Life is going to be messy, even for the believer in Jesus. When we experience healthy sorrow over our sin, it leads to a closer walk with God. We do not have to feel everlasting shame for our mistakes and messy Christian walk. Jesus can remove our shame and offer us redemptive hope.

There are times we might feel like we are riding the “spiritual struggle bus”. Feelings of spiritual inadequacy can make us fearful of God but not in the healthy way. Jesus shares an impactful picture of the extravagant love of the Father with people who felt the same. The grace of God can meet us in those struggles, empowering us to change and we are not an exception to that grace!

No sin is so great, no bitterness so deep that God’s grace cannot transform the heart and rewrite the story. Sin is ugly, but God’s grace is greater than any past mistake or regret. If we realize our need for God’s grace, and submit ourselves to him, His grace will transform our lives. We can be forever changed because of His amazing grace!

God's grace goes beyond just a moment of forgiveness but is also something we are called to grow in. The process of sanctification (being set apart) following justification (salvation) is critical as we prepare for glorification (eternity). In the meantime, we are being shaped and fitted for eternity by learning to live today in light of the work that has been done in us already.

Sometimes the basic idea of grace gets convoluted because it seems to be defined in different ways. Paul’s message of grace centers on the work of Jesus as the sole source of salvation. It is offered as a gift and it is through Jesus alone that we have the opportunity to experience adoption as sons and daughters.

As we enter into the fall and a season of transition, the hurt and confusion around us is real. The Christian hope is more than mere optimism that says things will “hopefully” work out. It is a sure hope, and so we “hope fully" through every trial and test of faith. We have a firm hope that is alive, rooted in the story of an empty tomb, which can be our story and message to a struggling world.

God created us with talents and a purpose that go beyond the four walls of the church; these enrich and create beauty in a broken world. God's great love and rich grace is not meant for us to hold onto and hide from our world. Instead, we are called to employ our talents to serve others outside the church, that they may know the goodness of God as well.

We belong to God and to other believers which means we do not have to live in fear and can discover a better way than selfishness. In those relationships, we discover God has uniquely shaped us and given us talents that serve the body of Christ. As we discover our "fit" we will have a better understanding of the God-given purpose for our lives.

Christians don’t just belong to God—they also belong in a community of other believers. We discover the early church was more than just a group of people—it was a close-knit family. They didn’t just see each other for an hour once a week or on social media; they met together. They lived together. Even though some of the practices might change, you need the church community every bit as much as it needs you.

Throughout the Bible, God reminds his people that they belong to him in a loving relationship. Even though we might struggle to fit in or belong with the cliques and norms of this world, we can always be sure of one thing: we belong to God. Even when we are physically alone, God is always with us.