"There is no sin SO great that it cannot be forgiven. There is NO wound too deep that it cannot be healed. There is NO life so broken that it cannot be restored and made into something beautiful by the healing touch of the Master's hand. In Christ, there is always a sure hope of fresh, new beginnings, with the past totally forgiven as thought it had never happened."
I believe that.
I know God heals.
I know God restores.
I have seen something so totally dead be brought back to life.
But first there has to be godly sorrow that leads to godly repentance ....that means quite a bit. Forgiveness.
There was a time in my life where there was great pain. Revelation. Sorrow. and then the HARD work to believe in something that did not seem possible.
Many times I would think of the story of the Prodigal Son and ask God...'could he please return the prodigal to me'... it was not until I realized and knew that the Prodigal had to RETURN to God first.
It was not about me - it was about a person and his relationship with God.
For me...when I realized that, and sought GOD to be my husband, best friend, and my first LOVE....then God was able to move MORE within our home, our lives, and our hearts. God has to be first. It was only when my husband fell back in love with God and asked God for help....to believe that he could be restored....did 'stuff' seem to get better and there was visible HOPE. But I have to add this -- when he made a choice to 'try and believe' ...he did it in faith and he will tell you - he FELT nothing. That used to hurt my feelings ..but it was REAL and honest. So, he knows I say this often ...I believe it took MORE faith on his part to believe God could change his heart....than it took me to believe that God could restore.
I guess in the end...it was BOTH of us being changed and made renewed!
God CAN fix whatever.
If you are in a difficult marriage, or some major hurt or pain has been revealed and it has to do with your husband -- give it to God. Ask God to intervene. Ask God to open his eyes. Seek God as your husband, pal, and provider. Seek a place of worship to be filled and prayed for. Seek some counsel. Seek.
God can fix...but many times we must MOVE first in faith.
Is God asking you to begin again or is God asking you to NOT give up?
Only YOU and God can answer that.
This week, I have wrestled with God and the Holy Spirit again, as there are several marriages and relationships around me that are in such a crisis mode and I honestly just wanted to say .... give up...or my flesh did. Some of these people are closer 'to me' than others and some are just new people that God has brought into our path. But, like I said, I was a wrestling.... And after church on Wednesday - the Holy Spirited comforted and MUCH transpired on Thursday and Friday and my HOPE was renewed.
I just needed a reminder -- God DID put EACH and every STAR in the sky. HE did part the RED Sea....He came to set the captives free. HE knows exactly WHAT will transpire. And HIS plans for me are good. Always. HIS plans for her...for him...for them...are good. But as the Lord allows more people within the circle of our lives -- no dauh....it is going to get messy at times. People are messy. But as I said, by Thursday - eve, my HOPE was restored.
But then Friday happened and I 'festered' a wound. And then Saturday was here - today, and SO clearly the Holy Spirit spoke and I had ANOTHER incident in which to walk out my faith. ........... ( nothing happened with my marriage - I really don't want to bring that up that often any more...as we are SO healed...I believe at times our testimony might me ineffective in certain situations - but that is another blog...LOL ) .......
But... something did 'go down' and I was at a VERY SAME spot. I know the time and place when I spoke to my mentor and stated..."I know I can go back and allow myself to FEEL the hurt, and allow my flesh to rule...but I know NOW that if I do -- I am willfully committing sin".
I mean, there came a time when I knew that I knew - if I wanted to have a PITY party for my past...I could 'go there' ...but I would choose NOT to. As the HOly Spirit clearly showed me, that I would be willfully sinning.
......So... now.....
Time has passed...probably at least 18 months...maybe even 2 years and this summer has brought for a SERIES of UNFORTUNATE events. And I have found myself facing several issues, several disappointments, and many unexpected changes which GOD has worked out for HIS good and there is NO doubt that HE has walked us both through these past four months. The coolest thing -- I did not face them alone, I have CHRIST as my best pal and my husband to pray with me.
