"It so happened that after Pharaoh released the people, God didn't lead them by the road through the land of the Philistines, which was the shortest route, for God thought, 'If the people encounter war, they'll change their minds and go back to Egypt.'" (Exodus 13:17, MSG)
God is so kind. I mean really, He is ALWAYS looking out for His children and trying to do best for them. But how often do we want to go the shortest route? We are constantly telling God, "Look, I know you know best and all BUT it would seem to me that it would really make the most sense to do it this way." AS IF He needs our finite knowledge to make the best decision. His goal is to get us OUT of slavery and INTO the promised land that He has for us. We need to embrace the journey because it is in the small things along the way that we are molded and shaped into vessels for Him. Day after day I am guilty of second guessing the goodness of God (aren't we so glad that He never grows tired of us or of giving us another chance?). Just yesterday I had to realign myself with the goodness of God to remember that His ways are perfect, and honestly, I have to everyday. It's not a one time ordeal. I want to live from heaven to earth, but the fact of the matter is that I'm surrounded by earth and I have to CHOOSE to align myself with Christ and His purposes for the earth. So here's to this rainy morning, remembering that His ways are perfect, His nature is good, and His kindness is incomprehensible.
Showing posts with label God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label God. Show all posts
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Grasshopper Identity
"We saw the Nephilim [giants], and we seemed to ourselves like grasshoppers..." Numbers 13:33
This verse hit me afresh tonight. It comes from the passage that tells of the twelve spies going to scout out the land of Canaan. Upon returning, Caleb and Joshua encouraged the people of Israel saying, "Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it.” (Numbers 13:30) Caleb and Joshua knew the nature of God. They believed His promises. They didn't get caught up comparing their insufficiencies and inadequacies against the things they saw. They knew what the Lord had said, and they believed it. Later they urged Israel saying, “The land, which we passed through to spy it out, is an exceedingly good land. If the Lord delights in us, he will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land that flows with milk and honey. Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Their protection is removed from them, and the LORD is with us; do not fear them.” (Numbers 14:7-9)
Why is it that we are willing to settle so quickly? Why don't we hold out for what He's promised? Graham Cooke wrote, "When we fail to respond to the overtures of God, we remain the product of all our yesterdays." The overtures of God... I LOVE THAT. An overture, by definition, is an introduction to something more substantial. God longs to introduce us to something more substantial, something greater. Why do we turn back to slavery instead, just as the Israelites did? We must stand firm until the breakthrough comes. There is no turning back. We must see ourselves through the identity that was put on us by Christ's death, the identity substantiated through the Holy Spirit living inside of us. THE LORD DOES NOT SEE US AS GRASSHOPPERS SO NEITHER SHOULD WE. He sees us as His beloved children whom He fights for. We are His instruments of battle. We are not what our past says about us. We are what Christ says about us. The old is gone and the new has come. So put on your helmet of salvation and pick up your shield of faith. The Lion of Judah is walking beside you, and He says that you were made for this. It's time to yet again receive the promise of God and remember who He is. With Him, we can stand up against the enemy and receive the territory that God has for us.
Does your self-esteem match up with the Holy Spirit's confidence? Don't convince yourself that you're a grasshopper. Stand up. He believes in you.
