"Not my will but Yours."
What does that mean?
I think I am learning finally! Just take a moment and just reflect on what God has done. There is so much to give Him praise for! I say it over and over but there is so much power in praising the name of Jesus.
What does it mean to be sold out for Jesus?
Not following a bunch of rules but loving Jesus so much that His Word becomes alive our lives. I can't but surrender every part of my life. One day doesn't get it I need Him 24/7. That's how He wants us to be in constant prayer and in constant relationship with Him. 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 (New King James Version)
17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Not bailing out when times get tough but continuing to praise and believe.
Understanding that sometimes the plans we think God has for us really were our plans in the first place and God has no responsibility to see those plans through.
Accepting His will no matter the cost. Giving up friends, losing social status, going to a different church, waking up early or staying up late to hear from Him.
One of the crazy things I have done this week, just when my schedule got rearranged beyond my control...I was driving and decided to pull over and park and just pull out my Bible and read. I think I must have done this 3 times. I have been so on the go!
I was led to go into a store where a lady prayed for me. How cool is that? God heard me. "I am tired and I've gone as far as I can"
That lady praying for me was Him saying "I am not finished with you yet, you keep at it until we are done" It was one of those rare physical God moments.
I have to put my calendar in His hands and say Lord do what you will, here I am.
It doesn't matter Lord what people say, Lord where do you want me?
I get chills just thinking about my way of thinking before. I have never been more fulfilled in my life. We have gone through some of the toughest seasons of life lately but God is so present!
I love talking to God throughout the day, just knowing He is there.
Sometimes I just have to stop everything and take a praise break. It's so good to fill up on Jesus. Turn off the tv, put down that newspaper and worship Jesus. He is so worthy to be praised.
Life is hard and sometimes it throws some hard blows but Jesus is stronger and He is faithful to see you through every task He calls you to do no matter how small or how big.
Being surrendered to Him in this way allows Him to reveal himself in a powerful way. Those who seek Him shall find Him, may He be yours today!
God is so amazing. I could write a book on what he has done in our family!
If I could just help you to see how great and powerful He is, how worthy He is, oh how your life would be changed and you would understand why I am sold out to Jesus!
I'm not sold out to church, to a pastor, to religion but to Jesus!
As I press on to another day, my focus is on Jesus and His will. I am listening to one my favorite songs from our church, Celebration Church Jacksonville http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_k5w0H9t3tM&feature=related
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Learning to Walk
I was reading our devo today 1 Corinthians 4, Paul suffered a whole lot more than what most church leaders do today but we still need to find ways to encourage them. Their load is not light by any means. Could you carry your pastor's load? Hopefully there was not anyone arrogant enought to say yes.
Yet we complain about our leaders? What is up with that? I will be the first to admit I have done it. We have to be willing to help them and support them. After all if we are serving in the right church body, God has placed these leaders over us!
It's okay to admit we don't have it all together! Try approaching life like this...you came from dust and to dust you will return...you own nothing and everything you have comes from the provision of God. You are not here for your fame or glory but for His. Be a steward! Try being a steward of your words, your thoughts and your actions. Let Jesus show in the little things of life! This does not mean you can never achieve anything in life and you have to take everything that comes your way. Instead just weigh out your decisions starting with seeking God. When you achieve things just know it is because of Him and not you. Find your purpose in Him and let your life unfold from there.
God desires us to seek Him first in everything. We cannot keep Him in a little box and take Him out on Sunday or during the week like a genie and expect to live an abundant blessed life. He desires a personal daily to the minute relationship with us!
God is growing in each of us a passion to serve Him. He has a unique calling for you. He is planting gifts and talents inside of you for a special assignment that only you can do through Him.
I have been in a season of quietness. I think this blog post is almost opposite to my last.
The only way I can visualize and explain this is I feel like I have been in a box where I have been banging ”let me out!" I guess it is a good thing He hasn't let me out. I feel like that box has been placed in a crowded place and I am the size of little person (like on the movie Darby O'Gill). The flaps have been opened and I am standing up looking around and Jesus is saying "come on, get out."
