Authenticity is valuable. It can seem to be quite difficult to come across in the world. There are many fronts and guards, masks, and disguises placed before authenticity.
God is authentic. Jesus is real.
Jesus wasn't and isn't a pretender. His words were declarations sealed with truth. He always encourages us to be real and not to just "do," but to "become" and to "be." How?...
God doesn't give us a command like, "Love!" And not follow through with beautiful display. He paints the realest declaration of Love and encourages us to hop on board and follow in his ways. He always gives us the necessary abilities. We don't have to create the power within ourselves. We can ask and believe Him for intervening strength to be be at work inside us. It brings change.
1 John 4:
7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
Jesus isn't just a words guy, is he? God didn't just say, "I love you...believe it!" He put his love on display.
He is the word ALIVE. He is active and powerful!
Am I living in truth? Am speaking words that are ALIVE? What do my words produce or kill off? How about my actions? Do my words and my actions match? And how about my intentions?...Wow...
Show me how to love like you do. Expose my intentions and let truth prevail and win in this life!!!
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. -Hebrews 4:12
G
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Monday, July 15, 2013
Friendship
Listen closely. Friendship is my gift to you. Hold it and nurture it. But let it go when it's time. I have something greater for you. Allow me to lead. Believe me.
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. -Ephesians 1:17
Jesus, may I embrace your friendship. Holy Spirit, help me to tune in and back down in humility. May my defenses against you crumble. I need you.
That's all tonight. Quite tired, but sincere in this prayer. I want to get closer to Christ. I want to move deeper into freedom. I want to release all fear in Jesus name.
18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
You've got all the power I need and I take hold of your strength! Strength to let go.. strength to move forward...strength to believe. Desperate for change.
I really need you.
Grace
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. -Ephesians 1:17
Jesus, may I embrace your friendship. Holy Spirit, help me to tune in and back down in humility. May my defenses against you crumble. I need you.
That's all tonight. Quite tired, but sincere in this prayer. I want to get closer to Christ. I want to move deeper into freedom. I want to release all fear in Jesus name.
18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
You've got all the power I need and I take hold of your strength! Strength to let go.. strength to move forward...strength to believe. Desperate for change.
I really need you.
Grace
Sunday, July 14, 2013
Lift Me Up
Father,
Praise you!
You are worthy of honor and all of my attention.
You are stable and sturdy. You are reliable.
Open my eyes to that which is greater. I want to see! Lift me up with you so I can see what you see.
G
Praise you!
You are worthy of honor and all of my attention.
You are stable and sturdy. You are reliable.
You have given me the shield of Your salvation; Your right hand upholds me, and Your humility exalts me. -Psalm 18:35
Your willingness to help enables me to prevail.
I AM IN NEED OF YOU!!! ... It's a great need!!!
G
Refuge In You
Psalm 73 reminds me that you are the best for me. You are right for me. You are good for me. You are for me and I need you.
23Nevertheless, I am continually with you;
you hold my right hand.
24 You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will receive me to glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but you?
And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength[b] of my heart and my portion forever.
27 For behold, those who are far from you shall perish;
you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you.
28 But for me it is good to be near God;
I have made the Lord God my refuge,
that I may tell of all your works.
Help me to find my refuge in you!
Grace
23Nevertheless, I am continually with you;
you hold my right hand.
24 You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will receive me to glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but you?
And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength[b] of my heart and my portion forever.
27 For behold, those who are far from you shall perish;
you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you.
28 But for me it is good to be near God;
I have made the Lord God my refuge,
that I may tell of all your works.
Help me to find my refuge in you!
Grace
Friday, July 12, 2013
Are You Listening?
Am I? ... Am I listening? Am I asking for your voice and inquiring of your heart?... Because when I do- you always seem to open these eyes. You know just what I need to be shown in order to grow and progress closer to you. When I am closer to you, I am in love. And when I am living in love, I am living and giving light.
This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.
This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Grow Me Up Like You Desire
At about the same time, the disciples came to Jesus asking, “Who gets the highest rank in God’s kingdom?”For an answer Jesus called over a child, whom he stood in the middle of the room, and said, “I’m telling you, once and for all, that unless you return to square one and start over like children, you’re not even going to get a look at the kingdom, let alone get in. Whoever becomes simple and elemental again, like this child, will rank high in God’s kingdom. -Matthew 18:1-5 MSG
Today I tapped into my inner child. :)
The child-like heart came to surface and, boy, was it refreshing!!
It's a natural part of my relationship with my heavenly Father, isn't it?
