Redeemed and Summoned by Name

To Clear Up a Few Things

2012-02-16T00:17:00.010-06:00

Edited: 2/16/12; 3:58 pm

I thought I'd try to clear up a few things regarding my experience with panic disorder, anxiety, and depression. I've just reminded myself that it's been almost five years since I first started blogging and some of you have not read (or probably have no desire to read) all the way back to 2007.

First of all, I am no authority on how to cope with depression, panic disorder, or anxiety. The reason for my blog is to glorify God by telling how Jesus helped me through the worst and darkest period of my life, how He is still helping me today, and to invite you to cry out to Jesus for help and to draw closer to Him through His Word and through prayer. I want you to know that you can experience His intervention in your life as well. You can know Him as Savior in the very core of your being which will shine light into your soul and bring freedom to your spirit.

Second, I wanted to make it clear that I am not against taking medication for depression, panic disorder, or anxiety. I still take .25 mg of alprazolam when needed. If I'm in a crisis or just coming out of one, or if my thyroid starts acting up as it has recently, then I may need to take it once a day or more often for awhile until things settle down. After the dust has settled, I usually do not need to take it at all.

I believe God's grace allows for medication. Medicine is used in the Bible to heal. Isaiah used a poultice to heal Hezekiah (at the Lord's instruction), and Luke the physician traveled with Paul the apostle. And there are other examples.

Third, I happened to be medication-sensitive and could not take the SSRI's usually prescribed for depression and panic attacks, so my doctor tried sedatives. The only one I could tolerate was alprazolam. It did not stop my panic attacks, but it did enable me to sit down and focus on Bible studies, and it slowed my racing thoughts so that I could put a grocery list together without crying. My mind was a complete mess back in those days.

These days I get frustrated whenever I do experience intense anxiety. It is like a "thorn of the flesh" that keeps popping up. I will think I have finally surrendered my entire will to God, and then a long-term crisis will bring out the anxiety again. I feel like I failed the test. But just this morning, I found encouragement. I was reading David's psalm which he wrote when he fled from Absalom. (Psalm 3) And I thought, here is David--a man after God's own heart, the one who defeated the giant Goliath, the one who won many victories for the Israelites, the one anointed with the Holy Spirit and anointed to be King of Israel, and he was fleeing for his life. Eventually, the Lord lifted him up and gave him the victory. Then I thought of Elijah who was also used mightily by God and then fled for his life because Jezebel threatened to kill him. And God spoke to Him in a still small voice. (There are other examples of failures after successes in the Bible and then the Lord comes in and saves them when they cry out.)

I saw that none of us are perfect. None of us are going to pass faith tests one hundred percent of the time. And that maybe God allows those times to humble us so that we won't get prideful and forget Who supplies our power for living, or maybe it's to bring to the surface a root problem that we need to get out in the open and deal with it with Him, or maybe we will never figure out the "why". Whatever the reason, we can do what David did and cry out, "Arise, O LORD! Deliver me, O my God!" (Psalm 3:7, NIV) in the midst of our tests.

I don't believe the weaknesses of my nervous system are something to be ashamed of. I tend to agree with what Paul said, "Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me." (2 Corin. 12:9, NIV) And I don't believe taking medication when needed to help cope with anxiety, panic, or depression is something to be ashamed of. "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (Ro. 8:1, NIV) I do believe that I am more motivated to seek God with all my heart because of my weaknesses--and that is a good thing. And I believe that God is never more closer to us than when we need Him the most. But it's up to us to reach out and grab hold of Him and His Word, to believe it and act on it. To walk by faith and not by sight. When we do, we will ultimately experience the victory.

"The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." (Ps. 34:18, NIV)

A Young Mockingbird

2012-02-14T12:46:00.001-06:00

Just wanted to share a couple of pictures I took of a young mockingbird in my backyard Sunday. It was very cold, and he sure looked it! I praise God for sending me this little bird to enjoy! :)

Morning Reading, Charles Spurgeon

2012-02-13T10:18:00.002-06:00

Morning and Evening
Charles H. Spurgeon
February 13, 2012
Morning Reading
Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God.

—1 John 3:1-2
“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us.” Consider who we were, and what we feel ourselves to be even now when corruption is powerful in us, and you will wonder at our adoption. Yet we are called “the sons of God.” What a high relationship is that of a son, and what privileges it brings! What care and tenderness the son expects from his father, and what love the father feels towards the son! But all that, and more than that, we now have through Christ. As for the temporary drawback of suffering ...this we accept as an honour: “Therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not.” We are content to be unknown with Him in His humiliation, for we are to be exalted with Him. “Beloved, now are we the sons of God.” That is easy to read, but it is not so easy to feel. How is it with your heart this morning? Are you in the lowest depths of sorrow? Does corruption rise within your spirit, and grace seem like a poor spark trampled under foot? Does your faith almost fail you? Fear not, it is neither your graces nor feelings on which you are to live: you must live simply by faith on Christ. With all these things against us, now—in the very depths of our sorrow, wherever we may be—now, as much in the valley as on the mountain, “Beloved, now are we the sons of God.” “Ah, but,” you say, “see how I am arrayed! my graces are not bright; my righteousness does not shine with apparent glory.” But read the next: “It doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him.” The Holy Spirit shall purify our minds, and divine power shall refine our bodies, then shall we see Him as He is.

Praising God for Daddy's Recovery And My Own

2012-01-30T13:12:00.001-06:00

Daddy has really been doing great this past week. My sister and I agreed that after Saturday night, he could stay by himself again. He is strong again thanks to God's faithfulness and the physical therapist that comes 3 times a week. My sister took over staying with him Friday night and Saturday night so my husband and I could rest. The changes in my thyroid levels keep me tired and more stressed than usual.

This morning I woke up after a fitful night's sleep, and the old vibrating in my veins began. It was not very strong, but strong enough for me to begin praying. I ignored the anxious feelings and concentrated on God's Word. And after praying and meditating on the verses that came to my mind as I sought help, the vibrating left! Praise you, Lord! Of course, the whole time I'm praying a part of me is thinking, "This isn't working. I still feel the anxiety," but I pushed those thoughts away and kept praying and leaning on God and His truth. God's Word is Truth. The verses I prayed this morning: "For God has said, 'Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you. So we say with confidence, the Lord is my helper. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?", "Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Let not your heart be troubled and do not be afraid." "In this world you will have trouble, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." "We are more than overcomers in Christ Jesus."

God's Word is our Sword of the Spirit. It is powerful to the pulling down of strongholds (according to Paul in 1 Corin. 10). God pulled down the stronghold of fear for me this morning! Hallelujah! Our God saves!

Scripture That's Helping Me

2012-01-22T21:32:00.000-06:00

As my sister and I continue to take turns staying with Daddy while he recuperates from a fractured rib, I have been focusing on these Scriptures to keep me mentally, physically and spiritually strong. My stamina wanes quickly by the end of the day, and I continually need a fresh supply for each new day. I go to my Lord, and He has been faithful to me. All are NIV translation.

1 Cor. 1:8 "Who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ps. 55:22 Cast all your cares on the LORD, and he will sustain you.

Ps. 119:116 Sustain me according to your promise, and I will live; do not let my hopes be dashed.

Is. 46:4 Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

I really love Isaiah 46:4--especially the words "...I have made you and I will carry you...rescue you." To me that means that it's okay I have trouble with anxiety and stress because I have a God who made me and who will carry me through these difficult days. He knows me better than I know myself, and He loves me without making me feel ashamed that I don't have it all together. He continually gives of Himself to me so that I can give of myself to others. I don't always give of myself willingly or unselfishly. Sometimes I gripe and complain...then I repent of my griping and complaining.

I'm learning that everything I face has been filtered through the hand of God in order to help me grow up in Christ Jesus. I have a lot of growing up to do. This has helped me mentally accept all that happens. And the best part is, if God has ordained this difficult season for me, then as I lean on Him, I will get to see Him at work in my life. He will see me through. Because God is not evil. In Him, there is no darkness at all, Scripture tells us. And He has promised never to leave me nor forsake me. (Hebrews 13:5-6)

Because I've had to lean on Him and not my own resources, I feel closer to God today than I have in weeks. He is my Sustainer, my Rescuer, and my Deliverer. He is trustworthy, and His Word can be depended upon at all times. If at any time I think that His Word is not working in me or in my circumstances, then the fault is with me. His Word is perfect, and it leads to liberty. (James 1:25)

On Praying

2012-01-13T19:34:00.000-06:00

Beth Moore asked a timely question on her blog asking for comments on what's working in our prayer lives. Here's the answer I wrote:

"I’m learning to not deny my feelings and to cry out to God whenever I’m overwhelmed and facing difficult circumstances…most recently caring for my dad who is 89 along with my husband who is legally blind. Because of abuse in my childhood, I have a history of holding in my emotions–just pushing them aside with a Bible verse and pressing on. But that no longer works. The pressures are too great. I’ve learned crying out to God relieves that pressure. I cry out and ask Him for His help and then I pray Scripture and tell Him I believe what that Scripture says and I’m counting on Him. I cannot tell you the relief that comes from that."

I'm putting my answer on my blog because I've been trying to blog about what God's been teaching me through my difficulties, and this seemed the perfect springboard.

My daddy has been struggling with poor circulation in his legs. Also a pretty bad fungus. Since December we've been working on getting his legs healthy--applying creams, antibiotics, wrapping them, etc. Just when they seemed to be getting better, they'd get bad again. This in addition to cooking, keeping up his laundry, doctor's appointments, etc. I also began having problems with my thyroid again and experiencing fatigue--an anxiety caused by the fatigue when I have so much to take care of. My doctor referred me to an endocrinologist (my appointment is in Feb.)--so all of this was working against me having enough energy and peace to deal with crises. I've been praying earnestly every day and God has provided just enough energy for each day. I'm learning to lean on Him one day at a time once more.

This past Tuesday morning, Daddy fell and cracked a rib. My husband and I spent from 11:20 am to 7pm in the Emergency Room at a local hospital. They refused to admit him despite his age, circulation problems, and history of heart problems. They gave us instructions and we came back home. My brother-in-law offered to spend the night with Daddy. The next day my husband and I took Daddy to his cardiologist, who said his blood test showed his potassium was too high and blood sugars as well. He adjusted some medications and told us how to adjust his diet. We returned home and I spent the night with Daddy last night. We did not get much sleep at all. He was in alot of pain. I prayed all night because of feelings of anxiety and being overwhelmed, knowing my husband who is legally blind was home without me.

The next morning at 8 am my brother-in-law showed up to relieve me. I came home and slept five hours. Then began making phone calls to cancel the colonoscopy Daddy had been scheduled for next week, as well as other appointments. Then I made supper to take over to Daddy's, and it was while making supper that I suddenly felt I just couldn't do any more. I cried out to God to take this anxiety and feelings of helplessness from me and I began praying Scripture from memory about not being alone, about God's promise to be with me when I passed through the waters and when I passed through the rivers, they would not overflow me--when I passed through the fire I would not be burned because He was my God, the Holy One of Israel, who loved me, thought I was precious, and honored me. (Isaiah 43). I felt such a release after praying that, and also "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." I took supper over to my daddy's and my sister was there to spend the night with him. The Home Health nurse had come and said Daddy's legs had stopped "weeping" and she was impressed that they looked as good as they did. Praise God! He is worthy of all praise! My sister and her husband will take Daddy to the wound care center next Monday, since she will be off work for the MLK holiday, so I won't have to do that.

God has lifted my burdens and my anxiety! He's given me a chance to rest. He is my faithful Champion! I love Him so!

Random Thoughts

2012-01-08T15:39:00.001-06:00

Jan. 25, 2011

Random Thoughts

Jesus saved me from my sins, my guilt, my shame. He has forgiven me so much. All of my rebellion, anger, unbelief. Because of Christ, I can see the beauty and light of life when I set my mind and my heart on Him. I can think differently. The way I approach life can be different. I don’t have to give in to a victim attitude.

Because of what Jesus did for me in 2005, I lost my fear of the dark and the world outside my home. I lost my fear of people. I felt free from self-condemnation and from being a people-pleaser. The Lord was my Rock and my safe place. He renewed my mind and led me out of depression and despair. He stopped my panic attacks with His Word, and by cooperating and participating in using His Word as my Sword, I felt as though He and I were in this thing together--which I knew we were in my head and in my heart, but I actually felt it as I acted in faith. I felt like I was partnering with Him, and I was, against the evil one and his domain.

I learned that Jesus freed me from sin’s dominion, and the power of the evil one. God gave me joy again as I lived in forgiveness and trust in Him. He enabled me to love my family and friends freely and not to be afraid of rejection. God gave me a deep-seated joy and peace. I had a confidence in His being with me and watching over me. I knew who I was, His child, and I felt I was significant to Him, and that my life had purpose. I felt His love for me, and I heard His voice inside me--a gentle loving voice. Jesus has never stopped loving me, even though I have not always been faithful in return.

Since my mother’s passing, I haven’t sung much, but I found myself singing a hymn this past week, and it made me smile. When I sing as I do my housework or cook, I know I‘m happy. It’s something I just do without thinking. When I wake up in the morning and catch myself in mid-chorus of a Christian song, it just makes my whole day because I know that my heart, mind, soul, and body were in unity with the Lord even as I slept. Or maybe it’s the Holy Spirit singing!

One of my favorite verses is Zephaniah 3:17--”The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." I need to write this down on a 3x5 to keep it with me today. We need to encourage ourselves with God’s Word. I don’t know where I’d be if I hadn’t had God’s Word to encourage me and help me. God’s Word IS the greater reality because His Word is truth and life.

Fearful or Fearless in 2012

2012-01-07T00:55:00.005-06:00

I pray that this year will find us meditating on Scripture verses that teach us not to be afraid or anxious but to trust in the Lord. I'm posting the ones I used to defeat my panic attacks below, but you can go here and read a "fear not" verse of the day.

FROM PREVIOUS POST: BIBLE VERSES FOR ANXIETY, PANIC, AND DEPRESSION--
Scripture changed my thought-life, my prayer-life, my relationship with God, gave me courage, and helped me see that my panic, depression, and anxiety were not stronger than my God! I read the verses below daily and on anxious days I also read them just before bed. God's Word is alive and active and when spoken out loud--powerful. (Hebrews 4:12) Months after reading these verses, I started praying them out loud to God during panic attacks, and the panic left, and God's peace flooded in. The first time it took 20 minutes of praying (through my fear and through tears) before the fear left. The second time it took about 10 minutes, and the next time it took all of one verse prayed out loud before the fear left! Praise God! Sometimes when I needed extra encouragement I'd read these verses and insert my name in them to make them more personal. I do that in the first verse as an example.

I should also mention that I didn't just read and pray these verses. I also spent time doing Bible studies by Beth Moore, ( also read Joyce Meyer's Battlefield of the Mind, and other Christian authors, such as Kay Arthur) to learn more about Jesus and how to love Him with my mind, and I took time out of every day to spend worshiping God and sitting before Him in humility and silence. I surrendered my will to Him in everything--even panic. I turned my life over to Jesus and stopped trying to make things happen my way. I forgave people who had hurt me and I confessed my sins and asked for forgiveness every day. He began to show me how much He loved me through blessings and answered prayer. I believe any trial we go through, we need to go through it humbly and honestly with Jesus and not just by quoting or praying Scripture by rote.

Isaiah 41:10 "Fear thou not; for I am with thee, Joni: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."

Isaiah 41:13 "For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

Isaiah 43:1-4 "Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour....Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee...."

Joshua 1:5-7,9 "As I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Be strong and of a good courage....Only be thou strong and very courageous..Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.".

Psalm 107:13-16 "Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder.
Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder."

Phillipians 4:6-7 "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

Psalm 91: 1-2, 4-6 "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday."

Psalm 91: 14-16 "Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation."

Isaiah 54:10 "For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee."

2 Timothy 1:7 "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."

Proverbs 1:33 "But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.

1 Peter 5:7 Cast all you anxiety on Him because He cares for you."

Isaiah 26:3 "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee; because he trusteth in thee."

Romans 8:6 "For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace."

Isaiah 59:19 "When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him."

Ephesians 2:14 "For he is our peace."

Isaiah 51:12-15 "I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass; And forgettest the LORD thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor....But I am the LORD thy God, that divided the sea, whose waves roared: The LORD of hosts is his name.

Zephaniah 3:17 "The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing."

Ephesians 6:10-11 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Proverbs 2:7-8 He holds victory in store for the upright, He is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for He guards the course of the just and protects the way of His faithful ones. (New International Version)

Hebrews 13:5-6 God has said, "Never will I leave you. Never will I forsake you." So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid." (New International Version)

2 Peter 1:3-4 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises.... (New International Version)

Isaiah 30:18 Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him. (New International Version)

Psalm 34:4: "I prayed to the LORD, and he answered me, freeing me from all my fears." (New International Version)

I just found this one and decided to add it--

Romans 16:20: "And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen."

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

January 1, 2012

2012-01-01T08:42:00.000-06:00

January 1, 2012

It’s a New Year! A time of new beginnings…. I sat with the Lord in my quiet time this morning, and I told Him I wanted 2012 to be the year where I actually abide in Him and in His love every day for the rest of my days. I want to be surrounded by Him and not by fear, anxiety, and doubt. Not by negative thoughts and emotions--my own or someone else‘s or those fed by the media.

God told Abraham not to fear, that He was his Shield, his very great Reward. (Gen. 15:1) In Bible times a shield was so large a soldier could hide behind it. That’s the picture I want to keep in my mind daily. The Psalms speak of God as our shield: “My shield is God Most High, who saves the upright in heart.“ (Ps. 7:10); “But You are a shield around me, O LORD…(Ps. 3:3) “For surely, O LORD, you bless the righteous; You surround them with Your favor as with a shield.“ (Ps. 5:12)

I looked up “surround” in The Strongest NIV Exhaustive Concordance and came up with these:

Psalm 32:7 “You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.”

Psalm 32:10 “The LORD’s unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in Him.”

The word “trusts” in the above verse reminded me of my Theme verse for 2012: “Trust in the LORD with all you heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.” (Pro. 3:5-6) I also remembered, “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.” (Ps. 91:1-2)

I believe these are great verses to meditate on this month and will give me a good beginning as I turn my ears and my heart to God and His Word. I want to abide in His unfailing love and not let other things overwhelm me. I’ve written these verses down on 3x5s so I can review them and pray them daily. It’s the only way my mind can be continually renewed. Jesus said in the book of John, “If you abide in me and my words abide in you….” This is what I want…this is my priority goal for 2012--abiding in Him and His Word abiding in me. Then I will truly be surrounded by Him.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

2011-12-29T21:45:00.003-06:00

I hope you all had a blessed Christmas! My children and daughter-in-love went with me to the Christmas Eve Vesper Service at my church. It was not as packed as usual because rain was coming down hard and it was cold, but the weather just made it that much cozier in the sanctuary. I love going to the Christmas Eve service because it gives me a chance to sing to the Lord with family, friends, and other believers. For me, it's a way of keeping my mind centered on Christ at Christmas.

Well, this year is ending, and as I see the number of followers on this site increasing, I just shake my head and give glory to God. It's humbling having so many of you read my posts, and sometimes it's overwhelming, too. I cry out to God and ask His help as I write because by myself I can do nothing, and I so want you all to know God as your heavenly Father and Jesus as your Lord and Champion. I thank God for you all and for your desire to seek Him and find Him. He is your glory, your joy, and your crown.

Years ago I discovered that life is all about knowing and believing God--no matter what you're going through, no matter where you find yourself on your life's journey. It's all about God drawing us closer and closer to Himself through our circumstances, and it's all about responding to Him in honesty and humility. He will sustain us through our trials if we will cry out to Him and wait patiently, staying in fellowship with Him by reading His Word, meditating on His Word and on His attributes, praying and letting Him tend to our needs. We all have deep needs that only our Father can meet. Sometimes it takes difficult circumstances to bring those needs to the surface where we look them in the eye. Then we can bring them to God and ask for Him to provide for those needs.

