Well- I think its about time that I start exposing my mind again...hopefully what you get is the transformed, renewed portion of it.
I have been on cloud nine for the last couple of weeks!! Experiencing the power of God in a new and fresh way. His word has definitely become a light unto my path. I have made up in my mind that All of God's word is truth and my confidence in it is not optional.
The latest events - a supernatural manifested healing of my back has been an incredible confirmation to me that God's love is real...and the benefits of accepting and receiving his love...soooo tangible. They are not only future benefits but present as well.
I have been working on a new book based on Psalm 23rd and was researching the whole idea of he restores my soul...I have done quite a bit of studying on the soul, the mind/will/emotions and how they relate to the process of restoration. But it wasn't until recently that I began to see the soul is fully restored by the process of receiving and responding to God's incredible LOVE!!!
In the past I have envisioned God's love to be much like the wind...I know its there, and it accomplishes so much ...but you can't really capture it and take it in, in a way that will allow for a conversion of it to something tangible, useful and physically real. Boy was I missing it!!!
His patient, merciful, never-ending,generous, fully accommodating, providing, securing, assuring, sealing, protecting, encouraging, enduring, counseling, healing, accepting, forgiving LOVE- that comes to us by way of His word, His Son-Jesus (which in case you don't know are one and the same...John 1), is more tangible, more physical, and more real than most Christians realize.
His love is simply AMAZING, and based on the encouragement I receive from Paul in Ephesians 3:17-19.... I want to experience the breadth, length, height and depth of God's love until every dimension of my life becomes like Him...
Until next post.....
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Don't be a backseat driver...
I could only laugh this evening as I sat down to write and the phrase that keeps running through my head is "Don't forget the brake pedal - its there for a reason." This is just one of the many wonderful, 'encouraging' comments that I faithfully offer to my husband when he is driving . In actuality I think my comments are probably more annoying than encouraging. But I consistently offer them as a means of coping with my own lack of control when he is behind the wheel. Every now and then my husband will look over at me with a smile and keep driving or kindly remind me that he does know how to drive safely and that he has no intention of putting us in harms way. And usually after a few minutes I just make the choice to think about other things and enjoy the ride.
Well I realize that there are times I act the same way towards the Lord with His leadership and control in my life. I do know that I would have never entered into a saving relationship with Him if I didn't recognize my own need for his control in my life. And there are times that I need to remind myself that His driving skills far exceed mine. And in every circumstance- He has already navigated the route and knows what to look for and what traps to avoid. Sometimes he just wants us to simply follow Him.
You know how some red lights seem to last longer than others? Well I felt earlier this week that I was sitting at a long red light. Unable to legally proceed but eager to keep my momentum. I felt in that moment, God speak to me to calm down, that we will get where we are going in plenty of time. He wanted me to relax and continue to ride restfully because He has already accounted for these 'lights' and He is Never Late!
How comforting it was for Him to recognize that I was beginning to feel anxious and to gently fortify my confidence in His desire to get me where I need to be- safely and on time.
Maybe you are stopped at a red light. Or maybe you are on a highway moving way faster than you thought you would....one thing I can say..don't be a backseat driver. With God in control you will never get lost, safely avoid 'accidents', and you will always arrive at your intended destination on time!!
Well, that's all I have time to write this evening....I will post more along these lines soon. Add your comments if you have any!!
Until next time-
Blessings and Grace
S.O.
Well I realize that there are times I act the same way towards the Lord with His leadership and control in my life. I do know that I would have never entered into a saving relationship with Him if I didn't recognize my own need for his control in my life. And there are times that I need to remind myself that His driving skills far exceed mine. And in every circumstance- He has already navigated the route and knows what to look for and what traps to avoid. Sometimes he just wants us to simply follow Him.
You know how some red lights seem to last longer than others? Well I felt earlier this week that I was sitting at a long red light. Unable to legally proceed but eager to keep my momentum. I felt in that moment, God speak to me to calm down, that we will get where we are going in plenty of time. He wanted me to relax and continue to ride restfully because He has already accounted for these 'lights' and He is Never Late!
How comforting it was for Him to recognize that I was beginning to feel anxious and to gently fortify my confidence in His desire to get me where I need to be- safely and on time.
Maybe you are stopped at a red light. Or maybe you are on a highway moving way faster than you thought you would....one thing I can say..don't be a backseat driver. With God in control you will never get lost, safely avoid 'accidents', and you will always arrive at your intended destination on time!!
Well, that's all I have time to write this evening....I will post more along these lines soon. Add your comments if you have any!!
