The Great I AM

This blog is in response to week one of the Stressed - Less Living Bible study through Proverbs 31 Ministry, led by Melissa Taylor.

 

 

The Great I Am. “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with My victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 NLT

 

Here are some thoughts on what this Scripture means to me...

 

"Don't be afraid, for I am with you."

If God is for me, I needn't worry about who is against me. Who can harm me? What can they do to me?

I have the great I AM by my side; watching over me 24/7. He never sleeps; He never slumbers.

 

"Don't be discouraged, for I am your God."

I needn't ever feel disheartened: for God is mine. "I am your God." He is my God. Hallelujah....how could I ever feel discouraged while knowing that truth?

 

"I will strengthen you and help you."

I am not alone. I do nothing on my own strength, for God is always with me. He knows when I need His help. He enables me to call on Him, and, when I do, He is there immediately, responding with the strength I can obtain only from Him. And this is how I can accomplish His will and my goals for my life; through Him.

 

"I will hold you up with My victorious right hand.”

He promises to hold me up; not to let me fall...ever. And, His hand is at all times victorious! Praise the Lord! What does this mean for me?? I can be victorious at all times providing I turn to Him to glean from His power.

 

When I completed the above, I thought I would open my Bible and read verses 9, and 11; the verses just before and after the above Scripture. I was hungry to hear more of what the Lord had to say....

 

When I read the verse prior in Isaiah, (9) I read where the Lord says, He has chosen me and He will not throw me away.

What a promise! First of all, He chose me! He chose ME. What a powerful statement. What an act of Love. AND He will not throw me away. No matter how much I mess up, He loves me and He will never toss me aside.

 

 He won't give up on me...so why would I ever even think of giving up on myself?

 

I have the God of the Universe on my side; working with me; cheering for me! The Creator of ALL.....Wow!! And He loves me so much, He would never throw me away. Praise the Lord!

 

I want to give Him my best!

 

In the verse following, (11) the Lord says that all my angry enemies lie there...confused and humiliated. He says that anyone who opposes me will die and come to nothing.

 

 

"All my angry enemies....will die and come to nothing."

 

Unforgiveness, anger, bitterness, slander....it is all in opposition to God.

 

I need to be in prayer for my enemies.

Compunction

Definition of COMPUNCTION

 anxiety arising from awareness of guilt <compunctions of conscience>

distress of mind over an anticipated action or result 

: a twinge of misgiving

 

 

It was about 2:30 a.m. I had been tossing and turning for awhile. Since I couldn't sleep, I began talking to the Lord. I asked, at one point, if He had anything to say to me. Maybe that is why I was having trouble sleeping...the Lord was trying to get my attention. It couldn't hurt, right?

 

Wrong...dead wrong.

 

Now, I don't know about you, but there are words I understand the meaning of but rarely if ever use because they are simply not my everyday language. I like to use simple speech; I have never been impressed by those who hurl their education around using large language. I prefer simple speech; that way, no matter who I am speaking with, they can easily understand.

 

Having said that, "compunction" was not a word I have ever used. To be completely honest, I would have to admit that I didn't know this word at all until around 2:30 this morning.

 

I have been experiencing little peace lately.

 

I have had a lot of trouble sleeping lately.

 

The Lord told me I had "compunction." Shocked and disturbed, I asked Him to bring this to my attention when I awoke this morning so I could look it up in the dictionary. If compunction was actually a word, then I would know this was in fact from the Lord.

 

Yes, it is a word.

 

And yes, I am convicted.

 

My dictionary read this: Compunction: stabbing of conscience; slight regret. (the above definition was from the internet).

 

Oh yes, my conscience is indeed being stabbed.

 

I know the Lord has given me this for my own good; my health. I have been losing my peace and allowing myself to be agitated over and over again without even trying to protect myself.

 

I know better.

 

I am so thankful that He has intervened in my life. He is always there for me and I should have called on Him earlier.

 

My focus has been wrong of late.

