Removing Self-Hatred

The title of my devotional today is a bit harsh-----but I guess it's accurate. I've been in the process of receiving the truth of who I am in Christ--and my value in God's eyes. I've been believing the lies and this devotional describes somewhat of what I"ve been thinking. I'm renewing my mind with the Truth. Taking thoughts captive. And as I do---the enemy has amped up His attacks. I no longer "take a break" from being on guard. I am getting stronger, because the Lord is my strength!---LL


New Life Daily Devotion - Apr. 16, 2010

Removing Self-HatredPsalm 139:13-18
We were entirely ready to have God remove these defects of character.
Many of us have spent our lives trying to be someone we're not. Our addictive/compulsive behaviors may revolve around this desperate attempt to escape from ourselves. Maybe we have difficulty accepting our personality, our appearance, our handicaps, even our talents. Perhaps we spend our lives trying to be what someone else wants us to be because we feel that who we are is not enough. We may do all we can to distance ourselves from our inner being because we are so deeply ashamed of who we are.
Self-hatred is a defect of character that needs to be removed. It breeds the sin of covetousness, that is, longing to be in someone else's situation or have what they have. The psalmist wrote, "Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous-how well I know it" (Psalm 139:14). Saying we are God's "workmanship" means that we're unique and beautiful masterpieces, works of poetry. Beauty and value are designed into our very fiber, by virtue of our Creator.
One important step in our recovery is to allow God to remove self-hatred, helping us to value ourselves for who we are. We have been miraculously created and we are treasured by God. And this has been true since the time in our mother's womb, long before we could do anything to earn it! As we begin to see how unique and special we are-embraced and accepted by God himself-our strides toward recovery should grow faster and longer.
We need to see ourselves as God does-a creature, wonderfully crafted, made by the very hands of God.

My Hope

"I wait for the Lord, my soul does wait. And in His word I do hope." Psalm 130:5

Waiting is hard. I like to be a person of action. But sometimes it's because I'm waiting for someone else to take action. I like this verse because it reminds me of the bigger picture---about how I need to base my thoughts and actions around THE LORD and be patient for His instructions, His timing, His guidance, His prompting. It helps me with the waiting, because I know that the Lord is for me, on my side, and is always right!!----LL

I found my answer

For so long I have struggled with turning to all kinds of things to get my sense of security: achievement, work, serving, parenting, and people.

For the last 5 years, the Lord has allowed all of these to be stripped from me so that I might turn to Him alone. It's been a long hard process because even though my HEAD knows to turn to Him, my flesh and my heart are slow to follow.

Over the weekend the light finally revealed to me what was holding me back---I was looking for someone/something that would make me feel special, important, beautiful, and that I mattered. My earthly father had failed me in big ways, so I turned to other means to find my value. The things I had been turning to helped for a moment, but I always needed more feedback to keep that fire burning. My heart finally gets it----- my earthly father failed me and still fails me, but my Heavenly Father was the answer. I desperately needed to know: Am I special? Am I important? Am I beautiful? Do I matter? Who will protect me?

And my heavenly Father is the only one who answers those questions completely. Yes I'm special----he created me uniquely and loves me unconditionally. Yes I'm important--He created me with a purpose to fulfill. I am beautiful because I represent Him--my Spirit, my countenance, my soul are a reflection of Him. I matter---because I am His. He is my shield.

I finally have my answers---because He is my answer.-----Lisala

Psalm 28:6-7 (New International Version)

⁶ Praise be to the LORD,
for he has heard my cry for mercy.

⁷ The LORD is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.
My heart leaps for joy
and I will give thanks to him in song.

My Thoughts

Last night was a horrible night. My thoughts were spinning out of control and I could feel myself physically getting sick. And this came out of nowhere. I had had a great day up until this moment.

The thing is.....I knew that what was in my head wasn't truth, but the voice of the enemy was loud and persistent. I got out my bible----but what I didn't do was pray against the enemy.

When I woke up this morning, this was my devotional. Thank you Lord for sending me this to calm my anxious heart.--LL

Girlfriends in God - Apr. 2, 2010

April 2, 2010

Taking Every Thought Captive

Part 2

Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth
"For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:3-5 NIV).