I hope we all take this one thought with us into 2012--that according to Jesus, eternal life is knowing the One True God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent(see John 17:3). If you don't know Jesus Christ as your Savior, go to this link.

God's Covenant With You

2011-12-21T11:24:00.000-06:00

I've recently signed up to receive the Morning/Evening devotionals of Charles Spurgeon from www.blueletterbible.org. I thought I'd share this one with you all because it so blessed me.

Morning and Evening
Charles H. Spurgeon
December 21, 2011
Morning Reading
Yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant.
—2 Samuel 23:5

This covenant is divine in its origin. “HE hath made with me an everlasting covenant.” Oh that great word HE! Stop, my soul. God, the everlasting Father, has positively made a covenant with thee; yes, that God who spake the world into existence by a word; He, stooping from His majesty, takes hold of thy hand and makes a covenant with thee. Is it not a deed, the stupendous condescension of which might ravish our hearts for ever if we could really understand it? “HE hath made with me a covenant.” A king has not made a covenant with me—that were somewhat; but the Prince of the kings of the earth, Shaddai, the Lord All‐sufficient, the Jehovah of ages, the everlasting Elohim, “He hath made with me an everlasting covenant.” But notice, it is particular in its application. “Yet hath He made with ME an everlasting covenant.” Here lies the sweetness of it to each believer. It is nought for me that He made peace for the world; I want to know whether He made peace for me! It is little that He hath made a covenant, I want to know whether He has made a covenant with me. Blessed is the assurance that He hath made a covenant with me! If God the Holy Ghost gives me assurance of this, then His salvation is mine, His heart is mine, He Himself is mine—He is my God.

This covenant is everlasting in its duration. An everlasting covenant means a covenant which had no beginning, and which shall never, never end. How sweet amidst all the uncertainties of life, to know that “the foundation of the Lord standeth sure,” and to have God’s own promise, “My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.” Like dying David, I will sing of this, even though my house be not so with God as my heart desireth.

Chrismas Is All About Jesus

2011-12-19T01:40:00.002-06:00

Romans 8:1-3 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering.” (NIV)

I’m usually in the Gospel of Luke at Christmastime because I love the way the Good News of Jesus’ birth is portrayed there. But I’ve been having some physical and spiritual struggles and have felt guided by the Spirit to Romans 8 more than once for this season of my life. Tonight as I meditated on the verses above, I saw Christmas there in verse 3. “For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering.”

From the very beginning, Jesus was born into the world to be a sin offering. It was His primary objective to take our sins and the sins of the world upon Himself. He who was without sin was born into the world to be condemned, persecuted and sacrificed, given over to death on a cross so that “the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us….”(Ro. 8:4)

Christmas is all about Christ Jesus coming into the world as God‘s greatest gift. Because of Jesus, our sins are forgiven, our broken fellowship with God is restored, and you and I can know God and believe God. We can love God and pray to God, and our prayers are heard. Because of Jesus, you and I have an eternal inheritance that will never perish. Because of Jesus, you and I can change...live free from the dominion of sin through the power of the Holy Spirit in us. And when we blow it and believe that God surely can‘t use us now, we can have a new start, for “His mercies are new every morning.” Because of Jesus, you and I can have contentment and soul-satisfaction in loving and worshiping and serving God as we go about our day. And when you and I are in the midst of struggles and hardships, if we will lift our hearts and minds to the Lord, our spirits can still soar on wings like eagles, for our Saviour will carry us, strengthen us, protect us.

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11, KJV, bold font added by me)

Theme Verses for 2011 Making Way for 2012 Theme Verses

2011-12-08T15:57:00.000-06:00

At the beginning of 2011, I chose two verses that would be my theme verses for my life for 2011. I chose Nehemiah 8:10 and Psalm 62:1 because both seemed to apply and I couldn't choose between the two.

This year, around Thanksgiving, I asked God if He would give me a theme verse for my life for 2012, and He certainly did! I woke up November 28 with Proverbs 3:5-6 speaking softly in my mind. I went to my desk where I have my quiet time in the mornings and wrote the words: "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." (NIV)I thanked God for those verses, but I am so lame-brained I forgot that I had prayed for theme verses. It wasn't until a day or so ago that I realized that these verses were meant to be my 2012 life verses. In other words, I was thinking on November 28 how nice it was for the Holy Spirit to bring these verses to my mind without realizing they were my answer to my earlier prayer.

I don't know if ADD is an effect of getting older or if it's because we live such fast-paced lives filled with "get info quick" devices so that our brains are overflowing with nonessential stuff. Whatever the reason, I've been praying for God to make me smarter than I am and to help me remember things. One of my 2012 resolutions is going to be getting more organized and sticking to a daily plan so I can get more done. I'm going to try to not get online as much because I can really get distracted checking my email and internet shopping and before you know it, hours have passed. I want to take more control over my time.

I tried it last year and bought a kitchen timer awhile back with good intentions of limiting my time online, but I'd forget to set it. :) This time I'm writing it down as a goal. (I'm also going to try and review my goals more often.) I hope I'm not the only one that has to do these things. Tell me I'm not alone. :)

Goal Setting Tips for the New Year

2011-12-07T10:03:00.001-06:00

The following post is from the website:
http://www.womensministry.net/public/5_Tips_for_Setting_Goals_for_Spiritual_Growth.cfm

We can't cause our spiritual growth. Only the Holy Spirit has the power to transform us into the image of Christ (2 Cor. 3:18), but God does expect our obedient and active cooperation (1 Cor. 9:24-27). One way we can purposefully "train ourselves to be godly" (1 Tim. 4:7-8) is through spiritual evaluation and goal setting.

Resolutions and goals are often hard to keep. Statistics show that, at best, only 46% of New Year's resolutions are still kept six months into the year. People lose their resolve quickly because they set unattainable goals.

The following five tips will help you set personal discipleship goals that will keep you growing:

Concentrate your efforts. Set just one, two, or three goals at a time. Don't spread yourself too thin. When you experience success then add another goal.

Be realistic. Set goals that are attainable. If you don't read your Bible regularly now, don't set a goal to read the entire Bible in three months. Instead commit to read it three to five times per week.

Think concretely. Set goals so progress can be measured. For instance, this goal is too ambiguous: I'm going to spend more time with God. Instead be concrete: I will read one Bible chapter and pray for 10 minutes five times a week.

Include strategies. Develop strategies designed to move you toward your goals. If one goal is to memorize Scripture, determine how you will do that. What verses will you memorize? How often will you tackle a new one? What memorization techniques will you use?

Create manageable steps. Break your overall goal into a series of smaller goals that are doable and will foster success.

How do we begin? First, take a serious look at your spiritual health. You may use the free "Discipleship Evaluation" download. This tool covers 17 different key discipleship areas. Your weakest areas can be great growth areas. Next, set spiritual growth goals using the five tips above. Planning is not unspiritual. Living a life that glorifies God will not happen by accident. Write down some concrete goals at the bottom of the Discipleship Evaluation form for your new year.

Most importantly, ask God to guide you as you evaluate your spiritual health and set goals for growth. He will bring the spiritual transformation as you strive to live a live that pleases Him.

Last Day of Beliving God Bible Study

2011-11-30T00:23:00.001-06:00

Today was our last day for Believing God. What a wonderful study this has been. It was my third time to do it, the last time being in 2006, and I enjoyed it just as much, if not more this time around. I seemed to grasp more of the biblical principles we studied. I wanted to share some of what Beth said during the video session. She gave us a few facts to help us keep believing God (living by faith in God) for the rest of our days: "Faith always receives. We will receive at least the following results: the pleasure of God (Heb. 11:6); the power of God (Eph. 1:18-20), the glory of God (John 11:38-40)."

I encourage you to look up those verses. And while you're at it, read Ephesians 1. If you want to know who you are in Christ, these verses will tell you. You are accepted, adopted, blessed, chosen, forgiven, deeply loved, redeemed, and sealed by the Holy Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if you've accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior and the Lord of your life, you have received the Holy Spirit. How do I know? Because God promised Him to everyone who believes in Jesus. Read John chapters 14 through 16 and see how much you are loved.

God is for us. He equips us to live for Him in power. Once we turn over our lives to Him, we can trust Him to be with us and help us. And when things don't turn out the way we want them to, we know that it's because we've asked amiss, or God has something even greater in mind. When we surrender our hearts and our wills to God, we enter a win/win situation. Jesus has overcome. We will overcome if we cling to Him. Having panic attacks or anxiety attacks does not mean you have not overcome. If you are still holding on to your faith, if you are still praying and believing God for His help, mercy, and grace, then you are an overcomer. The Enemy is after your faith. Don't let him have it. Be patient and wait on the Lord. Draw near to Him and He promises He will draw near to you.

Praise Him and worship Him every day. Keep having your quiet time with Him. Examine yourself for any sins. Confess them, repent, and ask for forgiveness. Make sure you are not cherishing any known sin or harboring unforgiveness toward someone in your heart. If you are angry with God, you can tell Him respectfully and ask Him to help you release your anger. God wants you to give Him your whole heart. He will purify it and mold it into something beautiful so that you reflect His grace, mercy, peace, and love. You'll be united in Spirit and you'll experience joy in the Lord. There's nothing like sensing His presence in you enabling you to do what you know you could not possibly do on your own. Life becomes an adventure and when it's over, as Beth would say: "You will have really lived!"

God's Cell Phone Number

2011-11-23T10:33:00.000-06:00

Quotation from Believing God Bible study by Beth Moore, Week 9: "Keep in mind today that your Father created (the) world and told the sun to come up again this morning. I'll be sitting right here on My throne all day long. Keep checking in with Me and let Me know what you need. You have My cell number--Jeremiah 3:33--"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." :)

Thanksgiving Week

2011-11-19T23:39:00.000-06:00

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of the year to count the blessings that the Lord has graciously given to us. But I have had Thanksgivings in the past where I was really not in the mood to count my blessings, and, to be frank, I didn't think I had that many. But I remember the Thanksgiving the year God began to set me free from panic and depression. My parents, my husband, sons, and I had gathered around the table in our dining room. I just looked around at them. It was as though I was seeing them for the first time. Not one of my family members is perfect and many times we get on each other's last nerve, but what a joy it was to sit there with them in my right mind on that particular day.

I was so grateful to be alive and grateful to Jesus who had shown me how to stop listening to my own sinful, twisted, dark and flawed thinking and to trust in His wisdom and guidance and in His love for me. I was filled with joy that Thanksgiving and before the meal I told everyone that I was thankful to God for helping me make it through. We held hands for the blessing of the food and I almost cried in front of them because of the renewing work the Lord had done in my mind, in my soul, in my heart, and in my spirit.

If you are struggling to think of things you are thankful to God for this year, I hope you will remember one thing--you are alive because God loves you and wants you to live. You're still here because He has plans for you--plans that are beyond what your mind can conceive. You may not be able to grasp it now, but if you keep leaning on Him, meeting with Him in the morning in prayer, spending time with Him in His Word and applying that Word to your heart and life, earnestly seeking Him and His involvement in your life, humbly asking for forgiveness of sins and humbly forgiving those who have sinned against you, God will open your eyes to the blessings He has given you. Then you'll realize that no matter what is going on in your life, you are blessed because you are God's beloved child.

Ask God to open your eyes to His blessings in your life today.

Grace and peace to you all,
Joni (a fellow sojourner on the path to know and believe God)

Take the Path

2011-11-11T15:29:00.000-06:00

Wanted to jump back on here and post something else Beth Moore said in Believing God: "God will make the path (out of our desert wandering and living in defeat) but we must take the path." (Italics mine.)

Isn't that the truth? We need to fan the flame of our faith and rise up and leave our comfort zones so that we can take the path God has laid out for us. We need to take to heart Psalm 84:5: "Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage." (NIV) I've set my heart on pilgrimage to intimately know my God and to follow where He leads--out of my desertland and into my promised land--a place where I can experience all the fruit of the Spirit and operate in His power. To God be the glory!

Reframing Our Memories

2011-11-11T12:36:00.000-06:00

In Week 7 of Believing God, Beth Moore made some profound statements on page 151-152: (1) "We act on most what we remember most." (2) "Repressed and suppressed memories do not equal amnesia. They are still memories." (3) "When we meditate on our afflictions and wanderings--the bitterness and the gall of life--we can depend on our souls feeling downcast. You see, even our inner self will act on what we remember most." I'd like to add that we can also depend on our souls feeling anxious if what we remember revives the anxiety we felt at the time.

Beth also taught that by reframing our negative memories, we can stop acting on them. By looking for evidences of how God worked in our pasts even during the traumatic and/or terrifying times, we can stop acting on the bitterness and the gall and instead meditate on the way God was with us--even then--so that we don't relive the pain, depression, or anxiety. Instead, our focus will be on God, and our souls will be uplifted as we realize that our God was with us all the time and is for us not against us. Beth suggested we pray and ask the Holy Spirit (who is our Counselor and Reminder, John 14:26) to help us remember accurately so we can find evidences of God working in our pasts.

I put this into practice while I was doing the Believing God homework this week. I had previously believed that I had deviated from God's plans for me by becoming a teacher. Because I began experiencing panic attacks after teaching for 12 years, I believed that I must not have been meant to be one. It grieved me that I had spent 12 years of my life in the wrong profession. But looking back on this part of my life yesterday, I began remembering other things as well, and I realized that God had been there all along. He granted me favor on every front.

He gave me a cooperating teacher who was my exact opposite--laid back and very creative--so that I learned not to take myself too seriously and that I could also be creative. He gave me a supervising teacher who cared about me and worked with me so that--much to my surprise--I won the Student Teacher Award for her section. Instead of having to substitute teach before landing a job like most young graduates, I was hired by the school district in my own city, the same one my husband and I had attended and my boys had attended, and was given my choice of which grade to teach. I chose first grade so I was able to teach in the same grade that I student-taught in, at the same school, working with the same group of teachers I had met while a student-teacher. Blessing after blessing. I graduated college on a Friday and went to work as a teacher on Monday.

I saw that over time I had let all the negative stuff that happened obscure my memories of all the good that God had done. Even while having panic attacks, God gave me favor. My principal had been kind to me, encouraging me, and not letting me work late. He'd come by my room and tell me I'd stayed long enough after school and that it was time to go home.

As I saw how God had worked in my life and that my becoming a teacher had not been a mistake, I felt the weight of that guilt disappear. I hadn't missed out on God's plans for me.

I believe that my panic attacks began because of my inner view of myself and the weaknesses of my own personality. I had a victim mentality stemming from the abuse and traumatic events that occurred in my childhood, a perfectionist mind-set, and low self-esteem. When I look back on that season of my life, I can see the footprints of Jesus there, too. But that's for another post.

Revisiting my past through the lens of faith has been such a help to me. It is freeing and uplifting and fills me with love and gratitude for all God has done for me. My God has been my Helper, and He will continue to help me and give me favor as I continue to commit my way to Him and trust in Him. I love that verse in Psalm 37 that says, "Commit your way to the Lord, and He will do this. He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun." (NIV) Thank you, Jesus! I wouldn't change my past for anything because it has all led to knowing You as my Savior in every sense of the word.

Trusting God

2011-11-06T00:26:00.001-05:00

This summer my church decided to host the Beth Moore Simulcast on Sept. 10. I had been praying that my church would host a simulcast, so when I heard about it, I just knew I was to have a part in it. Sure enough, I received an email in July asking me to be the Prayer Team Leader. I almost responded immediately, but I replied that I'd pray about it and let them know in a few days. I had just read in Experiencing God that just because you're asked to do something doesn't mean you're supposed to do it and that you should pray about everything. So I prayed and then sat in silence. The answer I received wasn't the one I expected. The thought kept coming into my head--"Come away and rest." At first, I thought that was just me telling myself that because I had so much to deal with caring for my parents and my husband and because my oldest son had been terribly sick the 4th of July. He had come home from work with fever and abdominal pain on the 3rd. We took him to the ER on the 4th because his pain was so severe. Tests were done and showed the beginning of an ulcer. They think he may have passed a tiny gallstone as well.

So I prayed again the next day and the next. Still, that thought kept coming to me as I sat in silence--"Come away and rest." Okay, I thought. I'll decline the Prayer Leader role but maybe God wanted me to be one of the encouragers who pray with women who come forward during the Simulcast's invitation/commitment time. So I prayed about that. But I wasn't given the green light to do that, either. Okay, I thought. I'll just go the Simulcast.

On July 27, my mother had a major stroke. She couldn't respond to any questions and she didn't know who I was. She had to be taken to the hospital where she stayed a week regaining her memory and ability to express herself. Then she was moved to rehab where she stayed until Aug. 10 regaining her sense of balance and some strength so she could dress herself and feed herself, etc. I saw this as the reason why God didn't want me to be the Prayer Team Leader for the Simulcast.

Two days after Mother came home, without praying about it, I emailed my reservation to the Simulcast. I was looking forward to some praise and worship and "getting a word" from Beth Moore. The following week my husband complained about a pain in his bronchial tubes whenever he exerted himself. When he called to make an appointment to see his doctor, the nurse tried to get him to go on to the ER. My husband refused and said she was over-reacting because he felt fine as long as he took it easy.

During the doctor visit the next week, my husband was urged by his physician to go see his cardiologist. The cardiologist, when called for an appointment, said "come now!" So we went. My husband did two days of tests, then went back the next Monday for the treadmill test. This took place on August 29. We were told that afternoon that he had significant blockage and that he needed to have an arteriogram--the sooner the better. It was scheduled for the next day.

That morning in the hospital parking lot, I prayed with my husband for a good outcome and that the least invasive procedure would be used. After the arteriogram, my husband's cardiologist ended up putting two stents in his arteries. We were told to come back the next week for two more stents to be put in. Then we were told that one of his blocked arteries had already made its on by-pass! We were stunned at the amount of blockage considering that my husband had not experienced any chest pain. However, we thanked God that by-pass surgery was not required and felt blessed that the blockages were found and the "lease invasive procedure" could be used.

On Sept. 2, my parents celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. Sept. 5 at 11:30 pm I received a call from my sister that Daddy had taken Mother to the Emergency Room because of severe abdominal pain. My husband's procedure for his last two stents was the next morning, and we had to be there at 6:30 am. My sister said to stay home and sleep, and since Mother was in the same hospital, I could see her then.

I did a lot of praying and not much sleeping. By the time we got to the hospital to admit my husband, my brother-in-law was waiting for us. Mother was being admitted to a room on the 3rd floor and was scheduled for a CT scan. I prayed for her and I prayed for my husband and the cardiologist, and God gave me a peace that I cannot explain, even now.

My husband's two stents were put in and I waited with him in recovery until noon. We were put in a room on the 4th floor & he had to lay flat until 5:30 pm. I fed him lunch and he could not be left alone, so I stayed with him until he was able to sit up at 5:30 pm. Then I went down to the 3rd floor to check on Mother. She was asleep from the pain medication they had just given her. My sister said her blood pressure had been so high, the doctor wouldn't give her anything for pain because it would make her blood pressure go up even higher, and he was afraid she'd have a stroke. She had been in agony for hours. Finally, she was able to have pain meds and she had just fallen asleep, so I didn't want to wake her. I felt torn in two. I cried. My husband needed me to stay with him, but my heart went out to my mother.

My sister told me that she & Daddy could take care of Mother and for me not to worry and to take care of my husband. I told them to tell her I had been there and then rushed back up to order my husband's supper from the cafeteria. We finally were discharged at 9 pm. I was exhausted, my husband was exhausted and we went home. I had made arrangements to come up and relieve my sister in the morning.

That night they moved Mother into ICU. Wednesday I took turns with my son taking my daddy to the hospital to see Mother during visiting hours. Thursday the hospital called to say that the doctor wanted to meet with the family the next day because her respiratory system was not functioning normally and she might be in decline. Friday morning the cardiologist said there was a blood clot in her intestines and that her organs were slowly shutting down. Any heroic efforts would not be effective and would only prolong her suffering.

