"Red and Yellow, Black and White they are precious in His sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world."
Who remembers singing this song when you were young? God brought this song back to me the other day to remind me how precious and unique we are to Him. We all have our own strengths and weaknesses and we can all learn something from those around us. Are you weak in relationships? I bet God has placed someone in your life that is great at relationships in order to show you how to grow stronger in this area. I know He has for me.
The other day I was dwelling on this and I realized how great a group of people God has surrounded me with. Some are great at outreach, their boldness is amazing and challenges me to come up higher in this area. Some are great at seeing the needs of others, physical or not, and praying for them every chance they get. Some are amazing intercessors. Still others are amazing worshipers. I am thankful for each of them. We are called to do life together, not by ourselves. So today begin celebrating the strengths you see in those around you. Encourage that person, support them, speak life to them. Step out in a greater level of boldness as you go about your business today. Ever heard the phrase actions speak louder than words? Show someone the love of Jesus, this could be a smile or an act of kindness. Get creative and just open yourself up to all the good God has in store for you.
Stop looking at the negative! Stop looking at the storm! Stop looking at what you are not or how far you still have to go and just begin looking to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. Allow Him to mold and shape you into the person that He has created you to be and remember above all else He loves you and is for you!!!!
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
Monday, February 23, 2015
One Thing Remains
Higher than the mountains that I face
Stronger than the power of the grave
Constant through the trial and the change
This one thing remains
Your love never fails it never gives up
Never runs out on me
On and on and on and on it goes
It overwhelms and satisfies my soul
And I never, ever, have to be afraid
One thing remains
In death and life I'm confident and
covered by the power of Your great love
My debt is paid, there's nothing that can
separate my hart from Your great love
How would you like going through every trial, storm, or situation with joy and happiness? Sounds impossible doesn't it, especially when you see how big the storm is. Well joy and happiness in the midst of the storm is not impossible because with God we have the victory even if the victory doesn't look like we think it should.
Do you remember the story in the bible about Paul and Silas in prison? They praised God in the midst of the storm and the doors to their cell where thrown wide open. That stuff didn't just happen back in the day it is for us right now too! When we turn our focus, attention, and praise towards God and then we have the power through Jesus to move that mountain in front of us and make it no more.
Here are a few scriptures that proclaim that promise!
Therefor no mountain, however high, can stand before Zerubbabel! For it will flatten out before him! And Zerubbabel will finish building this Temple with mighty shouts of thanksgiving for God's mercy, declaring that all was done by grace along. Zec 4:7 TLB
Jesus replied, I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, .... you can say to this mountain, go throw yourself into the sea and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer. Matt 21:21-22 NIV
Wonderful promises from God's word. Begin to speak these promises out of your mouth over every trial and circumstance you are facing. You will begin to see your mountains made flat as you focus all of your attention on God and His word.
As you speak to your mountain recognize the lies that the enemy is speaking to you. God's word says that the devil is the father of lies so he cannot speak any truth about you or your situation. Besides a liar the enemy is also a thief and he wants to rob you of all the blessings and promises of God. Don't let him.
You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. John 8:44
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith. 1 Pet 5:8-9a
In a recent study I started,, with a few others I was reminded by Bill Johnson that the enemy can only have access to us through our agreement with the lies he is speaking. We empower him, the devil, when we come into agreement with his lies. Makes you think, doesn't it?
Want to change who you are giving the power and authority to? Well begin to recognize those lies. Speak them out of your mouth and laugh at them. Won't be easy at first, you may even feel like crying a time or two but don't give up because when you begin to laugh at the lies you can back the power and victory from the enemy. Joy and peace begin to flood you spirit and soul as you come back into alignment with Gods word and His truth and promises.
In fact there are many scriptures that tell us how good a cheerful heart is. Below are a few.
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Prov 17:22
A heart at peace gives life to the body but envy rots the bones. Prov 14:30
A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit. A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones. Prov 15:13,30
So begin laughing at the lies. Recognize the negative that is coming at you and know it is not from God! The situation and circumstances may not change but how you view them will change as you laugh at the lies and focus on God's promises.
May you know today how great God's love is towards you. May you feel more deeply and intimately in love with Him. May His love for you overwhelm and satisfy your soul, may it drown out all your fears as you know that nothing absolutely nothing can separate you from God's love.