Friend To Friend
Yesterday, we looked at 2 Corinthians 10:5 and the idea of taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. This battle is not fought with hand-to-hand combat, but with spirit-to-spirit warfare. Every spiritual battle is won or lost at the threshold of the mind; right as the calf comes bursting through the door. Let's look at four simple steps for taking every thought captive and lassoing those run-away thoughts.

STEP ONE

Realize the Enemy's True Identity

On Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001, after I got my son off to school and my husband off to work, I took a long walk through my neighborhood. The sky was crystal clear blue with a gentle breeze blowing through my hair. It was a gorgeous cool North Carolina fall day with just a hint of color on the leaves. There was nothing special on my schedule - just the ordinary. However, one hour later, because of a horrendous terrorist attack on our country in New York City and Washington, DC, by evil personified, the day turned into anything but ordinary. I watched in horror as the television played and replayed the airplanes crashing into the World Trade Center towers and the Pentagon.

Amazingly, we never saw it coming. It started out as just an ordinary day. As I thought about that, God reminded me: That's how the enemy always attacks. When you least expect it.

Let's think about another monumental day in our country's history. On December 31, 1999, the country and the world braced for the potentially disastrous effects of Y2K. Families and businesses alike prepared for months for what might occur as the clock ticked past 11:59 PM. We held our breaths, clasped our hands and braced ourselves. Yes, we were ready. What happened? Nothing. The new millennium came without incident. And yet, on an ordinary day, September 11, 2001, when we least expected it, an evil force attacked our country as never before in history.

Oh dear friends, do you see the correlation? There is an enemy who seeks to kill, steal, and destroy (John 10:10). His name is Satan. He desires to destroy us just as sure as the hijackers drove those airplanes into, and toppled, the twin towers in New York City.

Satan has other names - the devil, the accuser of the brethren, a liar and the father of lies, the deceiver. A deceiver is someone who presents a lie in such a way, it sounds like the truth. He can make you believe something is not true when it is and make you believe something is true when it isn't. He speaks in your own voice. The thoughts feel like you, because they are the old you that he has memorized so well. He's not very creative, but he is very effective and he uses the same methods with us he's used since the beginning of time.

The first step to changing the way we think is to recognize the enemy's true identity. It's not your mother; it's not your father; it's not the person who abused you as a child. The real enemy is Satan himself and he uses your past hurts and failures as canon fodder. If you don't have sufficient ammo in your past, he concocts some of his own.

Join me in our next devotion as we look at Step Two to taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.

Let's Pray
Dear Heavenly Father, I know that I cannot win a battle if I do not know who I am fighting. Help me to recognize the enemy's true identity. Spiritual warfare is very real. Today, I put on the armor of God and stand firm against the powers of the enemy. I am more than a conqueror through the power of Jesus Christ.

In His Name I pray and stand,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
Can you think of a time when you blamed someone for a difficulty in your life when it might have been an attack of the enemy?

Go back and read John 10:10. What does the enemy desire to do?

What is he called in John 8:44?

Why do you think it is important to know who the real enemy is in order to win the battle?

Waiting for the Lord's Timing

I feel as though I am always in a state of waiting. As much as I try to live in the present and take the opportunities presented me, there are some things that I have prayed over for years, and yet the Lord has not yet said "it is time." I cry over this a lot. I ask God, "Why?" a lot. But, I have a choice to trust God, or not. I choose to trust Him, and desire that my will is for His will to be done. And I will wait on Him.......Lisa

Streams in the Desert - March 8

March, 8

When We Are Ready

"Blessed are all they that wait for him" (Isa 30:18).

We hear a great deal about waiting on God. There is, however, another side. When we wait on God, He is waiting till we are ready; when we wait for God, we are waiting till He is ready.

There are some people who say, and many more who believe, that as soon as we meet all the conditions, God will answer our prayers. They say that God lives in an eternal now; with Him there is no past nor future; and that if we could fulfill all that He requires in the way of obedience to His will, immediately our needs would be supplied, our desires fulfilled, our prayers answered.

There is much truth in this belief, and yet it expresses only one side of the truth. While God lives in an eternal now, yet He works out His purposes in time. A petition presented before God is like a seed dropped in the ground. Forces above and beyond our control must work upon it, till the true fruition of the answer is given.--The Still Small Voice

I longed to walk along an easy road,
And leave behind the dull routine of home,
Thinking in other fields to serve my God;
But Jesus said, "My time has not yet come."

