Exodus 15:2 "The Lord is my strength and my song; he has given me victory. This is MY GOD, and I will praise him-the Lord is a WARRIOR; Yahweh is his name!!!"
His name is worthy of our praise! I have been thinking about how God has worked in my life this year and have come up with 12 descriptive WORDS highlighting God's hand on my heart and soul in 2012. It has been refreshing for me but yet at the same time I have struggled to limit it to 12. God is so amazing and how can we put limits on him? He is worthy of our praise and worship! He is all knowing, all powerful, all sufficient, self existent, The Master, our shepherd, the God Most High....we can't limit Him! There are not enough words to describe Him and to share how He has worked in our lives. I came across this video a few months ago and it touched my heart and helped me to understand the Majesty of WHO He is. I hope that as you watch this video that it will help you to see WHO your GOd is too and help you reflect on ways in which He has touched your life this year.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5-6gwssX0Y
I hope that you have begun to see WHO your GOD is...let Him take ahold of your life and bless you beyond measure! Let Him pull you up onto His lap and begin to work in your heart. He is an amazing God who is just waiting with open arms to have you sit with Him!! Let me continue to share a part of my journey with God's touch upon my life...here is to #'s 7-12!
7. Provider: How many times in your life have you felt like you are truly empty handed? You have a need, but it is absolutely out of your control and the word IMPOSSIBLE is plastered right before your eyes. Loss of control. Helplessness. Hands thrown in the air praying that God would fix the mess you are in! I know that I have looked to the Heavens and yelled "Seriously??" up to my Father many times this year....."can you give me a little help down here!" I was losing the fight....I gave it all, but yet it was NOT enough! The fight was endless! I needed a MIRACLE at times! My friends, so many times this year I had to submit and confess that I had it all wrong. I was not the sufficient one! He was! It was His battle, but I was fighting it my way and most of the time on my own! He is our PROVIDER! He comes through for us time and time again. He Provides even when we are the ones who mess things up. He is the GIVER...the one who opens His arms and pulls us close when we are walking away trying to do things on our own. He waits so patiently and lovingly for us to reach towards Him and admit that we can't do it on our own....His grace is sufficient! Each time I came to Him with an open and contrite heart, He would show me how His Grace was sufficient for my needs. He was my Jehovah Jireh, the Lord who provides! He was ALL I needed!
8. El Roi: THE GOD WHO SEES....I love this one! There is scripture in His word that says fix your eyes on NOT what is seen ,but on what is unseen! So often we fix our eyes on the things of this world...on material items, on our careers, on our images and how others see us. We strive to have the best things and to show our best image to the world. God CALLS us to fix our eyes on HIM...the one we cannot SEE. I get that. It's a daily commitment of looking up and focusing on HIM. Fixing our eyes on HIM...the one who is UNSEEN! Let's turn that around though....GOD SEES the things in us that are unseen!!! I am so thankful that God SEES....he sees our needs and not our wants. He SEES our struggles instead of the mask that we put on. He sees our insecurities and he knows the darkness that lies deep within our hearts that no one else can place their hands upon. He SEES the hurts, frustrations, and the tears...GOD SEES....HE KNOWS...HE UNDERSTANDS...and He wants to heal those wounds! No one can touch those deep places in your heart except HIM...because He is a God who SEES!!
9. Transformation: Romans 12:2 "Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you , which is good and pleasing and perfect." His WORD has been a LIGHT for my soul and for my mind. Transformation has taken place as I have learned thought permission and thought prevention. This world and Satan's lies will take ahold of you and pull you into the darkness and depths of destruction. Meditating on His Word and allowing His truths to take ahold of my mind and my heart has lead to the transformation of a new person....full of joy, hope, and peace!
10. The Mountain Mover: I don't really know how to describe this one except that God is ALL POWERFUL! Full surrender and trust in Him has shown me amazing things this year. He MOVES....when we allow Him to! Where do we place our faith and trust? Do we believe that He can do what He says He can do? Do we come to Him and ask Him to MOVE THE MOUNTAIN? DO we place him in a box or do we pray with GREAT expectations? God has MOVED the MOUNTAINS, has made me giggle as I have watched and waited for His answer to prayer, and has grown my faith as I have seen His MIGHTY hand in astonishing ways ..in the lives of my children, in my health, in my marriage, in my faith walk...He is SOOOO GOOD!
11. COMFORTER: This verse has stuck with me for the entire year...Isaiah 40:11 " He will feed his flock like a shepherd, He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart." At the beginning of the year I would describe my Heavenly Father as one who was on the "other side" of a wall. Something was separating us. I longed for the Holy Spirit. I longed for a close relationship with Him. But there was something blocking it. A THICK wall between myself and my GOD. How could that be? I felt like the person in the song " Going on a Bear Hunt!" I couldn't go through it, under it, or over it....how was I going to get to MY God? I came across this verse in my quiet time and began crying ...tears just flowing like a river! I remember crying out to my Lord to carry me...to bring me so close to Him that I could feel His heartbeat next to mine. A year ago I could not experience those tears...I fought it tooth and nail. As the year has progressed, God has helped me to break the wall...to tear it down one brick at a time, one tear at a time, one day at a time....he has carried me and held me close to his heart, bringing comfort beyond anything that I could ever imagine. Instead of fighting, I now embrace those tears and allow God to be my COMFORT!
