My word of testimony today is Deut. 31:6 Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.
Jesus tells us that the enemy has come to lie, steal and destroy but He has come that we might have life and life more abundantly.
Since He is the Life that He was referring to, He was saying , "You have Me. " When the lies comes , I have Jesus to tell me the truth. When I see the enemies plan to steal stuff, I have Jesus to tell me how to respond so that the stuff will not be taken. When I hear the enemy say, "I will destroy you." I say, "No, I have Jesus, you can not destroy me, my life is His."
I have rejoiced every time truth has come when the enemy had sent a lie. I saw that the principle was basically the same when the enemy came to steal . It has taken me awhile to "really" understand. That day when I totally understand will probably be the day that I see Jesus. However, every day that my understanding is increased I see it as a day that means I have more light than I did the day before. More light means so much. If you have ever tried to function in a very dark room just the way you would in a room filled with light , you know the difference. In the dark room I am fumbling around hoping to touch the item I am looking for , then fumbling some more to take the item where I want to use it.
As light comes to my understanding about what it means to have Jesus with me when the enemy comes to lie, steal and destroy I feel as though I am entering land I have never been in before. Land that the enemy once thought he would successfully keep away from me. Maybe he even thought his lies would keep me from trying to walk in the land that was mine.
I want my word of testimony to be more than just a repetition of what you and I can read in the Bible every day. I want to say this : I once thought it would be impossible to love my enemies. I once thought that to bless those who curse me , was beyond anything that I could do. But now that I have Jesus , all things are possible. If I can give the truth in love to those around me, I will be walking into a new land. If I can say to the LORD ," I surrender to You all that I was hanging on to before. I receive from You new garments of warfare , the ones only You could create and the ones You have said for me to wear." Then I won't need to tremble or be afraid. The LORD my God will be with me and the stuff that belongs to me , show me how You want me to go about getting it .
Life and life more abundantly is not laying around on the ground like manna to go and pick up like it was when I was in the wilderness. That season is over and has been for quite a while. The Life and Life more abundantly requires that I receive as much of Jesus into my life as I possibly can. It means that I do not ignore the Holy Spirit but welcome Him into my life. It means that I expect everything that happens , happens for good. It means that because Jesus is with me I expect to be able to forgive those who persecute me and love those who despite fully use me.
Not because I am anything, but because the LORD my God is ! My God did those things ! My God , the One Who I want to be my only God, that One , He did all those things and He is with me.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
Building The Walls of Jerusalem
The word of my testimony today is Zechariah 4:6 "Not by might nor by power; but by my Spirit," says the LORD Almighty.
Families and our need for relationships is all a part of the divine plan of God . If Jesus had not thrown that part about He would be returning for His Bride , the church , I might just over look the whole relationship thing. Except for that part I could just hold on to the most important ten and feel pretty good about myself.
Aha, no that is just exactly what He did not want. He did not want me feeling good about myself based on what I can do. His plan is that I should feel good about myself because I have said , "Yes", to His invitation to come and be a part of the Bride of Christ.
Saying "yes," means I will be learning how to live with others , yes even loving others , His way.
That means my children too. I believe my children are special to the LORD, just as I am special. He is looking to see what I am going to give them as an inheritance.
I am so fortunate to belong to the Kingdom's economy system. Just as Peter told the beggar sitting at the gate of the temple , so can I say to my children , "silver and gold have I none ." What the Spirit of the LORD has given me , I want to give to you.
I have a friend who really has a vision for seeing every day as a wall building day. "Just keep being obedient to the LORD ,do what He has told you to do." I love talking to her about this because it is a truth revealed to her heart by the HOLY Spirit. Her word of testimony has inspired me so many times to keep going and not give up.
Families and our need for relationships is all a part of the divine plan of God . If Jesus had not thrown that part about He would be returning for His Bride , the church , I might just over look the whole relationship thing. Except for that part I could just hold on to the most important ten and feel pretty good about myself.
Aha, no that is just exactly what He did not want. He did not want me feeling good about myself based on what I can do. His plan is that I should feel good about myself because I have said , "Yes", to His invitation to come and be a part of the Bride of Christ.
Saying "yes," means I will be learning how to live with others , yes even loving others , His way.
That means my children too. I believe my children are special to the LORD, just as I am special. He is looking to see what I am going to give them as an inheritance.
I am so fortunate to belong to the Kingdom's economy system. Just as Peter told the beggar sitting at the gate of the temple , so can I say to my children , "silver and gold have I none ." What the Spirit of the LORD has given me , I want to give to you.
I have a friend who really has a vision for seeing every day as a wall building day. "Just keep being obedient to the LORD ,do what He has told you to do." I love talking to her about this because it is a truth revealed to her heart by the HOLY Spirit. Her word of testimony has inspired me so many times to keep going and not give up.
