I receive devotions every day via email and the fact that 99% of the time I can directly relate to them is very uplifting. I mean each and everyday these devotionals can and do effect me in a way that helps me to get through something that I am currently involved in. The other 1%? I suspect that I just don't 'see' it. These devotionals come from Dr. Charles Stanley. A pastor of a church in Atlanta, Ga. We have never met and we have never talked. I would bet I am not the only one to receive his devotionals. But.. it is almost like he steps into my life (like a fly on the wall) and can see what I need, even before I do!
Is this God? I would bet my life on it.
My devotion today is Grace to Keep Going.. look at what it says..
     November 18, 2011 Grace to Keep Going Acts 15:7-11 As believers, we readily attribute our salvation to God’s grace, but what does “this grace in which we stand” mean to us now (Rom. 5:2)? How does it work out in everyday life, especially when we’re going through periods of trial or suffering?
Too often believers rely on Christ for their salvation but then try to go solo. If God’s grace was needed to save us, then logic says we would also need it for the rest of our days. Only through a continuous infusion of His sustaining power can we live a victorious Christian life. For more biblical teaching and resources from Dr. Charles Stanley, please visit www.intouch.org. Used with permission from In Touch Ministries, Inc. © 2009 All Rights Reserved. |
2 days ago God showed me I have a 4th mountain in my life. Its a huge, dark, dangerous, overwhelming mountain. One that I am so scared of I haven't even take one step to begin my circling.
See each issue, each lesson, each trial I go through represents a mountain to me. And with each mountain I overcome (with Gods grace and power, not mine) I see progress, I grow a little bit more. To becoming more like Jesus.
In Exodus there is a story of the Israelites. And their bondage and how God saved them. Brought them out of slavery. How He used Moses and miracles to free the Israelites. Well, none of the things God did for them was good enough. They constantly complained. They had no faith when things didn't go exactly like they wanted. God promised them 'a land flowing with milk and honey'. But their stubbornness and lack of faith and lack of 'right choices' prevented them from being able to enter this land. So they circled the promised land (a mountain) for 40 years. It was an 11 day journey. Yet 40 long years they circled never learning, never reaching out for God. Never choosing to have a daily, active relationship with God.
Now, I am very much working toward, striving to have a daily, active relationship with God. The changes in me, the 'dark hole' inside of me is gone, the way I think, the way I see, the way I talk, the way I act - all different. Because of God. I cannot for one second claim I did this. I cannot because for 38 years I did things my way and nothing ever turned out right. The 'dark hole' inside of me never decreased or went away. I was never fulfilled, didn't feel loved, didn't love, couldn't find 'that something' my soul longed, ached for. I went out searching, I looked everywhere, I did many different things looking, searching.. Yet never one time did a lasting effect remain..
My 4th mountain. It causes such fear in me that I can literally feel all of my flesh start to rise up. All of me prepares for a violent, bloody war. Survival mode enters my brain. Today I am anxious, agitated, scared, tense, impatient, on edge. I can feel, hear God saying 'It's time to go into battle, this mountain will be very hard, you must prepare.'
I am not ready, don't want to do it yet.. haven't had time to analyze.. don't want to go back.. my flesh and satan are screaming you NEED our help, without us you will be hurt and thrown away. You will lose...
Yet here is my devotional, giving me reminder by reminder. Grace by grace. Step by step. To prepare, to go into battle, to face this mountain. To begin my journey. Today I purposely choose to keep my thoughts on God, I will purposely flood my brain with sermons and Gods Word. I will 'put on the armor on God' before going a step further. I choose to allow God to fill me with Him and His will and purpose. He is the one and only place I can go to quiet these fears, these mindsets, these flesh ridden issues. He is my only way to survive.
If I try to do this on my own, it will turn violent and bloody. It will cause hurt and pain.It will turn out ALL wrong. The difference with God? He will shield me, He will fight for me, He will only allow to happen what I can handle. He will give me strength, longevity, love, understanding, grace. He IS my rock, my foundation, my ALL. As long as I focus on Him I will prevail. Because He Who lives in me is greater than the world.
1John 4:4 (Amp)
4Little children, you are of God [you belong to Him] and have [already] defeated and overcome them [the agents of the antichrist], because He Who lives in you is greater (mightier) than he who is in the world.Ephesians 6:13-18 (Amp)
13Therefore put on God's complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place].
14Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God,
15And having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with the [a]firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness [b]produced by the good news] of the Gospel of peace.
16Lift up over all the [covering] shield of [c]saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one].
17And take the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spirit [d]wields, which is the Word of God.
18Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God's consecrated people).
Dear Heavenly Father,
I pray this journal is doing what You will it to. I pray my openness, my inner most thoughts and feelings 'speaks' to someone out there lost, someone longing for, aching for what only You can give. I admit I am a sinner and cannot even begin to understand Your ways and purposes. I understand I am only a tiny speck in Your plans. I ask for your guidance and direction as I move forward, strive to further our relationship. I ask for Your mercy and grace to get me through these trials and to be able to share in a way that glorifies You. I pray you reach out through this blog to help, touch, bless anyone who is searching. Bring more of your children to the readers here to support and glorify You. To spread your 'good news'.
Thank you Lord, for everything You have done and everything You are going to do.
In Jesus Name I pray,
Amen
No comments:
Post a Comment