 

I need to return to focusing on Him...you know, the important things...

 

and leave the worldly stuff in His capable hands...

 

Oh, I forgot to add....He added that I must walk in the Spirit and I had ceased to do so.

 

Now there is good advice to begin anyone's day! Agreed?

Dance Steps

 This blog is in response to the Proverbs 31 Bible study that Melissa Taylor is leading, on Karen Ehman’s book titled, “Let. It. Go.”

I became a follower of Christ as an adult…mid forties to be more exact. I can’t even begin to tell you how difficult it was, by that age, for me to learn God’s ways over my own.

I had always been a very independent person; one who was very set in my ways and…as my husband would agree….quite opinionated…and correct…all the time. Yet, in my defense, I would say that I was willing to admit I was wrong…should that time ever come to fruition.

Let’s face it…I was stubborn and headstrong to no end.

When I first came face to face with the Scripture about wives submitting to their husbands…I honestly didn’t even care that it was God’s word. I was so disturbed by that Scripture verse; I simply decided to ignore it.

Somehow, that Scripture reference had been misquoted; mistaken…by someone along the way. Some translator had really messed up on that one.

In time…and it took a lot of it…I came to both understand and respect that verse.

I knew in my heart that God put everything in the Bible for my own good. I knew there must be a reasonable explanation. And there was….

Submission? Well, I am getting better. (I have to be honest here because my husband gets my blogs on his work email.)

I now understand the meaning; I also understand I am to submit to a godly husband…which mine is…most of the time.

When I feel he has tripped up, I am comfortable with confrontation…or should I say… discussion.

For the most part, I believe he is as well. My husband has never desired to “run” the show…most of our decisions are based on mutual agreement or compromise.

I am pleased that my husband rules over me (HA!)….I need to add…when it suits me. (I can hear him laughing now).

He is a man who strives to follow the Lord and I know I can trust him.

Trust was something I found difficult in all my relationships because of my past.

I really try to see his point of view now more than I ever did.

Submission is not easy for me, but I have come to know the comfort of allowing him to lead and, if I feel uneasy, I do speak up. (Yes, dear, nod in agreement).

I always remember:

No one is perfect, no one except God

God gave me a good mind

God made me to be a helper for my husband, just as He is my helper

Hubby and I are equals

We simply have different roles.

I am loved and respected, and I know it. This is healthy.

Oh, and one more thing I gotta say….

God made Eve last because once he had made man he turned and said, “I know I can do better.”

I’m only joking……….

Have a blessed day!

 

WHAT-EVER!

This blog is in response to the Proverbs 31 Bible study that Melissa Taylor is leading, on Karen Ehman’s book titled, “Let. It. Go.”

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.”
~ Colossians 3:23 NIV

I grew up trying to be a “people pleaser.”

For my dad, it didn’t seem to make much difference how good my grades were in school, I could still “always do better.”

From my older brother I constantly received ridicule, so I was always striving to be his friend; which only led me into more hurtful ridicule from him.

My mom….well, my mom needed me to be the head of the family…the family being her and I…once the divorce had taken place. One huge problem remained; I was not quite ten years old at the time.

Yet, I continued to try to please, although I was never to be successful.

In time, I came to be angry that I never seemed to measure up to the standards put on me by others.

I soon rebelled and grew up troubled and…well, lets just say, “messed up.”

That caused me a lot of problems…for a lot of years.

I had spent my life trying to live up to others expectations of me. No matter what I did, I would always be viewed as wrong in someone’s eyes.

The problem, or should I say, one problem with being a people pleaser is, you will never please everyone.

By the time I came to know the Lord, I was well in control of my own life; had been for many years and not at all willing to let go.

But how was it working for me??

Poorly.

Very poorly.

Yet, it was still difficult to let go. It was the only way of life I had known.  

Even though I knew I must let go, I didn’t know how.

 I was so used to ‘my thoughts; my ways’

I struggled each and every day to find a new path.

Truthfully, to this day I continue to struggle.

