November 15, 2024

Alone…Yet Not Alone

January 24, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

~  Listen while you read, please!  ~

I’m alone…yet not alone. God’s the Light that will guide me home.
With His love and tenderness, leading through the wilderness,
And wherever I may roam, I’m alone…yet not alone.

I will not be bent in fear. He’s the Refuge I know is near.
In His strength I find my own. By His faithful mercies shown.
That so mighty is His shield, all His love is now revealed.

When my steps are lost and desperate for a guide,
I can feel His touch, a soothing Presence by my side.

Alone, yet not alone; not forsaken when on my own.
I can lean upon His arm, and be lifted up from harm.
If I stumble, or if I’m thrown, I’m alone…yet not alone.

When my steps are lost and desperate for a Guide,
I can feel his touch, a soothing Presence by my side.

He has bound me with His love; watchful angels look from above.
Every evil can be braved for I know I will be saved.
Never frightened on my own; I’m alone…yet not alone.
I’m alone…yet not alone.

~  Performed by Mrs. Joni Eareckson Tada ~

~  Written by Bruce Broughton, Dennis Speigel  ~

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

As I viewed these video clips, I was struck by the fact that the children kept the Truth—that they had been taught by their parents—in their minds and hearts.  And it sustained them through this horrific, brutal time.  Such were similar words that the Psalmist confessed over and over.  He was “alone…yet not alone” many, many, many times.  David was sure that Jehovah (the LORD) was always with him, even when he was (actually) alone.

The Lord is my Light and my Salvation—whom shall I fear or dread?
The Lord is the Refuge and Stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?
When the wicked, even my enemies and my foes,
came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.
Though a host encamp against me, my heart shall not fear;
though war arise against me, [even then] in this will I be confident.
For in the day of trouble He will hide me in His shelter;
in the secret place of His tent will He hide me; He will set me high upon a rock.
And now shall my head be lifted up above my enemies round about me;
in His tent I will offer sacrifices and shouting of joy;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.
[What, what would have become of me] had I not believed
that I would see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living!
Wait and hope for and expect the Lord;
be brave and of good courage
and let your heart be stout and enduring.
Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord.
Excerpts from Psalm 27

Perhaps these were among the words the real-life children portrayed in this movie recited in their minds.  For each of us, too, we must not only know that these things are true but it is vitally important to get the Scriptures ingrained into our minds.  There is nothing to replace memorizing God’s Word.  For there will be those times when we need to immediately remember that God is our Light, our Refuge, our Strength,  our Shield.  And that we are NOT alone.

Verses 13 and 14 of Psalm 27 are my life verses.  I cling to them…sometimes daily! There have been numerous times, throughout the years I have <endeavored> to follow Jesus as my Lord, when I have felt desperately alone.  But each time, the deliverance for my heart has come from God as I kept reminding myself of this Truth.  And remembering that, yes, I was alone…yet not alone.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Lord, You are so faithful!  You have provided so amazingly for us through the Truth told to us in Your Word!  Without it…where would we be?  But You are our Light, our Refuge, our Strength, our Shield…that is the Truth.  And You have promised to Your children Your love, tenderness, grace and mercies, Your Presence!  Please help us, Lord, through Your Holy Spirit to hold Your Word in our hearts that it might sustain us, uphold us, ground us, build us up, guide us.  And may we always remember that while we truly might be alone…we are yet NOT alone.  Thank You, dear Lord!  We love You!  We praise You!  We thank You!  In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

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CHRISTLife – Nine: Too High or Too Low

January 23, 2014 by

Oh, how we suffer and struggle under the lies and misconceptions we struggle with in our hearts!  (I can almost see your beautiful heads nodding in agreement.)  We must find a way to “be realistic in the way we view and accept ourselves” (page 40).  As we continue along in CHRISTLife: Embracing Your True and Deepest Identity, Mrs. Myers lovingly and faithfully keeps bringing us back to the Truth of who we are in Christ.   Or, as we like to phrase it, ‘I AM who God says I am!’  There is a children’s song, originally sung by the Gaither Family back in the day 😉 that could be our new anthem. As you listen along, hopefully you will be renewed in your mind to sing along believing that you ARE a Promise (with a capital P)!

