Expecting #34 - REPOST ( updated and perfect for today!)

A favorite  Jesus Calling Devotional ...states this:

Beloved, this is the day that the Lord has made...As you rejoice in this day of life, it will yield up to you precious gifts and beneficial training.  Walk with Me along the high road of thanksgiving, and you will find delights I have made ready for you....To protect your thankfulness, you must remember that you reside in a fallen world, where blessings and sorrows intermingle freely.  A constant focus on adversity defeats many Christians. ...They walk through a day that is brimming with beauty and brightness, seeing only the grayness of their thoughts.  Neglecting the practice of giving thanks has darkened their minds.  How precious are My children who remember to thank Me at all times.  They can walk through the darkest of days with joy in their hearts because they know that the Light of My Presence is still shining on them.  Rejoice in this day that I have made for you, I am your steadfast Companion.  - God   Psalm 118. 24  and Psalm 116. 17 

It is very hard to stay hopeful when it seems like God has forgotten us.  I have said that...I have felt that God has forgotten me, but praise God I have also lived long enough to know

                            ...that is a LIE from the pit of hell.

God does not forget us.  God never has.  HE knew me..HE knows you...before you were born.  HE knows the number of hairs left on my head and how many will fall out into the drain this evening.

I am posting today to give hope and encouragement --from  God  because....

I want to  remind myself how things are so relative and how the enemy  continues to try and lie and weasel his way into our lives.

And maybe I am posting this --for you...the stranger at the other side of this computer screen that I don't know.

In the past month.... 

I  have reached out to a woman that wants restoration in a marriage. ( I wrote this original post a year ago and since then... several women have graced my heart and prayers....! )

I prayed with a woman that does not have her kids right with her right now, and her heart is so broken.  ( This person still does not have her children... but I am believing that she is in a better place.)

I have prayed with several women who are trying to salvage relationships with their children and their husbands.

I have prayed with women that are hopeless and trying their best to hang on.

I have prayed that God would move mountains...  ( I still pray this daily.... there are still many to be moved! )

There are so many -- feeling defeated -- 

And I was reminded of MANY other heartbroken people.

I was reminded that we always need to be thankful.

I think it is important to be real and to be aware.  Because of God....there is HOPE and there is light at the end of the tunnel even when we think it can't happen.

It is a very hard concept, but there can be joy in our circumstance.

Tomorrow could be the day the situation turns around....tomorrow could be the day....
Tomorrow could be the day the situation turns around... tomorrow...

I have said this before, there was a time in my life that I would just 'hang on until night time'....then I would pray and go to sleep with my bible on my chest and ask God.."please, tomorrow - could tomorrow be the day I have been waiting for?".   And then tomorrow came, and the day started and by 10 or 11 am that next day - I would find myself saying, "ok God, I guess it WON'T be today ( for my miracle ) so...just get me to bed time......."   And I would look forward to the possibility of the NEXT day...

Literally living from day to day  -- 

God has to be it.

HE has to be our all.

HE allows strife and heartache within out lives - cause HE wants to draw us near  -- HE is getting our attention.

 That was NOT HIS intention but we are in a wicked world and we chose the path, we have that free will....it leads us into temptation and then sin.

It certainly seems  like ALL the others ( around us )  are getting the breaks and the ones who are ARE on their knees seeking God are NOT winning...but hold on dear sister...hold on beloved....YOU are HIS.

Please don't compare your situation with others -- you have no idea, but maybe Satan does not need to mess with them...and he is able to bless then ( Satan can bless people ) cause they are NO threat.

So consider it an honor...that the enemy is seeking to destroy you -- and your dreams and family...cause he knows, God has great plans in the future.

Lisa Bevere says that you are probably being attacked ...cause of WHAT the enemy knows YOU can do for the Kingdom of God in the future -- so he is attacking now.  Don't let him win.

Don't let the enemy tell you God has forgotten you -- HE has not.