12. FREEDOM: FINALLY!!!! This one is the cake of all cakes!! Freedom in Christ! A journey too long to tell! But one I will always cherish! Hard trials, many tears, perseverence....but yet full of joy in the victories...one at a time. The scripture in my Bible is highlighted at 2 Corinthians 3:17 "For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is FREEDOM!" Oh, my...can't stop there. The verses to follow add this " so all of us who have had that veil removed can SEE and REFLECT the GLORY of the LORD. And the LORD-who is the SPIRIT- makes us more and more like him as we are CHANGED into his glorious image." WOW...GOD just put a big BILLBOARD in front of me....as I sought HIS HOLY SPIRIT back in January of 2011...GOD CAME...with open arms (waiting patiently along this whole journey) and as I surrendered each area of my heart and admitted that I NEEDED HIM more than ever...he began the work of transformation in my life. His Spirit came and poured into me giving me opportunities to find FREEDOM in HIM! I can NOW SEE and REFLECT the GLORY of the LORD!! The transformation is STILL taking place and will continue to take place until He returns...it is a process of CHANGE!
The beginning of this journey talked about "CHANGE"....do you love it or do you hate it? Do you embrace it or fight it? Why does change have to occur? God tells us exactly why in these verses above....to transform us, to reflect His glory! Eternal purposes! It is well worth it isn't it?
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Change Brings Transformation
Let's keep chuggin along that track....I sometimes feel like the "The Little Engine That Could"...you know, the one who keeps on keepin on! Doesn't life feel like that at times? Does the path to the mountain top ever end? I remember going to the highest peak this summer at Sharp Top Mountain in Virginia and looking out over the Valleys ...it was just BEAUTIFUL! God showed me some incredible things that day....that His light shines even in the darkest valleys, that there are more valleys than mountaintops, that abundant growth occurrs in the valleys, and it's a long track upward, but well worth the effort! The sky was beautiful that day with the strongest beam of sunlight pushing through the clouds and shining down onto God's creation. His LIGHT was so powerful that I could not take my eyes off of it...and that my friends is how our life is suppose to be. We are not to take our eyes off of Him!!! Keep your eyes on Him and amazing things happen!!
Let's continue along with the WORDS for my year in 2011! I stopped and thought about the third one for along time ....Faithful. I could probably write a book about His Faithfulness in my life this year! But let's go on to numbers 4 and 5!
4. Joy: In the depths we search for Joy. Our greatest joy comes from our Lord! Jeremiah 31:3-4 "I have loved you , my daughter Beth, with an everylasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself. I will rebuild you, my daughter! You will be happy and dance merrily with your tambourines." These verses speak volumes to my soul as I have gone from visioning a wall between God and myself to sitting on his lap enjoying His embrace and loving arms. My empty heart has been filled with dancing and songs of Praise. Through many tears and times of deep reflection God has shown me Joy beyond measure!
5. Healer: Jeremiah 30:17 is highlighted in my Bible with this "I will give you back your health and heal your wounds." I highlighted this verse on March 26th as I was seeking healing and restoration. This year has been a struggle physically, emotionally, and spiritually for me. God has taught me that as I surrender to Him that He is the ultimate healer. Seeking Him in prayer and petition and surrendering each aspect of my health has given me hope in allowing Him to be my ultimate healer!
6. Peace: Oh how I love these verses and how they have spoke to me on this journey. Philippians 4:8-9 states " and now dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me-everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you." The things we put into our minds determines our peaceful state of mind. I have had to learn thought permission and thought prevention. Through this journey of filling my mind with Truth, God has brought me a life of living beside peaceful streams.
My cup overflows with blessings from above!! God is amazing!
Let's continue along with the WORDS for my year in 2011! I stopped and thought about the third one for along time ....Faithful. I could probably write a book about His Faithfulness in my life this year! But let's go on to numbers 4 and 5!
4. Joy: In the depths we search for Joy. Our greatest joy comes from our Lord! Jeremiah 31:3-4 "I have loved you , my daughter Beth, with an everylasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself. I will rebuild you, my daughter! You will be happy and dance merrily with your tambourines." These verses speak volumes to my soul as I have gone from visioning a wall between God and myself to sitting on his lap enjoying His embrace and loving arms. My empty heart has been filled with dancing and songs of Praise. Through many tears and times of deep reflection God has shown me Joy beyond measure!
5. Healer: Jeremiah 30:17 is highlighted in my Bible with this "I will give you back your health and heal your wounds." I highlighted this verse on March 26th as I was seeking healing and restoration. This year has been a struggle physically, emotionally, and spiritually for me. God has taught me that as I surrender to Him that He is the ultimate healer. Seeking Him in prayer and petition and surrendering each aspect of my health has given me hope in allowing Him to be my ultimate healer!
6. Peace: Oh how I love these verses and how they have spoke to me on this journey. Philippians 4:8-9 states " and now dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me-everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you." The things we put into our minds determines our peaceful state of mind. I have had to learn thought permission and thought prevention. Through this journey of filling my mind with Truth, God has brought me a life of living beside peaceful streams.
My cup overflows with blessings from above!! God is amazing!
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Change Is Necessary For Us To Grow!!
