Are the Headlines Overwhelming?

Are the headlines overwhelming?  They are for me.  It’s a lot going on if you’re paying attention.  The ramifications of the decisions in the leadership globally, the media nationally, and the culture in some areas have turned the world upside down literally. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Some of us have different capacities on how much we can watch, process, and analyze.  For much of the past month,  I had to put my phone down and remember to focus on the things around me. Taking the time to almost force myself to come up with things that I am thankful for, things that are lovely, and pure. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

In the absence of logic and even at the peak of human ‘progression’, the Lord is our firm foundation.  I’m finding that when the gusts of each headline evoke fear and have me operating in my emotions, I’ve lost my footing in the Lord.  It’s time to take a break and remember Who is actually in charge here and remember that all of these things must come to pass. 

Praying that God will use me, use all of us, and each of you to build His kingdom while we have time here on earth. 

“Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit.” Ephesians‬ ‭4:14‬ ‭CSB‬‬

What Is Forgiveness?

Forgiveness is a priority...it is a true expression of agape love and it honors God.

Understanding forgiveness is key and leads us to experience the fearless freedom it offers.

Forgiveness is not minimizing, excusing, or agreeing with the offense. We must see sin for what it is and recognize who the true offender is. Remember, our fight is not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual wickedness in high places...against the author of anger, fear, frustration, hurt, pain, sin and confusion.

Separating the sin from the sinner opens up our heart to forgiveness of our fellow human beings...it allows God to shed His Healing Light and Truth on the stronghold of the offense...and the darkness loses its power.

Forgiveness does not always lead to reconciliation. Jehovah IS Holy and He calls us to holiness. He also calls us to guard our hearts. There are certain relationships and circumstances that we should not expose ourselves to because they are not born of The Holy Spirit. We can forgive the offense...love and pray for the sinner...but must diligently separate ourselves from sin.

If we seek God and His truth...listen to the whisper of The Holy Spirit...He will enable us to forgive others and ourselves...lead us to the people, places and situations that He ordains, according to His purpose.

We have certainly all sinned and fall short of God's glory. But, as believers, we are to be imitators of Christ. And if we make forgiveness a priority, we will indeed experience peace, healing, wholeness and freedom...and honor Him with a clean heart.

Matthew 6:14

For if you forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you.

Ephesians 4:32

Be kind and tender-hearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave

Colossians 3:13

Bear with each other and forgive any complaint you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Proverbs 4:23

Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

Battlefield In the Mimd

Many struggles in life often are fought on the battlefield of our minds. That’s why James writes “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?” (James 4:1). That’s why we are exhorted in God’s Word to demolish any thought that goes against what God says is true about any given situation.

We are in a Spiritual battle and need to take every stray thought captive and repent, correct it and align it with the truth of God’s Word. If someone has hurt us or wronged us, and we are having hateful thoughts towards that person, we need to take that hateful thought captive immediately so that bitterness does not take root in our hearts and defiles us. (Hebrews 12:15)

We need to stop, realize what is truth in the situation, take responsibility for our wrong actions, ask for forgiveness, acknowledge when they are wrong, understand that we cannot change another person, offer forgiveness, release them to God and choose not to hate. The victory in the battle is won when we discipline our thinking, so it focuses on thoughts that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and are praiseworthy to God. (Philippians 4:8)

Negative emotions like anger, bitterness, hate, jealousy, fear, anxiety can kill us. They are joy stealers. They suck the life out of us and hinder us from living abundant lives in Christ. The good news is that we are not powerless. God has given us a choice to meditate on life giving thoughts or thoughts that bring death in our lives and render us defeated. Choose life! Choose victory!  Make it a practice to capture every negative thought and choose to replace them with good ones which come from the truth of God’s life-giving Word..

God Fights Our Battles

Would it make any difference if you just stopped...got still with God...and considered that your conflict is not against flesh or things seen, but against spiritual wickedness in high places?

Would you get on your knees in obedience...align your will with His...and surrender it to The LORD of Hosts, Jehovah-Sabaoth?

Why place your faith or trust in something less than the All-seeing, All-knowing, Almighty Creator? Why take on the battle without The Lord when there is so much power in His Name alone?

Do not fear. Do not be dismayed or discouraged. Stand firm in your faith at the feet of Jesus. He is always with you and will NEVER leave or forsake you!

HE IS RULER OVER ALL principalities and powers, seen and unseen. He is bigger than any giants we will ever face. And the battle belongs to Him!

Joshua 1:9

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.

2 Chronicles 20:15

...Thus saith the Lord unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's.

1 Samuel 17:47

And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give you into our hands.

Ephesians 6:12

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Psalm 20:7-8

Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright.

Psalm 124:8

Our help is in the name of the LORD, Who made heaven and earth.

Deuteronomy 31:8

The LORD is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.

God Gives Joy for Tears

As we walk through seasons of life we will most certainly endure hurts, losses, disappointments, setbacks, and sorrow - but take comfort, for our tears will yield an everlasting harvest of joy, peace, and eternal life.

We are not without hope!

As dim as things may appear presently, be encouraged for our God is still Sovereign.

He is still on the throne!

You are still in His grip!

And He is still working things out for your good! .

Prayer for the Sufficiency of God’s Grace

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for encouragement and truth in Your Word and Your promise of sufficient grace. I thank You for creating me the way I am and for showing me how to accept even my weaknesses...for this is where You fill in the gap with Your grace and Your power is magnified.

I pray for less of me and more of You....reveal to me new areas where I need refinement of character...sanctify me with Your Holy Spirit and maturate me spiritually, as You bring me from faith to faith...from glory to glory.

Show me Your Ways, Lord. Take all of me and shape me according to Your perfect will...partner with me today and every day, so that others will see You in me...all for Your glory and Your kingdom.

I praise You for Your redemptive gift of Christ so that I may freely receive grace and walk in freedom...in my true, authentic identity. Thank You for Your ongoing transformation in me and for bringing me to where I am today. I praise You, Lord, for all the ways You have chosen to bless me...and I pray that You will enable me to open up even more of my heart to the work of Your hands.

Keep me on Your lighted, anointed and ordained path for my life, Father...and thank You for Your comfort and grace when I lose my footing. I need You...I love You...and I fully trust Your plan and purpose for my life, which belongs to You alone.

I pray this all in Jesus Christ's Holy and Righteous Name,

Amen.

Prayer for Emotional Healing & Strength

Oh Lord, I feel that both my heart and my life has been shattered into a thousand pieces and I don’t know what to do or which way to turn. I feel that I have no strength left and that everything in my life has become an utter failure. Have mercy on me I pray, according to Your great goodness and abundant grace.

Lord, I know that Your Word says that You will give strength to the weary and hope to the distressed and I feel both weak and in distress, and ask for Your help and strength.

Help me to wait on You, abide in You and rest in Your love, because I know that You have promised that those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength and rise up with the wings as eagles.

Thank You also, that You have promised to heal the broken-hearted and restore those that are hurting. Heal my shattered heart I pray, and restore to me the joy of my salvation. This I ask in Jesus' name,

In Jesus name, Amen.