"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9 KJV
"Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth over the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever,because he delighteth in lovingkindness. 19 He will again have compassion upon us; he will tread our iniquities under foot; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea." Micah 7:18-19 ASV
Thoughts:
For a long time, I lived in regret. Regret for the things I have done in my past. Many times, while I was out of the will of God, I thought I was not hurting anyone with the things I was doing. I have come to realize, two people did get hurt; God and myself. I love that God is a loving and forgiving God. He tells us in 1 John 1:9 that we can confess and repent and He will forgive us. Yet, many people skip over the second and equally important part of that passage, which tells us that He will "clease us from all unrighteousness". The dictionary defines cleanse as to make clean, and defines clean as being free from, as in unsoiled and unstained. This gives me hope and peace in the fact that when God forgave me, He also cleaned my sin from me and made me new again. The memories of my past will always be there, but now I can look at the past and be thankful that God brought me out of sin and made me a new creature once again.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I thank you for life and the freedom to live it blemish free. God I thank you that you loved me enough to cleanse me of my sin and lead me into your forgiving light. God I thank you, not only for your forgiveness, but also for the ability to forgive myself. Thank you for helping me set down the baggage I carried around by not forgiving myself for my past. Father, I ask that you bless the others in my life who have this same issue. God I ask that you help them see that when you forgive us, you cast our sin out and trample them underfoot. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
09 October 2011
02 September 2011
Where do you dwell?
I took a break from writing this blog for a short while to gather my thoughts. In the interim, I have pondered many things, learned a few things about myself, and listened to God redirecting me. On this side of things, I have found a wonderful Bible passage to stand on, as well as to meditate on. Over the next few days I will be meditating further on Psalms 91 and concentrating on what the Lord is telling us through this chapter.
"1He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
3Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
4He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler." Psalms 91:1-4
Thoughts: I've read the first verse of the scriture seveal time i nmy life, but somehow I kept missing the message. As I read the entire chapter it finally dawned on me what it all means. To dwell in the secret place of God is to be make the choice every day to be His and to follow His commandments. It is not easy walking in this world and remain apart from it. Yet, it is so much easier to walk when God is walking with you. Dwelling with Him means He is with you always, keeping you safe, sane, happy, uplifted, and on the other end of this, holding you up when you can't hold yourself. Most importantly, dwelling with Him means you are constantly seeking Him. This is important because you will not always feel God and sometimes you can't see Him through all your problems and trial, however if we "diligently seek Him" we will always find Him and be able to dwell in His presence. As a result He will be anything and everything we need.
Prayers: Father, in the name of Jesus I just thank you and praise your name because you know how to keep us on the right path in this life. Lord I thank you for comforting us your children with the knowledge that you will be with us and walk this had life everyday. Thank you for holding onto us in all times and teaching us to seek you in all things. Thank you again for your love, in Jesus's name I pray, Amen.
"1He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
3Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
4He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler." Psalms 91:1-4
Thoughts: I've read the first verse of the scriture seveal time i nmy life, but somehow I kept missing the message. As I read the entire chapter it finally dawned on me what it all means. To dwell in the secret place of God is to be make the choice every day to be His and to follow His commandments. It is not easy walking in this world and remain apart from it. Yet, it is so much easier to walk when God is walking with you. Dwelling with Him means He is with you always, keeping you safe, sane, happy, uplifted, and on the other end of this, holding you up when you can't hold yourself. Most importantly, dwelling with Him means you are constantly seeking Him. This is important because you will not always feel God and sometimes you can't see Him through all your problems and trial, however if we "diligently seek Him" we will always find Him and be able to dwell in His presence. As a result He will be anything and everything we need.
Prayers: Father, in the name of Jesus I just thank you and praise your name because you know how to keep us on the right path in this life. Lord I thank you for comforting us your children with the knowledge that you will be with us and walk this had life everyday. Thank you for holding onto us in all times and teaching us to seek you in all things. Thank you again for your love, in Jesus's name I pray, Amen.
23 August 2011
The Power of Words
"Let no currupt communnication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers." Ephesians 4:29 KJV
"Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk ever come out of your mouth, but only such speech as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God's favor) to those who hear it." Ephesians 4: 29 Amplified Bible
Thoughts: Words are very powerful. With one sentence we can build up or tear down a person. Although we can can easily see the effects of some words, others are not obvious. A simple, "you look nice in today" can brighten a person's day or a simple "I would never do what you're doing" can make a person feel bad about themselves and their decisions in life. In Ephesians, God tells us we should purpose our communications to lift up others. I admit I am guilty of unedifying speech and have been the victim of the same. It is puzzling to think about the cycle of words and their effects in our lives. When God connects people to us, it is so we all can strengthen each other, serve Him, bring other to Him, and see His face in heaven someday. How can we do that when our words hurt one another? How can we show Christ to others when our speech is that of the world and not of His Kingdom?
