While driving along in the car, my son giggles and laughs in the backseat with the innocence which only a child can give and who knows nothing of the pain this world will at times unpleasantly offer.
Seated next to me, my husband is silent and as I look over at him, I think, What happened to us? When did we get to this place where being with one another feels just like being alone. My mind drifts away from my son’s joyful laughter and deep into my contemplative thoughts and I wonder how this could have happened. Love isn’t supposed to hurt. Not deliberately.
Then I came to the realization that… some people will never be able to love you the way you deserve to be loved because of the simple fact that they themselves don’t know how to love. Love is not just something you say. It’s not just a feeling. It’s not just words. It’s so much more …
God gave us many examples of love, but one that resembles my definition of love and marriage is this…
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” – 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
It may sound ridiculous to some, but I believe when two people love one another with the kind of love that goes far beyond just the physical attraction and resolves to give mutual respect, trust, and honesty, as well as making God the center focus of the marriage, then blessings will abound and unfold perfectly.
Happy marriages aren’t just made. It takes work and the willingness to surrender your lives, heart, and marriage over to Him. Then He can and will bless the marriage union in ways one could never have imagined.
This is why I love – 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, because each time I read it I am reminded of — Selfless love… How beautiful to love and to be loved such as this.
Lord, there is nothing like Your presence. When my heart is wearied, burdened, sorrowful, broken, or bruised, I can boldly come and sit confidently in your presence.
I know you hear the cries of your children. I know you care and want the very best for each of us. It is You that gives us strength when faced with adversity and it is You who sustains us.
I am comforted by your Word that tells me that I will not be forgotten or forsaken. My heart finds its rest in You, Lord.
I never have to worry when the pressures of this life get too heavy or when apprehension rushes at me like a tidal wave everywhere I turn, You are my hiding place. You stand by my side and grant me quietness of mind, calm, and peace as I run into Your conforming arms.
When fear is crippling and even in my wandering I can be rest assured that everything will be alright because we know that all things work together for good to them that love You, Lord, and to them who are called according to Your divine purpose.
I know with You, I can face whatever may come my way. You are my joy. You are my strength. My sustaining power. My Rock and my refuge. My fortress and My high tower. You are the keeper of my heart. Nothing will ever compare to Your loving embrace.
Thank You, Lord, for enfolding me in Your love and powerful presence. My life is made whole and complete in You. I am forever thankful for your mercy and for your grace.
Do you ever think to yourself, “I’m just not good enough!”
At anything!
At parenting. At marriage. At relationships. Even your relationship with God.
Sometimes the tendency to put so much emphasis on not feeling good enough becomes so prevalent in your hearts and minds that you begin to believe it and fear takes root.
Fear can keep you from accomplishing great things in your life. It can hold you captive if you allow it. We cannot give in to fear. It only hinders our potential and growth process, and the plans that God has for our lives.
Allowing fear to dominate our thinking process can keep you from
If you are not careful and if you allow these unwanted feelings to become stagnant in your thoughts and minds they can and will mostly certainly hinder the child of God from fulfilling the purposes God has destined for them.
While at the same time unknowingly preventing the child of God from using the gifts that God has so graciously bestowed upon each of His children, which was intended to be used for His Glory.
Taking authority and praying over your thinking is key to not allowing such thoughts to take root.
You must expel the unwanted weeds that try to grow unapologetically in your minds.
But sometimes you will fail. And fail miserably.
We all do and will at times.
Thankfully, God understands.
I for one am so grateful that He does.
He knows the desires of our hearts.
He knows if and when your intentions are genuinely pure or filled with ulterior motives.
Then there are times when you look around and allow the comparison game to take hold.
Weighing up the similarities or collation of others lives, achievements and accomplishments.
While allowing the dissimilarities to inflame and fester which will bitterly poison your hearts and souls.
Sometimes our fragile, but also resilient souls can become sick with such jealousy and envy.
You began to ask yourselves unwarranted questions like:
Why does everyone else seem to have a picture perfect life, everyone except for myself?
Why does everyone else seem to accomplish so many more goals in life than I ever could?
Why can’t I be as smart or as intelligent as she is or as he is.
And so on and so on …
You can begin to falsely wonder when and if you will ever emerge from the cocoon you feel enclosed in.
Desperately wanting to grow and evolve into that which God had intended of you when He knit you together in my Mother’s womb.
But Wait!
Pause for a moment!
You must realize that none of this is true.
These are all the deceitful lies of the enemy.
Lies that are intended to make the child of God feel alone, forgotten, and unworthy.
You have to move past the illusion that you are not …
Good enough, Talented enough, Smart enough, Accomplished enough
And the list goes on …
Just remember what God says in His Word …
He came to this dark world and became flesh.
“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us,
(and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,)
full of grace and truth.” - John 1:14 KJV
On that fateful day on a hill called Calvary He hung on a cross to prove His love.
