Happy Monday, ladies! It’s a new day. A new week. And His mercies are new to us today. Can I get an amen?
As I was driving to work this morning each of you were at the forefront of my mind. For one, I knew I’d be greeted by a couple thousand comments to approve this morning with much joy, thank you, SSMT (I logged on Saturday for a bit, but never touched my computer yesterday. Sometimes you just need a break, you know?) And also, as I was remembering that I had yet to post my verse, I thought maybe it might encourage some of you.
I participated in the very first SSMT a couple years ago, but then didn’t join in two years ago. Little did I know I’d be coming on staff at LPM in 2011 or I might have jumped on the bandwagon that year as well, but alas, they still let me attend the celebration. Grin. Anyway, I think the reason I’m really excited to be jumping in with both feet this time is because I’m really fighting for some sanity and faith here. And I’ve found that when I’m really trying to find my faith is when the enemy really likes to attack it as best as he knows how. I’m sure no one can relate.
You know how when you’re younger and your parents tell you something and you choose not to listen because you’ve got this thing called life figured out and what do they know? Well, that’s kind of how I feel right now. I’ve been told, have witnessed and know that to stay with it, I’ve got to saturate my mind with Truth. With God’s Word. I have to hide His Word in my heart and mind. I’m hindering nothing but my own faith by choosing not to do that. So this time around I know what I’m fighting for. And I’m serious about it. The effects that His Word has on my heart and mind are life-giving and freeing, not vice versa.
Sorry for the tangent, but in case you were curious, we’re all for scripture memory around here, in case that wasn’t made obvious already. Laughing.
Truth be told, being involved in a lot of active ministries means I tend to fall more on the busy side than the bored side, and quite frankly, I love it. Who likes to be bored? However, a balance is indeed needed and I’ve learned to create some margin or else my faith will go to the dumps because I spend more time doing than just being, praying and cultivating. I know that when I start to get really irritable and annoyed with people is when I need to put myself in time out. In fact, this weekend I did just that and it was water to my soul. It was very good. But boy did I have to fight.
Maybe it’s because I just started Believing God, or maybe it’s because the Lord is doing a new thing, or maybe, just maybe, the Lord is slowly revealing more of Himself to me, but I want to believe God. I need to believe God. That He is for me. That He is good. That He is God.
“Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!” Luke 1:45
Blessed is she who has believed. I don’t know about you, but I want that to be said about me. About my faith. That I believed God and took Him at His word. Maybe this word is just for me today, and if so, I’ll claim it.
It’s Monday.
What do you desperately need to believe God for today?
Dare we take Him at His Word and believe Him this week? Believe that what He has said to us will be accomplished? Fulfilled?
I even dare you to share it with us today.
Because, Sister. He can. He is able. You can believe Him. And so can I.
After all, “The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:24
Im a little flabbergasted if I read this post correctly. Did you say you started “Believing God” as in the study? I am actually doing the study for the second time. Last one being in 2006 and God placed it on my heart to go and do it again. The area He has pointed out where I struggle in belief is “Believing I am who God says I am” I have strong faith in all the other areas but this one is tripping me up and holding me back from grabbing hold of all He has for me in Christ.
Yes ma’am! Just started the study with a group of High School girls. So thrilled to be doing it!
I did “Believing God” a 2nd time with about 8 years in between. It was amazing to see how different my perspective was the 2nd time, and how timely the review and reflection was in my life. Definitely glad that I listened to God’s leading me to repeat the study. Be blessed!
I love this!
I’m Believing God for my future; That I’ll be a dangerous, mighty and powerful woman for the Kingdom, and that someday I’ll be loved. (Romantically. Wink.)
I need to believe God that He has my teenagers in his Hand. As my son starts experimenting with alcohol and my daughter fills out her application to leave half-way across the world with YWAM! Tough stuff!!!
Daphne,
I can so relate to your need. My daughter is part of a stint team for CRU in Ethiopia. She is on year two now. My peace came and comes only when I trust God completely for and with her life. When those Mom worries attack my mind, I call out to Jesus immediately. I remind God and myself that she belongs to Him and I completely trust Him period. My son also started partying early in college and again, I pleaded the blood of Jesus over both their lives. Praise the Lord, my son has come out the other side loving Jesus more than ever. Stay steadfast in His living word, speak it over their lives and believe God for it. He is so worthy, so faithful, so true. I’ll keep you in my prayers.