This verse hit me afresh tonight. It comes from the passage that tells of the twelve spies going to scout out the land of Canaan. Upon returning, Caleb and Joshua encouraged the people of Israel saying, "Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it.” (Numbers 13:30) Caleb and Joshua knew the nature of God. They believed His promises. They didn't get caught up comparing their insufficiencies and inadequacies against the things they saw. They knew what the Lord had said, and they believed it. Later they urged Israel saying, “The land, which we passed through to spy it out, is an exceedingly good land. If the Lord delights in us, he will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land that flows with milk and honey. Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Their protection is removed from them, and the LORD is with us; do not fear them.” (Numbers 14:7-9)
Why is it that we are willing to settle so quickly? Why don't we hold out for what He's promised? Graham Cooke wrote, "When we fail to respond to the overtures of God, we remain the product of all our yesterdays." The overtures of God... I LOVE THAT. An overture, by definition, is an introduction to something more substantial. God longs to introduce us to something more substantial, something greater. Why do we turn back to slavery instead, just as the Israelites did? We must stand firm until the breakthrough comes. There is no turning back. We must see ourselves through the identity that was put on us by Christ's death, the identity substantiated through the Holy Spirit living inside of us. THE LORD DOES NOT SEE US AS GRASSHOPPERS SO NEITHER SHOULD WE. He sees us as His beloved children whom He fights for. We are His instruments of battle. We are not what our past says about us. We are what Christ says about us. The old is gone and the new has come. So put on your helmet of salvation and pick up your shield of faith. The Lion of Judah is walking beside you, and He says that you were made for this. It's time to yet again receive the promise of God and remember who He is. With Him, we can stand up against the enemy and receive the territory that God has for us.
Does your self-esteem match up with the Holy Spirit's confidence? Don't convince yourself that you're a grasshopper. Stand up. He believes in you.
Monday, February 6, 2012
11:11
God and I have this thing going on. See, it seems that I look at the clock pretty much every time it reads "11:11." Whether it's in the morning or at night when I'm getting ready for bed, I seem to always see when those numbers pop up. I decided to ask God what He was wanting to tell me, and He told me that He wants me to be thankful for the here and now. As a college student it's so easy to always be looking towards the future-- "What will I do once I graduate?" "Am I going to go on any adventures?" "When will I meet the person I'm going to marry?" etc. etc. On top of that, God has said that 2012 is going to be a year of promise. I feel like I'm on the edge of something new with Him, and I'm so ready to jump into whatever it is. It's so easy for me to constantly be jumping ahead and wondering what's next. I firmly believe that the best is always yet to come and God's plans are always good so that gets me excited. BUT God wants to remind me, that He has something for me NOW. Right now. Right here. He has me in this place for such a time as this, and He doesn't want me to miss it. So for now, I'm letting 11:11 be my reminder to be all here now and to look for what He is doing around me.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Chosen
"You're Jacob, my first choice,
descendants of my good friend Abraham.
I pulled you in from all over the world,
called you in from every dark corner of the earth,
Telling you, 'You're my servant, serving on my side.
I've picked you. I haven't dropped you.'
Don't panic. I'm with you...
Do you feel like a lowly worm, Jacob?
Don't be afraid.
Feel like a fragile insect, Israel?
I'll help you.
I, God, want to reassure you.
The God who buys you back, The Holy of Israel.
I'm transforming you from worm to harrow,
from insect to iron.
As a sharp-toothed harrow you'll smooth out the mountains,
turn those tough old hills into loamy soil.
You'll open the rough ground to the weather,
to the blasts of sun and wind and rain.
But you'll be confident and exuberant,
expansive in The Holy of Israel!"
{Excerpts from Isaiah 41 in the Message}
Isn't it beautiful to know we are chosen??
descendants of my good friend Abraham.
I pulled you in from all over the world,
called you in from every dark corner of the earth,
Telling you, 'You're my servant, serving on my side.
I've picked you. I haven't dropped you.'
Don't panic. I'm with you...
Do you feel like a lowly worm, Jacob?
Don't be afraid.
Feel like a fragile insect, Israel?
I'll help you.
I, God, want to reassure you.
The God who buys you back, The Holy of Israel.
I'm transforming you from worm to harrow,
from insect to iron.
As a sharp-toothed harrow you'll smooth out the mountains,
turn those tough old hills into loamy soil.
You'll open the rough ground to the weather,
to the blasts of sun and wind and rain.
But you'll be confident and exuberant,
expansive in The Holy of Israel!"
{Excerpts from Isaiah 41 in the Message}
Isn't it beautiful to know we are chosen??
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Order From Chaos
Just read this in a book for school and was reminded on the consistency of God. He's so good!
