The Door is Open and the Chains Are Gone!

Are you still sitting in that dark lonely pit of a dungeon, even though the door to your cell is opened and your chains are gone? Sunday the pastor at our church preached about deliverance and the idea that when something is delivered, it is removed or handed over from one grip to another. This idea has been rolling around my head for days now.

We've all been there, in the grips of that dungeon, sitting in a dark pit.  It looks different to each individual and sometimes it can change. We get fooled into thinking we're the only ones there, nobody else sees us, or even knows we're there. But Jesus not only knows, He has delivered us from that pit, the chains of our old life and actions have been removed. We've been set free! For some the pit that consumes them may be addictions, guilt, insecurities, depression, fear, and anxieties. The chains that hold them there are the labels placed on them by other people and lies spoken over them by the enemy. 

Acts 12:7-10 and Acts 16:16-38 is about Peter and then Paul and Silas's  delivery  from their prison and the chains that held them there. False accusations, which is what holds every believer who sits in the prison of depression, guilt, anxiety, shame, or any other spiritual sometimes emotional or mental ailment; it's what brought these godly men of Acts to their prison. Like Peter, Paul, and Silas, God delivered them straight out of the chains that held them there, we are also delivered from the chains that hold us down. 

While we may have been delivered we must take part in the getting out. God caused a great earthquake that loosened the chains of Paul and Silas, who were stripped and beaten, and thrown in prison with out a trial. They stayed faithful and waited on the Lord and took action at the appropriate time. In Peter's case an angel quietly came to his cell, released him from his chains, told him to get up, get dressed, and walk out. In both cases God could have just transported them from one place to another like Scotty beaming Kirk and Spock up to the Enterprise. God could have deceived the guards like Obi-wan Kneobi's Jedi mind tricks. But He didn't. Their deliverance was witnessed by others. 

We've been given the gift of freedom, but we have to accept it and use it. Stand up, walk out, and let it be a witness to others. Get out of that pit. The door to your cell is open and the chains are gone. Don't just sit there and use your past captivity as an excuse to not live out your future. There are times the devil deceives us into thinking we're still trapped and we can't do this or that, but give into it. It's hard when you have to start living out life the way God intended, it's can be full of new and never before seen experiences. God has a new and better plan for us than what we've lived while in the dungeons of life. And as many have read in my first blog post, I spent a long time in those dungeons.

For me, there was that guilt over sin already forgiven, anxiety, unfounded fears and depression. There were the labels of abused, used up, dysfunction, and disorder. There were the lies spoken about me that said I was not good enough, smart enough, or worthy.  I was crazy, unloveable, and ugly. If I allow myself I can sink back into the despair  of a that pit, that dungeon where nobody could see me or hear my cries. You see, I can allow myself return or I can walk out and live in freedom. Sometimes returning to the pit is easier, it's comfortable, familiar, and at one time all I knew. I knew how to live that way and knew what to expect. 

At times I still struggle with social anxiety, feelings if not being good enough, and the shadow of depression tries to stretch over me, but if I stand firm in the Lord, stay in HIS word, and out if the old cell deep in the dungeons of my past, I know I can stay free and victorious. I admit that sometimes it is easy for me to return and hide out there in order to keep from doing something I may be called to do, using the excuse of depression and anxiety, or listening to lies about being unworthy. In fact if I'm truthful, living as a broken down, depressed person, with social anxiety keeps me from doing the things I find difficult. I can use that pit to hide from new responsibilities. But is that what God wants for me? NO!

I've been delivered from the grip of Satan himself to the gentle but firm grip of the Lord God Almighty who has a hope and a future planned out for me! It is my responsibility to get out of my cell and walk in it! Are you content sitting in your cell, in the deep dark dungeons of life, bound up in chains, where nobody can see you, and you can pretend that you won't be held responsible for not taking more action in your life, or are you ready to step out and see what hope and future lies before you? Step out, life in Christ can be the greatest adventure!

Seek Adventure and Gain a Different View on Life

I hate that I continue to have such a heavy heart about the issues of the day. Not just my day to day struggle of making ends meet and being a productive person in society...

