Tag: truth

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Pressing Reset

Being a Christian does not automatically cause you to stop sinning. Nope…I am a sinner in need of a Savior every day.  Being a Christian also doesn’t keep you from experiencing tough times.  Nope…we go through them like every other human on the Earth.  The difference, though, resides in who we turn to when in those trials.

Here is a major battle I fight often: I feel so inadequate and unworthy at times. I feel very much like I am worthless…like the promises God has placed on my life are not real.  Oh, but those are just lies.  They are lies from the enemy who wants me to cower and not fulfill my life’s purpose; to keep me believing that I am weak and no different than I’ve ever been.

What about you? What are the lies the enemy tells you?  What self-talk do you struggle with?

The greatest way to counter those lies is the word of God. The truth in the Bible is everlasting.  It will not die!

Here are a few truths I consistently remind myself of:

God loves you and me: But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

You and I are made new: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

He knew us before He formed us: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5

Through Christ, we are made strong: “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”(2 Corinthians 12:9)

Believers have been given eternal life: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

We have been bought with a high price: “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” (1 Peter 1:18-19)

Replacing the lies of the enemy – whatever those lies may be – with the word of God will keep your mind on track. Keeping your thoughts on track will help you stay your course and finish the race set before us.  Don’t ever give up!

There are times, though, where I find myself in a place that I am unsure what are lies and what aren’t. It get confusing because life gets busy, I don’t spend time with God like I should, or I’m just stuck in a mindset that is unhealthy…I will have to pray this simple prayer from Psalm 139:23-24:

“Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
Point out anything in me that offends you,
and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”

I encourage you to start spending time with God every day. Pray the prayer from Psalm 139,  Feed your mind with the word of God so when the enemy lies, you can remind yourself what God says about you.

Be blessed, readers.

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Trust Issues

I love people. I love how each person is unique in their way.  We all see the world differently.  Sitting with someone who isn’t in the same culture, the same age, race, or gender as you and listening to how they see the world will open your eyes to things you’ve never thought of.  God has truly engineered us to be unique and be a masterpiece.  He made us all amazing creatures.

With that said, putting people in the same place as God in your life will cause great pain. We cannot rely on people to always be there or to always have our back.  We cannot put them in a place that, if they disappoint us, our world turns upside down.  No, people cannot be held to that standard.  The people I love will disappoint me and hurt me at some point.  And, in turn, I will disappoint and hurt them as well.  This is part of living in a world that has sin in it.

We must learn to rely on God first and put our full trust in God. He will never fail us.  When we do this, when we rely on God to be the perfect one in our life and not our loved ones, we can live a satisfying life.  When we don’t expect perfection from others, but love them for who they are, flaws and all, we not only have healthy relationships, but we also show them true, perfect love.

I encourage you to evaluate how you view the people in your life and how allow yourself to expect perfection from them. Know that sometimes people will let you down.  Give them the grace you want to see when, inevitably, you will let them down too.  Only put God on the pedestal of perfection.  He is the only one who will always be there and will truly never fail us.

It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. Psalm 118:8

Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled. Joshua 21:45

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8

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Advocate

There are times when we are faced with impossible tasks- moments when we feel the world is crumbling around us and we have no idea how we are going to make it through. You may not even know how you got there or why you were put in that situation.  Most certainly you don’t know what to do.  You are scared.  You want to retreat, but there is no escape – no ignoring the facts.

I know what this feels like. Yep, and I am pretty sure you have felt this way as well.  Life crumbles: friends and/or family betray you, you lose your job, your child gets in trouble at school…again…after doing everything you know how to do, when people ignore your potential and demean your worth, when your husband or wife has an affair or walks out on you, when you spent your last bit of money and you don’t know when you’ll get paid again… I could keep going because life is hard, unmerciful, and complicated.

We need someone to put us back together. We need a kind, gentle-spirited advocate who loves us just the way we are and only wants the best for us.  Friend, we need Jesus.  Whether you don’t know him, only heard of him, or know very deeply who he is – you need him.  If you find yourself lost in this world, run to him.  If you feel all alone – reach out to him and he will be there.  I have known him for 22 years  now and I still have to remind myself that he will never forsake me or betray me (Deuteronomy 31:6, Hebrews 13:5-6).  He will never forget me.  He loves me (Romans 5:8, 1 John 4:16, Romans 8:35-39).

It doesn’t matter who you are or what you’ve done – Jesus loves you. No matter how many times you turn your back on him, he will accept you.  It is just a matter of coming to him and asking him to take your burden and replace it with his and learn from him – because his burden is light and he cares for you (Matthew 11:29-30).

Right now – at this moment – if he is tugging at your heart – give up the burden on your life. If you don’t know Jesus as your Lord and Savior – you can fix it right now.  If you do know Jesus, but are having trouble giving up the reigns – give it over to him.  You were never meant to walk alone.  Jesus will walk with you and you will never be alone again.  He is a big God who can do big things (Ephesians 3:20-21, Romans 8:28, Isaiah 55:8-9).

