How do we overcome??

"...by the blood of the Lamb and the word of [our] testimony." Rev. 12:11.

I've known that verse for a while but still for a long time I was a firm believer of "your future has no room for your past." 

All that's changed. Pretty recently I may add. It finally clicked! I can't just talk the talk, I have to walk it too. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying go back to the old you! Nah-uh! But don't shy away from remembering and thinking on, and rejoicing in where God has brought you from and where He is taking you to!!

Shame, guilt and condemnation were my everyday companions when I though about my past. Yet I was in denial of the positive influence it had on my life as a believer. "Oh Lord, I haven't REAAAALLLYYY had an opportunity to share my testimony with people."

Lies and propaganda!!! Bottom line: I was too scared and too ashamed to open my mouth and share the good news of Christ's redemption power. But recently, on my mission trip to Uganda, I was able to voice, for the first time a lot of the ghosts I had silenced from my past. And the 10+ women who were there did nothing but listen intently and encourage me.

"...where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty" 2 Cor. 3:17

Oh, I tasted a slice of that freedom, baby! And it was good. How dare I remain silent for so long??? But Thank God for His grace and mercy... and PATIENCE!

Moving forward, I pray that I continue to "taste and see that the Lord is [indeed] good (Psa. 34:8)." and to desire to use my story for the betterment of others, rather than be silent at their soul's expense. I pray the same for you too.

It's not about you...

It's not about me...

It's not about us, It's about God.

Today was just one of those days where I was yearning for companionship; intimacy... not sexual (get your mind out of the gutter :P) Along came Louie Giglio's It's not You, It's Me video (click to follow link)

"I am designed and desired by God"

That one line right there did it for me :)

Oh he was speaking to me boy! I pray it encourages you too!

No Excuses

                I’ve already shared on Facebook what book I’ve started reading now that I’m a graduate… see how I snuck that in there? (haha)  It’s official, I hold an MSW degree and that’s it for me in regard to classes. Well, for now at least…

                The awesome book currently helping me with my idleness is “The Skin You Live In: Building Friendships Across Cultural Lines” by David D, Ireland. God created us all in His image therefore we are to embrace one another regardless of race, ethnicity, country of origin, sex, gender etc. regardless of the circumstances facing you or another person, love the sinner and hate the sin. Love them into relationship with Christ; God is drilling me on this currently so I must encourage others to do the same.

                One of the many awesome quotes in the book that I’m meditating on as I get ready to go on my first mission trip (woohoo) states:

It takes courage to publicly voice your agreement in favor of diversity. If you hope to have any influence in today’s racially diverse society, you have to wear your courage like a well-tailored suit: with confidence and pride.

                Self confidence stems from knowing you’ve adopted the right position. How can loving and embracing other races be wrong? How can wanting the best for every race be considered an incorrect perspective? It would be silly for anyone to consider your positive opinion detrimental to the betterment of society. You have every reason in the world to square your shoulders with self-confidence and pride.

                Like a five-year-old ring bearer dressed fashionably in a black-and-white tuxedo, square your shoulders and walk proudly down the center aisle to the altar – the place where vows and commitments are made for life. Your new life is about to begin – a life committed to building relationships across cultural lines. Take pride in obeying Jesus’ command to love your neighbor as yourself. It’s the right thing to do! You will not be disappointed.

                Biblically, this concept is evident with the gospel no longer being restricted to just Israel/ the Jewish people, but through Peter, it was extended to the Gentiles as well (Acts 10). Also, the great commission! What does it say? “Therefore, go and make disciples of ALL NATIONS baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19).”

                The next verse follows with Christ telling the disciples to teach these new disciples how to obey. We cannot teach that which we don’t do. Christ led by example and so should we in order for us to fulfill the one direct purpose we have on this earth. There is no excuse for you not to “love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:31).” The same God who created you, created them. And the same Jesus who dies for you, died for them as well. Therefore, the same Spirit that lives in you CAN, and longs, to live in them. This can only happen through our continued efforts to spread the gospel boldly, unashamed and without discrimination.  

Just ask God to show you how; prayer changes things.

Maybe I Deserve?

Acts 13:46 - “… It was necessary that the word be spoke to you (Israelites/ Jews) first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.”

Is it just me who finds this scripture deep? First of all, I don’t remember noticing this passage the many other times I’ve read Acts before. Praise God for new and constant revelation in His word! But it got me to thinking; how many other blessings from God do I hinder because I judge myself unworthy? And in the past too, what did my behavior then say about what I thought/felt I deserved?