If you have given your heart and life to God then you are children of the day because God is light and in Him there is no darkness. Jesus came to this earth and He died to give you everything you would need for this life here on earth. God's nature is good and His every thought towards you is good.
You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be self controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 1 Thes 5:6-8
Walk in God's amazing blessing. I feel I need to sign off with a tagline I heard on a radio program when I was a teenager called the King's Hour with Robert Cook. He always ended his program with "walk with the King today and be a blessing." The "One thing" that will always remain is how much God loves you. Never ever loose sight of that.
Stronger than the power of the grave
Constant through the trial and the change
This one thing remains
Your love never fails it never gives up
Never runs out on me
On and on and on and on it goes
It overwhelms and satisfies my soul
And I never, ever, have to be afraid
One thing remains
In death and life I'm confident and
covered by the power of Your great love
My debt is paid, there's nothing that can
separate my hart from Your great love
How would you like going through every trial, storm, or situation with joy and happiness? Sounds impossible doesn't it, especially when you see how big the storm is. Well joy and happiness in the midst of the storm is not impossible because with God we have the victory even if the victory doesn't look like we think it should.
Do you remember the story in the bible about Paul and Silas in prison? They praised God in the midst of the storm and the doors to their cell where thrown wide open. That stuff didn't just happen back in the day it is for us right now too! When we turn our focus, attention, and praise towards God and then we have the power through Jesus to move that mountain in front of us and make it no more.
Here are a few scriptures that proclaim that promise!
Therefor no mountain, however high, can stand before Zerubbabel! For it will flatten out before him! And Zerubbabel will finish building this Temple with mighty shouts of thanksgiving for God's mercy, declaring that all was done by grace along. Zec 4:7 TLB
Jesus replied, I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, .... you can say to this mountain, go throw yourself into the sea and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer. Matt 21:21-22 NIV
Wonderful promises from God's word. Begin to speak these promises out of your mouth over every trial and circumstance you are facing. You will begin to see your mountains made flat as you focus all of your attention on God and His word.
As you speak to your mountain recognize the lies that the enemy is speaking to you. God's word says that the devil is the father of lies so he cannot speak any truth about you or your situation. Besides a liar the enemy is also a thief and he wants to rob you of all the blessings and promises of God. Don't let him.
You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. John 8:44
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith. 1 Pet 5:8-9a
In a recent study I started,, with a few others I was reminded by Bill Johnson that the enemy can only have access to us through our agreement with the lies he is speaking. We empower him, the devil, when we come into agreement with his lies. Makes you think, doesn't it?
Want to change who you are giving the power and authority to? Well begin to recognize those lies. Speak them out of your mouth and laugh at them. Won't be easy at first, you may even feel like crying a time or two but don't give up because when you begin to laugh at the lies you can back the power and victory from the enemy. Joy and peace begin to flood you spirit and soul as you come back into alignment with Gods word and His truth and promises.
In fact there are many scriptures that tell us how good a cheerful heart is. Below are a few.
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Prov 17:22
A heart at peace gives life to the body but envy rots the bones. Prov 14:30
A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit. A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones. Prov 15:13,30
So begin laughing at the lies. Recognize the negative that is coming at you and know it is not from God! The situation and circumstances may not change but how you view them will change as you laugh at the lies and focus on God's promises.
May you know today how great God's love is towards you. May you feel more deeply and intimately in love with Him. May His love for you overwhelm and satisfy your soul, may it drown out all your fears as you know that nothing absolutely nothing can separate you from God's love.
If you have given your heart and life to God then you are children of the day because God is light and in Him there is no darkness. Jesus came to this earth and He died to give you everything you would need for this life here on earth. God's nature is good and His every thought towards you is good.
You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be self controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 1 Thes 5:6-8
Walk in God's amazing blessing. I feel I need to sign off with a tagline I heard on a radio program when I was a teenager called the King's Hour with Robert Cook. He always ended his program with "walk with the King today and be a blessing." The "One thing" that will always remain is how much God loves you. Never ever loose sight of that.
Thursday, February 5, 2015
It is Well
It is easy to loose hope, especially when it seems all you do is wait and wait to see the promises of God fulfilled in your life. You know He has a good plan and purpose for you but you never see it come about and you feel as if "the process" will never end.