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” - Romans 5:8 KJV
“He reached out His hand for me whispering my beloved I have redeemed thee.“
The Depth of God’s Love for You is Immeasurable.
Ephesians 3:18-19 KJV says: “May be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height — to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”
Now, Pause for just a moment!
Re-read that scripture and be reminded of His Love.
The great depth of His Love.
Be Still.
Silently listen.
In stillness, you’ll hear.
Jesus softly whispers.
You are Enough. You are Worthy. You are Loved. You are Cherished. You are Valued. You are Forgiven.. You are Redeemed.
When you know who you are in Christ Jesus you realize how essential that knowledge is to fulfilling your divine calling and purpose.
The more you understand who you are in Christ Jesus and who you were created to be, the more power you will have over the deceitful lies that try to keep you from fulfilling your divine purpose.
Whenever you start to feel unworthy you can be gratefully reminded of these beautiful truths.
The truth that you were created with great value.
The truth that you were created with a higher divine purpose and calling.
The truth that your worth comes from the heart of God himself and not from man.
The truth that you can be rest assured that wherever this journey called life may lead you God will never leave or forsake you.
The truth that God has faithfully promised that with Him you will never walk alone.
The truth that God is right beside you every step of the way.
The truth that God cares for you.
The truth that you can trust Him.
The truth that you were meant for so much more than the lies that keep telling you that you are not enough.
Know This!
The real truth is…
In God’s Eyes You Are More Than Enough!
It’s up to you to either continue believing the lies or to trust and believe on God and His promises, Word, and truth.
It’s your choice.
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works,
which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” - Ephesians 2:10
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. – Psalm 139:14
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage;
do not be afraid, nor be dismayed,
for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. – Joshua 1:9
… Image by Free-Photos from Sally Kate on Pinterest
She listened as the whispers from deep within escaped beneath the tranquil waters that flowed serenely downstream in reflection to life’s journey.
Transcending the limits of thought, content, but unaware of the presence of God, His light begins to pour in.
Effortlessly, He begins to awaken her reminiscences of all the untold stories beating within her fragile, but beautifully resilient, heart.
Once buried underneath: hurt, pain, and grief hidden, never allowing anyone to see her deepest darkest secrets, now were exposed.
Unrevealed memories begin to emerge, bringing into fruition living waters that cross over life’s stepping stones, boundlessly spring forth into the light.
And without hesitation the beauty of surrender begins to softly cover like a warm comforting blanket over her burdened and bruised heart as glimpses from her past begin to manifest.
She becomes consciously aware of His divine presence that fills her spirit with a peace that surpasses all understanding.
She begins to realize that amongst all the unwanted hurt, the suffering, a multitude of lived experiences, the joyful, and sorrowful have led her here.
To this place. To this moment. To a time such as this. Where God has brought her.
To show her. To teach her to trust in Him, and into the knowledge that the road she has traveled has brought discernment, enlightenment, and an awakening to truth – the truth of who she is.
His beloved daughter!
Deep within the hardened shell, now beginning to soften, the essence of her untold stories begins to unfold into poignant poetic expressions of something beautiful.
Alluring to persuade with words those lessons that she has learned, that so eloquently leave behind traces of wisdom, a certain essential strength, and faith in the One who sustains her.
Through her steadfast faith in God, and an outlet of expressive poetry, she is finally learning how to find grace-lined strength to overcome and to bring transformation into her daily life and living.
It is because of the beautiful whispers from God He has so graciously bestowed upon her heart that she desires to share with others a pearl of newfound wisdom and understanding.
In everything we experience, in everything that we hold within, those deep sacred longings of our souls holds a story that is just waiting to unfold into something beautiful.
As she listens to the whispers from God, mesmerized by the coolness of the water trickling alongside the riverbank, reflections of His love, grace, and mercy begins to illuminate.
It is here at water’s edge, where His translucent light began to shine through the cracks, that she found the blessings that flow from being a broken vessel and in becoming a channel of living waters.
With steadfast faith, it was here that she learned to embrace the whispers of God and her untold stories that beautifully unfolds into His pearls of grace.
Haunting pulls from strings that tie, bind, and knot.
Standing amidst the stigma, struggling to break free from the chains that imprison and intertwine.
Exhausted, the storm rages within. It cannot be silenced — Will this torment ever end?
All at once, you see it. Amongst the once concealing fog,
The Cross revealed. A message sent from God.
It is Jesus, Our Blessed Hope and our Shield.
The Savior, The One whose life-saving blood was poured out. at Calvary.
He who gives grace-lined strength reaches out His hand and softly whispers,
“Peace Be Still!”
A mighty wind rushes in — gentle waves of grace cover and cleanse.
Like grains of sand of a time replaced, the memory that once enslaved begins to fade
The storm ceases to exist. By His nail-scared hands Forgiveness engraved.
Redemption covered in in grace. The past now erased.