I am a promise…I am a possibility
I am a promise with a capital “P”
I am a great big bundle of potentiality
And I am learnin’ to hear God’s voice
And I am tryin’ to make the right choice
I am a promise to be anything God wants me to be

  *  ~  *  ~  *  ~  *  ~  *  

Kim shares another page with us from her ‘Inner Identity Album’ along with her encouragement for us today:iiakimiamapossibility
“I love this page because it serves as a reminder that even though there may be times in our walk with God that it doesn’t seem like He is working, or perhaps we are walking through circumstances and they are screaming loudly—these are the Truth’s that we can hang on to!

He loves you
He has good plans for you
He is working for your good
He hears you
You are His
He will never leave you or ever forsake you
HE IS FAITHFUL in ALL Things!!!

These reminders could not have come at a better time for me…God’s timing is always perfect!”

  *  ~  *  ~  *  ~  *  ~  *  

So, sisters, Kim and I pray for you (and ourselves!) that

  • you will keep on listening to hear God’s voice (He has MUCH to tell you!)
  • keep on trying He’ll help you make the right choice (He never leaves nor forsakes you!)
  • ‘cause you’re a Promise to be anything He wants you to be (Jeremiah 29:11-14).
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CHRISTLife — Seven: Who I Am As a Created Being

January 21, 2014 by

Christlife graphic 1045_n

Don’t you just love thinking ‘I AM who God says I am’…?  Now wait…before you start telling me ‘But, Coleen, I just don’t always believe it!’…just think about it. Meditate on it. Pray to God asking Him to help you understand who you are. As Jason Gray writes in the song, Remind Me Who I Am “Tell me once again who I am to you who I am to you. Tell me lest I forget who I am to you…that I belong to you.” God will answer that prayer! Saturate your mind and heart with the Truth of who you are ‘cause God says you are! And trust God to heal and deliver and mend up that little heart of yours (mine, too).

In reading Chapter 7 today, Mrs. Myers writes, “Knowing the Truth about our identity begins with a better grasp of who we are as created beings—a better understanding of the God-intended qualities each of us shares with all mankind…Simply because I am a human being created by God, I have capacities and potential abilities that can lead to a rich life…” (page 30).

In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of His glory.
Ephesians 1:11 and 12

We ARE blessed, chosen, adopted, accepted, redeemed, forgiven

I am the apple of my Father’s eye ~ Psalm 17:8
I am blessed ~ Galatians 3:9
I am not alone ~ 1 Corinthians 10:13
I am joyful ~ Psalm 30:11
I am heard ~ Psalm 66:19
I am safe ~ Psalm 62:8
I am hopeful ~ Hebrews 10:23
I am able ~ 2 Corinthians 12:9
I am gifted ~ 1 Corinthians 12
I am not abandoned ~ Lamentations 3:31
I am fearfully and wonderfully made ~ Psalm 139:14
I am being changed into His image ~ 2 Corinthians 3:18
I am a new creation ~ 2 Corinthians 5:17
I am reconciled ~ Colossians 1:21-22
I am forgiven ~ Ephesians 1:7
I am redeemed from the curse of the Law ~ Galatians 3:13
I am elect ~ Colossians 3:12
I am set free ~ John 8:31
I am one in Christ ~ John 17:21
I am everything I need to be in Him ~ 2 Thessalonians 1:2
I am above and not beneath ~ Deuteronomy 28:13
I am rescued from my enemies ~ Luke 1:74
I am strengthened and helped ~ Isaiah 41:10
I am created for a purpose ~ Romans 9:11
I am called of God ~ 2 Timothy 1:9
I am saved by mercy ~ Titus 3:5
I am chosen ~ 1 Thessalonians 1:4
I am victorious ~ Revelations 12:11
I am an heir with Christ ~ Romans 8:17

(AND more!)  Please share something you KNOW God says that you ARE in the comments below…thanks!

  *  ~  *  ~  *  ~  *  ~

Lord, I pray to You asking Your blessing for my sisters as Paul did, “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of His glory He may grant you to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Please bless them each with your grace and mercy as they continue to pursue keeping Your Truth in their hearts. Praying and asking in Jesus’ name.   Amen.