Until next time-
Blessings and Grace
S.O.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Psalm 34:17-22 "The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth , and delivereth them out of all their troubles. The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth them out of them all. He keepeth his bones: not one of them is broken. Evil shall slay the wicked and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate. The Lord redeemeth the soul of His servants: and none of them that trust in Him shall be desolate."
I came home today from church quite excited and motivated. I felt the presence of God from the time I hit the door and really had a great day. This evening I had a terrible pain hit my left shoulder and my right hip. It made me quite frustrated to say the least...it came right as I was helping the my middle child with some math facts. Anyway I didn't quite know how to respond to the pain at first. I wasn't sure whether to rebuke the enemy, take two Tylenol, or complain about it until it went away. Well, I decided to take two Tylenol and read my word and this is the passage the Holy Spirit led me to read. Psalm 34: 17-22.
It was very helpful for me in that it brought much of my frustration with my physical body into clear perspective. Trouble, affliction, broken hearts...tears of disappointment, they all come. It is not so much the effort I spend in keeping such maladies away....but how do I greet them when they knock at my door. Do I welcome them with a complaint and an attitude? Do I entertain them with my own self pity? Or do I stand up in the truth of God's word that clearly tells me that I am redeemed and that deliverance is mine and that He hears me when I cry and will not leave me in the company of trouble.
See, that is the other thing about trouble...it likes to make us feel isolated and alone. But we are never alone. We serve a God that is always attentive to our state of being. Not only is He attentive, He always responds on our behalf.
Don't let trouble, or pain, or disappointment cause you to go down an emotional road that leaves you no access to God's promises for you. Be encouraged to know that it doesn't matter what comes your way....God is going to find a way to bring you out of it and turn it around for your good. Affliction or trouble is a part of living and the righteous are not exempt from the experience....but we do have a "get out of jail free" card in our faith and reliance on the promises of God...like the one in Psalm 34....."He delivers us out of them all".
So I am going to rest tonight, not thinking about the trouble or pain in my body....but excited about the solution (healing) that My God has promised to implement and cause all of this to work out for my good.(Romans 8:28)
So until my next thought...
Blessings and Grace
Stephanie
I came home today from church quite excited and motivated. I felt the presence of God from the time I hit the door and really had a great day. This evening I had a terrible pain hit my left shoulder and my right hip. It made me quite frustrated to say the least...it came right as I was helping the my middle child with some math facts. Anyway I didn't quite know how to respond to the pain at first. I wasn't sure whether to rebuke the enemy, take two Tylenol, or complain about it until it went away. Well, I decided to take two Tylenol and read my word and this is the passage the Holy Spirit led me to read. Psalm 34: 17-22.
It was very helpful for me in that it brought much of my frustration with my physical body into clear perspective. Trouble, affliction, broken hearts...tears of disappointment, they all come. It is not so much the effort I spend in keeping such maladies away....but how do I greet them when they knock at my door. Do I welcome them with a complaint and an attitude? Do I entertain them with my own self pity? Or do I stand up in the truth of God's word that clearly tells me that I am redeemed and that deliverance is mine and that He hears me when I cry and will not leave me in the company of trouble.
See, that is the other thing about trouble...it likes to make us feel isolated and alone. But we are never alone. We serve a God that is always attentive to our state of being. Not only is He attentive, He always responds on our behalf.
Don't let trouble, or pain, or disappointment cause you to go down an emotional road that leaves you no access to God's promises for you. Be encouraged to know that it doesn't matter what comes your way....God is going to find a way to bring you out of it and turn it around for your good. Affliction or trouble is a part of living and the righteous are not exempt from the experience....but we do have a "get out of jail free" card in our faith and reliance on the promises of God...like the one in Psalm 34....."He delivers us out of them all".
So I am going to rest tonight, not thinking about the trouble or pain in my body....but excited about the solution (healing) that My God has promised to implement and cause all of this to work out for my good.(Romans 8:28)
So until my next thought...
Blessings and Grace
Stephanie
Monday, January 4, 2010
Well, we reach the end of another wonderful day...and the word that has carried me through in conversation and meditation is COURAGE.
I realize that to accomplish even the first things that God has set before me, it is going to take courage.
Webster defines courage as having the mental, moral strength to venture, persevere and withstand danger, fear or difficulty. It is likened to such terms as tenacity, resolution and spirit - COURAGE.
When I look at this definition and think of scriptural examples of what is described I come up with the word: Virtue. This word immediately takes me to the context of Proverbs 31:10..."who can find a virtuous wife." Oddly enough its use here denotes the indwelling representation of spiritual and emotional fortitude. This isn't too far from the Webster representation of the word courage. It causes me to wonder if courage doesn't exist simply as a necessary byproduct of the virtue of God that is available to us through Christ.