I longed to sow the seed in other soil,
To be unfettered in the work, and free,
To join with other laborers in their toil;
But Jesus said, "'Tis not My choice for thee."

I longed to leave the desert, and be led
To work where souls were sunk in sin and shame,
That I might win them; but the Master said,
"I have not called thee, publish here My name."

I longed to fight the battles of my King,
Lift high His standards in the thickest strife;
But my great Captain bade me wait and sing
Songs of His conquests in my quiet life.

I longed to leave the uncongenial sphere,
Where all alone I seemed to stand and wait,
To feel I had some human helper near,
But Jesus bade me guard one lonely gate.

I longed to leave the round of daily toil,
Where no one seemed to understand or care;
But Jesus said, "I choose for thee this soil,
That thou might'st raise for Me some blossoms rare."

And now I have no longing but to do
At home, or else afar, His blessed will,
To work amid the many or the few;
Thus, "choosing not to choose," my heart is still.
--Selected

One of the most important things to me in all the world is KINDNESS. It's what I want to live out, and what I need from others. And KINDNESS isn't niceness. Niceness is pleasantries that are good, but are surface at the most. KINDNESS is longer lasting, and it's source is heart-based. Maybe that's why the church (i.e. Christians) pour out kindness, ---because our hearts are set on Jesus. Kindness NOTICES and ACTS. -----Lisala

Living Love - Week of March 3

Standing Out

As God's chosen people, holy and dearly
loved, clothe yourselves with compassion,
kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
—COLOSSIANS 3:12

In the later centuries of the Roman Empire—and the early centuries of the Christian era—the once-proud empire suffered a series of setbacks. Wars, waves of invasion by Germanic tribes, and devastating epidemics led to a fractured, failing society.

In the face of terrible conditions, political elites and their non-Christian priests fled the cities. The only functioning social network left was the church, which provided basic nursing care to Christians and non-Christians alike, along with hope that transcended death. Even pagans acknowledged that early Christians were as kind to their neighbors as they would be to family. What made the church so powerful during that time was not artful persuasion but serving others with love.

The world is much different today, of course, but we have similar opportunities to show kindness to others. Think about the Asian tsunami of 2004 and Hurricane Katrina in the United States in 2005. Our nation responded to both catastrophes. But in many instances the church was the vehicle through which help continued to arrive. Christ-followers wanted to make a difference in others' lives, simply for the sake of sharing love. The influence of such acts of kindness is immeasurable. As history shows, entire cultures can change as a result of the Christian community practicing the love of Christ.

Prayer

Thank you, Lord, for using things as simple as acts of kindness to point people to you.

The Value of God's Word

For a little while now, I have been discussing the whole concept of "God's Word"--and what that really means. Although I am still pondering this----- (and my thoughts are on a separate blog just for that purpose)----when I read today's devotional, it touched on a lot of things I've already been going over. Kinda crazy!---LL

In Touch - Mar. 5, 2010

March 5
The Value of God's Word
2 Timothy 3:14-17

From the opening line of Genesis to the final words of Revelation, all of Scripture is divinely inspired. And every word has purpose and importance.

The Old Testament introduces us to God's nature, ways, and power; it lays the foundation for us to understand the Lord's holiness and humanity's desperate need for a Savior. The New Testament explains that Jesus sacrificially became our "bridge" to the Father (John 14:6). Its writings clarify why we must trust Christ for salvation, how to live as God's children, and what to expect in this life and after death.

Through the Scriptures, almighty God reveals Himself to us. He also says that His Word is important for teaching, reproof, correction, instruction, and preparation for what we will face in life (2 Tim. 3:16-17). No other book holds such value for living.

Ephesians 6:13-17 compares the Word to armor, and for good reason: in the battle of life, we have a real enemy who wants to destroy us. But God's power is greater (1 John 4:4), and "dressing" in war gear daily prepares His children for the temptations, lies, and decisions they will face. We ought to be excited about the Word of God, for it is the only hope for mankind—and the only instruction that leads to victory both in life and after physical death.

The Bible predicted that many people would reject the truth, and a glimpse at our culture shows that to be the case. Don't let yourself fall into the same trap. Meditate daily on Scripture, and ask God to speak to you. Life without His truth is destined for failure.