It seems to me, that our corner of the world has become completely upside down, very quickly! So many people have become completely blinded to truth. However, they are just as sure of their version of truth and reality as I am of mine. As I see it, there is only black or white, there doesn't seem to be any gray areas; there's only right and wrong.

Abortion and planned parenthood, gender identity and homosexuality, flags, racism, the right to bear arms, immigration and walls for protection, religion, Islam vs. Christianity, the U.S. vs. Christianity, wars, terrorism, nuclear deals, conservative vs. liberals, free health care, contraceptives, education, and housing. I'm sure there's more I'm leaving out. Each issue slapping us in the face daily. Everyone seems to stand firm with out wavering on their claim to what they believe is the only truth. 

I believe  our country is in a desperate place, it has gone too far off track. We've stepped over the line and there may be no turning back. Something has been set in motion, there has been a big shift, can you feel it?Many believe, we have always been moving forward and making progress. I ask, forward? In what direction, to where? Progress? To what goal? 

Remember the Romans 1 quote I copied and pasted in my last post? You can't tell me, none of that is today's reality. The gist of the whole passage in that post is found  in verse 28, "Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done."

What happens when a nation considered by many to be founded on the God of Christianity, turns their back on Him and does things that should never be done? You have those who care and those that don't. What is a person to do when they believe so many are going the wrong way? Continue to love and pray for those who can't see the truth, don't condone their actions, but don't condemn them either. 

It is times like these that I begin to feel so overwhelmed and worry about the world my grand children are going to grow up in. Today, it's harder to make a living, it's harder to see through the lies of the devil, it's just all around hard. That's when at the end of the week I look forward to the weekend with my Amazing Man, my husband. Each weekend we try and have an "adventure". It usually if not always consists of driving to no place in particular listening to an eclectic mix of music . We pray and ask God to join us on an adventure and show us some cool stuff, and He does!! Using only about 1/4 of a tank of gas, sometimes more. 

These adventures help us have a different perspective on the world we live in. It helps us see the beauty that still exists around us. Today I was reminded on Face Book how far I've come and how my life, while it has some struggles, it isn't quite so bad. Two years in a row, to the day I posted  Psalm 71:20, "Though you have made me see troubles many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up." Then a friend commented with, Job 8:7, "Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase." And Ya know, it really has!!! It is so important to take a step back and get a better view of the work the Lord has done and is doing in our lives and the world. "Adventures" are a great way to do it!

The pictures in this post are just a few of the recent things we've seen. We're so blessed to be able to take short breaks from the life we live and just explore with God. It restores our peace, and hope in our future and helps us reconnect with each other and God! When the world feels upside down and out of control, it's important to seek the beauty in God's creation and to be reminded of who's really in control.

 I think everyone should take time out and go explore, see what's around you, take a road you've never traveled before and escape from the day to day, if even if it's just for a few hours. 

 

Prayer

Prayer

Have you ever prayed for something for so long, you never thought it would be answered, and certainly not the way you hope? I have, in fact I prayed for about 18 out of the 22 years I was with my ex-husband for him to be the husband I wanted or needed. One that wasn't an raging alcoholic/drug addict. I prayed that my husband would be a Godly man. And if I couldn't have that I prayed that God would just make me learn to love my husband the way a wife should. I prayed for patients, peace, and understanding, and for God to just make me a better person so my husband would love me more.

Growing up, my own father wasn't around. My parents divorced when I was about 8 or 9 years old, part of it was due to the sexual abuse he inflicted on me. However, he still had visitation rights and flitted in and out of our lives with grand stories of his life to make  himself seem more interesting to my sister and I and make us want to see him. The sexual abuse may have stopped for me, so it seemed safe to my mom to allow us to visit. He really just found a way to get his fix with other victims. The emotional mind games began and kept me desperate to be that "good enough girl". However, by the time I was a senior in high school, my father was completely gone out of my life. 

