a human person and helps me feel stronger on this journey. TOWANDA!!!!!!
10 Apr 11 by member: Lisa Online
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Precisely, Lisa. Have a wonderful week!
11 Apr 11 by member: ctlss
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You are so inspirational! Thank you for sharing...
11 Apr 11 by member: moondove
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Good Morning...just wanted to stop in and say hi and that I have been thinking of you. Love the comment on my journal...lol
11 Apr 11 by member: chattycathy1955
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Thanks Stef. You always share such inspiration with us. I know I always need all the help I can get. You have a wonderful week as well dear friend.:)
11 Apr 11 by member: LauPug1
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I may post twice here Stef. Just listened to the youtube video - just dance - have heard it before but not with the words posted on that video. Very moving. The last part particularly - if you wake up feeling frail hearted (can't remember the rest) just call me. Wow, it was like you were speaking to me personally. I feel frail hearted today but only 'cause I'm in a carb fog. Thanks for posting the video, I forget sometimes (more often than not) how precious a gift each day is. I envy you your faith. Much love. xxx
11 Apr 11 by member: sarahsmum
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Okay 2nd entry, just read your Sunday post - you could be a minister yourself Stef, you minist to us on FS. I love reading your wisdom, what you take away from your sermons. Thank you.
11 Apr 11 by member: sarahsmum
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Thank you Stef. And as always, you have given me something to think about today (and everyday). I agree with sarahsmum, you are such a wonderful minister of your your faith and trusting God through your weight loss here on FS. Love you sis.
11 Apr 11 by member: kmartin
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Thank you, moondove. I am blessed to have such a wonderful teacher.
11 Apr 11 by member: ctlss
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Csthy, thanks. I am telling you, when a man gives you Omaha steaks for Christmas....he is crazy about you! Have a wondrful week, and again congratulations on your engagement!! Hugs!
11 Apr 11 by member: ctlss
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Laurie, so do I...the thing is I tend to forget that the help I need is no further away than a prayer. And then I try to "go it alone", and that is when I truly struggle. Love ya, my sweet sis, and I sure hope that your days are getting better. Hugs!
11 Apr 11 by member: ctlss
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Is, sweet Is, I am always here and you can call on me anytime. I am so sorry that you are having such a difficult time right now. I know that the uncertainty of your job status is weighing heavy on your heart, but know that, although you may not share my explicit beliefs, God has a plan, and He will provide. And that carb fog is a really nasty fog to swim through. I know that you are feeling frail right now, Is, and if I can do anything, ANYTHING to help you, please let me know!!! Love ya, sis, and know that I am praying for you. Hugs!
11 Apr 11 by member: ctlss
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Wow, your understanding of the sermon and Bible passages yesterday is wonderful...truly a revelation of God's word in your heart. Forgiving ourselves is HUGE!!! Thank you!
11 Apr 11 by member: kyleVA
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LOL, Is, I am so far from being a minister...but I thank you. My wonderful rabbi, Pastor Mark, is so adept at explaining and teaching that I so often come away with WOW, that is amazing running through my head. He is truly a vessel for God, and when he speaks, you can tell that what he says is from his heart. God was truly watching out for us when we found River Oaks Church....and through this small church He has changed our lives. Love ya, Is....big, big hugs. I hope you dance!
11 Apr 11 by member: ctlss
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