-The Letters of Paul: Conversations in Context (Calvin J. Roetzel)
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Abundance
God reminded and revealed the most beautiful thing to me last night as I was falling asleep! When Christ died He took all our punishment. He bore it all!! That means that God never punishes our sin. Sometimes our sins punish us, but in Him there is only freedom! That means that God doesn't take away things or hurt us because of our sins. He just doesn't!! Everything that is taken away from us is not punishment! When good things are taken away, they are stolen by the enemy. He has come to kill, steal, and destroy, but Christ has come that we might have life and have it abundantly (John 10:10). God never desires to hurt us. However, just as a loving Daddy will take away something that will hurt us, our Abba is watching out for us diligently. His desire is never to make us miserable. He hates to see us hurt. That is not His heart's desire, but He sees the big picture and desires to take us to the most abundant place possible. Sometimes we kick and scream. And consequently, sometimes He leaves us to what we think is best for us. After all, He never desired for us to be robots. He gives us free will. Just as Moses made decisions that kept him from ever reaching the promised land, we can choose to not move forward into the destiny God has for us. But... if God has the best for us, why would we not want that?? Why would I not want to follow Him to deeper and better places? He has promised abundant life. He has promised to restore the years the locust stole (Joel 2:25). When we seek Him, He doubles the portion that the enemy stole (Job 42:10). But wait-- He doesn't promise it will be easy. It's often in the valley that He speaks to us (Ezekiel 3:22), but He promises to walk through that valley with us (Psalm 23:4). He calls us His. He calls us precious and honored, promising to never leave us in our trials (Isaiah 43). The way is narrow. It's not always easy, but it's good. Because He is all good and desires to lead His children to abundance. Praise Him!
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Jesus Let Me See Your Eyes
Friday, April 1, 2011
Makenzi the Bold
Last spring, I hit a turning point in my life. It happened one night after a school event. Insecure and hating to mingle, I quickly dashed back up to my dorm. I knew I was probably missing out by having not stayed around, but I said, "Oh, I'm just shy." I'm just shy. The words I had used as a crutch my entire life. Suddenly, I was fed up with it. I had heard my pastor and a leader within the College saying that we weren't meant to be shy. Sure, some of us are more outgoing or introverted than others. We all have a personality, but God never meant for us to be SHY. If you think about it, that excuse never worked for anyone in the Bible. It was always, "But I'll be with you." So, on that night I decided I was no longer Makenzi the Shy. I was Makenzi the Bold. Since that day I've been declaring that over myself, and it has worked wonders. I am much more confident in group situations than I ever was before. God made me to be His bold daughter. I am meant to boldly proclaim the work of the Lord. I'm also called to community and to a life of joy!! Today, I read something that put this idea into powerful words. I thought I'd share = )
"Our relationship with God is always extrovert. No matter our personality type, we are called at some point to shout, sing aloud, rejoice, dance, and declare enthusiastically who He is for us.... Joy has no introversion. It is exuberant, ardent, earnest, excited, fervent, hearty, lively, wholehearted, and zealous. It is passionate, vehement, and fanatical in it's appreciation, value and impression of God... The point is, we must develop our relationship with God across the extremes of personality. Initially its tough, eventually it's fun. The Father did not make me to be an introvert only. He made me to be an introvert with joyful, passionate, exuberant intimacy."
-Graham Cooke
"Qualities of a Spiritual Warrior
So if you're ever tempted to draw back in insecurity. Or if you think God made you to be shy. NO MORE! Start declaring that you are his bold son or daughter!!!
"Our relationship with God is always extrovert. No matter our personality type, we are called at some point to shout, sing aloud, rejoice, dance, and declare enthusiastically who He is for us.... Joy has no introversion. It is exuberant, ardent, earnest, excited, fervent, hearty, lively, wholehearted, and zealous. It is passionate, vehement, and fanatical in it's appreciation, value and impression of God... The point is, we must develop our relationship with God across the extremes of personality. Initially its tough, eventually it's fun. The Father did not make me to be an introvert only. He made me to be an introvert with joyful, passionate, exuberant intimacy."
