Running

"Do  you know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it." 1 Corinthians 9:24

For a myriad of reasons you don't want to hear. . .I am out of shape.  I have never been a true runner but have discovered that it is very refreshing (almost cleansing).  Even as I wonder if I can take the next step while running, I feel that sense of cleansing.  It occurred to me today as I tied on my shoes for the Couch to 5k that I desperately want to complete that running is what we do with God. We either run to Him or we run from Him.

Before we accept Christ as our Savior this is easy to see.  I think some people are afraid of the unknown and some just simply don't want to change.  They run and run and run in the opposite direction.  Sometimes the sin is so deep that they even believe they no longer can accept Christ. This is simply not true.  He wants to know you no matter what you have done or what has happened to you.  Sometimes we just try to be good but still have no place for God.  We run to keep busy and fill our lives with other things.

But what about after we are saved.  I still think it applies.  We may spend time with Him and grasp every possible opportunity to know His presence. In this case, we are clearly running toward Him.  But just like an unbeliever, we can busy ourselves and fill our lives with all sorts of things (some good, some bad).  All of it helping us run from true abundance that is offered in a daily relationship with Christ.  I want to challenge you that no matter how busy you think you are. . . you do have time for Bible Study and for church.  Be creative if need be and be willing to cut some things out of your life.  Make time for what really counts.  When you are no longer in this world, what will you be known by? What will people say about you and your walk with Christ?

That cleansing feeling that running gives is nothing compared to the cleansing power of the Holy Spirit! He saved you to have a relationship with Him.  I hear running can be very addictive and, you know what, so can spending time with God.  He will absolutely spoil you for the ordinary!

Self Esteem's Lasting Effects. . .

Today my burden is heavy and I am not sure if I can even write this post. I especially don't know if I can post it.  Ever have one of those times that for a brief moment the Lord allows you to have a glimpse of more than your eyes can normally see? Well, that happened to me yesterday. God allowed me to see a picture of how my lack of self-esteem is effecting current relationships (especially my marriage).  I have known since I was an early teen that self-esteem was an issue. Actually, before that but that is when I had a name for it.  So many things happened or didn't happen that contributed.  Little by little my self-esteem became chipped away as I became molded into the woman that I am today.  Some things were done by others and some by myself in order to try make things better.

I started early on trying to find ways to fill the holes. They don't fill so easily.  I picture it as each self-esteem blow leaving a gaping hole in which I promptly filled with a new outfit or a new boyfriend, etc, etc.  But since the human body is flexible, grows, moves and changes nothing stuck. Each fell by the wayside.  In fact, I have discovered over time that only our Lord and Savior is able to fill in the holes and make me complete.

Now all that is well and good. Honestly, it is nothing new as I have known that for a long time.  As I am sure you know, often we know the answer without knowing how to get there.  But now I feel like God took my blinders off a bit. He allowed me to see how even today (or especially today) my lack of self-esteem is effecting every relationship that I own part of.  It was humbling to see.  It brought to light a truth. . . I need His healing in this area.  No matter how much growth there has been. No matter how much I have felt His presence.  There is still much more work to be done.  The Lord has been merciful enough to give me the opportunity to deal with this before it causes more hurt and destruction.  The next problem that began to overwhelm me is not having any idea how to fix it.  When that is the case then the Bible is the only place to turn.  He is a partial list of some verses I found.  I hope you will work through them with me. Please, I beg of you to let these Bible verses wash over you anew and speak to you.

Psalm 139:13-14 -"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well."
Praise God that I can be assured that He created me according to His will!
 

Song of Solomon 4:7- "You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you."

What sweet words of adoration the Lord speaks over each of us.
 

1 Samuel 16:7- "But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”  

This reminds me that whatever weakness or shortcoming I perceive is inconsequential for the Lord has a plan that exceeds human perception. He sees my heart and that should be my only concern. 
 

Genesis 1:27- "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them."

God created me in His image!

1 John 3:1- "See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him."

I am a child of the Most High God! As such, I cannot be valued by the world's standard for the world did not even know Jesus. They persecuted Him.
 

Jeremiah 29:11- "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."

I am on earth at this point in time because He has a plan just for me.  

Ephesians 2:10- "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." 

Again, I must continually look to Him for the work He has prepared for me.

Joshua 1:9- "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”  

When my weaknesses standout, this is my verse. He is always with me. I can stand on His courage and strength.
 

James 4:6- "But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Thank you Lord for grace. It is exponentially more than I deserve or could ask.  Please help me stay humble before you.
 

Psalm 145:18- "The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth." 

Thank you Father for never giving up on me but always being there when I call. How amazing that the God of the universe is ALWAYS there when I call. 
 

Psalm 46:10- “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”  

My favorite verse! I don't have to fix anything on my own. Just be still and remember who I serve. Daddy will take care of everything.

And finally, I ask in prayer that the Lord "God himself, the God of peace, sanctify me through and through. May my whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." 

I am sorry if this post was a bit of a ramble or not helpful, but it was very important for me to write.  Even at this point, I feel so much more free.I hope it has helped at least one other person.  When your husband or children say something hurtful, remember these verses.  Filter the words and action through these verses before responding. Allow those you love to only be responsible for the current issue and not every issue you have ever dealt with in your life.  After all, when I make a mistake regarding my husband I certainly hope I won't be blamed at that point for every hurt he has ever experienced. It is a price which I could never pay in full.  So how can I ask those around me to pay in full (for every loss of self-esteem) when they blunder.  It is not fair to them or our relationship and it is an impossible price for them to pay.

