December 25, 2024

Lord, I Need You

February 11, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv
~  Listen while you read, please!  ~

Lord, I come, I confess…bowing here I find my rest
Without You I fall apart; You’re the One that guides my heart

Lord, I need You, oh, I need You; every hour I need You
My one defense, my righteousness, Oh God, how I need You

Where sin runs deep Your grace is more; where grace is found is where You are
And where You are, Lord, I am free… holiness is Christ in me

Teach my song to rise to You when temptation comes my way
And when I cannot stand I’ll fall on You; Jesus, You’re my Hope and Stay

You’re my one defense, my righteousness, Oh God, how I need You
My one defense, my righteousness, Oh God, how I need You

Artist: Matt Maher

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

“Bowing here I find my rest…without You I fall apart; You’re the one that guides my heart….”  Oh, how this is my Truth that I live by!

He IS my Everything.  My ALL in ALL!  As long as I have God that is ALL that I need no matter what storms I may face in my lifetime.  As long as I have Him that is all that I need…even if the worst of the worst happens, or things don’t turn out the way I hope.  This is my Truth!!!

My Truth is not determined by my circumstances; I believe that somehow, someway He would get me through whatever it is.  He is the key.  I wouldn’t want to do life apart from Him.

In John 15:5 Jesus says,

I am the Vine, you are the branches.
Those who abide in Me and I in them
Bear much fruit, because apart from Me you can do nothing.

So the question I ask myself (and I want to ask yourself, too) is this:
Are you a Prisoner of Hope when storms in life come your way?? Or are you tossed to and fro depending on your circumstances??

God has shown me so much about trees.  Let me share some of this with you.  I love this excerpt from “Lessons From The Oak Tree’ blog:
“The mighty oak tree, no matter how severe the storm and how strong the wind, the oak tree will continue to stand tall – branches may break and the tree may be stripped of it’s leaves, but through it all it will continue to stand tall.” He also pointed out an interesting fact, of which I was unaware, that the roots of an oak tree can extend down into the ground up to two and one-half times their height. Now THAT, my friends, is a deeply rooted tree.

So the question for each of us is—how deeply rooted are your values? Do you let yourself be blown to-and-fro with what is currently popular? Or do you stand for what you believe in? I think that what we stand for defines who we truly are. What we do in private when no one is looking…that defines the type of person we are.

I truly believe that one way we can influence this world for good is through our example. By defining ourselves by our values and beliefs, and then sharing those values and beliefs with others through our example, we can influence others for good. Do not waiver, do not lower your standards to fit in or to be popular. Rather, raise your standards so that you can raise those around you.

Here is what Scripture says about trees:

Jeremiah 17:8 ESV
He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.

Psalm 1:3 ESV
He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.

Isaiah 61:3b
They will be called mighty oaks, a planting of the LORD for the display of His splendor….

I love the strength in these trees; their roots are deep and they are grounded. No matter what storms they endure, they continue to stand firm. Oh, let this be my Truth and your Truth as well…

So no matter what you are enduring today (and believe me, I know life is hard). But I also know my God is Faithful in ALL things and He is my peace. And with Him I can get through anything that comes my way. He truly is ALL that I need….

Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you.
I do not give to you as the world gives.
Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 14:27

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Heavenly Father, I ask You now for the peace that surpasses ALL understanding for each and everyone of the ladies reading this blog.  No matter what they are currently walking through, may our Truth be that no matter what storms come our way that as long as we have You then that is Truly ALL we need!!!  In Jesus name,  AMEN!!

Filed Under: Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

CHRISTLife — Nineteen: Clean and More

February 6, 2014 by

cl clean and more

Hi there…it’s me, Coleen!  It is snowing here in upstate New York.  As I peeked outside in the early, early morning, I thought, “Oh, yes! It’s all clean again!”  All of the yucky, dirty, gross frozen slush and discolored ice and snow piles blanketed with grime kicked up by road traffic was—clean.  Sparkling, glistening, pure white clean. And then when I looked out again later, after some shoveling and plowing and snowblowing had been done, it was schmutzy again!  And more snow was wafting down…and the yuckiness was covered up again.  And I realized that really the snow hadn’t made the dirty and gross any cleaner…it just got dirty again.  Such is NOT how our hearts and minds are cleaned by Jesus’ blood.  ALL is clean…we are new again.

