Embrace It

I haven't written in awhile. I apologize for the neglect of this blog.

I am not going to write now either. But, I am going to share someone else's words.

I am not a complete fan of Joyce Meyer but this article proved to be pretty powerful.

I hope it touches you like it did me.

By His Grace



How to Embrace God’s Forgiveness
by Joyce Meyer

Do you serve God or your feelings?

Now, that may sound like an odd question for a believer, but really, it isn't. Let me put it this way... When you ask God to forgive you, do you accept His forgiveness right away or do you waste time feeling guilty?

So many Christians struggle with guilt and condemnation. They're trying to pay God back for what they did wrong when Jesus already made it right.

God's unconditional love is a very difficult concept for people to accept because, in the world, there's always payment for everything we receive. It's just how things work here. But God is not like people!

Aren't you glad about that?

We need to learn that whether or not we feel forgiven, we're forgiven.

Feelings of guilt and condemnation are a huge problem in the Church, but I want you to understand that’s what they are—feelings.

If you really know God's Word, no matter how you feel, you can speak scriptures over your life and pretty soon your feelings have lost their authority.

For instance, 1 John 1:9 says that if we repent and confess our sins, God is faithful to forgive us. You need to take hold of that.

The next time you ask God to forgive you and then feel guilty afterward, open your mouth and say, "God forgave me." Quote 1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness", or use another scripture but say it out loud. There is power in the tongue!

Praying and declaring Scripture out loud not only helps to renew your mind, it helps you stand firm, and it certainly puts the devil in his place.

The devil will try to make us feel guilty even when we didn't do anything wrong. So we need to confess our sins until everything is out in the open and told, and then get dressed in our spiritual armor so we can firmly stand our ground.

When it comes right down to it, we just want to be loved unconditionally and accepted for who we are. We don't want to have to pretend or perform. We just want to be accepted and loved. And God offers that to every single one of us.


None of us can earn God's love. But in order to receive God's love we need to first believe that He loves us.

If you have trouble believing God in this area, don't just put up with it and wish that you felt better. Study the love of God. Read books about it. Listen to teachings on love. Start talking about it.

Say, "If anybody can have God's love, I'm going to have it. If anybody can be free, I'm going to be free. If anybody can be happy, I'm going to be happy. If anyone can have peace, it's going to be me. If anybody can be used by God, I can be used by God. If anyone can get over their broken past, I will."

Don't give in to your emotions—minister to them. Manage them. Remember that every day you're in Christ, you're a new person.

Another area Christians struggle with is believing God has great plans for their life. Don't trust your feelings on that either. Trust God's Word.

Jeremiah 29:11 says, For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.

We can all have the future God has planned for us if we choose to go after it—if we choose to grow and develop a deep relationship with God.

Yes, it's painful to grow. It's not easy to say no to yourself and yes to God. But every time you deny your flesh, it gets a little weaker and you get the victory.

People who are really strong, serious Christians are going after the meat of the Word. They listen to teachings on pride. They want to be humble, patient and victorious in Christ, and they train themselves to learn right from wrong.

I'm here to tell you that if you know who you are in Christ and you choose to grow, you will have a lot less trouble fighting guilt and condemnation. As a matter of fact, you will love God and the people He uses to correct you because they're helping you change and grow.

I don't want you to wake up every day and just live your life based on how you feel. I want you to know that God loves you no matter what and that you don't have to let feelings dictate the course of your life.

I believe you will see a transition if you pray and ask God, "Do what you want to do in my life. I'm Yours."

I dare you.

I'm Still Standing

Kevin LeVar - "A Heart That Forgives"

I've used this song before, but it's one that I can listen to everyday and still say the same thing "I want a heart that forgives."

It's been a little over a month since I've written a post here on my blog. What can I say? I didn't have anything to write about? I don't have anything to say? All of those words seem empty in comparison to what God has done for me.

