What a special week!! After Christmas, Easter is my 2nd most favorite holiday. I love Spring time...the warmer weather, the flowers...it always reminds me of the many promises God makes to us in regards to 2nd chances and new beginnings. Easter represents so many feelings and emotions for me...too many for me to write about, but I believe I can paint you a picture of just how I'm feeling this week as I reflect on what Easter means to me, personally, and to the entire world.
A few years ago, I got involved in our church's Women's Ministry. With new leadership in place, we decided to design a T-shirt for women to purchase in our church. It was my favorite color, pink, and had one of my favorite Bible verses on it...Psalm 33:4 (NIV). "For the word of the Lord is right and true; He is faithful in all he does." I fell in love with this shirt. I wore it all of the time. It was comfortable and went with everything. It was, indeed, my FAVORITE shirt I owned.
One day, while doing laundry, I made an awful mistake. I put my beloved pink T-shirt in the washing machine along with something blue. When I pulled my shirt out of the washing machine, you can imagine my horror. All over it were these ugly blue spots. I was devastated. Seriously, I cried. That's how much I LOVED this T-shirt. So, quickly I began to think during this moment of panic, and I remembered a box at the church having extra T-shirts in it. So, the very next chance I got, I went to the church, went straight to the box of T-shirts, grabbed me one to replace the blue spotted pink T-shirt I so stupidly ruined in the wash, and threw it in my purse to take home later to proudly wear that week.
That night at church, I was visiting with a woman who was attending our church for the first time. As we were visiting, she was telling me how she had noticed several women in our church wearing our Women's Ministry T-shirts. She told me how much she loved them and asked me if I knew how she could get one. I asked her what size did she wear and she, of course, told me. She wore the same size as me, and I remembered how I had just gone into that box of extra T-shirts and taken the VERY last T-shirt in my size. Well, I was in a dilemma. It felt for a moment as if time had stopped. Everything was happening in slow motion, and for ONCE, I was actually thinking before speaking. The Lord, with His gentle voice, said, "Give her your shirt." I didn't really argue with the Lord unless you call my VERY long pause of silence arguing. I was not, though, very quick to obey. That's for sure. But I took a few moments to think and listen. So, I did just what He said. I gave her the shirt right out of my purse and the look on her face made this "tiny to most, but BIG to me" sacrifice worth every bit of it.
I went home that night and started my week, as usual. I chose to wear my blue spotted T-shirt despite its ugliness. Of course, I wore it only at home and only when cleaning, but I still wore it with a little hint of disappointment. After cleaning house one day, my favorite T-shirt, of course, got dirty and required washing. As I was pulling it out of the washing machine, I promise you, the Red Sea parted in my laundry room. That pink blue spotted T-shirt came out of that machine with NOT ONE single spot on it. I couldn't believe it. I was speechless, shocked, and overjoyed. And just like when I was talking to the women in church, I heard, again, God's sweet and gentle voice. He said, "That's what I did for you. I washed your spots away."
And just like that, the Lord reminded me of what He had done for ME. Just like He washed those blue spots off of my most favorite T-shirt, He did the very same thing when He died for me on that cross. And that, my friends, is why I celebrate Easter and why it means so much to me. You see, my past is full of dirty, nasty, awful and humiliating mistakes. But when I asked the Lord to be the God of my life, He forgave me for those mistakes. And my slate has been wiped clean. I am a redeemed Princess of the King...an heir to the VERY throne of God. I have been promised eternity with my Heavenly Daddy, and until then, I have complete access to the Holy of Holies because Jesus intercedes to Him on my behalf. I get all of this because of the cross. I get all of this because I asked him to wash my spots away, and He DID. Just like those blue spots represented a horrible domestic mistake, the spots on my heart represented many terrible things I had done to myself and to my God. But after surrendering my life to Christ, He, just like with that pink T-shirt, washed my heart clean. He washed away my spots like He washed away the spots on my favorite T-shirt. That's just how He is.
And He wants to do that for you. Ask Him. Ask Him NOW. Ask Him to be the Lord of your life and wash your spots away. Isn't it time?! Aren't you ready to be set free from the chains those spots have represented in your life?! The only way to do that is to face them...face your spots...face your mistakes. Acknowledge them to the Lord. Tell Him about your mistakes, ask Him to forgive you for them, and then ask Him to be the Lord and Savior of your life. He'll do it. And just like I can walk around with my blue spot FREE pink T-shirt, you can walk around with a spot FREE heart. He wants you. Now. What are you waiting for?
"I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all of your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws." -Ezekiel 36:25-27 (NIV)
Monday, April 18, 2011
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Divine Insomnia
It is 4:51 a.m. and I am wide awake. As much as I would like to attribute my insomnia to pregnancy, I just know better. I have learned that when I have trouble sleeping...similar to the trouble I've been having tonight...I have learned that the Lord is trying to get my attention. I know that sounds silly to some, but tonight's insomnia is different. It is not related to oversleeping or caffeine. I'm up because I am suppose to be up. It has been divinely orchestrated. I am suffering from Divine Insomnia. And here's why...