But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light,
we have fellowship with one another,
and the Blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just
and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
If we claim we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar
and His Word is not in us.
1 John 1:7-10

We are justified—just as if we had never sinned (that is CLEAN, I tell you)!  We are redeemed.  We are rescued.  We are made whole.  We are purified.  We are sanctified.   We are forgiven.

However…remember this: none of this is of our own doing.  We could never do enough, try hard enough, be good enough to have made ourselves clean.  We were dead in our trespasses and unholiness, our unrighteousness.

This uncleanness has always been an issue.  God knew it…and He purposed and made a way for the only answer for it.  King David knew of his immense need for cleansing and saving from his own sin. Here in Psalm 51 he cries out to God…knowing that only God could help.

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your steadfast love;
according to the multitude of Your tender mercy
and loving-kindness blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly [and repeatedly] from my iniquity and guilt
and cleanse me and make me wholly pure from my sin!
For I am conscious of my transgressions and I acknowledge them;
my sin is ever before me.
Against You, You only, have I sinned and done that which is evil in Your sight,
so that You are justified in Your sentence and faultless in Your judgment.
Psalms 51:1-4

BUT God has always had this plan to redeem mankind.  To provide the way—Jesus’ sacrifice and death on the Cross, the spilling of His perfect blood—to atone and redeem us back to Himself!  There was only one way…thank God that it already has been accomplished!  This cleansing and purifying is yours to receive!  Have you received it?  If not, will You?  This IS God’s will—His plan, His desire—for you.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

And now…check out another page from Kim’s inner identity album, along with some thoughts she has to share on this subject, too!

CLiiakim020614

This picture is such a great reminder of where I once was—from a deep pit of despair with no hope…to a Redeemed woman with Hope and a future. I absolutely love the Scripture Mrs. Meyers uses in this chapter.

He has removed our rebellious acts as far away from us as the east is from the west.
Psalm 103:12 NLT

I praise You, Father, that my rebellious acts are as far away as the east is from the west; I am oh so thankful! And I thank You, Father, for this powerful truth for which I am thankful…

I have swept away your sins like the morning mists.
I have scattered your offenses like the clouds.
Oh, return to me, for I have paid the price to set you free.
Isaiah 44:22 NIV

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Would you pray along with us these inspired words as we praise the God Who purposed all this?

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight.  In love He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will—to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the One He loves.  In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.

Ephesians 1:3-7

Filed Under: CHRISTLife Bible Study Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Your Love Is A Song

February 5, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

~  Listen while you read, please!  ~

I hear you breathing in, another day begins
The stars are falling out, my dreams are fading now, fading out

I’ve been keeping my eyes wide open I’ve been keeping my eyes wide open
Your love is a symphony all around me…running through me
Your love is a melody underneath me, running to me
Oh, Your love is a song

The dawn is fire bright against the city lights
The clouds are glowing now; the moon is blacking out, is blacking out
So I’ve been keeping my mind wide open; I’ve been keeping my mind wide open

Your love is a symphony all around me…running through me
Your love is a melody underneath me, running to me
Oh, Your love is a song

Oh, Your love is a song, Your love is a song
Oh, Your love is a song, Your love is strong

With my eyes wide open… I’ve got my eyes wide open
I’ve been keeping my hopes unbroken

Your love is a symphony all around me…running through me
Your love is a melody underneath me, running to me
Your love is a song, Your love is my remedy, Oh, Your love is a song


“Your Love Is A Song”
~  Songwriter: Mike Elizondo  / Performed by Switchfoot  ~
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

The love of the Father…a love like nothing I have ever known. Unconditional. Life changing.  A love that changed my life Forever.  A love that saved me from a deep pit of despair and redeemed me and gave me a new future.  A love that is not based on conditions…but that is unconditional.

Do you know this kind of love?  It is the kind of love that is only found in God.

Let me share a few of my favorite Scriptures on God’s love that have been life changing.

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers,
nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,
nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation,
will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:37-39 ESV

Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.
Psalm 36:5 ESV

In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son
to be the propitiation for our sins.
1 John 4:10 ESV

God loves us so much ladies…once we grasp and believe this Truth, we will be powerful women for the Kingdom!