Friday, June 12, 2009
If I Being Evil
The word of my testimony today is Luke 11:13 If ye then ,being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Heavenly Father give to them that ask Him.
Also this word Matt. 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.
I have been looking at giving good gifts to my children. Maybe that is why I am becoming so aware of the evil that is in me. I certainly want to spend my time and energy on giving good gifts to my children . I have some children who have realised the best gifts are those from above. Any gift that I can receive from above they see it as treasury in their bank accounts. This certainly is a blessing to me because grace needs a face on it sometimes.
I have not had to hide who I really am from my children. They really know and believe with me for the grace of God. If my righteousness was dependant on works there would be no good thing. Not a thing.
My desire is to be rid of as much evil as possible before I die. The very evil that I am most aware of is prejudice and being prejudice towards those who are prejudice. I am seeing a pattern here. Do you remember that day that I saw I wanted to stop making people my idols and I wanted to stop wanting to be an idol to people ?
Seeing this pattern here has reminded me of a hiding style they talk about in Dr. John Townsend's book Hiding From Love. One style was a peaks to pits described by the defensive behavior : Goes from idealizing a relationship to devaluing it. Recommended steps : Accept own mediocrity and that of others.
Okay , well I think the scriptures that LORD has given for today will help me do that. Jesus had relationships with people whom He knew inside out. He knew how evil they were yet He did not devalue them. He also did not put them on a pedestal and say , "Oh you are so special because you realize that I am the son of God." He just related to them like they were one of His Fathers children. He seemed to understand that we needed a lot of encouragement to believe that His Father really did want to treat us as good as He does. He wants to give us really good gifts.
Also this word Matt. 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.
I have been looking at giving good gifts to my children. Maybe that is why I am becoming so aware of the evil that is in me. I certainly want to spend my time and energy on giving good gifts to my children . I have some children who have realised the best gifts are those from above. Any gift that I can receive from above they see it as treasury in their bank accounts. This certainly is a blessing to me because grace needs a face on it sometimes.
I have not had to hide who I really am from my children. They really know and believe with me for the grace of God. If my righteousness was dependant on works there would be no good thing. Not a thing.
My desire is to be rid of as much evil as possible before I die. The very evil that I am most aware of is prejudice and being prejudice towards those who are prejudice. I am seeing a pattern here. Do you remember that day that I saw I wanted to stop making people my idols and I wanted to stop wanting to be an idol to people ?
Seeing this pattern here has reminded me of a hiding style they talk about in Dr. John Townsend's book Hiding From Love. One style was a peaks to pits described by the defensive behavior : Goes from idealizing a relationship to devaluing it. Recommended steps : Accept own mediocrity and that of others.
Okay , well I think the scriptures that LORD has given for today will help me do that. Jesus had relationships with people whom He knew inside out. He knew how evil they were yet He did not devalue them. He also did not put them on a pedestal and say , "Oh you are so special because you realize that I am the son of God." He just related to them like they were one of His Fathers children. He seemed to understand that we needed a lot of encouragement to believe that His Father really did want to treat us as good as He does. He wants to give us really good gifts.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Finding Help
There was a person that I saw frequently that I disliked being around. Whenever I was reminded of how much I disliked this person I would feel sad. I prayed that I would be able to love this person but nothing seemed to happen. Then one day I saw this person in the company of someone else and the someone else just seemed to have an abundance of love for the person I disliked so much. Just seeing that someone else could love the dislike able person gave me the hope that I needed . My prayers continued for love but with hope. It wasn't long and someone else came around this unloved person by me, and exhibited great love. Once again I marveled . It had to be a miracle that they did not have the same problem that I had. They only saw the good things about this person , even though while in their presence I saw good reasons to dislike the dislike able person. The others who loved had a very positive impact on me.
And then one day a miracle happened for me. The dislike able person became a person that I loved. The behaviors that I still disliked did not prevent me from loving the person. I wasn't sad then.
I get up every day with the hope God will be glorified today. I try to remember that I follow the Spirit , He brings forth the glory.
One thing that I am glad that I have learned is to not limit God to answering my prayers , my way. If I want to love someone , He can help me anyway He wants.
He brought back the memory of how He helped me love before by bringing other people around who could love. I began to pray that God would bring people through whom He could show His love through for the people I dislike now. As I did this I saw that I was letting Him take a great burden off my back. My care of wanting to love had become a burden that I was falling under. But when I let it go telling Him He could use anyone to love through that He wanted , I realized that meant that He could even use me.
I feel as though I have begun a vigil for missionaries. For these unknown who will show the love of Christ to these unlikeable people in my life surely they will benefit from my prayers.
