"Lord, I give up all my own plans and purposes. All my own desires and hopes, and accept Thy will for my life. I give myself, my life, my all utterly to Thee to be Thine forever. Fill me and seal me with Thy Holy Spirit. Use me as Thou wilt, send me where Thou wilt and work out Thy whole will in my life at any cost now and forever."
This prayer written by Betty Stam, a martyred missionary to China in the 1930's
You know how you can hear something over and over, and then one day you really hear it? You grasp it, take hold of it, and it becomes apart of your understanding and mind. Well that happened to me this weekend.
Recently I've had many questions about my future, and what God's will and plans are for my life. This prayer is not an unfamiliar one for God to hear. Especially from young adult believers. This season of life that we're in can seem so cloudy at times, and even stagnate. There have been times in my own life that I have cried out to God saying, "I've given you my life! I've given you everything! Why aren't you doing anything with it? What do you want with my life God?" Through this time God has taught me to trust, wait, pray.
TRUST that was my problem. What does it mean to trust? Elizabeth Elliot put it best, "It is a deliberate act, a total handing over, a pledge to do something." It sounds easier said than done, but it's one of the most critical keys to serving God. Jesus even said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it" (Matt. 16:24-25).
I've come to realize that my life is not my own. When we truly give our lives over to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, we are no longer in charge of our lives. He is in complete and total control. Now this may seem like a "duh!" statement to some people, but to others they may not like the sound of it. They don't like the idea of not being in control of there lives, and this includes Christians. It included me until now. I have chosen to surrendered ALL to Him. That means everything, the big, the little, and everything in between. The thing is, why wouldn't I? He knows me better than I know myself. He knew me before the beginning of time, and created me exactly the way He wanted. Does not a creator know the function and purpose of what he was created? What is so important to understand is that God will not make the wrong decision for you. The guidance of Christ brings peace, joy, and total satisfaction to our lives, if we choose to obey.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Thursday, April 8, 2010
What every young girl should hear....
I did not write this, but I came across it on Myspace and thought every young girl should here it. It really spoke to my heart so I thought I'd share it with you.
This is what they wrote:
"Everyone longs to give himself completely to someone, to have a deep soul relationship with another, to be loved thoroughly and exclusively. But God, to a Christian, says "No, not until giving yourself totally to Me, to have intensely personal and unique relationship with Me alone, discovering that only in Me is your satisfaction to be found, will you be capable of perfect human relationship that I have planned for you. You will never be united with another until you are united with me, exclusive of any other desires or longings. I want you to stop planning, stop wishing and allow me to give you the most thrilling plan existing-one that you cannot imagine. I want you to have the best. Please allow Me to bring it to you. You just keep watching Me, expecting the greatest things, keep experiencing the satisfaction the I Am. Keep listening and learning the things I tell you. You just wait, that's all. Dont be anxious. Don't look at the things you want. You just keep looking off and up to Me or you'll miss what I want to show you. And when you are ready, I'll surprise you with love far more wonderful than you could dream of. You see, until you are ready ( I am working even this moment to have both of you ready at the same time) until you are both satisfied exclusively with Me and te life I have prepared for you, you will not be able to experience the love that exemplifies you relationship with Me, and this perfect love. And Dear one, I want you to have the most wonderful love. I want you to see in the flesh a picture of you relation with Me, and to enjoy materially ad concretey the everlasting union of beauty perfection, and love that I offer you with Myself. Know that I love you utterly. I am the Almightly God. Believe it and be satisfied."