-Graham Cooke
"Qualities of a Spiritual Warrior
So if you're ever tempted to draw back in insecurity. Or if you think God made you to be shy. NO MORE! Start declaring that you are his bold son or daughter!!!
Monday, March 28, 2011
Journal Entry
Sorry it's been SO long since I've blogged. This semester has been absolutely crazy as I've added a job to my schedule and have been working around 30 hours a week along with being a full time student and church stuff. Sheesh! But I am loving every minute of it and God is continuing to reveal Himself in new and exciting ways. While I hope to actually blog soon, here is a journal entry from my trip home from San Diego (I went there with my church over Spring Break- another post, another time). Enjoy!
Oh how sweet it is to know God has a marvelous plan. How comforting it is to know He has it all under control. Driving through the deserts of Arizona is an experience unlike any other. There are mountains in the distance but they're shrouded in fog. The sand and bushes stretch on in a seemingly endless fashion. I have a peace that is afraid of no deserts or valleys. The Lion of Judah walks beside me. He chuckles in my ear over the lies of the enemy. He says, "You hear that?" as He smiles at the absurdity of the enemy's puny roars. He is good. Life is good by His side-- my most faithful and kind friend.
His goodness is unending. It never ceases.
Blessings friends!
Makenzi
Oh how sweet it is to know God has a marvelous plan. How comforting it is to know He has it all under control. Driving through the deserts of Arizona is an experience unlike any other. There are mountains in the distance but they're shrouded in fog. The sand and bushes stretch on in a seemingly endless fashion. I have a peace that is afraid of no deserts or valleys. The Lion of Judah walks beside me. He chuckles in my ear over the lies of the enemy. He says, "You hear that?" as He smiles at the absurdity of the enemy's puny roars. He is good. Life is good by His side-- my most faithful and kind friend.
His goodness is unending. It never ceases.
Blessings friends!
Makenzi
Friday, January 21, 2011
The Nature of God
Okay guys... I just want to share a lovely prophetic word from a man named Graham Cooke. This guy is a true prophet. He speaks the heart of God and many of his sermons, etc have been super instrumental in my life. Recently I was introduced to "The Nature of God." I have listened to it so many times that I couldn't begin to give you a count. I really can't help but share it. It's incredible. So I'm going to attach videos of it. It's 20 min long which I know is kind of long, so when you get a chance, kick back, close your eyes, listen, and let God speak to you. Man it's good...
Falling Into Deeper Waters
Faith. If there is one word to describe this season of life it's faith. It's a time of uncertainty. I haven't the slightest idea what my future is going to look like. All I can do is have faith. God is good. And He gives good gifts. This is a time of character building, trials, molding, and oh so much growth. It can be scary, but it's so so good... So here I am in this season, and I'm taking the plunge. I'm going into deeper waters calling out to Him. He has said that the flood waters will not overwhelm me (Isaiah 43) so I choose to go deeper and deeper. I want to get more lost in Him.
The attached video is the best I could find of a song we've been singing at church lately. I love the lines "We're falling into deeper waters calling out to You" and "I've got a river of living water; a fountain that never will run dry." I'm choosing to take the plunge.
The attached video is the best I could find of a song we've been singing at church lately. I love the lines "We're falling into deeper waters calling out to You" and "I've got a river of living water; a fountain that never will run dry." I'm choosing to take the plunge.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
"W" Looking Pants
Tonight my family an I watched home videos. Last Christmas we had all of our videos put onto DVDs and I love watching them together. But tonight one of the scenes gave me something to think about... It opened to a 3 year old me crying and Mom talking to me. After listening for a moment you realize that I'm upset because in a picture I drew, the pants looked like a "W" so I got angry and "teared it up.". Both Mom and Dad are trying to make me feel better, reasoning with me that I draw very well for a 3 year old etc etc. However, you can tell they're trying not to laugh. Finally I just curled up in Mom's lap and wanted to be held.