No longer bound by sin, the hearts silent plea embraced.
Once blinded and could not see, A new creation steps forth —
In Christ declared worthy; Amazing Grace, all fears are relieved.
Enfolded in sacrificial love, He comforts, restores, and forgives Thee.
A soul is set free.
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~ Relevant Verses for Meditation ~
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” - 2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” - John 15:13 KJV
“For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.” - Hebrews 8:12 KJV
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” - 1 John 1:9 KJV
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Through prayer, invite Jesus into your heart to become your personal Lord and Savior.
“For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” - Romans 10:10 KJV
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” - Romans 10:13 KJV
The other day there was a young lady that posted a prayer request in my Christian Women’s Group. She was struggling to move past something she had done in her past before she was saved. She was feeling very emotional and depressed about it, and was seeking advice on how to move past those feelings of condemnation.
Yes, Sometimes we allow the devil to bring up things from our past. Things that we did before we were saved.
If this sounds familiar to you… I want to remind you as I reminded this precious sister in Christ-that once you accepted Christ as your savior, all your past sins were washed out to the sea. Forgotten and never to be remembered again. You are a new creation in Christ. So, when you become a Christian – you are a new creation and you have a new identity.
2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
Your worth no longer lies in what you do, how you look, or what other people say you are. Your worth lies in Jesus Christ, what He has done, and who you are in HIM!
Those thoughts invading your mind are from the enemy and the pit of hell! Don’t allow the devil to torment you over those things that Jesus has already forgiven you for.
Jesus has cleansed and redeemed you. Declare and take authority over those condemning thoughts in Jesus’ name.
Jesus bled and died for you on the cross of Calvary so that you may have eternal life with Him in heaven. He is the one to turn to when life seems unbearable. He cares. He loves you. He proved His love by dying on the cross for you. Yes, YOU!!
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” - John 15:13 KJV
If you are struggling to forgive yourself for something that you did in your past, I want to assure you that Jesus no longer sees that sin. You are clean!
If you ask forgiveness, He is faithful to forgive.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” - 1 John 1:9 KJV
If you still cannot move past whatever it is that haunts you, then I urge you to seek the Lord. Seek Him with all your heart. With your arms stretched out wide say to Him, “Jesus, help me to forgive myself as You have forgiven me!”, “Help me to realize the price that you paid to redeem me on Calvary’s cross.”, “Help me to understand the greatness and significance of your sacrificial love.”
He will answer. He will give you the strength to overcome and bring victory over your thoughts, mind, heart, and life. He will comfort you and give you the peace you so desperately desire.
The enemy (Satan) is a slithery snake and ‘A LIAR’ and ‘The Father of Lies’, who comes to steal, kill and destroy. Jesus has come that we might have life and have it more abundantly. Amen!
John 10:10 tells us, “The thief comes not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”
John 8:44 also tells us, “You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” No one is immune to Satan’s devices. But we can claim victory over them in Jesus’ name. One of the ways he attempts to weaken the believers faith is by filling our minds with unwarranted thoughts and untruths.
When the enemy attempts to invade my mind with his deception and lies, I often take authority over them by telling the devil to, “Get Thee Behind Me Satan!’’ And I am not ashamed to say it FIRM, LOUD & PROUD! You can too. Take authority in the name of Jesus and the enemy will flee. Amen!
If this message is relevant to you in some way, I pray that you will find that overwhelming peace that surpasses all understanding. That which can only be found in the Christ Jesus and in Him alone.
I’m here to pray with anyone who may be struggling to overcome condemnation from things in your past. Leave a comment if you desire prayer and I will stand in agreement with you as we pray together.
In closing…
Remember, Jesus loves You.
Proven by His nail-scarred hands. Go and tell of it across the land. That Jesus is our blessed Savior; Sent down from the heavens above. He hung on a cross to prove His love.
Keep looking to the cross! It was there that your sins were forgiven.
There’s a beautiful flower That stands among the fields.
In stillness, hour after hour, Its fragrance so pleasantly yields.
A sweetsmelling savour it often reveals. Giving thanks, in prayer my mother kneels.
Like lovely pink petals of grace, God’s love illuminates my mother’s face.
This gentle flower so faithful and true. Mother, I am so grateful for you.
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~ Today’s Verse ~
“And walk in love (be constantly ordering your behavior within the sphere of love), as Christ also hath loved us (presents the Apostle passing from Father to the Son as our example), and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.(Christ fulfilled all the symbolic Blood Offerings of the Levitical system [Heb. 10:8]. He fulfilled those by becoming an Offering for sin on the Cross. The ”sweetsmelling Savor” describes the atoning Sacrifice as accepted by God.)” - Ephesians 5:2 KJV
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— 𝐿𝑜𝓋𝑒 𝐵𝓎, 𝒯𝒾𝓃𝒶 …🌷
Click here: Expositor Notes taken from -JSM Expositor’s Study Bible – KJV
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