For a while now, there has been a part of my life that I have kept to myself. A part of my heart, if you will, where I have denied access to anyone who was anybody to have any kind of say-so in this area of my life. It is nearly 5 a.m. so, if this isn't making much sense so far, you can understand why. What I'm trying to say is...there has been a part of my life that I have left completely UN-surrendered to God. He's tried to speak to me about this part of my heart and any instruction He's tried to pass my way, I have either turned a deaf ear to it OR have completely and outright disobeyed any directions He's given me in regards to it...IT being this area in my life.
All night, I've been tossing and turning. I can't tell you how many trips to the bathroom I've had to take...yes, I am pregnant, but I do believe this was part of His plan for me tonight. When I did finally doze off, I was awakened with a cough I couldn't seem to get under control which caused me to get out of bed, come into the living room, and get in an upright position so I could catch my breath. Yeah, that bad. When I finally went back to sleep (on the couch) after that, my 4-year-old woke me up crying with a random double eye infection. Once I got him settled down, I tried to settle myself down, but failed...epically. I dragged myself out of bed. Again. Came BACK into the living room and finally got the message. I realized, finally, why I was up. After some prayer, some repenting, and some good ol' Bible reading...here I am. Talking to you.
I'm tired of fighting, y'all. This "area" of my life has had me gripped in anger, hostility, resentment, and bitterness for too many months now. And I'm just plain tired. The Lord was tired of fighting me, too. I'm so thankful He didn't give up on me. He knew I had wasted too much energy lately, and I believe He was ready to set me free from all of this. Sometimes, we just have to let things go. And let me be the first to tell you...this "area," this little situation I've been referring to all this time is NOT even resolved. Oh no, the people involved are still the same. The set of circumstances are ALL still the same. The very awkward environment that surrounds this thing is...you guessed it...the SAME. But here's the best part...I'm NOT. No, I am NOT the same person I was about 20 minutes ago. I am no longer holding onto the negative force that has been bringing me down (and other important loved ones around me too) for all this time. I am FREE!!
What about you? What are you still holding onto? Is there an "area" of your life that you have just refused to let go and let God? Why? Why keep fighting it? What if you're like me? What if you're situation never changes? It may never change. But you can. Your God is waiting for you to surrender so He can change you into the Beloved Child of God He has always wanted you to become. And by holding onto to negativity in your life, what good does that do ya? In the words of Dr. Phil..."How's that working out for ya?" Sometimes, we just have to let things go. When we don't, we turn into these things that God never intended us to be. That was me. Just 20 minutes ago. This thing...this thing that I was too exhausted to be anymore.
I feel better already. Now, maybe I can get some sleep. You should, as well. It's time. Time for you to rest. Rest. Rest in the Lord. Let Him fight your battle. You need only to be still.
"I will sprinkle clean water on you and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." -Ezekiel 36:25-26
Go and rest, sweet friends.
Linds
For a while now, there has been a part of my life that I have kept to myself. A part of my heart, if you will, where I have denied access to anyone who was anybody to have any kind of say-so in this area of my life. It is nearly 5 a.m. so, if this isn't making much sense so far, you can understand why. What I'm trying to say is...there has been a part of my life that I have left completely UN-surrendered to God. He's tried to speak to me about this part of my heart and any instruction He's tried to pass my way, I have either turned a deaf ear to it OR have completely and outright disobeyed any directions He's given me in regards to it...IT being this area in my life.
All night, I've been tossing and turning. I can't tell you how many trips to the bathroom I've had to take...yes, I am pregnant, but I do believe this was part of His plan for me tonight. When I did finally doze off, I was awakened with a cough I couldn't seem to get under control which caused me to get out of bed, come into the living room, and get in an upright position so I could catch my breath. Yeah, that bad. When I finally went back to sleep (on the couch) after that, my 4-year-old woke me up crying with a random double eye infection. Once I got him settled down, I tried to settle myself down, but failed...epically. I dragged myself out of bed. Again. Came BACK into the living room and finally got the message. I realized, finally, why I was up. After some prayer, some repenting, and some good ol' Bible reading...here I am. Talking to you.
I'm tired of fighting, y'all. This "area" of my life has had me gripped in anger, hostility, resentment, and bitterness for too many months now. And I'm just plain tired. The Lord was tired of fighting me, too. I'm so thankful He didn't give up on me. He knew I had wasted too much energy lately, and I believe He was ready to set me free from all of this. Sometimes, we just have to let things go. And let me be the first to tell you...this "area," this little situation I've been referring to all this time is NOT even resolved. Oh no, the people involved are still the same. The set of circumstances are ALL still the same. The very awkward environment that surrounds this thing is...you guessed it...the SAME. But here's the best part...I'm NOT. No, I am NOT the same person I was about 20 minutes ago. I am no longer holding onto the negative force that has been bringing me down (and other important loved ones around me too) for all this time. I am FREE!!
What about you? What are you still holding onto? Is there an "area" of your life that you have just refused to let go and let God? Why? Why keep fighting it? What if you're like me? What if you're situation never changes? It may never change. But you can. Your God is waiting for you to surrender so He can change you into the Beloved Child of God He has always wanted you to become. And by holding onto to negativity in your life, what good does that do ya? In the words of Dr. Phil..."How's that working out for ya?" Sometimes, we just have to let things go. When we don't, we turn into these things that God never intended us to be. That was me. Just 20 minutes ago. This thing...this thing that I was too exhausted to be anymore.
