Sometimes, when you've been walking in the shadows of your past, it's time to stop looking back and turn your gaze towards the LIGHT. You are not your mistakes. You are not your short-comings. You are not your failures. You are not your weaknesses. You are not a disappointment. You *are* a brand new creation in CHRIST JESUS. Let go. Look to HIM. You've been set free from the chains of bondage. Lift your head weary friend...turn towards the TRUTH of who you truly *are*...a beautiful, loved, restored, renewed, forgiven, redeemed child of GOD!
"But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord."~2 Corinthians 3:18 "Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ,
To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:
Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."~2 Peter:1:1-4
Today in class they prompted people to go into "Crow Pose." I balanced my knees on my arms, but was only able to accomplish a quick little push off the ground with my feet. A few little mini-hops. No balancing. My arm strength just isn't there yet. I looked over to see my son balanced and holding his "Crow Pose" perfectly. His arm strength, obviously working to his advantage. He puts in daily time, preparing for his upcoming football season; lifting, running and now weekly yoga classes for flexibility, balance and to avoid injuries. The work is paying off. Dedication. I on the other hand am hit or miss with my workouts/gym time. The result of my lack of dedication very apparent in my strength and body image. Oh believe me...I want that summer body. I'd love to feel strong and healthy, but somewhere in-between my want and follow through there's a lack of dedication. How often does a lack of dedication to a relationship with Jesus Christ get in the way of your desire to grow stronger in your faith and trust? How can you trust when you're not putting in the time to truly get to know your Savior? How can you grasp the depth of His love, forgiveness, and healing power in your life if you never seek Him? Would you trust an acquaintance whom you may barely say hello to with very personal and/or intimate details of your life...even if other people told you how amazing and trustworthy they are? No. Why? Because you have not personally formed a deep relationship with this person. Our human nature keeps us at a safe distance from people we are not familiar with. The enemy will use trials, struggles, pain, loss and heartache to keep you from seeking The Lord. Jesus wants you to truly seek Him. To ask Him into your life and heart. He wants to reveal who HE IS and how much HE LOVES AND CARES for you. Today, make a commitment or re-commit your life...get to know your Savior on a personal and intimate level. Don't just know "about" Him...seek Him throughout your day. Put in the time to talk to Him. Read His love letters to you (The Bible). This dedication to a true, deep and meaningful "relationship" with Jesus will reveal the things you've been longing for in your life. A peace that surpasses all understanding. A love that abounds in the midst of your every day, ordinary life. His Light, Wisdom, Guidance, Truth and Direction...overflowing.
Let the words of this old Hymn fill those empty places with truth today:
WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS-(Joseph M. Scriven-1855)
What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer! O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.
Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer. Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care? Precious Savior, still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer. Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer! In His arms He’ll take and shield you; you will find a solace there.
Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised Thou wilt all our burdens bear May we ever, Lord, be bringing all to Thee in earnest prayer. Soon in glory bright unclouded there will be no need for prayer
Rapture, praise and endless worship will be our sweet portion there. "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."~ Philippians 4:4-7
God wants you to know… "My Presence is more than enough. Allow Me to seep into your whole being. I will fill you up. I will carry you through. I will anoint you to do My will, as you listen to Me, as you seek Me, as you enjoy My Love and Presence in your life. I Am more than enough. Return to Me and I will return to you (read Zechariah 1:3). I Am your Father and you are my child. Let go. Let Me. I Am standing at the crossroads saying, "This is the way…walk in it." (read Jeremiah 6:16). My grace is made perfect in weakness. Surrender yourself completely to Me and watch Me work in your life. I love you with an everlasting love. You are Mine and I Am yours, Bask in the glory of My Presence. Hear Me roar. (read Hosea 11:10) Hear Me thunder. (read Job 40:9) Be mindful of Me. Return to Me with childlike faith. I Am more than enough. Allow Me to be your everything...your all...your strength and your guide. I love you! I never leave you. I am right beside you always. Let My Light fill any darkness. As the sun gives light to the earth, so do I give Light to your soul. Open the door and let me in. I have come to redeem you, to restore you, to make you mine and mine alone. The waves may crash around you but you are safe in My Arms. "…if it were not so, I would have told you." (read John 14:2) I Am ALWAYS with you. Do not shrink back. Walk out in complete faith. You are My child and can let go...collapsing into the safety of My Arms. I Am your's and you are Mine." "But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine." Isaiah 43:1 The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying: "Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you." Jeremiah 31:3 "And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." Corinthians 12:9 "Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” John 20:19 "So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” John 20:21
I often doubt myself, question whether I'm capable, good enough, and strong enough to do all that the Lord is prompting me to do. I question my abilities. In the areas I'm lacking, I feel the enemy constantly attacking me. One moment I feel confident and capable, knowing that if God is for me, who can be against me. "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31 (NIV) His strength and power is able to overcome my weaknesses. And then on other days, the enemy seems to be working overtime in the areas God is trying to free me up in.