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SoupPalooza 2014 – Mushroom Soup with Wild Rice

January 20, 2014 by

SoupPalooza continues! Here on our healthy but oh-so-yummy! Monday’s on the At Home w/ GCH blog, we are promoting soup, soup, and soup! This is National Soup Month, and my husband, Robert, certainly enjoys his bowl of soup—he would eat soup every single day! (I know, you’ve heard this before…but it is true!)  So, I have committed to serving soup at one meal each day for all of National Soup Month.  So far, so good!

This week one of the soups I made was a hearty, earthy Mushroom Soup. Oh, if you could have smelled this house…between the onions, garlic, mushrooms, and thyme! This soup is thick and creamy…and I thought it would go really well with the recipe that Dana shared with us recently—Spinach Salad w/ Warm Bacon Dressing. She is SO right…soup and salad? Such a great combination!

Don’t forget to utilize the search button on our website to check out soups from SoupPalooza 2013 along with soups that Dana has shared with us, too! I would love to hear what varieties of soup you and your family enjoy! Leave a comment below, ok?

Now, I did use one *secret ingredient…want to know what it is?  Dried Mushrooms.  Incredible Ingredient…you really should get some for your pantry!  They can be purchased in the spice aisle, or the ethnic foods aisle of your grocery store.  They come in a small baggie.  And are really inexpensive, too!  I put mine into a grater like this one.  Super easy to use!  And the grated mushrooms add SUCH a depth of flavor!  Try adding a tablespoon or so to any number of dishes: quiche, stews, marinara sauce, soups, etc.   Try it; I think you will like it!2014-01-19 14.50.21

I used a combination of the fresh mushrooms…about 1 pound altogether. Whichever (shitake, button, baby bella) mushrooms you choose to use, be sure to cook them deeply before adding the flour, wine and stock. Along with the onions, they should get really brown and caramelized. This takes a little while, but this is also where the soup gets its deep savory flavor and richness.2014-01-19 16.41.34

Ingredients:
1/2 cup wild rice
1/2 teaspoon butter2014-01-19 14.44.05
1 cup broth
1 cup water
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup onions, chopped
1 cup celery, chopped
1# mushrooms, white, baby bella, shitake, cleaned and chopped
1/4 cup brown rice flour (you could use all-purpose flour)
1 teaspoon kosher salt, freshly ground pepper to taste
1/2 cup red wine
2 teaspoons fresh thyme, separated
6 cups broth or stock
8 ounces frozen carrots, defrosted
2 cups cooked wild rice
1/2 cup half and half (or milk)
1/2 cup sour cream

Instructions

  • In a small saucepan, melt 1/2 teaspoon butter. Stir in wild rice to coat with butter, and heat for 1 minute.
  • Pour in broth and water. Bring to a boil; cover and immediately reduce heat to very low; simmer for approximately 45 minutes or ‘til liquid is absorbed.
  • Heat 2 tablespoons butter in a medium-sized saucepan or soup pot over medium heat.
  • Add onions, mushrooms, and celery and cook, stirring often, until softened (7-8 minutes).
  • Allow the mushrooms and onions to get some color.
  • Sprinkle flour over cooked veggies along with salt and pepper; cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. (This is where I added my ‘secret ingredient; *see above.)
  • Stir in wine and thyme; increase heat to medium-high and reduce ‘til the liquid is almost absorbed.
  • Add broth and carrots to pan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and allow to simmer for 7-8 minutes.
  • Scoop out the carrots and just a bit of the veggies, and set aside.
  • Using an immersion blender, puree the soup and the veggies ‘til smooth;
  • Add back in the carrots, along with the half and half and additional thyme.
  • Heat over low ‘til piping hot! When ready to serve, place a small portion of wild rice in the bottom of the bowl or mug, add soup and top with a dollop of sour cream. Enjoy!

   ♥      ♥      ♥      ♥      ♥ 

God loves you!  ♥   (Don’t ever forget that!)