"Change" can be a tricky word. If I were to venture into the minds of many of you, I would guess that most of you would either say "love it" or "hate it"!! For instance, this SNOW outside..either you love it or you hate it! Seriously, Christmas was over and I told my kids that we could now skip the snow and move to spring! Of course, they were not happy with that comment because they "love" snow. They love to play in it. They love to eat it. They love to fight each other with it! They LOVE snow. Myself, on the other hand, hates it! I hate the mess it makes. I hate that it is cold. I hate that it prevents me from going outside at times and makes me become a grouchy hermit crab. I absolutely hate that almost everything outside dies because of the pretty white, sparkling snow! BUT, without the snow, we wouldn't have the beautiful smell of spring flowers, the renewed freshness in the air come March, the warm family nights in the middle of winter, the reflection of the sun off the white snowflakes in the midst of the gloomy Ohio weather! We wouldn't have the giggles and the laughter as children sleigh ride down steep slippery hills and we wouldn't have snowmen with oreo eyes and carrot noses! So, is it truly just love it or hate it...guess not!
Beth Moore posted on her blog an invitation to reflect on what God has done in our lives during 2011. I know that you have had some CHANGE in your life...good or bad, loving it or hating it! "Change" is inevitable! "Change" is necessary! "Change" is for your good whether you love it or hate it. I am convicted in my heart that "change" is a part of God's plan and we better be prepared for it! It is part of the transformation process in our hearts and souls. Change can be good or bad depending on how we react to it and if we we are flexible or adaptable with it. What are we going to do with "change"? Are we going to allow it to mold us and transform us? Are we going to allow it to hinder us? Are we going to allow it distract us from the ultimate glorification for God? God uses everything for His Glory! Embrace change! Change transforms!
So, an invitation to reflect on what God has done in my life during 2011? What CHANGE have I seen? How has God transformed me? Reflection is part of my everyday life. My mind never stops reflecting! Mmmmm, this is a love-hate relationship in my mind! I love it because it helps me grow, but I hate it because my brain never shuts off! So, I have come up with 12 words that reflect how God has worked in my life with small tidbits of information supporting my WORD! I only have time for 3 today...but 3 key ones in my opinion!
1. Leader: Through my "full surrender", He has become the Leader of my life. Self sufficiency is no longer a part of my vocabulary. Luke 8:23 states "if any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me." Lord, be the LEADER of every part of my life....I just make a mess! I give you FULL control! Hey, I am no longer labled "sweet little control freak" by a friend of mine...now that is an accomplishment!
2. Potter: He is the Potter and I am the Clay! Isaiah 64:8 "And yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the Clay, and you are the Potter. We are formed by your hand." I was the Potter trying to fix the cracks with all my "spackle" until one day a friend told me that "the Lord doesn't want a fixed up piece of pottery with cracks...He wants to transform you into a brand new piece of pottery!" So, I have chosen to throw that spackle away and allow God to be the one to FIX the cracks...Obedience is a tough one, but well worth it! Now I am just waiting to become that beautiful Pitcher full of His Living Water!
3. Faithful: Wow, this one could be a couple pages! Multiple scriptures speak of His faithfulness in our lives! Today I choose 2 Thessalonians 3:3 "But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one". The Lord has been faithful to me this year in strengthening me in hardships and guarding me from the attacks of Satan. He has stood faithfully by my side as I traveled along some rocky roads in seeking His Truth and in fighting the Lies!! Praise the Lord!
Check back for the continuation....my mind is still goin! Can't you hear the gears going?
I would love if you shared a few words of your own!!
Beth Moore posted on her blog an invitation to reflect on what God has done in our lives during 2011. I know that you have had some CHANGE in your life...good or bad, loving it or hating it! "Change" is inevitable! "Change" is necessary! "Change" is for your good whether you love it or hate it. I am convicted in my heart that "change" is a part of God's plan and we better be prepared for it! It is part of the transformation process in our hearts and souls. Change can be good or bad depending on how we react to it and if we we are flexible or adaptable with it. What are we going to do with "change"? Are we going to allow it to mold us and transform us? Are we going to allow it to hinder us? Are we going to allow it distract us from the ultimate glorification for God? God uses everything for His Glory! Embrace change! Change transforms!
So, an invitation to reflect on what God has done in my life during 2011? What CHANGE have I seen? How has God transformed me? Reflection is part of my everyday life. My mind never stops reflecting! Mmmmm, this is a love-hate relationship in my mind! I love it because it helps me grow, but I hate it because my brain never shuts off! So, I have come up with 12 words that reflect how God has worked in my life with small tidbits of information supporting my WORD! I only have time for 3 today...but 3 key ones in my opinion!
1. Leader: Through my "full surrender", He has become the Leader of my life. Self sufficiency is no longer a part of my vocabulary. Luke 8:23 states "if any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me." Lord, be the LEADER of every part of my life....I just make a mess! I give you FULL control! Hey, I am no longer labled "sweet little control freak" by a friend of mine...now that is an accomplishment!
2. Potter: He is the Potter and I am the Clay! Isaiah 64:8 "And yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the Clay, and you are the Potter. We are formed by your hand." I was the Potter trying to fix the cracks with all my "spackle" until one day a friend told me that "the Lord doesn't want a fixed up piece of pottery with cracks...He wants to transform you into a brand new piece of pottery!" So, I have chosen to throw that spackle away and allow God to be the one to FIX the cracks...Obedience is a tough one, but well worth it! Now I am just waiting to become that beautiful Pitcher full of His Living Water!