I feel better already. Now, maybe I can get some sleep. You should, as well. It's time. Time for you to rest. Rest. Rest in the Lord. Let Him fight your battle. You need only to be still.
"I will sprinkle clean water on you and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." -Ezekiel 36:25-26
Go and rest, sweet friends.
Linds
Monday, March 28, 2011
Lies. Lies. ALL LIES!!
Lately, I've really been struggling. Every now and then, I have these moments of insecurity that sneak up on me and before I know it, they have consumed my thoughts and my ability to think clearly. I thought it might be therapeutic for me to put some of these thoughts down in writing, and then follow them up with what the Word of God says about them, as well. Below is a list of lies I've recently bought into. I'm so glad I went to the Word, because it was there that my Lord reminded me of just who I am and what He has to say about ME. I pray you find some encouragement in the words below.
Lie: People don't really like you. Actually, you get on everyone's nerves.
TRUTH: SO DO NOT THROW AWAY YOUR CONFIDENCE; IT WILL BE RICHLY AWARDED. YOU NEED TO PERSEVERE SO THAT WHEN YOU HAVE DONE THE WILL OF GOD, YOU WILL RECEIVE WHAT HE HAS PROMISED. Hebrews 10:35-36
Lie: You're too over the top. You're loud, obnoxious, and not that funny.
TRUTH: I WILL PRAISE YOU, O LORD MY GOD, WITH ALL MY HEART; I WILL GLORIFY YOUR NAME FOREVER. FOR GREAT IS YOUR LOVE TOWARD ME; YOU HAVE DELIVERED ME FROM THE DEPTHS OF THE GRAVE. Psalm 86:12-13
Lie: You're fat. And pregnancy doesn't make you beautiful. Actually, you're puffier than you've ever been and everyone can see your cellulite through your pants.
TRUTH: I PRAISE YOU BECAUSE I AM FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE; YOUR WORKS ARE WONDERFUL, I KNOW THAT FULL WELL. Psalm 139:14
Lie: You're dumb. Any sense you actually have, you've had to work extra hard to acquire. Please don't ever speak in public. You just confirm what everyone thinks about you...you have no idea what you're talking about.
TRUTH: NOW TO HIM WHO IS ABLE TO DO IMMEASURABLY MORE THAN ALL WE ASK OR IMAGINE, ACCORDING TO HIS POWER THAT IS AT WORK WITHIN US, TO HIM BE GLORY IN THE CHURCH AND IN CHRIST JESUS THROUGHOUT ALL GENERATIONS, FOR EVER AND EVER! AMEN. Ephesians 3:20-21
Lie: You're ugly. Your chin jolts out. Everyone can see your blackheads. And that hair that keeps growing back on your chin, everyone knows about it. No one has the nerve to say anything to your face.
TRUTH: CHARM IS DECEPTIVE, AND BEAUTY IS FLEETING; BUT A WOMAN WHO FEARS THE LORD IS TO BE PRAISED. Proverbs 31:30
Lie: Your husband will leave you any day. It won't be long before he gets sick of you and will long for another life and another family. It can happen at any moment. Yes, you are THAT replaceable.
TRUTH: HER CHILDREN ARISE AND CALL HER BLESSED; HER HUSBAND ALSO, AND HE PRAISES HER; "MANY WOMEN DO NOBLE THINGS, BUT YOU SURPASS THEM ALL." Proverbs 31:28-29
Lie: You will never have a true female BFF. They don't exist. As soon as someone gets to know you, they run for the hills. No one has the capability to truly accept you as who you are.
TRUTH: YOU ARE MY FRIENDS IF YOU DO WHAT I COMMAND. I NO LONGER CALL YOU SERVANTS, BECAUSE A SERVANT DOES NOT KNOW HIS MASTER'S BUSINESS. INSTEAD, I HAVE CALLED YOU FRIENDS, FOR EVERYTHING THAT I LEARNED FROM MY FATHER I HAVE MADE KNOWN TO YOU. YOU DID NOT CHOOSE ME, BUT I CHOSE YOU AND APPOINTED YOU TO GO AND BEAR FRUIT - FRUIT THAT WILL LAST. THEN THE FATHER WILL GIVE YOU WHATEVER YOU ASK IN MY NAME. John 15:14-16
Lie: You are a horrible mother. Save your money so that you can reimburse your children for the money they will spend after years in therapy. You are doing more damage than you realize. Every bad habit your parents had with you is manifesting itself in your parenting, as well. It can't be avoided.
TRUTH: HEAR, O ISRAEL: THE LORD OUR GOD, THE LORD IS ONE. LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH. THESE COMMANDMENTS THAT I GIVE YOU TODAY ARE TO BE UPON YOUR HEARTS. IMPRESS THEM ON YOUR CHILDREN. TALK ABOUT THEM WHEN YOU SIT AT HOME AND WHEN YOU WALK ALONG THE ROAD, WHEN YOU LIE DOWN AND WHEN YOU GET UP. TIE THEM AS SYMBOLS ON YOUR HANDS AND BIND THEM ON YOUR FOREHEADS. WRITE THEM ON THE DOOR FRAMES OF YOUR HOUSES AND ON YOUR GATES. Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Lie: You will always battle insecurity. It is not possible to find victory in this area of your life. You came into this world as a weak, fragile female...and that is how you will spend your life.