Everlasting life and many/any other things in The Word that God says is ours to have is a promise. Love, joy, peace, abundant life, prosperity, you name it! It’s yours for the asking! However, there’s a process to the promise! Phil 3:14 states: “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” The pressing is the process and the mark is the promise. God never changes and neither does His divine order of events. There’ll always be a process. Now, how long that process takes and what it entails is a whole other story!

Sometimes God reveals the process to you but more often than not, He doesn’t. One, if we knew what trials lay ahead, we probably wouldn’t persevere until the end. Keep it real! Two, His lack of giving us the details is meant to cultivate our faith in Him. I always try to remind myself that whatever I ask from God, He usually doesn’t give it to me directly, but He give the opportunity to get that which I asked for. Let me clarify, if I want more patience, He will give me opportunities to practice being patient. I mean, you can’t measure patience with a ruler so…

Therefore, if faith is “… the evidence of things not seen (Heb. 11:1),” then God will give you opportunities where you are blindly following Him towards the mark, trusting that He will not let you fail. That’s faith! Do you believe that God will see you through? Do you believe that you are worth getting ALL that God has promised?

If you don’t, that’s ok. Ask God to help you get to that point. But be ready, He’ll give you the opportunity to show that you believe you’re worth it. In the end, remember the test is really for you; so that YOU can see the progress of your relationship with God.

Welcome the tests, YOU DESERVE IT!

Bible Talk

2 Timothy 2:15

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

My prayer for you is that you get to know God and allow Him to know you. And that you continue to seek Him as He continues to reveal Himself to you. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Simply Profound

"Our faith is only as deep as the time we spend digging" Selah

Whatever it takes Lord, I will do. Help me Holy Ghost!

He's an on time God, Yes He is...

How does God always know what i need to hear??!!! I love Him for that.  I don't even have to add anymore to this post :)

Well, let me explain where i got it from at least, right?? So I'm at the office this morning and chatting with my sister from another mother in Kenya and she sends me the link to this women's devotional site. the calls weren't coming in that often so i start reading.... then the previous one... then the previous one... and they are ALL RELEVANT!! God DID say His word shall not return unto Him void, didn't He?? Anyway, long story short this one on waiting did it for me! I REFUSE to engage in the "sit around checking my watch" type waiting, I will serve and cater to my Lord and King instead. #NuffSaid #TooBlessedToBeStressed (Link at the end).

February 22, 2013
Wait Training 101
Karen Ehman

"... but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31 (ESV)

Ever feel like God signed you up for an intense "wait training" class?

You pray. You ask. You anticipate God's answer, but like an Internet page taking a long time to load, you must wait.

And wait.

And wait some more.

I had to wait years before I became pregnant. During that time I attended baby showers while choking back tears.

I had to wait nearly three years for our too-expensive-for-our-new-financial-situation home to sell. During that time, I pinched pennies and lost sleep.

And I'm still waiting on many prayer requests: for a spiritually lost loved one, a family friend in ICU, a plan for my high school son's future. Waiting, waiting, waiting ...

But just as physical weight training builds strength, so does spiritual "wait training." We are promised this in Isaiah 40:31:

 

"... but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."

How can waiting renew our strength? After all, doesn't waiting seem to sap our strength as we worry and fret and drum our fingers impatiently? It's exhausting playing the "What if?" game in our minds:

 

What if this doesn't work out?
What if God's answer is "No"?
What if the thing I fear the most actually happens ... what then?

All of this worry-laden waiting drains rather than strengthens. How can we turn this around and actually find ourselves renewed?

I have found that to shift my perspective in the waiting times replenishes my strength. I try not to think of those times of seemingly silence from God as waiting in the sense of sitting and anxiously anticipating a response. But as in waiting like a butler, maid or restaurant server.

Those who "wait on the Lord"—as in serve Him, cater to Him, help Him accomplish His work; those who take His order and bring Him what He wants—they are the ones who renew their strength.

 They mount up with wings as eagles.

They walk and do not faint.

As we serve, we become more aware of what the One we are waiting on desires. We become alert, attentive, and in tune with His wishes. We begin to take our eyes off of our problems and fix them on the Lord instead. As we do, we get a glimpse into His heart.

Then, instead of the wait sapping our spiritual strength, it is renewed as we seek to do the Lord's will ... to make Him famous ... to give Him glory. Even in those long, hard times of waiting for an answer, we continue to serve Him.

Will you sign up with me for Wait Training 101?

You'll grow stronger spiritual muscles if you do. But we must commit to this perspective: we won't just "wait on the Lord," we'll wait on Him. Trust me, the tips He leaves are out of this world!

 

Dear Lord, teach me to shift my perspective during those times of waiting and doubt. May I stop fretting and worrying, and busy myself serving You instead. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

from:http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/encouragement/wait-training-101-encouragement-for-today-feb-22-2013.html