Late last year I went down into that place. I felt that nothing good was ever going to happen and I felt very discouraged and hopeless. I felt that my hope was deferred and when in the world was I going to experience the other side of that verse that talks about a longing fulfilled
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. Prov 13:12
I told no one, not even those closest to me, how I was feeling and in mid September I went to a Tenacious Love conference in Tulsa. I received a lot of encouraging uplifting words from total strangers at this conference but the word that effected me the most was when one of the prophets at the church said I see the words hope deferred over you and that my hope would no longer be deferred that my time of harvest had come.
Obviously I left that conference full of hope of all that God was going to do! A week or two later I was told my position was eliminated and thanks for the four years. My world was completely rocked and I was devastated. I barely made it home that day because of the tears, agony, and the total unexpectedness of what happened. Thankfully I have a great support group and a friend made sure I was not alone that day which I greatly appreciated (thank you friend, you know who you are). :)
Through out this time of unemployment my hope level has been up or down depending on where my focus has been. Recently my focus went to the problem again and I cried out to God "you said my hope would no longer be deferred." "When is this going to end!" I was mad at God even if I did not want to be because I was too focused on the problem.
During this time I listened to a teaching on Bethel TV called Living the Blessed Life and one of the speakers Dawna DeSilva said something that caught my attention. She said if you were in a terrible car accident, one so bad they had to open the car with the jaws of life to get you out, and when you woke up in the hospital you found your dad slumped over your bed asleep would you be mad at your dad for the accident? Obviously the answer is no you would not.
Thankfully this teaching provided a turning point for me in this process and it shifted my focus back to God. I asked forgiveness for being angry with Him and from that point on mentally and emotionally things began to change. Peace flooded my spirit like never before, peace that remained no matter what my circumstances looked like, no matter what was taking place. I could apply for a job in the morning and by the afternoon I could receive an email that they went with another candidate. The old tried to come to make me upset and depressed and then it would immediately leave as I turned my focus back on God and the good plans He has for me.
I began to realize it is well with my soul. Nothing around me had changed the storms still raged, I still have no idea when my job will come and how long the money will last, but this is what I know God has this covered. He has this whole situation, no matter how big it appears to me, at His feet ready to step on it and make it no more. See it is a totally small thing to Him. He is the God of the impossible and He is my provider. As difficult as this time has been it has provided me opportunities to help and bless others that I could not have done if I had a job.
I know so many good things are coming out of this besides the opportunities to bless others. Slowly I am also seeing how my behind the scenes gifts are valuable and important. I don't have to be out in front of others for me to be important and valuable or for God to use me. I think sometimes we all think that is the only way to be important to others and to God but the recent Superbowl helped me change my view on this. The Patriot's Player who caught the ball on the one yard line was an unknown, he was not chosen in the draft because he was an unknown, in fact he had to join the Patriots as a free agent to be a part of the team (forgive me if I have any of that incorrect, my football knowledge is limited) but look how He was used! He won the game for his team and God elevated him to a known person. He just continued to do his best and glorify God with the gift and talent that God had given him.
Prov 13:12 in The Passion Translation reads like this:
When hope's dream seems to drag on and on the delay can be depressing, but when at last your dream comes true, life's sweetness will satisfy your soul. Prov 13:12 TPT
So as you wait for your hope's dreams to be fulfilled know it can be well with your soul also. Keep your focus on God, continue to live for Him, and use the gifts and talents He has given you to glorify Him.
Late last year I went down into that place. I felt that nothing good was ever going to happen and I felt very discouraged and hopeless. I felt that my hope was deferred and when in the world was I going to experience the other side of that verse that talks about a longing fulfilled
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. Prov 13:12
I told no one, not even those closest to me, how I was feeling and in mid September I went to a Tenacious Love conference in Tulsa. I received a lot of encouraging uplifting words from total strangers at this conference but the word that effected me the most was when one of the prophets at the church said I see the words hope deferred over you and that my hope would no longer be deferred that my time of harvest had come.