Your Siesta in Christ,
Vickie
Im sorry for evesdropping, I know you meant this as a reply to another, but I so wanted to thank you for your word of encouragement!! I have two, I am feveretnly praying for them to stay out of all those things. One goes to college presently and one is going to highschool next year. God has wonderful ways of keeping me on my knees, lol.
Thanks to both of you for sharing.
oops ferverently…
At this very moment I’m believing in Matthew 21:22. If Your disciples believe, they will receive whatever they ask for in prayer. I don’t struggle with believing I struggle with not taking it into my own hands. We’ve struggled for the last 8 years trying for a second child, while we were leaving it in Gods hands I got impatient. I had invitro this past year, it took a couple tried but we got pregnant then lost the baby. Tried again only to find out my eggs are no good. Lesson learned we are now believing God has great plans for us. We are on a waiting list to adopt:-). WE BELIEVE!!!
Corie, I am believing God with you! My husband and I tried for 10 years, then were able to adopt our now 14-year-old daughter. It hasn’t always been easy and, like some kids, our girl has had issues with abandonment/rejection to work through. But the joy of having her in our lives far outweighs the difficulties. We believe God chose us to be her parents, and her to be our child. When I am discouraged (she is a teen, after all), I go to the Lord and put it back in His lap. I am believing Him for her future.
God is so good. I’m praying His perfect timing to complete your family. Blessings!!
Susan,
I just wanted to encourage you this morning. I was adopted, from birth. I remember the feeling of abandonment/rejection and identity issues especially around my tween/teenage years. I was a cheerleader, played softball, on student council, the works. Still, I did have issues and unfortunately my parents bore the brunt of my “issues”. At times I would test them, without having the wherewithal to realize at that age, that that was what I was doing.
Fast forward, I am a happy, healthy, well adjusted, married, mom of a 9 year old who dearly loves her parents and will never forget their steadfastness. Even at 37 I can remember at times I was a brrrrrat. Thankfully their love was strong. I am thankful for my birth mom but realize that she was a beautiful vehicle that God used to get me to my God given parents.
Even when the going gets tough don’t be discouraged. I’m willing to bet, your daughter is watching to see how you will respond and even in those moments, deep down, she loves you more than you know.
And like you said, she’s 14!! LOL I thank God I had a little BOY somedays. 😉
Thanks so much Tracie. I really needed to hear that!
Susan thank you so much for sharing your story with me. That only encourages me to continue to leave it in His hands and to not give up. I struggle with trying to take things into my own hands only because I am human and 40 yrs old, not getting any younger, so I think if I can make it happen in my time it sure would be alot better. NOT!! Lesson learned!! It’s back in his hands and I’m believing!! Thank you for your prayers Susan!!
God Bless
PS. Sister I will also say a prayer for you as mother raising a teenager;-). Praying for you to have patience guidance and wisdom.
Bless you sister!!
Thanks, Corie! And you know what? I was 44 (almost 45) when my sweet daughter was born! Being an older mom, I think I’m a little bit wiser than my younger self would have been raising this girl. Now at 59, I indulge in haircoloring to keep the gray at bay. I’m old enough to be her friends’ moms’ mother, but having a teen keeps me young at heart. 😉
Corie, my heart goes out to you. I’ve done invitro twice. I’m praying for your adoption this morning.
Thank you for this post, Lindsee! I love your honesty – it’s so refreshing! I’m believing God for my health (mental/emotional/physical) – I’ve been feeling out of balance the past couple days and I know when this happens I really need to bow down and cling to Him and His Word. I’m really thankful for the SSMT and immersing myself in His truth each day. There is great power that comes from combatting the Enemy with God’s Word!
Dear Hannah, Way to go on immersing yourself in the Word! Believing God with you for health!
Thank you so much for posting this! This is the motivation that I needed today. I know EXACTLY how you feel. Been dealing with it myself lately. I hate being on the wishy washy “I know I should do (fill the attribute of walking in the Spirit), but I haven’t/ won’t bc of (fill in your fleshy reason)”. Reminds me of James 4:17… I’ve learned that as we walk in the Spirit, our flesh will start to die off, but when we cease actively walking in the Spirit, the flesh has a tendency to come back to life. So, today I’m reaffirming my faith that MY GOD IS ABLE! More specifically, I am believing God for my complete physical healing. I’ve been battling chronic hives daily for over a year and a half and my dermatologist has told me that she’s done all she can for me. The stage is set for God to work a miracle in me and I’m waiting on Him and believing Him for this! To Him be ALL the Glory!