But it is studies such as this, along with time with the Lord on a daily basis, reading Scripture and pursuing this goal to do all for the Lord…..that continue to be helpful.

Change does not take place in a day…..or a year….

And it does not come easy. It does not come without great effort.

It does not come without numerous failures.

It does not come without regrets.

It does not come without tears.

But, it does come…..

Gradually.

My thoughts and efforts now more than ever, are turning towards the Lord.

I find of late that I am more intent now on pleasing Him, than I have ever been, and because of that I am more willing to do whatever it takes.

I am learning to be patient….with great difficulty…yes, it is a challenge.

But, I am now on that new path.

I am working at trying to please Him.

I might be a newbie, but I am now here.

I live for today…in the hopes that tomorrow I will be able to celebrate any small successes I have from today.  

And I do.

My simple motto is this:

One day at a time.

And you know something?

It works.

It absolutely works!

True Love

How do I come to know true love if I have never experienced it?

I was given this question, and as I continued to look at it numerous times over these past weeks, I could not formulate any sentences because the answer that continued to remain in my heart was so very simple.

It was one word: “God.”

Get to know God.

God is love.

God loves us all.

Simple.

No?

Well, possibly not so simple….maybe.

You see, I did come from a rather loveless environment. I did not know love, not really at all, until I came to know God.

And coming to know God is not quite as simple as some may think.

It is not merely saying a prayer; asking Him to come into your life. While that is a part of it…there is more…much more.

True love takes time and effort.

Love is a choice.

Yes, a choice.

Love develops; it grows over time.

For one who has never experienced true love, it may take years to come to terms with exactly what it is, let alone how to deal with it.

It can be quite complicated for mere man.

But it will come more quickly and easily dependent upon the time that is spent with the Lord. Surrounding oneself with Him and definitely His Word are necessary means to knowing true love.

He loved us first. He gave His Son so that we might live.

He gave His life so that we could spend eternity in glory with Him.

That is true love.

Although difficult to wrap around our finite minds, we can get a glimpse of this true love…but only through concentrating on His love which can only be done through the time we spend with Him.

That is how we learn to know anything or anyone, isn’t it?

Time.

Time is our friend when it is spent in the right ways.

It is never wasted where our Lord is concerned.

I pray you daily take the time to build on your love relationship with the Lord. His is true love, and the only perfect love.

We know our world would be a much better place if everyone followed His ways and His word.

Can you imagine what a glorious world this would be if everyone truly loved as He does?

Heaven….

BitterSweet

In response to:

Greater by Steven Furtick. Proverbs 31 Bible Study with Melissa Taylor.

Finishing this book; wrapping up this study; it is all so bittersweet, isn’t it?

So, where do I go from here?

Do I fall back into the pattern of life I know? The one I embraced, although reluctantly, before this study?

Or do I “grab that bull by the horns” (as my dear grandmother would have said) and move ahead, plodding through the difficulties and the challenges, determined to make a difference.

To make a difference in me.

To make a difference in my life.

To inevitably make a difference in the world I live in…no matter how small.

It all matters, doesn’t it?

I may never be a famous writer, a screen star, or a noted theologian, but I may play a very important roll in the lives of some; and that can make a great difference in their world…in their lives…in their eternity…and in those who follow behind them.

My dear grandma, along with my grandpa…they made a great difference. In my young life, in only a few short years of having the opportunity to be present in their company, they taught me, by example, the values of being a follower of the Lord.

I watched them and I listened to them. Not only what they said to me, but what they said to others. How they treated others. How they spoke of others when they weren’t around.

It took many years for me to ever realize and appreciate this experience, but the impact they had on my life is immeasurable. I am and will be forever grateful for those brief moments; I cherish them. I thank the Lord for them.

Without them, I shudder to think of where I might be today.

None of us know just how important our words and our actions are to those around us…those of all ages.

Please don’t forget this…..

I pray I don’t.

Progress in 2013

“If trusting the Lord is to be the new way of life, how do I know I am progressing?”