Friday afternoon they placed her in a private room so she could be with all the family. Friday night my husband & I spent the night with her. She had been anxious and restless all afternoon, so I grabbed her hand and we prayed the Lord's Prayer along with her grand-daughters who were at her side. After that, she settled down and after everyone left except my husband and I, she slept soundly. Around 4 am her breathing changed, and I went over and held her hand and buzzed the nurse. He made her as comfortable as he could. She didn't wake up or answer when we spoke to her. At 5:20 am, Sept. 10, the same day as the Simulcast, while I was holding her hand, my mother left us to be with the Lord.

The funeral was four days later. It was a wonderful service. The pastor wove in the details of her life that we had given him with his sermon so that it was seamless and a celebration of her life. I felt God's love and peace throughout the service and at the graveside service. He stood by me and held me together. I will never forget that. He is so faithful.

The lesson I learned is that we may make our plans, but God knows what is best for us. If we will trust Him and pray before making decisions, even those that seem a "no-brainer", we will find that He is trustworthy. He is all-wise, all-knowing, and ever-present with us. He is our provider, battle-fighter, peace-giver, healer, our righteousness, our sancitifier, our friend. He is all that you need.

Believing God, Week 6

2011-10-29T22:51:00.002-05:00

I have really enjoyed facilitating Beth Moore's Believing God Bible study at my church this fall. We have 13 ladies attending our morning class. It's been seven years since I first completed Believing God. I was still experiencing panic attacks, but I remember that during the first three weeks of the Bible study. I didn't have one. That was a record for me. Two weeks was the longest I had ever gone without an attack. Delving into God's Word every day and interacting with it, applying it to my circumstances, brought peace back into my life. I didn't stop having panic attacks for good until 2006--and I believe I only had one or two that year, but there were longer and longer periods between the attacks. I got a taste of what it was like to have God's peace, and I continued doing Beth Moore Bible studies for that reason. I felt close to God and I learned more about Him and how to cooperate with Him.

I know the panic attacks finally stopped because I had begun praying to God out loud using Scripture and because I had learned Who God was and who I was in Christ. God's Word renewed my mind and speaking it out loud infused me with faith and with the reality of God's love for me. When you are full of faith and God's love, you can't be full of fear. As God's Word says, "Perfect love casts out fear." (1 John 4:18) Meditating on God's unconditional love for you brings confidence, peace, and joy. The gospel of Jesus is "good news"! God loves us. In Christ Jesus we are accepted, adopted, blessed, chosen, forgiven, loved, redeemed, and sealed. (Ephesians 1) Romans 8:31 tells us, "If God is for us, who can be against us?" It's time to take God at His Word. His love is unfailing.

Verses below in NIV:

Psalm 6:4 Turn, LORD, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love.

Psalm 13:5 But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation

Psalm 94:18 When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, LORD, supported me.

What Is A Saint?

2011-10-22T07:59:00.000-05:00

Romans 1:7 "...who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God our father and from the Lord Jesus Christ." (NIV Bible)

In my quiet time this morning, I began reading in Romans, and as I thought about verse 7, I wondered what the word "saint" meant. I've heard this word almost all my life, and it's mentioned in the Bible several times both in Old and New Testaments. I had a pretty good idea what it meant--those of us who believe in Jesus Christ. But still I wondered what the difference was between a believer and a saint, if any. This morning I looked it up in the Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary.

The dictionary had much to say, but what really struck me were these words: "To be a saint is a present reality when a believer seeks to let the Spirit form Christ within."

I've been thinking about that ever since I read it. Especially the words, "let the Spirit form Christ within." Shouldn't this be the goal of all believers? I have really felt convicted about this. Am I letting the Spirit form Christ within me? I want to. I need to. And this morning I prayed for God to help me let the Spirit do His job. My life, my well-being, depends on my letting go of how I think life should be or how I think I should be treated. And after I let go, I need to grab onto Jesus and not let go, trusting in the Lord's will and in His love for me. He is faithful, ever-present, His love is unfailing, and His will for me is good, pleasing, and perfect.

Let the Spirit form Christ within....

Good News!

2011-10-21T13:08:00.002-05:00

The good news--Christ in us. That's what defeats the Enemy of our souls every time. How humbling to know we're loved so much. Col 1:27

Bible Verses for Anxiety, Panic, and Depression

2011-10-16T20:08:00.001-05:00

I posted these May 1, 2007 and would like to post them again to keep them current and easy to find. These verses changed my thought-life, my prayer-life, my relationship with God, gave me courage, and helped me see that my panic, depression, and anxiety were not stronger than my God! I read them daily and on anxious days I also read them just before bed. God's Word is alive and active and when spoken out loud--powerful. (Hebrews 4:12) Months after recording these verses, I started praying them out loud to God during panic attacks, and the panic left, and God's peace flooded in. The first time it took 20 minutes of praying these verses before the fear left. The second time it took about 10 minutes, and the next time it took all of one verse prayed out loud before the fear left! Praise God! Sometimes when I needed extra encouragement I'd read these verses and insert my name in them to make them more personal. I do that in the first verse as an example.

I should also mention that I didn't just read and pray these verses. I also spent time doing Bible studies by Beth Moore to learn more about Jesus and how to love Him with my mind, and I took time out of every day to spend worshiping God and sitting before Him in humility and silence. I surrendered my will to Him in everything--even panic. I turned my life over to Jesus and stopped trying to make things happen my way. I forgave people who had hurt me and I confessed my sins and asked for forgiveness every day. He began to show me how much He loved me through blessings and answered prayer. I believe any trial we go through, we need to go through it humbly with Jesus and not just by quoting or praying Scripture by rote. Keep in mind all of God's Word is life to us and a lifeline that guides us into the Presence of God.

VERSES FROM ORIGINAL POST--

Isaiah 41:10 "Fear thou not; for I am with thee, Joni: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."

Isaiah 41:13 "For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

Isaiah 43:1-4 "Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour....Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee...."

Joshua 1:5-7,9 "As I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Be strong and of a good courage....Only be thou strong and very courageous..Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.".

Psalm 107:13-16 "Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder.
Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder."

Phillipians 4:6-7 "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

Psalm 91: 1-2, 4-6 "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday."

Psalm 91: 14-16 "Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation."

Isaiah 54:10 "For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee."

2 Timothy 1:7 "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."

Proverbs 1:33 "But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.

1 Peter 5:7 Cast all you anxiety on Him because He cares for you."

Isaiah 26:3 "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee; because he trusteth in thee."

Romans 8:6 "For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace."

Isaiah 59:19 "When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him."

Ephesians 2:14 "For he is our peace."

Isaiah 51:12-15 "I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass; And forgettest the LORD thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor....But I am the LORD thy God, that divided the sea, whose waves roared: The LORD of hosts is his name.

Zephaniah 3:17 "The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing."

Ephesians 6:10-11 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Proverbs 2:7-8 He holds victory in store for the upright, He is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for He guards the course of the just and protects the way of His faithful ones. (New International Version)

Hebrews 13:5-6 God has said, "Never will I leave you. Never will I forsake you." So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid." (New International Version)

2 Peter 1:3-4 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises.... (New International Version)

Isaiah 30:18 Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him. (New International Version)

Psalm 34:4: "I prayed to the LORD, and he answered me, freeing me from all my fears." (New International Version)

I just found this one and decided to add it--

Romans 16:20: "And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen."

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

On the Patio with God

2011-10-14T21:11:00.002-05:00

Did my Believing God homework on the patio this afternoon. I was feeling anxious because for once, I didn't have to do anything for anyone so all that I left undone for myself came flooding in. I didn't know what to do first. I had so many options I felt overwhelmed. I prayed and asked God what I should do. I felt led to go get my workbook and Bible and sit on the patio swing. It was a beautiful day. In south Texas we don't get many days of low humidity and temps below 90 until our first cold front in mid-October. (heard on the news we're getting one next week. Yes!) Anyway, it was perfect outside and my brain calmed down as I read and applied the day's reading to my life. When I finished I felt so much better. I rested on the swing, taking in the beauty of God's creation in my own backyard and meditating on God in my heart. I realized that this was what I needed--to be at rest and to not worry about anything. Reminded me of what Jesus said to Martha when she couldn't get her sister, Mary, to help her in the kitchen--Martha, Martha, you are worried about so many things. Only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her. I felt like a Mary this afternoon, sitting at Jesus' feet to learn more about Him, and I felt blessed because I had chosen to sit there instead of rushing around. The challenge for me is to do that daily.

Overcoming the Enemy

2011-10-09T11:41:00.000-05:00

"LORD God, I desire to claim the words Moses delivered to Your ancient people. Help me not to be afraid. Enable me to stand firm and I will see the deliverance You, the Lord, will bring me today. You, Lord, will fight for me; help me only to be still." (Praying God's Word cards by Beth Moore; Exodus 14:13-14; bold font added by me)

Whenever I am anxious or afraid, I have to move. I can't seem to sit still. Yet, in Philippians 4, God tells us to not be anxious about anything but to pray about everything. He desires us to "Be still, and know that I am God." (Ps. 46:10)

The more the Enemy can keep us on the run through fear and anxiety the less apt we are to pray. Praying is so powerful that the Enemy will do everything he can to keep us from it. That's why we need to deliberately make a choice to stop and get alone with God and pray about what concerns us. I've learned in the past (and I am learning again)that when I begin to feel anxious, I need to stop and pick up my 3x5 spiral and start praying Scripture to God, crying out to Him for help like the verses above from Exodus. Fear and anxiety feed on fearful and anxious thoughts--the more fearful and anxious thoughts you have the greater your fear and anxiety grows. But if you are filling your mind with God's Word, then your thoughts change and God's peace becomes your reality.

When we pray to God, we are acknowledging His presence and sovereignty in our lives. We are telling Him we believe His Word over our circumstances, that we believe He is our heavenly Father who loves us and is concerned about us, that we are not all alone. We are exercising our faith that He will come to our aid. And His Word says that He will indeed come and help us and that His peace will guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:6-7)

So the next time you feel that urgent need to run or move or that you are going to pull your hair out, run get your spiral of Scriptures (or your ipod with the Praying God's Word app on it; or the Siesta Scripture Memory app--both are free). Start praying to your Father in heaven. See for yourself if after 5 or 10 minutes of praying Scripture, your fear and anxiety doesn't leave and you become "still" before your God.

If you are new to praying Scripture like I was back in 2005, it may take longer--took me 20 minutes the first time because I was in the midst of a panic attack--but each time you do it, the shorter the interval between anxiety and experiencing God's peace. And when God calms your fear and anxiety you will be able to "be still", and you will know that you know that He is God!

Exercise your faith, dear ones, and let God be God. Nothing can separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Not even fear or anxiety. Believe that God is more powerful than fear or anxiety or panic or depression because He is! I am living proof, as are so many others.

At the Feeders

2011-10-08T11:37:00.001-05:00

This lone mockingbird was hiding from the blackbirds in my Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow bush (Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow). The poor mockingbird reminded me of me in my panic days before I learned that Jesus was my place of safety. And He still is--"You are my hiding place. You always fill my heart with songs of deliverance. Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You."

Our Compassionate God

2011-10-01T23:52:00.000-05:00

Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you;
therefore he will rise up to show you compassion.
For the LORD is a God of justice.
Blessed are all who wait for him!
How gracious he will be when you cry for help!
As soon as he hears, he will answer you. (Isaiah 30:18-19, NIV)
www.biblegateway.com

These are wonderful verses to meditate on and to memorize. They will remind us that God is for us and also how important it is to wait for Him and not act without consulting Him. Psalm 37 emphasizes that very thing when it speaks of trusting the Lord. "Be still and wait patiently for the Lord. Do not fret...." I was reminded of those verses in my quiet time this morning. How many times do I fret over things and what good does it do me? Nothing but more stress and anxiety comes from it. I'm going to try really hard this coming week to give God everything that comes my way and focus on His love for me and His goodness and compassion. When I concentrate on Him, especially the blessings He has given me and all I have to be grateful for, then I have something I can share with others that God may put in my path. Something that will bless and edify the both of us.

Yes, life is hard, but the Lord is on our side--He is mighty to save! He will come through for us. We just need to wait on Him and trust in His timing.

Help us do that, O Lord. Help us wait patiently for you. And while we are waiting, help us remember all You have done for us and given us, and help us focus on Your promises in Your Word as we continue to meet with You. We depend upon You, O God, for You alone are our Savior. You are life and light to us. Glory to Your Name!

Believing God Study

2011-09-29T14:34:00.001-05:00

This week's Believing God memory verse: By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. Hebrews 11:3, NIV. If you think about this verse and meditate on it for a few days like I did so I could memorize it, you can't help but fall to your knees. Our God is the God who calls things that are not as though they were. (Ro. 4:17) Our God "speaks" and it happens. Ps. 24 says, "Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty; the LORD mighty in battle...the LORD God Almighty, He is the King of glory!

So where there is no peace, we can pray and ask God to create peace for us. We can pray Scriptures back to God, and His Word which is living and active, can transform our minds and hearts, and if He so desires--our circumstances, although He may decide to mold and shape me so that I can withstand my circumstances. Either way, I win! Fear takes a backseat to God's Word spoken in faith!

Believing God

2011-09-22T11:53:00.001-05:00

What a difference a Bible study makes! I began facilitating Believing God at my church Tuesday morning with a wonderful group of godly women. I feel so much better today than when I posted last. AND, God has been moving things along so smoothly regarding the legal aspect of my sweet mother's passing that I am able to be back online this morning! Praise you Lord!

This week's Believing God memory verse is above. The part that touches me most--that God will reward me if I earnestly, continually seek Him. As if dying for me and saving me and providing a glorious place for me in heaven wasn't enough, He promises to reward me here, on earth, as I seek Him. One reward I've already received from Him today--peace of mind. Thank you, Lord! Such rewards are worth more than silver or gold.

My Mother Is With the Lord

2011-09-19T21:12:00.001-05:00

My sweet mother went home to be with the Lord a week ago Saturday. There's been alot to do and more to be done, so I will have to be away from my blog for awhile--hopefully just a week or two.

Tuesday, August 30

2011-09-02T10:43:00.000-05:00

My husband had experienced a little pain while mowing the grass and while walking on the treadmill last Monday, but the pain went away whenever he stopped what he was doing. He thought there was something the matter with his bronchial tube because that's where the discomfort was. He called his physician and they told him to go to the Emergency Room. He thought they were over-reacting and waited two days until his scheduled appointment made previously to follow-up on some meds he was taking. After explaining his symptoms, his doctor called a cardiologist for an appointment. They said, "Come now!" We went immediately, and my husband had an EKG, ultrasounds on his heart and carotid arteries, and another test, then went back Monday, the 29th, for a stress test--which my husband passed. We met with the cardiologist who reviewed all the tests and pictures and then told us that my husband had significant blockage and would need an arteriogram. We were both shocked--especially since he had passed the stress test. An arteriogram was scheduled for Tuesday.

Tuesday morning I prayed with my husband that God would heal the blockage or, if that was not His plan, that the least invasive procedure would be used to clear the blockage. Later that morning, the arteriogram showed 4 partial blockages (two at 90%, one at 80%, and one at 70%) and one artery completely blocked that had already formed its own by-pass. Of course, we know God is the One who made that by-pass. The cardiologist consulted with a heart surgeon and, in the end, left it up to my husband whether to try stints or do by-pass surgery. My husband chose stints. The first two were put in and immediately his arteries were opened. Praise God! The cardiologist later told me it was beautiful to see! We go back next Tuesday for two more stints in the arteries behind his heart. We feel truly blessed by the grace of God that these blockages were found, that stints were able to be used, and that God allowed his heart to form its own by-pass.

We had a follow-up visit Thursday with the cardiologist, and he admitted he had not expected so much blockage because my husband had not had a heart attack before. We give all the glory to God!

Update

2011-08-22T22:23:00.000-05:00

Mother came home last Wednesday and is doing so much better now that she is home. She is recovering and we are grateful to God for that. She still has short term memory loss that her neurologist says will come back with time. Maybe a year or so, but it will come back. Thursday I took both parents to the doctor. Mother did fine, but they discovered Daddy was in atrial fibrillation. He fell in the kitchen this morning but is okay--thank you, Lord! I took him to the cardiologist this afternoon for a 24 hour heart monitor. Will return it tomorrow and then wait for results.

God has been such a refuge and a Source of strength for me during all of this. He is just amazing. Every time I focus on His Word that tells me of His love for me, that He is with me and will help me, and every time He answers a prayer--even one that is not as faith-filled as I would like it to be, my heart just fills with gratitude and love for Him. I don't know where I'd be right now without Jesus to lean on and to tell all my troubles to. He tells us in His Word to "cast all our burdens on the Lord and He will sustain you," and to "cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you" and when I obey and just give it all to Him--opening my hands and giving Him control of my circumstances--I feel such a release.

Our God is trustworthy!

Choose Life

2011-08-15T11:18:00.001-05:00

"Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life." Deut. 30:19-20 (NIV)

I'm choosing these verse to memorize for the next two weeks. They're written on my ceramic board in my kitchen where I can see it every day. I'm also writing it in my Siesta Memory Spiral which Beth Moore had made up for those who follow her blog and participate in Scripture Memory with her every other year.

In verse 19, God tells us to choose life, then shows us what that life looks like in verse 20. When we choose to love God above all and listen to Him and cling to Him no matter what, we are choosing life. When we step out in faith and turn from our self-centered/anxious thoughts and choose to think God's thoughts (which are found in His Word) about ourselves and our situations, then we are choosing life. We are choosing God and His Way.

Choose to open your Bible and let God speak to you today. Kay Arthur says to thank God for the Bible we hold in our hand and to ask Him to speak to us through it. We can pray for wisdom as we read. (James 1:5) This is the first step to freedom from anxiety--reading God's Word and meditating on it so it can penetrate our confusion and darkness--and it will. "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12, NIV)

Let the word of God judge your anxious thoughts and attitudes and change them. Every time I choose to believe the Word over my own thoughts and attitudes, I feel closer to God and a freedom inside that I cannot express. I feel well loved and sheltered and encouraged. I feel renewed and I want to walk with the Lord even more. I cling to Him and Him only; my soul finds deep rest in Him alone. The Lord is our life. If we try to make it on our own or by any other means, we are not living at all. We are just existing; just making it through our days by the skin of our teeth. God has much more in store for His children than that.

"Now choose life....."

August 7, 2011

2011-08-08T02:23:00.000-05:00

I have really been leaning on the Lord in this season of my life. In the mornings I open my eyes and pray for strength to get up and going one more day--and He supplies. I give you praise, Lord. Mental stress is so much more tiring than physical stress, isn't it?

I do a daily mental dance with my mother to keep her pacified and willing to stay in the nursing home until her physical therapy is done and she regains her balance. She wants to go home in a really bad way. She needs to stay at least five more days. Her short-term memory loss causes her to ask the same questions and go over old ground regarding her stroke, what happened, how long she's been in the nursing home, why can't she go home, etc. It hurts my heart. My emotions are worn down by the time I end my 6-hour stay, and my sister comes to relieve me.

Today my youngest and his wife drove 2 hours to come for a short visit. My oldest had just finished a set of work days and was able to visit with Mother as well. I love having my family around me. My husband and I and our sons and daughter-in-love went out to eat after my "shift" with Mother was over. I sat there listening to the conversations and I suddenly realized I didn't have to be responsible for anyone there, and a sense of relief and gratitude washed over me--so much so that I blinked back tears.

I know that God gave me this gift of family togetherness, and I prayed my thanks to Him tonight. I love Him so because He loves me so.

"I raise my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from? My help comes from the LORD,the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to slip; your Protector will not slumber. Indeed, the Protector of Israel does not slumber or sleep. The LORD protects you; the LORD is a shelter right by your side. The sun will not strike you by day,or the moon by night. The LORD will protect you from all harm;He will protect your life. The LORD will protect your coming and going both now and forever."

(The Holman Christian Bible; Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.)

The Hebrew word that translates "protect" in English can also be translated as "keeps" (NASB, KJV Bible) and "watches" (NIV Bible). Whichever way it translates, it means the same thing to me--security, comfort, belonging, commitment, love. All from God, our heavenly Father in Christ Jesus. I am so glad, especially on days like today, that God loves me, cares for me, watches over me. He meets the deepest needs of my heart--even when it's to be surrounded and supported by my family. How I love Him!