I couldn't help but think about how God must see us and our problems. We act like the world is coming to an end, and may even feel that way. He isn't condescending or rude. He doesn't tell us to shut up because our problems are no big deal. Rather, seeing that we're making a fuss out of something that is going to turn out okay in the end, He reasons with us, speaks identity over us, asks us to go try again, and finally welcomes us when we go to be held. He knows it's going to be alright. He sees the big picture. He has a plan. He isn't stressing out about what to do or how he's going to fix our big mistake. All He does is listen and love. Man, that's a beautiful picture. I had to share. Hopefully it touched you like it did me. So if you ever feel like everything is going wrong, remember the "W pants" and run to Abba. He'll take care of it...
I couldn't help but think about how God must see us and our problems. We act like the world is coming to an end, and may even feel that way. He isn't condescending or rude. He doesn't tell us to shut up because our problems are no big deal. Rather, seeing that we're making a fuss out of something that is going to turn out okay in the end, He reasons with us, speaks identity over us, asks us to go try again, and finally welcomes us when we go to be held. He knows it's going to be alright. He sees the big picture. He has a plan. He isn't stressing out about what to do or how he's going to fix our big mistake. All He does is listen and love. Man, that's a beautiful picture. I had to share. Hopefully it touched you like it did me. So if you ever feel like everything is going wrong, remember the "W pants" and run to Abba. He'll take care of it...
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
2010 In Review
Abba,
Thank you for carrying me through this past year. Thank you for ending my year with laughter. Thank you for the relationships you blessed me with, the vision you've given me, the joy you've poured on me, the love you've lavished upon me, the opportunities you've allowed me to have...
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."
Romans 8:28
"As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today."
Genesis 50:20
"The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance."
Psalm 16:6
"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. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you..."
Jeremiah 29:11-14
Thank you for taking what the enemy meant for evil and making it good... Oh so good. Thank you for giving me hope. Thank you for taking care of my past, present, and future. You are a good God. Worthy of praise much better than I shall ever be able to give. Above all, thank you for continuing with me into this next year.
I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE WHAT YOU HAVE IN STORE FOR ME THIS YEAR.
Your daughter,
Your beloved,
Your lioness,
Makenzi
Thank you for carrying me through this past year. Thank you for ending my year with laughter. Thank you for the relationships you blessed me with, the vision you've given me, the joy you've poured on me, the love you've lavished upon me, the opportunities you've allowed me to have...
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."
Romans 8:28
"As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today."
Genesis 50:20
"The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance."
Psalm 16:6
"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. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you..."
Jeremiah 29:11-14
Thank you for taking what the enemy meant for evil and making it good... Oh so good. Thank you for giving me hope. Thank you for taking care of my past, present, and future. You are a good God. Worthy of praise much better than I shall ever be able to give. Above all, thank you for continuing with me into this next year.
I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE WHAT YOU HAVE IN STORE FOR ME THIS YEAR.
Your daughter,
Your beloved,
Your lioness,
Makenzi
Friday, December 31, 2010
Set Apart
-The Prophetic Church
by Kjell Skoberg
The Root of Self-Hatred
If you don't already know, I'm at One Thing in Kansas City, Missouri right now. Last night a man named Allen Hood BROUGHT IT and I HAVE to share! He approached the root of self-hatred as I've never heard it approached. Let's see if I can sum this up...
"I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel." Genesis 3:15
When man fell, God made it known that He was sending His son through a woman- through a human body. Out of a human body would come the incarnate God to CRUSH the great rebellion of Satan. Because of this, Satan HATES the human body. He hates it!! So what does he do? He defiles it with sickness, with hunger, with perversion. He loves to see us sin against our body with a poor body image, sexual immorality, self-destruction. He wants to see you hate your body like he does. And these lies have infiltrated our culture. Bathrooms have become false places of worship where Satan feeds us lies then steals our dignity. We need to stop spending so much time in front of the mirror and realize that we are letting a demon of fear speak to us about our identity and especially about our future spouse. We need to tear down alters and demonic powers from lies of the enemy. We need to renounce self-hatred in the name of Jesus and receive the blood of Jesus. It's time for us to bless our bodies. It's time to redeem our bathrooms by speaking His truth, His word and His praises that it might become a place of worship rather than of temptation. It's time to stop wearing rags and start wearing the robes of royalty!!
