Worthiness is something I've been hearing in conversations and can identify with when it comes to the topic of living for our Savior. It is a tremendous concept when really given to the reality of what was done for us. None of us are worthy by our own doing; it is only through the Grace and Mercy of our God! It is nothing we can obtain through good works; through good intentions; through just living a "good" life; through "talking the talk" - Salvation is ours because of the cross and because of the moment we surrendered it to Jesus Christ; and because of how we live out that Salvation. "God so loved the world he gave his only begotten Son so that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life" John 3:16.
We aren't worthy to the world - We are so worthy to our God that He chose to leave the beauty of Heaven and die on a wooden cross so that we could be forgiven and that is the best promise I can hold on to!
Oswald Chambers in "My Utmost for His Highest" wrote "Many of us have a mental picture of what a Christian should be, and looking at this image in other Christians' lives becomes a hindrance to our focusing on God. ....We will find what we are looking for if we will concentrate on Him"....
I have a wonderful friend (& you will know who you are in a minute!) who has one of those "car fishes" and keeps it in her kitchen because she does not feel she's gotten "there" yet and not worthy to put on her car. We have fun together on that topic, because I say NONE of us have gotten "there"....when we say we have - we should repent immediately! We are all broken; we are all sinners! We are no different - just FORGIVEN! There is no harm in having the fish or not - my point is our goal/prize is eternity, not acceptance or validation from "those" down here! And if you want a fish like another might display a sport team sticker - WHY NOT? Follow God's lead, not your own nor the world's! Believe me, I have experienced the pain of having been "mocked" or "excluded" because of my desire to Live for Him -albeit a life that is imperfect but at the same time a desire to just live a life that will Glorify Him without intentionally making choices that go against His will for my life. And I am so OK with occasional exclusion down here.
Coming from someone who now "blogs" (that still sounds strange for someone who can't even figure out what a firewall is!!!) this may sound ironic: But I once heard it said by Mother Theresa - "Preach the Gospel and if necessary use Words"! In our day to day it is how we love each other, Love God and put God's word to work in our everyday life that will speak to the world about Jesus Christ!
Let's try and be God's Best and aim for his continued will in our lives!
Be Blessed!
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Friday, January 16, 2009
GOD IS ABLE
"GOD IS ABLE IN A WORLD THAT IS NOT RIGHT". I heard this along the way somewhere this week and have thought about it a lot. Of course we who believe in Jesus Christ and profess our faith and devotion to Him acknowledge that God is more than able. But, what I was really asking myself is do I really trust this to be true? Have I surrendered enough of myself to "Let go and Let God"? Have I been challenged enough in my life to put all this to the test? I can look back on snapshots of my life and for certain see the mountains that God brought me up to and the holes he rescued me from. I can claim VICTORY over areas of my life that with complete certainty are only by the beautiful GRACE of Jesus Christ!
God is not only able in a world that is not right; He is able in a marriage/relationship that is not right; He is able in a financial situation that is not right; He is able in a health condition that is not right; He is able in an emotional state of mind that is not right......He is just able when we allow ourselves to be dependent on Him and surrender every thought, decision, motive, etc to His Will and not ours।
In a world that tells us success is best described as the material wealth we gain or the size pants we wear, or the titled position we hold - I say God is very able! Of course God honors success and health of our bodies; however I believe it is only when we say "not by our will, but because of Him"! I was telling my little ones about the first Bible Verse I committed to memory "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" Philippians 4:13. This was just what I needed at a time when my confidence and fear to attempt certain things was put into my own hands. I never considered or wanted to consider passing it up to a God who was more than able. It also would seem that at that point in my life it was an insult to our God to try and do it all on my own....an almost false humility on my part. I am still trying to make it feel "out of the ordinary" to not hand it up to Christ Jesus immediately rather than later, after I've already messed it up.
My continued hope and prayer is for all (His Creation) to begin on a personal level of surrender to His Will and to come to know Him in such an intimate way! His Love - His Holy written word is the best Love Story out there! Families, countries and the world would have their answers if they only allowed our God to be the leader!
Again, I trust and believe in the Holy written word of our God from start to finish. His word is not to be watered down to please another or fit conveniently to a situation (....."having a form of godliness, but denying its power"...2Timothy 3:4).
God Bless!
God is not only able in a world that is not right; He is able in a marriage/relationship that is not right; He is able in a financial situation that is not right; He is able in a health condition that is not right; He is able in an emotional state of mind that is not right......He is just able when we allow ourselves to be dependent on Him and surrender every thought, decision, motive, etc to His Will and not ours।
In a world that tells us success is best described as the material wealth we gain or the size pants we wear, or the titled position we hold - I say God is very able! Of course God honors success and health of our bodies; however I believe it is only when we say "not by our will, but because of Him"! I was telling my little ones about the first Bible Verse I committed to memory "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" Philippians 4:13. This was just what I needed at a time when my confidence and fear to attempt certain things was put into my own hands. I never considered or wanted to consider passing it up to a God who was more than able. It also would seem that at that point in my life it was an insult to our God to try and do it all on my own....an almost false humility on my part. I am still trying to make it feel "out of the ordinary" to not hand it up to Christ Jesus immediately rather than later, after I've already messed it up.