I Will Not Doubt

2011-08-05T20:21:00.001-05:00

I will not doubt, though all my ships at sea
Come drifting home with broken masts and sails;
I will believe the Hand that never fails,
From seeming evil works to good for me.
And though I weep because those sails are tattered,
Still will I cry, while my best hopes lie shattered,
"I trust in Thee."

I will not doubt, though all my prayers return
Unanswered from the still white realm above;
I will believe it is an all-wise Love
That has refused these things for which I yearn.
And though I cannot keep from grieving,
Yet the pure passion of my fixed believing,
Undimmed will burn.

I will not doubt, though sorrows fall like rain,
And troubles swarm like bees about a hive.
I will believe the heights for which I strive
Are only reached by anguish and by pain;
And though I groan and writhe beneath my crosses,
Yet will I see through my severest losses
The greater gain.

I will not doubt. Well anchored is this faith,
Like some staunch ship, my soul braves every gale;
So strong its courage that it will not fail
To face the mighty unknown sea of death.
Oh, may I cry, though body leaves the spirit,
"I do not doubt," so listening worlds may hear it,
With my last breath.

Source:
Poems of Pleasure
Copyright 1900
Gay And Bird, 22 Bedford Street, Strand, London

Mother's Stroke

2011-08-01T01:42:00.000-05:00

Last Wednesday Mother had a stroke. I've been taking turns with my sister staying at the hospital. God is amazing! The way He designed the human brain is amazing! The neurologist He assigned to Mother is awesome! He explained Mother actually has had some mini-strokes in the past caused from loss of oxygen caused by her atrial fibrillation problem, and the stroke she had last Wednesday was the same type. Her short term memory loss will improve over time. Other daily life skills should return with time. He explained that her brain will begin to repair itself--in fact, has already begun to repair itself (we all know it's God doing the repairing) since she now knows where she is and who she is and who we are, etc. She is still a high fall risk, weak, has balance problems and can't be left alone at the hospital. They are encouraging us to look for a rehab hospital.

I've struggled this week to keep anxiety at bay. Today the battle was particularly strong. Not only because of what happened to Mother and how I hate to see her so helpless, but also because I try to anticipate the future--all the "what if" scenarios, and "how will we be able to handle this or that?", etc. Traumas in my past have ingrained thought patterns in my brain & my thoughts default back to those patterns when under prolonged stress. Intense anxiety is the result & it can only be overcome when I pray, meditate on God's Word , and take medication as needed--all proactive steps God has graciously given to help win over the anxiety battlefield in the mind. I share this in order to help those who also have struggled with anxiety and have felt guilty because if we're Christians, how can we claim to have faith and still struggle with depression or anxiety? My comfort comes from the Scriptures--Paul had great faith, but Paul also had times of great fear--

"I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling." 1 Corin. 2:3; "we were harassed at every turn—conflicts on the outside, fears within." 2 Corin. 7:5. And in Philp. 2:28 "...and I may have less anxiety." David also struggled with fears and anxieties, but he used self-talk and prayer to make it through. The Psalmist says, "Why so downcast, O my soul.....Put your hope in God." Moses fell on his face whenever he was overcome with anxiety and cried out to God. The great theologian, Charles Spurgeon struggled with depression. So have many contemporary Christians--Beth Moore, Sheila Walsh, Chondra Pierce--to name a few. I've been praying Scripture and forcing my thoughts to focus on the love of God for me and my family and on His mighty power that reigns sovereign over all my circumstances and my family's circumstances.

I love this verse--"I know that you are pleased with me, for my enemy does not triumph over me." Psalm 41:11. Yes, Lord! My enemy does not triumph over me. I have the Spirit of the Living God in me who will never leave me nor forsake me, no matter what my circumstances look like. And when my own faith fails, as Peter's did when he took his eyes off Christ and latched them onto the crashing waves of his immediate circumstances, He is still faithful to me, reaches out, and saves me, as He did Peter. Hallelujah!

When Anxiety Returns

2011-07-25T18:49:00.003-05:00

**edited August 1, 2011

I'm fixing to have to take my parents supper, and my insides began to hurt a few minutes ago. Anxiety rearing its ugly head. This is what I do--anticipate disaster. I am a daughter who tries hard to please her parents, and even though I will never please them all the time, I seem to have a hard time letting their remarks roll off when they are not happy. Today I wondered, Will they be in a good mood when I go over there? I saw my problem--my insecurity. I knew I needed to change my thoughts. My parents have severe arthritis, heart problems, mobility problems. I know these health issues affect their attitudes and make them anxious, as well. Their perfectionistic tendancies come out sometimes; at other times they are loving. In other words, they are human.

I cannot change their thought patterns or make them accept me for who I am, but I can ask God to help me respond differently. So I tried to recall some verses that would help ease my mind.

I remembered the verse, "Who are you that you fear mortal men, the sons of men who are but grass, that you forget the Lord your Maker, ruler of heaven and earth? Yes, but they're my parents. They need me. God, what do I do?

I remembered my Scripture verses and picked them up.

Jeremiah 31:3-4 "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with lovingkindness. I will rebuild you." Thank you, Lord. Thank you that you love me. Thank you for your promise to rebuild me. Thank you for loving me so much.

Then God brought to mind something David said--Though my father and my mother forsake me, You will not forsake me. And also Hebrews 13:5-6 "For God has said, Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you. So we say with confidence, the Lord is my helper. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"

I know my parents don't mean to hurt me, and I need to just let their comments go. I can be gracious because of God's gracious love to me.

Ps. 73:23-24 "Yet I am always with You; You hold me by my right hand. You guide me with Your counsel. And afterward You will take me into glory. Thank you for your counsel, Lord. I'm so glad I am always with You. You are for me. You guide me and afterward you'll bring me to Heaven.

I feel so much better.

Oh, precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow.
No other fount I know;
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Any Believer in Christ Can Experience God

2011-07-21T12:13:00.002-05:00

If you have trusted Jesus Christ as Savior and have turned your life over to Him, acknowledging Him as Lord over your life, then you can experience God's presence and hear His voice. It takes spending time in His Word, meditating on it, praying over it, and praying about everything that concerns you and to seek His will about those things. I'm also learning to get on my knees before God and just spend time being quiet before Him. It wasn't easy at first, but the more I'm able to do this, the more I'm able to clear my mind of all other voices so I'm listening for only God's. I'm beginning to experience more and more of God's peace and the sense of His Presence with me.

1 John 1:3 says, We saw it, we heard it, and now we're telling you so you can experience it along with us, this experience of communion with the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. Our motive for writing is simply this: We want you to enjoy this, too. Your joy will double our joy! (The Message)

What I'm learning in the Experiencing God Bible study is renewing my joy and spirit and I wanted to share it with you, too. There is nothing like sensing God's presence in you and having the words of God seem to leap off the page at you while you read the Bible.

“God loves you. He wants to have an intimate relationship with you. He wants you to learn to hear His voice and know His will. Your relationship to Him is the key to hearing when God speaks to you.” (pg. 38, Experiencing God workbook, Henry T. Blackaby and Claude v. King; Lifeway Press: Nashville, TN, 1997)

John 14:26; John 16:13-14: But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. (NASB)

“The Holy Spirit will teach you all things, will call to your memory the things Jesus said, will guide you into all truth, will speak what He hears from the Father, will tell you what is yet to come, and will glorify Christ as He reveals Christ to you. Sin has so affected us (Rom. 3:10-11), you and I cannot understand the truth of God unless the Holy Spirit of God reveals it. He is the Teacher. When He teaches you the Word of God, sit before Him and respond to Him. As you pray, watch to see how He uses the Word of God to confirm in your heart a word from God. Watch what He is doing around you in circumstances. The God who is speaking to you as you pray and the God who is speaking to you in the Scriptures is the God who is working around you.”(pg. 36, Experiencing God workbook, Henry T. Blackaby and Claude v. King; Lifeway Press: Nashville, TN, 1997)

Monday, July 18

2011-07-18T23:20:00.000-05:00

God is still speaking to my heart through Jeremiah 31:3-4 "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with lovingkindness. I will build you up again." (NIV)

I'm wondering if any of you are like me--one time I will read Scripture and agree wholeheartedly with it, and the next time I struggle to believe what it says. This usually happens when I feel drained, in despair, overburdened, anxious, or overwhelmed. Feelings come and go, don't they? But God's Word remains true no matter how our feelings fluctuate. I'm so glad of that. The truth and power of His Word doesn't change one iota whether we choose to believe it or not. It is still just as living and active and powerful today as it was yesterday. Powerful enough to pull down strongholds according to 2 Corin. 10:4. I've had some strongholds pulled down since I began praying Scripture. Perfectionism and insecurity are two that I have to continually fight against given my personality and low self-esteem. Tonight I read Jeremiah 31:3-4 and I thanked God for His everlasting love and for drawing me to Him with His lovingkindness. I also prayed for God to build me up again. I know His Word says He will, but I felt I needed to pray that He would. It helps me remember I'm on His team when I pray what He wants for me back to Him.

I hope these verses encourage someone else this evening. God is great, isn't He? He gives us what we need just when we need it. He is the great Provider--all we need to do is ask and then look for His provision.

More Testing

2011-07-15T19:52:00.001-05:00

July 4th, we took my oldest son (32 yrs old) to the hospital for acute abdominal pain, fever, nausea. He had a CT scan, xrays and an ultrasound which all came back normal. His blood test, however, did not. His regular doctor made arrangments for him to see a specialist. Yesterday, we sat in the Outpatient waiting room while our son had an endoscopy and colonoscopy. The results showed he had the beginnings of a stomach ulcer, but the specialist didn't think it was what caused the intense pain. This morning we took him for a dye test on his gall bladder. He has an appointment on the 25th with the specialist to find out the results. In the meantime, they want him to stay off work and rest. He went back to his apartment today after spending the night with us since the hospital wouldn't let him drive after the procedure he had yesterday.

God has been giving me such peace throughout all this. And energy. While waiting today, I reviewed some of my Bible verse cards. These two spoke to my heart:

Psalm 73:23-25;28
Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge.

Jeremiah 31:3-4 I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with lovingkindness. I will build you up again.

I decided I needed to work on memorizing these two passages. I need to pray them and ask God to help me internalize their meaning. More than anything I want to remember each day that my God is always with me and that He has me in His hands. As I ask each day for my daily bread, I know He will provide me with His counsel and provision in all things. I feel as though my flesh and my heart have failed on many stressful occasions...and yet, I am still here. My God has strengthened me.

I dwelt on Jeremiah 31:3-4 the longest. God's love for me and for all of us is everlasting. He draws us to Him with lovingkindness either from His Word, those He puts in our path, or from His own presence as we go through desert times seeking Him. My heart clings to "I will build you up again". My God knows I need rebuilding, times of refreshing from the Lord. I am a work in progress, His "masterpiece" as Eph. 2:10 tells us, and He promises in verse 4 that He will complete the work He began in me--in all of us. I give Him praise today!

Set Apart Bible Study

2011-07-13T11:32:00.002-05:00

I mentioned in my post on July 8 how timely this study was for me. Here is just an example:

"In the kingdom, it is a great advantage to be poor in spirit. The more emptiness you bring to the Lord, the more filling you receive. Acknowledging our emptiness starts the filling. And the Oil flows in the kingdom until every last corner of emptiness is filled to overflowing. (Reference to 2 Kings 4:1-6) Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Set Apart Bible Study, by Jennifer Kennedy Dean, pg. 58)

Refreshed

2011-07-12T11:56:00.001-05:00

My dear blogger buddies,

Just wanted you to know that God has been good to me. I have been desperately seeking Him in His Word and in prayer and personal Bible study, and I am coming back to life. I say "am coming" because I am not fully there yet. But I feel like this desert in my heart is being watered. Shower by shower, I know it will soon become the oasis God means it to be. He is the Source of our Living Water, the Fountain of Life. Isaiah 40 and (as God would have it) Psalm 40 have been speaking to me. This morning the Lord reminded me of how He "lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire" of panic and depression and intense anxiety. How He "set my feet on a Rock and gave me a firm place to stand." A spacious place so that I was no longer isolated by my fears. I was able to attend church again and family gatherings. "He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God."

I'd forgotten that hymn of praise, that freedom song Jesus taught me back in 2005. Over the last year or so, I had let hard circumstances and difficulties drown out the melody. This morning I've remembered it...my new song, given to me by God to sing out loud to the Enemy of my soul--God is real. Jesus is real. God's Word is True. I am loved. I am forgiven. I am saved. I am not alone.

"For God has said, 'Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.' So we say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper. I will not be afraid." (Hebrews 13:5-6)

Redeemed and Summoned by Name

2011-07-08T20:04:00.001-05:00

Well, a lot has happened since June 23! I was able to finish Jennifer Kennedy Dean's Bible study, Set Apart, and I cannot believe how appropriate this study has been for this particular season in my life. Once again, God knew exactly what I needed from His Word. Truly, we are redeemed and summoned by a compassionate and loving Father. There is so much love for us in God's heart and in His Word. Set Apart has shown me once again that my significance, my identity, my dignity, and my deepest longings are met in Christ alone. We have such riches available to us in our relationship with the Father through Jesus Christ and His Word. Not material riches, but riches for the spirit, soul, and mind. Life-giving riches that energize and renew and rejuvenate! But it takes time to "mine" these riches. Only then will we be able to live to the praise of His glory in all circumstances and in our relationships.

Burnout

2011-06-26T20:24:00.001-05:00

I am going through a difficult season right now--"caretakers' burnout"--and I have been seeking God desperately. Thankfully, God's Word is still true--You will seek me and you will find me when you seek me with all your heart. (Jer. 29, I think)

Seeking God with all your heart is the key to peace and freedom. These past few weeks I've been crying out to God. At first my cry was just for Him to show up and fix everything because nothing in my life was as it should be. Now my cry is for Him to show up and fix me. I have been praying and listening. I have been reading and studying God's Word, and I have begun to see that I need professional help so I can deal with things that happened in my childhood which are rising to the surface because of the stress I've been under. My distorted thinking about what I should be able to handle begins back there. I started seeing a psychologist last week and I am hopeful that with her counseling and God's Word and Spirit in me, I will reclaim order from the chaos that is trying to define my life right now.

The hardest part is my not sleeping at night, so I don't always make it to church. I've missed more Sundays than I've attended this month. The legalist in me had a fit recently. What will my church friends think? My testimony will be ruined. But God is helping me get over trying to appear to be perfect. As I stated in my last post, only Jesus is perfect.
I also debated whether to share all of this with you, but I decided I needed to be authentic with you all, too. This is me. This is where I am at right now.

As I get the help I need from the psychologist, as I lean on God's Word and His Spirit living in me, as I make adjustments in my thinking and learn to relate authentically to others and to walk in grace and truth, as I seek God and allow Him time to heal and bind up my wounded heart and spirit, I am going to cling to the promise of God in Joshua 1:9 "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” (NIV) God has never let me down. To God be the glory!

Set Apart, Week Two

2011-06-17T23:38:00.000-05:00

"The comfort that Jesus gives is His very own person living in you, imparting His peace and serenity to you. The peace He sweat drops of blood to find in the garden, He now gives to you."( Jennifer K. Dean, Set Apart Bible Study, pg. 79)

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
(John 14:27, KJV)

Empty

2011-06-14T22:54:00.002-05:00

From Set Apart Bible study by Jennifer K. Dean: "Nothing is harder for our flesh than to come (to God) empty-handed, needy, and weak. To be stripped bare, emptied out, impotent, exposed--it is the secret fear we all harbor. It is the stuff of nightmares and anxiety attacks. And it is the kingdom's requirement for citizenship." (2 Corin. 12:9-10) My weakness is my greatest asset in the kingdom. My weakness is where Christ's power is most clearly displayed in me. Only when I am confronted with my own helplessness can I experience the power of Christ in me."

I used to think God expected me to be strong all the time. That's the perfectionist and the legalist in me. These past few months, I've condemned myself for not being stronger in spirit. What I'm learning in this Bible study and in Scripture is that no one can be strong all the time. What a relief to be able to admit I am weak to a God who understands and knows that I need the filling of His Holy Spirit. I have been feeling emptied out, worn out, and stressed out these past several months. So I'm drawing nearer to God and praying every day for His Spirit's filling, and I'm trying to take every negative thought captive to Christ. I'm trying to keep my mind just on "today" and not dwelling on what may or may not lie ahead. And I know every time I feel any strength or compassion or grace or love, it's a gift from God. "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:17 I am also praying my Scriptures again and my mind is reaping the benefits of dwelling on the fact that Jesus says, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

Words of Encouragement from Jennifer Rothschild

2011-06-09T22:19:00.003-05:00

Click here for a short word of encouragement from Jennifer Rothschild regarding overcoming fear. You can download her "gutsy" declarations--the link is below the video.

Self Talk, Soul Talk by Jennifer Rothschild

2011-06-08T03:22:00.000-05:00

Along the same lines as my previous post, Jennifer Rothschild has written a book about changing how we talk to ourselves. Jennifer is a popular Christian speaker, author, and singer. She became legally blind at age 15 but has not let her blindness hinder her effectiveness for Christ and His kingdom. You can read the introduction to her book, Self Talk, Soul Talk here: http://www.selftalksoultalk.com/ . She shares 7 soul-talk statements that come from 7 verses in the Bible. You will learn alot just from reading this excerpt! I did Jennifer's study, Me, Myself, & Lies which was based on her book, Self Talk, Soul Talk, in 2009 (I think.).

What is True? What is Real?

2011-06-08T01:44:00.000-05:00

My notes from first video session of Loving God with All Your Mind Bible Study by Elizabeth George:

Phil. 4:8 "Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

Recognize the command—“think on these things”.
Respond in obedience--2 Corin. 10:5 says we take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ. Like a cowboy in a rodeo galloping after a steer, rope and tie up your wrong thoughts and bring them into captivity to Christ.
You will reap the benefits. You’ll have every kind of energy when you think on the things God tells you. When plagued with doubts or fears, think, “What’s true—what’s real?

From the workbook, Loving God with All Your Mind, pg. 12--"So the next time negative thoughts arise in your mind and you get down on yourself, or you question God's love and care for you, check your focus. Are you looking down at your problem or up to God? Are you dwelling on things that aren't true or real? Are you letting the truths of Scripture act as curbs that restrain your thoughts?"

Loving God with All Your Mind Interactive Workbook, Elizabeth George. (Harvest House Publishers, 2010)

Summer Suggestions

2011-05-24T19:51:00.002-05:00

I’ve recently finished Elizabeth George’s Loving God with All Your Mind Bible study. It’s 6 weeks, with short lessons for 4 days out of the week, & you don’t really need the dvd. There are no viewer guide fill-in-the-blanks. This Bible study discusses what the Bible says about growing toward God’s purpose for your life, trusting God at all times no matter what, placing your anxieties in His hands, living one day at a time, finding peace in every circumstance. (I made notes! Lots of them!)

Another 6-week study, is called Set Apart by Jennifer Kennedy Dean. There are dvds but they aren’t necessary. Again, there are no viewer guide fill-in-the-blanks. Jennifer is a widow with 3 married sons. She’s written several books and Bible studies, and Beth Moore as well as other Bible teachers quote from her writings. This is a 6-week look at the Beatitudes and the Lord’s Prayer. The back of the study says, “Want happiness? Pursue holiness!” I’m going to begin this one soon.

If you aren’t doing a Bible study this summer, two good reads are two I recently finished: “The Disciplines of the Beautiful Woman” by Anne Ortlund which is about setting goals and priorities & organizing your clothes & closet, as well as your life; and “A Woman After God’s Own Heart” by Elizabeth George which is also about organizing your life—can you tell I need help in that area? Elizabeth talks about Anne’s idea of making a personal notebook, making a To Do list, and being the kind of woman God created you to be regarding marriage, family, ministry, etc. Elizabeth’s book is one I’m going to take apart and look at more closely over the summer.