Obviously I left that conference full of hope of all that God was going to do! A week or two later I was told my position was eliminated and thanks for the four years. My world was completely rocked and I was devastated. I barely made it home that day because of the tears, agony, and the total unexpectedness of what happened. Thankfully I have a great support group and a friend made sure I was not alone that day which I greatly appreciated (thank you friend, you know who you are). :)
Through out this time of unemployment my hope level has been up or down depending on where my focus has been. Recently my focus went to the problem again and I cried out to God "you said my hope would no longer be deferred." "When is this going to end!" I was mad at God even if I did not want to be because I was too focused on the problem.
During this time I listened to a teaching on Bethel TV called Living the Blessed Life and one of the speakers Dawna DeSilva said something that caught my attention. She said if you were in a terrible car accident, one so bad they had to open the car with the jaws of life to get you out, and when you woke up in the hospital you found your dad slumped over your bed asleep would you be mad at your dad for the accident? Obviously the answer is no you would not.
Thankfully this teaching provided a turning point for me in this process and it shifted my focus back to God. I asked forgiveness for being angry with Him and from that point on mentally and emotionally things began to change. Peace flooded my spirit like never before, peace that remained no matter what my circumstances looked like, no matter what was taking place. I could apply for a job in the morning and by the afternoon I could receive an email that they went with another candidate. The old tried to come to make me upset and depressed and then it would immediately leave as I turned my focus back on God and the good plans He has for me.
I began to realize it is well with my soul. Nothing around me had changed the storms still raged, I still have no idea when my job will come and how long the money will last, but this is what I know God has this covered. He has this whole situation, no matter how big it appears to me, at His feet ready to step on it and make it no more. See it is a totally small thing to Him. He is the God of the impossible and He is my provider. As difficult as this time has been it has provided me opportunities to help and bless others that I could not have done if I had a job.
I know so many good things are coming out of this besides the opportunities to bless others. Slowly I am also seeing how my behind the scenes gifts are valuable and important. I don't have to be out in front of others for me to be important and valuable or for God to use me. I think sometimes we all think that is the only way to be important to others and to God but the recent Superbowl helped me change my view on this. The Patriot's Player who caught the ball on the one yard line was an unknown, he was not chosen in the draft because he was an unknown, in fact he had to join the Patriots as a free agent to be a part of the team (forgive me if I have any of that incorrect, my football knowledge is limited) but look how He was used! He won the game for his team and God elevated him to a known person. He just continued to do his best and glorify God with the gift and talent that God had given him.
Prov 13:12 in The Passion Translation reads like this:
When hope's dream seems to drag on and on the delay can be depressing, but when at last your dream comes true, life's sweetness will satisfy your soul. Prov 13:12 TPT
So as you wait for your hope's dreams to be fulfilled know it can be well with your soul also. Keep your focus on God, continue to live for Him, and use the gifts and talents He has given you to glorify Him.
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
We Will Not Be Shaken - Trust
So then, my soul, why would you be depressed? Why would you sink into despair? Just keep hoping and waiting on God, your Savior. For no matter what, I will still sing with praise for living before His face is my saving grace. Ps 42:5 TPT
Then I will say to my soul, don't be disturbed, for I fully expect my Savior-God to break through for me. Then I'll have plenty of reasons to praise Him all over again. Yes, living before His face is my saving grace. Ps 43:5 TPT
Through Your glorious Name and Your awesome power we ca push through to any victory and defeat the enemy. Ps 44:5 TPT
It is so cool how these scriptures line up, twice the author had to remind himself not to be downcast because of His circumstances and situations. Twice he knew that God was going to come through for him and bring the victory and then in the third verse he reminds himself where the victory comes from.
Hope and trust are two words I am hearing and seeing a lot lately. I sense and feel such hopelessness within the body of Christ lately including myself. We are we hopeless? Why are we not putting our hope and trust fully in God? Why are we not standing upon and claiming the promises of God?
I believe some of the reason can be found in Proverbs 13:12; a hope deferred makes the heart sick but a longing fulfilled is a tree of live. One of the words I have heard recently on hope is that it is not a wish that we hope would happen but it needs to be an eager anticipation of what God will do in that situation. Sounds pretty easy to me but I think sometimes we get a little weary of the process we must go through to see God come through in our situations. Our emotions get involved as we see the problem and situation remaining the same. We begin to give up on God and the fact that He is still who He says He is and He will do what He says He will do.