Prayer: Jesus, I am in desperate need of you.  Please, come into my heart and be my Lord and Savior because I am a sinner in need of a savior.  Your sacrifice on the cross is sufficient to cover all my sins.  Because you were raised from the dead, I can live free.  Deliver me from myself.  Remove the burden that I am carrying and replace it with yours.  Walk with me every day so that I may grow deeper and deeper in you.  From today on, I will never walk alone. I love you.  Thank you for loving me.

Romans 10:9

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Isaiah 43:1-2

But now, this is what the Lord says—     he who created you, Jacob,     he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;     I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters,     I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers,     they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire,     you will not be burned;     the flames will not set you ablaze.

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Table for 1

Alone.  By yourself.  No one with you.  Ever feel that way?  Feel like you are doing life with “me, myself, and I” only?  I’m sure we all have felt this way.  It is a part of life and we go through seasons of time that we must face things…alone.

I use italics because, in reality, we never are 100% alone.  God is with us.  He sees all and knows all.  This is truth for believers and unbelievers (Psalm 33:13, Hebrews 4:13).  God is always there.  No one is hidden from Him.

Regardless of how you live your life, you will go through trials.  It’s reality.  There will be times when it seems no one is on your side.  I want to tell you that this thought is a lie.

You are loved.  It doesn’t matter how many people despise you, you are wanted.  It doesn’t matter what you’ve done, all you need to do is ask for forgiveness from God and he will make you clean again.  Find rest in Him when the world tried to remind you of the things you once did but are now under the blood.  

If you have breath in your lungs, you are not too far gone to receive the love and mercy of our Lord Jesus.  There is hope and you are never alone.  Be blessed, dear readers!!

“Father to the fatherless, defender of widows— this is God, whose dwelling is holy. God places the lonely in families; he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy. But he makes the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭68:5-6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.””

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11:28-30‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4:8-9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭41:10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

““I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”

‭‭John‬ ‭14:27‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.””

‭‭John‬ ‭16:33‬ ‭NLT‬‬

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Did Jesus love Judas?

In a ministry I am a part of, our ministry leader has asked us to take a look at the disciples of Jesus and look at the grace He showed each of them.  Below is what I have studied on and found in this journey.

There were 12 disciples -ALL Jesus chose. They weren’t a mistake and chosen for a reason. He knew the hearts of those who he chose and how they would decide to live their life.  Not one of them was perfect, but one has always been thought of as despicable – Judas Iscariot.

The man who betrayed Jesus. The one who sent Jesus to the cross. How awful was he? My question for you is – did Christ die for everyone BUT Judas? Was Judas’ sin too great to be covered by the blood?

Answer: NO! Jesus knew he had to die. Someone had to betray him. Reality is that Jesus was born to die. If Jesus decided to give up His purpose, he could have called the Angels down and the Cross would have had to be for someone else. But He didn’t. God used Judas’ sin for the good of the world. Jesus believed in Judas’ potential or He wouldn’t have chosen him and ministered with him. Just because Judas decided to make a horrible, awful mistake didn’t mean God still didn’t want him.

Every time we sin we decide that God’s law, provision, demands are not important and therefore, we are Judas. We sell our God to walk in greed. Yet, Christ chose us. Jesus doesn’t turn our back on us. He died for us!!

Think about this – if Judas hadn’t hung himself, but came to Jesus after He had risen to repent, would Judas been redeemed & restored?  I, personally, think so. Jesus chose Judas for a reason.

Remember this: Jesus chose YOU for a reason. No matter what you have done, you are not too far gone for the love of God to reach you. Don’t give up. Jesus atoned for your death 2,000 years ago. All you need is a repentant heart – go to Christ and ask Him for forgiveness.  Then watch Him turn your life around!
Never give up – always be blessed!
Much love, dear readers!
“I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me. I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night— but even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to you.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭139:7-12‬ ‭NLT‬‬“This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. This is my command: Love each other.”

‭‭John‬ ‭15:12-17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

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Remember…

Remember who you are to God!  Remember what He will do for you when you are His!  Don’t let any person or situation allow you to believe you are not worthy of what God has planned for you…
“The king proclaims the LORD’s decree: “The LORD said to me, ‘You are my son. Today I have become your Father. Only ask, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance, the whole earth as your possession. You will break them with an iron rod and smash them like clay pots.’””‭‭Psalms‬ ‭2:7-9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

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Trust Vs Mistrust

If you are anything like me, you have a problem of giving up control.  I know, for me, it is a trust issue.  Being trusting and vulnerable is hard for me.  Letting someone hold my fate scares me…a lot!

I even have this problem with trusting God, but as He leads me in this journey, He is teaching me that He has my back.  He wants to fight for me (to fight for us)!  That’s why He is a great Father.  