This morning I opened my eyes, felt the vibrating in my veins once again and began praying my Scriptures. The truth of the words I spoke out loud just rang in my heart, and after a few minutes the vibrating went away. I continued worshiping & praising God, and I felt so blessed that I had Someone like Jesus who cares for me. Who makes it His business to look after me, even though I don’t, and can never, deserve it. Believers are a blessed bunch of people! He is right by our side. We live by His strength. By His grace. By His love.

God's Promises

2011-05-21T09:03:00.000-05:00

"God's promises are like the stars; the darker the night the brighter they shine." (Rev. David Nicholas)

I am leaning heavily on the Lord and His promises. He is so faithful to me. I sing worship songs to Him when I first open my eyes because as soon as my eyes open, I feel that old vibrating feeling inside me. I've been under stress for so long that my body is responding in kind. I got up this morning after singing to my Lord and praying to Him for a few minutes, and took my blood pressure. 133/84, pulse 90. I took .25mg of xanax, along with my thyroid, estrogen, and blood pressure medicine and laid back down to pray some more. I was reminded it is in my weakness that I can more powerfully sense His strength. It is when I am poor in spirit that I can sense Him filling me with His. I told Him this morning that I was thankful that I was weak so that I could have this blessing of being helped by Him. My weakness compels me to focus on Jesus--my need of Him allows no distraction. He is where my refuge and my shelter lies. Eating more cookies won't do it, staying up late and watching old movies won't do it, reading self-help books won't do it, spending more time on the Web won't do it. It's Jesus and Jesus alone who strengthens me. Without Him, I will not make it--caring for my parents and my own responsibilities requires more strength than I have. I love His promise, "Come to me, all ye who are burdened and heavy laden, and I will give you rest." He is my rest, my peace, my strength, my joy. He enables me to begin anew each day in Him. He is the cleft of the Rock that hides me and protects me from falling apart at the seams. "You will keep in perfect peace Him whose mind is stayed on You because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal." Is. 26:3-4 That's a promise I can rely on. Praise you, Lord!

Romans 8:35-39

2011-05-19T09:14:00.000-05:00

Suffering is a part of life—it just is—but the Bible has so much encouragement to offer us during times of tribulation and suffering. Look in the back of your Bible in the concordance for all the verses that speak to suffering, or go to www.biblegateway.com and type in "suffering" in the keyword search box. Let God's inspired word speak to your heart and calm your soul. Key to this encouragement from God is the steadfast belief that God loves you and that nothing will be able to separate you from this love. (Romans 8:35-39) We can hold fast to Him and be assured that He will help us. We have not been forsaken or left alone to deal with our pain, heartache, illness, weariness, anxiety…. We have a Savior, a Champion, a Defender who will see us through. My NIV study Bible says that “suffering has always been part of the experience of God’s people.” In My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambers said, “Never allow tribulations or the “cares of this world” to separate you from remembering that God loves you. Some extraordinary thing happens to someone who holds on to the love of God when the odds are totally against him. Logic is silenced in the face of each of these things which come against him. Only one thing can account for it—the love of God in Christ Jesus. ‘Out of the wreck I rise’ every time.” We will either rise to face a new dawn, or we will rise to take our place in Heaven that God has prepared for us. Either way, we win. As Paul reminds us, "We are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus."

Divine Power=New Creation

2011-05-17T10:58:00.002-05:00

“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.” (2 Peter 1:3 , NIV)

Thank you, God, my Father, for giving me the power to grow in my faith. I don’t have what it takes to live a godly life. It’s You working in me that brings me back to You time and again. You are faithful to me. And You help me be faithful to You. Thank you.

Thank you for putting a desperate desire for You in my heart. You enable me to live for You. Years ago, I desperately gave You my life. I begged You to save me, help me, change me, and to help me believe You and Your Word. I prayed for You to increase my faith and to give my soul and mind rest and peace—and You did! You did all that I asked, and You’re still doing so. Despite the times I failed You, unknowingly misrepresented You, let my disappointment in others affect my faith in You, and took on more than I should have in hopes of serving You, You have remained faithful to me. You continue to work all things out for my good and not for evil.

Oh, how I thank You! I give everything up to You once more. Take my life—change me, mold me, make me into a vessel You can fill with Your love and Your peace so that I may strive to live for Your glory and Your honor. You are the only reason I continue to live. You put joy in my life. You ARE my life. I am nothing without You. “Apart from You, I have no good thing.” Everything fades away—but Your love and Your Truth remain.

"So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ." (2 Corin. 5:17-18, New Revised Standard Version)

Psalm 104--A Necessary Read

2011-05-08T18:14:00.000-05:00

Whenever I start sensing I am losing control, that life is too hard for me, that I am being asked to do something I am incapable of doing or incapable of living through victoriously, I know I need to step back and fill my mind with more of the knowledge of God. Because when my problems seem bigger than the Holy Spirit who lives in me, I'm in trouble--that is the road that led to intense anxiety, panic attacks, and depression. I know my destruction lies at the end of that road.

The more I know about God, the more confidence I have "that He is able to keep that which I've commited to Him". After I remind myself about the "bigness" of God through reading His Word, then I remember that this same God is my God, my Abba, my Savior, who dwells in me. I can count on His help and the promises He has given me in His Word.

Psalm 104 contains some of my favorite verses about my powerful, all-knowing Father in Heaven. Read this and be encouraged. You have a mighty God who is for you and not against you.

Psalm 104 (KJV)
Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty.
²Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain:
³Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind:
⁴Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire:
⁵Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever.
⁶Thou coveredst it with the deep as with a garment: the waters stood above the mountains.
⁷At thy rebuke they fled; at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away.
⁸They go up by the mountains; they go down by the valleys unto the place which thou hast founded for them.
⁹Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over; that they turn not again to cover the earth.
¹⁰He sendeth the springs into the valleys, which run among the hills.
¹¹They give drink to every beast of the field: the wild asses quench their thirst.
¹²By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, which sing among the branches.
¹³He watereth the hills from his chambers: the earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy works.
¹⁴He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth;
¹⁵And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man's heart.
¹⁶The trees of the LORD are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted;
¹⁷Where the birds make their nests: as for the stork, the fir trees are her house.
¹⁸The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; and the rocks for the conies.
¹⁹He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down.
²⁰Thou makest darkness, and it is night: wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth.
²¹The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God.
²²The sun ariseth, they gather themselves together, and lay them down in their dens.
²³Man goeth forth unto his work and to his labour until the evening.
²⁴O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.
²⁵So is this great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts.
²⁶There go the ships: there is that leviathan, whom thou hast made to play therein.
²⁷These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season.
²⁸That thou givest them they gather: thou openest thine hand, they are filled with good.
²⁹Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust.
³⁰Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth.
³¹The glory of the LORD shall endure for ever: the LORD shall rejoice in his works.
³²He looketh on the earth, and it trembleth: he toucheth the hills, and they smoke.
³³I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.
³⁴My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD.
³⁵Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless thou the LORD, O my soul. Praise ye the LORD.

Diaster Relief & Children in Need

2011-05-08T02:01:00.000-05:00

If you are looking for reputable Christian organizations to donate to regarding disasters in the United States and abroad, two reputable ones that I recommend are Samaratin's Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. If you'd like to help out a child in need in other countries, Compassion International has a great program! You can sponsor a child or just give a donation.

A Prayer for Stress and Anxiety

2011-04-27T19:07:00.000-05:00

Found this prayer that I thought might help someone.

Dance Your Shoes Off

2011-04-24T22:40:00.002-05:00

This Easter

2011-04-23T11:56:00.000-05:00

God reminded me today through a song that if I wanted to fully embrace this Easter, I need to cast ALL of my burdens at His feet with the faith that He will take care of them, so that I may fix my gaze on the beauty and wonder of my Lord and His glorious, unconditional, incomparable love for me. A love that endured the beatings, the sufferings, and the humiliation of the crucifixion and bore the sins of the whole world. And because of His great sacrifice, I am accepted, adopted, blessed, chosen, forgiven, loved, and redeemed. I can rely on His strength when I am weak so that I may no longer be a captive to fear and anxiety--no longer paralyzed by them--no longer running from an unseen enemy. Because of the Holy Spirit living in me, I have divine power that enables me to stand and fight with the Truth of God's Word. I get a new opportunity every morning to take captive any lies in my head with the Truth of God and His love for me that sets me free, and I can get on with the life He has called me to live. I get to step out of the darkness of my negative thoughts and into the Light every time I choose to believe God and focus on His goodness, compassion, mercy, love, and forgiveness. And it's all because of Jesus. Thank you, Jesus! Praise you, Lord!

Bible Readings for Jesus' Last Week

2011-04-17T12:38:00.003-05:00

4-19-11 I corrected Sunday's passages which were not correct and added Saturday's reading, which I accidentally left off.

I read somewhere that, in order to celebrate Easter in his spiritual walk, a popular Christian author (I think it was Philip Yancey) read each day of the last week of Jesus' life on earth on the corresponding day of the present Easter week. I am planning on doing it this year. I'm posting the "schedule" for those who'd like to do this as well. You begin reading today, which is Palm Sunday. Scripture passages are from my NIV Study Bible.

Sunday
The Triumphal Entry; Jerusalem
Mt 21:1-17; Mk 11:1-10; Lk 19:28-44; Jn 12:12-50

Monday
Jesus curses the fig tree
Mt 21:18-21; Mk 11:20-26

Tuesday
The authority of Jesus questioned
Mt 21:23-27; Mk 11:27-33; Lk 20:1-8

Jesus teaches in the temple
Matt 21:28-25:46; Mk 12:1-13:37; Lk 20:9-21:38

Wednesday
Jesus anointed
Mt 26:1-13; Mk 14:1-9

The plot against Jesus
Mt 26:14-16; Mk 14:10-11; Lk 22:1-6

Thursday
The Last Supper
Mt 26:17-35; Mk 14:12-38; Lk 22:7-38; Jn 13:1-38

Jesus comforts the disciples
Jn 14:1-17:26

Gethsemane
Mt 26:36-46; Mk 14:39-42; Lk 22:39-46

Jesus' arrest and trial
Mt 26:47-75; Mk 14:43-15:15; Lk 22:47-23:25; Jn 18:1-19:16

Friday
Jesus' crucifixion and death
Mt 27:1-56; Mk 15:16-41; Lk 23:26-49; Jn 19:17-30

The burial of Jesus
Mt 27:57-66; Mk 15:42-47; Lk 23:50-56; Jn 19:31-42

Saturday
Matthew 27: 62-66

Sunday
The empty tomb
Mt 28:1-15; Mk 16:1-8; Lk 24:1-12; Jn 20:1-10

Mary Magdalene sees Jesus in the garden
Mk 16:9-11; Jn 20:11-18

Jesus appears to the two going to Emmaus
Mk 16:12-13; Lk 24:13-35

Jesus appears to 10 disciples
Mk 16:14-20; Lk 24:36-53; Jn 20:19-23

The Supremacy of Jesus Christ

2011-04-17T11:12:00.000-05:00

Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; (Colossians 12-19, KJV)

The enemy of our souls has to bow down to Jesus because he is a created thing, and our Lord Jesus Christ existed before him and created him. Satan has no authority over Jesus or any believer in Christ. As soon as we resist him in Christ's name and by His authority, holding up our shield of faith and wielding our Sword of the Spirit, the enemy must flee. That makes me want to shout! Hallelujah! Thank you, Jesus! You have set us free from darkness and have brought us into your kingdom of light!

A Personal Work

2011-04-15T18:40:00.001-05:00

I am participating in Beth Moore's Scripture Memory activity this year, which means every 2 weeks I choose a verse or passage of Scripture to memorize. For accountability, Beth has us post the verse or verses on her blog every 1st and 15th of the month. I started out memorizing Psalm 139 and have been reciting it almost daily. I have verses 1-18 memorized, and they have encouraged me every time I say them. Today I posted the last two verses I am memorizing of this wonderful psalm: "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." (Psalm 139: 23-24, NIV)

I am not memorizing the whole psalm--only the verses that I need and want to apply to my life, so I skipped verses 19-22. One day I may go back and memorize those, too, but I really need verses 23-24 at this time.These past few weeks I have seemed to be going non-stop and feeling stressed out at times as a result.

Well, my husband just walked in and needs help planting a hibiscus bush, so I have to go. Will post again later. :)

Okay, I'm back. I just wanted to add that I have not just been reciting Psalm 139--after memorizing the verses, I began praying the words to God. What a difference! God's Word truly encourages us and His Word increases our awareness of His Presence and love for us like nothing else! I have felt truly loved and noticed by God since learning this psalm. This past week I felt the strongest need to surrender everything to Jesus again. I know God is working on the parts of my heart and soul that need rebuilding and restoring, and I need to let Him do it!

He really spoke to me through the Bible study, David: Seeking a Heart Like His. I have been reminded that, like David, we will sometimes have to fight old enemies, only our enemies are not physical, but spiritual. The first one I thought of was stress aka anxiety. Like David, I may become weary and exhausted in the battle, but God will be my strength and my support. He will hide me in the secret place and under His wings I will find refuge. I give Him praise tonight for giving me the time to rest yesterday and today that I had prayed for a few days ago. God hears our prayers and after these past two restful days, I feel like I am ready to take up the fight once again. If you are weary, I encourage you to tell your Father so and ask for His help. He will come through! As Beth taught us through Scripture, He is still our Savior, Defender, Deliverer, and compassionate Father. Glory to His Name! So why do we have to do battle? Because we grow in our battles. We mature spiritually and mentally. And because our lives here on earth will prepare us for our lives in Heaven. Endure hardship as discipline, and remember you never go through anything alone. You have the Holy Spirit inside you, and you belong to Christ. God will provide what you need when you ask for His help.

Have a blessed Palm Sunday, everyone!

Last Week of Bible Study this Semester

2011-04-07T12:27:00.000-05:00

Since January, I've been facilitating Beth Moore's Bible study, David: Seeking a Heart Like His. These past 10 weeks of Bible study have seemed to have flown by. Next Tuesday will be our last session at my church. I always hate to see a Bible study end because I so enjoy talking about God's Word with other women. I already have a personal Bible study lined up, though, to do in the interim before my church's summer Bible study begins. It's Elizabeth George's Loving God With all Your Mind. I read her book a year or so ago, and I cannot wait to get the dvds and do the Bible study. You can find them at http://www.christianbook.com/ . But I digress....

In David: Seeking a Heart Like His, I have come across some really great psalms and Scripture passages. 2 Samuel 22 and Psalm 18 are just two. How I wish I could retain everything I learn about God. I know that His Word takes root in my heart and in my soul, but I would love to be able to recall everything I read. I want my mind wallpapered with God's Word so that I will do what is good and right and pleasing in my Heavenly Father's sight. I long to please Him, to keep my eyes and my heart fastened to Him so that I will love Him better than life. I know that only His Spirit can keep me safe from fear and anxiety. He alone is my Rock and my Salvation; my Fortress and my Deliverer; my Strength and my Shield; my Sovereign Lord who makes order out of the chaos that surrounds me.

Psalm 18:1-3: I will love thee, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.

"

To God Be the Glory!

2011-04-02T13:22:00.000-05:00

March 30, 2004 I attended my first indepth video-driven Bible study at my church. I went desperate for relief from panic disorder, agoraphobia, and depression. And over the course of that Bible study, Believing God by Beth Moore, I learned how to cooperate with God so I could be set free. God’s Word convinced me that I was not alone—the Holy Spirit was in me and for me and would help me. He had not forgotten the decision I made as a young girl to accept Jesus as my Savior. He is the Faithful One, and through Him my soul, mind, and body continues to be restored. To God be the glory!

Praying God's Word

2011-04-01T10:46:00.000-05:00

I just finished praying one of the set of Praying God's Word prayer cards on my ipod this morning, and I am filled with the knowledge that our God is strong and loving and for us! My favorite one of the cards is below.

‎"Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides You, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him. You come to the help of those who gladly do right, who remember your ways." (Is. 64:4-5) O LORD, please empower me to live obediently through Your Holy Spirit so that You are fully released to act in my behalf. Do more than I can see, hear, or even imagine, Lord Jesus! (Beth Moore, Praying God's Word)

I believe the reason I love these cards so much is that it enables me to interact with God's Word, to apply It to my situation. It helps to have the prayer already written because sometimes I am at a loss as to how to apply a specific verse. I know the more I practice this praying God's Word the more I will be able to voice or write my own personal prayers to God--even when my mind feels scattered over what's happening in my life.

March 29, 2011

2011-03-30T00:43:00.001-05:00

Hello, everyone. God has been teaching me these past few weeks that if I want to survive the extra stress and workload that's been added to my life, I am going to have to fix my eyes on Jesus. Only Jesus can change my heart--my attitudes and perceptions. That's only one of the many reasons that He alone is my fortress and my Helper. I've been praying while fixing the meals, and so far my parents have enjoyed what I have cooked. My mother has gained 3 lbs! Hallelujah! And her energy level is returning. So is my dad's. He is a borderline diabetic, so I have to take that into consideration as well.

I've been thinking about Jesus alot lately, and how He handled caring for the needs of so many others while here on earth. I think He knows it's hard for us, and I am so grateful He is ready, willing, and able to help us as we ask Him. He takes our burdens as we give them to Him and then we take His yoke upon us to learn of Him as we walk with Him. He frees us from the heaviness and darkness of life so that we may live in the freedom of our knowledge of Him--in the freedom of His love, light, and Spirit.. "Blessed are the poor in spirit...Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness...." Strengthen us, Lord. Fill us up, Lord Jesus, with Your Spirit. Quiet our anxieties and inner doubts. Encourage us and help us so that we can do what we cannot do on our own. And we will give you all the glory. In Jesus' Name--the Name above all names. Amen.

App for Praying God's Word Prayer Cards

2011-03-26T01:13:00.000-05:00

iTunes App Store now has a free app for Beth Moore's Praying God's Word Prayer Cards for ipod touch, iphone, ipad. An introduction and the first set of cards are free. The first set is for Overcoming Unbelief. Other sets are $.99 each. There is a set for Overcoming pride, rejection, feeling unloved, insecurity, guilt, despair, addictions, etc. I have used these cards when I bought them at http://www.christianbook.com/ years ago. I love the fact that I can have them on my ipod! You can also email a card you really love to others and can bookmark your Favorites. There's about 30 cards in each set.

I emailed one of the prayer cards that I loved to myself and when I received it, I found a link to Prayergates website included. There is a song on there that is just wonderful and so encouraging if you are feeling like you are weary and beaten down or have been rejected. The website is www.prayergates.com and if you scroll all the way down, in the right hand corner you will see a box “Media Preview”. Click on the play button and you’ll hear the song, For Good. You can download the song and the lyrics. This beautiful song was written by Travis Cottrell, Beth Moore’s worship leader and a terrific singer and songwriter.

The Past Months

2011-03-21T12:32:00.002-05:00

I have been going through alot of internal mixing and churning over the past two months as my parents' health deteriorates and I am called upon more and more frequently. For now, I am cooking most of my parents' evening meals and taking it over to them. Mother has not been staying on her sodium-restricted diet because of not enough energy to cook. Her blood pressure shot up and I took her to the ER last week. It hurts me to see my parents' in the condition they are in and although I do not mind driving them to their appointments and caring for them, it has caused some adjustments (as you can imagine) to my life and my husband's life. For some time, I have noticed a resentment building up in me and an irritation and frustration whenever conflicts arise--as they do from time to time. I was getting down on myself for not responding in my heart in a Christ-like manner and feeling pretty hopeless to change. I had no idea I could still have such anger, irritation, and resentment in me after all Christ has done for me to give me my life back.