My continued hope and prayer is for all (His Creation) to begin on a personal level of surrender to His Will and to come to know Him in such an intimate way! His Love - His Holy written word is the best Love Story out there! Families, countries and the world would have their answers if they only allowed our God to be the leader!
Again, I trust and believe in the Holy written word of our God from start to finish. His word is not to be watered down to please another or fit conveniently to a situation (....."having a form of godliness, but denying its power"...2Timothy 3:4).
God Bless!
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
My First Post
To begin, I hope to bring God glory through what I have found through His promises. This is not about me nor my desire to "preach and convince". It is important to humbly stress my awareness to the fact of who I am......a sinner who has been forgiven SO much! I am also a believer in the Word of God from start to finish and hope to live out my days in a way that Glorify and Lift up who He is and what He did for me. I fall short everyday.....as a mom; as a wife; and as a Child of God! The GREAT news is I have a Savior who has not just walked my walk, but who chose to die for me so that I could be Forgiven; so that I could be Counseled; so that I could be Healed; so that I could be given Life eternally! These are not just words to be "considered" lightly - they are Truth and Life. We have a God who will never force Himself on anyone; but a God who loves enough to gently invite us into His family. The choice is ALWAYS ours! I have come to know so many who are searching and yearning for "something more" - I have also come to see how God is rarely the "something more" put into their lives. Why not put God first? Why not give your God a chance to work in your life?
Psalm 91:1 - " I will abide under the shadow of the Almighty".......This is one of the most comforting scriptures I have come to rely on. The Almighty's shadow is where I desire to rest and hope to lead others to find their rest under His shadow as well!
My soul has been stirring with a keen awareness of how "busy" my life has become with the things of this world; I have left little to no time for God's purpose for me. Our purpose and commission as believers is to bring others to know Him in such a way that eternity with Him is their desire. My hope for 2009 is to allow our God to use me to show others the Greatness of His Love. I am not a writer nor am I a theological expert, so I will strive and pray for my words to be God's words, so that I might not embarrass my Heavenly Father, but bring Him an offering of Praise through the words he gives me!! Perhaps the experiences I have had will encourage another; or the wisdom and discernment I hope to grow in will be used by our God; or the words the Holy Spirit leads me to will be for a purpose unknown to me and meant for another.
I recently read in a book Led By Faith, by Immaculee Ilibagiza, about a sermon given and this is what was said: " Our desire to love is stamped on our hearts before we are born. You must not let life erase it! God knew you in the womb, and He planted your ability to love in your soul before you drew your first breath. You must nurture that seed, allowing it to grow strong within you. You must love your family and love your neighbors; above all, you must love God. God doesn't just want you to love; He commands it. He commands it!"
May the one and only true God help, lead and comfort you!
Please share your questions, doubts, prayer requests, etc. I hope to be a small piece in God's vast plan!
Psalm 91:1 - " I will abide under the shadow of the Almighty".......This is one of the most comforting scriptures I have come to rely on. The Almighty's shadow is where I desire to rest and hope to lead others to find their rest under His shadow as well!
My soul has been stirring with a keen awareness of how "busy" my life has become with the things of this world; I have left little to no time for God's purpose for me. Our purpose and commission as believers is to bring others to know Him in such a way that eternity with Him is their desire. My hope for 2009 is to allow our God to use me to show others the Greatness of His Love. I am not a writer nor am I a theological expert, so I will strive and pray for my words to be God's words, so that I might not embarrass my Heavenly Father, but bring Him an offering of Praise through the words he gives me!! Perhaps the experiences I have had will encourage another; or the wisdom and discernment I hope to grow in will be used by our God; or the words the Holy Spirit leads me to will be for a purpose unknown to me and meant for another.
I recently read in a book Led By Faith, by Immaculee Ilibagiza, about a sermon given and this is what was said: " Our desire to love is stamped on our hearts before we are born. You must not let life erase it! God knew you in the womb, and He planted your ability to love in your soul before you drew your first breath. You must nurture that seed, allowing it to grow strong within you. You must love your family and love your neighbors; above all, you must love God. God doesn't just want you to love; He commands it. He commands it!"
May the one and only true God help, lead and comfort you!
Please share your questions, doubts, prayer requests, etc. I hope to be a small piece in God's vast plan!
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