This is where trust comes in. When we put our hope in God alone no matter how long the process is we can trust that He has not changed and He will do what His word declares. Personally it helps build my faith when I declare that word over the situation. It also reminds God of His promises, not like He forgets but I think He just likes for us to tell Him what He said. Maybe it shows we are paying attention to His word and His promises. I mean hello God promised to prosper us in all our ways and I sure like to remind Him of that promise. Does this mean I want God to shower tons of money down on me? No! I just want Him to give me more than enough in my finances that I can meet all my financial needs, advance the kingdom, and be a financial blessing to others. I also want Him to prosper me in other areas as well such as my relationships. This is just one example of a promise that is in His word that we can remind Him about.
So trusting God is key to building our faith and our hope. Life is full of many troubles but Jesus told us to take heart because He has overcome the world. Speaking His word and His promises over our situations helps keep our focus on Him or as the psalmist says "living before His face" and not on the situation or problem. When we remain steadfast and secure in Him then whatever life may bring our way will not shake or move us as we rest secure in Him.
So put all of your hope and trust in God today and allow the peace of God to settle over you as you allow Him to bring you the victory.
At the end of the month Bethel will release a new cd with a song titled We Will Not Be Shaken. Since God speaks to me a lot through music this song has been my anchor during my time of unemployment. A couple of places in scripture that go so well with this song are Is 54:10 and Ps
My prayer for each of you is that you will find your hope in God alone and not allow your situations and circumstances to bring despair, defeat, and agony. Lift your eyes to the hills from where you help comes from, your help comes for the Lord the maker of heaven and earth.
"We Will Not Be Shaken" Lyrics
For we trust in our God
And through His unfailing love
We will not be shaken,
We will not be shaken,
We will not be shaken
[x2]
Though the battle rages
We will stand in the fight
Though the armies rise up against us on all sides
We will not be shaken
We will not be shaken
We will not be shaken
For in the hour of our darkest day
We will not tremble, we won’t be afraid
Hope is rising like the light of dawn
Our God is for us He has overcome
All those against Him will fall
For our God is stronger
He can do all things
No higher name we can call
For Jesus is greater
We can do all things
And through His unfailing love
We will not be shaken,
We will not be shaken,
We will not be shaken
[x2]
Though the battle rages
We will stand in the fight
Though the armies rise up against us on all sides
We will not be shaken
We will not be shaken
We will not be shaken
For in the hour of our darkest day
We will not tremble, we won’t be afraid
Hope is rising like the light of dawn
Our God is for us He has overcome
All those against Him will fall
For our God is stronger
He can do all things
No higher name we can call
For Jesus is greater
We can do all things
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
Anchor - Bethel
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where fear seems to be your constant companion? Even though you know God is in control and you are trying to walk in faith it just seems fear will not leave you alone. I am in a situation like that myself right now. Over a month ago my job was eliminated. I was called into an office and basically told thanks for the memories but we no longer need you. The news was completely unexpected and devastated me.
I have declared God's word out of my mouth and peace has come but fear will not leave me alone. Fear says what are you going to do? When will I get a new job? There is nothing out there and no one wants you. Personally I am ready to get rid of the fear completely.
One would think to completely get rid of fear I would need a job, then all my problems would be solved but I believe God wants me to get rid of this fear in the midst of the storm. As I was beginning my day I heard two things that encouraged me. First I heard the following scripture from the Passion Translation:
The very moment I call to You for a Father's help the tide of battle turns and my enemies flee! This one thing I know: God is on my side! I trust in the Lord and I praise Him! I trust in the Word of God and I praise Him! Psalm 56:9-10
Just let that soak in for a minute: the very moment I cried out to God for His help in this situation the situation changed. He took control and began to work on this situation and the fear did leave and continues to leave every time I turn the situation over to God. Now consider this, God is on my side! He is good all the time. He will never leave me without and never leave me forsaken. If God is for me who can be against me.
So even though I would love to see something occurring in the natural I can trust God that He is making a way when there appears to be no way.
The second thing I heard is the song the Anchor by Bethel. The words jumped out at me in a new way this morning because it talks about letting go but holding on as well. Whenever I think of letting go I get the Nestle Plunge feel that I am falling back into nothingness but as I prayed and sought God on this I believe He showed me that we need to let go of the wrong thing, like fear, and grab ahold of the right thing, like faith.
