A New Creation

Through my despair and discouragement, God has delivered to a place of contentment and peace I have not known for quite some time. Humility - He is cultivating this in me. It's not one of the characteristics of Christ that I was eager to transform in myself - that of becoming humble. But that is the road I've been on the last few months and so here I am. The beginnings of being humble and bare.

Over the last week or so, I have been reading Romans at the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Here are some scriptures that have ministered to me from the first 8 chapters - may they minister to you in some way today.

Romans 4:17
...He (Abraham) is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed - the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.

That last line blows my mind - "calls things that are not as though they were". God sees something in us that we cannot see. Some gift, some ability, some way of being that only He can see. Because He calls it out of us - as if it exists right now, but yet it doesn't. For it to come to life is a process. All the circumstances we deal with are God's way of drawing this out in us so that we can serve and glorify Him. Amazing....

Romas 4:20-21
Yet he (Abraham) did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.

I have come to this realization. It's nothing I've come up with on my own as I have heard it lots of times before, but I guess it's finally sinking in. When I am struggling with anything - whatever it is - I should consider it a struggle with unbelief. At the heart of most of my struggles is unbelief that God is who He says He is and that He has POWER to DO what He has PROMISED. I hate to admit it - I honestly thought I "had this one handled". But how many times have I tried to handle it on my own instead of turning it over to Jesus? Thank you for forgiving me, Lord.

Romans 8: 17-19
Now if we are children, then we are heirs - heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed.

Lord, may I reveal Your glory!!! Do this work in me so that I, your daughter, reveal YOU!

Romans 8:35-39
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Can I get an AMEN? That is some of the most awe-inspiring scripture ever!

On Guard

I have been so discouraged lately. My life has become so mundane and I have had a horrible attitude. A complaining clod of ailments and such. So what does God do? He delivers one of those "ouch" messages that seemed to be just for me at church on Sunday. I was so far gone in believing the devil's lies that I couldn't even recognize it for what it was - a lie. One of the first weapons in satan's arsenal is discouragement. Duh! That is how clever and subtle he can be when you're not paying attention. When you're not on guard. He also sent His people, my sisters in Christ to wake me up - to say "Hey, God has plans for you and this is part of it." This is your life right now because this is a season of training you, growing you for some purpose of His. I praise You, Lord for getting my attention and getting my focus back on You. For giving me joy even when everyday life isn't that fun. And thank you to Stephanie and my mom for obeying the Holy Spirit's prompting to reach out to me with Scripture and encouraging words. Mom, I am putting on the armor of God. Love to you both.

Boys

Here are some recent snapshots of my boys, Lane & Landry. They are so much fun! God has blessed me with two very sweet, smart little guys. Enjoy!