Prayer: God I ask you for forgiveness for any negative words I have cast into the world. I ask that you help me realize the people I have hurt with my negative words and give me the humility to ask them for forgiveness. I do not want to offend my brother or sister, I want to edify them and help them see you. God let my words reflect you in my life, let others see you through me. God I want a heart of compassion for your people like yours. Help me hide your words in my heart and soul so they guide my speech to others. In Jesus's name i thank you for those connected to me and I ask that you touch them as well. Thank you God, Amen.
"Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk ever come out of your mouth, but only such speech as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God's favor) to those who hear it." Ephesians 4: 29 Amplified Bible
Thoughts: Words are very powerful. With one sentence we can build up or tear down a person. Although we can can easily see the effects of some words, others are not obvious. A simple, "you look nice in today" can brighten a person's day or a simple "I would never do what you're doing" can make a person feel bad about themselves and their decisions in life. In Ephesians, God tells us we should purpose our communications to lift up others. I admit I am guilty of unedifying speech and have been the victim of the same. It is puzzling to think about the cycle of words and their effects in our lives. When God connects people to us, it is so we all can strengthen each other, serve Him, bring other to Him, and see His face in heaven someday. How can we do that when our words hurt one another? How can we show Christ to others when our speech is that of the world and not of His Kingdom?
Prayer: God I ask you for forgiveness for any negative words I have cast into the world. I ask that you help me realize the people I have hurt with my negative words and give me the humility to ask them for forgiveness. I do not want to offend my brother or sister, I want to edify them and help them see you. God let my words reflect you in my life, let others see you through me. God I want a heart of compassion for your people like yours. Help me hide your words in my heart and soul so they guide my speech to others. In Jesus's name i thank you for those connected to me and I ask that you touch them as well. Thank you God, Amen.
22 August 2011
Beyond the Veil for Faith
"But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." Hebrews 11: 6
Thoughts: Faith is talked about so often that it can sometimes become redundant. Lately I have been thinking, how many of us take faith and run with it? I have guilty of living in "surface faith" instead of living in faith. Surface faith is when you trust God in small things but you fail to go deeper and exercise real faith in God, limiting Him. To combat this I have found that going beyond the veil allows me to place my complete faith in God. Beyond the veil is when I close everything and everybody out and concentrate on worshiping God with the only objective is getting to know Him better. When we know God for who is and allow Him to be our everything, walking by faith is easier. It will never stop being an issue because we are human, however, the more we seek God, the stronger our faith will be.
Prayer: God, thank you for being faithful to us and allowing us to come beyond the veil into your presence. Lord I ask that you continue to strengthen my faith in you no matter how uncomfortable I am. I ask that you touch the lives of my earthly family and heavenly family and help them put their faith in you. Thank you God for always being there for me and allowing me to seek your face. In Jesus's name I pray, Amen.
Thoughts: Faith is talked about so often that it can sometimes become redundant. Lately I have been thinking, how many of us take faith and run with it? I have guilty of living in "surface faith" instead of living in faith. Surface faith is when you trust God in small things but you fail to go deeper and exercise real faith in God, limiting Him. To combat this I have found that going beyond the veil allows me to place my complete faith in God. Beyond the veil is when I close everything and everybody out and concentrate on worshiping God with the only objective is getting to know Him better. When we know God for who is and allow Him to be our everything, walking by faith is easier. It will never stop being an issue because we are human, however, the more we seek God, the stronger our faith will be.
Prayer: God, thank you for being faithful to us and allowing us to come beyond the veil into your presence. Lord I ask that you continue to strengthen my faith in you no matter how uncomfortable I am. I ask that you touch the lives of my earthly family and heavenly family and help them put their faith in you. Thank you God for always being there for me and allowing me to seek your face. In Jesus's name I pray, Amen.
20 August 2011
Willingly bound
"10Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron;
11Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High:
12Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help.
13Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses.
14He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder.
15Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
16For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder" Psalms 107:10-16
Thoughts: In life, we get ourselves into situations and places we should never be. Most people blame God for the bad things in life when we position ourselves for these negatives. After looking back over my life, I have realized that the majority of the bad situations I endured were of my own making. God allowed me to go through these tough situations and periods in my life and I always wondered why and frankly at times I blamed God. A few of them were to teach me a lesson and make me grow up. However, most of them were times when I lived outside of God's light because I couldn't face my problem, my issues, or myself. I could have ended any of these situations if I had just cried out to Him, admitted my wrong doing, and accepted His forgiveness or admitted I needed Him to guide me through life's tough areas instead of relying on myself. In being stubborn and/or relying on myself, I lost time with God and delayed blessings e had for me. Thank God for infinite chances.
Prayer: Dear God, thank you for your grace and mercy for your children. We often rely on ourselves instead of you when we should. But thank you God that you are patient with us when we need it and thank you that you love us enough to let us go through but not stay in our mess in life. Lord I thank you for forgiveness and your willingness to pick us up and dust us off when we fall. Lord I pray that everyone connected with my life realize that you are the only Master of our fate because only you can bring us where we need to be. In Jesus's name I pray, Amen.
18 August 2011
Family
"14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his spirit in the inner man;
17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:14-19 KJV
Thoughts: I and many have said that we have two families: one we are born into and one we choose. One family can see your flaws and point them out in spite or look and say poor you without offering any constructive help. Yet the other can see your flaws and pray for them in love and offer guidance or simply be there to lift you up when you can't stand for yourself. It is a marvelous feeling to be connected with a family in Christ who can see me for who I am, flaws and all, and love me. So much so, that their love can help me turn my flaws into stepping stones on the path in my journey with God. It is our duty to love one another, not in spite of our flaws but because of them. We, as followers of Christ, are connected to each other to help one another in love as Christ loves us.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the people in my life who you sent to me or sent me to for the strengthening of my life and theirs. Thank you that you loved us enough to connect our lives in your kingdom. God I ask that you touch all of us and make us whole in you. I ask that you go out to all those I am connected to and touch them so they have no doubts about who you are in their lives. God I ask that you touch my earthly family and my heavenly family with love, life, happiness, joy and above all peace. I pray that you keep us connected in your love which heals all, restores all, and keeps us all safe. In Jesus's holy name I pray, Amen.
15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his spirit in the inner man;
17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:14-19 KJV
Thoughts: I and many have said that we have two families: one we are born into and one we choose. One family can see your flaws and point them out in spite or look and say poor you without offering any constructive help. Yet the other can see your flaws and pray for them in love and offer guidance or simply be there to lift you up when you can't stand for yourself. It is a marvelous feeling to be connected with a family in Christ who can see me for who I am, flaws and all, and love me. So much so, that their love can help me turn my flaws into stepping stones on the path in my journey with God. It is our duty to love one another, not in spite of our flaws but because of them. We, as followers of Christ, are connected to each other to help one another in love as Christ loves us.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the people in my life who you sent to me or sent me to for the strengthening of my life and theirs. Thank you that you loved us enough to connect our lives in your kingdom. God I ask that you touch all of us and make us whole in you. I ask that you go out to all those I am connected to and touch them so they have no doubts about who you are in their lives. God I ask that you touch my earthly family and my heavenly family with love, life, happiness, joy and above all peace. I pray that you keep us connected in your love which heals all, restores all, and keeps us all safe. In Jesus's holy name I pray, Amen.
Listening for His Voice
"And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice." Genesis 22: 18 KJV
Thoughts: Obeying God has been one of the hardest hurdles to jump in my life. Not because I don't want to obey Him, but because He always wants me to do things, be a certain way, or go places I am not ready to move into. I know He only has my best interests in mind so why do I resist? As humans we resist God sometimes because He is pushing us toward a future we feel unprepared for or not ready to face because we feel inadequate. However, He knows what and when is best for us. All my life I have been running away from God or running to Him, depending on the phase I was in. I am finally in a place where running away from Him is not an option and it feels good to know I'm ready for anything He has in mind. In my running to Him I have learned to hear God's voice and follow His direction in my life. This is in no way easier than before, in fact it is sometimes harder. It is one of the sweetest sounds to hear God speaking to you and know that He does everything for us out of love. He can take the worst situation we can put ourselves into and change it to benefit us or teach us a lesson to better us. Yet it all begins with listening to, learning from, and obeying His voice.
Prayer: God, thank you for allowing me to hear your voice. Thank you for always knowing when I need a word from you and using songs I love, people I know and some I don't to speak a word to me. I appreciate that you let me into your intimate circle and love me unconditionally because I know nothing I did or will do can change your love for me. Lord, strengthen me in my walk and help me to know your voice without doubt and yearn after your heart. In Jesus's Holy name I pray, Amen.
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