Shortly after the divorce, my mom had a boy friend who lived with us off and on for 8 years. He was wonderful and caring; when he wasn't drinking. He was a Vietnam War Veteran who had been through and saw more things than any human should. While I did love him so much, his drunkin binges, verbal, and emotional abuse we (my mother, sister, and I) endured became too much to handle. I prayed that I would be good enough that he would love me, my mother, and my sister so that he would quit drinking and stay with us. Once I got older, at about 15 years old, I was fed up, and kicked him out, well at least I felt it was I who did it. After a long night of fighting and me yelling at him to leave and yelling at my mom for taking it, (not too unlike other nights) he didn't comeback. 

After all of that, my mom drank more, and withdrew, didn't really seem to know how to handle teenagers transitioning into adulthood, and was facing her own fear of being alone and not good enough. Right or wrong I felt a great responsibility for the way she felt and acted, I wanted to take care of her, but failed  miserably at even thinking I was trying. Being wrapped up in my own teenage/young adult mishaps, falling into bad relationships, drinking too much, all I could seem to do is fail at being a daughter, or person in general. Why couldn't God just fix me?

See, for as long as I can remember, I've always known there was a God, I knew of Jesus. For as long as I can remember I prayed for God to make me, a certain situation, or person better. Even though I wasn't technically saved until I was 11 years old. So I've done A LOT of praying for something in my life that needed changing. 

God didn't seem to answer those prayers. Why? I prayed for God's will, surely having abusive men in my life wasn't His will. He couldn't expect me to live alone and feeling rejected for ever, Right? Why couldn't He just make me a better person worthy of love? I grew up pleading with God to make my life better, to make me better. As you know from the beginning of this post and my first blog post, this same type of prayer followed me into adulthood. I tried doing things my way so long, to please God, to be "good", to make my life seem better, ya know trying to help God along.

BUT was I honestly praying because I wanted to live for HIM, the one who died for my sins, who protected me in many circumstances that could have been worse than they were? Did I want to live for the one who had a plan for my life that included a future full of hope and blessings? I just wanted my life better or fixed so I could go on living happily ever after and "normal". I knew I wanted the blessings part. It was all about me and, why is life on this earth so difficult.

So, again, why doesn't God just answer my prayers or the prayers of the faithful prayer? The answer is found in our own hearts. God is more concerned about cleaning up our hearts, before the things in our lives. He can't stand that our hearts and the things we harbor there, oppose HIM and separate us from HIM. Jesus wants us to come and surrender our hearts and lives to Him and receive new hearts and a life with a hope and a future.

Nothing can made right in our lives, or in the world, until we receive new hearts surrendered to God. All selfish desires of our hearts come when worship of God is absent. 

Like I mentioned in a previous post, because of Adam, sin entered the world and entangled every  area of life. We rejected the rule of The Lord over our lives. When we continue to reject God, He'll  Give us over to ourselves and our sinful desire, which brings death and destruction. Death of a relationship with God and destruction of the life that God intended us to have.

Reading the first chapter of Romans, reads like something that could have been written today about today's world:

18 But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness.[19 They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. 20 For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.

"21 Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused.22 Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. 23 And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles.

24 So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies. 25 They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen. 26 That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other. 27 And the men, instead of having normal sexual relations with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men, and as a result of this sin, they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved.

28 Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done. 29 Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip.30 They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways of sinning, and they disobey their parents. 31 They refuse to understand, break their promises, are heartless, and have no mercy. 32 They know God’s justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too."

I didn't intend to copy and paste so much of the chapter, but it speaks volumes about what is wrong with the world and why prayers don't get answered the way we want. We've traded the truth of God for lies! 

Now, in the two and a half years my idea of praying has changed. My heart has changed. It changed the moment I decided I wasn't going to tell God no, any more. A new complete surrender the Lord. My heart and mind have been completed changed! I've seen more answered prayers and miracles in the past two years than in my whole life.   I've seen God work in ways I thought were no longer relevant in today's world. I gained many blessings, including a new marriage to a godly man as well as new friends and family.

What an incredibly different world with hope in our future we would live in if everyone sought to worship God instead believe in the lies if the devil!

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.(Romans 12:2)

23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;(Ephesians 4:23)

YOU OWE ME! ... GET OVER IT AND MOVE ON

You owe me! 

Get over it and move on...

We are all human and live in a fallen world where sin reigns, a world that will one day be redeemed. 