♥   Coleen

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CHRISTLife – Six: Choosing New Images

January 20, 2014 by

christlife graphic2961_n

How is your inner identity album coming along? I’ve talked with a few ladies and there seems to be lots of different ways of crafting them. Some are putting collages together with words and pictures cut-out from magazines and other publications. Some are journaling their thoughts and prayers. Some are making actual pages for a scrapbook. Some are sketching. But one thing that is consistent from each who have shared with me is that they are amazed at what they are finding in their heart! Mrs. Myers poses some very pointed questions, doesn’t she? Don’t shy away from them…I do understand that they are difficult, at times, to honestly answer. But if we want to deal, once and for all, with the negative ‘self-talk’ and the lies that we have come to believe, well, no one can stop that for us…just you (and me!).

David wrote in Psalm 139 that God knew everything about him.

  • God formed and made him
  • God knew him before he was born
  • God was aware of everything he did
  • God knew what he would say, and think

God was fully acquainted with the whole makeup of David—his abilities and talents, his temptations and weaknesses, his doubts, his sins, everything. And God still saw him as “… a man after His own heart,” (1 Samuel 13:14).

David knew the Truth…and believed it. He choose to think what God knew about him. And, yes, there were times he faltered; so he sought God’s help. And so should we.

Can you say, as David did:

Search me [thoroughly], O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!
Psalm 139: 23

There is no one—never will be—who cares more for you than your heavenly Father! His heart is for His children! He loves you with an unconditional love and He is “…your Refuge and dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms” (Deuteronomy 33:27). God is the very best One to run to when we need to deal with our hearts!

  • He formed and made you
  • He knew you before you were born
  • He is aware of everything you have done (and will do)
  • He knows what you have said (and will say)
  • He knows your innermost thoughts…and He loves you!

Now HERE is true perspective:

My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts, says the LORD.
And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.
For just as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so my ways are higher than your ways
and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.
Isaiah 55:8 and 9 NLT

God Almighty—the Creator of the heavens and everything upon the Earth, the Sovereign God with an eternal plan of redemption for all mankind—His thoughts are the ones that are True, right, and should matter. When we are doubting, we can turn to the Scriptures and be reassured of just how God thinks of us. When we are shaken by hurtful words and accusations from others, God’s Word can be the soothing balm for our souls. When the enemy attempts to dissuade us from believing the Truth, we have the Scriptures to stand upon and say, as Jesus, did, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written…” (Matthew 4:3-11). We have the choice, moment by moment, to choose what we believe. And as we make the choice that lines up with God’s thoughts we will strengthen our hearts to make that good and right and positive choice the next time. When David cried out to God to ‘search’ his heart and ‘know’ his thoughts…

Will you draw near to your Father and ask Him, as David did…
Search me [thoroughly], O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!

  *  ~  *  ~  *  ~  *  ~

Dear Father, You know us…inside and out. And You love us—You really, really love us! Help us, Lord, to allow You to show us what is truly in our hearts as well as the way to deal with it. Help us to seek Your guidance and admonishment so that we can live in the freedom and the Truth that You have for us. Help us to ask You to search us, try us, and know us! WE need Your help, dear Lord! We pray and ask these things in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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CHRISTLife: I Am New

January 19, 2014 by

1601272_585198378196350_659382059_nThis week we are entering into such an encouraging section of CHRISTLife: Embracing Your True and Deepest Identity.  Mrs. Myers writes MUCH in this week’s five chapters on our choice to confess the Truth about who God has made us to be.  She shares about God’s choice of us—that He made man for Himself. Further along this week, we are admonished to not inflate nor deflate our view of ourselves; but truly to see ourselves as God sees us.  And throughout our reading this week, we are reminded over and over of true (perhaps new) images for our inner identity album.  It is going to be exciting!  And also it will continue to be revealing of what we have chosen to hold in our hearts…the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Right at the outset of this week, my sisters, I want to remind you (and me!) that you ARE a new creation.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, (s)he is a new creation.
The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
2 Corinthians 5:17

…You laid aside the old self with its evil practices,
and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge
according to the image of the One who created —
Colossians 3:9 and 10

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus,
so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Ephesians 2:10

Wouldn’t these three verses be great additions to journal in your ‘inner identity album!’

Included here in today’s blogpost is a YouTube video from a wonderful Christian songwriter/artist—Jason Gray.  This young man has quite a story to tell!  And he does tell it!