I have to laugh because I am hearing a recurring theme in my life and when I read your post, yep, there it was again. I am believing God for new focus and deliverance from my eating disorder. I have held on to it for a while and it is out of control again. His is saying He will take this from me but I have to give it to Him and believe He will help me through it. God is good and I am grateful. Thank you for the post!
I am Believing God for my marriage. And praising Him for the revelations that (ahem) MY attitude needs adjusting. After 26 years you would think I would have this thing down. 🙂
Thank you Dawn! I so needed to hear your words today! It always seems that God lands my eyes on something I really need to notice! I have felt a distance with my husband these past weeks and now, taking a closer look, I can certainly see where my attitude has has been the problem all along. Time to swallow my pride and make things right!
This week hubby & I are having to remind ourselves that God’s promises to us will be kept and will not change based on our current circumstances. The peace we have experienced in a situation should not be lost because of a new bump in the road.
Amen, sister! His promises never fail!
I’ll take your dare and share…
I live with my 80+ year old parents in a tiny town… jobs are hard to find here; it’s becoming a retirement town in many ways. I don’t mind being here to help them out so they can stay in their home but I’ve found that I have nothing here. I know few people that are my age (50ish) no jobs to be had unless I were a nurse or truck driver. I lie awake at night sometimes trying to figure out what to do next. I feel stuck with no means of escape; and responsible to help my parents at the same time. 🙁
Donna,
I just want to encourage you in this time of loneliness, that you are honoring God, by honoring and caring for your parents. I pray that you would reach out to a local church and find godly friends. I pray that God would meet your financial needs and your need for fellowship. “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”
Blessings to you during this difficult time.
Gracious Heavenly Day !!! I so needed to hear that word today Beth !! I am so dry and wasting and i’m running out of believing. I believed He would heal and i held on to my marriage and he walked out anyway. i believed and held on that He would help me with financies and i have more bills and credit calls than i can stand. i believed my kids and i would just make it the three of us and now my son is a state away with his father. i believed that life would get better and He would walk me through healing and i could help others dealing with this and i have no one around. i just closed up and felt myself drifting away into nothing but a friend sent me to a Great Banquet and His love poured all over me and i just woke up. i feel like i am drifting again and i don’t know how to stop it. But, you have reminded me of the way. i have to believe that He is good no matter what, and that He is who He says He is and He will do what He says He will do. Thanks for the reminder!!! Praise His Holy Name !!!!
I’m believing God for clear direction for my husband in his business. I’m claiming that God is not a God of confusion and He has a plan that He will reveal. I’m also believing for God’s provision in the business. God has been so very faithful and I praise Him for all He has done.
I need to believe God for His forgiveness and that I can be set free from addiction.
I am believing God for His peace, grace and mercy as the family watches our beloved Daddy nearing his time to go ‘home’…
I am believing God for the redemption, reconciliation and restoration of my marriage. We lost 2 sons(not really lost. They are deposited in Heaven.), were separated after 34 years of marriage then he divorced me a year later. Sounds icky but God has brought me closer through the trials of this life and has brought me to a place of trust and peace with Him, The Lord Almighty as my husband. The day after we separated the Lord told me that He would reconcile my marriage. I am waiting on His timing. I am also believing that He will help my daughters reconcile to Himself because I know He loves them even more than I do or could. I have already received a miracle through the Lord’s healing of my broken soul. How wonderful a Savior we have the honor to serve!
Mary,
I am praying for you. I’m so sorry for your loss. If its any hope to encourage you my husband and I were just remarried, against all odds, last year. It is possible even when others tell you it’s not or to pick yourself up and move on, God gets the last word and His word is good. Believing with you for reconciliation . It is possible!