This is what they wrote:
"Everyone longs to give himself completely to someone, to have a deep soul relationship with another, to be loved thoroughly and exclusively. But God, to a Christian, says "No, not until giving yourself totally to Me, to have intensely personal and unique relationship with Me alone, discovering that only in Me is your satisfaction to be found, will you be capable of perfect human relationship that I have planned for you. You will never be united with another until you are united with me, exclusive of any other desires or longings. I want you to stop planning, stop wishing and allow me to give you the most thrilling plan existing-one that you cannot imagine. I want you to have the best. Please allow Me to bring it to you. You just keep watching Me, expecting the greatest things, keep experiencing the satisfaction the I Am. Keep listening and learning the things I tell you. You just wait, that's all. Dont be anxious. Don't look at the things you want. You just keep looking off and up to Me or you'll miss what I want to show you. And when you are ready, I'll surprise you with love far more wonderful than you could dream of. You see, until you are ready ( I am working even this moment to have both of you ready at the same time) until you are both satisfied exclusively with Me and te life I have prepared for you, you will not be able to experience the love that exemplifies you relationship with Me, and this perfect love. And Dear one, I want you to have the most wonderful love. I want you to see in the flesh a picture of you relation with Me, and to enjoy materially ad concretey the everlasting union of beauty perfection, and love that I offer you with Myself. Know that I love you utterly. I am the Almightly God. Believe it and be satisfied."
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Freedom for All
Where the spirit of the Lord is there is freedom, and in his freedom you will find peace, and through his peace you will hear his voice giving you direction and purpose. (2 Corinthians 3:17)
God is so good to us even when we are least deserving. He calls us out by name and crowns us as his own children (Isaiah 43:1). We no longer are tied to the weights of this world but instead we have become conquers in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:37).
We are given the authority to trample all over the powers of darkness because Jesus has given us access to the power through his mighty Holy Spirit (Luke 10:19). We are made holy and blameless by his precious blood. Yet it is not to be used without reverence, but in the knowledge that it is the key to the world's salvation and the total destruction of the enemy.
He is grace and love itself, and He hung on a tree to redeem mankind. He loved us so much that he’d rather die than to see us live without him. We need him like the water and air. It has been put into the very fiber of our being to need him, to want him, to cry out for him. Abba Father our heart cries! Desperate to know him as the lover of our souls, and to quench the burning desire to be loved thoroughly and unconditionally.
Jesus, his very name can set us free, and breakdown every wall, fortress, city that’s been built over a lifetime. When his people praise him in spirit and truth, it is used as a weapon of war in the heavens, and the floodgates open like the rush of a mighty tile wave and wreaks strongholds in people's lives leaving God the opportunity to rebuild the way he wants.
In doing so God will set up a city on a hill, fueled and burning bright with the oil of gladness. It will not only touch the hearts of those lifting up the praise, but even the lost and brokenhearted will see the that light and hear the cry; it will carry into the deepest places of their heart’s. They will hear the call and they will come running into his open arms.
God is so good to us even when we are least deserving. He calls us out by name and crowns us as his own children (Isaiah 43:1). We no longer are tied to the weights of this world but instead we have become conquers in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:37).
We are given the authority to trample all over the powers of darkness because Jesus has given us access to the power through his mighty Holy Spirit (Luke 10:19). We are made holy and blameless by his precious blood. Yet it is not to be used without reverence, but in the knowledge that it is the key to the world's salvation and the total destruction of the enemy.
He is grace and love itself, and He hung on a tree to redeem mankind. He loved us so much that he’d rather die than to see us live without him. We need him like the water and air. It has been put into the very fiber of our being to need him, to want him, to cry out for him. Abba Father our heart cries! Desperate to know him as the lover of our souls, and to quench the burning desire to be loved thoroughly and unconditionally.
Jesus, his very name can set us free, and breakdown every wall, fortress, city that’s been built over a lifetime. When his people praise him in spirit and truth, it is used as a weapon of war in the heavens, and the floodgates open like the rush of a mighty tile wave and wreaks strongholds in people's lives leaving God the opportunity to rebuild the way he wants.
In doing so God will set up a city on a hill, fueled and burning bright with the oil of gladness. It will not only touch the hearts of those lifting up the praise, but even the lost and brokenhearted will see the that light and hear the cry; it will carry into the deepest places of their heart’s. They will hear the call and they will come running into his open arms.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Making my life something so beautiful.....
This is a little something that I wrote at the begining of the year that was a total insperation from the Holy Spirit and a song by Francesca Battistelli. I hope it touches you the same way it touched me!!!!!
Sometimes we have this very strategic plan with all the little details worked out for life, but God has other things in store for us. "For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope" (Jeremiah 29:11). Well, needless to say, part of these plans are unfolding before my very eyes. He is giving me clear directions about my future, and little by little, showing me how to be patient. Therefore learning to enjoy this ride called life.