TRUTH: A WIFE OF NOBLE CHARACTER WHO CAN FIND? SHE IS WORTH FAR MORE THAN RUBIES. SHE IS CLOTHED WITH STRENGTH AND DIGNITY; SHE CAN LAUGH AT THE DAYS TO COME. Proverbs 31:10, 25
Lie: You will never get over what your Dad did to you and your family. In fact, you will quit loving him and actually start hating him. As a result of that, you will grow to be an angry and bitter old woman.
TRUTH: THEN PETER CAME TO JESUS AND ASKED, "LORD, HOW MANY TIMES SHALL I FORGIVE MY BROTHER WHEN HE SINS AGAINST ME? UP TO SEVEN TIMES?" JESUS ANSWERED, "I TELL YOU, NOT SEVEN TIMES, BUT SEVENTY-SEVEN TIMES. Matthew 18:21-22
Lie: What you believe to be true about God and Jesus is just a myth. There is no Heaven and there is no Hell. When you die, you just die. This is as good as it gets. Enjoy your life now. After death, there is nothing. Jesus never came back to life after His crucifixion. You and the rest of the Christian world have simply bought into a made-up Utopian-style fantasy world that never has and never will exist.
TRUTH: AND I HEARD A LOUD VOICE FROM THE THRONE SAYING, "NOW THE DWELLING OF GOD IS WITH MEN, AND HE WILL LIVE WITH THEM. THEY WILL BE HIS PEOPLE, AND GOD HIMSELF WILL BE WITH THEM AND BE THEIR GOD. HE WILL WIPE EVERY TEAR FROM THEIR EYES. THERE WILL BE NO MORE DEATH OR MOURNING OR CRYING OR PAIN, FOR THE OLD ORDER OF THINGS HAS PASSED AWAY." HE WHO WAS SEATED ON THE THRONE SAID, "I AM MAKING EVERYTHING NEW!" THEN HE SAID, "WRITE THIS DOWN, FOR THESE WORDS ARE TRUSTWORTHY AND TRUE." Revelation 21:3-5
Lie: God really doesn't love you like you think. He is still disgusting with every mistake you ever made. In fact, you might as well quit trying to earn His love. You will never be good enough to be accepted or loved by the One who created you. He has plans for other people...not you.
TRUTH: FOR I KNOW THE PLANS I HAVE FOR YOU, DECLARES THE LORD, PLANS TO PROSPER YOU AND NOT TO HARM YOU, PLANS TO GIVE YOU HOPE AND A FUTURE. THEN YOU WILL CALL UPON ME AND COME AND PRAY TO ME, AND I WILL LISTEN TO YOU. YOU WILL SEEK ME AND FIND ME WHEN YOU SEEK ME WITH ALL YOUR HEART. Jeremiah 29:11-13
TO THE JEWS WHO HAD BELIEVED HIM, JESUS SAID, "IF YOU HOLD TO MY TEACHING, YOU ARE REALLY MY DISCIPLES. THEN YOU WILL KNOW THE TRUTH, AND THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE." John 8:31-32
Lie: People don't really like you. Actually, you get on everyone's nerves.
TRUTH: SO DO NOT THROW AWAY YOUR CONFIDENCE; IT WILL BE RICHLY AWARDED. YOU NEED TO PERSEVERE SO THAT WHEN YOU HAVE DONE THE WILL OF GOD, YOU WILL RECEIVE WHAT HE HAS PROMISED. Hebrews 10:35-36
Lie: You're too over the top. You're loud, obnoxious, and not that funny.
TRUTH: I WILL PRAISE YOU, O LORD MY GOD, WITH ALL MY HEART; I WILL GLORIFY YOUR NAME FOREVER. FOR GREAT IS YOUR LOVE TOWARD ME; YOU HAVE DELIVERED ME FROM THE DEPTHS OF THE GRAVE. Psalm 86:12-13
Lie: You're fat. And pregnancy doesn't make you beautiful. Actually, you're puffier than you've ever been and everyone can see your cellulite through your pants.
TRUTH: I PRAISE YOU BECAUSE I AM FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE; YOUR WORKS ARE WONDERFUL, I KNOW THAT FULL WELL. Psalm 139:14
Lie: You're dumb. Any sense you actually have, you've had to work extra hard to acquire. Please don't ever speak in public. You just confirm what everyone thinks about you...you have no idea what you're talking about.
TRUTH: NOW TO HIM WHO IS ABLE TO DO IMMEASURABLY MORE THAN ALL WE ASK OR IMAGINE, ACCORDING TO HIS POWER THAT IS AT WORK WITHIN US, TO HIM BE GLORY IN THE CHURCH AND IN CHRIST JESUS THROUGHOUT ALL GENERATIONS, FOR EVER AND EVER! AMEN. Ephesians 3:20-21
Lie: You're ugly. Your chin jolts out. Everyone can see your blackheads. And that hair that keeps growing back on your chin, everyone knows about it. No one has the nerve to say anything to your face.