Tracie,
Thank you so much for your response!!! My church has a group that meets on Thursday evenings called Marriage Reconciliation. Last night we had a couple give their testimony about their reconciliation. I came away from the meeting with renewed hope because there were so many similarities between that husband and mine. The Lord renewed my belief that He can touch my life partners heart and bring true reconciliation of the heart to the Father and then to me. I have already been so loved and touched by my Master’s hand in bringing me closer to His bosom. Please keep sharing with the world about the miracle of your reconciliation. I would love to see divorce put back in its true place and out of the body of Christ!!! NOTHING is impossible with and through Christ!!!
Oh my gosh, this is scary, but…
I’m believing God that when I surrendered my whole heart and life to Him, that I was truly reborn and that the old me died. The enemy has been working overtime on me lately trying to stoke a fire in my flesh, and he found a foot hold or two. But I am believing that as long as I choose to walk in it, that sinful, worldly girl died the day she met Jesus.
Great post, Lindsee! xo
WOW!!! So it’s Tuesday, but that blog post from yesterday was for me and just at the moment I was under a full on attack. And the scripture, I don’t have enough time or space here to tell you how directly and deeply that spoke to me. Thank you!!!
And anyone reading this I would truly appreciate any help with how to get my little picture turned the right way. I’ve redone it on the litte site multiple times and can’t figure out what is going wrong. HELP! 🙂
Im believing God for explanation, understanding, a why….to a vision that God has put on both my husbands and my heart. A crazy, seemingly out of know where, out of character for us (why we are sure it’s God) vision to make a giant move……to Australia!! I know right, whhatt? Why? We have several friends over there and love Hillsong but it’s so odd. We can’t make heads or tails of it. This is our country, my husband loves American Football….again, what?
I don’t know if it’s temporary or permanent. The whole thing is just bizarre. I mean we love the beach and all but we have friends, we can go visit, this is a move.
Thought I’d share in ” privacy” 😉 with my siestas as we haven’t spoken this to anyone. Thoughts of Abraham run through my mind……
Note: if you knew my very American ex College football player, steak eating, Red White and Blue husband you’d know how crazy this is and he’s the one that started it ! We don’t have jobs there. I’m a stay at home mommy/worship leader. He runs his family’s contracting business, here, in the U.S. We are befuzzled! See, I just made up a word. That’s how “befuzzled” we are.
No crazier than the fact I just turned in my resignation at my job of almost 13 years to study nutrition. All at the urging of the Holy Spirit. I’m still working on finding a program and wondering how all the bills will get paid on one salarie but God has promised me “open doors” if I honor him with a “faith commitment”. Words from my pastor the day before I turned in my notice. Now from this blog post “Blessed is she who has believed what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!” Luke 1:45. I would say get packing! lol. You never know what might happen. 🙂
Thanks for sharing this, Lindsee! I was desperately seeking encouragement today, so this was such a word for me.
One of the deepest longings of my heart is to be married. I know Jesus loves me. I LOVE loving him … but hope deferred is making my heart pretty sick these days. I’ve (stupidly) isolated myself and cut off lots of communication in my life because I’m so jealous of women who are married. Bitterness is not a good look for me. I know alienating myself from everybody isn’t the way to deal (and … hello … it’s definitely not the way to meet a great guy 🙂 but I don’t know what else to do. I have begged God to take away my desire for a man. If I’m going to live without a husband, I hoped he’d be merciful enough to take away the desire.
I’m confident in Christ’s love for me, but I’ve never really dated (I’m 32) and I can’t kick the idea that something’s wrong with me. I feel like men don’t even see me – still. It’s one thing to never get asked to dance in middle school, but it’s even worse as a women to not feel desired. NOT ONCE. Marriage is a dream I’ve had since I was a little girl and every year it only seems further from happening, never closer. All I can do is trust that God knows what he’s doing, but I would be lying if I didn’t admit that my heart is so mangled up over it. I believe a longing for a mate is a Biblical longing; I think it’s close to the heart of God. And yet … He fashioned me in such a way that no man wants me? That’s got to be enemy-talk, right? I don’t even know how to pray about this anymore. If I’m fulfilled by Christ alone, and I truly believe that I am, shouldn’t I be thrilled about being single? Because it seems like the closer I get to him, the MORE I want a family of my own. That’s got to be backwards. Today was a rough day (obviously). So thanks again for this post.