When you are tempted to believe the lies of anything
other than the Truth, remember this:
You say: ‘It’s impossible’
God says: All things are possible
Luke 18:27

You say: ‘I’m too tired’
God says: I will give you rest
Matthew 11:28-30

You say: ‘Nobody really loves me’
God says: I love you
John 3:1-6 and John 3:34 )

You say: ‘I can’t go on’
God says: My grace is sufficient
2 Corinthians 12:9 and Psalm 91:15

You say: ‘I can’t figure things out’
God says: I will direct your steps
Proverbs 3:5-6

You say: ‘I can’t do it’
God says: You can do all things
Philippians 4:13

You say: ‘I’m not able’
God says: I am able
2 Corinthians 9:8

You say: ‘It’s not worth it’
God says: It will be worth it
Roman 8:28

You say: ‘I can’t forgive myself’
God says: I forgive you
1 John 1:9 and Romans 8:1

You say: ‘I can’t manage’
God says: I will supply all your needs
Philippians 4:19

You say: ‘I’m afraid’God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear
2 Timothy 1:7

You say: ‘I’m always worried and frustrated’
God says: Cast all your cares on ME
1 Peter 5:7

You say: ‘I’m not smart enough’
God says: I give you wisdom
1 Corinthians 1:30

You say: ‘I feel all alone’
God says: I will never leave you or forsake you
Hebrews 13:5**

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Heavenly Father,  I pray for each woman reading this blog today that she would choose to walk in the full Truth of who she is in You and that she would reject any lies the enemy may whisper and instead replace them with the Truth of Your great love for each and every one of us, and how very precious we are to You.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN!!!

** I read these beautiful truths in a graphic from ‘The Pocket Testament League‘.  <https://www.facebook.com/pocketpower>

Filed Under: Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs Tagged With: , , , ,

Sweet, Sweet Spirit

January 30, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjvIt’s December 22, 1990. It’s cold outside—and inside, really.  I’m wearing a green velvet dress and I’m waiting to walk down the aisle.  It’s my sister’s wedding. Not expected really, two daughters marrying in one year. We needed the Holy Spirit now, more than ever. See, my sweet daddy was giving away his baby, his last daughter and it wasn’t supposed to be this soon. She had a sweet blessing on the way and made the decision to get married. She and I both always wanted our dad to sing in our weddings and here we were. He had just sang at mine and that was hard but now he could barely choke out the words. We were “praying and we were praying through.”

A lady by the name of Doris Akers wrote this beautiful song in 1945. One night, as she prayed with her own choir, she felt they weren’t ready for the service and they really needed to pray. Again and again they prayed and they didn’t feel Him. Then she said, “We need to pray and pray through!”  They did and the Holy Spirit came down in a powerful way, just like it did that day in December during my sister’s wedding. The next morning, Doris had this song in her mind, playing over and over. She titled it, “Sweet, Sweet Spirit.”  Here are the lyrics:

There’s a sweet, sweet Spirit in this place,
And I know that it’s the Spirit of the Lord;
There are sweet expressions on each face,
And I know they feel the presence of the Lord.

Sweet Holy Spirit, Sweet heavenly Dove,
Stay right here with us, filling us with Your love.
And for these blessings we lift our hearts in praise;
Without a doubt we’ll know that we have been revived,
When we shall leave this place.

There are blessings you cannot receive
Till you know Him in His fullness and believe;
You’re the one to profit when you say,
“I am going to walk with Jesus all the way.”

If you say He saved you from your sin,
Now you’re weak, you’re bound and cannot enter in,
You can make it right if you will yield,
You’ll enjoy the Holy Spirit that we feel”

Words and Music: Doris Akers / Performed by Gaither Vocal Band & SSQ

  *  ~  *  ~  *  ~  *  ~  *  

When Jesus left earth to go back to His Father, He left us with a task that we could not possibly do on our own. He made it clear that we would need the power of the Holy Spirit.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you
and you will be my witnesses.
Acts 1:8

Have you ever thought about how your life is different because you have the Spirit living inside you? He is your comforter, advisor, encourager, and strength. He guides us in the way we should go!

So as believers, we do feel the “sweet sweet spirit” in this place.  And we know that it’s the Presence of the Lord.  Need Him today? Call on Jesus, ask the Lord for His Holy Spirit to fill you and guide you in every direction and every aspect of your life. And pray and pray and pray through!  What a gift we have been left by Jesus Himself.

And like the song says, “I am going to walk with Jesus all the way!”

Let us pray:  Dear Lord Jesus, we thank You for the gift of Your Holy Spirit to guide us and comfort us and fill us so that we can have the joy and freedom given by being saved.  Help us to empty ourselves of us and receive Your Spirit and all that goes with that.  We love You and we praise You for giving us the strength to resist temptation, to be able to love each other, to spread Your hope and good news to the world.  Thank You for the Spirit to intercede on our behalf when we don’t even know what to say.  Help us to keep our eyes on You.  For it’s in Your Name we pray, amen.