Exactly how do you know if you are progressing in your walk with the Lord?

When this question was asked of me, my first thought was, I don’t have any problem knowing when I am regressing. And the problem associated with that is simple.

When I regress, it is because I have failed to spend daily time with the Lord. I have walked out on my own; alone and unguarded.

Jesus said, “Without me you can do nothing.”

So, why am I surprised then, that I fall short of glorifying the Lord when I step out without him; ‘without him’ is not merely intended for those who do not know the Lord.

 Absolutely not.

‘Without him’ is manifest when we, as Christ followers, try to live our day not having filled ourselves by taking advantage of the absolute privilege we have to build on our relationship with the Lord.

With Him I am strong…without Him I am weak and vulnerable to both the evil ones ways as well as to my own sinful nature.

That really answers the question then, doesn’t it??

I know I am progressing as I look upon each day and recall time spent in the presence of the Lord. Progress is that time. Progress is the desire to be more and more in His presence.

The desire and the practice.

I have the desire, but, sadly, not always the practice. I know what I must do…and I constantly chastise myself for my poor priorities.

So I continue to ask Him for a gentle reminder which He gladly and faithfully provides because He knows the value to my spending time with Him.

So, now I ask you…..how are you doing? Are you progressing?

I pray you are….

Blessings on you today!!

What's Wrong with the Production Line?

I try so very hard, but why do my efforts not always produce the result I desire?

I try to be good.

I try to do the right thing.

I honestly try to be who the Lord desires me to be.

Why, then, do my efforts not always, or seldom, produce the results I desire?

I have asked myself that question a thousand times, I am certain, over the years.

BUT, I never quite had the answer.

Then, when I finally did have the answer, I still continued to fail.

I failed because I continued to live the same way.

Knowledge alone does not change things.

Only knowledge with action will produce change, and that change must come from a heart that is willing to actually DO things the Lord’s way.

It’s not always easy.

It’s often very difficult.

But, it is extremely rewarding.

I have begun to put biblical principles into practice in my everyday life.

Humility.

Forgiveness.

Prayer.

Scripture reading.

Love.

I pondered over these important words and could easily see where they all must be present for me to succeed at being a better servant of the Lord. Yet, is there one key area that outshines the others?

Is there?

I like to think they are all equally great….none greater than the other.

I see the key though; indeed there is one.

It is “everyday.”

If I don’t practice putting biblical principles in my life each and every day, I am not ready for battle. I am unprotected.

I am on my own.

Alone and vulnerable.

The reason for my success is because with daily practice…no exclusions…I am armed. I have prepared myself.

The Lord is with me and He is my power. Without Him I can do nothing.

Success comes with a price.

At all cost, my day must include time spent with the Lord. My heart and mind need to embrace humility and forgiveness.

It is no mistake that I placed love last.

Love needs to be first, yes.

I have learned that through prayer, scripture reading, the practice of humility and forgiveness….love comes.

There is a lot of effort placed into loving others. It is no mistake that the Lord tells us to love one another. The greatest commandment is to love the Lord and then to love others. He knew it would be the greatest challenge for us….impossible really.

Only with Him, are all things possible.

Pray for those who persecute you. Love your enemies.

The following Scripture is from Bible Gateway: NIV

But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
Matthew 5:43-45

Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.Ephesians 6:10-12

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.Ephesians 6:12-14

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
John 15:4-6

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
John 10:9-11

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
John 13:33-35

  Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Romans 12:9-11

And finally,

Matthew 22:34-40  Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together.  One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question:  “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Do you want an awesome New Year’s Resolution?

My prayer is that 2013 will be a better year….and it can be…as long as we stand with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We CAN make a difference in this world.

Happy New Year everyone!!

Trust Fund Baby

Trust Fund Baby! Share your most memorable blessing from God. Was it unexpected?

This is the question I laid my eyes on this morning when I opened my email from Melissa Taylor. Again, this posting is in response to the Bible study with Proverbs 31 ministry, on the book Greater, by Pastor Steven Furtick.