Erin, I hope you check back to get a little encouragement. Let me tell you my story. I grew up wanting only motherhood and marriage – my mom stayed at home – but God had other ideas. I had to go to work! I gave my desires to Him and learned to be content. I had a good job, great church and plenty of friends. Two of my dear friends moved away and then invited me one weekend to come sing at their church, two hours away. I had again been praying about my singleness, telling God I was ready to meet someone (and I even was so bold as to tell God what he should be like – I had a list). My girlfriend told me at church that morning that she had someone for me to meet. He was younger than I (I was 33 by that time), but I was game. He was guest teaching a single’s Sunday school class, but I was the only one who showed up that morning.(!) I found him incredibly attractive and found myself fantacizing about the children we’d have. I sang at the service and he sat with me, asking me for my phone number. I floated home and called my mom and told her I’d met the man I was going to marry. Ha! It took him weeks to call me, but I had been praying for him and our future. He asked me to come sing at his church, where he was back worshiping. I guess he thought he needed an excuse to get me back there. I went to sing, we spent a lot of time together that weekend and then the next few weekends. My friends gave me a key to their house and set up a room for me. I took him to meet my folks and we knew within a few weeks that we were meant to be together. By the way, he was really 36, never married and had every attribute on my list! He can’t sing a note and I’ve always regretted not having musical ability on the list – LOL! We have been married almost 25 years and God allowed us to adopt an infant girl 14 years ago. Our family isn’t the large one we desired, but God knew the special challenges ahead for us and kept our family this manageable size. He has been so faithful. We can believe Him for what seems impossible. I am praying for your ability to be content in whatever circumstance you find yourself, but I will also pray He will answer this deep desire for marriage and kids. He made us this way, desirous of this good thing. You are recognizing the isolation is not healthy. I struggled for years with being childless (my husband wanted 10 kids!!) and my attitude toward my pregnant family members, endless baby showers and Mother’s Days (some years I couldn’t go to church that day). I didn’t want to be around all these mothers! But God allowed the years of emptiness so that I would cherish the years of fulfillment. And perhaps listen to women with hearts like yours and let you know – it can happen. I have tears as I write, I know the deep desire and the deep hurt. If I, a human, can feel this for a stranger, how deeply must our Heavenly Father feel for you, dear one? You are in His constant thoughts. He loves you so much. Trust His plan for you. When you can’t see His hand at work in your life, trust His heart. I will be praying. Perhaps you will post again – I will be looking for you, Erin.
I’m believing God for deliverance from about $80 000 in debt, from the financial bondage that has some kind of hold on my life, and from the shame that goes with all of this. Also for healing and restoration of my very being.
You know, not much, really ;).
But the One who calls me is faithful, and He will do it.
I need to believe that God is going to take care of my precious, beloved grandmother in the nursing home she was just placed in. She is in so much back pain. I saw her yesterday … I tucked her in bed and sat with her in the dark till she fell asleep. When she opened her eyes, I kissed her forehead. I want to take her and rock her in my arms, like she always did for me when I was a little girl. She is MY Ma-Maw. I love her so much. And this is breaking my heart to pieces.
1 John 4:7 niv
Dear friends, let us love one another,for love comes from God . Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.
I did Believing God a few years ago, but I think it would be a good study to do again.
Lindsee, I am so on board with you! Neck deep in Bible Study Leadership and still have issues believing God! Started the SSMT for the first time this year, didn’t believe I could do it before. Now I am doing it and loving it and racing ahead to find what verse I want next. Check in with me in a few months to see if I am keeping the same pace. HA!
Plan to share a devotion on Scripture memory and would love to quote you, if you don’t mind. Let’s keep fighting the fight!! 🙂
Fighting with you, Sister. And you too can check back in with me in a few months to see how I’m doing. 🙂 We can do this!
I need to follow suit and be believing the Lord for a job for my husband. Has been out of full time work for over two years.
Believing God for the future of our kids, as well. He will be faithful!
Thanks for your honesty and encouragement.
Oh girl,,,,that last verse…needed to read it again today. 🙂
Hugs,
Stephanie
Traci from chandler Arizona
Matthew 5:43-45
You have heard the law that says ‘love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. (NLT)
Philippians 4:8
Finally brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, is there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things.
From Corona CA
Amen, Sister!:)
Psalms 130:5-“With all my heart, I am waiting, Lord, for You! I trust your promises!” I am in a situation that is seemingly hopeless for my daughter, as it pertains to me helping her, but I know that God can get through to her! Praise Him!!! He is faithful and SO good!!!
