The Unusable

Romans 3:22-24 (NLT) ²² We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. ²³ For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. ²⁴ Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.

Are we really as unworthy as we sometimes think we are? Are we as bad or as far gone as we have allowed the enemy to make us believe that we are? Are we really as stupid or evil as we have given into believing? 

I have struggled very much of my life with feeling unworthy, or maybe better put stupid. I held back from many things because I didn't feel I could do it or was even smart enough to finish or accomplish it. Often times I have felt like I wasn't good enough for this or that and I can go even further to say for this person or that person.  If I'm being real honest I can go as far to say that I have tried to be like what I saw in other people because I have thought I wasn't good enough.  Many times and points in my life I've suffered because of this. I also believe my potential for God was smothered from time to time because of the self doubt. Condemnation is another stronghold of mine; I hold onto my mistakes and beat myself up over and over again because of them. 

Not to say that I have completely let all these strongholds, pain and self doubt go, but I am coming to realize my real self in Christ. Psalm 139:14 (NIV) says, ¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Genesis 1:27 says, ²⁷ So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God created us in His own image…you wouldn't tell God He's a liar or that He makes mistakes, would you?  His works are wonderful; you/we are His works! Even before our minds can begin to rest in this, sometimes we have to meditate on these scriptures as He begins to change and transform our hearts.

Now before you say this doesn't apply to me, here are some examples of God changing and transforming the "unusable". Paul threatened and murdered Christians before he was visited by Jesus and was transformed into a great deliverer of His word. (Act 9:1-19).  Moses felt extremely unworthy of God's calling on his life because he was just a lowly shepherd herder and stuttered, but God used him in a mighty way to deliver the Israelites out of Egypt. (Exodus 3-13:3). Simon Peter denied Jesus three times when He was arrested (John 13:38) and yet after His accession Jesus came back and restored Peter and He lived out his life preaching God's word. (John 21:15-23).

It's doesn't matter what you have done your past does not determine who you are.  Maybe you think you should have done this and shouldn't have done that…we are all guilty and fall short of God's glory, yet and still He loves us with an unconditional and unmatchable love!  He wants each and every one of us, He has a plan and purpose for our lives…He would love to use you if you would just surrender to Him.

Virtuous Woman, Part 2

            In continuation from yesterday, Proverbs 31:13-24 talks about all the things the virtuous woman does inside her home for her husband and family as well as has extending her hand outside the home to others. 

            It talks about how she takes care of house and home; making their clothing, working and inspecting the vineyard.  I think most of us are saying: I am not making their clothes nor growing all the food for my family…and I would have to say that I would be in the front of that line.  What these scriptures say to me is that she takes pride in her home and family and how well she takes care of them even if it require her to get up early and work well into the night.  Now, she does this not just because this is what her husband and children demand of her, but instead because it is what our Lord requires of her. God holds us up highly; therefore we must walk according to His way.

            She is strong and energetic, not because she finds this within herself but because she rests in the Lord and in Him she finds her strength.   Extending her hand to the poor and needy…now this doesn't just mean the poor and less fortunate, but it means that she lends her spirit and belief in God to those who are struggling or may not even know Him at all.  She walks in the light of the Lord and because of that others are blessed; they see this light and want the same.  She is humble and not boastful, therefore her light is genuine to others and she is always ready to be there for others by putting others ahead of herself.  This is a lot to strive for but, I pray daily that God will bless me with these humble qualities!

            Proverbs 31:25-27 ²⁵ She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.  ²⁶ When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness.  ²⁷ She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness.

            According to these verses she walks with dignity, meaning she carries herself in a way that is respectable.  She is careful in her dress, her walk and talk because not only does she represent her husband but more importantly God her Father.  She thinks before she speaks and does not let her emotions influence her actions or say the first thing that comes to her mind.  When correcting or speaking to others she does it with kindness and love, careful not to seem too harsh or judgmental.  She is very watchful to the things that go on in her home and makes sure everything is in order.  She does not allow laziness to catch her and is always busy with her families work. 