 

Filed Under: Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

CHRISTLife – Fourteen: Continuing the Adventure

January 30, 2014 by

Christlife Graphic wk3_4If then you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth. For [as far as this world is concerned] you have died, and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, Who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in [the splendor of His] glory.
Colossians 3:1-4

Y’know what I SO love about this little passage of the Scripture—all I have to do is set my mind (and keep it set!) to seek ‘things above!’ All the rest is God’s job!
• being raised with Christ
• having a new, real life
• being hidden in Christ
• Christ’s return
• appearing with Him

Here we are, friends,…we have now entered into Part 2: Your Life IS Christ!  As Mrs. Myers writes on page 61, “…as we let God lovingly invade our lives through our faith in Christ, He provides what is essentially a new album…we relate to God as our Father, He fills our new album with images that give unshakable support of our sense of identity.”  Images like these:

2014-01-30 01.18.30

Ok, show of hands here (actually, please leave a comment below or a ‘like’ in our study group!): who of you wants a new album filled with God’s images of our identity?  Oh…I do!  These images will reflect that ‘I AM who God says I am!’  No doubt!  One could fill journal after journal with these Truths.

Kim and I would love to encourage you to design your own inner identity album page today that does just that!  If God is showing us His images of us, we no longer should be finding our identity through status, or performance, or our physical appearance.

Oh!  Kim has something to share, AND her inner identity album page, too…
I love what Mrs. Meyers reminds us of on page 61.  That our status is important ONLY as it gives opportunity to glorify God and serve others…Our actions become a way of giving love rather than trying to earn an ego-building response from other people.  We no longer need to depend on how people respond to us and we escape from evaluating ourselves in the mirror of human approval.  Ladies, it isn’t about us…It is ALL about Him!  The enemy would love to render us ineffective by making us think we are not worthy.  But because of Jesus we have been redeemed, bought with a price—and that makes us royalty, princesses, daughters of the King!  I want to encourage each of you to do a page like this (below) as a reminder of just how much the Father loves you and who you are in HIM.  The key here is in Him.  Apart from Him we can do nothing!!!!

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation,
a people belonging to God,
that you may declare the praises of Him who called you
out of darkness into his wonderful light.
1 Peter 2:9

CLiiakimweek3

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may we pray just a portion of Mrs. Meyers prayer over you?

“Father, I’m so glad for the beautiful portrait in Your Word of who I am in Christ. Thank You for revealing these Truths—Truths which we humans so desperately need. I celebrate the fact that I never again need to rely on my appearance, my performance, or my status to define who I am. I invite You to lovingly invade all my thinking about myself. Expose further ways in which I’m holding on to what is deceptive and inadequate, and encourage me to cling to the exciting Truths You have revealed—Truths that confirm who I really am in Your sight.”  We pray and ask these things in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Filed Under: CHRISTLife Bible Study Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Lift My Life Up

January 27, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

~  Listen while you read, please!  ~

You brought me this far so why would I question You now
You have provided so why would I start to doubt
I’ve never been stranded, abandoned or left here to fight alone
So I’m giving You control

I lift my life, lift my life up I give it all in surrender
I lift my heart, lift my heart up You can have it forever
All my dreams, all my plans, Lord, I leave it in your hands
I lift my life, lift my life up have Your way in me

If peace is a river then let it sweep over me
I’m under fire I know it’s refining me
When I hear You calling out I follow now wherever the road may go
I know You’re leading me home

Take my life and let it be all for You
Take my life and let it be all for You

I lift my life, lift my life up I give it all in surrender
I lift my heart, lift my heart up You can have it forever
All my dreams, all my plans, Lord, I leave it in your hands
I lift my life, lift my life up have Your way in me

Have Your way with me…have Your way with me
Take my life and let it be all for You

Performed by Unspoken /

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Surrender—that’s the word that has been on my heart the past few days. What does it mean to surrender?

The definition of surrender is to give up control of something.  There are many things God has been showing me that I have not surrendered…to Him.  When I don’t surrender I am choosing to take control of the situation in my own strength instead of allowing Him to take control.  When I surrender to God completely I am trusting Him in my situation.  He is ALWAYS Faithful in every circumstance and every situation.