As soon as I read this topic, I knew what I had to share.

Like it or not….

It doesn’t matter.

Not anymore.

For it was and still is the most memorable blessing I have ever received from God.

Before I continue, I must say that my daughter, my granddaughter, and my husband are my greatest blessings from God…..

This, what I will share now, my most memorable blessing, is the miracle God performed in my life in order that I may know He is with me.

It took place about sixteen years ago now.

I did not know God. Oh, I believed in God…I just didn’t know Him.

I drank.

I smoked.

How many times I promised myself I would quit.

How many times I had failed…miserably.

And I do mean miserably.

I was miserable. And I was stuck!

Life hadn’t always been like this, but over the past years, with great stress in my life….

I just couldn’t seem to handle it anymore.

So, I turned my life inside out and stared into an empty rye glass every evening.

I was trapped.

Unable to do anything to stop, I finally came to the point where I knew that if I didn’t quit soon, I would put myself in an early grave.

One night, as I lay in my bed alone, I began to sob uncontrollably. I called out to the God I knew existed, but did not know.

I yelled actually. I was angry. Angry at me and unfairly angry at God.

I told Him that if He indeed was really there, and if He cared for me at all…why wouldn’t He help me. I told Him I had tried so hard, but failed at each attempt to quit both drinking and smoking.

I cried myself to sleep that night and when I awoke the next morning, I did not even recall the conversation.

A few months went by, and during that time period, I found myself gaining strength and determination to quit.

I set a date…which I had done many times prior and failed…but this time felt different.

Yes, something was definitely very different.

My date came, and I made one more attempt to quit.

Each day, as I succeeded, I began to be pretty darn proud of myself.

Time passed, and I remained both alcohol and tobacco free….with NO withdrawals. None!

After a short time, a small silent voice inside me reminded me of my outcry that few months earlier.

I was stunned!

I realized at that very moment that it was God who had been the successful one…He had been the one to enable me to quit.

It was Him.

He loved me. He heard my cry, and He responded favorably to my cry.

It was nothing short of a miracle.

I thank you God for the most memorable blessing….and yes, it was definitely unexpected. But now, over these past almost sixteen years, nothing surprises me that God does. He is more than capable to do all things.

I am ever grateful for His working in my life back then; just as I am for His continual working in my daily life now.

What a wonderful gift…the gift of life to be lived in its fullest! The gift of freedom from bondage!

My life began the moment I said “yes” to God, and the best moments I have are still when I say “yes” to God…..rather than going my own way.

Trust Fund Baby

Trust Fund Baby! Share your most memorable blessing from God. Was it unexpected?

This is the question I laid my eyes on this morning when I opened my email from Melissa Taylor. Again, this posting is in response to the Bible study with Proverbs 31 ministry, on the book Greater, by Pastor Steven Furtick.

As soon as I read this topic, I knew what I had to share.

Like it or not….

It doesn’t matter.

Not anymore.

For it was and still is the most memorable blessing I have ever received from God.

Before I continue, I must say that my daughter, my granddaughter, and my husband are my greatest blessings from God…..

This, what I will share now, my most memorable blessing, is the miracle God performed in my life in order that I may know He is with me.

It took place about sixteen years ago now.

I did not know God. Oh, I believed in God…I just didn’t know Him.

I drank.

I smoked.

How many times I promised myself I would quit.

How many times I had failed…miserably.

And I do mean miserably.

I was miserable. And I was stuck!

Life hadn’t always been like this, but over the past years, with great stress in my life….

I just couldn’t seem to handle it anymore.

So, I turned my life inside out and stared into an empty rye glass every evening.

I was trapped.

Unable to do anything to stop, I finally came to the point where I knew that if I didn’t quit soon, I would put myself in an early grave.

One night, as I lay in my bed alone, I began to sob uncontrollably. I called out to the God I knew existed, but did not know.

I yelled actually. I was angry. Angry at me and unfairly angry at God.