2 Peter 1:2-5 encourages us to include virtue in our list of what we use to develop our christian lives. I believe that this virtue is the greek term 'arete' and represents not just spiritiual and moral strength but actually the presence and glory of our God. This is where our true Courage resides. It is in our confidence in God and receiving the finished work of Christ in our lives that we find courage. Jesus supernatural virtue/presence has a wonderful effect on our bodies, our minds and subsequently our actions. Courage comes through Him!!
All that to say that if fear, adversity, difficulty, and/or danger could potentially affect your progression....let this year be the year you face them with Courage. If courage seems to evade you....retreat to a point of confidence in God and His promises and His gift of abundant life through Christ..let this confidence in Him grow in you until the Courage comes.
So keep yourself motivated in this truth- You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you!!
I realize that to accomplish even the first things that God has set before me, it is going to take courage.
Webster defines courage as having the mental, moral strength to venture, persevere and withstand danger, fear or difficulty. It is likened to such terms as tenacity, resolution and spirit - COURAGE.
When I look at this definition and think of scriptural examples of what is described I come up with the word: Virtue. This word immediately takes me to the context of Proverbs 31:10..."who can find a virtuous wife." Oddly enough its use here denotes the indwelling representation of spiritual and emotional fortitude. This isn't too far from the Webster representation of the word courage. It causes me to wonder if courage doesn't exist simply as a necessary byproduct of the virtue of God that is available to us through Christ.
2 Peter 1:2-5 encourages us to include virtue in our list of what we use to develop our christian lives. I believe that this virtue is the greek term 'arete' and represents not just spiritiual and moral strength but actually the presence and glory of our God. This is where our true Courage resides. It is in our confidence in God and receiving the finished work of Christ in our lives that we find courage. Jesus supernatural virtue/presence has a wonderful effect on our bodies, our minds and subsequently our actions. Courage comes through Him!!
All that to say that if fear, adversity, difficulty, and/or danger could potentially affect your progression....let this year be the year you face them with Courage. If courage seems to evade you....retreat to a point of confidence in God and His promises and His gift of abundant life through Christ..let this confidence in Him grow in you until the Courage comes.
So keep yourself motivated in this truth- You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you!!
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Wow...too long a break. I am slow to get the hang of this blogging thing. The year 2009 was quite a ride. Some new lows and new revelations of Christ have made for my best year yet. I read a line in a book by an Author- Cindy Trimm...that still has me thinking.
In her book Rules of Engagement she mentions that the "Past is in the tomb and the future is in the womb." This quote resonates with my choice to let bygones be bygones and focus on who I will become...my destiny.
This past year presented some very unexpected and unfortunate circumstances. In many cases I was left wounded, dissappointed and in the end -questioning everything. But God is faithful.
He has renewed my faith and restored my joy. I am once again incarcerated. A prisoner, unable to function outside of the confines of this Hope of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
My future is starting to make itself an obvious part of my present. I have decided to make sure that everthing about my present life accommodates what I carry in my spiritual womb. My destiny.
So hold on everyone....It is about to become more than obvious whats been on the inside. 2010 is the year of delivery!! What an exciting word from the Lord....for me and YOU!!
In her book Rules of Engagement she mentions that the "Past is in the tomb and the future is in the womb." This quote resonates with my choice to let bygones be bygones and focus on who I will become...my destiny.
This past year presented some very unexpected and unfortunate circumstances. In many cases I was left wounded, dissappointed and in the end -questioning everything. But God is faithful.
He has renewed my faith and restored my joy. I am once again incarcerated. A prisoner, unable to function outside of the confines of this Hope of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
My future is starting to make itself an obvious part of my present. I have decided to make sure that everthing about my present life accommodates what I carry in my spiritual womb. My destiny.
So hold on everyone....It is about to become more than obvious whats been on the inside. 2010 is the year of delivery!! What an exciting word from the Lord....for me and YOU!!
Friday, July 3, 2009
Whew....almost to the end of this long, long, road.
What a season it has been. This one is going out with a bang! Uphill with weights, that is how it feels. What a blessing it will be to reach the end of this road. Have you ever been through a time where every few days you get the opportunity to exercise your faith? Where every road leads to a new mountain that you have to really demonstrate not just an understanding of God's word...but complete confidence in what He says. Looking back down the road I realized some things the Holy Spirit used to help me through these last few months, with each trial representing a new mountain.
