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.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Encouraging Words
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)
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)
Monday, August 2, 2010
How the Bible Speaks to Panic
Someone from another website asked me which Bible verses speak specifically to the kind of fear involving panic disorder.
Panic disorder is an anxiety-related disorder. It comes under the heading of Understanding Anxiety on the Anxiety Disorders Association of America website, www.adaa.org. Part of the definition of panic disorder is the fear of a recurring attack. The Bible speaks both to the fear of physical attacks from enemies, and also to mental attacks such as intense anxiety and fear. Although I feel all the verses I've posted on this blog speak to anxiety and panic, I thought I would post my answer to this question here as well as on the other website.
Mark 14:33 says about Jesus, "He took Peter, James, and John with Him, and He began to be deeply distressed and horrified…." (Holman Christian Bible) "to be deeply distressed and troubled…" (NIV Bible) A more indepth translation from the Greek dictionary of "to be deeply distressed and troubled" is to be overwhelmed, distressed, alarmed. This is from the Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible. I have felt deeply distressed, troubled, horrified, alarmed, and overwhelmed during a panic attack. I have been encouraged to know that Jesus struggled in those last hours in the Garden of Gethsemane but after praying to His Father in Heaven, He arose strengthened and resolved to submit to the perfect will of God. Max Lucado talks about His victory in his book, Fearless.
Romans 8:15 "For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by Him we cry, Abba, Father." The Greek word for fear in this verse means terror, dread, terrible; the verb form means to flee or run away from. That's exactly how panic made me feel. I wanted to run and find some place to hide.
Psalm 94:19 "When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul." Those of us who have experienced panic know all about anxiety being "great within me". God's consolation when we cry out to Him in prayer (praying His Word) and supplication is His love, peace, and joy.
Isaiah 35:4 "Say to those with fearful hearts, Be strong, do not fear; your God will come….He will come to save you." The Hebrew word for fearful and fear in this verse means to be dreadful…terrify…make afraid; the emotion and intellectual anticipation of harm. This definition comes from the Complete Word Study of the Old Testament.There were many days when I walked around feeling something bad was going to happen any minute. I anticipated disaster.
2 Timothy 1:7 "For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." The Greek definition for fear in this verse means to shrink for fear. I experienced this kind of fear during my first or second year of panic back in 2002 or 2003. One day my husband tried to coax me out of the bedroom because I had begun to believe the bedroom was my only safe place. I can still remember almost crossing the threshold and then I pulled my hand out of his and told him I could not do it. I could not make myself leave that room no matter how hard I wanted to leave it.
Isaiah 43:1 "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine." The word fear in this verse is the same Hebrew word as in Isaiah 35:4 above.
Philippians 4:4-6 "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." This verse obviously speaks to anxiety.
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.
Panic disorder is an anxiety-related disorder. It comes under the heading of Understanding Anxiety on the Anxiety Disorders Association of America website, www.adaa.org. Part of the definition of panic disorder is the fear of a recurring attack. The Bible speaks both to the fear of physical attacks from enemies, and also to mental attacks such as intense anxiety and fear. Although I feel all the verses I've posted on this blog speak to anxiety and panic, I thought I would post my answer to this question here as well as on the other website.
Mark 14:33 says about Jesus, "He took Peter, James, and John with Him, and He began to be deeply distressed and horrified…." (Holman Christian Bible) "to be deeply distressed and troubled…" (NIV Bible) A more indepth translation from the Greek dictionary of "to be deeply distressed and troubled" is to be overwhelmed, distressed, alarmed. This is from the Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible. I have felt deeply distressed, troubled, horrified, alarmed, and overwhelmed during a panic attack. I have been encouraged to know that Jesus struggled in those last hours in the Garden of Gethsemane but after praying to His Father in Heaven, He arose strengthened and resolved to submit to the perfect will of God. Max Lucado talks about His victory in his book, Fearless.
Romans 8:15 "For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by Him we cry, Abba, Father." The Greek word for fear in this verse means terror, dread, terrible; the verb form means to flee or run away from. That's exactly how panic made me feel. I wanted to run and find some place to hide.
Psalm 94:19 "When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul." Those of us who have experienced panic know all about anxiety being "great within me". God's consolation when we cry out to Him in prayer (praying His Word) and supplication is His love, peace, and joy.