Reading in Genesis 2:4 through 5:32, the very beginning of history, we learn Adam and Eve were the main object of God's creation.  His creation was beautiful and innocent. Adam and Eve had full access and daily fellowship with the Lord, they  knew Him and his desires for their lives while living in the beautiful perfect garden created just for them, that provided all their needs with out having to work for it. However, it didn't take long before it was over-turned by the self-willed disobedience of Adam and Eve. Fellowship was severed and evil began to twist, turn, and knit its cancerous entanglement through the progression of history. 

Evil has infused itself  in all aspects of our life including; the government, places of employment,  schools, social media, books, and news casts; sadly, even in our own families, the list could go on and on. It has strained our relationships with others and has further separated us from the Lord. 

Through Jesus we're given the gift of restoration of fellowship with our creator. We're offered forgiveness! It is a gift we have the option to take, open up, and share with others. We share it with those who have harmed us or robbed us. Are we so much bigger or more important than God that we can withhold forgiveness from others? Are we so great that we would turn our nose up and refuse to even accept the gift? 

 I don't know what you have experienced in your life that is so great that you are unwilling to forgive. Unfogiveness is pretty much saying, you'd rather hold on to the pain and hurt, or wallow in the depression caused by the hurt and pain you refuse to let go of. That's a hard truth to swallow. I know I've had to do it myself. As mentioned in my first blog post here, some know, I've had to forgive the abuse by multiple people in my life: sexual abuse, physical abuse, mental abuse, emotional abuse, and abandonment. All of these abuses were experienced over a span of time by different individuals, some even in authority over me. 

While I have forgiven and moved on. I've stopped feeling like those who have harmed me, hurt me, robbed me if dreams of a future I thought I was going to have, owed me. I wanted them to hurt as much as I hurt, cry as much as I cried. But I had no power to affect their heart, that was up to God and them, weather or not they were willing to turn to the Lord. Forgiveness, letting it all go, and giving it to the Lord to take care of is so freeing and healing!! It doesn't mean that the offenses are now okay and in some situations doesn't mean we will have restored relationships. It does mean that it is okay to move in and have the life God wants us to have. One that is restored, blessed, and has hope and a future. It also gives us a chance to forgive ourselves, because we know that some of the hurts, pains, and offensive things done to us would not have happened if we didn't put ourselves in certain situations, or if our actions didn't provoke others to stumble and sin against us. 

There are many examples of forgiveness in the Bible. Things happened that we couldn't imagine going through ourselves. While I have been homeless, I never had to live in a cave running for my life. I never had to consider eating pig slop.  I have had some inappropriate relationships, but never faced stoning. I haven't been sold into slavery. But these people had and yet they forgave and or was offered forgiveness.

Esau forgave his twin brother, Jacob for scheming, plotting, and later stealing a large part of his inheritance. (Genesis 33)

Joseph, the youngest son of 11 brothers forgave all of his brothers who were jealous of him, kidnapped him, threw him in a pit, and sold him into slavery where he later encountered false accusations and was thrown into prison! However, through it all Joseph never turned from the Lord. Through God's provisions and blessings Joseph was released from prison and became one of the most powerful men in the land. When a great famine came Joseph not only forgave his brothers but he provided food and the necessary items to survive the famine. (Genesis 37-50)

Through out 1 Samuel, Saul sought to kill David. David feared for his life for a very long time and even hid in caves to stay alive. Yet, he always responded with kindness and forgiveness to the household of Saul. After Saul and his son Jonathan's death, David became king. David made sure that their land was restored and cared for. David made a place for Saul's grandson, Mephibosheth at his own table so that he was accepted as part of the kings family. (2 Samuel 9)

Many know, the Parable of the Prodigal Son. The son of a wealthy man who wanted all his inheritance early, before his father died. When he received it all he left his family and duties at home and wasted it. When the economy tanked he had no money, job and or friends. He found himself taking whatever job he could get. Even taking care of pigs for a farmer. He was so poor and hungry, he considered eating  the same slop the pigs ate to stay alive. When this son came to his senses  and returned to his father, in hopes he could be one of his servants, he was welcomed with open arms and restored to the former position he held in the family. (Luke 15)

There was a woman who was caught in the act of adultery. She was brought to Jesus by the spiritual leaders in town. The Law of God at that time would have the woman stoned. However, Jesus said, "All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!" They dropped their rocks and walked away. Jesus forgave the woman and told her to go and sin no more. (John 8)

JESUS OFFERED FORGIVENESS AND TOLD THE ADULTEROUS WOMAN TO SIN NO MORE. Do you think she never sinned again? Remember she is human and living in that fallen world. But I'm sure she did her best and shared forgiveness in her heart with others. Once you receive that gift it is hard not to share! That's all that is required of us. Accept the gift and share it with others!!! 