3. Faithful: Wow, this one could be a couple pages! Multiple scriptures speak of His faithfulness in our lives! Today I choose 2 Thessalonians 3:3 "But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one". The Lord has been faithful to me this year in strengthening me in hardships and guarding me from the attacks of Satan. He has stood faithfully by my side as I traveled along some rocky roads in seeking His Truth and in fighting the Lies!! Praise the Lord!
Check back for the continuation....my mind is still goin! Can't you hear the gears going?
I would love if you shared a few words of your own!!
Thursday, November 24, 2011
His Everlasting Love
"Those who survive the coming destruction will find blessings even in the barren land, for I will give rest to the people of Israel"
Long ago the Lord said to Israel: "I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself. I will rebuild you, my daughter Beth. You will again be happy and dance merrily with your tambourines. Again you will plant your vineyards on the mountains of Samaria and eat from your own gardens there. The day will come when watchmen will shout from the hill country of Ephraim, Come let us go up to Jerusalem to worship the Lord our God." Jeremiah 31:1-6
As I reflect on this past year, I am drawn to this scripture in Jeremiah. The blessings are abundant and His promises ring true to my soul. Less than a year ago, I was in the barren land. A place of destruction. I couldn't find rest, peace, or joy in my life. I was in the barren land trying to survive. But yet, I was seeking and God was drawing me towards Him with His everlasting love. With the coming destruction, He promises that we will find blessings. He promises rest. He promises to rebuild us. He promises happiness and dancing within our souls. He promises a harvest and plenty to feast upon. Above all, He promises rejoicing in Him,
It began one Sunday morning as God touched a place in my heart and encouraged me to sign up for a book study at church. The Holy Spirit began to work on my heart as I was seeking more of Him and less of me. I was being held captive and the Lord was trying to set me FREE through His word and truth!
Prayer on Fire began to work on my life. I desired nothing more than a stronger and deeper relationship with my Father. It is hard to build that relationship when you are treading water in the middle of the ocean. I was too busy trying to survive by keeping my head above the roaring waves.Legs kicking, arms waving, lungs taking deep labored breaths along the way. If I rested, I began to sink. Slowly, God gently pulled me towards Him and gave me His unfailing love and support in the troubled waters. As He heard my cries and I began swimming towards His outstretched hand, I began to experience the freedom in the still waters.
Steps to Freedom was placed in my hands. The tools and path towards Freedom in Christ. Overwhelming at first, yet directions to guide me through the obstacles that trapped me in my captivity. Jesus came to set the captives free!! We CAN have Freedom in Christ, but it only comes to those who activate those steps and dig deep into the heart. Freedom is a choice and a commitment. It is not FREE ....it takes someone willing to battle.
Submission. Obedience. Openness. Eyes. Ears. Awareness. Armor. Faith. Trust. Small Victories. Sword. Desire. Commitment. Tears. Fight. Real. Praise. Battle.Worship. Prayer. Release. Heart. Truth. Hope. Love. Wholeness. Freedom.
These words have encompassed my year. As I look at them, it reminds me of pain. It reminds me of struggle. It reminds me of frustration. But above all, it reminds me of Christ. These words bring me to Praise and Thanksgiving. Through these months, I see His grace. I see His unfailing love and commitment to me. I see His transformation in my life. I see the Potter working His clay. I see the blessings of brokenness. I see His promises being fulfilled.
We can't survive the barren land or the roaring waves without Him....that is why He says "those who survive the destruction will find blessings." We will survive when we turn and submit to Him. Thank you for drawing me to you, Lord, so that I may be rebuilt. Thank you for the small victories that helped me keep my eyes on you. Thank you for the tears that continue to bring healing. Thank you for your truth that shows me who I am in Christ. Thank you for my eyes that helped me to see your love and grace.Thank you for my ears so that I could hear your truths and discern the lies. Thank you, Lord, for your Word that protects my heart and encourages me to live a life in obedience to you. Thank you Lord for the strength to battle. Thank you for giving me a heart that desires you more than life itself.
Today, I dance. Today, I sing. Today, I worship my Lord for bringing me out of captivity and into a land of freedom. Today, I praise Him for the valleys and give thanks for the mountain tops. I can't wait to see the vineyards grow and the fruit that comes in the beauty of His transformation.
Long ago the Lord said to Israel: "I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself. I will rebuild you, my daughter Beth. You will again be happy and dance merrily with your tambourines. Again you will plant your vineyards on the mountains of Samaria and eat from your own gardens there. The day will come when watchmen will shout from the hill country of Ephraim, Come let us go up to Jerusalem to worship the Lord our God." Jeremiah 31:1-6
As I reflect on this past year, I am drawn to this scripture in Jeremiah. The blessings are abundant and His promises ring true to my soul. Less than a year ago, I was in the barren land. A place of destruction. I couldn't find rest, peace, or joy in my life. I was in the barren land trying to survive. But yet, I was seeking and God was drawing me towards Him with His everlasting love. With the coming destruction, He promises that we will find blessings. He promises rest. He promises to rebuild us. He promises happiness and dancing within our souls. He promises a harvest and plenty to feast upon. Above all, He promises rejoicing in Him,
It began one Sunday morning as God touched a place in my heart and encouraged me to sign up for a book study at church. The Holy Spirit began to work on my heart as I was seeking more of Him and less of me. I was being held captive and the Lord was trying to set me FREE through His word and truth!