As I listened to him tell bits and pieces about his story, I realized that he is on this same journey as we are!  He shares and is very transparent about his struggles to believe the Truth contained in the Scriptures about himself.  May I invite you, take you by the hand, and sit with you as you listen.  I pray that Jason Gray’s openness and humility will be a balm to your hearts!  May his words bring you to a place where you, too, will sing along with him…

Forgiven
Beloved
Hidden in Christ
Made in the image of the Giver of Life
Righteous
Holy
Reborn and remade
Accepted and worthy
This is who we are now

But may I suggest…before you tap that little triangle and start listening…go get a box of tissues. I’m just sayin’!

God loves you!  ♥   Don’t ever forget that!

♥     ♥     ♥     ♥     ♥  

 


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A Living Prayer

January 19, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

~  Listen while you read, please!  ~

In this world I walk alone with no place to call my home,
But there’s one who holds my hand through rugged roads, through barren lands.

The way is dark, the road is steep, but He’s become my eyes to see,
The strength to climb, my griefs to bear. The Savior lives inside me there.

In Your love I find release, a haven from my unbelief.
Take my life and let me be a living prayer, my God, to Thee.

In these trials of life I find another voice inside my mind.
He comforts me and bids me live inside the love the Father gives.

Take my life and let me be a living prayer, my God, to Thee.

~  Performed by Alison Krauss and Union Station; written by Ron Block  ~

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

This beautiful bluegrass ballad is an affirmation, a declaration, a commitment. It is the heart-cry of the songwriter to his God. I love that he wrote, ‘take my life and let me be….’  He recognized that, even though he had so much in his heart he wanted to commit to God Almighty, he still needed God’s involvement. He knew he needed God.

The writers of the Psalms often communicated very similar thoughts.

Give ear to my words, O Lord; consider my groaning.
Give attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to You do I pray.
O Lord, in the morning You hear my voice;
in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for You and watch.
But let all who take refuge in You rejoice; let them ever sing for joy,
And spread your protection over them, that those who love Your name may exult in You.
For You bless the righteous, O Lord; You cover him with favor as with a shield.
Psalms 25:1-3, 11 and 12 ESV

Listen to my words, O Lord, give heed to my sighing and groaning.
Hear the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to You do I pray.
In the morning You hear my voice, O Lord; in the morning I prepare [a prayer, a sacrifice] for You and watch and wait [for You to speak to my heart].
Psalms 5:1-3 AMP

And as such it is with us, too. We cry out to our heavenly Father with words of commitment and declaration. Truly our affirmation of our trust in Him…our faith and belief that He is Faithful…our acknowledgment of our great need for our El Shaddai.

Take my life and let me be a living prayer, my God, to Thee!

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ChristLife: Prayer Warrior

January 18, 2014 by

saturdayprayersandpraisesshortAnd pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.
With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
Ephesians 6:18

This verse is given at the end of a passage of Scripture that we all know and love—the putting on of the Armor of God. Whenever I read through these verses I am so strongly reminded of the provision of God. After all, it is His Armor…not mine. I just take it and put it on. The Scriptures tell us that this Armor is TRUTH, RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACE, FAITH, and SALVATION—a strong foundation on which to take a stand. And then, clothed with this Armor of God, we are equipped and enabled to stand.  Then we are told to pray.

This final piece of the Armor of God—prayer—is not the half-hearted whispering of a prayer. But rather it is prayer spoken with passion, with faith, with ‘strong purpose and perseverance.’ It is prayer uttered with humble wholeheartedness to the One Who hears our prayers and answers. It is prayer with faith and believing, with expectation and trust.

So often, when the Scriptures communicate to us on the matter of prayer, the words used are compelling. As you read these next few verses see which words jump out at you. (Hint: they are NOT the words outlined in red!)

Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything,
but in every circumstance and in everything,
by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
continue to make your wants known to God.
Philippians 4:6

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
Colossians 4:2

Rejoice and exult in hope;
be steadfast and patient in suffering and tribulation;
be constant in prayer.
Romans 12:12

Which words did you find grabbing your attention…were they words like, ‘steadfast’ and ‘constant’ and ‘everything’ and ‘watchful?’  Yes, these are the attitudes of prayer…the mindset of a prayer warrior.  This is how we prepare our hearts so that we can take on the ministry of prayer and intercession.  And we remember to do so guarded with LOVE, with GRACE, and with MERCY.