I keep finding myself in situations that require trust in Him.  I have have two choices: go crazy (ha!) or trust God.  Trusting Him seems the better option because I can honestly tell you I’ve tried the other way and it’s not fun.

He is showing me that He fights my battles.  All that is required of me is that I let Him.  That is easier said than done!!  I’d much rather just do it myself.  Anyone else feel that way most of the time?  But to be successful in this life, we must allow God to be God.

Let’s take this journey together.  Let’s learn to let God lead us.  Let’s give our problems over to the King of Kings and live in peace.  It’s so much better for us!!

“He reached down from heaven and rescued me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemies, from those who hated me and were too strong for me. They attacked me at a moment when I was in distress, but the LORD supported me. He led me to a place of safety; he rescued me because he delights in me.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭18:16-19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Be blessed, dear friends.  We are in this journey together!!

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Speak life

We are all fearfully and wonderfully made by the God of the universe. There is no “but” or “rather” – no qualification, no prerequisite.  God made us with purpose for a purpose.  That is who we are.  That is what God says about us.  Any voice that tells you otherwise is wrong.

Declare that truth over yourself today, this week, or this year.  Do it until you start to really believe you are who God says you are – that you are not a mistake, you are not forgotten, and you are truly loved & wanted.

Speak life to yourself!

“I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; When I awake, I am still with You.”‭‭Psalms‬ ‭139:14-18‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

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Road to you accepting you Pt 3

After we humble ourselves and admit our worst faults to God (alimg with asking Him for forgiveness) & killing the lies that we have heard either from others, society and even ourselves – it is time to start seeing who we are in Christ.

I used to be baffled at the notion that I could have a significance in the Kingdom.  I had no idea how much purpose I had inside me.  Purpose the Father designed for me when in my mother’s belly. You, dear reader, have great purpose as well- designed just for you.  You were created with a plan, a reason, and for this time.  You are not a mistake.  

I challenge you, dear reader, some time this week or even tonight to stand in front of a mirror, look yourself in the eyes, and ask God –  the creator of the universe – how He sees you.  Ask Him what qualities does He love and, if you’re brave, what qualities He doesn’t.  Ask Him to reveal what your true purpose on this Earth is.  Ask Him to show you who you truly are.  And then, you wait for His response.  I am sure that you will be surprised and I am sure there will be some chains falling.  Because most of us do not know who we truly are.

Our Father loves us.  There is no doubt.  Let’s see what He says about those who call themselves Children of God:

“Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.” ) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:35-37‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.”

‭‭John‬ ‭15:16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.”

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭2:9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Let the truth of who you are in Him rest in your heart and mind.  Once you understand whose you are- the lies the enemy tells us are harder to believe.

Be blessed, friends.  Remember whose you are!!

 

Prayer: Lord, there are times I have so much doubt about who I am and why I am here on Earth.  Help me understand who I am in You and how you see me.  In understanding my true self, help me walk out the calling on my life to fulfill the purpose placed inside me.  In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

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Road to You Accepting You, Pt. 2

Have you ever been lied to?  I’m pretty sure you have been…a lot.  If not by people in your life, just turn on the news & listen to someone in politics promise you something.  Good chance, at least one of their promises they have no desire to see it through.  I kid, but really, people lie all the time.

It was the first act if Lucifer did when he met Eve…he lied to her.  His lie caused her to believe something that she knew as truth to be exactly the opposite.  The snake convinced her that God was not telling the truth…that Our Father doesn’t have our best interest at heart.

Deception is Satan’s greatest weapon.  He uses it over and over on us humans and we all too often fall for it.  It’s because we are not exactly sure of who we truly are.  Satan knows this and uses it against us.

The question we all must ask ourselves is – how many things that we inherently believe about ourselves is actually a lie?  Some of the very things we are told by our family, friends, and society actually are  not true.

If you were ever told you aren’t good, you’re not enough, you’re not beautiful, you aren’t important or you’re not smart enough – you were lied to.  You were created for a purpose, a plan and a destiny.  You are hand crafted by the God of the universe.

It’s time to start walking in who you truly are – a Child of the Most High God.  Made for a reason and loved unconditionally.  Anyone who tells you differently is a lair.

Start walking in the authority God has given you.  First step to do that is declare that you are enough & denounce any lie you have been told.  Go to God in prayer and ask Him to heal the parts of your life that were wounded by these lies.

Let’s look at some scripture about how to handle the Lie-maker of the world:

 “Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭10:19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“But in that coming day no weapon turned against you will succeed. You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the LORD; their vindication will come from me. I, the LORD, have spoken!”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭54:17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

‭‭James‬ ‭4:7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Let’s humble ourselves before God so He can continue to do great work through us.  In doing that, God will give us authority & power to walk through snakes and not be harmed.

Be blessed my friends!  Remember who & whose you are!!

Prayer: Lord, help me decern the lies from the truth, even from my past.  Start to cleanse me of the scars I carry from the lies I once believed.  Help me understand who you truly made me to be.  I love you.  Thank you.  Amen.