Post #72 - Reshaping Me

God is changing me. Changing the way I think, the way I speak, the way I act. God is maturing me and molding me into what I need to be for the next stage of my life. He's reshaping me to fit my purpose. 

Life changed me over the years. Made me less of who I am supposed to be. The experiences of life - the heartbreaks, the disappointments, the rejection, the lies, the hurt. They all had an adverse effect on me. 

Isn't that always the case? Doesn't it seem that we allow the negative experiences to effect us more strongly than the positive ones?

Why??

I allowed myself to dwell in the pain of my past for a long time. The disfunction and fear caused by the pain I experienced became a normal and expected part of my life. I began to accept it as who and what I was supposed to be. 

I was wrong.

That is not the person I was meant to be. Not the person God desires me to be. God told me that He couldn't use me while I was faking through life. While I was pretending to be someone that I am not. 

The pain I went through was not intended to break me down and make me bitter and withdrawn. It was meant to teach me the ways of the world, to heighten my discernment, and to mature and strengthen me.

I allowed it to do the opposite, not understanding how people who claimed that they loved me - that they loved God - could do the things they did to me. 

Though I did begin to discern more clearly and listen to my gut more closely, I also began to pull away from people and opportunities. If it posed a challenge or if it felt strange, I ran from it. I didn't want to be hurt or fail again. 

I valued being alone more than anything. It was how I coped with life and the pain I still felt inside. I had no problem putting people out of my life. I felt that I and my life were better that way. Better without them. 

But, God began to tell me how He wanted my life to look... 

We're not meant to be alone. We don't have to let in those who are out to hurt us or keep those who consistently hurt us, but we shouldn't keep EVERYONE out.

We are made to love. We should guard our hearts and make sure we're not being callous with it. But, we shouldn't lock it away and refuse to love again. 

We are peace makers. I've always felt like I had to fight my way through life. That's been the narrative. That's been the case for most of my life. But, it's not what God desires. 

Matthew 5:9 says that God blesses those who work for peace. He wants us to reconcile ourselves with one another, seeking peace, understanding, compassion, and forgiveness. 

Holding on to anger and unforgiveness does not reflect the character of Christ. And anger does not produce the righteousness that God requires (James 1:20).

So, I'm letting go of anger. I'm not seeking my own way and I'm no longer allowing myself to get drawn into arguments. I'm loving more freely. And seeking peaceful resolutions over fighting to be heard.

God is reshaping the way I look at life and how I handle conflict. He is bringing out the gentler, more graceful part of me. He is preparing me for greatness and godliness... in every area of my life.

God is healing me and shaping me and molding me into what He needs me to be. To do His works. And do it with confidence and boldness. Without thinking about the things that hurt me and tried to stop me.

To do it with God in mind.

Post #71 - It Only Works If You Apply It

The things you learn in school mean nothing if you don't remember them. 

Giving your word means nothing if you don't keep it.

Likewise, the word of God is nothing if you don't apply it to your life.

John 2:22-25 says that we should not only be hearers of the word of God, but we should be doers of the word as well. This scripture likens those who do not apply the word as a man seeing his face in a mirror, then walking away and forgetting what he looks like. But, if we look into the word of God and apply it to our lives, it is sure to set us free.

"...if you do what it says and don't forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it. "

Many of us read and can even recite various scriptures from the bible, but do not apply them. For years, I went to church, heard the word, and left the same way. We have refused to use the word as a balm for healing. We seemingly read it for entertainment, to pass the time, or as something we think we are supposed to do. But, we haven't been using it to our advantage. 

The bible says that "the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires (Hebrews 4:12)."

But the word is only powerful and life changing if you allow it to be. The bible can't do anything if you just sit it on a shelf. And why read it if when you finish, you allow yourself to remain the same? The word is meant to help us see something within ourselves that is wanting and use it to make a change.

The problem is that too many of us are seeing ourselves as more than what we really are (Romans 12:3). We think that we are right in all things while everyone else is wrong and we refuse to listen. Even the word of God makes these types of people see the wrong in others while they ignore the wrongs within themselves. 