TRUTH: CHARM IS DECEPTIVE, AND BEAUTY IS FLEETING; BUT A WOMAN WHO FEARS THE LORD IS TO BE PRAISED. Proverbs 31:30
Lie: Your husband will leave you any day. It won't be long before he gets sick of you and will long for another life and another family. It can happen at any moment. Yes, you are THAT replaceable.
TRUTH: HER CHILDREN ARISE AND CALL HER BLESSED; HER HUSBAND ALSO, AND HE PRAISES HER; "MANY WOMEN DO NOBLE THINGS, BUT YOU SURPASS THEM ALL." Proverbs 31:28-29
Lie: You will never have a true female BFF. They don't exist. As soon as someone gets to know you, they run for the hills. No one has the capability to truly accept you as who you are.
TRUTH: YOU ARE MY FRIENDS IF YOU DO WHAT I COMMAND. I NO LONGER CALL YOU SERVANTS, BECAUSE A SERVANT DOES NOT KNOW HIS MASTER'S BUSINESS. INSTEAD, I HAVE CALLED YOU FRIENDS, FOR EVERYTHING THAT I LEARNED FROM MY FATHER I HAVE MADE KNOWN TO YOU. YOU DID NOT CHOOSE ME, BUT I CHOSE YOU AND APPOINTED YOU TO GO AND BEAR FRUIT - FRUIT THAT WILL LAST. THEN THE FATHER WILL GIVE YOU WHATEVER YOU ASK IN MY NAME. John 15:14-16
Lie: You are a horrible mother. Save your money so that you can reimburse your children for the money they will spend after years in therapy. You are doing more damage than you realize. Every bad habit your parents had with you is manifesting itself in your parenting, as well. It can't be avoided.
TRUTH: HEAR, O ISRAEL: THE LORD OUR GOD, THE LORD IS ONE. LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH. THESE COMMANDMENTS THAT I GIVE YOU TODAY ARE TO BE UPON YOUR HEARTS. IMPRESS THEM ON YOUR CHILDREN. TALK ABOUT THEM WHEN YOU SIT AT HOME AND WHEN YOU WALK ALONG THE ROAD, WHEN YOU LIE DOWN AND WHEN YOU GET UP. TIE THEM AS SYMBOLS ON YOUR HANDS AND BIND THEM ON YOUR FOREHEADS. WRITE THEM ON THE DOOR FRAMES OF YOUR HOUSES AND ON YOUR GATES. Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Lie: You will always battle insecurity. It is not possible to find victory in this area of your life. You came into this world as a weak, fragile female...and that is how you will spend your life.
TRUTH: A WIFE OF NOBLE CHARACTER WHO CAN FIND? SHE IS WORTH FAR MORE THAN RUBIES. SHE IS CLOTHED WITH STRENGTH AND DIGNITY; SHE CAN LAUGH AT THE DAYS TO COME. Proverbs 31:10, 25
Lie: You will never get over what your Dad did to you and your family. In fact, you will quit loving him and actually start hating him. As a result of that, you will grow to be an angry and bitter old woman.
TRUTH: THEN PETER CAME TO JESUS AND ASKED, "LORD, HOW MANY TIMES SHALL I FORGIVE MY BROTHER WHEN HE SINS AGAINST ME? UP TO SEVEN TIMES?" JESUS ANSWERED, "I TELL YOU, NOT SEVEN TIMES, BUT SEVENTY-SEVEN TIMES. Matthew 18:21-22
Lie: What you believe to be true about God and Jesus is just a myth. There is no Heaven and there is no Hell. When you die, you just die. This is as good as it gets. Enjoy your life now. After death, there is nothing. Jesus never came back to life after His crucifixion. You and the rest of the Christian world have simply bought into a made-up Utopian-style fantasy world that never has and never will exist.
TRUTH: AND I HEARD A LOUD VOICE FROM THE THRONE SAYING, "NOW THE DWELLING OF GOD IS WITH MEN, AND HE WILL LIVE WITH THEM. THEY WILL BE HIS PEOPLE, AND GOD HIMSELF WILL BE WITH THEM AND BE THEIR GOD. HE WILL WIPE EVERY TEAR FROM THEIR EYES. THERE WILL BE NO MORE DEATH OR MOURNING OR CRYING OR PAIN, FOR THE OLD ORDER OF THINGS HAS PASSED AWAY." HE WHO WAS SEATED ON THE THRONE SAID, "I AM MAKING EVERYTHING NEW!" THEN HE SAID, "WRITE THIS DOWN, FOR THESE WORDS ARE TRUSTWORTHY AND TRUE." Revelation 21:3-5
Lie: God really doesn't love you like you think. He is still disgusting with every mistake you ever made. In fact, you might as well quit trying to earn His love. You will never be good enough to be accepted or loved by the One who created you. He has plans for other people...not you.
