Thursday, August 20, 2009

Just as I am....

Yes, as anyone that knows me knows that I am a huge fan of David Phelps. But that is not what this is about...a sigh of relief I hear?? =)

I was reflecting on the song lyrics this morning:

Dear Lord, I?m on my knees again
I come to You because You understand
I've tried so hard, but I just can't change myself
That's why I know I need Your help

(Chorus)
So here I am
This in my plea
My only hope is Your love for me
I'm reaching out
So desperately
Come take my hand; take all of me
Just as I am

Oh Lord, You make what's broken new
Why can't I just learn to follow You
I want to know You and feel You in my soul
I surrender all control

I am not afraid to follow You where You lead me
I can leave the past behind me
I'm forgiven and I'm free

We come to God, at some point in our lives...hopefully! and at that point, we come just as we are. We don't have to change for God to accept us. We don't have to clean things up in our life, before he makes us part of his heritage. He takes us in when we ask Him to wash our sins and accept us. God does not expect us to be clean before we come to Him, He wants us to come to Him with all that we have, just as we are. We are not meant to change things on our own, but seek out Gods strength and wisdom on how to change. Let God mold us and sculpt us because He is the potter and we are the clay. HE puts circumstances in our lives to make us into who He wants us to be. Although we may be "damaged" from life's abuses, to God we are a prized possession and that is true love. So, come to God just as you are, and let Him do the changing that He sees necessary. If you try to change yourself before coming to God, its like chasing your tail, you will never catch it. Let go and let God.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Turn your pain into your testimony for someone who needs it!

God is our healer. He created us and He experienced hurts and disappointments while on here on Earth. He became man, so therefore He was able to feel our pains of rejection. He knows what it is like to be betrayed. He knows the hurt of losing a loved one. Jesus wept. He came to us as one of us. He became man. Yes, He resurrected on the 3rd day and resides in Heaven. But while on Earth He felt what we feel. Saying this, He is our creator as well. He put in us emotions. He placed in us our feelings that react to various situations. Our feelings which can lie to us. Our feelings that can remind us of hurtful pasts or mistakes we have made. God knows what we go through every day.

If you have a past that is filled with hurts and pains, then that means you are human. We all have something back there that caused us to feel uncomfortable. So no matter how big you perceive it to be, really...it is only as big as you make it. It impacts your life, however you let it. If you let this "thing" affect your every mood, your relationship with people, with God...then you are allowing something of the past to be your present. Situations we go through are meant to strengthen us, to teach us something that we may need for our self or someone else. They are not meant to be a constant hurt to make you bitter or angry. If it was someone that hurt you...just remember: people make bad choices sometimes but let it be for the better. Make that hurt into something wonderful. Be encouraged that you are not alone. Allow God to remove your hurt and heal you fully so you can help lift up someone else in need. You may be the one to pull them from their lowly state by having that connection with them.

We must not just be healed but once we are healed of a hurtful past, we must lower our mask so that we can be transparent to someone in need. People hurt people. I have hurt people by my words. Just the same, people can hurt with words as much as an act. We have all hurt someone or been hurt by someone. That unfortunately is a part of life. But don't let it be something that haunts you everyday. Don't let this thing control you. Allow God to take you back and heal that pain. Let God pour out his healing virtue on your life so you can be complete. Then unveil yourself to someone else in need. Let your past be your testimony for others.

Scenario #1: A lady gets up to a group of ladies that all have abusive pasts and states " God wants to heal you I have personally watched a lady be delivered fully from her abusive past. I have seen her go to the altar sorrowful of her past and God turned that sorrow into joy! I talk with ladies everyday about this." She goes on to say that though she has never been abused...she can see how much it hurts by talking with ladies that have been.

Scenario #2: A lady gets up to a group of ladies that all have abusive pasts and states " God wants to heal you I have personally watched a lady be delivered fully from her abusive past. I have seen her go to the altar sorrowful of her past and God turned that sorrow into joy! For I was that lady!" and she continues on explaining how someone had hurt her by abusing her and how badly she hurt and felt so alone. And through the years she thought that she had dealt with it fully until one day God called to her and COMPLETELY HEALED her! God had turned all her sorrow into joy like she had never felt.

Which scenario is more powerful? Which lady would you listen to more intently? The one that was an excellent source but had never personally felt the hurt you have experienced? Or the lady with a past similar to yours, that has overcome it with the healing virtue of God?? But to do this she had to unmask herself for all to see. I pray that if you have a testimony - use it for good, stop letting it hurt you, let yourself be healed and help someone else with your testimony.

Monday, August 10, 2009

Camp Meeting "09

WOW! Is the best word to describe what God did this last week during Camp Meeting "Onward, Upward". If you ever get the chance to go, GO! You will walk away touched, I promise! The day preaching, teaching was superb. Bro. Hughes taught on family and healing yourself to not allow your junk into your family and onto your kids or into your church. To de-mask yourself and stop acting like your so perfect and life has never been rough on you. I was ultimately healed this week and filled with the joy of the Lord. I have not laughed so hard I think ever! God truly turned my sorrow into joy! What an awesome God I serve. I know I walked away with a touch that will change my life. I hope all that attended received something that will change their lives too. I am now encouraged more than ever to continue my journey and help others find their way to the Lord's path. For on the Lord's path there is fullness of joy, and peace, and an enduring love that you won't find anywhere else in life but from the Lord. Also, my youngest has now graduated to a 2 wheeler after much endurance! CONGRATULATIONS SWEETHEART!

Welcome to my blog..

I hope to inspire you with some words of encouragement. I hope to send forth positive words from my comforter... the Lord. He has been a dear friend in my travels and I want to be able to share them with anyone else that is in need. Keep Him close at all times because you are always in need of such a friend as Jesus. Even when things are going great or when it all crashes down around you. Just keep your eyes on Him.

FROG- Fully Rely On God!