            Now, I must be very honest, sometimes my appearance can leave a bit to be desired and I can speak too harshly.  I am also not always busy with my families' housework. I'm not saying we live in a pig sty, but knowing my mother and grandmother some may say the apple fell a few feet from the tree in that department and from experience, not living off my emotions is very hard to do and I have to catch myself sometimes, regroup and ask for God's guidance.  But, Praise God I am changing because He is growing within me!

Proverbs 31: 28-31 ²⁸ Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her:  ²⁹ “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!” ³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised. ³¹ Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.

            Reading these verses it says that her children and husband hold her with high regard, this in itself is such a wonderful blessing.  They do this not only because she is taking care of them but, because she loves them with the love of Christ…which is pure and unconditional.  To me verse 29 means that there are many virtuous woman in this world, but only one that is created for each individual man so to him she surpasses all the others.  While she may be beautiful on the outside, those features are fading and a virtuous woman's beauty is within because she fears the Lord and His light shines brightly through her walk.  Her life is her testimony.

You're blessed because Jesus loves you!

Virtuous Woman, Part 1

(As I sat down to write this, it became a bit lengthy so I have decided to extend it over a couple of days)

Being a wife and mother are two of the most important and precious gifts God has blessed me with.  Two gifts, which I don't take lightly and strive on a daily basis to honor and bless in return.  I'll be the first to tell you that sometimes it's a struggle, which I fall short more times than I would care to admit.  But, I know that God created me for my husband and entrusted me with my children, so I don't wallow in my mistakes or short comings.  I have studied (still study) Proverbs 31, or maybe better known as the Virtuous Wife and try to model myself after this Godly woman.

            Let's take a look at Proverbs 31: 10-12 Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. ¹¹ The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain. ¹² She does him good and not evil All the days of her life.

            Verse 10 talks about who can find a Virtuous wife.  Virtuous is having or showing high moral standards.  Some synonyms to virtuous are chaste-moral-righteous-honest.  That's a lot for one word but, it's also a lot to be that woman for the man God created us for.  We must be high in our thinking and that's not to say "smart", but that we are thinking above the world with their best interests in our hearts.  It calls for us to be Honest. This is not just about telling the truth or not lying but, it's about not holding things back and also about holding our husbands accountable to living a life for Christ, his wife, family and to reach other Christians on God's behalf.

            Truth, I have been known to be an enabler and a fall short when it comes to holding my husband accountable.  Not because I don't love him or like I'm talking about putting my foot down and walking out the door, but because sometimes I don't stand strong enough to help him realize who he is in Christ and I make excuses or try to make it all better for him.  In my eyes this is done out of love and protection, but with my growth in God I realize that I am doing more harm than good.  This is something that I have been/am still in deep prayer about.

            Verse 10 goes on further to say that she is more precious than rubies.  Now we all know that the world views jewels in high regard, this is why He referred to rubies in comparison as to how precious a virtuous woman really is.  Rubies are bright in color' which equals to walking around in God's joy and letting His light shine through us.  Rubies are also somewhat see through, which says to me that we are to at times be transparent.  Saying, yes we struggle, but we trust in God and continue on through His grace.  They are worth much in monetary value just as a virtuous woman is worth much in the Spiritual world to our husbands, children and most importantly to God. 

            Verses 11-12 say that a husband can trust her and she will greatly enrich his life, bring him good and not evil.  I think we can all agree this world is full of corruption, lies and treachery; we need to be that comfort, that love, joy and peace that they know they can always count on and trust.  They need to know we are always praying in the background and standing in the gap for them, supporting them in all they do with love, patience, but also with truth and honesty.

You're blessed because Jesus loves you!

Family Growth 2

            I am happy to report that our Family Prayer Board is a glorious success.  As the week went on there were more and more prayers added to the board.  Each night before bed my children made sure they checked the board to see what has been added and to incorporate them into their bedtime prayers.