Cry out to him.  Demand GOD to show up and move....just make sure that you are RIGHT with him first - confess any sin....make sure YOU have asked HIm into your life and heart, and declare your love for him.

I realize it may be hard to declare your LOve for God...I was unable to really do that for many years...it takes time to trust something that is 'unseen'.  But, if we will...Glory will come.

Hang in there beloved....YOU are deeply loved.  Memorize these verses  below.  Personalize them.

Michelle, be strong and courageous, don't fear..for God is with me and HE won't leave or forsake me.

__________, be strong....

Lord, God.....I am thankful for this day - for the women or men reading this....may they see HOPE at the end of the tunnel.  Lord,  I continue to hold up those sisters in Christ that I am believing and agreeing in prayer with -- that there would be clarity...there would be peace...and a new found relationship - like NONE before.    amen.

God - for some -  they may not have the faith right now to believe there is  LIGHT at the end of the TUNNEL - but I will believe it enough for them -- I will!

Deuteronomy 31:6 ESV 

Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

Psalm 55:22 ESV / 

Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.

What can I say?

When someone is hurting so badly around you --  what can you do or say?  You pray. 

There is a person that has been heavy on my heart today - so I am writing a prayer.  It will make me 'feel' better and yet -- I can't really give it to this person - as I don't believe this beloved one will receive it -- yet!  

I am unsure of his or her heart at the moment -- will they truly receive God's love or are they so angry with a hard heart?   As I plant the seed of prayer,  -- will  it will just fall into the weeds and get chocked out?    Only God knows.  I pray that HE will use this -- in a creative way! 


Dear Lord, I pray for this one -- who has lost the passion to wake up, move forward, and see Your will in all of this present circumstance.   I pray for this person and know that in this intense pain and suffering ...YOU can be Lord and King within his  life.  Lord, YOU are the alpha and the omega - the beginning and the end and You have allowed  this trial within his life ....but YOU are right there. 

God I pray this beloved one will fall upon the knees that are strong and yet so week, and I pray that as Your beloved falls, they call upon You.  I pray she calls upon You for help.  I pray she calls upon You for forgiveness and she calls upon YOU for some hope.    Lord, I pray she  will call upon You as Your word affirms to me that when she  calls upon YOU -- YOU will find her....and she  will find You.
 Jer. 29.12-13.....  Call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all of your heart.  

Lord, this beloved's heart is torn, badly ripped in half and there does not seem to be a way to patch it together.  Lord, this beloved's one heart is maybe hard....to anything of YOU right now...cause I have this feeling -- he could be blaming YOU.  How could you Lord....???  How could you allow this hurt to happen?  Were you not watching God?  Did you not see your troubled one and not STOP it?   Lord, I pray that 'if' these thoughts are swelling within the thoughts of Your beloved...then, I pray that as the anger settles...as the hurt settles...in the quietness of a still moment...I pray YOUR beloved hears YOUR voice Lord, and seeks Your forgiveness.... but I believe Your beloved has to find You first Lord.  He will have to forgive the hurt, forgive the circumstances, and forgive the situations... He will have to forgive himself, others, and forgiveness is something he will become an expect in.   And I believe that Your beloved will rise up OUT Of these ashes....but in the meantime -- bind the enemy away from Your beloved....and protect them. 

And Lord, as I close this prayer, I trust that You are in the middle of this crisis of faith.  I believe that Your Love can heal his/her pain.  I believe that a relationship with Your Holy Spirit is what is needed to gain power and move beyond this deep and terrible pain and hurt..... Lord, there is family around this beloved one, speak to them  - help them to speak life.  Lord, for the friends around this one - help them to speak life to him/her.  Lord, for the ones YOU will use within this one's life within the next few days....may YOUR glory be revealed, may YOUR will be done, and may this one that is heavy on my heart -- feel HOPE in YOU. 

So with that -- I release this beloved one into YOUR hands....and I will trust that YOU will comfort, as only YOU can.     IN Jesus name, amen.