"The king will desire your beauty... All glorious is the princess in her chamber with robes interwoven with gold. In many colored robes she is led to the king... With joy and flatness they are led along as they enter the palace of the king." Psalm 45:11,13-15
"I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel." Genesis 3:15
When man fell, God made it known that He was sending His son through a woman- through a human body. Out of a human body would come the incarnate God to CRUSH the great rebellion of Satan. Because of this, Satan HATES the human body. He hates it!! So what does he do? He defiles it with sickness, with hunger, with perversion. He loves to see us sin against our body with a poor body image, sexual immorality, self-destruction. He wants to see you hate your body like he does. And these lies have infiltrated our culture. Bathrooms have become false places of worship where Satan feeds us lies then steals our dignity. We need to stop spending so much time in front of the mirror and realize that we are letting a demon of fear speak to us about our identity and especially about our future spouse. We need to tear down alters and demonic powers from lies of the enemy. We need to renounce self-hatred in the name of Jesus and receive the blood of Jesus. It's time for us to bless our bodies. It's time to redeem our bathrooms by speaking His truth, His word and His praises that it might become a place of worship rather than of temptation. It's time to stop wearing rags and start wearing the robes of royalty!!
"The king will desire your beauty... All glorious is the princess in her chamber with robes interwoven with gold. In many colored robes she is led to the king... With joy and flatness they are led along as they enter the palace of the king." Psalm 45:11,13-15
Thursday, December 30, 2010
False Identity vs True Identity
So God led me to Daniel today and right off the back something rocked my world. I wanted to share...
"Among these were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah of the tribe of Judah. And the chief of the eunuchs gave them names: Daniel he called Belteshazzar, Hananiah he called Shadrach, Mishael he called Meshach, and Azariah he called Abednego." Daniel 1:6-7
So here's the fascinating thing about this. As I read that I began wondering what the Hebrew names and the new names meant. Gods been teaching me a lot about names lately (try asking God what He is calling you right now then look up the meaning of the name. It's fuuunn). So anyway I looked up the meanings and...
i. The name Daniel (meaning God is my judge) was changed to Belteshazzar (meaning Bel’s prince).
ii. The name Hannaniah (meaning Beloved by the LORD) was changed to Shadrach (meaning Illumined by Sun-god).
iii. The name Mishael (meaning Who is as God) was changed to Meshach (meaning Who is like Venus).
iv. The name Azariah (meaning The LORD is my help) was changed to Abed-Nego (meaning Servant of Nego).
Here's what I found fascinating. SATAN LOVES YOU SPEAK AN IDENTITY OVER YOU THAT IS THE EXACT OPPOSITE OF WHAT GOD HAS. If God calls you a prophet, Satan loves to curse your dreams and make you desire to be dreamless. When God calls you Beloved, Satan says "No, you need someone else to make you happy- to illuminate you." It's time to reject the false identities Satan is speaking over the children of God. It's time to live in the light!!
"Among these were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah of the tribe of Judah. And the chief of the eunuchs gave them names: Daniel he called Belteshazzar, Hananiah he called Shadrach, Mishael he called Meshach, and Azariah he called Abednego." Daniel 1:6-7
So here's the fascinating thing about this. As I read that I began wondering what the Hebrew names and the new names meant. Gods been teaching me a lot about names lately (try asking God what He is calling you right now then look up the meaning of the name. It's fuuunn). So anyway I looked up the meanings and...
i. The name Daniel (meaning God is my judge) was changed to Belteshazzar (meaning Bel’s prince).
ii. The name Hannaniah (meaning Beloved by the LORD) was changed to Shadrach (meaning Illumined by Sun-god).
iii. The name Mishael (meaning Who is as God) was changed to Meshach (meaning Who is like Venus).
iv. The name Azariah (meaning The LORD is my help) was changed to Abed-Nego (meaning Servant of Nego).