I am believing God that He has purpose in my not being able to find a job. Six months ago I returned from East Asia mission field after 3 years and am still seeking where He wants me next. Thankful for the blessing of my parents, but REALLY need a purpose. 🙂
I need to believe that God will shut the mouths of the lions in my families’ life.
Amen, Melissa! We believe that with you!
Kelley, North Carolina
All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.
Isaiah 54:13
ESV
I finally got around to reading your post and I had to laugh because Luke 1:45 is my memory verse this week. After coming off a year that has felt like my hardest year spiritually. Where every aspect of my walk with God just felt plain old hard. I am choosing this year to believe! God placed that verse in my heart a few weeks ago and I’m clinging to it because like you said ” I know what I’m fighting for”.
Deuteronomy 6:5~~Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 🙂
Thank you Lindsee, for the honesty of this post. I too have struggled with these same issues. I have only had the opportunity to read Believing God, but I would love to do the study! The book was LIFE CHANGING! God is the God of timing and it found its way into my hands when I needed it most! Because of that experience, I am believing that I am who God says I am-NOT who the enemy says I am! I am not the sum of the mistakes of my past because I am forgiven!! How do I know that? Because I believe God does what he says he will do!…As a matter of fact, I am at this moment believing that I need to find a way to do this study real soon!
God bless you Sister!
Hi
I started a study group 2 weeks ago at my church, in Spanish yes in Spanish. Is the Adios Inseguridad(So long insecurity) I am sooo thrilled that I can do this study , we have 13 ladies in the group. Beth, it will be great if we can have the workbook in Spanish, we have the book, though.Thank you for sharing all your wonderful studies.
God Bless. I am hispanic I know what is a siesta,it so good to take siesta!!!.
Yes…I agree with you. We have been in the hospital with my husband…too much to write…when our minister came by, I was thrilled to see him and we visited. Then when he asked to pray with us-I was ready-let’s pray about this…and his prayer was really good…however, in the middle of the prayer, he asked us to trust GOD and I felt in my very center that was where my problem was. I knew right then…I didn’t trust GOD, hadn’t trusted GOD, and didn’t really believe GOD’s promises were for me. Glad to know I am not alone!
Sue
Hi Lindsee! You have no idea how timely this post was for me on Monday, and I’m so grateful the Lord used you to write it. I did Believing God for the 2nd time last summer, and right now I am fighting to believe in each of the 5 statements (from the pledge of faith). However, I am CHOOSING to believe Him daily (sometimes every few minutes even)!
Janet H., Concord, NC
May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. Many your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.
1 Thes 5:23,24 NIV
I loved when you said you sometimes have to put yourself in “time out”. chuckle, I can relate, sister!! Bless you!
I love your posts, Lindsee, they always get me thinking. I appreciate you sharing your heart with us on here. I have had a bunch of fear issues lately with my pregnancy. I need to believe God that no matter what may happen with my pregnancy, and my health or the health of my little one, that He is in control, and that He is for me. Basically, that nothing is able to separate me from His love…I’m thinking also of that verse that says that He doesn’t willingly afflict the children of men…and what context is that in? I should look it up. Oh, to know Him better! To understand Him better! As much as I can here anyway. Through His Word, He reveals Himself to us…to have that faith like a child. Trusting my heavenly Father to take care of me like a Good Father should and does. Love you Lindsee girl:)
I need to believe that he does forgive me for ALL of my sins; the sins of omission and especially comission. It seems the harder I try to do good the harder I fall because I’m doing it in my own flesh. I’m not good on my own and I need to believe that no matter what I’ve done, who I’ve been, what I think and feel that God will never leave me nor forsake me and that I’m no longer my own, that I’m his and to have that on the inside of my heart. That even when I’m not faithful, he is faithful and won’t desert me when I fail. I need to know and take him at his word for this. Its a battle, especially when the light of the word and the lord shine a light on the state of your heart and you see how ‘desperately wicked’ it truly is, its frightening at how far I’ve gone from him and how dirty my mind and heart are. Praise the Lord that he died for ALL our sins. ALL sin lost power over us, and I need to stop living like it does have power. My faulty logic needs redemption, and the word of God is the only thing I know I can rely on. His Word is my Crutch, may the Lord grant me discernment to interpret His Word correctly..