I must follow up the last blog -- When in a Crisis ....

God's Word is our weapon....our sword. 

Tonight, I felt and saw some very deep hurt and pain.  To see a person,  so utterly helpless and in deep grief can motivate even the most coldhearted to cry.  The community came forth this afternoon and I was amazed and comforted by such  a display of love and united front for a father,   son,  and their family.

 It seems like a 'little' gesture of comfort to hug a mother and let her know you have been praying -- but I have been in a place where there was deep deep pain and when that person stated to me that he or she was in prayer and was in continued prayer --  my soul was filled with HOPE.

Still when I am told, " I prayed for you..."  ..... My heart is full and hopeful.  

Prayer is it.

It is NO coincidence that this  past weekend... the WAR ROOM ( movie )  opened up in theaters. 
It is NO coincidence that you are reading this tonight.   
It is NO coincidence that God has placed you within this community, within THIS period of time and within THESE friends and family around you.
It is NO coincidence that our community is mourning the loss of a very bright star.

And it is NO coincidence that  this topic has to be shared.

  Satan is a liar.   Per research, there are over 1 million people that commit suicide each year.  That is about 1 every 40 seconds.   The stats of younger people and teenagers continue to rise.

 The spirit of suicide is a very real and demonic.  Everything God created -- life -- is copied and used in a counteractive way by Satan.   He steals, kills, and destroys.  The demon or  spirit that convinces a person that they are worthless - is very real.  Take a look at our world -- you must agree, we won't be a complete peace until heaven.

 But even as I state that, I have this  complete and real peace that in a special woman's last moments...she called out to Jesus her Savior.  She was welcomed into heaven and glory....  and Satan did not win.    And this very sad time -- will bring Glory to God.  

As....  there will be beauty out of these ashes.  IT will take some time, and more tears -- but if we call upon our LORD- seek the Holy Spirit within us -- we will overcome.  

And her family will be different...but there will be healing  - there will be.  

Therefore,   it is with a little trepidation that I share this.  Some may read this and feel it is too soon to write and share this -- but the HOLY Spirit is reminding me that TIME is short.   For far too long, Satan has been able to beat people down -- and this girl -- is doing EVERYTHING possible through God to send that devil to HELL.  

Over 400 people read and/or shared my recent blog post about being thrown a man sized weight.  People are hungry to make sense of a loss.  People want the hurt to be less.....  I pray that these words  the Holy Spirit writes through my fingers -- brings comfort and insight to your own relationship with your Heavenly Father. 

Therefore, I am following up my previous blog with God's word and perhaps THIS can help a reader tonight or another person who is going to be called by God to intervene for another - as a crisis hits.   I found this as a resource from a Jan Hunt book on suicide prevention.

Lord -- again, that THIS is Your encouragement through this media -- may THIS bless You Lord.  In Jesus name.   - Michelle

 

When we find our selves in a crisis - state aloud: 

"I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future'"   Jeremiah 29.11

In Crisis...pray --

"In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge: let me never be put to shame: deliver me in your righteousness.  Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue: be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me. Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me."  Psalm 31: 1-3

In Crisis.... recite Scriptures aloud: 

"Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed"   Psalm 57.1

In Crisis .... claim God's promises: 

"My comfort in my suffering is this : your promise preserves my life".  Psalm 119.50

In Crisis.... Listen to Christian Praise Music and Scripture Songs -- 

"Sing to the LORD,  you saints of his: praise his holy name...Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning"  Psalm 30. 4-5

In Crisis.... Consider HOW special it is to be a child of God: 

"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us,  that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!"   1 John 3.1

In Crisis....question yourself -- 

• Why do I feel the need to hurt myself? 
•  What do I think I will accomplish through this?
• According to God, is this the truth or a lie?
• Are my actions and feelings reflecting my true identity in Christ? 