Walking with the Spirit and in the Spirit

When I start "drifting" along in life, it's usually because I'm trying to walk through life on my own strength. Why would I want to do that, when I have access to this Power of the Holy Spirit? --LL

"Walking in the Spirit" - In Touch - Mar. 3, 2010

March 3
Walking in the Spirit
Galatians 5:16-25

The Holy Spirit is one of God's most precious gifts to His beloved children. He takes up residence within the believer at the moment of salvation and empowers him to overcome sin and live for God's glory and purposes. However, the Spirit's power can be "turned off" or ignored. Only those who choose to walk with Him have unhindered access to His strength and guidance.

Walking by the Spirit denotes reliance upon Him. He leads the way, and we follow. As He speaks, we listen, heed His warnings, and obey His directions. The Spirit's way is a path of surrender which, although difficult, leads to fullness of life.

God's Spirit not only guides; He also empowers because the challenge of obeying Him is impossible in our own strength. The Holy Spirit supplies everything we need to live a godly life, and He produces His amazing fruit in us.

Being led by the Spirit should be the natural lifestyle of the sons and daughters of God. As you intentionally seek to maintain an awareness of His presence throughout the day, He is only a thought away. When your mind turns to Him, He gives sensitivity to the things of God and understanding about the situations and people in your life.

Take a walk with the Spirit today, and learn to know His voice. Whenever your mind is not occupied with the duties of the day, focus your thoughts on Him, asking for His guidance and looking expectantly for His leading. When He gives it, rely on His power to obey.

Created for Kindness

I really needed to read this today. My heart is full of sadness and all I want to do is withdraw, but this reminded me of the lovingkindness of our Lord, and since He is the source of all strength and of all things--(including kindness)---I will let HIM fill me today, and every day.--LL

"Created for Kindness" - Living Love - Week of February 24

Created for Kindness

In the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.
—GENESIS 1:27

A recent study at the Yale University Infant Conition Center reminds us that we are created to show and receive kindness. In the study, researchers had babies—ranging in age from six to ten months—watch a wooden toy try to climb to the top of a roller-coaster incline. As the toy climbed, some toys came along to help it over the top, while others came along to push it back down. Then the babies were given the chance to play with any of the toys. Almost every child chose the toys that had helped!

We are created in the image of a kind God. That means we are drawn to kindness—and even search for it—from the time we are very young. We never lose our need for kindness, but as adults we sometimes value ambition and prestige more. Particularly in the business world, it can be easy to forget that our minds and emotions were made to respond to kindness, not harshness.

When we act kindly toward others, they will be drawn to us and to God. That's why being kind is so energizing. When we are kind, we are acting as we were created to act.

Prayer

Dear God, I want to choose every day to act and speak in the way you created me to.

My Cross to Bear

It is so easy to look at other people's lives and make assessments as to how hard, or how easy, or how blessed, or how cursed their lives are.

But we really do each have our own burdens to bear. The Lord knows each of us intimately, and meets each of us where we are at, and I am so thankful for that.---LL

Streams in the Desert - March 1

March, 1

The Lightest Cross

"And he went out carrying his own cross" (John 19:17).

There is a poem called "The Changed Cross." It represents a weary one who thought that her cross was surely heavier than those of others whom she saw about her, and she wished that she might choose an other instead of her own. She slept, and in her dream she was led to a place where many crosses lay, crosses of different shapes and sizes. There was a little one most beauteous to behold, set in jewels and gold. "Ah, this I can wear with comfort," she said. So she took it up, but her weak form shook beneath it. The jewels and the gold were beautiful, but they were far too heavy for her.

Next she saw a lovely cross with fair flowers entwined around its sculptured form. Surely that was the one for her. She lifted it, but beneath the flowers were piercing thorns which tore her flesh.

At last, as she went on, she came to a plain cross, without jewels, without carvings, with only a few words of love inscribed upon it. This she took up and it proved the best of all, the easiest to be borne. And as she looked upon it, bathed in the radiance that fell from Heaven, she recognized her own old cross. She had found it again, and it was the best of all and lightest for her.

