Letting Go of Doubt!

I often get so consumed with self doubt I wonder how I accomplish anything! I have had a lot of big events going on lately and satan has been taking advantage of this weakness in my life.   I doubt that I can really have an impact on people, I doubt that I am capable of doing things the right way, and I even doubt God's will for my life.  It just takes one tiny seed of doubt that seems to in my case grow into a choking vine.  I wonder what my life looks like from the outside.... am I putting on the smile just enough to cover all of Satan's lies that I tend to believe?

I am always wanting to help and give in any way that I can.  I have figured out that this is one of my Gift's from the Lord... I guess I have more I just haven't figured that out yet.  But I am more of a "helper" than a leader.  At least that is what I have believed.

I am providing Thanksgiving meals for 8 families that would not have it otherwise.  I have been wanting to do this for so long! It is so exciting and I know that it will be a huge blessing to the families! The person that was supposed to help me deliver these meals will not be able to help now and I am basically freaking out a little.... ok a ton.  I would really like a huge baseball bat to take a whack at satan perched on my shoulder right about now.  He loves taking this opportunity to tell me that I will be failure, that I should just give up, & that It's not worth it.  Lucky for me I am very aware of his ways.  After hours of crying... ya I am a little dramatic at times, I put my foot down! I can do this & I will make this happen! God is way bigger that me & he will give me the confidence & strength to do this.  So what if I am so nervous I want to jump out of my skin... it is worth it to have the opportunity to share the Love of the Lord!!

For every lie satan whispers in my ear I will shout back the Truth found in The Word!

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."  
                                                          2 Corinthians 12:9a

"Submit yourselves, then, to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Come near God and he will come near you."                         1 Peter 4: 7-8a

"I can do everything through him who gives me strength."
                                                           Philippians 4:13

I know that I CAN make a difference in the world, I know that I CAN do anything with God on my team & I know that I CAN succeed.  This all helps me to know that I can tell satan & his lies to go to ... well you know where  ;)

Separation Anxiety

There are times in our walk with the Lord the the clutter in our world creeps back in our lives and we feel separated from the Lord.  I like to compare it to separation anxiety a child feels when they are attached to their parents.  We are looking and calling out for the Lord and hear nothing.  You look back at time and see how at one point you were together hand and hand, the next few steps he is right behind you trying to keep up, & now you can see his outline far behind you.  You left him in the dust.... autopilot took over.  Lets take a look at the word.

"Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear to dull to hear.  But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he would not hear.   For your hands are stained with blood, your fingers with guilt.  Your lips have spoken lies, and your tongue mutters wicked things."           Isaiah 59:1-3

So when you wonder why you feel this separation from the Lord.... why you call but hear nothing.  The answer is YOU all along.  Turn autopilot off.... turn around and run back into the loving arms of your Father.  He is waiting.

My Prayer Today:  Most gracious father,  I'm so sorry that I have been trying to do everything on my own.  Please forgive me of the sins that have crept back into my life.  I know that I can do all things through you Father! I forget at times and take on life without you.... I also know that this will result in an epic fail! I love you.  Please give me the direction I need in my life so that I will do all things to glorify you!.

Renewal

Does it ever feel like there are times in your walk with Christ where you take 2 steps forward and then 1 step back?  Even as Christ followers we are human and fall back into old habits.  Satan is lurking and celebrating when we do.  I feel like when this happens the separation from the Lord seems pretty dramatic. I remember reading about this in the bible study I did this summer but didn't put much thought into at the time.  I have been living and breathing my life for Christ and make one slip up to find my self "alone".

We know that we never are abandoned by the Lord but with sin comes separation from him.  Our actions will put up a road block that keeps us from that connection.  This leaves you with an empty feeling.  I don't know about you but I really dislike feeling alone! I found myself on my knees before the Lord today begging for his presence in my life.  I was so intimately involved with Him that I took that for granted and stop seeking it.   When we stop seeking the Lord we will fall back into old patterns.  I found myself coveting earthly possessions & gossiping.  When we take these steps back we have to humble ourselves before the Lord and beg for his forgiveness! Yes BEG, even if he gives it graciously!  Lets take a look at the Word.

"'Even now', declares the Lord, 'return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.'  Rend your heart and not your garments.  Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity."

                                            Joel 2:12-13

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."               1 John 1:9

"Repent and be baptized , every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."