It has been seven months since my husband and I separated, and now I find myself faced with the reality that he wants to work on our marriage. I know that everyone has their own opinion on marriage and divorce and what to do and what not to do. I do know that after the years we spent together and the hurt he caused when he left that I do not have it in me, even with God to allow him to be a part of my life in that manner ever again. I'm happy that he has decided to finally get back to a place with God that he remembers his love and knows that life is better with him by your side. I know that with God in his life, he will grow and propser and become the man that he has always wanted to be. I'm still working on my forgiveness. I know that I am leaps and bounds ahead of what I was a few months ago, but still not anywhere near where I need to be to say "I've forgiven you." My forgiveness is not to welcome him back in to my home or my life. My forgiveness is to let go.

2 Chronicles 20:17 (NIV) reads "You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.'"

I've taken up my position and I"m standing firm.

Where Have You Been?

As I've been struggling with the pain of life and striving to find my patience. Of course, I've tripped and stumbled along the way thinking that I know better or that this has to be right, it's happening. I have from time to time asked God where He might be. As we all know, that is a really foolish question. The answer is going to be something like this, "What do you mean where am I? I've been here all along. Where have you been?"

"Where I have been?" I've been busy letting the world take care of me. I've been busy being scared of the future and trying to find places in my life for people that really shouldn't be there. Making new friends with people that are only doing harm to my life and my faith. I haven't been making time for God during this time. It only takes a moment to pray and to talk with God. But have I been doing that? No! I was too busy wondering, planning, and over thinking everything. And too busy being afraid of his answers.

I've believed in God just about my entire life. He has guided me through so many things. Even when I was too blind to see it was him. Again my agenda has gotten in the way of His agenda, His guidance, and His blessing.

The Bible says in Deuteronomy 31:8 "The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." HELLO, SELF. HE WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU OR FORSAKE YOU.

The next time you ask God, "Where are you?" What you should be asking yourself is, "Where am I?" You know where God is going to be. Where are you going to be?

Stumbling Around

"Lord, Don't Move My Mountain" by Inez Andrews

You can come to God's house, raise your hands, worship him loudly, and yet still have a stumbling block of iniquity in your heart.

The Bible teaches that there is a real devil, Satan, who is our enemy. Satan's objective is to pollute all the good that God has brought about in your life by causing you to stumble and fall back into sin. But the Bible says, "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." James 4:7

My stumbling blocks are evil enticements that rob me of a steadfast walk with God. It is any besetting sin that causes me to waver in my faith, any desire that brings shame to my heart and to the name of Christ, any secret thing that excites me, gives me false hope, any sin that I cling to as I seek out the Lords guidance.

"Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything." (James 1:2-4)

If someone were to tell you that as a Christian your life will be problem-free, they wouldn't be telling you the whole story. God wants us to grow in our walk with Him more and more so. One way He causes us to grow is by taking us through difficult situations. Even though they're not fun, it's during the difficult times that we are more likely to listen to the Lord than when we are perfectly content and comfortable.

Are you still stumbling around? I know that I am.

As the song I have linked today says:

"But Oh Jesus, you don't have to move the mountain
But give me the strength to climb
And Lord, don't take away my stumbling blocks
But lead me all around."

He Is The Air I Breathe

MICHAEL W. SMITH - "BREATHE"

Listen to "Breathe" by Michael W. Smith. The praise and worship team sang this song before Bible study last night. There is something about just standing in the presence of God and his people in his house singing the following words.

"this is the air I breathe
this is the air I breathe
Your holy presence living in me

this is my daily bread
this is my daily bread
Your very word spoken to me

And I, I'm desperate for you
And I, I'm lost without you."

Today has been a long day. I woke up tired. I didn't sleep well last night and I woke up feeling empty and lonely. I was running late and I've been swamped with work all day long. One thing after another. I've stopepd a few times and taken deep breaths just to remain calm enough to make it through. Just when you think that you might be seeing the light at the end of the tunnel you step back a little into the darkness and your chest hurts and you cry out.

I'm desperate for you, I'm lost without you.

I read these verses last night as I was sitting down with my Bible just searching for his word to comfort me. Psalm 119:169-176: 169 Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word. 170 Let my supplication come before thee: deliver me according to thy word. 171 My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes. 172 My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness. 173 Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts. 174 I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight. 175 Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me. 176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments."