Dearest,
Yesterday was great, wonderful series our Pastor is starting on the book of Jonah. All I could think about at first was watching the Veggie Tales version of Jonah with my kids when they were younger; now 17 and soon to be 15. Three things I did not know:
1.The book of Jonah is an Historical exaggeration.
2.You can determine this by the language that was used, when it was written.
3.It is a parable because it communicates truth through story.
News to me, but there was more. We had a little history/geography lesson. Jonah was running from God and what he was asked to do and Jonah was going to go to Tarshish. It just so happened that Tarshish at that time was a) the last port that was geographically known at the time and b) the EXACT OPPOSITE direction from Nineveh. Then we were asked, “What is your (my) Tarshish?” A place, a feeling, a church. Then he said something that is so true, “Tarshish is a distraction from what God wants us (me) to pursue. Food for thought. I am going to be really concentrating on what my Tarshish is and if I am really brave I will write it in my journal, in PEN, so I can’t erase it. GRIN 🙂 Have a wonderful week Siestas and Lindsee, thanks for all you do, you are so loved.
Oh how I needed to hear that, Lindsee. I just stumbled on this blog in a hotel room, three hours from home, missing my two babies who are asleep in their sweet little beds with my faithful farmer husband as I am on the road working. I’m struggling. Struggling to know what I’m supposed to be doing with my life. Feeling the pull to be home. The pull to be a better mother. A better wife. A better friend. A better teen leader at church. Alas, a better daughter to my King Jesus. I have vowed that this is the year I will fall in love like never before with my Savior. I WILL know Him. He WILL know me. I just can’t get my act together. I know where to find the answers. I know Who has the answers. I just can’t seem to get out of the fog to see the answers. Thanks for the encouragement, sister. I’m so glad to have sisters in Christ. We may never all meet until Glory Day…but what a day it will be! God Bless…
This whole thought pattern is crucial: do not lose your faith when your world is challenged! Luke 1:45 states blessed is she who believed. This was a real heart adaptation, not just a statement or fleeting intellectual thought. There was change involved. The Bible states that even the demons believe (and the enemy knows Scripture). This unnerves me. Am I purely stopping at intellectual thought or am I walking in obedience, truly surrendering and repenting, believing with thanksgiving and praise? Three typical responses might include losing your head (like the Israelites did over and over…no food! No water! The Amalelites! Etc, etc. Exodus 19:4 states that He “…bore us on eagles’ wings, and brought us to Himself.” Do we see Him and trust Him no matter what? The last two responses might be to declare a me syndrome, post it via social media and dwell on it. A third response might be to withdraw, play the blame game and let bitterness take root. However, Mary does not shine a light on herself. Mary does not withdraw but walks in obedience. Mary magnifies The Lord! She quotes her learned Scripture (challenges me) and demonstrates years of learning His Word. There was Mary, faced with something unbelievably huge, and she worshiped God.
Georganne
This is for Elaine Brady who posted at position 106 in this feed and is plagued with chronic hives. My brother had a similiar problem. He finally had allergy testing when dealing with the problem with medication was ineffective and led to complications from the medication itself. He had had injections for, as I recall, pain in his back. He had become allergic to one of the substances that was part of the injections. Then he became hyper sensitive and was allergic to items that had never bothered him before. He received a profile from the allergist listing many things that he was now allergic to. He was allergic to an ingredient in the body wash he was using, for example, and to some inks. That was a problem as he works for the Post Office and handles mail. He has cut out or changed many thngs and is doing much better overall. But he has to be vigilant and look at the ingredients in some common items. A complete battery of allergy testing would help you know what triggers to avoid. I will pray for you right now.
Lindsee, I feel like I wrote this post myself! I feel like we are very much in the same kind of season. So I will echo everything that you said. In general, I am just believing God for an outpouring of His Spirit in my life. I want to see Him do a mighty work in me and through me.
I’m believing God to do a mighty work on my marriage. My husband is not a believer and I believe our marriage is under attack from Satan. When my husband came to me and told me how he was feeling, his dissatisfaction with our marriage and life in general, God spoke to my heart saying, “I’ve already won this battle!”. I’m believing God for his promise. Please pray for my marriage and my husband’s salvation!
“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into the captivity of Christ.”
II Corinthians 10:5
Kim, Redlands, CA
James 1:2-4 NIV
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.