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. (James 1:2,3)

This doesn't mean be happy you're going through trials, but realize in the end, on the other side of it, there is strength and wisdom you gained from it. 

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. (Romans 8:28)

Everything means everything! Even all that ugly stuff! I know for me, I have greater compassion for those who have been abused, those who have taken wrong turns, those who have hurt others. 

What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? (Romans 8:31)

While we know we will face hurts in life, know, no matter what God is for us!

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.(Philippians 4:4,5)

Don't let the things of this world Rob you of your joy. You can choose to be happy or choose to stay in a state of depression. The decision is yours, a decision I didn't think was possible to make for a very long time. The circumstances you're in won't last forever and to put it into perspective, compared to all eternity it's just a short breath in time. You will over come if you want it bad enough, are willing to let go and let God's joy fill you.

"...Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." (Philippians 4:8) If your mind is kept on things that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and admirable, it will be easier to (not easy) to forgive and stay out of the pit of pain, depression, and hurt. Which in turn keeps you from feeling that others who have contributed to your pain, loss, suffering, and depression, owe you!

It's not easy to let go, accept forgiveness yourself, and forgive others. It takes hard work. Anything worth having is worth working for. It is necessary to heal and move on. If you don't the poison of pain, hurt and depression WILL KILL YOU, if not physically, it will spiritually.

You owe it to yourself to forgive and move on, so that you can receive the hope and future God has for you. Will you choose forgiveness today? Or poison? 

Choose the Path With a Hope and a Future

Pathways: a trodden way, a track specially constructed for a particular use, course; route, a way of life, conduct, or thought; the continuous series of positions or configurations that can be assumed in any motion or process of change by a moving or varying system. (Merriam-Webster)

There are 106 mentions of a path or paths in the Bible that I've counted. Maybe more, but that's as far as I got.

The word pathways has been on my mind A LOT lately. God is really using it in my life, in more ways than one. I might even post a small series about pathways, we'll see. Just the other day I was in a discussion about why, if God knows the hardships or failures you're going to face along a certain path you're confident HE chose for you, why did He set you on that path? If we are certain it was HIS will for us to walk that path, why does it seem like HE set us up for failure?!  

In this particular case we were talking about relationships and why they fail, if it is God who brought the two together in the first place. Why would He bring two people together, if He knew their relationship would fail miserably and painfully? Then, this thought came to mind: There are many paths in life to chose from. We are not puppets on strings, God is gentle and loving, He won't force us follow the pathway He set before us. He knows what's along the way and at the end of each path, His and the ones we humans create. 

Often we start out on His path, but we get distracted by the world and its many pathways, we take detours, scenic routes, and sometimes get lost. It can be like getting lost in some deep dark woods, until we call out to Him and he gets us back on track. Sometimes people get so lost they forget where they were supposed to be going and who set them on the path to begin with. 

People lost and on the wrong path or no path at all get scratched by the thorns as they try and squeeze their way through, fall into pits, and get trapped in all sorts of snares from the devil. Many of these offbeat paths will lead to dispare, shame, guilt, or even death. God knows this, it ISN'T HIS will for anyone to perish. So why does He allow such things? In truth, we allow it. Most, not all, of the trials are brought on by our own willful actions or the actions of others. God does not want to see His children go through such trying times, but He'll allow it and in the end use it for His glory and to grow us in ways we never knew. 

18 “But forget all that— it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?
I will make a pathway through the wilderness   I will create rivers in the dry wasteland."