"Now it is time to let that passion out, smile, be alive, be concerned, listen, love, observe” and I'm a little nervous because now I have to own up to what I have said. It's almost as if I am telling Him, "wait, I just need a few more minutes, could you close the box again." The box is gone and I'm standing like a statue and Jesus is tapping on my shoulder "stop standing there, do something" and I am saying "I don't know what to do" and I feel like His reaching down taking one of my legs and putting it forward and then the other. He says "now try".
This is experiencing God for me today. I thank God daily for the opportunies He places before me each day no matter how small.
I don't want to be found standing like a statue. My desire is to build up Jesus and speak love and life into others. Standing like a statue is being prideful because it means I am worried about what people think.
Not sure if you have ever heard an old gospel song (yeah I'm old school) "I can't even walk" http://www.songlyrics.com/charles-johnson/i-can-t-even-walk-lyrics/
My grandmother used to sing this song around the house with her hands raised. She might still do it, she never had a career or did anything super in most people's eyes but she is known for her love and compassion. Grandmother was my role model and watching her is what saved me. When things get tough...find her because Jesus is always near! She really exemplifies that song "down on my knees, I learned to stand, because I can't even walk without You holding my hand." Grandmother showed she needed Jesus in the small things like washing the dishes, doing laundry, cleaning and dealing with people. That's what we all need to show that Jesus present in the small things is huge, that is how He changes lives.
Thanking Him today for being with us in the small things today,
and dreaming big of walking it out!
Yet we complain about our leaders? What is up with that? I will be the first to admit I have done it. We have to be willing to help them and support them. After all if we are serving in the right church body, God has placed these leaders over us!
It's okay to admit we don't have it all together! Try approaching life like this...you came from dust and to dust you will return...you own nothing and everything you have comes from the provision of God. You are not here for your fame or glory but for His. Be a steward! Try being a steward of your words, your thoughts and your actions. Let Jesus show in the little things of life! This does not mean you can never achieve anything in life and you have to take everything that comes your way. Instead just weigh out your decisions starting with seeking God. When you achieve things just know it is because of Him and not you. Find your purpose in Him and let your life unfold from there.
God desires us to seek Him first in everything. We cannot keep Him in a little box and take Him out on Sunday or during the week like a genie and expect to live an abundant blessed life. He desires a personal daily to the minute relationship with us!
God is growing in each of us a passion to serve Him. He has a unique calling for you. He is planting gifts and talents inside of you for a special assignment that only you can do through Him.
I have been in a season of quietness. I think this blog post is almost opposite to my last.
The only way I can visualize and explain this is I feel like I have been in a box where I have been banging ”let me out!" I guess it is a good thing He hasn't let me out. I feel like that box has been placed in a crowded place and I am the size of little person (like on the movie Darby O'Gill). The flaps have been opened and I am standing up looking around and Jesus is saying "come on, get out."
"Now it is time to let that passion out, smile, be alive, be concerned, listen, love, observe” and I'm a little nervous because now I have to own up to what I have said. It's almost as if I am telling Him, "wait, I just need a few more minutes, could you close the box again." The box is gone and I'm standing like a statue and Jesus is tapping on my shoulder "stop standing there, do something" and I am saying "I don't know what to do" and I feel like His reaching down taking one of my legs and putting it forward and then the other. He says "now try".
This is experiencing God for me today. I thank God daily for the opportunies He places before me each day no matter how small.
I don't want to be found standing like a statue. My desire is to build up Jesus and speak love and life into others. Standing like a statue is being prideful because it means I am worried about what people think.
Not sure if you have ever heard an old gospel song (yeah I'm old school) "I can't even walk" http://www.songlyrics.com/charles-johnson/i-can-t-even-walk-lyrics/
My grandmother used to sing this song around the house with her hands raised. She might still do it, she never had a career or did anything super in most people's eyes but she is known for her love and compassion. Grandmother was my role model and watching her is what saved me. When things get tough...find her because Jesus is always near! She really exemplifies that song "down on my knees, I learned to stand, because I can't even walk without You holding my hand." Grandmother showed she needed Jesus in the small things like washing the dishes, doing laundry, cleaning and dealing with people. That's what we all need to show that Jesus present in the small things is huge, that is how He changes lives.
Thanking Him today for being with us in the small things today,
and dreaming big of walking it out!
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