Prayer on Fire began to work on my life. I desired nothing more than a stronger and deeper relationship with my Father. It is hard to build that relationship when you are treading water in the middle of the ocean. I was too busy trying to survive by keeping my head above the roaring waves.Legs kicking, arms waving, lungs taking deep labored breaths along the way. If I rested, I began to sink. Slowly, God gently pulled me towards Him and gave me His unfailing love and support in the troubled waters. As He heard my cries and I began swimming towards His outstretched hand, I began to experience the freedom in the still waters.
Steps to Freedom was placed in my hands. The tools and path towards Freedom in Christ. Overwhelming at first, yet directions to guide me through the obstacles that trapped me in my captivity. Jesus came to set the captives free!! We CAN have Freedom in Christ, but it only comes to those who activate those steps and dig deep into the heart. Freedom is a choice and a commitment. It is not FREE ....it takes someone willing to battle.
Submission. Obedience. Openness. Eyes. Ears. Awareness. Armor. Faith. Trust. Small Victories. Sword. Desire. Commitment. Tears. Fight. Real. Praise. Battle.Worship. Prayer. Release. Heart. Truth. Hope. Love. Wholeness. Freedom.
These words have encompassed my year. As I look at them, it reminds me of pain. It reminds me of struggle. It reminds me of frustration. But above all, it reminds me of Christ. These words bring me to Praise and Thanksgiving. Through these months, I see His grace. I see His unfailing love and commitment to me. I see His transformation in my life. I see the Potter working His clay. I see the blessings of brokenness. I see His promises being fulfilled.
We can't survive the barren land or the roaring waves without Him....that is why He says "those who survive the destruction will find blessings." We will survive when we turn and submit to Him. Thank you for drawing me to you, Lord, so that I may be rebuilt. Thank you for the small victories that helped me keep my eyes on you. Thank you for the tears that continue to bring healing. Thank you for your truth that shows me who I am in Christ. Thank you for my eyes that helped me to see your love and grace.Thank you for my ears so that I could hear your truths and discern the lies. Thank you, Lord, for your Word that protects my heart and encourages me to live a life in obedience to you. Thank you Lord for the strength to battle. Thank you for giving me a heart that desires you more than life itself.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Blessings of Obedience
As a parent, OBEDIENCE is a huge word! We always want our children to obey us...especially in public or when we are around family and friends! I remember when my kiddos were young and I would always get embarrassed when they would act out in front of others. It seemed, at the time, that their obedience was seen as a reflection as my role as a mother. If they were "bad" then I was a "bad" parent. As I have gotten older, mmmmm wiser, I have realized that we can't always control our children and that they are NOT always obedient despite our teaching, instruction, and discipline. They will ultimately make their own choices, but hopefully they will rely on what Jeff and I have taught them and ultimately on the ways of the Lord as they become older and wiser too.
Isn't this how we are with God, our Father? He guides, directs, instructs, disciplines...and we, as children of God, make choices...to follow Him or disobey Him. Is He a bad father? Absolutely not! Are our choices a reflection of the type of father He is? Nope! Obedience is a choice of our own free will. Just like our children are given free will to make their own choices, so are we! But what are the consequences of the choices we make? What happens when we obey? What happens when we rebel? Blessings for Obedience! Curses for Rebellion!
Deuteronomy 28-30 tells us the consequences of our obedience and disobedience! I have spent some time in these chapters over the last week and I have realized the depth of our obedience with God. He clearly states that if we fully obey Him and carefully keep His commands that he will set us FREE and we will experience all the blessings that He has promised long ago. Disobedience results in curses, confusion, frustration, abandonment, discouragement, and defeat. It seems so clear, but yet it is so hard!
The Living Free series has given me some new insights on the birds of the air and the beasts of the field, the enemies who darken our world and attack us on a daily basis. Satan is on the prowl and ready to destroy and devour God's children whenever given the opportunity. Does God allow this to happen? Absolutely. Does He take joy in this? Absolutely NOT. He is a loving, compassionate God that desires the best for us. He wants to bless us just like we want to bless our own children. But He also wants us to understand that with disobedience comes curses and consequences. He calls us to love Him with all our heart, soul, and mind and to walk in His ways. When we turn from Him, it breaks His heart and He desires nothing more than for us to turn from our sinful ways and turn back to Him. He does this with open arms and a forgiving heart. His love never fails! His mercies are new each morning!!
So, what is the bottom lin? We need to realize the danger of our disobedience. When we are disobedient to God, we will be attacked even more. The birds of the air and the beasts of the field are ready to pounce on us!! Is there freedom in that? NO WAY! We are in chains, in bondage, and no where near freedom!! Read the following verses to give you more perspective on God's view of disobedience:
Deuteronomy 30 is a message for all of us. It is a call for us to return to the Lord. Will you humble yourselves? Will you allow Him to break you so that He may restore your soul? His promises are unbelievable and His love is forever faithful to those who return to Him!! Deuteronomy 30 shows us His love and compassion for each of us. He promises to restore our fortunes, to show us mercy and to gather us back from the scattered lands. He promises to make us more prosperous than our ancestors. He promises to CHANGE our hearts so that we will love Him with all our heart and soul and that we may LIVE!! He promises to make us successful in all we do and cause our fields to produce abundant harvests!! Oh, Lord....you are so gracious and abounding in LOVE!!