God knows best what cross we need to bear. We do not know how heavy other people's crosses are. We envy someone who is rich; his is a golden cross set with jewels, but we do not know how heavy it is. Here is another whose life seems very lovely. She bears a cross twined with flowers. If we could try all the other crosses that we think lighter than our own, we would at last find that not one of them suited us so well as our own.--Glimpses through Life's Windows

If thou, impatient, dost let slip thy cross,
Thou wilt not find it in this world again;
Nor in another: here and here alone
Is given thee to suffer for God's sake.

In other worlds we may more perfectly
Love Him and serve Him, praise Him,
Grow nearer and nearer to Him with delight.
But then we shall not any more
Be called to suffer, which is our appointment here.

Canst thou not suffer, then, one hour or two?
If He should call thee from thy cross today,
Saying: "It is finished-that hard cross of thine

From which thou prayest for deliverance,
" Thinkest thou not some passion of regret
Would overcome thee? Thou would'st say,
"So soon? Let me go back and suffer yet awhile
More patiently. I have not yet praised God."
Whensoe'er it comes, that summons that we look for,
It will seem soon, too soon. Let us take heed in time
That God may now be glorified in us.

Psalm 27

As I am memorizing this, my key verse is, "The Lord is the strength of my life." Any strength I have is all because of him. As that worship song goes---"Be the strength of my life, be the strength of my life." and "I am weak, but He is strong."

Amen!----Lisa

Psalm 27 (New International Version)

Psalm 27

Of David.

¹ The LORD is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?

² When evil men advance against me
to devour my flesh, ^a]">[a]
when my enemies and my foes attack me,
they will stumble and fall.

³ Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
even then will I be confident.

⁴ One thing I ask of the LORD,
this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD
and to seek him in his temple.

⁵ For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle
and set me high upon a rock.

⁶ Then my head will be exalted
above the enemies who surround me;
at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make music to the LORD.

⁷ Hear my voice when I call, O LORD;
be merciful to me and answer me.

⁸ My heart says of you, "Seek his ^b]">[b] face!"
Your face, LORD, I will seek.

⁹ Do not hide your face from me,
do not turn your servant away in anger;
you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
O God my Savior.

¹⁰ Though my father and mother forsake me,
the LORD will receive me.

¹¹ Teach me your way, O LORD;
lead me in a straight path
because of my oppressors.

¹² Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
for false witnesses rise up against me,
breathing out violence.

¹³ I am still confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the LORD
in the land of the living.

¹⁴ Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD.

Words: Fail

I try to focus on words that build up, that encourage, that are hopeful, and giving.

But at the moment, the words in my heart are not so uplifting, encouraging, hopeful and giving.

But I don't want to write those words---it's as though if I did, I give them power. How's that verse go, "Whatever is pure, noble, trustworthy"----etc., ----meditate on these.

Set my mind on things above.

Where the heck do these "bad" words come from? They need to be put to death.

Word: Healing

In this verse, the Logos form of Word is used:

"When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick." Matthew 8:16

Word: Logos

3056. logos

---

a word (as embodying an idea), a statement, a speech

Original Word: λόγος

Transliteration: logos

Phonetic Spelling: (log'-os)

Short Definition: word

Word Origin

from legó

Definition

a word (as embodying an idea), a statement, a speech

NASB Word Usage

account (7), account* (1), accounting (2), accounts (2), answer (1), appearance (1), complaint (1), exhortation* (1), have to do (1), instruction (1), length* (1), matter (4), matters (1), message (10), news (3), preaching (1), question (2), reason (2), reasonable (1), remark (1), report (1), said (1), say (1), saying (4), sayings (1), speaker (1), speech (10), statement (18), story (1), talk (1), teaching (2), thing (2), things (1), utterance (2), what he says (1), what* (1), word (179), words (61).

The Word: Jesus

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

He was in the beginning with God.

All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.

In Him was life and the life was the light of men.

And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it"----John 1:1-5

The Word.

The Word was with God.

The Word was God.

Words: Deuteronomy

Did you know that the Hebrew title for Deuteronomy is "Devarim" which means "words" and comes from the Hebrew word "davar"?

"Davar" means a word, a speech; messages, a matter or a thing. Mainly used in the Old Testament, the phrase "the word of the Lord" is used repeatedly.

The first time we see "davar" in the OT is in Genesis 15:1

"After these things, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward."