1) Quiet time...doesn't always need to be quiet.
It is so difficult sometimes to release the anxiety and unrest that accompanies certain circumstances. Mark Chironna calls it 'mental chatter', the constant nagging of the accuser as to what's possible or not. The enemy has the capacity to create the illusion of impossibility when it comes to our financial needs, physical health, and relationship desires. But God so faithfully reminded me that those who live by faith recognize it as all simply an illusion. A deception designed to instigate enough fear and doubt , to nullify the impact of our prayers and praise. Don't let any thought quiet your praise. I am a witness that mountains can move and faith does bring victory (not just in heaven....here on earth). Not just in the lives of everyone else either...but yours and mine. Give a voice to God's spirit in you...speak out loud His thoughts and intentions toward you...quiet that chatter with whatever level of force or aggression you feel necessary. Find somebody to rejoice with you in the word of God, find a worship song that lifts you and reminds you of God's character and sing it constantly. I have come to love the music that keeps me in a place of peace, or restores my joy. And at certain times it became vital to my ability to function and keep going forward. Quiet time doesn't always have to be quiet...if it is filled with the sound of heaven.
2) Compassion and mercy....so hard sometimes to extend mercy. Yet everytime I do...God literally multiplies the same toward me. With each trial I can feel my heart being softened and molded to respond to others the way God responds to me. It has been a real eye opener when it comes to how I think about those that wrong me...and even the level of anger I experience in dealing with certain individuals. I used to be the kind of individual that would just abruptly cut off those that disappointed or angered me. No room for compassion when I was the victim. But God is faithful....even to those people we don't like, or those that mistreat us....and now some of the very individuals that wronged me are bending over backwards to support and help...what a blessing it has become. Not only do I release the stress of being angry and bitter...but I am also able to genuinely function in love. That in itself creates an environment for miracles.
3) Faith and works. I have lived a long time trying to add faith to my works. These past few months have trained me now to genuinely live by faith first and then add works. Both must be present to realize the kind of abundant life Jesus promised. But thank God for all things working together for our good. A faithfilled lifestyle is incredibly rewarding!! Interesting how we try to climb certain mountains that God only intended us to speak to. We want God to accompany us and validate our journey. We even sometimes try to use our words to manipulate God into carrying us up the rest of the way. Wouldn't it be better to just backtrack to the beginning of a thing and save all that time and energy...trying to convince God that our intentions are pure and that our approach will yield the same results. Maybe the end of the situation will look the same...but at whose expense. You see Jesus already expended his life so that we don't have to waste ours trying to achieve an end that isn't 'achieved' but accepted. I had a wonderful time of revisiting the foundation of my relationship with Christ and learned of all the priveleges I forfeit each time a put my works before my faith. Next time you are tempted to take on a challenge in your own wisdom and understanding ....sit down and re-acclimate yourself with Jesus. Revisit the book of John and remind yourself to whom you belong and establish your approach to the challenge based on your relationship with Jesus...not the mountain.
I hope these thoughts help you to see that perhaps God's way to handle life is the best way...its worth whatever it takes to live yours through Him.
1) Quiet time...doesn't always need to be quiet.
It is so difficult sometimes to release the anxiety and unrest that accompanies certain circumstances. Mark Chironna calls it 'mental chatter', the constant nagging of the accuser as to what's possible or not. The enemy has the capacity to create the illusion of impossibility when it comes to our financial needs, physical health, and relationship desires. But God so faithfully reminded me that those who live by faith recognize it as all simply an illusion. A deception designed to instigate enough fear and doubt , to nullify the impact of our prayers and praise. Don't let any thought quiet your praise. I am a witness that mountains can move and faith does bring victory (not just in heaven....here on earth). Not just in the lives of everyone else either...but yours and mine. Give a voice to God's spirit in you...speak out loud His thoughts and intentions toward you...quiet that chatter with whatever level of force or aggression you feel necessary. Find somebody to rejoice with you in the word of God, find a worship song that lifts you and reminds you of God's character and sing it constantly. I have come to love the music that keeps me in a place of peace, or restores my joy. And at certain times it became vital to my ability to function and keep going forward. Quiet time doesn't always have to be quiet...if it is filled with the sound of heaven.