TRUTH: FOR I KNOW THE PLANS I HAVE FOR YOU, DECLARES THE LORD, PLANS TO PROSPER YOU AND NOT TO HARM YOU, PLANS TO GIVE YOU HOPE AND A FUTURE. THEN YOU WILL CALL UPON ME AND COME AND PRAY TO ME, AND I WILL LISTEN TO YOU. YOU WILL SEEK ME AND FIND ME WHEN YOU SEEK ME WITH ALL YOUR HEART. Jeremiah 29:11-13
TO THE JEWS WHO HAD BELIEVED HIM, JESUS SAID, "IF YOU HOLD TO MY TEACHING, YOU ARE REALLY MY DISCIPLES. THEN YOU WILL KNOW THE TRUTH, AND THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE." John 8:31-32
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Healer Of My Heart
Lord, I cry out to you on behalf of those who need Your healing. For the sick, heal them in Jesus' Name. For the lost, save them in Jesus' Name. For the heartbroken, restore them in Jesus' Name. For the addicted, break them in Jesus' Name. For the angry, still them in Jesus' Name. For the worried, calm them in Jesus' Name. For the fearful, send forth Your peace in Jesus' Name. For your children, love us in Jesus' Name.
Click on the link below and enjoy. Stop what you are doing and worship your Heavenly Father, the Healer of our souls.
Healer Of My Heart by Sisters
Love,
Linds
Click on the link below and enjoy. Stop what you are doing and worship your Heavenly Father, the Healer of our souls.
Healer Of My Heart by Sisters
Love,
Linds
Friday, March 11, 2011
I Am Just As Much Of a Jailbird As They Are
The other day, I passed several workers repaving a road near my home. A couple of the workers had on black and white stripped outfits. After a quick second, I realized who the workers were...prison inmates. As I passed them by, I gave them a lazy wave. In my mind, I also passed too many judgments on them to admit. It didn't take but a few moments for the Lord to remind me that I was no better than they. I know, in the eyes of society, what they've done makes them a criminal and therefore, having to wear a black and white jailbird outfit, is something they had coming to them. I mean....they should've thought better before committing whatever crime it was they committed, right? But in the eyes of the Lord, their sin was no worse than mine. Whatever mistakes they made in life were no worse than the mistakes I've made in my life. The only difference is that I didn't get arrested for mine.
You see? In this world, we give sins some form of value. We make certain sins worse than others. And while I agree with anyone who says, "Well, having an affair on your spouse is definitely worse than saying a four-letter word after stumping your toe in the middle of the night," in the eyes of the Lord, truthfully, they are no different. I bring this up only because not only have we given value to sin, we've allowed ourselves to excuse certain sins while not excusing others. We say to ourselves, "Well, what he/she did is unforgivable." What if that was the attitude of the Lord? What if He chose to forgive only certain sins I had committed while not forgiving others? Wouldn't that make what happened on the Cross a joke and pointless?
The truth is Christ forgives us for our sin each time we ask Him. And I believe, He forgives us for sins we are completely oblivious to because He loves us and understands our human flaws. Not only does He forgive us, but He forgets about them. The Bible says He tosses them out as far as the east is from the west. Bless God for that!! So, my question is...if He can forgive me? Why can't I forgive others? We've all royally screwed up in our lives. Truth be told, some of the things we've done really are unforgivable. But because of the Cross, we have been forgiven. I am no better than the inmates working alongside the road. I am no better than the two criminals who were hanged on crosses opposite sides of Jesus at Calvary. I am no better than the one person in my life who has hurt me the most. I am no better than the woman who chooses to not like me because of my personality traits. I am no better than the person who passes judgment on me each time she sees me based on information that was given to her by a dear loved one. You see? I am no better than anyone. And neither are you. We've been forgiven...REDEEMED...because of Jesus and the Cross.
Dear Lord,
Forgive me for when I have passed judgement on others. Forgive me when I've bought into the stereotypes and actually believed I was better than someone else. I am so ashamed. Thank You for forgiving me. Help me to remember the ONLY thing that makes me special is YOU and YOUR HOLY SPIRIT living in me. Help me to see others the way YOU see them. Give me Your eyes. Give me compassion for Your children....the same compassion You've been so generous in giving me. Help me to be a bold witness for Christ. I pray that You will allow me to be light in the darkness. Give me a sense of urgency to tell others what You've done in my life. And if they find anything attractive in me, may it be only from You and about You. You really do light up my life, Lord. I love you, Jesus. -Amen
"Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing." -1 Peter 3:9 (NIV)
Don't live your life missing out on the blessings God wants to give you. He and they are totally worth it.
Linds
You see? In this world, we give sins some form of value. We make certain sins worse than others. And while I agree with anyone who says, "Well, having an affair on your spouse is definitely worse than saying a four-letter word after stumping your toe in the middle of the night," in the eyes of the Lord, truthfully, they are no different. I bring this up only because not only have we given value to sin, we've allowed ourselves to excuse certain sins while not excusing others. We say to ourselves, "Well, what he/she did is unforgivable." What if that was the attitude of the Lord? What if He chose to forgive only certain sins I had committed while not forgiving others? Wouldn't that make what happened on the Cross a joke and pointless?