I have peace and joy once more. I am not focused on my producing a love. I am believing in His unfailing love showing itself somewhere , someway, His time table and for His glory.
The word of my testimony today is 1 John 3 :1 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called the children of God, and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
And then one day a miracle happened for me. The dislike able person became a person that I loved. The behaviors that I still disliked did not prevent me from loving the person. I wasn't sad then.
I get up every day with the hope God will be glorified today. I try to remember that I follow the Spirit , He brings forth the glory.
One thing that I am glad that I have learned is to not limit God to answering my prayers , my way. If I want to love someone , He can help me anyway He wants.
He brought back the memory of how He helped me love before by bringing other people around who could love. I began to pray that God would bring people through whom He could show His love through for the people I dislike now. As I did this I saw that I was letting Him take a great burden off my back. My care of wanting to love had become a burden that I was falling under. But when I let it go telling Him He could use anyone to love through that He wanted , I realized that meant that He could even use me.
I feel as though I have begun a vigil for missionaries. For these unknown who will show the love of Christ to these unlikeable people in my life surely they will benefit from my prayers.
I have peace and joy once more. I am not focused on my producing a love. I am believing in His unfailing love showing itself somewhere , someway, His time table and for His glory.
The word of my testimony today is 1 John 3 :1 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called the children of God, and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Help In Time of Need
Luke 17:3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.
The dog catcher killed a dog ! The story heard from a person I know goes : that she was called at work to come home , that her dog was foaming at the mouth. When she arrived home the dog catcher was there . He said, "You have been starving your dog. I am taking your dog away. " The person I know pointed out to him that water and food were right there available for the dog to get to if it wanted. However, the dog catcher ignored this evidence and insisted she had been starving her dog. Took the dog to the pound and when the person I know arrived he told her she had to watch him put the dog to sleep, (death by injection.)
My word of testimony today is Hebrews 4:15 & 16 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
It is times such as this that I must obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. If this dog catcher is a brother in Christ ( it is possible ) I need to forgive him. Right this minute I must obtain mercy because according to my feelings , I do not forgive him.
Did you read that last sentence ? My thoughts produce feelings and so I judge a lot about how I am doing on my feelings. However, I am right now working on bringing my thoughts captive and to the obedience of Christ . This would be the ground work for being able to forgive this person who used such bad judgement .
Only God knows my heart , even I do not know if in my heart I am able to forgive this person.
I have evidence that I have forgiven others for doing some very horrible things. I could only tell that I had forgiven when others who did similar things , I was able to respond as one who forgives. These things of which I speak were done to me. Now I will see if I can forgive someone who hurts a person I know.
I think of Corrie Ten Boone who forgave those who caused her sister and father great emotional pain before they were killed. I think of Paul who was able to forgive those people who were killing his fellow believers and preach Christ to them. I think of people that I know personally who count their lives successful when they forgive those who trespass against them.
The glory God wants comes from something He does in me. I will be going boldly to His throne of grace today to obtain mercy , and find grace to help in time of need.
The dog catcher killed a dog ! The story heard from a person I know goes : that she was called at work to come home , that her dog was foaming at the mouth. When she arrived home the dog catcher was there . He said, "You have been starving your dog. I am taking your dog away. " The person I know pointed out to him that water and food were right there available for the dog to get to if it wanted. However, the dog catcher ignored this evidence and insisted she had been starving her dog. Took the dog to the pound and when the person I know arrived he told her she had to watch him put the dog to sleep, (death by injection.)
My word of testimony today is Hebrews 4:15 & 16 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
It is times such as this that I must obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. If this dog catcher is a brother in Christ ( it is possible ) I need to forgive him. Right this minute I must obtain mercy because according to my feelings , I do not forgive him.
Did you read that last sentence ? My thoughts produce feelings and so I judge a lot about how I am doing on my feelings. However, I am right now working on bringing my thoughts captive and to the obedience of Christ . This would be the ground work for being able to forgive this person who used such bad judgement .
Only God knows my heart , even I do not know if in my heart I am able to forgive this person.
I have evidence that I have forgiven others for doing some very horrible things. I could only tell that I had forgiven when others who did similar things , I was able to respond as one who forgives. These things of which I speak were done to me. Now I will see if I can forgive someone who hurts a person I know.
I think of Corrie Ten Boone who forgave those who caused her sister and father great emotional pain before they were killed. I think of Paul who was able to forgive those people who were killing his fellow believers and preach Christ to them. I think of people that I know personally who count their lives successful when they forgive those who trespass against them.
The glory God wants comes from something He does in me. I will be going boldly to His throne of grace today to obtain mercy , and find grace to help in time of need.
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