This is a CHOICE for each of us....between abundant life with prosperity OR death with disaster. If we walk in His ways, the blessings are endless!! If we turn away and refuse to listen, you will not live a long, good life! FREEDOM comes to those who are obedient and follow HIM with full SURRENDER!!
Deuteronomy 30: 11-20
"Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. 12 It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, “Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” 13 Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, “Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” 14 No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.
15 See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. 16 For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.
17 But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, 18 I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess.
19 This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live 20 and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
......It is YOUR choice!!
Isn't this how we are with God, our Father? He guides, directs, instructs, disciplines...and we, as children of God, make choices...to follow Him or disobey Him. Is He a bad father? Absolutely not! Are our choices a reflection of the type of father He is? Nope! Obedience is a choice of our own free will. Just like our children are given free will to make their own choices, so are we! But what are the consequences of the choices we make? What happens when we obey? What happens when we rebel? Blessings for Obedience! Curses for Rebellion!
Deuteronomy 28-30 tells us the consequences of our obedience and disobedience! I have spent some time in these chapters over the last week and I have realized the depth of our obedience with God. He clearly states that if we fully obey Him and carefully keep His commands that he will set us FREE and we will experience all the blessings that He has promised long ago. Disobedience results in curses, confusion, frustration, abandonment, discouragement, and defeat. It seems so clear, but yet it is so hard!
The Living Free series has given me some new insights on the birds of the air and the beasts of the field, the enemies who darken our world and attack us on a daily basis. Satan is on the prowl and ready to destroy and devour God's children whenever given the opportunity. Does God allow this to happen? Absolutely. Does He take joy in this? Absolutely NOT. He is a loving, compassionate God that desires the best for us. He wants to bless us just like we want to bless our own children. But He also wants us to understand that with disobedience comes curses and consequences. He calls us to love Him with all our heart, soul, and mind and to walk in His ways. When we turn from Him, it breaks His heart and He desires nothing more than for us to turn from our sinful ways and turn back to Him. He does this with open arms and a forgiving heart. His love never fails! His mercies are new each morning!!
So, what is the bottom lin? We need to realize the danger of our disobedience. When we are disobedient to God, we will be attacked even more. The birds of the air and the beasts of the field are ready to pounce on us!! Is there freedom in that? NO WAY! We are in chains, in bondage, and no where near freedom!! Read the following verses to give you more perspective on God's view of disobedience:
- Deuteronomy 28:25 states that "the Lord will cause you to be defeated by your enemies. You will attack your enemies from one direction, but you will scatter from them in seven! You will be an object of horror to all the kingdoms of the earth. Your corpses will be food for all the scavenging birds and wild animals and no one will be there to chase them away."
- Deuteronomy 28:45 says "If you refuse to listen to the Lord your God and to obey the commands and decrees he has given you , all these curses will pursue and overtake you until you are destroyed. These horrors will serve as a sign and warning among you and your descendants forever. If you do not serve the Lord your God with joy and enthusiasm for the abundant benefits you have received, you will serve your enemies whom the Lord will send against you. You will be left hungry , thirsty, naked, and lacking in everything. The Lord will put an iron yoke on your neck, oppressing you harshly until he has destroyed you."
Deuteronomy 30 is a message for all of us. It is a call for us to return to the Lord. Will you humble yourselves? Will you allow Him to break you so that He may restore your soul? His promises are unbelievable and His love is forever faithful to those who return to Him!! Deuteronomy 30 shows us His love and compassion for each of us. He promises to restore our fortunes, to show us mercy and to gather us back from the scattered lands. He promises to make us more prosperous than our ancestors. He promises to CHANGE our hearts so that we will love Him with all our heart and soul and that we may LIVE!! He promises to make us successful in all we do and cause our fields to produce abundant harvests!! Oh, Lord....you are so gracious and abounding in LOVE!!
This is a CHOICE for each of us....between abundant life with prosperity OR death with disaster. If we walk in His ways, the blessings are endless!! If we turn away and refuse to listen, you will not live a long, good life! FREEDOM comes to those who are obedient and follow HIM with full SURRENDER!!
Deuteronomy 30: 11-20
"Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. 12 It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, “Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” 13 Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, “Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” 14 No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.
15 See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. 16 For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.
17 But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, 18 I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess.
19 This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live 20 and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
......It is YOUR choice!!
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Our First Step in Freedom: What does a Vital Relationship look like with God?
What does a vital relationship with God look like to us? How would you describe someone who you feel has a vital relationship with the Lord? Maybe it would be someone who goes to church every Sunday, someone who serves within and outside the church, someone who does random acts of kindness to reach those in need, someone who tithes monthly, someone who reads scripture daily and prays for others. These are all good things and can describe someone who loves God and has a relationship with Him. But a thriving, growing, close and vital relationship with God? How can we perceive this from the outside? Honestly, we can't. What does God require for a vital relationship with Him? Is this where true Freedom begins to take root?
Repentance is where it begins. He calls us to remove the heavy yoke of oppression from our souls. He calls us to humble ourselves before Him and to repent of our destructive ways. In order to have Freedom, we must first start from within.
In Jeremiah 3, scripture shows how Israel was in captivity and continued to walk away from the Lord. The land was polluted and their hearts were wayward and consequently their lives were miserable. But because of His unfailing love upon His children, he says in verse 12 "my faithless people, come home to me again, for I am merciful. I will not be angry with you forever. Only acknowledge your guilt. Admit that you rebelled against the Lord your God." Verse 13 says "Confess that you have refused to listen to my voice." This is part I of becoming Free in Christ...we are called to repent!
