Monday, March 19, 2012

Let go

Condemnation. It hit me further today after counseling a suicidal contact of mine just how much we can tend to condemn ourselves because we do not meet our expectations of ourselves, or meet the expectations of others. God brought to my attention times where I still can condemn myself without even realizing it. It has been such a habit of mine through the years. Most often we can tend to blame God for this when we need to let go of ourselves to let God in and show us how He looks at us.

I am thankful that God brought this to my attention because condemnation is not from Him at all. In fact it separates us from experiencing His grace in the fullest measure. This one area that I tend to condemn myself in relates to a part in my life that used to cause me such pain. I can say that God has slowly been healing this part of me and I am so thankful! I am not perfect so there are times when I still condemn myself but as God brings it to my attention, He helps me be able to let it all go each time, slowly but surely. I will continue to let go until it all has fallen away.

As I spend time with my Savior who came to save us rather than condemn us (John 3:17) I am swept away by how much He loves me! When I am caught up in His arms I realize that how I have condemned myself is so far from the truth. I love being in the arms of Love and truth! As I let go, each part falling to the ground, it builds me up so that I will be found in the fullness of His grace.

And as I continue to let go, it increases my hunger to seek and save all of those who are lost and hopeless. I hunger for Jesus! I hunger for more of His Love! I hunger to be less so that He can be more! Lord use me wherever I go. Use my writing. Use my words. Use my life to bring people to your feet. Help me to show others that condemnation is not from you but that you have come to save all to live a life full of immeasurable joy and freedom. Thank you Jesus for your Love! May your Love increase in us.

Let go and let God be your everything. Look only upon His face, for in His eyes, you will see who you are and who He wants you to become as you let go.

Monday, March 12, 2012

Sweet ramblings

Oh such sweet moments with Jesus as I have time to slow down more today after a couple crazy weeks. There is so much that God is doing both visible and invisible. There is so much more to do. I hear God whispering to me, "Are you listening? Are you ready? The baby is coming."

As I have pondered about what to write about, I found difficulty in pinpointing where to begin. There is so much truth, revelation, grace and "assignments" that God has put on my heart so I apologize if this post is a little scattered with thoughts. Despite all these things this is encouraging to me because it keeps on confirming the call on my life to go to the nations. He is placing messages to preach, songs to sing, and images of people to embrace, deep in my heart.

I am so thankful that God has placed us where He has for this season in our lives because He has surrounded us with people who encourage us and speak life into our hearts. How unfortunate it is for those who are so pessimistic and negative! How sad it is for those who are missing out on the vitality of a vibrant life with God that gives hope that anything is possible. Can't is not in God's vocabulary except for the fact that He cannot stop loving you.

God has been reminding me once again about Agape love as I have been focusing on this business opportunity that He practically placed into my lap. One of the things that I often have to remind myself is that despite the lack of love from others, I can still work through the pain without letting it affect my thoughts, words, and actions in a negative way. One of the most frustrating things that I have been working through is the lack of change, and actions of others and how slander continues to flourish behind the scenes because of unhappy people who only need more of Jesus Love to permeate their entire being.

I see how jealousy can take root and then people are consumed by it without even realizing that it is a monster eating away at their soul and relationships. How sad that these people allow this jealousy to anger them; to speak words of death and curses that can choke their own life from growing as well as cause deep pain in others. How sad that Love is calling to them, standing right in front of them to live life vibrantly in Him and they choose the opposite that leads to death!

God weeps for you and He loves you more than you will ever know. Even when you think that you have been filled so much by His love to a point of overflowing, and in overwhelming measures that no words nor actions can express it, God will drench you even more. How precious is this gift of Love! How consuming it is! Oh to love more; to give more and to embrace all that God desires for us! He is calling to you. Are you listening? He is showing you what to do. Are you obeying Him? He longs for every part of you to serve Him. Do you love Him so much that you would be willing to die for Him?

At the end of the day, after lies have been spoken, denials have been made, and apathetic people continue to sit on their couches, Jesus still longs to show you a life so full of Love, joy, hope, and immeasurable faith. I praise God that He uses every decision good or bad to draw us closer to Him. He uses such pain and such horrible words and actions from others (or ones from ourselves) to bring you into His loving arms of peace.

I have wept in His arms many nights. He has healed so much of me and continues to do so. Nothing will ever compare to Jesus and His Love! Nothing! I weep knowing that God has brought me back to life from such a path that was once leaning in the direction of death. And now He has equipped me to go out and bring to life the dead and dry bones of others who have yet to experience true Love and Life. Thank you Lord for Life!

Such Love! How can I express this Love? It runs so deep and is so wide. Each tear proclaims your goodness oh God. Use my hands Lord, use my voice, use every part of me for your glory. May my life be the greatest love letter to you my one and only King of Kings.