I avoid conflict. Writing this is causing some agitate. For instance, in the past, I would have fought tooth and nail when it came to political stance. Yet, when it comes to defending my faith in CHRIST, I can be as quiet as a little mouse. For instance, certain sin. I am uncomfortable calling out truths around hot topics. More-so, those that directly affect my family. JESUS walked to the cross. He was betrayed by one of HIS closest disciples. For a few bucks, Judas handed CHRIST over. But JESUS never hated Judas, rather saw it as a means to the rightful occurrence. Peter was going to deny; Tim to doubt. These were those closest to the MAN who came to save. Were they just believing to believe? Fit in, perhaps? Do I? I ask GOD to reveal to me the things I do that hurts HIS heart. One that came blaring at me is this very issue of denying certain truths for the sake of comfort. Makes me want to run back to the soft and cushy arms of denial. Time to stand up, brush myself off and pull up those big girl panties. Stand up for CHRIST and all that HE IS, WAS and WILL BE! Time for the cold hard truth! Can’t hide beneath the manipulation of the truth any longer so as not to make waves. Cause discomfort among friends. Family. JESUS CHRIST couldn’t have been more uncomfortable, lonely, and in pain. HE stood by and watched sin kill HIM, yet it was that very action that would set me free from my own sinful nature. CHRIST knows me. And he goes to the FATHER and says “forgive her for she knows not what she does”. All the while, I have denied certain “uncomfortable” truths. Now, though, my eyes are opened... I can no longer live under the guise of “not knowing what I do”. I am and will be held accountable! So, I ask LORD, “now that YOU are prying my eyes open, show me and lead me how to walk further, walk out of the cushy comfort in order to be a true soldier for YOU. AND not simply a soldier to fight, just for the sake of the fight. But one who fights for the love of a MAN who freely walked to HIS painful demise while loving HIS very murderers. ONLY TO RISE because HIS flesh was pierced and stripped, but HIS truth arises. Time to get real! Time to defend the ONE who died for me. Not because I was perfect - not because I don’t color outside the lines - quite the opposite! Just because HE loved me first! #ThankYOUJESUS ❤️
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What, FATHER can ever overtake me? Why do I worry? Why am I afraid. YOU sit on the only throne that matters and I can run to YOU for comfort. There is nothing bigger that will ever take me away from YOU or YOU away from me. Pain is only for a time - sadness comes and goes. But the LORD is my rock and HE goes on forever. Puts the daily grind in perspective. The LORD is my Shepherd! HE makes me lay in soft green pastures. I gotta do one thing.....Let. HIM.! #ThankYOUJESUS ❤️ GOD is perfect, and trustworthy, and wise. And not just when things are rolling along smoothly. Even when there is sadness, grief, pain. Even when what stands in front of you seems insurmountable. Even when the worst news possible has been delivered! “And the hits just keep on coming” I have said once too many times. Then the disappointment sets in. The overwhelm and fear. I remember sitting in a doctors office with my husband, hearing the word “cancer”. Followed by “it’s not going away”. My heart dropped. My mind started flying a million miles a minute with the “what-if’s” and the doomsday mentality took hold. We were told that day, terrible news! My man, my husband, my friend-of-all friends, my strength, was going to undergo some radical surgery literally removing part of him! When I caught my breath, I looked to the only real strength there is. I bowed to the rock of my soul; My FATHER, GOD in heaven! And... I saw my husband in such a different light. He actually joked about the surgery forthcoming. His own faith grew! Forward to today! GOD provided. GOD gave us strength to move even when we were scared. I thought I couldn’t at times. And.. GOD gave Jerry the fortitude to do what he had to do. Now it’s over and Jerry is Jerry. He still works hard. Even more so than before because the LORD provides! He still is joking! He still is laughing! Why? You ask? Because GOD always was with us. GOD pushed us to keep moving forward. Don’t get me wrong. I had days where I cried. Jer had days of fear and anger. But, GOD provided us angels to keep us in good spirit in spite! And we were reminded... it is not our battle but the LORD’s. None of us on earth, believers or not, know what tomorrow brings. But...I do know this: GOD will always guide and satisfy us with good things. HE will keep us strong and well. We will be like a garden that has plenty of water and never goes dry. (Isaiah 58:11) No matter what is happening! Not even death will deplete! Amen! #ThankYOUJESUS ❤️ We affect each other! Whether we like it or not, we can, through CHRIST, be uplifting and encouraging to ourselves and others.. or, we can be a real downer. Have you ever been around a lover of CHRIST who whines and moans often? I have and, yes, I too have been a “Deni Downer”. I was reading the the Epistle of Philemon verse 1:7. I imagine Paul is writing a letter about this dude Philemon who provides him encouragement. And he describes him like this. “Your love, dear brother, has brought me great joy and much encouragement! You have cheered the hearts of all God's people.” Thank GOD, I do have people in my life who are my cheerleaders, my yay-sayers and those who help lift me up when I feel like I am sinking! And.. I like to think, I have been there for others in the same capacity. With all this being said... I remembered something big! I no longer (and I do less and less) have to fear, be worried, or delve into the downs anymore! With CHRIST, I know that not only will I get through whatever trial I am facing - I remember how much HE has brought me through already! I am told, warned even; that I will have challenges and trouble in this world! But, I’ll look for my Philemon. Someone to cheer me on! Sometimes we just need an encourager! You know what I will not do? (Or at least try not to do?) Complain and remain!!! Romans 15:13 tells me to be of good spirit and joy! May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (And not just in the easy moments - but all moments!) and I can do this through CHRIST and through true encouragers of the WORD! #ThankYOUJESUS ❤️ I have a routine each morning. There are variables. But, for the most part.... it is similar. This morning, I stepped in cat puke. My normal response would have been to scream obscenities not giving a care in the world whose sleep I was disturbing or the ugliness that spewed from my mouth. This morning I laughed! I had just got finished reading about Paul in Philippians. I mean the man is in chains for GOD's sake! Really, he is in a prison, bound by chains, most likely beaten and definitely not eating meals to his hearts content. Yet, here is Paul, writing to the people of Phillipi to encourage "them"! He is telling them all about a good work that is started in them and to be confident that it will be carried through to completion. And then he further expounds that because of his chains (trial) that people will be blessed. Don't we all face trials? Some of them extremely tough! -some, not so much! Anxiety, poor treatment, stepping in cat puke? We can cry to the LORD - why me? woe is me! OR... In Philippians 1:19 there is a line that goes like this (para.) I know that what has happened to me, will turn out for my deliverance through CHRIST JESUS! Remember the ridiculous phrase "Life sucks and then you die" CHRIST certainly puts that to shame! Perhaps our days may be riddled with struggles! But we can have joy in spite! Maybe we have a terribly spotted past? Yet, perhaps that very blemish may end up helping someone down the line. In the meantime... Philippians 4:13 (my personal fav) remember that no matter what you are going through, you can get through it with CHRIST! He tells us this! So stop leaning on "you" and lean on CHRIST! Whatever chains you are in, what pain you are going through - what mental anguish is torturing you; remember, you do not face it alone! CHRIST JESUS is right there beside you! You will get passed this and it will touch someone else! It is crazy but it is true; this morning I stepped in cat puke! Out of it came these words. At first, I was thinking ughhhh :$&/&:&:$!!!! However, GOD had a different plan! Thank YOU JESUS! Amen❤️ |