So, when Friday happened and I have had all of today to talk and seek the Holy Spirit about the situation...HE quickly reminded me of that revelation and that ...IF I allowed my flesh to seek pity -- that I would be willfully committing sin. As I am 'more mature' now and I won't or can't allow the enemy to get ANY credit or satisfaction -- pure and simple. God wins. Exodus 14.14...states that HE is fighting for me...and HE will fight any battle for me. I don't have to.
BOY - what a relief....
The blog for Friday was to be about a spirit named Jezebel...that will come tomorrow or maybe later this eve - as the Holy Spirit reminded me, I had more thought needed on that blog.
But tonight -- I needed to write and maybe allow someone to read that -- maybe it may 'seem' that I have it all together - but I don't.
I was challenged by my Pastor on Wednesday -- it is time to grow up. I know that I am growing in HIM... I know that Christ lives in me and walks with me daily -- and I am a little more 'older' than a few others within my circle and HE needs be to teach...and remind others....that, when GOD does heal and restore...HE wants us to remember that and USE that as a reminder...that HE is always fighting for us. HE Heals. HE restores. And.... HE is asking us to grow up..
It is NOT all about 'us'... there is no 'I' in God... HE is the one I answer too...HE is the one that covers me ....and HE is worthy of my praise and affirmations and attention.
The 'drama' is not necessary.
And...for the stuff or the series of unfortunate events... I will continue to seek God and if there is any unforgiveness....on my part...Lord...I seek YOU and I know that I know.... I am forgiven. And I will show love... pray for...those that persecute me. IN Jesus name. Amen.
Here is the story of the Lost Daughter...
It is one that teaches me and reminds me.... many of us are Prodigals...but let us make sure we don't become that brother....that was MAD when the prodigal returned...
HOMEWORK....download and or watch GLORIOUS UNFOLDING by Steven Curtis Chapman..... It will BLESS ....IT will be a glorious unfolding. I am seeing a part of it....amazing!
The Story of the Lost Son (or daughter.)
11-12 Then he said, “There was once a man who had two sons. The younger said to his father, ‘Father, I want right now what’s coming to me.’
12-16 “So the father divided the property between them. It wasn’t long before the younger son packed his bags and left for a distant country. There, undisciplined and dissipated, he wasted everything he had. After he had gone through all his money, there was a bad famine all through that country and he began to hurt. He signed on with a citizen there who assigned him to his fields to slop the pigs. He was so hungry he would have eaten the corncobs in the pig slop, but no one would give him any.
17-20 “That brought him to his senses. He said, ‘All those farmhands working for my father sit down to three meals a day, and here I am starving to death. I’m going back to my father. I’ll say to him, Father, I’ve sinned against God, I’ve sinned before you; I don’t deserve to be called your son. Take me on as a hired hand.’ He got right up and went home to his father.
20-21 “When he was still a long way off, his father saw him. His heart pounding, he ran out, embraced him, and kissed him. The son started his speech: ‘Father, I’ve sinned against God, I’ve sinned before you; I don’t deserve to be called your son ever again.’
22-24 “But the father wasn’t listening. He was calling to the servants, ‘Quick. Bring a clean set of clothes and dress him. Put the family ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Then get a grain-fed heifer and roast it. We’re going to feast! We’re going to have a wonderful time! My son is here—given up for dead and now alive! Given up for lost and now found!’ And they began to have a wonderful time.
25-27 “All this time his older son was out in the field. When the day’s work was done he came in. As he approached the house, he heard the music and dancing. Calling over one of the houseboys, he asked what was going on. He told him, ‘Your brother came home. Your father has ordered a feast—barbecued beef!—because he has him home safe and sound.’
28-30 “The older brother stalked off in an angry sulk and refused to join in. His father came out and tried to talk to him, but he wouldn’t listen. The son said, ‘Look how many years I’ve stayed here serving you, never giving you one moment of grief, but have you ever thrown a party for me and my friends? Then this son of yours who has thrown away your money on whores shows up and you go all out with a feast!’
31-32 “His father said, ‘Son, you don’t understand. You’re with me all the time, and everything that is mine is yours—but this is a wonderful time, and we had to celebrate. This brother of yours was dead, and he’s alive! He was lost, and he’s found!’”
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