I pray that the word of God becomes an accuser. Pointing out our transgressions like a grade school snitch. I pray that it convicts us as we read it and helps us to see ourselves in the right light. 

Then, we must let the word heal us and strengthen us and be our guide to change, growth, and improvement. We must use it as a textbook, teaching us right from wrong. As a compass, guiding us in the right direction. We must use it as a self help book, making needed improvements within us and bringing us to a place of healing and wholeness. 

Many of us look at the bible with reverence. We put it above other books and think of it as holy. We swear on it, but we won't swear by it. 

We won't apply its contents to our lives. 

The bible needs to be a part of our daily routine. We must make it a central part of our lives. We must read it, meditate on it, and learn from it. 

Faith comes by hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17). The more we read it, the more we meditate on it, the more our faith grows. The more we learn its power. The more we learn to trust and depend on God.

The word of God is powerful to convict, heal, and set free. But, we've got to use it as it is intended and apply it to our lives. What good is it if we forget it as soon as it's read? 

No good. 

And if we don't apply it, we will forever remain the same. 

Post #70 - Jesus Is Born

...God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you! ” 

Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!” 

Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.” The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God... 

Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her. 

Luke 1:26‭-‬35, 38 (NLT)

At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. 

And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child. 

And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them. 

Luke 2:1‭-‬7 (NLT)

That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. 

They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” 

Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” 

When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. 

After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. 

The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them. 

Luke 2:8‭-‬20 (NLT)

...About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” 

...And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! 

They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 

Matthew 2:1‭-‬2, 9-11(NLT)

Post #69(b) - I Was Taught Wrong

I grew up in a house full of females. My grandmother raised me, my two sisters, and my cousin. And she taught us what she thought a woman should be. 

My mother and aunts would come around every now and then. But, honestly, none of them were great role models or had successful relationships that I could use as a model. Even my grandmother was single from as far back as I can remember. 

I've never seen one woman in my family have a kind, loving, and lasting relationship with a man. There was always violence - raised voices, anger, cussing, name calling, disrespect... Never love.

I had uncles who would come around every now and then, as well. And while one of them had a relationship that lasted many years, none of them attempted to show me what a good man looks like. What to look for in a man. Or what to expect from them.

All I was taught about a man is that I didn't need one.

I was taught that I was a strong, independent woman who didn't need to depend on a man. I was taught to take care of myself and survive on my own. I didn't need a man to take care of me.

After seeing all of the broken relationships in my family - all of the boyfriends and husbands, girlfriends and wives that came and went - I believed that I didn't need anyone. That I was better off on my own. 

But, this is not the will of God.

Throughout the bible, God tells us His desire for relationships. He says that it is not good for man to be alone (Genesis 2:18). And He wants us to come together in love and respect. 

God tells the woman to respect her husband and submit to Him. And He tells the husband to honor his wife and love her like Jesus loves the church.

Men should take a lesson from Jesus. 

He is gentle and kind. He is the Lord of our lives and reigns over us all. But, He reigns with love. He even chastises and corrects with love.

Women could take a lesson from Jesus as well. We submit to Jesus because we love Him. In fact, it's His overwhelming love for us that makes it easier for us to submit to Him. Submission is, in fact, an act of love. It's a show of trust and faith in the One who loves us.

This is what God expects from us.

He doesn't expect perfection from us. None of us are perfect. But He does expect us to obey His word and apply it to our lives. He expects us to practice patience and self control. To be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger (James 1:19). 

He wants us to depend on one another. We need one another to survive. 

We need each other for support, to raise healthy and whole children, to maintain a household, for stability.

But, we don't just need each other. The most important thing we need to have a successful relationship is God Himself. God will fill the spaces we cannot. He will provide those things that we are not able to give to one another. 

A cord of three strands is not easily broken (Ecclesiastes 4:12). God will be our strength and fight with us when we and our relationships are growing weak. 

So, I was taught wrong. 

I do need a man in my life to depend on. In fact, I need two... Jesus and the man He has chosen for me.

