Have you ever found yourself to be in a habit loop? Sometimes it is so unconscious that don’t realize that you’re doing it. And just when you are starting to see it, you realize that you can’t seem to get out of it or stop. But you are noticing it. You hear yourself talking about it. You see connections between what you are saying, what you are doing, and what you are hearing. And it all is revealing the same thing. STOP THAT!

I am in one of those loops. I can see and I sense the Lord asking me to obey Him. (otherwise known as – follow Him where He leads)

Several years ago, back when I was leading the youth group. I taught on GRACE. I wanted them to understand the deeper parts of grace. It’s more than just unearned favor. (It’s funny that we are doing that again this year but with the women who come to the Saturday Ladies Gatherings.) Especially since I seem to be in a space to need that grace ALOT.

Anyway, back then I said that Grace was like this:
Good Pleasure – When we learn to enjoy what He has given us.
Remembrance – His grace reminds us that we were once far from Him but now He is near.
Access – We can come to Him anytime. Good, bad or ugly His love never ends.
Christ’s Body – The unity and fellowship of being within a family.
Exposure – Expose Darkness – The bible tells us that it is God’s goodness that leads us to repentance and there is no repentance without exposure.

God uncovers our dark places and shines His light in and pours in the water of His love so that we can GROW in GRACE. When He is behind us, for us. He uncovers our eyes to see it and opens our heart to understand it. You can know that is time that is ripe for change because He is with you in it. But you have to do the work He is doing.

How?

1. Get some verses that talk about that and read them daily. The Word of God is truth.
2. Get some people that can call you out. We need people to help us.

Today I asked to people to do very specific things when they see me doing what I sense God telling me to stop doing. I am hoping that I will be able to overcome without too many corrections, but I am willing to take them.

We all have habit loops. Stuff we grew up with that we haven’t let go of yet. Stuff we stepped into that we haven’t stepped out of yet. I see so many loops in the verses below.

But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. 5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become partners with them…….

Ephesians 5:3-7

So, all these things that we get caught up in – I see:
– Sexual issues and cycles
– nasty attitudes and thinking
– spending/wanting issues and cycles
– mouth issues and loose tongue problems
– un-thankfulness and ingratitude
– disobedience and authority issues

The Bible says: Ephesians 5:11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. <—- that exposure is grace if we do that for ourselves.

Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?

Romans 2:4

When we line ourselves up with the Word of God and tell others what we are dealing with (with what God is talking to us about) and we ask for help to keep accountable by exposing ourselves. We end up with the Grace of God right behind us to make the change.

We don’t have to be perfect, and we don’t have to fix ourselves (like trying to fit ourselves into some perfect Christian mold) but we do have to go where the Lord is going. As a matter of fact, if we try to change without Him, we will just find a facade covering our heart, mind, and eyes. But if He is pointing something out. If we will move with Him, in His timing, in His will — transformation will happen. He will give us grace for change.

Here’s to a season of change!

Thanks for Listening,

Starla