I told Him that if He indeed was really there, and if He cared for me at all…why wouldn’t He help me. I told Him I had tried so hard, but failed at each attempt to quit both drinking and smoking.

I cried myself to sleep that night and when I awoke the next morning, I did not even recall the conversation.

A few months went by, and during that time period, I found myself gaining strength and determination to quit.

I set a date…which I had done many times prior and failed…but this time felt different.

Yes, something was definitely very different.

My date came, and I made one more attempt to quit.

Each day, as I succeeded, I began to be pretty darn proud of myself.

Time passed, and I remained both alcohol and tobacco free….with NO withdrawals. None!

After a short time, a small silent voice inside me reminded me of my outcry that few months earlier.

I was stunned!

I realized at that very moment that it was God who had been the successful one…He had been the one to enable me to quit.

It was Him.

He loved me. He heard my cry, and He responded favorably to my cry.

It was nothing short of a miracle.

I thank you God for the most memorable blessing….and yes, it was definitely unexpected. But now, over these past almost sixteen years, nothing surprises me that God does. He is more than capable to do all things.

I am ever grateful for His working in my life back then; just as I am for His continual working in my daily life now.

What a wonderful gift…the gift of life to be lived in its fullest! The gift of freedom from bondage!

My life began the moment I said “yes” to God, and the best moments I have are still when I say “yes” to God…..rather than going my own way.

One Step at a Time...and to be Safe....Make Them Baby Steps

This posting is in response to the Proverbs 31 Bible study on the book Greater by Steve Furtick.

“Awkward social skills.”

When I first read that seemingly insignificant little sentence, I felt a pang of regret for who I am. I am one with awkward social skills.

Although some might not see it…not right away anyway. I can converse well, but once you get to know me, you can see that I am deficient in my social skills.  

Then I realized two things. First, I am not alone. Second, God can still use me regardless.

This helped to bring hope.
I admit though that I am still skeptical.

Just a bit.

The Lord has had me return to a ministry that I had volunteered in for over two years, only to leave just over a year ago. A couple of months ago, I felt His leading me back to serve in this ministry.

Just last week, while at this ministry, I was ready to explode because ‘things’ weren’t going the way I believed they should be going.

I was seconds away from vacating the building when I turned to the Lord for help.

(Now I sometimes wonder, did I turn to Him, or did He get my attention?)

Either way, I suddenly felt this peaceful calm overtake me. I breathed deeply, ashamed of my thoughts; ashamed of how angry I had become.

Much later, the next day, I had opportunity to spend time alone with the Lord, and He spoke to my heart.

He told me that I was placing emphasis on the wrong area….myself. He instructed me to be more like Him. He reminded me of how He, God, came to this earth and made Himself of no reputation.

I am to do likewise.

Until or unless I do, I will not be beneficial for kingdom work.

I must humble myself.

This is my theme. God is not going to let up on this until I get it right.

I suppose my recent master’s degree in ministry has given me license to believe I have certain rights and demands.

God has reminded me otherwise.

He has clearly spoken to me, instructing me to sit in this ministry, and, even if I am to do nothing on any given evening but sit on the sidelines, that is what I must do….and  pleasantly and peacefully…in love.

I must make myself of no reputation. I must let go of any and all ‘thought and feelings’ I may have about anything and everything.   

I am to be a servant.

An obedient servant.

A willing servant.

A happy servant.

A humble servant.

…with no guarantees.

Just follow the Lord….willingly…with a good heart.

Such challenges.

But I do know there is no life any better than the one the Lord has plotted out for me. So, I will obey.

As difficult as I know it will be at times, I will obey.

And to make it easier…I know He will always be with me to help me do the right thing. All I need to do is faithfully turn to Him.

Funny thing…those awkward social skills…they don’t feel as threatening when I know I can simply look to Him for guidance.

Only under His watchful eye, do I know I have nothing to prove, nothing to fear, and, nothing to lose.

Absolutely nothing.

Amen to that!