The Israelites were in captivity...on their own path...away from God. Where are you? Is your heart polluted just like the Israelites? Are you living a life away from God? Do you follow your own desires or His? About a month ago, I was struggling with some personal things that were just tearing me down. I couldn't sleep. I couldn't concentrate on my studies. I was striving for so many things, full of alot of emotions that I just could not get a handle on, and felt like my life was out of control. On the inside, I thought I was going to explode. My body was struggling spiritually, physically, and emotionally. But yet, I had this drive to continue at full speed ahead. No speed limit signs anywhere to be seen! No stop signs...no yielding. Crosswalks...watch out people! There was absolutely no margin in my life. The vision I can give you is a race car in full throttle spinning it's wheels in the mud...with the finish line 500 yards ahead. I was stuck, but yet I could see where I was going. Along side the muddy road were rest stops for refueling and fixing ....but me? Well, I was choosing to put the gas pedal down and keep my wheel straight. Why would you rest when you can see the finish line down the road? That's insane...just get there! This my friends is the problem!!! This is why we are stuck in oppression and have no freedom. This is why we don't experience joy, peace, love, contentment, and the abundant life Christ offers us.
That morning I sat seeking the Lord to unstuck my muddy tires and move me forward! I think I even asked Him to get out the wooden planks....you know, to help my tires get a better grip! He did just that , so be careful what you ask for! Wouldn't you know it, I came to Jeremiah 3-4 and read the exact scripture that Living Free has us in today. I was reading about our wayward hearts and Him calling us to repent and come to Him, just as we are. In chapter 4, He tells the people of Judah and Jerusalem to "plow up the hard ground of your hearts! Don't waste your good seed among thorns. Surrender your pride and power. Change your hearts before the Lord or my anger will burn like an unquenchable fire because of all your sins." OUCH...I was about to go up in flames! These verses spoke so loudly to me that day back in September that the Lord broke my spirit. My spirit of pride. My spirit of self sufficiency. My spirit of anger. My spirit of resentment. My spirit of defeat. My spirit of fear, insecurity and doubt. I could go on and on...but the bottom line was that I realized that I was following MY path, at MY speed, with MY controls. In Jeremiah 3:14 it says " Return home, you wayward children" says the Lord "for I am your master."
Are you listening to your Master? Are you coming to Him, just as you are, and asking Him to show you areas in your heart that are hard ground? Are you allowing Him to plow those up so that the good seed can grow and the weeds can be destroyed? Freedom is a choice...the first step is FULL SURRENDER through REPENTANCE!! FULL SURRENDER and allowing Him to take control. Allow Him to take control of the steering wheel, the speed, and all the controls on the inside (the rooms in your heart)....clean out all the junk in the trunk!!
A vital relationship with Him begins with a repentant heart willing to open up and clean out. Are you willing to surrender your hearts desires for His? Are you willing to turn from your ways and follow His so that you may experience the full freedom that He promises to you?
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
WAR ZONE
1 John 5:4-5 "For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God."
We are in a WAR ZONE....a battle for our souls. Do you believe this? Do you believe in Satan and the demonic forces in this world? Do you believe that there is a battle for your soul? I was introduced to these thoughts months ago in a sermon series on Spiritual Warfare. I was caught off guard and quite frankly, became terrified of the demonic realm. I began to wonder about this warfare and how I was intertwined within it. Where is God when this is happening? Does He allow it to happen? Does He protect you from the attacks of Satan or does He give Satan free shots at you to see how you respond?
Revelation 12:9 says "This great dragon- the ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, the one deceiving the whole world- was thrown down to the earth with all his angels." Satan is real! Satan tries constantly to hinder God's work in this world and is constantly looking to attack believers especially those who are vulnerable, weak, or isolated from other believers. Satan tries to feed us lies, brings suffering upon us, and attempts to deceive us of God's truths. However, Satan is NOT in control....God is! Satan is under the control of God and is limited by His power!
How do we find FREEDOM from the strongholds that tear us down, from Satan who battles for our souls, from the chains that hold us captive? We are in a constant battle where half of the time we can't even see the enemy!! How are we to win? It seems hopeless at times doesn't it? I remember hearing in the sermons back in the spring that as believers we have AUTHORITY in Christ....but deep down in my soul I had a hard time grasping that concept! "I have authority in Christ to fight off Satan?"...I just wasn't seeing it OR believing it! This was a mind that needed some DEEP convincing!
I am currently watching a video series called Living Free- Breaking the Cycle of Defeat. It has been overwhelming at times as scripture has been given to me left and right. It has made me fearful at times as I have realized the hold that Satan has had on my life in the past and the attempts he will continue to make on my life in the future....in addition to the lives of loved ones. I have also realized that as I continue to get closer in my relationship with Christ and as I grow in my freedom, that Satan will continue to attack and with a stronger will. It is scary. It brings fear. At times it makes me want to move to the mountains of Virginia and hide in a cabin!! Hey, I haven't ruled that one out yet!! However, I am also reminded that this fear is NOT of the Lord!! Through this series, I have also been encouraged because I am learning how to recognize the demonic realm, how to fight the attacks, and how to use practical steps in becoming free from the bondage that so easily entangles me. Anyone else interested in finding this freedom?