I realized something else. My anxiety over situations such as these stems from my self-centeredness,These past few weeks my anxious thoughts have told me: I can't do this. I can't be there for them all the time. What about me? I'm not that strong. I'll never be able to bear up. Too much stress is what broke me last time. And then the self-condemnation sets in: What kind of a selfish person are you? What kind of a believer are you? Where's the Spirit of God in you? He must've left you because of your sinful thoughts. You're a rotten example of God's love

After praying and praying about this--"God, please change me. Please help me be different. Please forgive me---yet again!"--I finally had a breakthrough. The Lord led me to Romans 7 & 8 and I read where Paul was talking about this same battle--the battle with the sinful nature. These chapters seemed to open up to me as I sat on the swing and read, desperate for a word from God. I saw the answer was to put my sinful self to death daily by the Spirit through faith. I saw that this is done by crying out to God--"Abba, Father"--for help right when I am in the conflict and not to try and be good in my own strength. If I pray right at that moment, the Spirit will intercede for me and so will Jesus Christ. A prayer needs to be shot up in the moment of need because I cannot be good on my own. Through the Spirit, then, I can be more than an overcomer! Praise God!

I also realized I am not condemned...I am forgiven, predestined, justified, and glorified. Not because I deserve it, but because Christ died for me and His righteousness becomes mine through my faith in Him. I am truly forgiven as soon as I confess and repent of my sins. And I can live out God's Word of Truth when I bring the mind of Christ into every situation I am in. No, this is not like the last time when I broke under stress. Back in 2002 I believed I was all alone and God did not care. I know different now. I can live freely out from under my sinful nature and condemning thoughts and exchange them for the glorious, wonderful, loving thoughts of God. Through His outpouring of grace, mercy, and unfailing love, I can have those same qualities toward my parents, all my loved ones, and my own self. No anxiety can hold back His work in me. God has not abandoned me and will complete the good work He began in me so long ago. These trials and temptations are teaching me how to die to the law of sin and to self-condemnation and to live, truly live freely in the love of Christ Jesus.

I thank God that He forgives wickedness, rebellion, and sin and that he encourages believers in His Word and through the power of the Holy Spirit in us. We can do the hard thing through Christ Jesus! If God is for us, who can be against us? Not even our old sinful nature can win over the Spirit He placed in us. Love never fails!

Still My Plan of Action

2011-03-09T12:33:00.000-06:00

I posted this almost two years ago entitled My Plan Of Action and thought I would post it again. I need the reminder. Maybe you do, too. Life is hard and our circumstances change from day to day. Yet God’s Word never changes. Our security is in its truth and power and in the constant loving presence of our God. I applied all of these verses together to keep negative thoughts from taking over my mind and wreaking havoc with my emotions. Applying God’s Word to my thoughts and circumstances and choosing to focus on God and on His love for me in Christ Jesus stopped my panic attacks and, whenever I remembered to follow this plan of action, anxiety lost its strong hold on me.

Philippians 4:4-8 (NIV)

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Amplified version says “fix your mind on them”.)

So if you make a plan of action from these verses it would read something like this:

1. I will remember to rejoice in the Lord and in God’s love for me no matter what my circumstances are at that moment because God is in control.

2. I will remember to be gentle with others because the Lord is gentle with me and dwells within me. He’s as close as my next breath.

3. I will not worry about anything but pray to God about everything. I will pour out my heart to Him, and thank Him for hearing me and for what He will do with my petitions and requests. I will sit quietly and soak in the peace of His presence.

4. I will focus my mind on things that uplift and edify and turn my mind from things that belittle, demean, tear down, condemn, or cause fear.
Which means when a negative or critical or anxious thought comes, I will take it captive by applying a Bible verse which will prove that thought false. (2 Corin. 10:5—“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”)

Bible Studies and Books: A List

2011-03-07T03:19:00.001-06:00

In response to an email recently, I listed some Bible studies and some books that I have read that speak to anxiety and I thought I would list as many of them as I can remember here on my blog in case someone else might be interested. Although Bible study, an active prayer life, and my Scriptures were my first line of defense against panic, I began reading Christian nonfiction books to encourage myself in my walk with the Lord and also to learn all I could about staying out of the pit of panic and depression. If you would like to share books that have helped you, please feel free to list them in a comment. :)

1. Bible studies by Beth Moore: Believing God, Breaking Free, Living Beyond Yourself, A Woman’s Heart, God’s Dwelling Place; Bible study by Jennifer Rothschild: Me, Myself, & Lies

2. Loving God with All Your Mind by Elizabeth George

3. The Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer

4. The Spirit-Controlled Woman by Beverly LaHaye

5. The Spirit-Filled Temperament by Tim LaHaye

6. The Psychology of Jesus

7. Boundaries by Cloud/Townsend

8. The Three Battlegrounds by Francis Frangipane

9. Hind’s Feet on High Places by Hurnard (This is a fiction book and a Christian classic whose main character is called, “Much-Afraid”. I identified with her very much.)

10. The Pursuit of God by A. W. Tozer

11. The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence

12. Who Switched Off My Brain?

13. Ruthless Trust, by Brennan Manning

14. The Celebration of Discipline by Foster

15. Fearless by Max Lucado

Busy Week

2011-03-04T10:43:00.001-06:00

I have been taking my parents and my husband to doctor's appointments this past week. I have had something to do every morning and afternoon and have had more than one stressful conversation with my parents. Stressful because they are very strong-willed and still want to be independent (Who can blame them?). Stressful because it is hard to see my parents at this age—weak in mind and body and easily confused. I get confused myself when trying to sort everything out. I have taken to making notes during doctor visits and keeping an up-to-date typed list of their medications--a list that seems to change every 2 weeks. I've made copies for them to keep as well as for me to keep in my wallet. I have pulled their medications list out more than once this week for doctors to xerox. It seems that they get confused, too, regarding the changes they've prescribed.

I have prayed alot this past week because my stress threshold has been maxed. I felt the old vibration inside me at 5:30 this morning as soon as I opened my eyes because I had to get up and get ready for yet another appointment. I prayed to God for His strength and asked Him to be my refuge today, and after I finished praying, the vibrating was gone and I felt refreshed. I was so grateful. I thanked Him and sang a song of praise softly because I had become aware of singing in my heart. The Spirit knows when I need to sing to my God. I was reminded afresh today that Christ Jesus is our Good Shepherd and that His Spirit does indeed live in the hearts of believers to provide our needs. I felt such peace, and the thought came to me that if we would all just rest in God's care and trust Him to work things out, we could keep our minds stayed on Him--on His will, on His power at work in us, and on His glory. Then we would live in joy, peace, and contentment and serve Him with gladness and singing. What a wonderful way to live out each day.

Psalm 5:11-12 (NIV) But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. For surely, O LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.

The LORD Thy God is With Thee

2011-02-22T17:36:00.000-06:00

Joshua 1:5-7,9 "As I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Be strong and of a good courage....Only be thou strong and very courageous..Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.".

These words of God are so encouraging to me. God is with me. I cannot go anywhere that He is not with me. I will not face anything that He is not there with me. And if He is there with me, then I can pray to Him to help me. My strength and my courage comes from the fact that my God is with me. I am not dismayed because my God is with me.

Whenever anxiety threatens to take hold, I can choose to turn to God in my mind and in my heart and just start talking to Him, thanking Him that He is there and will help me because He is for me. I can pray for more of His filling so that I can stand firm. I can ask for more faith, more peace, more discernment--whatever I need. I can put my trust in Him and in His love for me, and then I will no longer be anxious or afraid. I have a huge God who stands ready to help His children when they call. Never will He leave me; never will He forsake me.

Why doesn't God want us to be afraid and fearful? Because when we are afraid and fearful, the Holy Spirit is not in control. We don't think clearly. Fear affects our faith.We sort of take back the reins of our lives as if our Lord cannot be trusted. Fear not only leads to distrust but it grows into panic. God wants us Spirit-filled not fear-filled. God wants us to have a sound mind, not a chaotic mind. Peace, not disorder. God wants His best for us. So He encourages us to be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power so that we may be able to withstand the devil's schemes. Because He is with us, we do not have to be afraid. We can resist the temptation to panic and remain in Christ's love, self-controlled and alert. That is when we are most effective and the most dangerous to our enemy.

Walking in the Faith of God

2011-02-10T12:07:00.001-06:00

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6, NIV)

Several years ago, I discovered that the only way to break the mental strongholds of panic, depression, and agoraphobia, as well as self-condemnation, was to walk in faith; in other words, to actively and on a daily basis believe God. Knowing that God rewards those who seek Him was an incentive for me to start seeking the Lord and His will for my life, but it was my desperation to be free from panic and everything that went with it that relentlessly drove me to my knees and caused me to cry out to Jesus for help. My cry was a cry of desperation and repentence and faith, and He rewarded me with every timid step I took to re-establish my relationship with Him. God is good. He is strong, and He is loving. He set about to confirm for me that he was my Good Shepherd, the Author and Perfector of my faith.

Never have I felt more loved and cared for and blessed by God than when I first began walking by the reality of my faith and not by sight. Every time my mind told me a scary thing, and I refused to believe it, but instead prayed to God for help or quoted a scripture He brought to my mind, I would sooner or later feel blessed with a feeling of security and love. Sometimes it was immediate and sometimes it was hours later, but it came. So often we want the blessing before the trial, but it is only by facing the trial with faith that we will receive the blessing.

The Lord has reminded me today of how my walk began to know Him back in 2004. He’s reminded me of how He wooed me back into a love relationship with Him through the study of His Word. One particular passage I remember that is tender to my heart is one I read in Job: “But those who suffer He delivers in their suffering. He speaks to them in their affliction. He is wooing you from the jaws of distress to a spacious place free from restriction, to the comfort of your own table laden with choice food. (Job 36:15-16, NIV)

I was sitting at my dining room table one morning as I read those verses. I certainly felt I had suffered and I realized for the first time that God was turning panic into my good because I had to rely on God so much and not on myself. I was beginning to sense His deliverance--a consolation, a companionship I had not felt before. I felt His words wooing me from my prison cell in my mind, wooing me to believe in Him so that I would have enough faith to walk out of that cell and walk with Him. When I read, “to the comfort of your own table laden with choice food,” I looked down at my dining room table and saw that the Bible, God’s Word was my choice food. I knew God was telling me that I was on the right path—feeding my peace-starved soul and my faith-starved spirit with His words.

It was in the spring of 2005 when the truth of God’s Word was made tangible to me. In the midst of panic, I prayed His Word back to him and He delivered me from that panic, and as the fear left, His peace flooded in. “But those who suffer He delivers in their suffering” became a tangible reality. And every day since that day that I have prayed Scripture back to Him when faced with panic or anxiety, His peace comes. Praise His Name!

As if those victories were not enough, my Lord continued and continues to bless my steps of faith in the midst of trials with spiritual blessings that mean more to me than anything else—peace, love, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. My God is so good! He is so strong! And He is so very loving! I give Him praise today. I give Him the glory today. Great things He has done for me! And great things He will do for you when you come to Him with faith.

Sunday, February 6, 2011

2011-02-06T23:48:00.000-06:00

God sent a variety of birds to my feeder today. I saw a pine siskin, two yellow-rumped warblers, a young male goldfinch, chickadees, robins, a mourning dove, house finches, and a red-wing blackbird. I was so overwhelmed at seeing them all I teared up and thanked God for His goodness to me. Here are a few pics I took. I hope they bless your heart as they did mine. There is no one like our God who delights us because we delight in Him.

Bible Verses for Panic, Depression, and Anxiety

2011-01-31T10:33:00.002-06:00

I posted these May 1, 2007 and would like to post them again to keep them current and easy to find. These verses changed my thought-life, my prayer-life, my relationship with God, gave me courage, and helped me see that my panic, depression, and anxiety were not stronger than my God! I read them daily and on anxious days I also read them just before bed. God's Word is alive and active and when spoken out loud--powerful. (Hebrews 4:12) Whenever I finally had enough faith, I started praying these verses out loud to God during panic attacks, and the panic left, and God's peace flooded in. The first time it took 20 minutes of praying these verses before the fear left. The second time it took about 10 minutes, and the next time it took all of one verse prayed out loud before the fear left! Praise God! Sometimes when I needed extra encouragement I'd read these verses and insert my name in them to make them more personal. I do that in the first verse as an example.

I should also mention that I didn't just read and pray these verses. I also spent time doing Bible studies by Beth Moore to learn more about Jesus and how to love Him with my mind, and I took time out of every day to spend worshiping God and sitting before Him in humility and silence. I surrendered my will to Him in everything--even panic. I turned my life over to Jesus and stopped trying to make things happen my way. I forgave people who had hurt me and I confessed my sins and asked for forgiveness every day. He began to show me how much He loved me through blessings and answered prayer. I believe any trial we go through, we need to go through it humbly with Jesus and not just by quoting or praying Scripture in our own strength. Keep in mind all of God's Word is life to us and a lifeline that guides us into the Presence of God.

VERSES FROM ORIGINAL POST--

Isaiah 41:10 "Fear thou not; for I am with thee, Joni: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."

Isaiah 41:13 "For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

Isaiah 43:1-4 "Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour....Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee...."

Joshua 1:5-7,9 "As I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Be strong and of a good courage....Only be thou strong and very courageous..Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.".

Psalm 107:13-16 "Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder.
Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder."

Phillipians 4:6-7 "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

Psalm 91: 1-2, 4-6 "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday."

Psalm 91: 14-16 "Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation."

Isaiah 54:10 "For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee."

2 Timothy 1:7 "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."

Proverbs 1:33 "But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.

1 Peter 5:7 Cast all you anxiety on Him because He cares for you."

Isaiah 26:3 "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee; because he trusteth in thee."

Romans 8:6 "For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace."

Isaiah 59:19 "When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him."

Ephesians 2:14 "For he is our peace."

Isaiah 51:12-15 "I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass; And forgettest the LORD thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor....But I am the LORD thy God, that divided the sea, whose waves roared: The LORD of hosts is his name.

Zephaniah 3:17 "The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing."

Ephesians 6:10-11 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Proverbs 2:7-8 He holds victory in store for the upright, He is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for He guards the course of the just and protects the way of His faithful ones. (New International Version)

Hebrews 13:5-6 God has said, "Never will I leave you. Never will I forsake you." So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid." (New International Version)

2 Peter 1:3-4 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises.... (New International Version)

Isaiah 30:18 Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him. (New International Version)

Psalm 34:4: "I prayed to the LORD, and he answered me, freeing me from all my fears." (New International Version)

I just found this one and decided to add it--

Romans 16:20: "And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen."

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

Overcoming the Enemy, Part 2

2011-01-30T10:09:00.001-06:00

Here's the link to Part 2 of Praying God's Word by Beth Moore on Life Today's Wednesdays with Beth. After watching it, if you scroll down, you will see other lectures by Beth Moore--particularly "When Life Has You Paralysed."

Sunday

2011-01-24T12:09:00.000-06:00

God is continuing to strengthen me so that even though I didn't get a full night's sleep, I was still able to get up and go to church yesterday. The rash on my hands is almost gone and I had a good hair day so I was feeling pretty good yesterday morning. :) I usually am running late, but Sunday morning my hair behaved and I was ahead of schedule. Being a shy person in my human nature, I did something I haven't done in a long time. I grabbed my spiral of Scriptures from 2009 and put them in my tote bag. My intention was that if there were not many people I knew in my Sunday School department because of the cold, damp weather we're having, I could refresh my memory of these verses while I waited for S.S. to start. Well....our department was full and I sat beside a friend and chatted awhile, and then she leaned in and confided in me that a loved one was experiencing anxiety and it was pretty serious. I told her how focusing on Scripture verses that speak to my heart and my circumstances help break the cycle of anxious thinking. I'm able to take my thoughts captive to Christ Jesus. Whenever I meditate on Scripture, my heart rate slows down, my thoughts turn to God and His love for me, His trustworthiness, and His power, and I have confidence and peace. I pulled out my spiral of verses to show her how I write them on 3x5s to carry with me. She was excited and said she would share what I said with her loved one.

Isn't God amazing? He arranged for me to get ready early, caused me to grab my Scripture spiral, and to sit by this friend so I could talk to her before Sunday School started and share how God calms us when we are worried or locked into negative thinking.

Solis Deo Gloria--To God alone be the glory!!

Beth Moore on Overcoming the Enemy, Life Today TV Show

2011-01-21T00:20:00.001-06:00

Just wanted to share the link to Beth's new teaching series on Wednesdays with Beth at Life Today.
Her series is titled, Praying God's Word, and you can view part 1 here. These principles were covered in Believing God and Breaking Free but this is an updated teaching. Everything I learned about stopping panic attacks with God's Word was from Beth's Bible studies. I hope you take the time to watch Part 1 and remember to return Life Today next Wednesday for Part 2. Hopefully, I will remember to post it, but I have a doctor's appointment on that day. Grace and peace to all of you in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. :)

Stand Firm

2011-01-16T20:09:00.001-06:00

Isaiah 7:9 "If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all."

God has been impressing the above verse on me today. Hammering it in, really. I have been sick every weekend since the 3rd weekend in December and so have missed going to church. Even now my right ear is beginning to hurt again. I recently finished a 2 week bout with an antibiotic that made me dizzy and nauseated and yesterday the back of my hands broke out in a rash. It seems since August I have been battling one kind of illness or another--insomnia, low thyroid, sinus infections, high blood pressure, or reactions to medications--sleeplessness, sleeping too much from sinus medications, fuzzy-headed, headaches.

My hands were itching this morning so I put vaseline on them and thought, there is no way I can go to church with vaseline on my hands! Plus, I only slept from 9 pm to 2 am and was up the rest of the time, and had not slept much the night before, so I was tired. At 2 am, I had prayed to God to help me sleep because I wanted so badly to go to church and worship Him with my church family, but sleep did not come. I began thinking about Paul's writing of his troubles in 2 Corinthians 11:24, telling us he was flogged 5 times, beaten with rods 3 times, stoned almost to the point of death, shipwrecked 3 times, spent a night and a day in the open sea, been constantly on the move, in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from his own countrymen and Gentiles, in danger in the city, country, at sea, and from false brothers; he often gone without sleep, had known hunger and thirst, and had often gone without food, had been cold and naked, and faced the daily pressure of his concern for all the churches all the while.

So about 5:30 am, I opened my Bible and eventually came across Isaiah 7:9. I thought that, yes, I needed to stand firm and I would stand firm and trust that God was still with me even though I didn't understand why I was not being allowed to go to church for so many Sundays. I closed my Bible and told God if He would help me sleep, I still had two hours before the alarm went off. I tried to sleep but just tossed and turned. Later, about 7:30 am, I went into the back bedroom for my regular time of prayer and Bible reading, and the devotional reading for today was Isaiah 6:8 in My Utmost for His Highest. I backed up and began with the first verse so I could get the context and read through verse 10. When I read the words, "Send me", the tears began to flow. I wanted God to send me, but I seemed to be stuck in my house with one illness after another. How could He use anyone like me? I told Him through my tears that I felt like the enemy was all over me and had been for some time and that I needed His help. Then I continued reading in Isaiah and before I knew it, I had read past chapter 6 and into chapter 7. Once again the words of verse 9 faced me: "If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all." I was so sleepy it took a minute for me to remember I had read it just hours earlier.

I have come to know that when God allows a repetition like this, I am to take heed of it. I copied it on a 3x5 card and was suddenly reminded of another verse that mentions standing firm-- Ephesians 6:13-14--"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. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist...." So I wrote Ephesians 6:14 down on the card as well. As I meditated on those verses, it hit me what I needed to do to stand firm. I needed to go to church despite the rash and despite the lack of sleep--even though I am the type of person who needs at least 7 hours or I can't talk straight. So I prayed and told God that if He would supply the strength, I would go. I got up and got ready, applied a light hand cream to my hands and opened the door. It was raining. I went and put on my raincoat and left anyway. However, during Sunday School my hands began to itch and my s. s. teacher, who is a retired nurse, told me to go get Benadryl to put on it. So I left church and went to Walgreens feeling down because I didn't stay for the worship service.

I came home and applied the Benadryl, sat on the couch, and turned the tv on to the Gospel station. The first sermon I heard was about Daniel which was interesting but I had never heard the preacher before, and I was waiting for someone to come on that I was familiar with so I listened with my head bent down while I was knitting. Then I heard the preacher say you could get his series on Daniel in a dvd series called: Standing Firm. You better believe my head jerked up! (check it out here if your interested.)