As we walk out lives journey and whatever comes our way let us never lose hope in God and His goodness. Even though the answers may not come when we want them to He is never late. Please take a moment to read the lyrics to Anchor and let them wash over you. Listen to the song, begin to let go of worry, fear, doubt, unbelief and grab hold of faith, hope, trust, and all the goodness of God. When the enemy begins to attach just begin to praise God in the midst of the storm because He is the anchor that will hold you in place until the peace and calm come.
Blessings and peace
The Anchor Lyrics
In every season
In every change
You are near
In every sorrow
You are my strength
You are near
A peace in the storm
Your voice I will follow
In weakness I rise
Remembering You hold my world
I’m holding on to hope
I’m holding on to grace
I’m fully letting go
I’m surrendered to Your ways
The anchor for my soul
Father You will never change
I love You, I love You
My great Redeemer
My constant Friend
You are near
My faithful Father
You took me in
You are near
I will remember
Your promise forever
My Strength, my Defender
I can count on You
You are my Savior
My Hope and my Shelter
Your love is forever
I can count on You
In every change
You are near
In every sorrow
You are my strength
You are near
A peace in the storm
Your voice I will follow
In weakness I rise
Remembering You hold my world
I’m holding on to hope
I’m holding on to grace
I’m fully letting go
I’m surrendered to Your ways
The anchor for my soul
Father You will never change
I love You, I love You
My great Redeemer
My constant Friend
You are near
My faithful Father
You took me in
You are near
I will remember
Your promise forever
My Strength, my Defender
I can count on You
You are my Savior
My Hope and my Shelter
Your love is forever
I can count on You
Thursday, October 16, 2014
Try
I think you all have realized by now I hear so much while listening to music. I am finding this to be true of non christian music as well. Recently I was watching Dancing with the Stars and heard the song Try by Colbie Caillat. The song is such a beautiful reminder, especially to women, that we are beautiful just the way God made us. It does not take perfect hair and makeup or the perfect body type to make us beautiful
I realize as I type this I am preaching to the choir as I can become very upset when my hair is not laying just so or is doing crazy things because of moisture and humidity, but I am learning that no mater how bad I think my hair is I am beautiful. I don't have to try and look or act perfect for people to like me I just need to be the special and unique person that God has created me to be.
If God created us so that no two thumb prints are alike why are we always comparing ourselves to others or trying to be like them? I know I am guilty of this myself at times. My personality can be a little reserved and quiet so when I meet someone who is outgoing and popular I can compare myself to them and wish I was like them and desire to have what I believe they have. I can feel unloved and unaccepted because I am not like the person I am comparing myself to. The truth is I am no surprise to God. He knew the personality I would have and He knows how He can use it to draw others to Him.
The world would try and tell us how we need to look or act to be accepted. The world would attempt to define what is beautiful and what is not, but only God can help us to see the true beauty in others. If He can take an ugly caterpillar and turn it into an amazingly beautiful butterfly then I believe He can also help us to see the true beauty that is in others no matter how they look on the outside. It is time for the body of Christ to stop seeing the negativity in others or the things they perceive that need to be changed and begin to see the beautiful treasures that God has created each of us to be. Let us begin to call those treasures out of each other and begin to help each other rise into our true identities in Christ. Let us begin to really love each other the way God intended.
Enjoy the song and lets start showing the world how to love God and the one in front of us. Personally I am a little tired of them appearing to lead the way in this.
Blessings
I realize as I type this I am preaching to the choir as I can become very upset when my hair is not laying just so or is doing crazy things because of moisture and humidity, but I am learning that no mater how bad I think my hair is I am beautiful. I don't have to try and look or act perfect for people to like me I just need to be the special and unique person that God has created me to be.
If God created us so that no two thumb prints are alike why are we always comparing ourselves to others or trying to be like them? I know I am guilty of this myself at times. My personality can be a little reserved and quiet so when I meet someone who is outgoing and popular I can compare myself to them and wish I was like them and desire to have what I believe they have. I can feel unloved and unaccepted because I am not like the person I am comparing myself to. The truth is I am no surprise to God. He knew the personality I would have and He knows how He can use it to draw others to Him.