(Isaiah 43:18-19)

I've learned a few things on some of the paths I've traveled in life. When it's really rough and you want to know how God's going to get you through it all, know he'll do one of three things: walk you through it, deliver you from it, or take you home, as long as you keep your eyes on Him, if you trip and fall He'll catch you and redirect you, recalculate your GPS. Stay on His path the best you can. Avoid shortcuts trying to do it your own way. Doing things our way will often lead to pitfalls.

"The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you."

(Psalm 32:8)

"They have made God’s law their own, so they will never slip from his path."

(Psalm 37:31)

Which path will you choose? Choose a path with a hope and a future, God's path.

Who or what will you raise your hand for? Who will you follow and worship?

Luke 4:7 

If you worship me, it will all be yours.”

Who or what will you raise your hand for? Who will you follow and worship?

I never thought this blog would take the path it has gone, I'm just following the Lord's lead. I pray it continues to set examples of hope and a future!

Today there are many conflicts going on around the world, especially on our own little corner, called the United States. There are such great battles taking place in the spiritual realm that it is oozing out into our visible world. Again I repeat, keeping us distracted from the truth. 

People are taking hard stands on a wide variety of issues. They are focusing so much on the desire to be heard and to be correct, it becomes their mission, their main focus. Some are doing it, they believe, for what they deem right and just, many for the "cause of Christ". Issues like marriage equality, gender identity, baked goods, flags, gun control, and political correctness, just to name a few are over saturating the news and social media. They are constant topics of discussion almost any where you go. 

The issues of the day and the desire to take a side in order to be right and fit in is just another way of giving up and conforming to what is popular at the time, not exactly what is true. 

More and more people seem to value compatibility and like mindedness over individual expression, truth, and for the Christians out there, what God says, all out of fear of stepping on toes, not being politically correct, or looked upon as being negative. It has gotten so bad that  business managers, organization, and school administrations, heck, our own government, is creating a culture that either promotes conformity or contention. There is no more absolute truth or absolute morality. It's all about what seems or feels right to the group that makes the loudest noise! (There's that noise again that I mentioned in a previous post)

Speaking to Christians, have we forgotten who we are called to worship? Ya know, honor, glorify, idolize, revere, and serve above all others?  I've been talking a lot with my husband and a friend lately about worship and the way it is done. One way is freeing, another is binding.  Just because something sounds good, makes since, fits into the world's beliefs or feelings, doesn't mean it's of God. Be careful who and what you are worshiping, just because it sounds like God, if it goes against God  and his word, doesn't mean it is. There are well meaning Christians out there trying to make His word apply to their beliefs, it should be the other way around! 

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

(Matthew 6:33)

"If you worship me it will all be yours."

 (Luke 4:7)

"They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’”

(Matthew 15:9)

Luke 4:7 is a lie from the devil! Taking a verse out of the Bible to fit your own agenda instead of God's original plan is dangerous! If you put the verse in context you see that at this point in time, Jesus was being tested and tempted by the devil for 40 days in the desert. Those are the words of Satan himself!

We are called to seek His kingdom first! Not man made kingdoms. Putting Matthew 6:33 in context, God knows what we need. We don't need to set up new laws and set up special rights. If we seek Him first, we'll follow in his way and he'll provide what we need. We have to honestly look for Him, we can find Him in unexpected places. Sadly today, Matthew 15:9 reminds us how people (believers) are caught up in all of the man made rules and laws to make themselves seem right and all they are doing is worshiping God in vain. 

We need to go back to Lamentations and lift our hands to the Lord and worship Him, not our values, ideals, and beliefs. An actual honest lifting up our hands. My super self controlled introverted self needs to do this as well, not just as a sign and symbol of who we worship, Nazis did that. We are called to do this, as our physical actions reflect our heart and spiritual awareness of HIM. I'm learning that when hands are lifted to God in prayer or song we are releasing God's Holy Spirit, showing Him that He comes first and that we are open to him having His way and will in our lives. That is what our country needs. To lift up our hands together asking for HIS will and way. To be opened to how HE wants us to live, not how the world wants us to live. Inviting HIS presence back into the world instead of kicking him out! We can't be forgiven and blessed by Him if we don't seek and worship HIM! We ( I especially ) need to stop getting caught up in the outward  appearance of worship and let go and lift up our hands to Him admitting our need and dependence on HIM, not ourselves or the world! Our hope and future depends on God alone, not our man made laws. He alone is worthy of our praise.