The truth is Christ forgives us for our sin each time we ask Him. And I believe, He forgives us for sins we are completely oblivious to because He loves us and understands our human flaws. Not only does He forgive us, but He forgets about them. The Bible says He tosses them out as far as the east is from the west. Bless God for that!! So, my question is...if He can forgive me? Why can't I forgive others? We've all royally screwed up in our lives. Truth be told, some of the things we've done really are unforgivable. But because of the Cross, we have been forgiven. I am no better than the inmates working alongside the road. I am no better than the two criminals who were hanged on crosses opposite sides of Jesus at Calvary. I am no better than the one person in my life who has hurt me the most. I am no better than the woman who chooses to not like me because of my personality traits. I am no better than the person who passes judgment on me each time she sees me based on information that was given to her by a dear loved one. You see? I am no better than anyone. And neither are you. We've been forgiven...REDEEMED...because of Jesus and the Cross.
Dear Lord,
Forgive me for when I have passed judgement on others. Forgive me when I've bought into the stereotypes and actually believed I was better than someone else. I am so ashamed. Thank You for forgiving me. Help me to remember the ONLY thing that makes me special is YOU and YOUR HOLY SPIRIT living in me. Help me to see others the way YOU see them. Give me Your eyes. Give me compassion for Your children....the same compassion You've been so generous in giving me. Help me to be a bold witness for Christ. I pray that You will allow me to be light in the darkness. Give me a sense of urgency to tell others what You've done in my life. And if they find anything attractive in me, may it be only from You and about You. You really do light up my life, Lord. I love you, Jesus. -Amen
"Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing." -1 Peter 3:9 (NIV)
Don't live your life missing out on the blessings God wants to give you. He and they are totally worth it.
Linds
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Get Right or Get Slapped
Life has a way of slapping you around. The following is a list of "rules" my mother taught me as a young girl. These rules can be AND should be applied well into adulthood. Recently, I have found the adults in my world, including ME and MY big ol' SELF, are getting a little lackadaisical when it comes to common sense items which IS, in fact, the motivation behind this blog entry. So without any hesitation, I present to you LA-LA's List of "Get Right or Get Slapped."
10. When you pass folks on the street or in a room, offer them, at least, a smile. A kind hello would work best. This goes for anytime you are out in public EVEN and ESPECIALLY when you are at church.
9. Always stand for what is Truth. This especially applies when someone is gossiping or saying anything that would be considered inappropriate. This always applies when someone is speaking against Truth. Take a stand, no matter what, even if the other person is a friend and/or relative.
8. Anytime someone gives you something, always say thank you. This includes but is not limited to waiters, Sonic carhops, perfect strangers, and family members.
7. If you need something, ask. Always say please.
6. People, especially your spouse, are not mind-readers. Let go of all expectations. Do not expect your loved ones to follow a certain script. Inevitably, you will be disappointed. And it's just plain UNFAIR to them.
5. Hold the door for people. Don't expect others to do the same for you.
4. Get over yourself. You may be cute. You may be sweet. But life just ain't about you.
3. Be on time. People who are habitually late are probably very selfish. Nothing says, "Look at me, I am the most important person I know," more than when you are late to functions.
2. When you commit to something, fulfill your obligation. If people are counting on you, be there and do what you said you would do. Do this even when it is inconvenient and/or unappealing.
1. Jesus is everything! You will never feel fulfilled in this life until you surrender your life to Christ. Pray all of the time. Read His Word everyday. And worship Him without apology. He is worth it ALL.
**Disclaimer: Items 5, 7 and 8 are simple and insinuate common sense. But folks, we have gotten away from doing them in our everyday lives. Manners, people. Please...practice your manners.
Now that you have read the list, you have no excuse. I have no excuse (especially with my mother living right down the road from me). Truth be told, we either need to get RIGHT or get slapped. By getting slapped, I don't mean by someone else. Life just has a way of doing that to us on its own, ya know? What about you? Got any words of wisdom you could pass along to us?
Linds
Jesus said in John 16:33, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
10. When you pass folks on the street or in a room, offer them, at least, a smile. A kind hello would work best. This goes for anytime you are out in public EVEN and ESPECIALLY when you are at church.
9. Always stand for what is Truth. This especially applies when someone is gossiping or saying anything that would be considered inappropriate. This always applies when someone is speaking against Truth. Take a stand, no matter what, even if the other person is a friend and/or relative.
8. Anytime someone gives you something, always say thank you. This includes but is not limited to waiters, Sonic carhops, perfect strangers, and family members.
7. If you need something, ask. Always say please.
6. People, especially your spouse, are not mind-readers. Let go of all expectations. Do not expect your loved ones to follow a certain script. Inevitably, you will be disappointed. And it's just plain UNFAIR to them.
5. Hold the door for people. Don't expect others to do the same for you.
4. Get over yourself. You may be cute. You may be sweet. But life just ain't about you.
3. Be on time. People who are habitually late are probably very selfish. Nothing says, "Look at me, I am the most important person I know," more than when you are late to functions.
2. When you commit to something, fulfill your obligation. If people are counting on you, be there and do what you said you would do. Do this even when it is inconvenient and/or unappealing.
1. Jesus is everything! You will never feel fulfilled in this life until you surrender your life to Christ. Pray all of the time. Read His Word everyday. And worship Him without apology. He is worth it ALL.