We know that Jesus is the Word---so I will be exploring how "words" and "the word" are woven throughout the scriptures, both Old and New Testaments.

Awesome!------LL

Words Words Words

Words. Language. Communication.

They have power to build and the power to destroy.

They have power to heal and the power to hurt.

They have power to connect and the power to divide.

They have power for life and power for death.

But what are words? What is THE Word?

this is my new pondering.

Poured Out

"Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head."---Mark 14:3

I want to be like this woman. She took something of great value and poured it out as a sacrifice for her Lord. I re-read this passage this morning, and am pondering it. After I get back from the memorial, I will share my ponderings. --LL

More Fear

Fear, phobos (fob-oss): Strong's #5401: In classical Greek the word signified flight. Later it came to denote that which causes flight; hence, fear, terror, dread. In the NT phobos denotes both the fear of terror and the fear of reverence toward God. The English word "phobia" transliterates the Greek word.

I find it very strange that on the same day that I write about fears and my comfort zone, I am faced with a new fear that has me rattled.

There is a guy that I've been friends with for a very long time, and he has lots of problems. A couple of months ago, his behavior turned bizarre and he turned some of his frustration towards me. Mean text messages, angry voicemails, etc. Two weeks ago he shows up in my town. Shows up at a place I am out at with friends----some place I rarely go to, and it freaks me out that he'd be there when I had said nothing to anyone other than the friends I was with.

He started calling and texting every day. Nothing mean or weird, but it was all unwanted. I didn't return any of his calls or texts.

Then yesterday he texts that he's in town,---do I want to meet. I don't respond. Another text telling me where he's at. I don't respond. Another text saying he wants to see me tonight---so I finally tell him that I don't want to see him, but to have fun at the show he's going to. He replies "fine."

I go home scared. I don't know what mindset this guy is in. He is a drug user and drinker. His maturity level is age 17. I don't know how he'll behave, but based on his mean texts and voicemails earlier, I fear he's unstable.

So I call a friend to share this, but their phones go dead. I go to bed, grab my bible and start looking up verses on fear, on the Lord's protection, ----looking up anything that will calm my fears and anxieties. I spend time in prayer and fall asleep.

But my dreams are even worse. Every where I go in my dream, he's there taunting me. I dream that my car is ambushed. I dream I'm raped. I dream my house is torched. It's awful.

At 3 I start getting texts from him.

Finally I just get up at 5 exhausted.

This is supposed to be my devotional time.......where I turn my full attention to the Lord, be still, and know that He is God. My prayer this morning is for His help to cast all my cares upon Him.

Fear and Living Outside the Comfort Zone

For the last year and a half, I have challenged myself to step outside of my comfort zone. It's not that I am a shy person, or scared to try new things, but somewhere over the last 10 years, I had lived my life between some very narrow lines. I had become afraid to step too far from my comfort zone of church, work, and family responsibility.

And this is not healthy fear,-----but rather it's the paralyzing fear that the enemy uses to keep us from being fully alive.

It's the fear that whispers, "Oooh---you're going to go back to your old habits," or "you've become too boring, they won't like you, " or "why would you want to do that?"

It's not like I was exactly in a comfort zone coma----I was living a full and productive, serving life----and I can see where the Lord used me in spite of my anxiety---but I wasn't fully alive!

So I am battling my fears. Fears of letting people know the real me. Fears of stepping out into the unknown. Fears of admitting I don't know everything. Fears of failing. Fears of saying what I really think. For the last year and a half---I have been using every weapon the Lord has provided me to fight my fears---and I've experienced victory!

The scriptures say a lot about fears and God repeatedly says "Do not be afraid":

Genesis 15:1 NIV

• [God's Covenant With Abram] After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward."
  Read Genesis 15 | View in parallel | Compare Translations

• Genesis 21:17 NIV

  God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, "What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there.
  Read Genesis 21 | View in parallel | Compare Translations

• Genesis 26:24 NIV

  That night the LORD appeared to him and said, "I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bless you and will increase the number of your descendants for the sake of my servant Abraham."
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• Genesis 46:3 NIV

  "I am God, the God of your father," he said. "Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there.
  Read Genesis 46 | View in parallel | Compare Translations

• Exodus 14:13 NIV

  Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again.
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Isaiah 44:8 NIV

• Do not tremble, do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one."
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• Isaiah 54:4 NIV

  "Do not be afraid; you will not suffer shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood.
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• Jeremiah 1:8 NIV

  Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the Lord.
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Of course,---I love the story of Mary when the angel comes to her and says, "Do not be afraid".

