Tag Archives: believer

God’s Positive Answers

For all the negative things we have to say to ourselves, God has a positive answer for it.

We say-It’s impossible

God says-All things are possible (Luke 18:27)

We say-I’m too tired

God says-I will give you rest (Matthew 11:18-20)

We say-Nobody really loves me

God says-I love you (John 3:16)

We say-I can’t go on

God says-My grace is sufficient(2 Corinthians 12:9, Psalm 91:15)

We say-I can’t figure this out

God says-I will direct your steps(Proverbs 3:5-6)

We say-I can’t do it!

God says-You can do all things (Phillippians 4:13)

We say-I’m not able

God says-I am able (2Corinthians 9:8)

We say-It’s not worth it

God says-It will be worth it (Romans 8:28)

We say-I can’t forgive myself

God says-I forgive you (1 John 1:9, Romans 8:1)

We say-I can’t manage

God says-I will supply all your needs (Phillippians 4:19)

We say-I’m afraid

God says-I’ve not given you a spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7)

We say-I’m always worried and frustrated

God says-Cast all your cares on me (1 Peter 5:7)

We say-I don’t have enough faith

God says-I’ve given everyone a measure of faith (Romans 12:3)

We say-I’m not smart enough

God says-I give you wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:30)

We say- I feel so alone

God says-I will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5)

I was dreaming?

I saw my hand and a rope.  I was trying to hold onto the rope, but my hand was at the end.  I could see the rope separating and starting to fray.  I was slipping, and the rope was giving away.  Then another hand envelops mine.  A worn and calloused hand.  A tanned and tattered hand.  A nail scarred hand.  It came from nowhere and covered my hand with a mighty strength, so powerful I could feel it.  Feel the flesh on mine.  And I knew it was going to be OK.  When I can no longer hold on, He, Jesus, is here to help me.  He will carry the load, and let me hang freely while He nourishes my soul with His peace and love.  He will carry me until I regain the strength to hold on and fight for myself again.  Because He loves me so much.  Thank You Lord, for answering my prayers.  Thank You for showing me this, and sending me this security.  I will follow You.  I will praise You in the storm, because You are worth it.  Thank You for grabbing my hand, and teaching me. 

GRACE

My pastor has a great definition for grace– God’s Riches at Christ’s Expense.  Dictionary.com has 20 listed definitions for grace.  A few of the first seven are, elegance or beauty of form, favor or good will, mercy, clemency, or pardon.  Number eight begins with Theology, and contains the freely given, unmerited favor and love of God, the influence or spirit of God operating in humans to regenerate or strengthen them, a virtue of excellence or divine origin, or the state of grace is the condition of being in God’s favor, or one of the elect.  I like the unmerited favor and love of God, because it reminds me that I do not deserve it, but He gives it because He loves me, even when I don’t deserve it.  That’s unconditional love, and we don’t often see that in our lives. 

That all leads up to a story about perfume.  A few weeks ago when Brooke and I were shopping, we came across inner grace.  I loved the name of it, so picked it up to try it.  It smells beautiful as well.  On the packaging it has philosophy, and I’m not sure if that is part of the name, but we found it in JCPenney, in the Sephora section.  I keep meaning to check it out online, and haven’t yet.  Anyway…  the perfume box says” philosophy:  to know peace is to know God.  within the context of peace we can know joy, love, and happiness.  in the absence of peace, we own nothing but the turmoil of our minds that jump from one thought to the next.  to find peace you must shut off your mind and open your heart to the only thing that matters; the gift of the present moment, it is peace personified.”  The body spray says “philosophy: top achieve inner grace you must practice acceptance.  surrender to a power that is greater and more loving than your own.  inner grace is eternal.  inner grace is immortal.  inner grace has no beginning and no end.”  Finally, the lotion says “philosophy:  God is love.  God is peace.  God is trust.  God is joy.  God is family.  God is friendship.  God is fearless.  God is breath.  God is life.  God is wisdom.  God is eternal.  God speaks in whispers.”  It gives me something to ponder every morning, and strive for each moment. 

FYI on FBI

I have a late night confession for you.  I have seen people wearing shirts with FBI emblazoned on the back and wondered what it meant.  I knew it was not the Federal Bureau of Investigations, but couldn’t quite figure it out until this weekend.  I was shopping at our local christian book store and spotted a card with FBI on the front.  It stands for Firm Believer In Christ.  I’ll share with you what the card says, because I love it so much.  This is on the off chance that one of you out there is as slow as I am in picking up on some of these things! 

The decision has been made, the die has been cast, and I have stepped over the line.  As a disciple of Christ, I will no longer look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.  My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure.  I’m finished with low living, sight walking, worldly talking, cheap giving, and tamed visions.  I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, power or popularity.  I don’t have to be right, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded.  I now live by faith, walk in VICTORY, and labor in love.  The road before me is narrow and rough, but His commission is undeniable, thus my mission is clear.  I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded, or delayed.  I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.  I won’t give up, shut up, let up, until I have prayed up, praised up, paid up, and spoke up for my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  I am a Christian, an Unashamed Firm Believer In Christ! 

Wow!  Let’s all go out with that attitude tomorrow!