40 Let us examine our ways and test them,
    and let us return to the Lord.
41 Let us lift up our hearts and our hands
    to God in heaven, and say:
42 “We have sinned and rebelled
    and you have not forgiven. 

Lamentation 3:40-42

May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.

Psalm 141:2

I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.

Psalm 63:4

WHO DO YOU CHOOSE TO WORSHIP? PROVE IT.

Positioned, Not Stuck**Edited**

I know, I have to believe, because with out faith, what is there?

Lately I have to repeat to my self God's words in Jeremiah 29:11, over and over. I've been really stretched mentally, emotionally, and spiritually lately! If the issues going on in the world aren't enough, the issues in my own life are just as exhausting, if not more...

Just a year ago I married the most amazing guy ever (he keeps me going, next to God), moved to a new city and left a good paying job, only to get another one similar to the first, paying much much less. But that was okay, with my husband's job we would be just fine... Until he lost his job. Oh, he found another one, but it too paid much much less. 

We are barely getting by paying the bills. I work for the public schools so I'm off on all the breaks, delays and holidays with out pay. My intention this summer was to find a job that would replace my job and pay more or at least have consistent year round hours. That didn't happen. Out of the blue a stranger offered me a job that was way out my box/out of my comfort zone, paid much less,  and had less hours than my current job. However, I'm off for the season and after applying for many jobs and going on a few interviews and coming up with nothing, I had to take it. My husband is still looking for a second job too, with out much luck. Bills are due not all get paid, but at least we still have a place to live. 

As a couple, I feel like we're doing all we can do. We continue to rely on God, keeping Him at the center of things, and we're hard, dedicated workers. Yet,  in all my humanness I feel like we're getting locked out of certain blessings, or out of seeing the true plan God has for our lives. We want more money not only to pay the bills but to tithe consistently, help further The Kingdom, and just bless others. 

While we have struggled financially for quite some time now, God has used many people along the way to bless us and help us stay a float while we're treading in these deep waters. We are very grateful for that!! Yet, we can't continue to rely on other people bailing us out all the time! It would be an honor to be the ones to helping others for once. 

I know aside from my introvert tendencies when it comes to dealing with lots of people at once, I've come face to face with the realization that I have some pride issues. I have an associate degree, I worked real hard for, and got good grades, I'm still paying for it, and doesn't seem to matter in the grand scheme of things any more. My pride tells me, these pettily jobs I'm getting are beneath me. I want to be doing something better, more respectful. WAIT, STOP!! WHO AM I TO SAY SOMETHING IS BENEATH ME?! I sound like a spoiled child! At least I have a job! In fact as of today, I now have two part time jobs, many people don't even have that. Both jobs scare the heck out of the introvert part of me!  Then there is the part of me that really felt like I was being called into full time ministry almost two years ago, before I met my hubby. While I still feel I have that calling, I have no idea what that looks like or exactly what God means by that. So, I've been waiting for that to come to light as well. 

Speaking of my husband, while I'm doing all of this sulking about poor me and my job situation... Tim was a full time minister for five years, and on staff at other churches  for a few years before that; until his wife at the time, no longer wanted to be a pastor's wife and have all that went with it. She left him, after some time the church became divided over rumors that were started due to her leaving, he stepped down, and the church imploded. Talk about a big let down! A while later Tim found a job working in a factory, things were looking up.

 We met and got married, shortly after is when Tim lost his job. Now, he has taken on a new factory job where he is well liked, the overseers see great things in him, and he is quickly moving up. It's not the job he wanted or feels called to, but it is the one God has provided for now and he is happy to do it, even when it is 120 degrees in the factory! Tim has reminded me that sometimes we aren't stuck, we're positioned by God. He positions us in a place for a time. We don't always know why, but we have faith He has a purpose and a plan. Sometimes it might just be so we can be a witness to someone.

So, I have to keep in mind that our situation is only temporary. We both have a calling in our life. Now, just isn't the time to fully step into it. In the mean time, we have to trust that He has us positioned right where He wants us.  Doors will be unlocked and opened at the right time. HIS time.