Isaiah 35:4 "Say to those with fearful hearts, Be strong, do not fear; your God will come….He will come to save you." The Hebrew word for fearful and fear in this verse means to be dreadful…terrify…make afraid; the emotion and intellectual anticipation of harm. This definition comes from the Complete Word Study of the Old Testament.There were many days when I walked around feeling something bad was going to happen any minute. I anticipated disaster.
2 Timothy 1:7 "For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." The Greek definition for fear in this verse means to shrink for fear. I experienced this kind of fear during my first or second year of panic back in 2002 or 2003. One day my husband tried to coax me out of the bedroom because I had begun to believe the bedroom was my only safe place. I can still remember almost crossing the threshold and then I pulled my hand out of his and told him I could not do it. I could not make myself leave that room no matter how hard I wanted to leave it.
Isaiah 43:1 "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine." The word fear in this verse is the same Hebrew word as in Isaiah 35:4 above.
Philippians 4:4-6 "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." This verse obviously speaks to anxiety.
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
My Utmost for His Highest
I just found out about this website and thought I'd share it with ya'll.
This particular version of My Utmost for His Highest is the one I've read consistently over the past 5 years. It's like the Bible--I always find something new I didn't see before as I go through it. Have a Wonderful Wednesday!!!
This particular version of My Utmost for His Highest is the one I've read consistently over the past 5 years. It's like the Bible--I always find something new I didn't see before as I go through it. Have a Wonderful Wednesday!!!
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Fearless by Max Lucado
Watch a video of Max Lucado talking about fear. So enlightening and encouraging!!!
Town Hall Discussion on Fearless. Part One and Part Two
On the last video portion for Breaking Free Bible study, Beth Moore said something similar to what Max Lucado said in his book, Fearless. She said, "Being free from a stronghold of fear doesn't mean you'll never be afraid." She went on to explain you may still be tempted to fear, but you can press through the fear because of God's presence in you--it (the fear) doesn't hinder you. It no longer has a stronghold over you that keeps you paralysed or unable to do what God has called you to do.
Town Hall Discussion on Fearless. Part One and Part Two
On the last video portion for Breaking Free Bible study, Beth Moore said something similar to what Max Lucado said in his book, Fearless. She said, "Being free from a stronghold of fear doesn't mean you'll never be afraid." She went on to explain you may still be tempted to fear, but you can press through the fear because of God's presence in you--it (the fear) doesn't hinder you. It no longer has a stronghold over you that keeps you paralysed or unable to do what God has called you to do.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Cast All Your Anxiety on Him
"Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour. Withstand him; be firm in faith [against his onset--rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined], knowing that the same (identical) sufferings are appointed to your brotherhood (the whole body of Christians) throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace [Who imparts all blessing and favor], Who has called you to His [own] eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself complete and make you what you ought to be, establish and ground you securely, and strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the dominion (power, authority, rule) forever and ever. Amen (so be it)." 1 Peter 5:7-11 (Amplified)
The word for "cast" in verse 7 is the same word used in Luke 19:35:"And they brought him to Jesus; and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they sat Jesus thereon." It's the same word used in Psalm 55:22 "Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and He shall sustain thee: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved." The word means " to cast away, throw down, throw out; is used of throwing an object." (The Key Word Study Bible)
Since learning about this word, I've been picturing myself holding a huge fishing net with all my worries and anxieties attached to it and then throwing it out to Jesus. I don't have to watch and see if He catches it. I just fling it out there. I know that I can trust Him to take care of it all.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary had this to say, "All a believer's anxieties can be cast...on Him. Christ sustains because He cares. A Christian's confidence rests in the fact that Christ is genuinely concerned for his welfare."
"He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully." Jesus' love for us is full of affection. And the Lord is always watching. We are never alone.
The word for "cast" in verse 7 is the same word used in Luke 19:35:"And they brought him to Jesus; and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they sat Jesus thereon." It's the same word used in Psalm 55:22 "Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and He shall sustain thee: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved." The word means " to cast away, throw down, throw out; is used of throwing an object." (The Key Word Study Bible)
Since learning about this word, I've been picturing myself holding a huge fishing net with all my worries and anxieties attached to it and then throwing it out to Jesus. I don't have to watch and see if He catches it. I just fling it out there. I know that I can trust Him to take care of it all.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary had this to say, "All a believer's anxieties can be cast...on Him. Christ sustains because He cares. A Christian's confidence rests in the fact that Christ is genuinely concerned for his welfare."
"He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully." Jesus' love for us is full of affection. And the Lord is always watching. We are never alone.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Christ is Our Life!