So--- facing my fears, and stepping outside my comfort zone. This is my new fully alive-stepping out in faith---living life to the max self.

Amen-------Lisa

Foundation

This morning I feel a little shaky. Lots of questions running through my mind. Lots of uncertainty running rampant in my heart. The unknown, the unseen, and the unclear are ruling right now.

So what is a girl to do?

Remind myself that I have a sure foundation. My life is built on Christ, the cornerstone. Storms may come, but I will not be shaken. That cannot be taken from me.

It is true, for He is Truth.

Love vs. Like

I was really excited when I read this devotional this morning. It re-affirmed things that I've been reading, studying, and meditating on for quite awhile: About love being sacrificial, not something fleeting and rushing, about our own personal value in light of our position in Christ and the Father's love for us. This is the encouragement I needed to keep on keeping on! Have a fabulous Tuesday---in the Love from above, .....Lisa

Then & Now - Week of February 15

"The Day After Valentines Day"
Psalm 139

When I was a teen, Valentines Day was always bad. I hated it. If I had a girlfriend, there was the tough task of finding a gift that wasn't too over-the-top but wasn't cheap. And what if it was a new relationship and I wasn't sure where it was going? Yikes. You get flowers and get accused of coming on too strong and her father is mad at you. You don't get anything and you're a cad and her father is mad at you.

And those were the good years when I had a girlfriend. The years I was "single" Valentines Day represented something I didn't have—a significant other.

As I look back on my high-school and early college years—I realize that I wasted a lot of time agonizing over being loved. Actually it wasn't really love I was after. I was like.

Now that I'm a thirty-two-year old father of three, I realize love is much deeper and better than like. Like is a passing fancy. Like likes me when I'm the popular Senior who won an award and has all the teachers singing my praises. Like dumps when I do something stupid in front of the entire class and humiliate myself or I get in trouble for getting into a fight.

Love—love is deeper. True love is more than a fuzzy feeling, though the fuzzy feelings are part of it. I've been married seven years and I still get fuzzy feelings about Angela. So don't dismiss those altogether. But love is commitment. Love is being there when the other person is not at the top of their game. Love is the other person being there when you're not at the top of your game.

Jesus said it best. He said "Greater love has no man than this. That a man lays down his life for his friends" (John 15:13). Love is sacrificial. It's putting aside your desires and your wants and needs and must-haves for the benefit of someone God has called you to serve.

This is a love that swims against our culture. It's a love you won't often see portrayed on the big screen. It's a love that takes longer than fifteen minutes to cultivate.

How do we move from like to love? We begin with Jesus, who went before us to the cross, demonstrating that laying-down kind of love. Jesus gave the ultimate sacrifice for us, considering us His friends, even though we were sinners.

Jesus did this, because God the Father and God the Son so value you and me. Maybe this day after Valentine's you're not feeling so loved or even liked. I want to you read today's passage in Psalm 139 and realize that it has your name on it. Before the foundation of the world was laid, you were on God's mind and God had a plan in mind for you.

In other words, God doesn't just like you. God loves you.

Sar Shalom

I often like to end my emails to friends with the phrase "Shalom". I do this because I consider this my best wish/prayer for them-----that they may have Peace. When I came across this devotional, it spoke to me because it described in more detail this peace that I love---this Lord that I love. What a beautiful way to start off my day off today----with a heart, soul, and body at peace! Shalom!-----Lisala

Praying the Names of God - February 15

Names of Jesus Week Eight, Day One

The Name
Who hasn't longed for peace, living in a world that is so often full of strife? The Hebrew word for peace, however, means much more than the absence of conflict or the end of turmoil. Shalom conveys not only a sense of tranquility but also of wholeness and completion. To enjoy shalom is to enjoy health, satisfaction, success, safety, well-being, and prosperity. Though the New Testament does not directly call Jesus the Prince of Peace, this title from Isaiah has traditionally been associated with him as the One who brings peace to the world. Furthermore, Paul assured the Ephesian Christians saying of Jesus, "He himself is our peace" (Ephesians 2:14). When you pray to Sar Shalom, you are praying to the One who is the source of all peace. To live in peace is to live in his presence.