It's time to put away what I've been taught and break the cycle of broken relationships in my family. I've been failing at them for too long to keep trying to make them work on my own. At some point, I've got to try something new. 

And that point is now! 

From now on, I'm putting aside what people say and what society thinks is right. I'm believing what God is teaching. 

Post #69(a) - Warfare (Always Fighting)

Warfare (Always Fighting)

By: Erika Henderson 

Hands up and head downcast 

Whispering murmurs 

Unintelligible and misunderstood 

Eyes swollen. Heart racing. 

Fighting.

The battle is not mine?

Then why am I fighting?

Laboring?

This is warfare.

Pacing to and fro

Or fallen to my knees

Spitting scriptures and proclaiming promises

Sweat pouring. Head pounding.

Fighting. 

The battle is not mine?

I've been assigned 

Charged.

This is warfare.

Head covered

Chest protected

Hands clenched

Belt tight

Feet shod.

Fighting

Praising 

Praying

Worshipping

Standing firm. Stand my ground.

Always ready 

Always fighting. 

This is warfare!

Post #68(b) - Meditate Your Way To Success

Meditation is a great success tool. It helps you to reduce stress and anxiety, and improve your focus and concentration. 

Many top business leaders, athletes, and celebrities practice meditation and swear by its benefits. In fact, Nearly 90% of the most successful people in the world practice meditation on a daily basis. 

Steve Jobs, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Tony Robbins all attribute their success to meditation. And top companies such as Google and Amazon offer their employees meditation classes to improve creativity and focus (EOC Institute, 2019).

Meditating just a few minutes a day can increase mental capacity and improve your health, focus, creativity, memory, and even your IQ.

All it takes is 10-15 minutes of mental focus and stimulation a day. Some people meditate for an hour or more, but that amount of time is not absolutely necessary. Just 5 minutes of dedicated meditation a day can elevate the brain to increased emotional and mental stability. 

Research shows that meditation stimulates the areas in the brain associated with memory, concentration, and learning, improving them over time (Patel, 2018).

So, meditation can improve the ability to take in information, retain it, and recall it at will. It helps the brain be more creative and innovative. Coming up with new and exciting ideas will be easier with meditation. 

Meditation also helps with dealing with conflict. With the reduction of stress and the improvement of emotional stability, you can better control your emotional responses and more quickly solve bothersome problems. 

Over time, meditation can help you to develop a clearer and more focused mind, making you more productive and capable. You will be more able to think up and implement new ideas. And better deal with any internal and external conflict that may arise. 

With meditation, you can stop stressing about how you are going to get that business going, implement that idea, or create that report. You can just relax... 

Take a deep breath, close your eyes, and meditate your way to success. 

Resources: EOC Institute. (2019). Why Meditation Is the Secret to Success. 

Patel, D. (2018). 7 Proven Ways Meditating Prepares You for Success. 

Post #68(a) - God Loves Us

God loves us.

He loves us so much that He sacrificed His only son so that we can be free from sin and have eternal life. 

He shows us how much He loves us every day. He shows us by sustaining us through the night and allowing us to take another breath come morning. 

He provides for us, sustains us, and blesses us because He loves us. He forgives us, delivers us, and showers grace and mercy upon us because He loves us. 

He uses us to be His hands and feet. He trusts us with His will and He provides us with the tools to accomplish it... because He loves us. 

There's nothing you can do or say to make God stop loving you. And nothing can separate you from the love of God. 

"Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow - not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below - indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:35-39)."

He loves us in spite of our mistakes. In spite of our flaws and shortcomings. 

He loves us no matter our differences or similarities. Our origins or beliefs. 

God is love (John 4:16). And He loves all that He has created. We are perfect in His sight. And He leads and guides us to His perfection.

God loves us because we are His. He made us. 

He breathed His ever powerful breath into us and gave us life. 

God's love is evident all around us. 

It is evident in all He does for us, in us, and through us. It's evident in all He has created for us. It is evident in the blood He shed for us.

God wants you to know how much He loves you so that you don't live in worry and fear. Perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18). 

He wants us to recognize and receive His love freely. So that we can be free. And freely love one another.