But that's not all. The next sermon was Bayless Conley. I had never heard him before either but God now had my full attention. I picked up my pen and began to take notes. His sermon was on Tests of Maturity (referring to spiritual maturity) and the first test was the test of small tasks, based on 1 Tim. 3:8-10--how God requires us to be faithful in the small things before He puts us in charge of larger things. I know that sometimes I get impatient and want to do great things for God, but those are my plans, not His.

The next test was the test of stubborn enemies. Again my ears perked up. I had cried out just this morning for help with my relentless enemy. The Scripture reference was Judges 2:20-3:1-2--the premise was that God tests us so we will be battle-ready and learn to fight. Mr. Conley said that we've been promised victory in the end, but we still must fight the good fight of faith. Then he asked, "Have you ever had afflictions that just won't go away? Yep. Have you ever looked about you and wondered what God was doing? Yep. Wasn't He paying attention? Was your problem, your life of unconcern to Him?" Then he said that of course that was not true. That is not what God's Word tells us. So do we let our enemy determine our theology? No! We double up on our intake of God's Word and our prayers to Him; we strip away any hindrances to our faith. We believe God despite unchanging circumstances. He led us to 2 Corinthians 12:7-8 where Paul talks about his thorn of the flesh. He said that Paul's thorn represented a stubborn enemy, a messenger of Satan is what Paul called it. And that Jesus did not remove it but told Paul "My grace is sufficient for you."

He said the word "sufficient" in Greek was the word that meant "barrier, a protecting wall". We lean on the grace of Jesus when faced with a stubborn enemy, and we abide in His protection so that His miracle power in us is made perfect in our weakness. His power enables us to do what we cannot do on our own. He said God is attracted to weakness, so like Paul we can glory in our weaknesses because then Christ's power will rest on us.

The next preacher that came on was Jeff Schreve--another new one to me. His Scripture passage: Ephesians 6! Topic--Is Your Shield Up? And he had a model of the armor that Paul talks about in Ephesians 6. I had just read about it this morning. He talked about the series Star Trek, how when the enemy approached the USS Enterprise, the order was always given--"deflector shields up!" He applied that to our spiritual enemy who comes to steal, kill, and destroy. (He longs to steal the believer's faith, kill the spirit in us, and destroy our witness.--my addition) But God has given us armor so we can stand firm. God's Word says the shield of faith will extinguish all the flaming missles of the evil one. So this shield provides complete protection. The word shield in Greek means a large, door-shaped shield. The kind Romans took into battle. You could actually get behind it and crouch down and be completly hidden. He said Paul was saying our shield of faith is like that. 2 Corin. 5:7, we walk by faith, not by sight.

Then Pastor Schreve asked--what are the flaming missles of the evil one, who is also known as the accuser, the destroyer? Lies. Lies are the flaming missles he aims at us. John 8:44 says he is the father of lies; Satan wants to get us to distrust and disbelieve God. Romans 10:17 says that faith is rooted in the character and word of God. Jesus said to God, "Thy word is truth." The devil tempts you to believe that God is not telling the truth, that the devil is telling the truth.

But Hebrews 6:18 tells us it is impossible for God to lie. So the flaming missles come in--lies that tempt you to let sight guide you--look at your fears and your circumstances and not at your Lord. But we need to be like David who at age 15 or 16 faced a seasoned warrior standing over 9 feet tall who shouted lies at him. David lifted up his shield of faith and shouted right back at him with the Truth of God. David knew His God intimately--he knew His character and His Word. And so must we. So must we if we want to stand firm in Christ Jesus!

Hallelujah! I praise You, Lord! Thank you for teaching me how to stand firm in my faith! There is no other god like You. I cry out to You and in Your great mercy and love and compassion, You answer me. You are the Almighty One; the Faithful and True; the Father of my spirit; my Refuge and my Strength!

Just Thinking Back to 2004

2011-01-10T23:54:00.000-06:00

I was just thinking today how my view of the Bible has changed since doing Beth Moore’s Bible study, Believing God, in 2004. I used to not read the Bible for many different reasons, but the most important reason was because it hurt to read it. I would see how much I didn’t measure up, and I would feel condemned and guilty. I knew in my heart I didn’t have a close relationship with God, didn’t know how to have a close relationship with Him, and that my heart was not right because I didn’t feel all the things that people who loved God felt in the Bible.

As Beth Moore has said, people tend to act out their belief system—what they truly believe—despite what they “say” they believe. I used to “say” I was a Christian and believed in God, but my daily actions showed something different. I found that no matter how loud I proclaimed, “I am a Christian,” my actions spoke much louder. I didn’t read my Bible, I didn’t pray, I didn’t do Bible studies, I had stopped going to church, I didn’t have a close relationship with Jesus. I couldn’t see the relevance of His Word to my life because I didn’t know how to apply it to my life. The little I had known at one time had been eaten away by anxiety, doubts, and fears due to unfortunate circumstances. It is fair to say that I had dropped my shield of faith. Without it, depression and panic set in.

Doing Believing God was a life-changing revelation to me. I saw just how little belief I had and how little I knew about Jesus, Who was my personal Savior and Lord. Personal? I didn’t even call Him “my” Lord any more. He was just hanging out there somewhere—vague and unfamiliar. I rarely thought about Him or God. Over time, I had taken Jesus off the throne of my life. (I’m shaking my head right now because that is such a scary thought. True, but scary.)

After I found out what the Bible had to say about God, restoration, unconditional love, forgiveness, and salvation, I wanted to get to know my personal Savior and learn how to make Him Lord of my life. I found out that having become convinced of God’s love for me, the Bible became a source of blessing to me. It taught me, God spoke to my heart through Scripture, and something beautiful began to grow inside me—my starved spirit was being fed. My soul was being restored. My self-esteem was growing. I had peace, even when all around me was chaos. Instead of feeling condemned, I felt elated that there were so many Scriptures to turn into prayers to God for help.

It just struck me how different my attitude is now from what it was before. I love Beth Moore’s recent statement in the Revelation study, “We live in a world turned upside down, and it is Scripture that turns it right side up.” It certainly does for me.

Theme Verses for 2011

2011-01-03T03:50:00.002-06:00

I’ve been thinking about a Bible verse that can be the theme for my life for the New Year of 2011. I got this idea from Beth Moore's blog. I prayed about it and cannot decide between two, so I am choosing two verses. One I keep coming back to is Nehemiah 8:10—“The joy of the LORD is your strength.” This verse reinforces what I need to remember when I feel lost, frightened, or helpless. When I think about the Lord and all He has done for me, how He proved His Presence in my life during times of great need and how I felt guided by Him when I began trusting Him and stepped out of the boat and onto the waves of my stormy seas, I am reminded of how much He loved me and still loves me and joy fills my heart. This deep-seated joy truly does strengthen me so that I feel refreshed and able to go on.

The second verse is Psalm 62:1: “My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him.” I have proven to myself over and over that when I am anxious or upset or feeling overwhelmed, spending some time with the Lord in His Word quiets and restores me so that everything else falls into proper focus. I’m more loving, more giving, happier, more peaceful and more focused after having spent time with Him.
2010 has proved to me that I'm still learning what it means to be "redeemed and summoned by name" (Isaiah 43:1) and to take up my cross and follow Jesus. I'm still a work-in-progress and will be until He calls me Home. How grateful I am to my God. He is faithful, and when I turn to Him and stand on His Word, either circumstances change or I change for the better. He is my soul’s resting place and the Joy of my life! I pray He makes His Presence known in my life and yours throughout 2011.

God's Promises for 2011

2011-01-01T01:09:00.000-06:00

Twelve Promises God Wants You to Remember in 2011

God is for you.

God loves you.

God will guide you.

God will not fail you.

God will be with you.

God will provide for you.

God will bless you.

God will give you rest.

God will strengthen you.

God will answer you.

God will uphold you.

God will keep you.

(Published in an email from www.dayspring.com)

Hope for 2011

2010-12-29T12:43:00.003-06:00

Romans 5:5 (New International Version)

And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.

The believer’s hope is not to be equated with unfounded optimism. On the contrary, it is the blessed assurance of our future destiny and is based on God’s love which is revealed to us by the Holy Spirit and demonstrated by the death of Christ. (The NIV Large Print Study Bible, 10th Anniversary Edition, 1995, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, MI 49530)

I am leaning on and trusting in my Lord this coming year. I have some unanswered prayers, and I am determined to stay hopeful. My hope is in His great love for me and my loved ones and in His faithfulness. I hope in His present plans for us and in His future plans. I hope in His Word that proclaims His promises to us in the midst of problems and sufferings. My hope is in God, my Savior, and hope does not disappoint.

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-21T16:41:00.001-06:00

I probably won't be online from now to Christmas, so I'm taking this opportunity to wish you all a VERY Merry Christmas. May it be a time of joy and gratitude (no matter what our circumstances) as we meditate on the love of our God who sent us His one and only Son to set us free from Satan's power. We have much to celebrate!

Isaiah 9:6 (KJV)
"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."

Luke 2:7-14 (KJV)
"And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

Ruthless Trust

2010-12-13T11:34:00.000-06:00

“Abba, I surrender my will and my life to you today without reservation and with humble confidence, for you are my loving Father. Set me free from self-consciousness, from anxiety about tomorrow, and from the tyranny of the approval and disapproval of others, that I may find joy and delight simply and solely in pleasing You. May my inner freedom be a compelling sign of Your presence, Your peace, Your power, and Your love. Let your plan for my life and the lives of all Your children gracefully unfold one day at a time. I love You with all my heart, and I place all my confidence in You, for You are my Abba.”

Manning, Brennan. Ruthless Trust: The Ragamuffin’s Path to God. HarperCollins (July 2, 2002)

I found this prayer that I keep in a basket on my desk. I have shared it before, but I just found it again this morning and thought I’d share it again. I read Ruthless Trust as I was coming out of my season of panic about five years ago. By the grace of God, I had learned to stop my panic attacks by praying Scripture against the fear rising in me, but I was still an emotional and mental “ragamuffin”. This prayer really spoke to my heart back then (and still does each time I read it). I prayed it many times over the last several years. And God answered this prayer for me—I began sensing His Presence and joy and love and that freed me so that I didn’t feel like a prisoner inside myself.

To give you an example—a lot of times I wouldn’t go to Sunday School (even though I really wanted to) because I was afraid someone would ask me to commit to something I didn’t have time for, or worse, they might ask me to pray out loud. After spending time with God and in His Word, I stopped having these fears. However, when I started facilitating Bible studies, I discovered I had to pray out loud before each session and sometimes afterward. I was still new to praying out loud to God in my quiet time, so praying out loud in front of others made my heart pound. But one of the most important things I have learned in having a relationship with the Lord is that I am to be honest with Him. So I prayed honestly and from my heart that first day. And I have tried to do that since.

After 5 years of Bible study, I am still not completely comfortable praying out loud. Every time there is an initial lurch of my heart, and I pray inwardly for God to give me the words to pray. Then I pray slowly, listening inside for what He would have me say. Recently, I’ve been experiencing His Presence in a tangible way during my Bible study prayer, like goosebumps going up my arms as we all hold hands, or a sense of love for others that just overtakes my heart until I can hardly stand it. I am always surprised when this happens. God shows up in unexpected ways.

You know, my walk with God is not at all what I thought it would be like. I thought I would have it all together once I turned my life over to Jesus. I thought I would be immune to distress and despair. I thought I would have all the answers, that God would tell me “the plan” for my life. But the reality is I still struggle with anticipatory anxiety and stress and my own self-centeredness and the weaknesses of my introverted personality. The reality is I need God every single day so that I can walk in His strength. I am His child and a child needs daily tender loving care. That is what He gives me.

Every day it seems to hit me anew that it is not my ability that God wants but my willingness to be surrendered to Him and to lean on His ability and not on myself. This keeps me humble, needy, and honest before Him and more understanding about the weaknesses and needs of others. I am grateful for that. Less of the false prideful me, more of the real me created to be like Christ Jesus—obedient to God, loving, forgiving and walking in the Spirit. Created to do good works and not to dwell in the darkness of pride and evil. I can live with that. 

I don’t deserve this relationship I have with the Lord. And I am so thankful that He shows up when I need Him. I am thankful that He is willing to help us down the path of life one step at a time. He is faithful. And He has no favorites. He invites all to come and get to know Him and be reconciled through His plan of redemption that came through Jesus Christ.

An Email Devotional

2010-12-10T13:03:00.001-06:00

This came this morning in my email and I wanted to share it with you:

"Be ready in the morning, and then come up, Present yourself to me there on top of the mountain."
Exodus 34:2

The morning is a critically important time of the day. Never face the day until you have faced God, nor look in to the face of others until you have looked into His. You cannot expect to be victorious, if you begin your day in your own strength alone.

Begin each new day with prayer, quiet moments between your heart and God. Meet with the companion of your life, Jesus Christ. Then face the ordinary, and the unique responsibilities of each day with the renewed influence of His Spirit over all your actions.

Begin the day with God!

The Psalms also speak of meeting with God in the morning. Check out Ps. 5:3-4a; 143:8.

Whatever time I wake up, I head to my meeting place with God. I desperately need His encouragement before I face whatever lies ahead.

Saturday, December 4

2010-12-06T21:00:00.003-06:00

Saturday I had a strong sense of the love and the wonder of my God and Savior. When I focus my thoughts on Him, I am overwhelmed by His mercy and the privilege He has given me to know Him, to love Him, and to keep company with Him. The Jesus of the Bible is the Jesus who reigns in me. What a wonderful thing! Oh, that I would be able to die to myself all day long and keep the awareness of His presence with me. “For to live is Christ and to die is gain” according to the apostle Paul. When I choose to deny myself and walk the way Jesus walked—that is, to walk in the Spirit by following His leading—I am blessed. I am at peace. I am fully content. But when I choose my own selfish way, handling problems according to my limited reasoning and self-centeredness instead of bowing the knee in obedience to God’s Word, I cease walking in the Spirit and I lose out. I miss the blessing of continual fellowship with God. Until I repent in sincerety and ask for forgiveness. Some days it’s easier to bow the knee than others. If only I’d learn to ask for His help before reacting in my own human nature. I would save myself a lot of grief.

For now—this moment—I’ve been allowed the privilege of sensing God’s love, His great love—not only for me but for my family, friends, my church, and the world! His love heals, soothes, protects, redeems, sanctifies. Receiving His love melts away fear, lightens sorrow, and eases pain. And suddenly there’s light—illumination—and hope for the future.

Changing my will to match His will takes my full commitment to Christ and the divine power of my heavenly Father. I must be an active participant because He has given me free will to choose whom I will serve. I DO NOT WANT TO SERVE MYSELF! That has proven disastrous for me. My mind darkens, my soul numbs, and my spirit suffers and gets trapped by deception and lies. Fear enters in place of faith. I have an Enemy who is too strong for me. And he’s more than willing to sit and wait until I feel trapped by my own stupidity and weak nature before he steps in to destroy what’s left.

He was a murderer from the beginning—a murderer of souls. Slaying the spirits of Adam and Eve by convincing them they could be like God. And they fell for it. I’m reminded of their temptation every time I hear that JEEP commercial—“I live. I ride. I am.” If that is not a temptation to pride and self-exaltation, I don’t know what is.

Look what Adam and Eve gave up—divine power and authority, holiness and purity, blessedness and fellowship with God. They exchanged God’s goodness, love, and light for the darkness of their own limited wisdom and power. They thought they would gain something, but they lost everything because sin entered their hearts. They wanted to be like God. They didn’t realize the danger. Instead of focusing on all God had given them, they focused on the one thing He refused them—and He refused because it was in their best interest not to have it. God never withholds from us unless it is for our good.

I become like Eve every time I choose my will over God’s will. But there is a Savior who sacrificed Himself so that those who believe in His Name may be forgiven and reinstated into God’s fellowship and perfect will. Because of Jesus taking my place on the cross, the debt for all my sins is paid. He suffered in my place. He bled and died so I would not have to. The sacrificial suffering and death and the glorious resurrection of Jesus—all expressions of God’s great love so that we could be free. After fulfilling His Father’s purpose, Jesus was presented before God’s throne and took His rightful place at His Father’s right hand. Jesus, the Lamb of God. The Bright and Morning Star.

I’ve been bought with a price. A love gift that I don’t deserve and can never repay. I’ve been given freedom from the slavery of sin, fear, and death. Through the power of the Holy Spirit in me, the Spirit of Jesus Christ, I am enabled to say no to sin and yes to God. The Enemy’s tricks and deceptions haven’t changed. But I have Christ in me. I serve a risen Savior who is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. My Helper. My Rock. He sustains me. He holds me together. He’s given me the Spirit of power, love, and a sound mind. And I will reign with Him in eternity. Sin is not my master. Death has no sting. Death has no victory. For I am saved! Saved! Saved!

“The LORD is my Shepherd; I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul.” (Psalm 23)

November 27, 2010

2010-11-27T07:54:00.001-06:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I was grateful to be able to share this Thanksgiving with my sister and her family and my parents. My husband and children and I had our Thanksgiving dinner early (last Sunday after church) since my children could not be with us on the actual day. My parents came, too. So I guess you could say my husband, parents, and I had two Thanksgivings this year. :)

God is continuing to use Psalm 24 to speak to my heart. After reading in John 1 this morning, I memorized the last few verses of Psalm 24. Now I can say it all from memory. After finishing reciting it, an old hymn we used to sing in church came to my mind, but I could not remember all of it. I dug out my Hymnal and looked it up. It was Come Thou, Almighty King (#247 in my book). And underneath the title was the Scripture reference for the song. Guess what the reference was? Psalm 24, verse 10. I couldn't believe it! I knew that God was letting me know He approved of my memory work. It touched my heart so that tears came to my eyes. God is so good to me. I sang the whole "hymn" to Him. I love His surprises that let me know I am not alone--that He is with me. He sees. He hears. He knows. He loves. He cares. I hope you take time to share your heart with Him today and to spend time in His Word. His Word will keep you anchored to His side. His Word will keep His love for you in your heart and mind. You need Him and I need Him more than anything else in this world.

Thanksgiving

2010-11-20T12:09:00.000-06:00

During my quiet time this morning, I read John 1:10-13. Verse 12 spoke to my heart: “Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.” (NIV)

Like Esau, Israel didn’t respect or think as precious the birthright of the firstborn. Israel, the first nation to be birthed by God, rebelled against Him and exchanged God, the Most High, for human kings and other gods. When Jesus, their Messiah, came to them to help them regain their rights into God’s kingdom, they didn’t recognize Him and eventually sold their firstborn birthrights, not for lentil stew but for 30 pieces of silver. So God extended His love and grace to include those outside the nation of Israel so that to all who received Jesus as Lord and believed in His name, to them would go the firstborn birthrights, and they would inherit God’s kingdom.

My family and I are celebrating Thanksgiving on Sunday because we can’t all be together on Thursday. I’ve been cleaning and cooking this week, and my thoughts have been leaning toward thankfulness. This morning, I told God I was thankful that He had extended the rights of the firstborn outside the nation of Israel so that I could become a child of God and receive an inheritance into His kingdom through Jesus Christ. Because I received and believed, I have Jesus living in me—“Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col. 1:27, NIV)—and I have eternal life. But that is only one part of my inheritance. Another part is the divine power available to me to help me defeat my self-centeredness and my stubborn will. Divine power to help me defeat destructive thoughts that war against my mind and my soul. Divine power that destroys my compulsive and addictive tendancies so that I may live free of them. And divine power so that I may live beyond myself and extend God’s loving mercy, grace, and compassion.

I am also thankful that I have a sense of destiny, of usefulness, of purposefulness, and of being well loved by my God. I didn’t have this sense seven years ago. Seven years ago I thought I was useless, incompetent, unloved, forsaken. All was darkness and fear. Then my God stepped in—honoring my commitment to Him in my youth—and saved me through the power of His Spirit living in me. I didn’t know He was still there until He put a light in my darkness. I thank God today that Jesus is still my Light. He shines on in my heart and mind so that darkness and fear may never take hold of me again. I have so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving season.