 "Surely you desire truth in the inner parts: you teach me wisdom in the inmost place" Psalm 51.6

In Crisis... make positive affirmations -- 

• I am worth being treated with goodness and kindness. 
• I am a child of God.
• God loves me and has a purpose for my life. 
• I am also loved by others.
• Even though I can't see the future, I will walk by faith, not by sight.  

"The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you: he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid: do not be discouraged."  Deuteronomy 31.8


In Crisis... read and review encouraging words: 

• Reread positive notes and letters from family and friends. 
• Recall those who believe in you. 
• Rehearse God's promise on your life.... scritpure!.  
• 
  
• ...don't act on impulse -- don't take action to harm yourself -- don't act rashly -- don't get in your car and drive  if there is a possibility you will drive recklessly 

In Crisis....  CALL for HELP.... 

"If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!"   Ecclesiastes 4.10


In Crisis .... are you willing to be willing?

Are you broken --  
"unless the LORD had given me help, I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death. When I said, 'my foot is slipping," your love, O LORD, supported me.  When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul"  Psalm 94. 17-19

Will you YIELD to HIM?

Prayer is needed......   "Submit yourselves , then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Come near to God and he will come near to you"   James 4. 7-8

Be willing....... "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you: I will uphold you with my righteous right hand".  Isaiah 41.10

Be grateful .... How could one feel gratitude for what I must endure??? 

"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus"  1 Thes. 5.18


Be hopeful ....  
For God has promised:

"We rejoice in the hope of this glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces, perseverance: perseverance, character; and character, hope.  And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us".  Romans 5. 2-5

  Lord, you know  -- 

Lord, again I thank you that there will be beauty out of these ashes. 

Lord, be with the entire family as they go through the ceremony tomorrow and lay to rest a body.  And I  will believe and thank you for her spirit -- that is with You, as we will see her again.  IJN.  

Scenario #4 ....It is tough being a woman....

It is tough being a woman being thrown a MAN - sized weight.

Today was a tough day.

I have been thinking and asking God about this Scenario for several days now and this eve --   the MAN sized weight.... the HUGE sized weight....the AWFUL sized weight that was thrown on me and many others today ..... is one of a LOSS. 

 Grief ....death...hurt... sad sadness.

In the story of Ester, Ester comes to the realization that her people are going to be alienated--  persecuted and killed.   The Edict had been signed and sealed and the Jewish people were to perish.

When I was thinking of this and in prayer, I thought of many types of edicts.....

..... the revelation of a woman when she discovers her husband has betrayed her  -
.....the revelation of a woman when she learns that her son has made poor choices and is now being placed under arrest -
...... the revelation of a woman when what she has been looking forward to: a proposal, a vow, or a new job-- is taken from her -
..... the revelation of a woman when the doctor states there is a diagnosis -
.....the revelation of a woman when the police officer comes to the door and a child was in an accident
.....the revelation of.....


And this eve -- as my heart is hurting, the revelation of a beautiful woman, who made a choice to end her life.     Hard.  Why......


I am so thankful for a Heavenly Father -- and when I can't make sense of anything, I fall back to the comfort of -- HE knows.

 I believe that her pain is eased -- and that Jesus was there to welcome her to heaven.  I have to believe that.

My grandfather took his life when I was 9.  41 years ago - people did not speak about suicide and I was told to not speak about it.  Often I would wonder 'why'.  It became a topic of conversation  over the years, and yet --- truth be told, we will only know the total truth and 'why' when we are in heaven.  

And in heaven - there is NO sadness.

There is a sister this evening that is grieving the loss of her sister.
There is a brother, grieving his sister.
There is a mom, trying to come to grips with the death of her husband  and now her daughter.  
There is a son, who has to come to grips with the death of his mother.
There are many many many lives that have been touched by this beautiful woman .....who was always found with a SMILE on her face.

This family extends...into many.  

And there is a husband who is in severe pain -- grieving.

Lord, touch each and everyone of them. 