Each person on this planet has a purpose. Do not let it be mistaken as your function. This is where most people miss it. Our purpose is why we are put in this earth, while the function is merely to help us achieve it. Our ultimate purpose is to love God and to receive his love in return. (That second part is very important but that's another blog for another day.) But then there is this very special purpose that has been so intricately designed for us. For you. No other person on this planet can do it; at least not the way He designed you to do it. "Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan" (Ephesians 1:11). Every trait about you has been put together by the hand of God to see his will and glory be completely reveled through it. WOW! What an amazing thought! That the Almighty has put me together for a special plan, an adventure that only I can take part in! Think about that for a minute.
Nothing that God asks of his children is meaningless. You don't have to be in limelight to get God's attention or approval. You are already so precious in His eyes. His thoughts of you are as countless as the sand on the seashore. God places dreams in our hearts for a reason. They are the roadmap to life, but sometimes we find ourselves so wrapped up in life we forget to look into our hearts and seek the treasures that God has placed there. How many talents go unseen or unheard because of fear or doubt? I am a perfect example. I sing, but most people didn't even know, because I put it on the back-burner for so long. But the Lord showed me that He doesn't give gifts to keep to yourself. He wants---no He expects you to give them away. "Give as freely as you have received!" (Matthew 10:8)
Your heart is the key to the adventure that God has prepared for you. Every dream, every desire is placed there as a guide. They are given one by one throughout life. If God gave you all the clues now; then there would be no great adventure. Like anything worth keeping, it's more special if sought after and then found. One step at a time, and always make sure every clue is aligned with the Word of God. That is how you know it is the Lord's will. Don't be deceived by what the world my say or do. Know that you are a great threat to the Kingdom of Darkness, but embrace even more that you are wrapped up safely into the arms of the King of Kings. Follow the dreams that He has placed in your heart, and always know that He is forever with you.
Sometimes we have this very strategic plan with all the little details worked out for life, but God has other things in store for us. "For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope" (Jeremiah 29:11). Well, needless to say, part of these plans are unfolding before my very eyes. He is giving me clear directions about my future, and little by little, showing me how to be patient. Therefore learning to enjoy this ride called life.
Each person on this planet has a purpose. Do not let it be mistaken as your function. This is where most people miss it. Our purpose is why we are put in this earth, while the function is merely to help us achieve it. Our ultimate purpose is to love God and to receive his love in return. (That second part is very important but that's another blog for another day.) But then there is this very special purpose that has been so intricately designed for us. For you. No other person on this planet can do it; at least not the way He designed you to do it. "Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan" (Ephesians 1:11). Every trait about you has been put together by the hand of God to see his will and glory be completely reveled through it. WOW! What an amazing thought! That the Almighty has put me together for a special plan, an adventure that only I can take part in! Think about that for a minute.
Nothing that God asks of his children is meaningless. You don't have to be in limelight to get God's attention or approval. You are already so precious in His eyes. His thoughts of you are as countless as the sand on the seashore. God places dreams in our hearts for a reason. They are the roadmap to life, but sometimes we find ourselves so wrapped up in life we forget to look into our hearts and seek the treasures that God has placed there. How many talents go unseen or unheard because of fear or doubt? I am a perfect example. I sing, but most people didn't even know, because I put it on the back-burner for so long. But the Lord showed me that He doesn't give gifts to keep to yourself. He wants---no He expects you to give them away. "Give as freely as you have received!" (Matthew 10:8)
Your heart is the key to the adventure that God has prepared for you. Every dream, every desire is placed there as a guide. They are given one by one throughout life. If God gave you all the clues now; then there would be no great adventure. Like anything worth keeping, it's more special if sought after and then found. One step at a time, and always make sure every clue is aligned with the Word of God. That is how you know it is the Lord's will. Don't be deceived by what the world my say or do. Know that you are a great threat to the Kingdom of Darkness, but embrace even more that you are wrapped up safely into the arms of the King of Kings. Follow the dreams that He has placed in your heart, and always know that He is forever with you.
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