                                           Acts 2:38

We must repent each and every day.  This is not just a one time deal.  The Lord knows your heart and your sins, confess to him and let him take that burden for you.  He has already paid the price and does not want us as his children to suffer.  As we pray for forgiveness and kick old habits to the curb it leaves and opening for the Lord to connect with you again.  

If you have never had an intimate relationship with the Lord I pray that you seek him out and start this journey with Him! He craves a relationship with you just as you do with him.  

My Prayer Today:  Most Precious Father, I am so grateful that welcome me with open arms even if I screw up and take a step back from you.  I miss our day to day interaction and desperately want that 

back.  Please continue to show me your desires for my life so that I may live according to your will.  Father I pray that you will stir the hearts of anyone that does not have a relationship with you.  I pray that they will run into your arms and bask in your presence.  I love you and am so grateful for everything that you have provided me in my life.  Please help me to be content in what I have so that I will not stumble and covet these earthly possessions that bring no glory to you.

"Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground."

                                           Psalm 143:10

Which Are You?

Jesus was known to speak in parables.  Even now when I read some of them I have to go back and try to understand what he is trying to tell us.  The Parable of the Sower is one that he explains clearly to us.

The Parable of the Sower  -  Luke 8:5-8

"A farmer went out to sow his seed.  As he was scattering seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up.  Some fell on rock, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture.  Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants.  Still other seed fell on good soil.  It came up and yielded crop, a hundred times more that was sown."

Jesus gives us the meaning - Luke 8:11-15

"This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God.  Those along the path are the ones that hear, and the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.  Those on the rock ar the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root.  They believe for a while, but in time and testing they fall away.  The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches, and pleasures, and they do not mature.  But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop."

Where do you stand?  Do you hear and know how to act but choose not to?  Do you hear and accept the word as truth but forget what you have learned along the way?  Is your life controlled by the world so that you can't mature into the Christ Follower that the Lord desires?  Have you lost that burning desire to live your life for the Lord?

We all know people who "know" of the Lord but don't really "know" Him.  There are people in my life in this category.  I pray for them everyday! Pray that the Lord will remove the blindfold that satan has put on them.  These people are delicate because one wrong move and they will shut you out so fast.  They don't want to hear it.... because their hearts are hardened!   Continually pray for them.  Also pray for yourself! Pray that you will mature in your relationship with the Lord.   We need to stand firm in the Lord so that we can resist temptations and set a good example for non believers around us.

My Prayer Today:  Most Gracious Father help me to keep true to your word.  I want to live my life according to your will Father.  Continue to use me as your light in this dark world.  Father, I pray that you would soften those hearts that satan has turned hard.  I pray that you will use us to reach your lost children.  I pray that you would draw us close to you and give us direction in our lives.  Please open our eyes and hearts to anything in our life that is not pleasing to you. Set our hearts on fire for you Lord!  I love you and forever grateful for your grace, mercy, & Love!

Praise Him!

Often times we forget to praise the Lord in our prayers.  I wanted to do my blog on Righteousness today but I got so caught up is trying figure out what righteousness really means that I wanted to just give up! I was getting frustrated that God wasn't "helping me out".  I took a step back and went into the Word, besides that is where we are to go for answers.  Clearly Google was not helping me out!   To clear my mind I went to Psalms.  I like to start here first during my alone time with God.  I read Psalm 145 and was overcome.  This praise from David is so beautiful.  

When we spend time with God we are so busy begging him to meet our needs that we forget to just praise and worship Him.  Today is a day for Praise!  You might want to grab some tissue.  Well I had to make a mad dash for tissue after I read through and really thought about the words.  Mascara does burn you know! 

Psalm 145 - A psalm of praise.  Of David.

"I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever.

Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever.

Great is the Lord and most worthy fo praise; his greatness no one can fathom.

One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts.

They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will mediate on your wonderful works.

They will tell of the power of your awesome works, and I will proclaim your great deeds.

They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.

The Lord is Good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.

All you have made will praise you, O Lord; your saints will extol you.

They will tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might, so that all men may know of your     mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.

Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and you dominion endures through all generations.

The Lord is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made.

The Lord upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.

The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time.

You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.

The Lord is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made.

The Lord is near to all who call on him in truth.

He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.

The Lord watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.

My mouth will speak praise of the Lord.

Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever."