I know that doubt, worry, anxiety and fear are not of the Lord. I know that when these feelings are overtaking me, I need to run to the Lord, open up His Word and fill up with truth to overcome the emotional manipulation of my human nature and the enemy. The Lord has a plan for each one of us. He does not expect us to feel 100% confident when He calls us, He just asks us to be available; available to allow Him to work in us and through us. We need to remember, even Moses felt inadequate when the Lord called him, "Moses said to the Lord,
“Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the
past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and
tongue. The Lord said to him, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord?Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.” But Moses said, “Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone else.” Exodus 4:10-13 (NIV). He didn't speak well and yet the Lord was asking him to speak not only to the Pharaoh but the entire people of Israel. The Lord knew his worry, fear and doubt in his inadequacies and short comings. He still required Moses to lead, trust and rely on God because in his own abilities, he fell short in every way. God often uses weak and unqualified people because of their humbleness. God knows that when His Glory shines through, people will get a glimpse of HIS great power, faithfulness and love. He works in and through open and willing vessels (people). If you're going through a season in life where change can feel overwhelming, remember that God is bigger than anything you face. He is attempting to do a work in your life. Do not shrink back. Move forward in HIM. He is wanting to show and shine His love and greatness in you. Trust in His ability to move the mountains, to calm the sea, to give you His words and wisdom. Stand in faith and watch Him work, letting go of fear and doubt. Let God work! "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong." 1 Corinthians 16:13
Some day's we feel like we are trapped...a huge rock blocking our escape to the life we are supposed to have... I WILL MOVE THE ROCK by Cindy Lu
A man was sleeping at night in his cabin when suddenly his room filled with light and the Savior appeared. The Lord told the man he had work for him to do and showed him a large rock in front of his cabin. The Lord explained that the man was to push against the rock with all his might.
This the man did, day after day. For many years he toiled from sun up to sun down, his shoulders set squarely against the cold, massive surface of the unmoving rock, pushing with all his might. Each night the man returned to his cabin sore and worn out, feeling that his whole day had been spent in vain.
Seeing that the man was showing signs of discouragement, Satan decided to enter the picture by placing thoughts into the man's mind such as: "You have been pushing against that rock for a long time, and it hasn't budged. Why kill yourself over this? You are never going to move it!"
Thus giving the man the impression that the task was impossible and that he was a failure, these thoughts discouraged and disheartened the man even more. "Why kill myself over this?' he thought. "I'll just put in my time, giving the minimum effort, and that will be good enough.."
And that he planned to do, but first he decided to pray and take his troubled thoughts to the Lord. "Lord," he said, "I have labored long and hard in your service, putting all my strength to do that which you have asked. Yet, after all this time, I have not even budged that rock by half a millimeter. What is wrong? Why am I failing?"
To this the Lord responded compassionately, "My friend, when I asked you to serve me and you accepted, I told you that your task was to push against the rock with all your strength, which you have done. Never once did I mention to you that I expected you to move it. Your task was to push. And now you come to me, with your strength spent, thinking that you have failed. But, is that really so? Look at yourself. Your arms are strong and muscled, your back sinewed and brown, your hands are callused from constant pressure, and your legs have become massive and hard. Through opposition you have grown much and your abilities now surpass that which you used to have. Yet you haven't moved the rock. But your calling was to be obedient and to push and to exercise your faith and trust in My wisdom. This you have done.
"I, my friend, will now move the rock."
At times when we hear a word from God, we tend to use our own intellect to decipher what he wants, when actually what God wants is just simple obedience and faith in him...
By all means, exercise the faith that moves mountains, but it is still God who moves the mountains.
God, You call us to obedience everyday. Sometimes, I want to see beyond obedience. I want to know why, how and when. Yet, it is usually long after the obedience that I begin to realize what Your plan was back then. So help me just be obedient for today. I am learning, Lord, that by being obedient today, I am stronger for tomorrow. In Jesus' name Amen.
A believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace.
1 Corinthians 7:15
Today many of you may be feeling worn down and discouraged. You’ve been trying to change your current situation and/or circumstances. I want to encourage each of you to let go. Do what God asks you to do and he will "MOVE YOUR ROCK". He wants you to trust and rely on Him in EVERY area of your life.
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