The world would try and tell us how we need to look or act to be accepted. The world would attempt to define what is beautiful and what is not, but only God can help us to see the true beauty in others. If He can take an ugly caterpillar and turn it into an amazingly beautiful butterfly then I believe He can also help us to see the true beauty that is in others no matter how they look on the outside. It is time for the body of Christ to stop seeing the negativity in others or the things they perceive that need to be changed and begin to see the beautiful treasures that God has created each of us to be. Let us begin to call those treasures out of each other and begin to help each other rise into our true identities in Christ. Let us begin to really love each other the way God intended.
Enjoy the song and lets start showing the world how to love God and the one in front of us. Personally I am a little tired of them appearing to lead the way in this.
Blessings
Friday, October 3, 2014
From the Inside Out
In my heart and my soul I give You control. Consume me from the inside out. Let justice and praise become my embrace, to love You from the inside out. From the Inside Out Hillsong United
Ever try and change something you don't like about yourself? Ever try to change a habit, mannerism, or wrong thought on your own? How did it work out? Were you successful or did you just want to give up in frustration? Maybe you found too many things about yourself that needed to be changed that it completely overwhelmed you. I have been there.
I have discovered things I do not like about myself. In relationships I can view others through a filter of hurt and rejection. On my job I might view myself through a filter of comparison and feel I do not measure up. In general I may feel I need to be nicer or more thoughtful. The list can go on and on until you feel there is just no way you will ever change and become the person God created you to be. In fact you may think you are even too far gone for God to change.
Well the good news is you are never to far gone for God. The Bible clearly says that nothing will separate us from the love of God and that He will never leave us nor forsake us. If God loves us so much that absolutely nothing can separate us from His love then I believe He never gives up on us and longs to see us become all that He has created and designed us to be.
Instead of becoming overwhelmed by all that you see needs to be changed begin to declare over yourself everything God says you are. I believe when we begin to focus on God and what He says about us then all the negative just begins to fade away.
So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life - your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around-life - and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best think you can do for Him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention of God. You'll be changed for the inside out. Readily recognize what He wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity. God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. Romans 12:1-2
To begin, here are a few declarations you use.
Ever try and change something you don't like about yourself? Ever try to change a habit, mannerism, or wrong thought on your own? How did it work out? Were you successful or did you just want to give up in frustration? Maybe you found too many things about yourself that needed to be changed that it completely overwhelmed you. I have been there.
I have discovered things I do not like about myself. In relationships I can view others through a filter of hurt and rejection. On my job I might view myself through a filter of comparison and feel I do not measure up. In general I may feel I need to be nicer or more thoughtful. The list can go on and on until you feel there is just no way you will ever change and become the person God created you to be. In fact you may think you are even too far gone for God to change.
Well the good news is you are never to far gone for God. The Bible clearly says that nothing will separate us from the love of God and that He will never leave us nor forsake us. If God loves us so much that absolutely nothing can separate us from His love then I believe He never gives up on us and longs to see us become all that He has created and designed us to be.
Instead of becoming overwhelmed by all that you see needs to be changed begin to declare over yourself everything God says you are. I believe when we begin to focus on God and what He says about us then all the negative just begins to fade away.
So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life - your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around-life - and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best think you can do for Him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention of God. You'll be changed for the inside out. Readily recognize what He wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity. God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. Romans 12:1-2
To begin, here are a few declarations you use.
- I have great worth and value
- I am accepted
- I am loved
- I am chosen
- I prosper in everything I put my hand to. I have prosperity in all areas of my life - spiritually, mentally, socially
- I am the head and not the tail, above and not beneath
- I am bold and courageous
- I am an atmosphere changer
- I am more than a conqueror
The list can go on and on. Search the word to discover more of who God says you are. Pray over prophetic encouraging words that have been spoken over you and if they are positive, encouraging, and resonate with you then begin speaking those over yourself. Other places you may go to find who you are in Christ would be to go to Joycemeyer.org (My own confession list began here), google, or I would be happy to send you what I have put together (email me at sdhaley7@yahoo.com to request a copy).
To enjoy the full version of From the Inside Out check out the video below.
Blessings and peace
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)