Why is it so hard for us to surrender?  I know the hardest thing for me are my boys! And yet God entrusted me—a woman with a checkered past, saved by Grace—with these precious gifts.  I know that I don’t deserve it.  But isn’t that just like God…to give you another chance to do it well?  And to do it well is my heart’s desire.  So when I choose to not surrender or hang on to the precious gifts I have been given such as my boys, it is as if I am saying I do not trust the Giver of the gift.

So what is it you are hanging onto??  What is it that you need to surrender to Him—the Giver of the gift—and give Him complete control over?  When we choose to surrender our hearts to Him we are showing Him that we trust Him.

In Job 11:13-15 it says,

Surrender your heart to God,
turn to Him in prayer,
and give up your sins—
even those you do in secret.
Then you won’t be ashamed;
you will be confident
and fearless.

I love the last part of that verse…”then you WILL be Confident and Fearless.”  That is who I want to be: a woman who lives her life in surrender who lives Confident and Fearless.  Will you join me and surrender all?

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Father, my prayer this day for myself and any woman reading this is that we will choose to live a life in surrender and leave it ALL in Your hands.  All our dreams, all our hopes, all our plans!  Lord, I leave it in Your hands. Father, “take my life and let it be ALL for you!” In Jesus name, AMEN!!!

Filed Under: Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Hello! My Name Is Child of the One True King

January 20, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

~  Listen while you read, please!  ~

Hello, my name is regret…I’m pretty sure we have met
Every single day of your life, I’m the whisper inside
That won’t let you forget
Hello, my name is defeat…I know you recognize me
Just when you think you can win I’ll drag you right back down again
‘Til you’ve lost all belief
Oh, these are the voices. Oh, these are the lies
And I have believed them for the very last time
Hello, my name is child of the one true King
I’ve been saved, I’ve been changed, I have been set free
“Amazing Grace” is the song I sing
Hello, my name is child of the one true King
I am no longer defined by all the wreckage behind
The One who makes all things new has proven it’s true
Just take a look at my life

What love the Father has lavished upon us that we should be called His children
I am a child of the one true King
What love the Father has lavished upon us that we should be called His children
Hello, my name is child of the one true King
I’ve been saved, I’ve been changed, I have been set free
“Amazing Grace” is the song I sing
Hello, my name is child of the one true King
I am a child of the one true King

~  Written and Performed by Matthew West  ~

Regret, Defeat, Loser, Unworthy, Worthless….  Are these the lies that you choose to believe???

Yes, there have been times in my life I have felt ALL of those things. But, let me assure you, that YOU ARE NOT YOUR PAST MISTAKES. Praise the Lord for this Truth!!!
I am no longer defined by all the wreckage behind
The one who makes all things new has proven it’s true
Just take a look at my life
Yes, just take a look at my life!!!  My life is a miracle and I am living proof of what Jesus can do in someones life. God has given me a second chance.. My past is not pretty. But I no longer put my focus there…I live in the truth of my redeemed life. Your past mistakes do not define your future with God; praise Him for that!

For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.
Heb 8:12 NIV

How amazing that our God remembers our sins no more.

To provide for those who mourn in Zion; to give them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, festive oil instead of mourning, and splendid clothes instead of despair. And they will be called righteous trees, planted by the LORD to glorify Him.
Isaiah 61:3 HCSB

Sisters, I encourage you to put the past in the past and let God heal those wounds and broken places and completely restore those years. That you would choose to believe the Truth of who you are in Him and that ‘Amazing Grace’ is the song that you will choose to sing!

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Heavenly Father, I thank You for the promise that You give us a crown of beauty instead of ashes; and I pray for each and everyone reading this that they would reject the lies and embrace the truth of who they are in you and KNOW just how much you love them. Thank You that You meet each of us where we are at and that you remember our sins no more! In Jesus’ name, AMEN!!!

Filed Under: Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

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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Overcomer

January 15, 2014 by


psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

~  Listen while you read, please!  ~

Staring at a stop sign, watching people drive by, T Mac on the radio
Got so much on your mind, nothing’s really going right, looking for a ray of hope
Whatever it is you may be going through
I know he’s not gonna let it get the best of you

You’re an overcomer
Stay in the fight ’til the final round
You’re not going under
‘Cause God is holding you right now
You might be down for a moment
Feeling like it’s hopeless
That’s when He reminds you
That you’re an overcomer
You’re an overcomer

Everybody’s been down, hit the bottom, hit the ground. Ooh, you’re not alone
Just take a breath, don’t forget, hang on to His promises, He wants you to know

The same man, the great I am, the One Who overcame death is living inside of you
So just hold tight, fix your eyes on the One Who holds your life
There’s nothing He can’t do…He’s telling you

~  Performed by Mandisa; Written by Christopher Stevens and David Garcia  ~

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

“I am an Overcomer!”  Let’s think about that and say that together….