2) Compassion and mercy....so hard sometimes to extend mercy. Yet everytime I do...God literally multiplies the same toward me. With each trial I can feel my heart being softened and molded to respond to others the way God responds to me. It has been a real eye opener when it comes to how I think about those that wrong me...and even the level of anger I experience in dealing with certain individuals. I used to be the kind of individual that would just abruptly cut off those that disappointed or angered me. No room for compassion when I was the victim. But God is faithful....even to those people we don't like, or those that mistreat us....and now some of the very individuals that wronged me are bending over backwards to support and help...what a blessing it has become. Not only do I release the stress of being angry and bitter...but I am also able to genuinely function in love. That in itself creates an environment for miracles.
3) Faith and works. I have lived a long time trying to add faith to my works. These past few months have trained me now to genuinely live by faith first and then add works. Both must be present to realize the kind of abundant life Jesus promised. But thank God for all things working together for our good. A faithfilled lifestyle is incredibly rewarding!! Interesting how we try to climb certain mountains that God only intended us to speak to. We want God to accompany us and validate our journey. We even sometimes try to use our words to manipulate God into carrying us up the rest of the way. Wouldn't it be better to just backtrack to the beginning of a thing and save all that time and energy...trying to convince God that our intentions are pure and that our approach will yield the same results. Maybe the end of the situation will look the same...but at whose expense. You see Jesus already expended his life so that we don't have to waste ours trying to achieve an end that isn't 'achieved' but accepted. I had a wonderful time of revisiting the foundation of my relationship with Christ and learned of all the priveleges I forfeit each time a put my works before my faith. Next time you are tempted to take on a challenge in your own wisdom and understanding ....sit down and re-acclimate yourself with Jesus. Revisit the book of John and remind yourself to whom you belong and establish your approach to the challenge based on your relationship with Jesus...not the mountain.
I hope these thoughts help you to see that perhaps God's way to handle life is the best way...its worth whatever it takes to live yours through Him.
Monday, April 20, 2009
While you wait....
Once again I am inspired by a song that speaks so true of my love for God through Christ. The lyrics include these words:
It doesn't matter if the rain falls down on me,
You are my refuge my fortress, all I need
Though a thousand may fall at my side,
You are my shelter, my tower, you're my most high...
And I will love you, no matter what
Yes I will love you
Should the earth and all its glory fade away,
Or the terror by night or the arrows that fly by day
Though the enemy comes in like a flood,
You're my faithfulness my shield......
It simply reminds me that God is always with me, protecting me , keeping me.
And this alone make me love Him even more. God's love for us is incredible, His mercy toward us beyond our own issues and mistakes...wow. It almost leaves me speechless.
Many of us are in a season of waiting. Waiting for God's promises to manifest. Waiting for our circumstances to improve, waiting for our loved ones to come to know Christ. I have learned that if you want to wait with patience, and expectancy, keep your mind on the love of God and how it has brought you this far. Focus your thoughts on Jesus and His finished work of Love in your life. Keep yourself encouraged in your Love for Him and keep it aflame not based on what He has promised you- but Who He has become to you.....peace, love, protection, guide, counselor, comforter, friend. And if you don't know Him in this way, if you can't fully say that you Love Him no matter what....ask Him to reveal His love for you - to you...while you wait.
Ephesians 3:17-21
"...that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 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 to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory..."
Psalm 91:9-16
9 Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; 10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. 11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. 12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. 13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. 14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. 15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. 16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.
Blessings and Grace-
Stephanie O.
It doesn't matter if the rain falls down on me,
You are my refuge my fortress, all I need
Though a thousand may fall at my side,
You are my shelter, my tower, you're my most high...
And I will love you, no matter what
Yes I will love you
Should the earth and all its glory fade away,
Or the terror by night or the arrows that fly by day
Though the enemy comes in like a flood,
You're my faithfulness my shield......
It simply reminds me that God is always with me, protecting me , keeping me.
And this alone make me love Him even more. God's love for us is incredible, His mercy toward us beyond our own issues and mistakes...wow. It almost leaves me speechless.
Many of us are in a season of waiting. Waiting for God's promises to manifest. Waiting for our circumstances to improve, waiting for our loved ones to come to know Christ. I have learned that if you want to wait with patience, and expectancy, keep your mind on the love of God and how it has brought you this far. Focus your thoughts on Jesus and His finished work of Love in your life. Keep yourself encouraged in your Love for Him and keep it aflame not based on what He has promised you- but Who He has become to you.....peace, love, protection, guide, counselor, comforter, friend. And if you don't know Him in this way, if you can't fully say that you Love Him no matter what....ask Him to reveal His love for you - to you...while you wait.
Ephesians 3:17-21
"...that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 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 to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory..."
Psalm 91:9-16
9 Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; 10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. 11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. 12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. 13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. 14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. 15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. 16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.
Blessings and Grace-
Stephanie O.
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