Here's what I found fascinating. SATAN LOVES YOU SPEAK AN IDENTITY OVER YOU THAT IS THE EXACT OPPOSITE OF WHAT GOD HAS. If God calls you a prophet, Satan loves to curse your dreams and make you desire to be dreamless. When God calls you Beloved, Satan says "No, you need someone else to make you happy- to illuminate you." It's time to reject the false identities Satan is speaking over the children of God. It's time to live in the light!!
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Laminin
"And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together." Colossians 1:17
When I first went to see a doctor about my depression, they told me I needed to go buy this video at Mardels and watch it. It changed my life. [Sidenote: I have been SO BLESSED with Christian doctors throughout this stage of my life. WOW.] I think about this video a lot, but today my pastor showed it as part of our series on Colossians. Please watch it and be encouraged. It's INCREDIBLE!!!
When I first went to see a doctor about my depression, they told me I needed to go buy this video at Mardels and watch it. It changed my life. [Sidenote: I have been SO BLESSED with Christian doctors throughout this stage of my life. WOW.] I think about this video a lot, but today my pastor showed it as part of our series on Colossians. Please watch it and be encouraged. It's INCREDIBLE!!!
The Body of Christ
The body of Christ is beautiful. One of my favorite Bible stories has always been that of Moses having his weary arms held up by his friends Aaron and Hur. What a picture of community! When we get too weary to press on by ourselves, the body is there to help us keep going. I love it. Today at church we got together and held each other's arms up and prayed over each other. Absolutely beautiful. I felt the Spirit sweeping through the auditorium. Abba, thank you for the body of Christ...
Friday, November 26, 2010
Praise Him
I had a beautiful Thanksgiving yesterday. I wanted to take a moment to list many things I'm thankful for- not just today but eternally. Praise be to Him...
1. I'm thankful for the love of God that goes on and on, overwhelming my soul
2. I'm thankful for family that wants to see me find life abundantly
3. I'm thankful for roommates who are always willing to let me vent, hold me while I cry, pray together before bed, and dance- whether its to Kanye or a worship song
4. I'm thankful for old friends whose friendship only grows deeper as the years go on.
5. I'm thankful for new friends who make my life more exciting, teach me new things and bless me daily
6. I'm thankful for my lifegroup that always supports and loves me
7. I'm thankful for my pastor and the other leadership of Antioch
8. I'm thankful for the Robinsons and the time I get to spend with them every Monday
9. I'm thankful for children
10. I'm thankful for the times when I've wanted to give up
11. I'm thankful for hopeless nights
12. I'm thankful for those nights when God met me in my brokenness and spoke hope over me
13. I'm thankful for Ashley who disciples me
14. I'm thankful for Rachel for helping lead me to freedom in Christ
15. I'm thankful for ballet
16. I'm thankful for the work of the Spirit in Norman, at OU, and all around the world
17. I'm thankful for robins
18. I'm thankful for my trip to India
19. I'm thankful that my heart has been broken
20. I'm thankful that I've been restored
21. I'm thankful that I now have a greater capacity to love and empathize
22. I'm thankful for those who are forging new paths in new places for the sake of Christ
23. I'm thankful for my sister who I see growing into a woman of God
24. I'm thankful for my camera
25. I'm thankful for tears
26. I'm thankful for laughter
27. I'm thankful for people who have helped me reach the place I am today- mentors, pastors, teachers and those who led by example
28. I'm thankful for new opportunities
29. I'm thankful to be surrounded by people who I love and who love me- So much more than I deserve
30. I'm thankful for my identity in Christ. I am a new creation. The old is gone. I am loved. I am worthy. I am worth it. No one else can love Him like I can. I am unique. I am called. I am gifted. I am beautiful. I have a mothers heart. I am faithful. I am pure. I can be only good. I carry the presence. I am a light. I am radiant. I'm a steamboat : ) I am loved. I'm a daughter. I capture the Kings heart. HE LOVES ME!!
Praise Him forevermore for HE IS GOOD.