I AM AN OVERCOMER!!!!!

This is who God says I am! We all can get weighed down by the pressures in life. I know there are days when I feel like I am in the boxing ring and things (aka—life) is coming at me and how quickly I forget who I am when I get weary!!! It’s in those moments that God so sweetly reminds me just exactly who I am.

In Romans 8:37, He says, “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” I am more than a conqueror because Jesus lives in me and because of Him I have the Victory!!!  He also tells us in John 16:33, “I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

There is peace and there is hope in ALL things and in EVERY situation if we so choose to take our eyes off our circumstances and get our eyes back on Him. The only way to be defeated is to give up. Make a choice this day to look the giant in the face, get back up, and walk in the confidence that your Father is working in that situation and is using it for good.

Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting,
God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along.
If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter.
He does our praying in and for us,
making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans.
He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition,
and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure
that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.
Romans 8:28 (MSG)

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Heavenly Father, I thank You for these truths and I pray for each and every person who is reading this, and for myself included, that when things around us are swirling out of control that we would choose to take our eyes off the circumstances and CHOOSE to get our eyes back on You, walking in the peace and confidence of knowing that You are faithful in ALL things and in EVERY circumstance! In Jesus’ name. Amen!!!

Filed Under: Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

You Are

January 10, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

  ~  Listen while you read, please!  ~

When I can’t find the words to say how much it hurts
You are the healing in my heart
When all that I can see are broken memories
You are the light that’s in the dark

You are the song, You are the song I’m singing
You are the air, You are the air I breathe in
You are the hope, You are the hope I’m needin’…You are

And when my circumstance leaves me with empty hands
You’re the Provider of my needs
When all my dirtiness has left me helpless
You are the rain that washes me

If I had no voice, if I had no tongue—I would dance for You like the rising sun
And when that day comes and I see Your face
I will shout Your endless, glorious praise

 

~  written and performed by Colton Dixon  ~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

He is my Healer, my Hope…the rain that washes me. He is the song that I am singing. What about you, dear sister? Is HE your everything? Even in the rain, is He your hope?

I love this song. Because even when I am hurting, and my circumstances are difficult, and the dirtiness of my past has left me helpess…He IS and WAS my Hope, My Healer from the pain.

Even in the most difficult of circumstances He is the song I am singing. God showed me this verse in one of the most difficult of circumstances in my life.

And be not grieved and depressed,
for the joy of the Lord is your strength and stronghold.
Nehemiah 8:10 AMP

You see, my son was going through a sleep disorder at the time that caused him to have seizures while he was sleeping. We walked through this for about 7 months before he was completely healed from it. That was one of the most difficult walks I have had thus far with God. But joy was possible because it was found in Him. I watched God use that situation with my son for Good over and over again. If I was focused on my circumstances, I would slowly feel my joy being drained from me as well as my strength. But when I focused on God—my joy in Him began to return and the peace that surpasses all understanding began to wash over me! And He would remind me that I was ok. It was then that I would regain my strength.

I got to thinking about this verse, “…the joy of the Lord is my strength and stronghold…” How do I find joy in the midst of the most difficult of circumstances? The answer is found IN THE LORD! Joy and happiness are two different things. Happiness is a feeling and is dependent on circumstances.  Joy is only found in the Lord and is NOT dependent on my circumstances. So even in the midst of the most difficult of circumstances, I hang onto my joy because if I let my joy be stolen… there goes my strength. And in Romans 8:28 God reminds us that He causes “all things to work together for good to those who love God, and to those who are called according to His purpose.”  So be encouraged, dear sister, that even in the hardest of situations joy and peace in the Lord is possible…but it is ONLY found in HIM!!!

 *   *   *   *   *  

Heavenly Father, I pray this day for each and every one of my sisters  that may be struggling to find the joy in You in their difficult circumstances. I pray that they would get their eyes focused back on You and that they would be encouraged that You will use it for their good and for Your glory; in Jesus’ name. Amen!!

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

Interested in joining us for our next Online Bible Study that starts on January 13, 2014?   Click HERE for more details!

Filed Under: Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,
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