In memory of 12/14/12

The country mourns, the families weep,
the flags are raised half staff,
Many wonder where God was,
"Why weren't you there to stop this path?"

God answers in the quiet,
"I was there, my heart did break.
For what hurts you, hurts Me much more
and vengeance I will take.

You see, I gave free will to man;
this one rejected me.
And for that, he will be judged,
as anyone would be.

There are no degrees of sin, I say,
I see them all the same.
For murder is the same as lies,
all sin must be paid.

But do not be discouraged,
there is a plan to save
this broken, sad and sinful world,
My Son has made a way.

My Son, He shed His blood for you,
the payment for your sin,
without His body broken,
you can never enter in.

No matter how much good you've done,
you'll always miss the mark,
for Jesus is the only way,
the True Light in the dark.

He rose again with power to save,
come choose to follow Me.
This is the life designed for you,
choose Me to set you free.

I do not promise an easy life,
this world is not your home.
For in this journey you will have
much pain before you go.

However, I do promise,
to walk you to the end.
I'll guide you and direct you
til death you will befriend.

Eternity in Heaven, oh,
I'll wipe away your tears.
There is no pain, no hurt, no strife,
only joy you will find here."

The Voice of Truth

Has fear ever kept you from accomplishing God's purpose for you? I have. I have been working through many of my fears lately. I know that God has called me to some level of ministry speaking. This made me squirm. I'm a naturally shy person and this didn't seem to fit to me. I was reminded of 2 Timothy 1:7 which says

 "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and a sound mind."

 Fear is not from God. He's the one who gives us the ability to do what He has called us to do. So now came conquering other fearful goals. I knew that starting a devotional blog was on the list. I had stopped myself from doing it being fearful that people wouldn't read it or care what I wrote. I came to the realization that my true audience is an audience of ONE. That fear started to crumble. Leading a Bible study was next. I knew that was something God wanted me to do but I kept putting it off. Satan kept whispering to me that I couldn't do it. The song Voice of Truth by Casting Crowns reminded me of what I could do once I trusted Him and turned my back on my fears.

 Oh what I would do to have
The kind of faith it takes to climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing waves

To step out of my comfort zone
To the realm of the unknown where Jesus is
And He's holding out his hand

But the waves are calling out my name and they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
Time and time again. 'Boy, you'll never win!'
"You'll never win"

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
And the voice of truth says "Do not be afraid!"
And the voice of truth says "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth   

"Whenever I'm afraid, I will trust in you" ~Psalm 56:3

Allow God to conquer your fears and trust that He has given you the ability to do His will!!

Purposeful Change

I know that I have many flaws. But instead of beating myself up about them and feeling guilty, I've decided to figure out practical ways to help myself avoid some pitfalls. One of my biggest flaws is dwelling. It causes many problems in my life. Something big or small may happen and I'll hold onto it and run it over and over in my head. I have destructive internal dialogues about things all the time. One of the easiest places for me to have one of these dialogues is in the car while I'm by myself. Even with Christian music going, it doesn't seem to matter. So I came up with something that I have implemented to help. I decided to write particular verses on spiral bound index cards. I stuck them in the space under my radio and kept the verses out to hang down vertically so I can see the words. I have the following verses available to remind myself that I need to keep my thoughts God-honoring:

Finally brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are lovely whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praise-worthy -meditate on these things. ~Philippians 4:8

The end of a thing is better than its beginning; The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. Do not hasten in your your spirit to be angry. For anger rests in the bosom of fools. ~Ecclesiastes 7:8-9

Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. ~1 Thessalonians 5:14

I pull out my verses every time I drive on my own. It has helped curb my negative thought life tremendously! What are some practical things you can implement in your own life to

                                                                                   purposefully change?

Letting Go

Recently, I got passed over in my job. This is the third time in about three years. Everyone else has gotten to do it and I wanted to. I've been with the company for six and half years. I felt entitled to do it since I had been where I was longer than anyone and wanted to move on. As other people were given the opportunity to do it, I would start to think,"Hey, that's what I'm supposed to be doing!" I even really liked these people too. I was getting discouraged and aggravated.

 I finally started to get it. It started to really sink in that I was trying to control my life. Even though everyone else had moved on, didn't mean that was God's plan for me. Whether or not those in a management position had the same reasons as God, it doesn't matter. God wants me exactly where I am. I know that I'm good at what I'm currently doing and I've surrendered my ego and control of my life in that area. I am for once ok with where I am. It has taken some long years to learn this lesson. But I finally...
                                                                                                                   
                                                                                            Let Go.

I thought about my ways, And turned my feet to Your testimonies. 
                               ~Psalm 119:59

You Are Treasured

I don't know about you, but I look for worth in all the wrong places. This is a constant struggle for me. I get to a point where I start believing Satan's lies. He gets me to believe things like all of my friends have friends that they're closer to, so I'm not good enough. Or looking to do something specific in my job and consistently not getting to do it, so I'm not good enough. I devalue myself and forget what God thinks of me.

Last September, I was involved in Secret Prayer Sisters (SPS). I had a woman who I prayed for and encouraged consistently for 6 months and another woman did the same for me. My SPS gave me an amazing gift that reminds me of my worth to God. It was a beautiful locket that was made just for me and inside it says "fearfully and wonderfully made..." (Psalm 139:14).

We are "fearfully and wonderfully made"!! The New Living Translation describes us as "wonderfully complex"!! I cling to that and go head to head with Satan. I decided I wanted more ammunition to hurl and I wanted more reminders that I'm treasured. As I researched, I was reminded in James that every good and perfect gift comes from God (1:17). Every beautiful sunset I see or skill/talent that He has instilled in me is a gift. He gives us the gift of life! He has made sure that my body has been able to breathe every single day of my life! I am treasured by Him!! In Psalms, I am reminded that God loves us deeply as a Father (103:13). He doesn't love me based on how many friends I have or don't have. Not even by what I'm good at. He simply loves me because I'm His child. God has prepared amazing things for those who love Him (1 Cor 2:9). Only He knows what they are until He reveals them to you. But all of His plans are special!

There are many more ways that God shows us that we are treasured. I encourage you to look through your Bible and find some on your own. Don't let Satan win and keep thinking that you aren't worth it or not good enough.   You are treasured!!

"'For I know the plans I have for you',declares the Lord,'plans to prosper you, plans to give you a hope and a future'" Jeremiah 29:11

Comparisons

I have been running into many devotionals on comparing ourselves with others. Needless to say, it's been on my mind. While mulling over the always troublesome issue, I have realized a slightly different perspective...

I have many friends that are very talented in many different areas. Some may be extremely crafty or amazing at cooking and baking. The list can go on and on. So I may wish that I were as talented in these areas or in others. But I have come to the realization that those things are simply not the things I'm most interested in currently. Why am I comparing myself or talking down to myself in these areas when my interests lie elsewhere? My interests don't lie heavily on crafts, cooking/baking, hair and makeup or clothes (these are some of the things I've wished I were better at). They lie in Bible study, preparation to counsel woman, teaching God's Word and speaking. Not that I am any type of a super spiritual person...these are just some of the things that God has put on my heart. 

What are your interests? What has God put on your heart? What are some of the things you wish you were better at and now realize you're not as good at something as someone else simply because you're not as interested as they are? God has given us our own unique gifts and has given you you're own interests to pursue for His glory and purpose. 

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.  Isaiah 55:9