Key Scripture
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6

***

Monday
His Name Revealed

The people
walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned. . . .
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David's throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
Isaiah 9:2, 6 - 7

His [John's] father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied. . . .

"And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace." Luke 1:67, 76 - 79

Jesus, my life was in chaos until you entered it. Thank you for the forgiveness that brought me peace. Deepen my sense of your presence by keeping me close to you. Teach me to become a peacemaker — loving justice, doing right, and leading others along the path of peace.

Understanding the Name

Though the Hebrew title Sar Shalom (SAR sha-LOME) does not appear in the New Testament, Zechariah calls it to mind with words that echo Isaiah 9. Both passages speak of a people living in darkness and in the shadow of death. And both speak of a child who will bring peace to God's people.

Shortly after Christ was born, we hear angels proclaiming: "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests" (Luke 2:14).

In Greek the word for peace is eirene. Like the Hebrew concept of shalom, the New Testament portrays peace as much more than the absence of conflict. Mark's Gospel, for instance, links healing and peace by capturing Jesus' words to a woman he has just healed. He tells her to "go in peace" (Mark 5:34). The New Testament further develops our understanding of peace by revealing Jesus as the source of all peace. Though we were alienated from God because of our sins, Jesus reconciled us, making peace through his blood. Peace with God produces peace with others and peace within ourselves. When Christ's kingdom is fully established, all strife will cease, and those who belong to him will enjoy forever the fullness of peace — health, wholeness, well-being, tranquility, satisfaction, safety, prosperity, and perfect contentment.

Studying the Name

1. What does the word "peace" mean to you? How does this differ from the biblical idea of shalom?
2. Why is the "Prince of Peace" a fitting title for Jesus? Can you think of incidents in his life that display his peace?
3. What do you think it means to walk in "the path of peace"?
4. Ask yourself whether you are experiencing Christ's peace in your life. How can you participate more deeply in his peace?

Daily Bread

For a really long time, I have wrestled with how far ahead I should plan for. I am a planner by nature----I like knowing where I'm going, when I'm going, and how I should be going about things. But way back when I re-committed my life to Christ, the Lord started doing a work in my heart about all this "planning". I no longer had a 5 year plan let alone a 5 day plan. At the time I was raising my son alone and the Lord was teaching me to trust Him. He was showing me that He would guide me, provide for me, and that was sufficient.

My son is gone, and yet the song is the same. "Give us this day our daily bread." I will continue to seek that which is the bread of life, be thankful for my portion, and let tomorrow come in its due time.---Agape

Morning and Evening 2/14 AM

February 14

Morning ...

2 Kings 25:30
And his allowance was a continual allowance given him of the king, a daily rate for every day, all the days of his life.

Jehoiachin was not sent away from the king's palace with a store to last him for months, but his provision was given him as a daily pension. Herein he well pictures the happy position of all the Lord's people. A daily portion is all that a man really wants. We do not need tomorrow's supplies; that day has not yet dawned, and its wants are as yet unborn. The thirst which we may suffer in the month of June does not need to be quenched in February, for we do not feel it yet; if we have enough for each day as the days arrive we shall never know want. Sufficient for the day is all that we can enjoy. We cannot eat or drink or wear more than the day's supply of food and raiment; the surplus gives us the care of storing it, and the anxiety of watching against a thief. One staff aids a traveller, but a bundle of staves is a heavy burden. Enough is not only as good as a feast, but is all that the veriest glutton can truly enjoy. This is all that we should expect; a craving for more than this is ungrateful. When our Father does not give us more, we should be content with his daily allowance. Jehoiachin's case is ours, we have a sure portion, a portion given us of the king, a gracious portion, and a perpetual portion. Here is surely ground for thankfulness. Beloved Christian reader, in matters of grace you need a daily supply. You have no store of strength. Day by day must you seek help from above. It is a very sweet assurance that a daily portion is provided for you. In the word, through the ministry, by meditation, in prayer, and waiting upon God you shall receive renewed strength. In Jesus all needful things are laid up for you. Then enjoy your continual allowance. Never go hungry while the daily bread of grace is on the table of mercy.