But you, beloved, build yourselves up on your most holy faith,
praying in the Holy Spirit; Guard and keep yourselves
in the love of God; expect and patiently wait for the mercy of
our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah)—[which will bring you] unto life eternal.
Jude verses 20-22

So put on the Armor that God has provided for you, my sisters!  Never forget that the final piece of the Armor—the prayer piece—is not put ON but rather put IN…into your heart!  Prayer is a vitally important part of the equipping of a woman who desires to be a prayer warrior.  Never doubt that you CAN do this.  Don’t let lies get placed into your heart. God has equipped you; you are enabled. And there is much praying to be done for ‘all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying….’

 

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CHRISTLife – Four: Inner Identity Album

January 16, 2014 by

1526502_414668828664861_263672035_n

Don’t you just love looking at photographs?  Me, too.  And, with all the advances in current technology, almost everyone can snap away on a whim!  So many of us enjoy capturing both the big events in our lives as well as every day occurrences with photographs. A photograph is an image.

im·age   /’imij/  n.

1. A reproduction of the form of a person or object.
2. Physics – An optically formed duplicate, counterpart, or other representative reproduction of an object, especially an optical reproduction formed by a lens or mirror.
3. One that closely or exactly resembles another; a double. He is the image of his uncle.
4. Semblance or likeness. We are made in the image of God.
5. A personification of something specified: That child is the image of good health.
6. A mental picture of something not real or present.
7. A vivid description or representation.

The way in which we ‘picture’ ourselves in our own minds and hearts is our ‘image’ of ourselves.  And we keep these images of ourselves in an inner identity album. Our author, Mrs. Ruth Myers, uses this terminology to describe a “sort of mental photo album that strongly influences our sense of identity” (page 19). In other words, our inner identity album is like a scrapbook in our mind of how we picture ourselves—both negatively and positively.  The negative pictures show how our thinking about ourselves has been influenced by the world, other people’s words, difficult situations. And the positive pictures are reflecting the Truth from the Scriptures—the way in which God sees us.   These images portray what we think about ourselves in both of these ways—influenced by lies as well as the Truth.  They are the photographs in our inner identity album.   As we allow God to heal us and to change our image from negative to positive, we are ‘posting’ different pictures in our inner identity album.  These are the pictures that show ‘I AM who God says I am!’

Such as the Truth that NOTHING can separate us from the love of God.

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels,
nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come,
nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing,
will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39

When we hold that Truth in our minds and believe it with our hearts, then our image of ourselves is one of being beloved by God, always and forever, and nothing can ever change that!

Or the truth that God is always with us.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.
Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed,
for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9

And the Truth that we are provided for by God.

Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life,
what you will eat or what you will drink,
nor about your body, what you will put on.
Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap
nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.
Are you not of more value than they?
Matthew 6:25-26

We think on these things and they become the image that we have of ourselves…the Truth that is contained in our inner identity album.

As we continue along in this study, we are endeavoring to replace the lies with Truth. We will be changing our image and revealing that I AM who God says I am!

So my friend Kim and I thought it would be a grand idea to actually create an inner identity album as we go through our study of CHRISTLife.  Want to join us?  Each Tuesday and Thursday, we will have a little project—scrapbooking, journaling, etc.—that we can each do.  And on Thursdays everyone can post a picture of what they are currently working on—their inner identity album.  Today, Kim is introducing us to this idea with a simple, beautiful page that depicts that she IS who God says she is!

And now, from Kim:

CLiiakim

This scrapbook page is a reflection of my transformation. I have gone from the pit of despair, and the lies I once believed, to knowing and believing what God says about me—the truth.   Praise the Lord!!!

  • I am His masterpiece
  • I am redeemed from my past; I no longer have to live there
  • My past does not define my future
  •  I have been redeemed
  • There is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus
  • I can now leave the past in the past and move forward in my redeemed life

This page was made from items I had around the house—old magazines, a few scrapbook pages, some stickers and Modge Podge.   I encourage you to make your page(s) personal to your own journey with God.   Let them show what He reveals to you personally.   Through this Bible study and the CHRISTLife book, we are being  transformed into the women that God says we are. Each one will be unique and different and will reflect us personally as God meets each one of us right  where we are at.