I fully understand that this is a battle fought on my knees and the enemy will hate the victory. So be sure if you are fighting this battle also that you put on the Armour of God.  We will need it. But and this is big but. . . God is the victor! The end has already been written!!! All we need do is go before Him with humility allowing Him to show us each step. Praise God for His Living Breathing Word!

Forgiving, Forgiving and Forgiving

When I write these post, often times I write because I need the lesson myself. Writing causes me to reflect on what I know to be true and then compare it with what God says about it.  It seems that I have a hard time learning many of the important lessons necessary as a part of sanctification.

One such lesson is forgiveness. For the most part, I can handle forgiving someone. Problem is that it doesn't stop there.  I have found that often times we must forgive time and time again.  Not because we haven't forgiven that initial mistake or hurt that was caused us but because that person (being human) often repeats the same or similar hurt. Being human myself, it is hard to understand why you would do that when you know it hurts someone you love.  Oh, if only it were that simple.  I am no physiologist so I must just declare that there are some things I will not understand this side of heaven. Plus I am sure that same person who hurt me, I often hurt as well.

What I have learned it that I must forgive! Again and again and again if necessary.  Otherwise the pain of dealing with the hurt caused will rip me apart.  I think this is why there are so many verses in the Bible on forgiveness and why God felt it so important for us to do. He knew how much lack of forgiveness could destroy us (most importantly) our relationship with Him.

Probably a most known verse is,  "Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven."Matthew 18:21-22  These verse tells us that our forgiveness should be limitless. WOW! I love when God's Word washes over me anew.  So everyday, as many times a day as necessary, I must forgive.  Now I know (and I am speaking this to myself) that we don't always want to forgive and it is easy to think that the forgiveness is solely for the person we are forgiving. Not true.  In Matthew 6:14-15 scripture says, "For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."

I have also noted that living with an unforgiving heart causes other sins.  How about anger, bitterness, hate and the list goes on. Still it boils down to how difficult it is to forgive.  Fortunately, our Savior was gracious enough to even provide for that.  He says, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light" Matthew 11:28-30.

Our rest must be found in Him! He is the only way that we can forgive, forgive, forgive, forgive. . . . Isn't it fitting that the one that provided forgiveness for our sins also teaches us to forgive.  Hope this speaks to you as it has me. Blessings to you.

 

A Treasured Jewel

Bath time has become princess time at our home. Our 7 year old gets in the tub and get her hair all wet and ready. She then calls me to come and make her tiara. It is simply a circle of the sparkling shampoo upon her head. She is not a prissy girl
but longs to have that special feeling. That same feeling may come from a hug, a kiss, or telling her how amazing she is to us. As I watch her grow, I think she is just like her mom, her brothers and even her dad. We all want to feel special. . . treasured.

I think that making each other feel treasured is something that has gotten lost in the busyness and even the selfishness of life. Sometimes we don't take time and sometimes we don't even know how. This might be because we didn't feel treasured growing up or we just forgot.
I have noticed that when you open you eyes to really see people it is clear that "feeling treasured" makes so much difference in everything about a person. When they feel treasured, they love freely, laugh easier, serve with gladness and are plain old just more fun to be around. On the contrast, not feeling treasured tends to isolate a person even more. They feel alone and hurt. Extending the smile would be like giving $100 when they have only $10. Striking up conversation may cost even more. Simply put you cannot give what you do not have to give.

I believe that this is one of the reason why so many are depressed and, furthermore, so many marriages have failed. Have you ever heard someone say that they are surrounded by people but so lonely. I would guess that that person does not feel treasured by those around them. They exist together and interact when they must. This is such a serious matter. It hurts the people we love, hurts ourselves and worst of all hurts relationships with Christ. For how much harder is it for a person to understand God's love when they don't feel loved bu those that are suppose to love them. Here are some verses to hopefully lift you and encourage you:

"…you can't manage, God says: I will supply all your needs" (Phil. 4:19)
"…afraid, God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear" (II Tim. 1:7)
"…worried and frustrated, God says: Cast all your cares on ME" (I Pet. 5:7)
"…too tired to go on, God says: I will give you rest" (Matt. 11:28-30)
"…you're not smart enough, God says: I give you wisdom" (I Cor.1:30)
"…alone, God says: I will never leave you or forsake you" (Heb.13:5)
"…you can't forgive yourself, God says: I FORGIVE YOU" (I Jn. 1:9; Rom. 8:1)

What is your worth in the Father's eyes?

"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." Matthew 10:20-31

Remember that God is the "King of Kings" (1 Timothy 6:15)  Since you are His child that makes you the Princess! You are indeed treasured! The Father says "It is my desire to lavish My love on You" 1 John 3:1
He is waiting to lavish us with His amazing love. A love that has the power to change us instantly from within. All He requires that we spend time at the foot of His throne talking to Him and worshiping Him. Then the joy can overflow.

So next time my daughter ask for her tiara, I will remember that I am helping learn how to accept the love of the Father!