           

            I alternate praying with my younger two babies, one night I will pray with them and one night I will let them pray together, simply because I want them to learn to pray on their own and not to always follow my lead or the things I say.  One night while allowing them to pray on their own I stood outside the door to listen (this always bring my heart great joy, sometimes we'd be surprised at how much our children know) and they brought tears to my eyes.  Because the board had quite a few prayers on it and some of them they couldn't remember individually they started "tag team praying".  They would remind each other what else was on the board as they continued to pray together.  Blessed and grateful are the only words to describe how that moment made me feel.

            I am also happy to report that two of the prayers have been answered.  Sunday as we knelt down together to pray over all the request I made sure to make them aware that God is listening to their prayers and two of them  have already been answered.  This brought huge smiles to their face; my son actually did a fist pump in the air and said YES!!!  I wanted them to realize that we are not to only come to God with request and needs, but to thank Him for hearing, blessing and protecting us. 

            Because the board did get a little full my intent was to lay them in front of us and to say our prayers over them as a whole, but that didn't sit well with my oldest.  She insisted that we still needed to call each person and prayer out individually, so she passed the slips out and we went around a circle taking turns and lifting them up in prayer.  I have to say that my Father has blessed me with some truly compassionate, loving and thoughtful children.  It blesses me to teach them His word and to know that not only are they listening, but they are applying it to their own little lives. They are thrilled to keep this going and can't wait to add more prayers for the new week.

            Now…on to week two.  It is very important to me that my children, my whole family in fact realize just how imperative it is to read God's word daily.  This is how His word is written, or better put, etched on our hearts.  Through reading and remembering His word we are better equipped to handle the enemy when he rears his ugly head.  Doing this will also help us to learn and walk God's will for our lives.  With that being said, we are going to read a daily devotional every day. 

            Now my oldest and I already do this, but it's time that we all do.  You can never start a path with the Lord too early!!  My goal is for them to read first thing in the morning since that is the best way to start our day, but if time does not permit on that occasional morning then they can read it when they get home from school.  My prayer isn't for this to just become a routine that they grow used to, but instead that their spiritual eyes will be opened to what God is saying to them and walk in His light and that their Christian walk will reach out and touch others.

Be Blessed!

I struggle...but, His Grace sustains me.

Some days when I look back on the things I have written, weather here or else where, I worry that I am painting a picture other than the one of my life.  I don't want to be one of those people who act as if everything is always rainbows and sunshine because I follow and praise God.  I also don't want to sound like I have all he answers either because neither of those are reality. Trust me I'm no stranger to struggle, pain, and I have certainly made my share wrong decisions. There have been times when I've felt broken, lost and even alone.  My life has seen some very painful, frustrating and even infuriating times. 

In fact, if you were able to see my face now you would be able to see that I have spent the last few days on the sobbing train with heartache, I will admit confusion and even sadness seem to be consuming me. My family is going through one of the hardest time in our life. I am missing some people desperately, struggling to hold others up and doing all I can to stay positive for even more…while experiencing my own pain and seemingly with no one to console me because most times I won't even let anyone know I need it.  Now, I’m not saying this for sympathy or praise…because truth of it is, it's only by the grace of God I am where I am today.  

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NIV)⁹ 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. ¹⁰ That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

            Now I will be honest with you, I'm not that far in my Christian walk to say that I take DELIGHT in being persecuted, insulted and going through difficult times…but, I do realize that through these times my weakness is used for Christ's sake, that my trials and tribulations are what make me strong and when others can see Him in me.  In my weakness His light and glory have a chance to shine through me…so I won't run from Him or His will.