A Telephone Pole

2010-11-15T19:41:00.003-06:00

I was outside on my patio a few days ago taking pictures. And I remembered a day about two years ago, when my husband and I were hit with a serious, life-changing family crisis. I was devastated. I cried. I prayed. I felt my heart being splintered into pieces. I knew that nothing would ever be the same again. Something had died that could not be retrieved. Trust had been broken in the cruelest way. I did not think I would survive it. I could see no way out--no resolution and no restoration. I thought it was going to be the death of me. I remember the day I walked out on my patio and poured out my heart to God because I felt myself losing control. It had just finished raining and it looked to me as if God's creation in my backyard had been mourning with me. I told God everything I felt--betrayed, rejected, hurt, angry, devastated. And then I just stood and cried. I had no words left. In the stillness of that moment, these words came to my mind--God will make a way. God WILL make a way.

I grasped onto the Holy Spirit's encouragement, opened my eyes and lifted my head, and right in front of me was the Cross. Actually, it was a telephone pole with its posts darkened by the rain so that it stood out against the backdrop of green leaves. But I saw the Cross. I cried all over again--this time tears of gratitude. I knew--I knew deep-down in my heart--that somehow victory would come out of this because God never loses. He is in control, and no matter how bad things may seem or how dark, there is always more going on behind the scenes than we can know. There is glory at stake. I knew my job was to trust, keep praying, and keep believing.

Today things are better. Little by little God's love and grace have changed hearts. Trust is being rebuilt slowly, but at least it is being rebuilt. And I'm still believing for total restoration. I am anticipating a glorious reunion.

So why am I telling you all this? Because I snapped a picture of the telephone pole, and I wanted to post it on here. This telephone pole is very special to me, and I wanted you to know the reasons why. :)

The telephone pole can barely be seen, but when it is wet, it stands out in stark contrast. It had been there for 31 years, but I had never stood in that particular place on my porch and or seen it as clearly until that rainy morning. I used the zoom on my camera. It isn't really this close to my patio.

Psalm 24:1-2

2010-11-10T15:52:00.003-06:00

Note: God is amazing! I was looking for a new telephone/address book this evening, and almost bought one at http://www.dayrunner.com/. At the last minute, I remembered Dayspring and checked there. Found an address book with Psalm 24:1 on the front. Plus it was on sale! I so love the Lord when He makes Himself known like that! There are no coincidences in the Christian life! God knows and He watches over His own. (9:26 pm)

Psalm 24:1-2 (NIV)

The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for He founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters.

I cannot tell you all that these verses speak to me. Knowing I belong to the LORD is my safety, security, assurance, and peace. I feel proud of my Savior today because He alone was strong enough to pull me out of darkness. His love and His words wooed me from the edge of the cliff of death. He lifted my thoughts from suicide and hopelessness to hope in the Lord and in His power to rescue me, to help me, to change me. The power of His Word began changing my thoughts at that first moment of realization that He loved me and was with me. That power continues to change me as He reveals Himself to me through His Word and in prayer. I give Jesus praise today for His continuing love, help, and presence in my life. Because of Him, my life is worth living.

Who would’ve believed that an almighty God would stoop down and care about someone who only knew Him from a distance and who still harbored confusion about Him in her heart? Someone so weak—physically, mentally, emotionally--that she could not even leave her bedroom. Someone who needed the power of the Holy Spirit filling her innermost being but who never even knew He was already there. I give praise today to my heavenly Father, His Son Jesus, and my Counselor, the Holy Spirit. I am cared for, watched over. I am accepted and loved. I am a child of God and a co-heir with Jesus, as are all who love Him.

“And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you.” (John 14:16-17) “On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.” (John 14: 20; 21b)

Praise God that He has not left us to deal with life’s problems, dangers, and uncertainties in our own strength and wisdom. I proved to myself back in 2003 that I am no match for the world. But I have a Savior, and in Him I have everything I need for life and godliness because He has overcome the world! (2 Peter 1:3-4; John 16:33)

Be Filled With the Spirit

2010-11-06T15:10:00.000-05:00

I am rejoicing in my heart right now. The Lord filled me with an awareness of His love and the wonder and goodness of His plans for us while I was reading my Sunday school lesson for tomorrow. It was about how Christians should live and covered Ephesians 5:15-21. It talked about being filled with the Holy Spirit—how that was a command from God to us, not an option--and about the fact that we could not fill ourselves. That He alone could fill us. It talked about the grammar in Paul’s sentence, “Be filled with the Spirit”. In Greek, it could be more accurately read as “keep on being filled”, indicating not a one-time event, but that we needed to be continually filled.

It occurred to me that coming to God daily with this request—or even minute-by-minute if I am in spiritual warfare—is what keeps me in an intimate relationship with Him. It is because of God’s great love for us that He set it up this way. If we could fill ourselves, we wouldn’t come to God. But when we humbly ask Him, He does fill us—as flawed as we are--and we see how truly compassionate, loving, and forgiving He is. We know that we are not alone and that He will help us. His Spirit testifies with our spirit that we belong to God. No more doubting. No more fears of not truly being saved. Such realization filled me with wonder, gratitude, and humility this morning. I suddenly grasped the love of God being revealed by commanding that I be filled with the Spirit.

The Holy Spirit completes me. He is the missing puzzle piece that I’ve been looking for. In His Spirit, I have power for living and am filled with joy, singing, energy, and the coping skills I need to face what lies ahead. I get a small glimpse of what it means to experience God, and I suddenly want the world to know the wonder and the joy of salvation. I don’t want anyone to miss out on such a joyous experience.

God doesn’t have to fill us—He wants to fill us. He wants us to experience His love and power. He wants us to know that we are His children and filling us with His Holy Spirit sheds His love abroad in our hearts (as Paul has stated in the New Testament). Thinking about all of this, I was reminded of the verses I am memorizing this month:

“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judments, and His paths beyond tracing out! Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor? Who has ever given to God, that God should repay Him? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen.” (Romans 11:33-36, NIV)

Yes, Lord! Amen!

There Is Now No Condemnation

2010-10-24T13:55:00.000-05:00

I am reading a wonderful book, Changes That Heal by Dr. Henry Cloud, and I feel as though my eyes have been opened to the reality of the grace and truth of Jesus Christ all over again. Almost six years ago, when I began my journey to know God and to walk with Jesus on a daily basis, the verse I had to remind myself of over and over again was Romans 8:1—“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.” “No condemnation” was a concept I struggled with daily back in my panic days, and sometimes, I still find myself struggling with it—until I remind myself of who I am in Christ Jesus—loved, saved, forgiven.

Before I experienced the freedom of no condemnation, I had built a very strong foundation for my life fortified with perfectionism and legalism and pride. I knew just enough of the Bible to get by and remembered the sermons of sin and hellfire so that I was determined to “be good” and “do good”. That fit in with my overwhelming desire to be everyone’s everything so that they would be happy and I would be accepted and loved—something I didn’t experience enough growing up. However, each day I played the recordings of self-condemnation over and over in my mind because I had failed (either that day or some day in the past) to live up to my (and my church’s) high standards—the ideal “me”. I lived in such guilt. To hide the guilt of my self-imposed failures, I placed a mask on my face every morning to show the world that I could deal with my life.

I could just ignore all the traumatic events of my childhood and “get a grip, for Pete’s sake!”; I could handle the stresses and strains of raising children just like other people; I could bear the heartache of a depressed husband who was losing his eyesight, and assist in caring for parents and parents-in-law whose health was failing; I could adjust to the increasing demands of teaching 2nd graders, remastering the ever-changing curriculum, and wisely counsel overprotective or negligent parents. I could serve on faculty committees and train student teachers and teach at inservices—no problem. I could sing in the choir and perform in the Christmas pageant and concert--Pile it on! I could take it without any help from anyone and do it with excellence, I might add.

But then I began experiencing panic attacks and that foundation of perfectionism, legalism, and pride imploded and the false “me” was stripped away—leaving that same scared little girl I remembered from childhood who still lived in fear, condemnation, and shame from past mistakes and past traumas, and who had not learned the tools to grow up and succeed in life as an adult.

“There is now no condemnation in Christ Jesus.”

But there was condemnation in me. For two years I scrambled, trying everything I could find to get “back to normal” so I could be seen as who I wanted to be seen as—the ideal “me”. Nothing I tried worked. I kept failing. I kept being exposed. I couldn’t stand the fact that now everyone knew what I had always known in my heart—I was defective, I was not perfect, I was unacceptable, I was unlovable, I was unworthy, I was still a sinner—even after I tried so hard not to be one. I believe that’s when I fell into deep depression, and it was at that point—when I was in the deepest pit of self-loathing and self-pity that God shed His light of grace and love on me. The real me. The ugly me. The me I hated.

I will never forget the feeling of freedom when I realized after spending time with God in desperate prayer and studying the Sciptures that God truly loved me—the real me—and that He did not expect perfection from me. That requirement was met by Jesus Christ—who was “wholly” man but without sin and “wholly” God, and who died for me. Because of Him, I could give up my ideal of who I should be, and I could commit the real me into His care. I could look to Jesus as my ideal—Jesus, Who is filled with grace and truth--not condemnation.

Since those days, meeting Him daily in His Word and listening for His still, small voice has been the focus of my heart. And when I’m convicted of sin, (convicted, not condemned), I come to Him and confess my sins so that I can continue on in unbroken fellowship with Him. Condemnation makes us run from God. Conviction makes us run “to” God. Praise His Name for the Holy Spirit who convicts us so that we will run to our heavenly Father Who will supply all our needs.

“I love you, Lord. You are my strength. The Lord is my Rock, my fortress, and my Savior. My God is my Rock in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.” (Ps. 18:1-2, New Living Translation)

Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers.

At the Psychiatrist's Office

2010-10-22T18:09:00.000-05:00

I took my husband to his appointment the other day and brought my ipod so I could play Klondike Solitaire when my husband went in for his session. I am by nature an introvert and don’t usually start conversations with people. I passed a young woman who was hunched over and talking on her cell phone with her purse in the seat I was going to sit in. She pulled her purse to the floor without looking up at me. I will just be honest here and tell you that she looked a mess, and my first instinct was to ignore her. (I am so glad Jesus is more powerful than my natural instincts.) I sat down and started talking to my husband. After this young woman put her phone back in her purse, she kept her head down--one hand shielding her eyes from the light above. I didn’t want to disturb her, but since the last time we were in this office we had to wait 4 hours, I wanted to see how far behind the doctor was in his appointments. So I asked her the time of her appointment. I was surprised to see how young she was when she faced me. I found out she was scheduled to go in about 30 minutes before my husband. I glanced at the clock and saw that the doctor was at least an hour behind because someone else was ahead of her.

Then she asked me if the lights were blinking over us. I said I thought so…just a little…and she was relieved because she thought it was in her mind. She said she hadn’t slept well for a long time and sometimes her eyes played tricks on her. I told her I was also experiencing insomnia due to menopause and could totally relate. She apologized for the way she looked—no makeup and hair not combed. My heart suddenly went out to her. I felt as if she could’ve been my own daughter. Then she told me she was a recovering alcoholic, that she had cried out to God one night and had made the choice to obey Him and not drink, and how she suffered from depression and anxiety. I told her I had a history of depression and panic disorder and knew a little of what she was feeling.

She began telling me some of her story, and I learned she had a little girl she was raising without a father. She wanted to get well so that she could take care of her properly. She talked on for several minutes, and there were some similarities between her experiences with depression and mine. I also recognized the heaviness and hopelessness in her voice. When she stopped talking, I told her about my experience with severe depression and panic and how God had helped me through it. Then it was her time to go in to see the psychiatrist. After she left, I felt like such an idiot because I hadn’t thought to offer her my copy of the Bible verses I keep in my purse. I prayed to God that if He wanted me to give her the verses, He would arrange a way for me to do it.

Later, when she came out of the office, she stopped in front of me and thanked me for talking to her. She said she felt much better after we had talked and that she felt God had sent me to her. I had my verses folded up in my hand and placed them in hers explaining that they were the ones I used to get free. She smiled and said, “You want me to have your verses?”, like I had given her something precious. I smiled and our eyes locked for a moment and she whispered “thank you” and then she left. I have chill bumps on my arms right now—just like I did then.

My point in telling this is to focus on how much God loves each one of us. He sees us. We are not hidden from His sight when we are suffering. He loved that young woman so much that He arranged our divine appointment so she could get her hands on His promises. He did not want her living in defeat. God does not kick us when we’re down. He lifts us up. All we have to do is trust Him enough to be obedient and then be willing to receive from Him.

REMINDERS OF GOD’S PRESENCE

2010-10-16T17:23:00.003-05:00

Keeping God in the forefront of my mind was especially hard during my panic season because I had not trained my mind to be stayed on Him, and our world culture did not and still does not do a whole lot to remind me that the Holy Spirit resides in me and that I am a child of God. I began wearing my cross daily. Just having it around my neck made me feel better.

It was the first of many reminders that would help me keep my focus on who I am and Whose I am in Christ. In 2005, my reminders were my 3x5 cards with verses written on them and five blue beads that I strung on a chain. I hooked the chain to the handle of whatever purse I was using that day so that I could always see them. No matter where I went, I had my cards and the blue beads dangling as a reminder that God was with me. The beads stood for the five-statement pledge of faith that I learned in the Believing God Bible study by Beth Moore. I went over those statements in my mind many times while out and about, and sometimes I still do.

One day in 2006, I think, I was in a Christian bookstore and found a gold keychain with a gold triangle dangling from it. On the triangle were the words from Joshua 1:9—“I will be with you wherever you go”—one of my favorite verses. I thanked God for allowing me to find it, and it is still on my key chain today. Another time I was in the grocery store and came across some fake rocks with one side smoothed and little sayings were written on them. One said, “The Lord set my feet on a Rock and gave me a firm place to stand. Ps. 40:2”. I bought that one because the Lord had not only given my feet but also my mind a firm place to stand on—His Word. That little rock sits on my desk where I have my quiet time. I see it every morning—my reminder of what God did for me.

Another time I found a stained-glass butterfly with a silver tag hanging from it that read, “Live freely”. I had been bound up in my mind for so long that when Jesus set me free, “freedom” had become my watchword. Never again would I let my family’s or friends’ attitudes, harsh criticisms, or stern looks push me back into the prison of self-doubt and self-condemnation. Never again would I let negative thoughts defeat me and spiral me down into depression and despair. Never again would I let anxious thoughts go racing through my mind uncountered by God’s Truth. I was free in my mind at last, and I was not going to go back into that old mental prison. The words on the silver tag also reminded me of what Jesus said in John 8:36, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” I bought the butterfly and it hung from my rearview mirror for years. Then my sister bought a stained-glass cross for my birthday. I switched it out with my butterfly for a change, and the butterfly now hangs on the handle of my closet door.

If anyone else has reminders that help you remember who you are and Whose you are in Christ, I’d love to read about them.

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

Autumn Season

2010-10-15T20:33:00.004-05:00

"Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons." Daniel 2:20-22 (NIV)

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

A Prayer

2010-10-14T12:10:00.001-05:00

“The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ and let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.” Rev. 22:17 (NIV)

Dear Lord,

Help us hide Your Word in our hearts. Help us remember your Word. We want to be changed by it. We want to grow. Lead us on. We place our hands in your Hand. Make us brave. Make us strong. Renew our spirits within us. Be our hearts’ desire and quench the thirst of our souls. We will follow You all of our days. Help us set ourselves apart for You and worship and adore You. Help us focus on You and Your will for our lives. We give You praise and honor and glory for restoring us—over and over again. You are indeed a merciful and loving God! We owe You our all. Help us give You our all. Help us resist the temptations of this world and protect us from the Enemy of our souls. Help us empty ourselves of ourselves that we may be filled with the Holy Spirit and keep in step with Him. In the mighty Name of Jesus we pray. Amen!

Joy To My Soul

2010-10-12T15:33:00.000-05:00

“In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.”

(Psalm 94:19, KJV)

Bible Study

2010-10-08T20:16:00.000-05:00

I finished today’s homework in the Bible study I’m facilitating at my church, Here and Now….There and Then, by Beth Moore. It is mostly a lecture study with some light homework every week for 11 weeks. Today’s homework dealt with God’s throne room in heaven. The passages we read and compared were Revelation 4 and Ezekiel 1—awesome stuff!

A few comments Beth Moore made in the lecture Tuesday regarding Revelation 4 dealt with God being on the throne in the center of everything and that every element and creature mentioned in chapter 4 is described in direct relationship to the throne. She made the point that the biggest temptation in a believer’s life is deciding whether to be “self” centered or God-centered. As is seen in Revelation, those closest to God’s throne—God-centered--saw Him as holy and worthy and worshiped and adored Him. She further explained that we will better see God as He is when we are more God-centered. Likewise, we will be less likely to see Him as He is when we are “self” centered and living further away in proximity to His throne of grace. I thought this was profound.

Then she had us read Hebrews 4:14-16 in order to deepen our appreciation of the invitation we have to approach this same majestic and glorious Throne of God with confidence—most especially when we need “grace to help in time of need”. As a survivor of depression and panic and as one who still struggles with feeling overwhelmed and anxious when life gets crazy, this means so much.

Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (KJV)

I praise you, Lord!

Encouraging Words

2010-09-28T03:08:00.002-05:00

I make notes whenever I come across something that encourages me in my faith. I keep them in a basket on my desk and also in a file folder inside my desk. I recently went through these 3x5 cards and scraps of paper and thought I’d share a bit.

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved

Psalm 119:102 “I have not departed from your laws, for you yourself have taught me.” “They are well taught whom God teaches. What we learn from the Lord we never forget. God’s instruction has a practical effect—we follow His way when He teaches us; and it has an abiding effect—we do not depart from holiness.” Exposition of Psalm 119:97-104 by Charles H. Spurgeon (http://www.eternallifeministries.org/psalm119m.htm). Cited: September 28, 2010

“Abba, I surrender my will and my life to you today without reservation and with humble confidence.... Set me free from self-consciousness, from anxiety about tomorrow, and from the tyranny of the approval and disapproval of others, that I may find joy and delight simply and solely in pleasing you.” Brennan Manning, Ruthless Trust: the Ragamuffin’s Path to God, (New York, HarperCollins, July 2, 2002) p. 192.

Psalm 27:1: “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?” “Christ as our stronghold does not mean life will be easy or trouble free….God’s purposes may lead us to the path of suffering, but wherever He leads, we know He protects. He may protect from suffering or through suffering, but the more we know Him, the less we need to fear. He will never leave us nor forsake us. He will sustain us—He is our hope.” Beth Moore, Living Free, (Nashville, Tennessee, Lifeway Christian Resources, 2002) p. 111.

“You are a walking Civil War—flesh against the Spirit. The flesh must be beaten down. You must let the Holy Spirit work in you. The fruit of the Spirit is evidence of the abundant life.” Joyce Meyer, The Battlefield of the Mind, (New York, New York, Warner Books Edition, 2002) p. 288.

“Understand the concept of biblical progression—a life of growth—from being obedient in small things to larger things. Be persistent. Keep your eyes on God. Keep God’s perspective.” (From one of my pastor’s sermons)

“During idle moments, we should meditate on God’s promises and provisions; His wonders and His Word….” Elizabeth George, Loving God with All Your Mind, (Eugene, Oregon, Harvest House Publishers, 2005) p. 304

“If Christ Himself saw prayer as a primary strategy against the schemes of the enemy, you and I should never do less.” Jennifer Rothschild, Me, Myself, and Lies, (Nashville, Tennessee, Lifeway Christian Resources, 2009) p. 157.

“I love the practice of daily coming to the line with Christ and naming my sins. Then I like to discuss with God why it doesn’t agree with His Word. That kind of repentance begins to get those precepts down into my soul." Beth Moore, Jesus, the One and Only, (Nashville, Tennessee, B&H Publishing Group, 2002) p. 352.

“No guilt in life, no fear in death; this is the power of Christ in me; from life’s first cry to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny. No power of hell, no scheme of man, can ever pluck me from His hand; Till He returns or calls me home, here in the power of Christ I’ll stand.” Stuart Townend and Keith Getty, In Christ Alone (2001, Kingsway, Thank You Music)