To become like a child is a desire he has for me, his daughter! Well what do ya know?! ;)
Today I saw that when I lay aside my [analytical adult-like, take matters and life and circumstances into my own hands and my own power, try to figure out what God is doing all the time-] attitude aside, I make room for trusting and obeying and playing and living and being. Taking off my "director hat" and just jumping into the scene is good for me...it's RIGHT. I don't belong trying to direct my own story. I belong following and chasing and listening to my author and allowing Him space to correct, change, and adjust me to his desires for my life. And ya know, I noticed- when I ease up a bit and let go of the reigns, I see this happening more so.
Today I went on a bike ride. I haven't done so in at least a decade. And wow... it brought me back.
Father, may I come to you like a child who doesn't try to parent herself but, instead, receives her Daddy's love and care.
Growing up not old,
Grace
Today I tapped into my inner child. :)
The child-like heart came to surface and, boy, was it refreshing!!
It's a natural part of my relationship with my heavenly Father, isn't it?
To become like a child is a desire he has for me, his daughter! Well what do ya know?! ;)
Today I saw that when I lay aside my [analytical adult-like, take matters and life and circumstances into my own hands and my own power, try to figure out what God is doing all the time-] attitude aside, I make room for trusting and obeying and playing and living and being. Taking off my "director hat" and just jumping into the scene is good for me...it's RIGHT. I don't belong trying to direct my own story. I belong following and chasing and listening to my author and allowing Him space to correct, change, and adjust me to his desires for my life. And ya know, I noticed- when I ease up a bit and let go of the reigns, I see this happening more so.
Today I went on a bike ride. I haven't done so in at least a decade. And wow... it brought me back.
Father, may I come to you like a child who doesn't try to parent herself but, instead, receives her Daddy's love and care.
Growing up not old,
Grace
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Reflections From Nehemiah 1
Keep in mind, O Lord, the order you gave your servant Moses, saying, If you do wrong I will send you wandering among the peoples: But if you come back to me and keep my orders and do them, even if those of you who have been forced out are living in the farthest parts of heaven, I will get them from there, and take them back to the place marked out by me for the resting-place of my name. -Nehemiah 1:8-9
Nehemiah knew what God had spoken and so came to Him with this knowledge and belief in place.
Knowing who your audience is- changes your approach.
We learn this in persuasive speech 101!
Don't we learn it as whiny begging children too? ;) ...How does Grandma respond vs. how does Mom and Dad best "bend?" Which tone should I take?
What about as a teacher? Don't you approach a kindergarten class differently than you'd approach freshmen in college? ...
Even a salesman takes different approaches at his job.
But all the same, knowing your audience is key!
So what about with GOD?
How do I pursuade GOD?
How do I change God's mind or get God's attention???
Toughy?
What if prayer has absolutely nothing to do with persuasion tactics on God but rather He has gone above and beyond to convince US that He is in our favor, he loves us to the ends and back, he has good gifts to bestow, he has everything we need, he just wants us to approach him with authenticity and humility!
If I came before God Almighty with understanding of WHO HE IS, my approach would become more authentic and my ego would fall into humble submission. Why? Because he is completely accepting of me. He is the God of forgiveness, second chances, thirds, and fourths! He loves well. He loves me best. He calls and invites me and then waits for me to come to Him. Any acts of convincing, on my part, is a sign that I don't fully understand his vastness of love. What God desires of me is a heart of surrender and submission to his love. And his love is everything I desire and need.
Nehemiah knew what God had spoken and so came to Him with this knowledge and belief in place.
Knowing who your audience is- changes your approach.
We learn this in persuasive speech 101!
Don't we learn it as whiny begging children too? ;) ...How does Grandma respond vs. how does Mom and Dad best "bend?" Which tone should I take?
What about as a teacher? Don't you approach a kindergarten class differently than you'd approach freshmen in college? ...
Even a salesman takes different approaches at his job.
But all the same, knowing your audience is key!
So what about with GOD?
How do I pursuade GOD?
How do I change God's mind or get God's attention???
Toughy?
What if prayer has absolutely nothing to do with persuasion tactics on God but rather He has gone above and beyond to convince US that He is in our favor, he loves us to the ends and back, he has good gifts to bestow, he has everything we need, he just wants us to approach him with authenticity and humility!
If I came before God Almighty with understanding of WHO HE IS, my approach would become more authentic and my ego would fall into humble submission. Why? Because he is completely accepting of me. He is the God of forgiveness, second chances, thirds, and fourths! He loves well. He loves me best. He calls and invites me and then waits for me to come to Him. Any acts of convincing, on my part, is a sign that I don't fully understand his vastness of love. What God desires of me is a heart of surrender and submission to his love. And his love is everything I desire and need.
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