            I think sometimes in our prayers we ask to be removed from heartache and pain. That God will take away whatever it is that seems too hard for us to bare or make it through, but that's not the way He works.  I know we have all heard it said that He never puts more on us than we can bare and while knowing that to be true, sometimes it feels so far from the truth. I know sometimes I feel like I could crumble underneath the weight of the pain and stress, but through it all I have learned that my God's grace will lead me through.  That He will never leave me and when I am weak it is He who is carrying me.  For that, I am ever grateful and will go through every trial and tribulation with praise and thanks.

"Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God's grace.  And your best days are never so good that you're beyond the need of God's grace." (Unknown).

Forgiveness

Forgivness…we don't forgive hoping that person will change and not do it again or hurt us again; we do it because it's what God does for us time and time again!

Colossians 3:13 (NLT)

¹³ Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
            When we hold onto grudges and the lack of forgiveness invades our hearts, not only do we give the enemy power over us but we are also blocking our blessings from God.  Most times when we hold onto hurts, hate and resentment it's only tearing us down and the person we hold that anger or hurt towards isn't given you a second thought.  Lack of forgiveness leads to harden hearts and a harden heart puts up a wall between us and God.
            I won't even think to tell you or even try to convince you that forgiving someone who has deeply hurt you, weather intentionally or not, weather repeatedly or not is easy because I know it's NOT!  Sometimes we think we have forgiven someone only to later find out that we really haven't.  Often times we have to ask God to help us not to hold onto those feelings of hurt and anger and to heal our hearts and forgive that person again.           
            Forgiveness doesn't mean that we have to allow someone to hurt us over and over again.  Sometimes a certain door must be closed, but your heart must forgive them and still love them with the love of Christ.  This is a lesson that is very difficult for me personally; I tend to continue to be a "doormat" because I don't have the ability to walk away or to put my foot down.  I'm too worried about hurting someone by closing a door or putting my foot down so I tend to allow them to hurt me over and over again.  I pray about this often because I want everyone to see God through me and in me so I sometimes worry that if I close a door or protect myself then I'm not showing the love of Christ. 
            I understand that forgiveness is sometimes easier said than done and can often be a long and painful process, but to live the live God has called us to…it is necessary! So my prayer for us is that we will learn to forgive as God has forgiven us.
Be Blessed!

Family Growth 1

I have decided that the devil can not have my family...not now, not tomorrow or anytime ever...so with that being said I will implement something I like to call "PRAYING IN THE GAP, WHILE INCLUDING THEM IN THE PHYSICAL". This is going to be a weekly process where I, as I have always done, will pray without ceasing before God for my family, but at the same time including them in on my journey. I'm praying that God will guide my every step and help me to lay down every need and wait on Him for all our answers.

I'm thinking this will include weekly prayer sessions with my family, writing down things that are concerning us as a group as well as individually. We will even have things to think about and possibly study for future family session....I'm sure there will be a bit of trial and error...but, also know that anytime you want to learn and grow through Christ it's always a blessing. My prayer is that this will first; bring us closer to God and second, closer to each other through God. I want us to understand that God truly is our all in all...therefore we can not rely on man, to include ourselves, to work out or fix anything. I pray that we will learn to Praise Him in our time of joy as well as our time of trouble. I also pray that we will understand that our trials come to make us stronger and if we put Him first in all that we do we are never alone and there is nothing we can't overcome!

We will pray, learn and grow in all of the family relationships…husband to wife, mother to child, child to parent, sibling to sibling...etc. I'm praying for God ideas and love traditions to blossom on this journey. I'm trusting God fully and completely and can't wait to grow in Christ, watch my family grow in faith and for God to be glorified in the process!! I will post weekly what we are doing and how it's working...you can take this journey with us and maybe even incorporate some of the ideas into your own family life. We will pray we are all blessed and become blessings to others in the process.

With that being said, we have started our first step by creating a Family Prayer Board.  We bought a really nice framed cork board and my oldest created a small poster that says Family of Prayers along with a scripture.  It hangs in our dinning room and as things are placed on our hearts we post them on the board.  These are not things that concern just our family, I explained to my children it could be for a friend, a stranger or even a place.  Anything that is on their heart or mind and want us to be praying for together can be posted.