Do you know anyone that is FREE and lives their life as if they are FREE....truly FREE? Anyone who is controlled by the Spirit and not by the world? No captivity. No bondage. No chains. No strongholds. No walls. Anyone who has spiritual oneness with the Lord? Do you know anyone who has TOTAL Freedom in Christ? I remember this question in the beginning of this series and I thought to myself...."I don't know anyone like that, but it is what I DESIRE the most. I WANT FREEDOM IN CHRIST. WHOLENESS IN HIM...to be COMPLETE!!! What does that take though? What sacrifice does that entail on our part? Is it even attainable? Can we have total freedom in this world? Can we be WHOLE Spiritually? Physically? Emotionally? .....if we look to scripture, Jesus says "I have come to set the captives FREE!!" He came to give us FREEDOM.....so what is our part in attaining this freedom? We must have a part in this or else everyone would be FREE! It must also be a very challenging part because as we observe those around us....we don't see many lives that exemplify this freedom in Christ. So how do we achieve this freedom that Jesus is talking about?
Here is another thought that continues to ring in my mind that was brought forth in the first video of this series..." We live in the battle! We are NOT freed from the battle...but rather freed TO the battle!" We LIVE in a battlefield! There is NO escaping it...not now, only eternally!! I don't know about you, but I am willing to be a fighting warrior....to FIGHT the battle in order to have fullness, fruitfulness, and FULL fellowship with my Father.
Stay tuned for practical ways to Fight in the Battle for your soul!!.....sorry about all the "yelling"!! I am a little pumped!!
We are in a WAR ZONE....a battle for our souls. Do you believe this? Do you believe in Satan and the demonic forces in this world? Do you believe that there is a battle for your soul? I was introduced to these thoughts months ago in a sermon series on Spiritual Warfare. I was caught off guard and quite frankly, became terrified of the demonic realm. I began to wonder about this warfare and how I was intertwined within it. Where is God when this is happening? Does He allow it to happen? Does He protect you from the attacks of Satan or does He give Satan free shots at you to see how you respond?
Revelation 12:9 says "This great dragon- the ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, the one deceiving the whole world- was thrown down to the earth with all his angels." Satan is real! Satan tries constantly to hinder God's work in this world and is constantly looking to attack believers especially those who are vulnerable, weak, or isolated from other believers. Satan tries to feed us lies, brings suffering upon us, and attempts to deceive us of God's truths. However, Satan is NOT in control....God is! Satan is under the control of God and is limited by His power!
How do we find FREEDOM from the strongholds that tear us down, from Satan who battles for our souls, from the chains that hold us captive? We are in a constant battle where half of the time we can't even see the enemy!! How are we to win? It seems hopeless at times doesn't it? I remember hearing in the sermons back in the spring that as believers we have AUTHORITY in Christ....but deep down in my soul I had a hard time grasping that concept! "I have authority in Christ to fight off Satan?"...I just wasn't seeing it OR believing it! This was a mind that needed some DEEP convincing!
I am currently watching a video series called Living Free- Breaking the Cycle of Defeat. It has been overwhelming at times as scripture has been given to me left and right. It has made me fearful at times as I have realized the hold that Satan has had on my life in the past and the attempts he will continue to make on my life in the future....in addition to the lives of loved ones. I have also realized that as I continue to get closer in my relationship with Christ and as I grow in my freedom, that Satan will continue to attack and with a stronger will. It is scary. It brings fear. At times it makes me want to move to the mountains of Virginia and hide in a cabin!! Hey, I haven't ruled that one out yet!! However, I am also reminded that this fear is NOT of the Lord!! Through this series, I have also been encouraged because I am learning how to recognize the demonic realm, how to fight the attacks, and how to use practical steps in becoming free from the bondage that so easily entangles me. Anyone else interested in finding this freedom?
Do you know anyone that is FREE and lives their life as if they are FREE....truly FREE? Anyone who is controlled by the Spirit and not by the world? No captivity. No bondage. No chains. No strongholds. No walls. Anyone who has spiritual oneness with the Lord? Do you know anyone who has TOTAL Freedom in Christ? I remember this question in the beginning of this series and I thought to myself...."I don't know anyone like that, but it is what I DESIRE the most. I WANT FREEDOM IN CHRIST. WHOLENESS IN HIM...to be COMPLETE!!! What does that take though? What sacrifice does that entail on our part? Is it even attainable? Can we have total freedom in this world? Can we be WHOLE Spiritually? Physically? Emotionally? .....if we look to scripture, Jesus says "I have come to set the captives FREE!!" He came to give us FREEDOM.....so what is our part in attaining this freedom? We must have a part in this or else everyone would be FREE! It must also be a very challenging part because as we observe those around us....we don't see many lives that exemplify this freedom in Christ. So how do we achieve this freedom that Jesus is talking about?
Here is another thought that continues to ring in my mind that was brought forth in the first video of this series..." We live in the battle! We are NOT freed from the battle...but rather freed TO the battle!" We LIVE in a battlefield! There is NO escaping it...not now, only eternally!! I don't know about you, but I am willing to be a fighting warrior....to FIGHT the battle in order to have fullness, fruitfulness, and FULL fellowship with my Father.
Stay tuned for practical ways to Fight in the Battle for your soul!!.....sorry about all the "yelling"!! I am a little pumped!!
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