I'm desperate for you, I'm lost without you.

Be honest here, are you desperate for anything? And in your desperation of anything, are you desperate for God? Have you filled your heart and mind up with junk that keeps you from being desperate enough for God? Can you close your eyes and pray and say to him, I'm desperate for you, I'm lost without you?

Ephesians 1:18-20: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power.

Is he the air that you breathe?

I'm Ready

Third Day "Revelation"

Chorus:

Give me a revelation,
Show me what to do
Cause I've been trying to find my way,
I haven't got a clue
Tell me should I stay here,
Or do I need to move
Give me a revelation
I've got nothing without You
I've got nothing without You.

Each morning as I fight to get out of bed I try to stop and look around and thank God for everything I have. Sure, I might be a little heartbroken right now, but I am blessed. There is a little saying that says "Too blessed to be stressed, too annointed to be disappointed." Say it. Next time you are feeling overwhelmed say those words.

I've lived a pretty interesting life so far in my (clearing throat) 37 years. I've worked hard to get where I am today. Yes, I did a lot of it without living a life of faith. I've always believed. I once followed close. I also at once time didn't follow at all. But here I am, finding my way. I'm ready for a revelation.

I have a college education that I earned while going to school full time and working full time.

I have an amazing home, not just a house, but a home. And it is in my name only. I'm not renting, I'm buying.

I have an amazing career (not just a job) but a career that I love and that makes me proud when I see the results of what we do.

I have an amazing Mother (HI MOM) who is a woman of faith, that loves me and supports me through it all even though she lives 900+ miles away.

I could go on and on about the things that I have. But, I would have nothing without God.

"Open thou my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law." Psalms 119:18. The song linked above says GIVE ME A REVELATION. We know that a Revelation can be historical or scriptural or both. But... a revelation can also be personal. God's revealing activities are redemptive. They have a purpose, just like everything he does. God give revelations to people so that he might bring them back to him. So that he can be in our hearts and our minds. "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." Matthew 5:6.

Revelation 3:20 "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." Are you listening? Can you hear him knocking?

I'm hungry and I'm thirsty. Are you? Are you ready for your revelation?

Do You Hear What I Hear?

MercyMe "Word of God Speak"

Do you hear God's voice? Would you know it if you heard it? Are you hearing your own voice in the place of God's? Hoping and praying that the prayers you are praying are answered the way you want them to be answered. In order to truly hear God's voice, we must be ready to listen to God's voice. It's possible you're hearing Him already, for He may be the one giving you the longing to hear Him.

Hebrews 4:12 says "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

Open your own mouth and talk, God loves to hear us talk to Him, and he is ready, willing and able to speak to us. In conversation, we often speak to the other person, then listen for a response. Once we've prepared our hearts to listen through prayer, it's the same with God. Now, remember that we may not actually "hear" the voice of God like we would the neighbor speak in a conversation, but He speaks to us in many ways. Through his word, through our thoughts, through conversations with others, through circumstances and the list goes on and on. Keep listening.

Are you not hearing anything? Is everything silent? Let His silence remind you that even when you can’t sense His presence that His silence has a redemptive purpose in your life. He is always there for you. Are you listening?

I've recently been trying to find my freedom. I need to break free of anything that’s holding me in bondage. As I slowly become more and more free, I find it easier to hear from God. I refuse to listen to voices that defeat me. I'm giving up my own efforts to run my life and trusting God. Ask God to help you learn to wait, rest, and be content, so you’ll be able to surrender and hear his voice. Keep listening.

I'm learning that often times, God only reveals part of the full message when he speaks. He knows what to say, and when to say it. You might think you are ready to hear everything RIGHT NOW, but he knows that you’re not ready to hear everything. Trust in God to tell you the rest when the time is right. Choose to trust God even when you don’t understand what He’s doing. Whenever He leads you to join Him in His work, decide to obey, and He will keep leading you. Keep listening.