Decided to change my avatar...been seeing several anime avi's around, so followed suit...but not sure if I want to keep or change it...
life sucks............... but somehow it''s worth it
Have you ever gotten so lost in another person that you almost forgot who you were? Do you ever become so accustomed to caring for and protecting other people that you forget that you are a person who needs care and protection as well? Do you ever allow more stress and turmoil in your life than God ever meant you to carry?
This is where I find myself and it is time for a change. I've spent the past few days thinking about who I am, who I want to be and what God has called me to be. I'm finally recognizing that it is okay for me to have weak moments, no matter what others expect of me, and to want to be cared for and protected, whether I'm capable of doing it for myself or not. And I am shedding things in my life that steal my joy and my peace. The toll is too great and I can no longer abide such things. God never intended it.
[video=youtube;dkQhGSBXsHI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkQhGSBXsHI[/video]
I know this year will bring change. God is in it, so whatever that change may be, I know it will be for good.I pray the same for all who read this.
Today in church I will be going up to the front to make an affirmation of faith.
Keep in mind that this will be done in front of 120+ people, not to mention those who are going to be listening via radio.
God increased my understanding this past month and I wanted to share it with you. Actually I am encouraged by God to share this with you. So I don't know the significance of it, but I know that God knows... and maybe you do as well.
Lately God has been tugging at me to get more involved with other believers; to just be around them and surround myself with them and see where He leads me. As I was doing this, I suddenly realized that my depression was lifting and being replaced by joy. Little by little on a daily basis. It was happening so subtly that I was not even aware of it. That emptiness inside was being filled. I wondered at this. Why? I sought the Lord on it and this is what He showed me...
He said, "Have I not told you to seek the kingdom of God and my righteousness and all of these things shall be added to you?"
"Huh?" I thought. "Exactly what does that mean? What exactly IS the kingdom of God?"
He showed me a kingdom... I saw a great palace with a ruler standing within it. There were other rulers that were given authority beneath that one ruler. There were servants in the palace and many citizens within and without the palace.
God likened His kingdom to a kingdom on the earth showing me that His kingdom here on earth... the kingdom of God on earth... is the body of Christ... us...those that believe and have received... with Jesus as Lord and authority over all things upon the earth.
So... I asked the Lord, "So you mean to tell me that by seeking to find others that believe in you, I am seeking the kingdom of God?"
The answer was a clear "Yes".
John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”Yes. The Lord has been working with me to understand the wiles of the devil in order to resist him and his subtle deceptive ways.
The devil is like a wolf seeking to prey upon the sheep. A wolf will seek out to devour any sheep that have wandered away from the flock. This is why he tries to get us to isolate ourselves. He lies to us and tells us that no one else understands what we are feeling or going through. Yet this opposes what is written in the scriptures when it tells us to rejoice knowing that we all suffer the same trials and tribulations.
The Lord wants us to rejoice in this knowing that we are not separate from the rest of the body. Rejoice knowing that others share in the same struggles so that we would not abandon assembling together in our Lord Jesus Christ. As ambassadors of Christ, we are able to come to one another when we are weary and heavily burdened and find rest. By resisting the temptation to isolate ourselves, we resist the devil and he flees from us instead of making ourselves easy prey.
Likewise, the enemy is likened to a roaring lion roaming about seeking whom he may devour. Lions prefer to prey upon the wounded and weak within a herd because those get separated from the rest of the herd. In our case, we have all been wounded and it is through our weakness that God's strength is able to shine. So as a wounded and weak herd we all stay together not wandering away nor leaving any behind. Then God's strength is able to keep the entire herd safe.
Thank you for sharing.![]()
I got it from a book, so go ahead. It is a very powerful statement. I have it written in my Bible too.
It's 12:05 AM, I don't work tomorrow morning so I can stay up late.
I think I'm going to tackle the mound of dishes in the kitchen soon. I hate doing dishes. My mom usually does the dishes, but I love her, so I want to do the dishes for her.
Love makes you do willingly do things you normally don't like doing... Like dying on a cross for a wretched sinner (now saint) like me.