"How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your ...light we see light." Psalm 36:5-9 (NIV)
"Why does God allow us to spend so much of life in the heat of battle? Because He never meant for us to sip His Spirit like a proper cup of tea. He meant for us to hold our sweating heads over the fountain and lap up His life with unquenchable thirst." Beth Moore, Praying God's Word
I totally agree with Beth. It seems I can't be away from the Word of God for even one day. Battles flare up everywhere. I stay thirsty for His Spirit. I require Him as much as I require daily bread--and the damage I do when I'm not filled...I just thank God that He forgives my sins and lets me try again. "His mercies are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness." (Lam. 3:23)
"Why does God allow us to spend so much of life in the heat of battle? Because He never meant for us to sip His Spirit like a proper cup of tea. He meant for us to hold our sweating heads over the fountain and lap up His life with unquenchable thirst." Beth Moore, Praying God's Word
I totally agree with Beth. It seems I can't be away from the Word of God for even one day. Battles flare up everywhere. I stay thirsty for His Spirit. I require Him as much as I require daily bread--and the damage I do when I'm not filled...I just thank God that He forgives my sins and lets me try again. "His mercies are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness." (Lam. 3:23)
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
God's Truth
Micah 7:8 "Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light."
I love the courage, confidence, and hope in these verses. I found this Scripture while experiencing panic attacks in 2005. Speaking the truth of these words out loud after a panic attack empowered me when I felt powerless or was tempted to give up hope that my attacks would ever stop. After I discovered that I could stop my panic attacks by praying Scripture during them, I realized even more the importance of speaking God's Truth in the face of fear. I used to think that if I just believed enough or hoped enough that nothing would go wrong in my life. Not true. What is true is that as long as I cling to Jesus, bow the knee to His sovereignty, and cooperate with Him, then He will bring me out of my difficulties with a surer knowledge of His presence in me, His love for me, and His mighty power available for me. With Him, I come out of my trials with much more than I had going into them. Praise the Lord!
I love the courage, confidence, and hope in these verses. I found this Scripture while experiencing panic attacks in 2005. Speaking the truth of these words out loud after a panic attack empowered me when I felt powerless or was tempted to give up hope that my attacks would ever stop. After I discovered that I could stop my panic attacks by praying Scripture during them, I realized even more the importance of speaking God's Truth in the face of fear. I used to think that if I just believed enough or hoped enough that nothing would go wrong in my life. Not true. What is true is that as long as I cling to Jesus, bow the knee to His sovereignty, and cooperate with Him, then He will bring me out of my difficulties with a surer knowledge of His presence in me, His love for me, and His mighty power available for me. With Him, I come out of my trials with much more than I had going into them. Praise the Lord!
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Finding Freedom from Your Fears
Someone commented on one of my posts that they had read Finding Freedom from Your Fears by H. Norman Wright, so I thought I'd buy it and read it. It came in the mail this afternoon and already I have found something to share here.
"During your most intense bouts with fear, allow your mind to operate like an echo chamber. Instead of letting your fears reverberate within that chamber, let the words of Scripture continually echo--'fear not...fear not...fear not.'"
Recalling Scripture is like washing your mind with fresh faith and cleansing it from fear. I take my Scriptures like Isaiah 43:1-4 and Isaiah 41:10, as well as others, with me wherever I go. I have discovered that I still need them even though my last panic attack was in 2006. I praise God that I need His Word. My mind has been changed by it, my personality has been strengthened by it, and my life is worth living because of it.
"During your most intense bouts with fear, allow your mind to operate like an echo chamber. Instead of letting your fears reverberate within that chamber, let the words of Scripture continually echo--'fear not...fear not...fear not.'"
Recalling Scripture is like washing your mind with fresh faith and cleansing it from fear. I take my Scriptures like Isaiah 43:1-4 and Isaiah 41:10, as well as others, with me wherever I go. I have discovered that I still need them even though my last panic attack was in 2006. I praise God that I need His Word. My mind has been changed by it, my personality has been strengthened by it, and my life is worth living because of it.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
God Rejoices Over Us
"The LORD your God is among you, a warrior who saves. He will rejoice over you with gladness. He will bring [you] quietness with His love. He will delight in you with shouts of joy." Zephaniah 3:17 (HCSB)
"God rejoices over you, though He knows your life is still in the process of becoming all that He has planned--though you are not yet what you will be when you step into His eternal presence. Until that time, He is shaping your life, conforming you to the image of His Son. Amid the uncertainty and pressures surrounding you, Jesus is at your side to strengthen and encourage you." Charles Stanley, Living the Extraordinary Life
P.S. I like the vision I get when I read that God is "a warrior who saves". Reminds me of Psalm 107:16 which says that God "breaks down gates of bronze and cuts through bars of iron". To me that means that Jesus will stop at nothing to free us from spiritual bondage or captivity when we cry out to Him for forgiveness, restoration, and help.