**Disclaimer: Items 5, 7 and 8 are simple and insinuate common sense. But folks, we have gotten away from doing them in our everyday lives. Manners, people. Please...practice your manners.
Now that you have read the list, you have no excuse. I have no excuse (especially with my mother living right down the road from me). Truth be told, we either need to get RIGHT or get slapped. By getting slapped, I don't mean by someone else. Life just has a way of doing that to us on its own, ya know? What about you? Got any words of wisdom you could pass along to us?
Linds
Jesus said in John 16:33, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Oh, have I offended you? Good!
God's timing is always perfect. Cliche, yes, I know. But so incredibly true. This verse could not have stumbled across the pages of my Bible at a more perfect time. Second Corinthians 12:10 says, "That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
I believe the Lord allows us to go through circumstances in life for a very specific reason. Often, for me, I don't realize the purpose of the circumstances until they have passed. I would assume this is the case for most people. Lately, that very thing has happened. I found myself being consumed with worry about a particular situation in my life that quite honestly, feels very hopeless. You know what I mean? It feels as if the situation is not ever going to resolve itself, is never going to get better, and the people involved in the situation are never going to change. Make sense? Welcome to my world. As a result of my involvement in this particular situation, I have made myself susceptible to heated conversations where I have been heavily criticized and judged. I have had to defend my husband after him being blamed and attacked for no reason whatsoever. I have also found myself having to defend myself on issues that haven't and may never make sense to the other parties involved. And the thing that has been the most painful has been my having to defend my faith, my Lord, my Redeemer. CAN ANYBODY OUT THERE RELATE?
After talking this out with my husband the other day, the Lord ever-so strategically brought me to the verse mentioned above. I know when we follow the Lord and live our lives according to His will, He blesses us immensely. But I also realize that when we follow the Lord and live our lives according to His will, we will, because of our faith, face persecution. It comes with the package. It's part of the deal. And shouldn't we embrace the difficulties, the insults, the hardships? It only means we're right where we belong. This serves true even when those who are closest to us hurt us, as well.
It is my prayer that I will NEVER act outside of God's will for my life. And I hope that everything I say, do and think will first pass through the filter of God's voice in my life. I want, with desperation, for His Holy Spirit to reside in my heart. For I believe that living a life consumed with Christ will bring blessings, peace, pain and difficulties. That is what a life of faith looks like.
So, if you think I am over the top with this Jesus stuff, good. If I offend you with all this Bible talk and God this and that, well good. Hallelujah! If me making decisions based on the plan He has for my life bothers you, insults you, or annoys you, sorry. Respectfully I say to you, get over it. He makes the calls in my life and living a life centered around Him is how I choose to roll. That is all I truly want. Don't you?
So when the insults come, bless God. When the hardships happen, bless God. When the persecutions shoot at you like flaming arrows, bless God. When you feel your weakest, bless God. For when you are weak, then YOU ARE MADE STRONG. For His power is made perfect in weakness.
Linds
I believe the Lord allows us to go through circumstances in life for a very specific reason. Often, for me, I don't realize the purpose of the circumstances until they have passed. I would assume this is the case for most people. Lately, that very thing has happened. I found myself being consumed with worry about a particular situation in my life that quite honestly, feels very hopeless. You know what I mean? It feels as if the situation is not ever going to resolve itself, is never going to get better, and the people involved in the situation are never going to change. Make sense? Welcome to my world. As a result of my involvement in this particular situation, I have made myself susceptible to heated conversations where I have been heavily criticized and judged. I have had to defend my husband after him being blamed and attacked for no reason whatsoever. I have also found myself having to defend myself on issues that haven't and may never make sense to the other parties involved. And the thing that has been the most painful has been my having to defend my faith, my Lord, my Redeemer. CAN ANYBODY OUT THERE RELATE?
After talking this out with my husband the other day, the Lord ever-so strategically brought me to the verse mentioned above. I know when we follow the Lord and live our lives according to His will, He blesses us immensely. But I also realize that when we follow the Lord and live our lives according to His will, we will, because of our faith, face persecution. It comes with the package. It's part of the deal. And shouldn't we embrace the difficulties, the insults, the hardships? It only means we're right where we belong. This serves true even when those who are closest to us hurt us, as well.
It is my prayer that I will NEVER act outside of God's will for my life. And I hope that everything I say, do and think will first pass through the filter of God's voice in my life. I want, with desperation, for His Holy Spirit to reside in my heart. For I believe that living a life consumed with Christ will bring blessings, peace, pain and difficulties. That is what a life of faith looks like.
So, if you think I am over the top with this Jesus stuff, good. If I offend you with all this Bible talk and God this and that, well good. Hallelujah! If me making decisions based on the plan He has for my life bothers you, insults you, or annoys you, sorry. Respectfully I say to you, get over it. He makes the calls in my life and living a life centered around Him is how I choose to roll. That is all I truly want. Don't you?
So when the insults come, bless God. When the hardships happen, bless God. When the persecutions shoot at you like flaming arrows, bless God. When you feel your weakest, bless God. For when you are weak, then YOU ARE MADE STRONG. For His power is made perfect in weakness.
Linds
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