"being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."(Philippians 1:6). 

"Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,  I press ontoward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."(Philippians 3:13,14)

Again since it's worth repeating:

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." 

(Jeremiah 29:11)

***edit since I posted this a couple days ago***

Still waiting on the second job to tell me when to start... Sigh...

Everything I felt comfortable and qualified for either sent me a rejection letter or interviewed me and rejected me. I kept positive and kept praying...

God hands me a job with barely any hours, way out of my box, and even less pay. I'm positioned not stuck!

I get so frustrated with praying and feeling like there isn't any direction or guidance. We have blessed provisions, but I feel just barely. I am thankful for that, it's better than nothing. I just wish I understood just what God was trying to teach, so we could learn it, pass it, and move on!!! I'm positioned, not stuck!

Every time I try to leave that line of work(special education primary life skills) I end up back at it. I'm positioned, not stuck! So, maybe with working at My current part time job and The elementary school until December, it will be helpful. Maybe, I can find something else part time from December to June once My part time job closes for the season.

I'm positioned, not stuck! God has a plan, including hope and a future!

For He is Good and Loves Mankind: The Church, the Culture, Tolerance, Repentance and...

I've listened to and read so many debates about this subject, even tried to articulate my own feelings about it. However, I think this is by far the best, I've read. We're all sinners, nobody has a right to judge, God is the final authority.

For He is Good and Loves Mankind: The Church, the Culture, Tolerance, Repentance and...: Crowning, June 2013 I've been disappointed in much of what I have read online the past few days in the wake of the Supreme Court&#39...

From the Ruins of Life

God's beauty will always triumph over the ruins of our life. We all have those areas in our life from time to time that seem to be in ruins, weather they are relationships, financial situations, dreams, or even your reputation. Sadly, there are people who are unaware of the redemption they can experience in the ruins of life. 

A year ago I was just starting to see the beauty God was beginning to rise up out of the ruins and ashes of my life. The dreams I had of a loving, caring, sober, husband who wasn't full of rage and walks with the Lord; dreams of loving and being loved; dreams of security; dreams of a future; and hope, were all in ruins. However, God was doing something new! 

The Lord planted a seed in my heart and the heart of an amazing man I never expected to cross my path. Our hearts, so we thought, were in ruins and beyond repair from our past mistakes, failures, destroyed marriages, and straying from God. Instead of rebuilding the hearts we had, there began new growth of something completely other! It filled up the cracks, intertwined the broken pieces, and bound our hearts together in such a way that we could not undo. 

A year ago July 3rd, after only knowing each other for slightly over two months, this amazing man and I got married!! More detail about that can be found in my second blog post, 

http://deeds4him.blogspot.com/2015/06/continuing-in-greatest-adventure.html?m=1

We were two people in ruins who chose not to give upon God. We made a decision to surrender, invite, and keep Him in the center of everything, unlike we ever did in previous relationships. All our decisions were and continue to be brought to Him first, from our very first meeting to our mini driving adventures we now take on the weekends.( sightseeing on back country roads are all we can afford for now)  How else could so much strength and beauty come in and transform two people with out His name, being on the seed He planted in our hearts!? 

We've endured some pretty harsh trials in our short time together, but by keeping God in the center, and He keeping us on the edge, we've seen miracles and provisions out of unexpected places. There was a time when we were fairly new to our city, with out many connections, and didn't know how to get our utilities turned back on, where our next meal would come from, how rent would get paid, or where a good paying job would be, and God provided in ways we never thought possible, ways we knew could only be from him and our faith was strengthened. 

We still have a few few hurdles to overcome and as long as we're alive and striving to serve the Lord we'll have struggles to endure. Like a mentioned in an earlier post, we do have an adversary who doesn't want to see us succeed.  But I have faith, my Hope and Future rests in HIM. I've seen what HE can do with ruins, I can't wait to see what  HE is going to do with the beauty HE's creating around us. As long as we seek His will and keep Him in the center He'll continue to restore, rebuild, and renew our lives, even during the tests and trials. 

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Romans 12:2