He makes all things work together for good.
He makes everything beautiful in time.
He doesn't call the qualified. He qualifies the called.
Every good and perfect gift comes from Him
PRAISE HIM
1. I'm thankful for the love of God that goes on and on, overwhelming my soul
2. I'm thankful for family that wants to see me find life abundantly
3. I'm thankful for roommates who are always willing to let me vent, hold me while I cry, pray together before bed, and dance- whether its to Kanye or a worship song
4. I'm thankful for old friends whose friendship only grows deeper as the years go on.
5. I'm thankful for new friends who make my life more exciting, teach me new things and bless me daily
6. I'm thankful for my lifegroup that always supports and loves me
7. I'm thankful for my pastor and the other leadership of Antioch
8. I'm thankful for the Robinsons and the time I get to spend with them every Monday
9. I'm thankful for children
10. I'm thankful for the times when I've wanted to give up
11. I'm thankful for hopeless nights
12. I'm thankful for those nights when God met me in my brokenness and spoke hope over me
13. I'm thankful for Ashley who disciples me
14. I'm thankful for Rachel for helping lead me to freedom in Christ
15. I'm thankful for ballet
16. I'm thankful for the work of the Spirit in Norman, at OU, and all around the world
17. I'm thankful for robins
18. I'm thankful for my trip to India
19. I'm thankful that my heart has been broken
20. I'm thankful that I've been restored
21. I'm thankful that I now have a greater capacity to love and empathize
22. I'm thankful for those who are forging new paths in new places for the sake of Christ
23. I'm thankful for my sister who I see growing into a woman of God
24. I'm thankful for my camera
25. I'm thankful for tears
26. I'm thankful for laughter
27. I'm thankful for people who have helped me reach the place I am today- mentors, pastors, teachers and those who led by example
28. I'm thankful for new opportunities
29. I'm thankful to be surrounded by people who I love and who love me- So much more than I deserve
30. I'm thankful for my identity in Christ. I am a new creation. The old is gone. I am loved. I am worthy. I am worth it. No one else can love Him like I can. I am unique. I am called. I am gifted. I am beautiful. I have a mothers heart. I am faithful. I am pure. I can be only good. I carry the presence. I am a light. I am radiant. I'm a steamboat : ) I am loved. I'm a daughter. I capture the Kings heart. HE LOVES ME!!
Praise Him forevermore for HE IS GOOD.
He makes all things work together for good.
He makes everything beautiful in time.
He doesn't call the qualified. He qualifies the called.
Every good and perfect gift comes from Him
PRAISE HIM
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Stress and Blessings
Sometimes I've overwhelmed with where I'm heading... Not that I really know where that is BUT let me explain... So many days I miss being a child. The stress level was so low! I think about how I would spend Saturdays (or really everyday) playing computer games, reading, living in one of my imaginary worlds (I still live in some of them when I'm just in need of some good ole imagination), or playing with my toys. How relaxing does that sound?? Breakfast, lunch and dinner was always provided. You got recess. Man, what the life!! I think about how stressful life seems sometimes... Like right now when I'm enrolled in 19 hours, working around 15 hours a week, and trying to spend as much time with my family (both biological and Church) as possible. And then I think about how life is only going to get MORE stressful. That's a scary thought!! Then I stop... And realize that God gives us just what we need whenever we need it. He gives us strength for each day. He gives us friends who help to carry our burdens. He gives us mentors to help guide us. HE GIVES US HIS PRESENCE. He gives us moments of laughter. Peaceful rains. HE GIVES REST FOR THE WEARY. Mmm I'm so blessed by Him. I'm blessed to get to attend the school I do. I'm blessed with a family who loves me. I'm blessed with two amazing roommates. I'm blessed with more friends than I deserve. I'm blessed with a major that's perfect for me. I'm blessed to work with children who show me the love and heart and power of God. I'm blessed to be on this journey with Him... Living in this unbelievable love story. He leads me with cords of kindness (Hosea 11). He's so good. Blessings to anyone who reads this!!
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