"God rejoices over you, though He knows your life is still in the process of becoming all that He has planned--though you are not yet what you will be when you step into His eternal presence. Until that time, He is shaping your life, conforming you to the image of His Son. Amid the uncertainty and pressures surrounding you, Jesus is at your side to strengthen and encourage you." Charles Stanley, Living the Extraordinary Life
P.S. I like the vision I get when I read that God is "a warrior who saves". Reminds me of Psalm 107:16 which says that God "breaks down gates of bronze and cuts through bars of iron". To me that means that Jesus will stop at nothing to free us from spiritual bondage or captivity when we cry out to Him for forgiveness, restoration, and help.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
To Know Him
"Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." John 17:3 (NIV) "God is a person, and in the deep of His mighty nature He thinks, wills, enjoys, feels, loves, desires and suffers as any other person may. He communicates with us through the avenues of our minds, our wills and our emotions. The continuous and unembarrassed interchange of love and thought between God and the soul of the redeemed man is the throbbing heart of New Testament religion....The moment the Spirit has quickened us to life in regeneration our whole being senses its kinship to God." A. W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God
Friday, August 7, 2009
"I Am" Statements
"Who I am and what I struggle with are not the same thing." (Jennifer Rothschild) Here are some "I am" statements mentioned in Believing God and Jennifer's study, Me, Myself, & Lies, to counter your negative self-talk.
I am accepted, adopted, blessed, chosen, forgiven, loved, redeemed, and sealed in Christ. (Eph 1:3-14) I am free (Rom. 6:18; 8:1). I am capable (Phil. 4:13). I am spiritually alive (Eph. 2:5). I am God's masterpiece (workmanship) (Eph. 2:10). I am welcome in God's presence (Eph. 2:18; Heb. 4:14-16). I am sheltered and protected in God (Col. 3:3; Ps. 91:1). I am precious to God (Is. 43:4). I am dearly loved (Col. 3:12). I am being transformed (2 Cor. 3:18). I am an heir of God (Rom. 8:17). I am God's delight (Zeph. 3:17). I am welcomed to draw near to God (Eph. 3:12). I am a member of God's family (1 John 3:1-2; Eph. 2:19). I am valuable toGod (1 Cor. 6:20). I am forgiven (Eph. 1:7-8). I am chosen to be fruitful (John 15:16).
I am accepted, adopted, blessed, chosen, forgiven, loved, redeemed, and sealed in Christ. (Eph 1:3-14) I am free (Rom. 6:18; 8:1). I am capable (Phil. 4:13). I am spiritually alive (Eph. 2:5). I am God's masterpiece (workmanship) (Eph. 2:10). I am welcome in God's presence (Eph. 2:18; Heb. 4:14-16). I am sheltered and protected in God (Col. 3:3; Ps. 91:1). I am precious to God (Is. 43:4). I am dearly loved (Col. 3:12). I am being transformed (2 Cor. 3:18). I am an heir of God (Rom. 8:17). I am God's delight (Zeph. 3:17). I am welcomed to draw near to God (Eph. 3:12). I am a member of God's family (1 John 3:1-2; Eph. 2:19). I am valuable toGod (1 Cor. 6:20). I am forgiven (Eph. 1:7-8). I am chosen to be fruitful (John 15:16).
Sunday, June 14, 2009
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." Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)
Do these verses sound too good to be true? I remember thinking that when I first discovered them. God is too wonderful, I thought. I don’t deserve any of this. There must be a catch. Five years later, I’ve yet to find it. There is no risk in giving all of your heart to Jesus. He already knows you intimately. He knows your fears, your insecurities, your self-centeredness, your selfishness, your anger, your frustrations, your doubts, your regrets. Nothing about you shocks Him or causes Him to despise you. He loves you, and His love is perfect and complete. He is ever ready to help you overcome the Enemy. He is “with you”. He is your Champion and Defender. He is “mighty to save”. I need a champion who is “mighty”! How ‘bout you?