By hanging it in the dinning room it is a daily reminder for us of what is on each others hearts and mind and we take it to our prayer closest nightly and Sunday night we will pray over these request together as a family and then start fresh for a new week.  Through this my prayer is to teach my children that prayer is our true line of communication with God and that He is always listening and cares about our every need.  My prayer is also to teach them to put others before themselves just as Jesus did for us when He died on the cross for our sins.

Be Blessed!

           

Battlefield

           Your mind can go from peachy as pie to mad as a bull in 0.2 seconds...seriously, no kidding. Sometimes we know why and sometimes we don't...but, either way it is a battle of the mind that we must some how learn to overcome...or at the very least learn to recognize it and quickly call upon scripture and God to cast out those random thoughts and feelings. To help us not live off of our emotions and feelings. God is constant, consistent and without fail...so why, if we are made in His image, would He want us to battle this up and down rollercoaster that goes on in our mind?

We are born in sin....sinful nature and a selfish desire, but the God in us is much bigger than that. To every emotion pitfall, sinful desire and selfish way God has created an answer or different focus for us. Too often we rely on ourselves to "fix" it or overcome something...when in reality we can do nothing in and of ourselves! We forget about the Bible and His awesome power that fill the pages. It is there that we can find the answers to our problems, to the random and condemning thoughts that sometimes consume our minds

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NKJV) ³ For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. ⁴ For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, ⁵ casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,

            This scripture has gotten me through many dark times.  Admitting that in the past I have used it for a different form of mind battle than of today, but none the less it is a form of attack from the enemy.  Thoughts of doubt, fear, worthlessness and confusion are lies from the enemy that we sometimes allow to swallow us up.  Past situations sometimes seem to play and replay through your mind, causing you to get stuck and even believe that you can't overcome…but, that is not what God created in us.  He doesn't make mistakes and He certainly can't lie!  We were created in His image, each of us individually perfected just as He saw fit.
            This scripture teaches us that we are not fighting as humans do, but instead that we are to call on and use our Mighty God's weapons…through His word.  We need to learn to stay in continuous prayer, praying God's word fills our hearts and minds.  Part of this is accomplished by reading His word daily, asking Him to write those scriptures on your heart.  It's not something that happens over night and sometimes may even come and go, but you have to press on.  Read and pray even when you don't have the words or even feel like it.  He knows what's on your heart and if you're praying and seeking Him daily…He's what's on your heart!!

            You know that old saying "The mind is a battlefield", I suppose we can say it's true, BUT we are always victorious in that battle with the word of God!!!

Be blessed!

Joy in the midst of Pain…finding that true peace.

Looking all around and even at my own personal circumstances…sometimes it's hard to stay positive, to find the good and keep the joy.  Some days it's a real struggle to remember who is truly in charge and to find that peace that I believe that we all long for. 

In James 1:2–4 (ESV) scripture says.. 2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. I don't know about you, but sometimes it's hard to count some situations and pains as joy!  We want a life of joy, smiles and as little pain as possible, but where is the growth in that?  Where and when do we find that we need God without trials and tribulations?  Our Heavenly Farther sees the beginning and the end…we can only see what is in front of us and make choices based off of that.  God knows what reaction will come from each choice we make…we can only speculate and hope for the best.  God knows our true hearts desires and needs…we, on most days, go off of emotions and what feels good or seems logical at that moment.

I say all of that to say this, God's plan for our life is perfect just like Him.  Romans 8:28 (KJV) And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. God is perfect, His will is perfect and He wants what's best for us…His children. We have to learn to trust Him even when we don't always understand or can see how we will make it "through" because God is sovereign and as hard as it may be sometimes we have to rest in that…in Him.  He wouldn't bring you/us to the place that you are to leave us, He has a purpose and plan even; especially; in your pain and struggle.  He loves you, me, better than we ever could ourselves.