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Transparency. There are moments in time that are lathered with so much honesty that it makes us uncomfortable; almost like walking in on someone taking a bubble bath. Yeah, that wouldn’t be good. Nevertheless, this is MY blog. This is MY site. I get to write whatever I want. If you read it, great! If you don’t, well… if you weren’t going to read it you wouldn’t have gotten this far.
I consider myself to be a strong individual. My life isn’t perfect, but I own it. Lately, life has been a bit overwhelming. I’ve had way too many days that were entrenched with battles. I wish I was being over-dramatic – at least then I could get nominated for an award. But alas, I am just being brutally honest. I’ve had this nagging little voice inside me that grows louder as the days pass by. It tells me to give up. It tells me to turn back. It tells me my dreams are nothing more than a fantasy. It tells me there is no hope, no support, and no resources. It tells me I am alone – and not just alone, but utterly alone.
But somewhere in the depths of my spirit there is a mustard seed that is trying to take root. I’ve got this little bit of resolute faith that truly believes to the very core of my being that God is GOOD (Psalm 118:1). I am not alone. My God promised to never leave me or forsake me (Hebrews 13:5). My God told me to write down the vision and to make it plain. He told me that though it tarry it will surely come to pass (Habakkuk 2:2-3). My God promised to supply all of my needs according to His riches and glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). It is an easy thing for My God to fill ditches in the desert without wind or rain (2 Kings 3:16). Why do I even entertain that my requests are difficult?
Friends, don’t judge me. Don’t try to figure out what I’m going through. If you do, you’ll miss my point. Our issues are our issues. Each one of us has a different set of trials and tribulations, but I can guarantee that we all deal with that slithering snake, the father of lies, Satan. It’s hard to recognize him sometimes because he comes masked looking like your closest family member or confidante. But you’ll know when he is speaking; the words will pierce you like the tip of a sword. Oh, if only we were able to recognize his words of fear, anger, and control before we reacted. If only we were able to, in the moment, remember that our battle isn’t against flesh and blood. It’s against the principalities and the dark forces in the unseen world (Ephesians 6).
We live our lives based on his lies. And in so doing, we deny the truth. Jesus said that He was the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). As we seek to follow His ways, His path for life, Jesus illuminates the truth. Well, if we know (understand and apply) the truth, the truth will set us free (John 8:32). When we follow His way guided by His truth, we will truly experience life – the life Jesus talked about – the abundant life (John 10:10). It’s heaven on earth! Unfortunately, so many of us are wrapped up in living lies that we look like walking mummies.
Now that I’ve opened the can, I’m going to close it for now. Nevertheless, I want to encourage you (and myself) with these truths. GOD LOVES YOU. I heard Father God ask me the other day: “If I didn’t spare giving up My Son for you, how could you believe that I would withhold anything from you?” Our Father gives good gifts to His children (Matthew 7:11). Of course, according to this verse we have to ask Him for the gifts. SO ASK HIM!!!
Pray this:
"Father, I am choosing to believe right now that You are good. I renounce the lie that I have lived my life upon that says You will not provide for me and You will only cause me pain. Forgive me for believing this lie. Lord, I choose by an act of my will to forgive (if a name comes to mind insert it here – including your own) for any way in which he/she has contributed to my believing this lie. Father, what will You give me in exchange for this lie? (Take a moment and listen – the answer may come in a thought, a voice (often sounds really close to your own) or a vision). Lord, by an act of faith, I choose to receive (and repeat back to Him what you saw or heard).
Father, You said that You give good gifts to those who ask You. Right now, in Jesus name, I am asking You to bless me. Blow me away with Your goodness! You said that we should taste and see that the Lord is good. God, I desire to taste and see that You are good! Let me see Your goodness toward me with my own eyes! Let me experience Your goodness in every area of my life! Big or small, do something in my life that I cannot deny was by Your divine hand! Do something quickly! Do something swiftly! Surprise me, God! You are good, and Your faithfulness endures forever! In Jesus name. Amen. Let it be."
I consider myself to be a strong individual. My life isn’t perfect, but I own it. Lately, life has been a bit overwhelming. I’ve had way too many days that were entrenched with battles. I wish I was being over-dramatic – at least then I could get nominated for an award. But alas, I am just being brutally honest. I’ve had this nagging little voice inside me that grows louder as the days pass by. It tells me to give up. It tells me to turn back. It tells me my dreams are nothing more than a fantasy. It tells me there is no hope, no support, and no resources. It tells me I am alone – and not just alone, but utterly alone.
But somewhere in the depths of my spirit there is a mustard seed that is trying to take root. I’ve got this little bit of resolute faith that truly believes to the very core of my being that God is GOOD (Psalm 118:1). I am not alone. My God promised to never leave me or forsake me (Hebrews 13:5). My God told me to write down the vision and to make it plain. He told me that though it tarry it will surely come to pass (Habakkuk 2:2-3). My God promised to supply all of my needs according to His riches and glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). It is an easy thing for My God to fill ditches in the desert without wind or rain (2 Kings 3:16). Why do I even entertain that my requests are difficult?
Friends, don’t judge me. Don’t try to figure out what I’m going through. If you do, you’ll miss my point. Our issues are our issues. Each one of us has a different set of trials and tribulations, but I can guarantee that we all deal with that slithering snake, the father of lies, Satan. It’s hard to recognize him sometimes because he comes masked looking like your closest family member or confidante. But you’ll know when he is speaking; the words will pierce you like the tip of a sword. Oh, if only we were able to recognize his words of fear, anger, and control before we reacted. If only we were able to, in the moment, remember that our battle isn’t against flesh and blood. It’s against the principalities and the dark forces in the unseen world (Ephesians 6).
We live our lives based on his lies. And in so doing, we deny the truth. Jesus said that He was the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). As we seek to follow His ways, His path for life, Jesus illuminates the truth. Well, if we know (understand and apply) the truth, the truth will set us free (John 8:32). When we follow His way guided by His truth, we will truly experience life – the life Jesus talked about – the abundant life (John 10:10). It’s heaven on earth! Unfortunately, so many of us are wrapped up in living lies that we look like walking mummies.
Now that I’ve opened the can, I’m going to close it for now. Nevertheless, I want to encourage you (and myself) with these truths. GOD LOVES YOU. I heard Father God ask me the other day: “If I didn’t spare giving up My Son for you, how could you believe that I would withhold anything from you?” Our Father gives good gifts to His children (Matthew 7:11). Of course, according to this verse we have to ask Him for the gifts. SO ASK HIM!!!
Pray this:
"Father, I am choosing to believe right now that You are good. I renounce the lie that I have lived my life upon that says You will not provide for me and You will only cause me pain. Forgive me for believing this lie. Lord, I choose by an act of my will to forgive (if a name comes to mind insert it here – including your own) for any way in which he/she has contributed to my believing this lie. Father, what will You give me in exchange for this lie? (Take a moment and listen – the answer may come in a thought, a voice (often sounds really close to your own) or a vision). Lord, by an act of faith, I choose to receive (and repeat back to Him what you saw or heard).
Father, You said that You give good gifts to those who ask You. Right now, in Jesus name, I am asking You to bless me. Blow me away with Your goodness! You said that we should taste and see that the Lord is good. God, I desire to taste and see that You are good! Let me see Your goodness toward me with my own eyes! Let me experience Your goodness in every area of my life! Big or small, do something in my life that I cannot deny was by Your divine hand! Do something quickly! Do something swiftly! Surprise me, God! You are good, and Your faithfulness endures forever! In Jesus name. Amen. Let it be."
Photo used under Creative Commons from Natalia Medd