1 Thessalonians 5.11 says, Encourage one another and build each other up.
2 Corinthians 4.18 says, We fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 

Ephesians 4.32 says,  "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."


When my Grandpa died, I remember for months my mom searching for articles and stuff to read  so that we could maybe "see" the why or  if we  could have prevented it.

Tonight, I looked on line and googled "suicide prevention - christian" and found a very helpful  piece of information.  I think it would be good to share -- but not now.

 But no matter what -- we love our loved ones and watch....but  we just don't know the future.  It is in these times....we pray...we trust... and we believe -- that tomorrow -- there will be HOPE.


Jill --   I have thought of you often today.  I have cried...I have remembered and I have enjoyed the photos of you on Face Book -- and I am so thankful that  God knew.

Jill, I will hold your entire family in prayer -- and I will hold onto these verses as well:

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you: and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.  When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned: the flames will not see you ablaze."  Isaiah 43.2

Isaiah 41.10  "So do not fear, for I am with you: do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you: I will uphold you with  my righteous right hand." 

Dear sweet one --

Dear Sweet one.....

You can't see it - but God wants you.
You can't believe that HE truly can be your true 'man'....but HE can.
You are hurting and yet.......the best way to move forward from this -- is to allow Jesus to come into your heart.


I know you have 'tried'.   I have seen some very valiant efforts.    And, I have seen your tears ..... and yet ..... you are not at the point to truly trust God.  But I can promise you -- you won't be disappointed if you allow Jesus in to fill that HOLE.

From my point of view -- God has placed you very close and near to several women around you that love and adore you.
From my point of view -- God has been 'whooing' you for several months and your head and heart continue to 'fight' back and forth -- I think you are scared.

From my point of view -- you may think that seeking God -- means that all of your fun will disappear.
From my point of view -- you may think that 'church' is weird and you are perhaps a little scared.

From my point of view -- I would agree with you -- 'church' can be weird.....  But God is not weird and seeking God  is not 'church'.  

Church is really the people.
Religion is man made.
Jesus was about showing and telling you  HOW much you are loved and that HE died for you.
Jesus came -- that the 'fun'...won't stop.
Jesus came -- to fill that HOLE and the gap left by ..... unfaithful boyfriends.... a dad that left...... friends that no longer speak to you.....

But...there is a 'church' out there where you can be fed God's Word, make friends and allow a few others to come into your life.......   and it will be good ! 


So, right now - if you stop and put some praise and worship music on--  ( I suggest going to the Internet and finding Mercy Me's --  The Hurt and the Healer song  -- download it and play it several times while looking at or reading the lyrics. )--you will find that praise helps us grow closer to God.

So, after your worship time.....Open up your bible and if you don't have one - download the YOU Version Bible app on your phone --

Read Jeremiah 33.11 -- over and over again in your mind .....

Then pray -- Lord, I am at my end.  I am scared and need to talk to someone ...I need to have a mentor that will speak life into me.  I need something to remind me that I am worth dying for and that I am loved.  Lord.....this may seem awkward, as I feel I have prayed this prayer several times ---but I need the strength now, and the courage to go to find one of those women or go to  church with one of those women You have placed around me...Lord, I will trust that I will begin to find answers and LOVE as I seek You.  Lord, I need You -- as I am so tired of this life.....I am unsure of 'which' church You will lead me to, but I will trust the people ( heaven sent angels) around me as they watch over you.   And Lord, I want what I see in a few others around me.  I want peace.  I want to KNOW that I KNOW -- YOU are God - and  I want purpose within my life.  Lord, I will try my best to believe that You indeed are interceding for me.  Lord, I need you and am tired of these up and down moments.  Lord, I want to seek you and STAY focused on You.  As I am going to pray that the women around me will mentor me and I pray that as I fall in love with You God - I am going to trust that my heart will be healed as well ---  and with that Lord, I will read Psalm 139 5x so that I will see within Your written word that indeed -- I am YOUR  favorite.  I am perfect in YOUR  eyes.  I am going to church this weekend Lord....show me which one.   And Lord, I will open my head and heart to become involved with other people...as they create the church.  In Jesus name.  