American Dream

It is so easy to get caught up in the "American Dream".  Make as much money as possible and acquire as much stuff as possible.  I know that I am so guilty of this! I have to make a conscious effort to not be envious & jealous of others.  I have always struggled with not being satisfied with what I have been blessed with.  We need to stop and think about what the rest of the world has.  Some families only eat rice & beans one time a day if they are lucky! And we complain that our filet is not cooked perfectly.  Some children only have the clothes on their back, yet we spend $250 on one pair of jeans.

 I'm not saying you can't splurge every once in a while on that special occasion.  But is it really necessary to only buy designer?  At one time I would have thought... um yes! If I don't have that LV purse what will people think.  If the soles of my shoe are red they will really notice all the nice things I have! Who cares... let me rephrase that...it shouldn't matter what people think.  It should only matter what the Lord thinks!  I went through my closet and was pretty upset as I looked at my special shoes that have that fancy red sole.  I  thought about what that 1300 would have paid for.  I could have fed a child for a whole year if I would have donated that to the food pantry.  I have had to take a step back and really look at my life and what I treasure.  When I get to heaven and the Lord asks me what good I have done.  Wasting money on myself for things that don't last will not be at the top of my list.   Lets take a look at the Word.

"Do not store up yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
                                               Matthew 6:19-21

"No one can serve two masters.  Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.  You cannot serve both God and Money."
                                              Matthew 6:24

"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'"
                                               Hebrews 13:5

"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where christ is seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.  For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God."
                                             Colossians 3:1-3

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.  It is the Lord Christ you are serving."
                                             Colossians 3:23-24

It is pretty clear that the Lord does not value treasures of this world.  I am not saying that money is bad.  Money is good it is what feeds & clothes us.  But when everything in your life is centered around money, status, and stuff it becomes sin.  And sin keeps us from walking closely with the Lord. For many people earthly treasures have become idols that they put before that Lord!  I encourage you to take a step back and really look at your life and what you spend your money on.  Then look at what that extra money could really be used for that would bring the Lord joy! We are called to glorify the Lord in all that we do.  Are you?

My Prayer Today:  Most gracious Father.. I pray that you will open peoples eyes to those in need around us.  We are so "Me, Me, Me" centered that often cast your desires to the side Lord.  Help us to be more conscious of our choices and to treasure what is most important Father, YOU! Help us to let go of greed & envy so that we can cherish the things that really matter in life.  Help us to be a light in the dark world so we can glorify you in all that we do!  Thank you for loving me with my flaws and all  & for your most gracious mercy.
     

Compassion

When I try and picture the Lord and what I think he will be like the first things that come to mind are kind, gentle, loving & compassionate.  You always hear that you are supposed to compassionate.  But what does that really mean or look like? Basically compassion is a desire to free others from their suffering.   We are supposed to feel this for everyone.  Yes, even that person you think is "getting what they deserve" in life.  It's hard to let go sometimes and not want someone who has hurt us in some way to hurt too.  What is it people always talk about...KARMA.  News flash... we weren't put in this world to judge others or decide how they should be punished for something they did.  We are called to love them and have compassion for them.  

As I was reading through Matthew I kept coming across the words "he was filled with compassion".  Speaking of Jesus whom we are supposed to mirror in our lives.  I am so grateful that he was filled with compassion for us or we might have the "get out of hell free" card that he has given us.  If we can't stop thinking about ourselves for one minute how are we going to think about how we can help others? If the Lord had so much compassion for me that he was willing to die for me the least I can do is want the best for others, take a risk for others, or share His grace with others.  Lets take a look at the Word.

"Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.  When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd."

                                                 Matthew 9:35-36

"When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick."

                                                Matthew 14:14

"Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes.  Immediately they received their sight and followed him."

                                                Matthew 20:34

"A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees. 'If you are willing, you can make me clean'.  Filled with compassion,  Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. 'I am willing' he said. 'Be clean!'  Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured."

                                                Mark 1:40-42

Time and time again Jesus was filled with compassion and he acted.  His compassion always led to an action.  How amazing would it be if we had his compassion for the world around us and acted on it?  I think the world change! I challenge you to be filled with compassion as our Lord & I challenge you to do something about it! You would be surprised how much your compassion will rub off on those around you.  

"Finally all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble."                          1 Peter 3:8

My Prayer Today:  Heavenly Father I pray that you will open everyones hearts and eyes to those who are lost & hurting around us.  I pray that you will use us to change the way people view the world.  Let us be your light shining so brightly in this dark world. Let us feel the compassion that you are so familiar with Father.  I am so grateful that you had compassion on us and have given us another chance at life ... a life to live for you Father!