Can you imagine Jesus taking delight in you? As hard as it is for me to comprehend that He delights in me, His Word says it is true. When I allow myself to agree with His Word, I cannot help but smile. To me, “taking delight in” means that Jesus likes to be around me. He wants me to be near Him. He laughs when I’m funny. He listens when I tell Him my innermost thoughts and feelings. He supports and comforts me when I’m sick or hurt, and He instructs me in the error of my ways so I can be free from destructive thoughts and impure motives.
He delights in me as a parent delights in His child. As His child who sometimes goes astray, He disciplines me to bring me back to Him. He protects and guards my spirit, soul and mind. If I turn to Him when I am upset or fearful, He will “quiet” me with “His love”. This love is strong and unconditional. It won’t diminish over time, and I cannot earn it, but I must open my heart and allow myself to receive it. During difficult times, if I will allow myself to concentrate on what His Word says and not on my doubts or fearful thoughts, His love comes through the Scriptures and into my heart.
Thinking about Jesus singing over me makes me smile, too. I think about the Disney movies where Prince Charming sings to his love. I wonder if the writers of fairy tales looked to the Prince of Peace and His characteristics to come up with their version of a prince. I wonder if they looked to the hope, restoration, and redemption of the Bible to come up with “and they lived happily ever after.”
To be sure, those in Christ Jesus will live happily ever after—and that’s no fairy tale. When I spend time with Jesus in His Word, in prayer, and in quiet solitude with my heart set on Him in praise and adoration, I know that I know that I know my God is real, strong, and loving . God is wonderful. I don’t deserve all He offers me in Christ Jesus. I never will. Praise be to God that I don’t have to earn it because of the redemptive work of Jesus on the cross. As soon as I confessed my sins and accepted Jesus into my heart, I became His very own and an heir to His kingdom. My Prince has come to me. And His name is Christ Jesus. It’s all about grace fueled by unconditional love. The unconditional, incomprehensible love of God.
Do these verses sound too good to be true? I remember thinking that when I first discovered them. God is too wonderful, I thought. I don’t deserve any of this. There must be a catch. Five years later, I’ve yet to find it. There is no risk in giving all of your heart to Jesus. He already knows you intimately. He knows your fears, your insecurities, your self-centeredness, your selfishness, your anger, your frustrations, your doubts, your regrets. Nothing about you shocks Him or causes Him to despise you. He loves you, and His love is perfect and complete. He is ever ready to help you overcome the Enemy. He is “with you”. He is your Champion and Defender. He is “mighty to save”. I need a champion who is “mighty”! How ‘bout you?
Can you imagine Jesus taking delight in you? As hard as it is for me to comprehend that He delights in me, His Word says it is true. When I allow myself to agree with His Word, I cannot help but smile. To me, “taking delight in” means that Jesus likes to be around me. He wants me to be near Him. He laughs when I’m funny. He listens when I tell Him my innermost thoughts and feelings. He supports and comforts me when I’m sick or hurt, and He instructs me in the error of my ways so I can be free from destructive thoughts and impure motives.
He delights in me as a parent delights in His child. As His child who sometimes goes astray, He disciplines me to bring me back to Him. He protects and guards my spirit, soul and mind. If I turn to Him when I am upset or fearful, He will “quiet” me with “His love”. This love is strong and unconditional. It won’t diminish over time, and I cannot earn it, but I must open my heart and allow myself to receive it. During difficult times, if I will allow myself to concentrate on what His Word says and not on my doubts or fearful thoughts, His love comes through the Scriptures and into my heart.
Thinking about Jesus singing over me makes me smile, too. I think about the Disney movies where Prince Charming sings to his love. I wonder if the writers of fairy tales looked to the Prince of Peace and His characteristics to come up with their version of a prince. I wonder if they looked to the hope, restoration, and redemption of the Bible to come up with “and they lived happily ever after.”
To be sure, those in Christ Jesus will live happily ever after—and that’s no fairy tale. When I spend time with Jesus in His Word, in prayer, and in quiet solitude with my heart set on Him in praise and adoration, I know that I know that I know my God is real, strong, and loving . God is wonderful. I don’t deserve all He offers me in Christ Jesus. I never will. Praise be to God that I don’t have to earn it because of the redemptive work of Jesus on the cross. As soon as I confessed my sins and accepted Jesus into my heart, I became His very own and an heir to His kingdom. My Prince has come to me. And His name is Christ Jesus. It’s all about grace fueled by unconditional love. The unconditional, incomprehensible love of God.
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