 Today a prayer request was made known to me------


If this is for you -- and you want to meet up or chat -- please do - I am in the phone book.  

 - humbled 

Scenario #3 - It's tough being a woman --

 - in a mean world. 

It is tough being a woman in a mean world.  I sat down two days ago to write this blog  as I am trying to follow the Scenario's that Beth Moore is speaking about as we walk through the book of Ester in the bible study I am redoing with a few friends.    However, as I sat and typed -- it was just NOT meant to be. 

Beth shares several teaching points and speaks about the history between Mordecai and Haman and gets into the root of a few words like how Haman and hate are in the same family of word origins -- (funny), right?  NO -- that is how perfect God's word is!  And she speaks on how 'mean' has a personality.  And MANY times, the ones that are mean to us are so insecure that they must be mean to survive.  Ok -- all of those teaching points made sense and I took notes, but the blog post was STILL not flowing. 

If you have read my blogs before, I write for therapy, to teach, and to vent  some times, but ---- I always bathe it in prayer and totally believe the Holy Spirit takes over the keyboard.  So, as I said, the other night, the blog on being mean -- just was not 'meaningful'.  Ha Ha - play on words. 

But today --   I have something to share --

It is tough being a woman in a mean world with mean ones around you -- period. 

Here are a few verses about  righteous anger: 

Psalms 7.11 KJV says, God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.

2 Kings 17.18 says, Therefore the LORD was very angry with Israel and removed them out of his sight.  None was left but the tribe of Judah only.

And Jesus got angry:   John 2: 13-16  The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there.  And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. And he told those who sold the pigeons, "Take these thins away: do not make my Father's house a house of trade.".

Here are some verses about unrighteous anger: 

Psalms 37.8  Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath!  Fret not yourself: it tens only to evil.

Proverbs 30.33  For pressing mils produces curds, pressing the nose produces blood, and pressing anger produces strife.

Proverbs 15.18  A man of wrath  ( or a woman of wrath ) stirs up strife, and one given to anger causes much transgression. 

And, to Overcome anger: 

Proverbs 19.11  "Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense." 

Ecclesiastes 7.9  Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the bosom of fools.

James 1. 19-20  Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger: for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 


Ok, with all those........


Now I write -  I will admit, over this past summer, I have gotten angry with God about several situations.  I wanted  to see ANSWERS - like, yesterday.  And when I would continue to see these relationships continue to fail or hurt....my anger would some times turn to just defeat...it seemed that God was not moving in those areas. 

However, I know that I know - HE has never quit and HE is at work. 

And recently, a sweet woman had some 'mean' on FB and I felt that meanness with her.  It was just not right.  I was mad over it too -- and yet...

I know that I know  - HE will judge everyone and that mean one will have to answer to God for his/her decisions if they don't make it right now....   God will not be mocked. 

And finally, as I was driving home this eve, I got MAD at Satan ----as he is the one that I need to be angry with - as he continues to try and steal, kill, and destroy my loved ones...my sisters in Christ... and the random ones that cross my path and I pray --

(Including the most recent report from ISIS about the ravage and slaughter of the young 11-12 year old girls over seas --  it is just awful.)

So, then I read this: 

"Anger and bitterness are two noticeable signs of being focused on self and not trusting God's sovereignty in your life.  When you believe that God causes all things to work together for good to those who belong to Him and love Him, you can respond to trials with joy instead of anger or bitterness."    - John C. Boger


WOW....  yep.... I do believe and know that ALL things work together for good ---- so I will just wait. 

And I read this:  " Our God is not an impotent God with one arm: but as he is slow to anger, so is he great in power." - Abraham Wright


WOW.... and I smiled...as I saw a funny glimpse of both Jesus,  Holy Spirit, and God in a 3 - braided cord....winding up their arms...and PUNCHING Satan in the face.  Amen.  God wins. 