  *  ~  *  ~  *  ~  *  ~

Dear Lord, we are so thankful for the truth that we ARE who You say we are!  You know that in certain areas we struggle to maintain having that same vision as You do…please help us!  Help us to identify the lies and to refute them with the accuracy of the Truth of Your Word.  Truly it really only matters what You think…we so want to change our thoughts to being aligned with Your thoughts.  We need Your help, Father…and we are assured that we have it!  Thank You!  Praying and asking these things in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

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CHRISTLife – Two: Our Best Mirror

January 14, 2014 by

1545826_412714308860313_985682540_nI am not sure if you might be like me…at times it seems to be so difficult to keep thinking the TRUTH of what God says about myself.  Do you struggle with this too?  But, somehow by God’s grace, we muster up the fortitude and remind ourselves,

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 10:5

When I recognize I am thinking these negative thoughts (lies), I try to remind myself, “I do not believe that!  That lie <negative thought> must be obedient to Jesus Christ.  God’s Word says ______ .”  (And then I speak or read the TRUTH of God’s Word which pertains to that situation.)

We are in charge of what we think!  We control the thoughts that we allow to live in our hearts!  We determine to put the TRUTH into our hearts and minds!   That is exactly what this verse reminds us to do!

Have you ever thought, or said, any of the following to yourself?

“I look _____ <fill in the blank> …no one could ever love me like this.”
The TRUTH is: I am beautiful in His sight!

I am fearfully and wonderfully made and beautiful in the eyes of the Lord.
Psalms 139:14

“I am not important…I have no value to anyone.”
The TRUTH is: I have great worth to God!

Aren’t five sparrows sold for two pennies?
Yet not one of them is forgotten in God’s sight.
Indeed, the hairs of your head are all counted.
Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows!
Luke 12:7

“I can never forgive ____ for what they’ve done! They don’t deserve it.”
The TRUTH is:  I have been forgiven of so much!  Forgiveness has nothing to do with what is ‘deserved;’ it is all about trust and obedience to God.

And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For if you forgive others for their transgressions,
your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.
Matthew 6:12, 14, 15

We all have thoughts that are lies; for some of us they are ocassional…for others of us we suffer under these thoughts.  Sometimes they are long-buried words that others have spoken to us in our past.  Sometimes they are strongholds that are in our hearts that we have not dealt with.  Sometimes they are deceptions that the enemy of our souls speaks to us.  It really isn’t too important where the lies/thoughts come from.  What we do when we think those lies/thoughts is vitally important!  We could dwell on those lies/thoughts, harboring them in our hearts and allowing them to fester and grow.  NOT a good idea!  Or instead we could recognize those lies/thoughts for what they are, and choose to refute the lie by replacing it with the Truth of God’s Word, and have peace and joy.  A REALLY good idea!

Finally, <sisters>, whatever is true, whatever is honorable,
whatever is just, whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable,
if there is any excellence,
if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—
practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:8 and 9, paraphrase mine

This is one way to replace those lies/thoughts, “…think about these things.”  These are the things that God wants us to fix our minds on!  Just look at them: whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, of any excellence or worthy of praise…and when we do…we will have God’s peace.  Isn’t that just what we SO desire? Yes?  Amen.

Are there lies in your heart that you believe about yourself?  Take a moment…write down two negatives thoughts, or lies, on a piece of paper.  Now, compare them to the Truth; shed light—the Light of God’s Word on them.  Find the Truth in the Scriptures about who He says you are.  And write the Truth out on this same piece of paper.

Perhaps you are not quite sure how to go about this…try this:  google ‘God says I am worthy’  Now, try putting a phrase that you want to know the Truth from God’s Word into the Google search engine.  And, if you need help, come back here and let’s work together on it, ok?  I would love to work through this with you!   ♥

  *  ~  *  ~  *  ~  *  ~

Lord, we really want to believe with our whole hearts that ‘I AM what God says I am!’ In some areas of our lives, we regret that we believe lies.  Please guide us to Your Truth, Lord; please help us to change the lie into Truth.  We recognize our great need for Your help, Your guidance, Your healing, and Your deliverance.  We know that with You…all things are possible!  Thank You for helping us, Lord!!!  We thank You for it and look forward to praising You for our deliverance!  In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

 

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