So, if you are in a battle or have forgotten -- that God wins -- seek HIM.

  Pray.

 And for my sweet dear sister in Christ who 'had' a right to be angry the other day, if that person or person(s) don't repent and seek forgiveness ... God will deal.  Amen. 

It's Tough being a women - Scenario #2

 Scenario #2  It's tough being a woman in a world where beauty is a treatment. 

Ester spent almost 4 years being 'prepared' for her King.  6 months of this treatment and  6 months of that. 

While this took place, what was Mordecai doing?  I can see him walking past the gate or place where the young girls  were being 'walked' and as he saw his cousin, I am positive he prayed for her and spoke to her when he could. 

One of the key concepts that Beth Moore states within this week's work is:  

You can't amputate your history from your destiny.  

What a profound statement. 

Everything is our past can be forgiven and 'washed clean' in the eyes of Our Lord, and yet....we can't run from it. 

Part of my past -- part of the past for most women --- is their self image. 

 Perhaps on the way left ---- If they were raised by a mother and father that fostered a strong self - image, those women are  probably pretty self- assured and confident. 

 Perhaps on the way right ----If they were raised by a mother and father too busy to notice much and they themselves were hurting, then probably those women are very damaged, hurt, or even walking around today with a self-image that is worth nothing. 

That is the perspective -- from one side to the other -- and where you fall, maybe be somewhere in the middle or far left or far right of that line. 

However, no matter what 'life' was spoken into you or not --  God has created you in HIS image and HE does not make junk. 

Finding our identity in Christ  and knowing that we are blessed, accepted, adopted, chosen, forgiven, and redeemed is one of the MOST liberating revelations  --- and it should be a goal for every woman.  

I know that as I raised my daughter, there were actions and behaviors that I know I wanted to foster.  And there was the 'stuff' that my parents did-- that I was NOT going to repeat and yet.... in some of those quiet moments, I found myself saying...."oh my goodness, I have become my parents!".  



This does not only go for 'women'....when I think of my children, I think of my son as well.  And I think of the students that walk into my room every morning - believing that God has given me these children for HIS purpose!

Back in the day of Ester, Beauty was something you DID.   Has that changed too much? 

Back in the day of Ester, Mordecai spoke into his cousin that he was given charge of.  Has that changed too much? 

Whom do you speak life into? 

Beth reminded us of three verses she has posted near her quiet time table.  She stated she does not have to read them daily, but some days she does.  She may read them every few days, but then may be able to just glance at them for a reminder...either way ---

When she shared this story, it struck hard.  When I did this study 6 years ago,  it gave me such a release to believe that - 'EVEN she, a famous bible scholar and woman of God had insecurities'.  Therefore she wrote a book and did a study, "So Long Insecurity, YOU have been a bad friend to me".  I highly recommend this book if there is any hint of insecurity.  As I said, knowing my identity in Christ is life changing. 


What are those verses?   Here:  

Song of Soloman 7.6

⁶ How beautiful and pleasant you are,
    O loved one, with all your delights!^[a]

 Coll 2.10  ¹⁰ And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

And Psalm 90.17 ⁷ And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.

So....  if you are reading this tonight, and the Holy Spirit is comforting you with these words and yet, you know -- that you don't understand your identity in Christ....

Then I highly suggest Beth Moore's book, and seek a mentor to help you see and understand that YOU can do all things through Christ that strengthens you.  Beauty may still be a treatment that we 'do'...but true beauty is from within.  

True beauty is walking with God, as when that happens -- the fruits of the spirit are evident.  

If you are allowing your destiny  to be amputated your history  -- I encourage you again to seek a mentor and begin to pray to  re attach that amputated part!!  

And if by chance you don't believe you are beautiful, get 3 index cards and WRITE those verses down that Beth Moore has on her quiet time table.  And then memorize them and recite them daily -- until you believe it.  

amen