Every day you wake up, God has given you a day to live.
What do you give Him back?
In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}
In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}
Living complete in Christ.
Every day you wake up, God has given you a day to live.
What do you give Him back?
In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}
Maybe, just maybe, if we chose to put ourself aside for just one moment to stop presupposing we knew who or what God is, but rather came before Him & His Word with simple child-like-wide-open unbias eye, untainted heart, and unskewed minds….maybe, just maybe, we would grasp His understanding of who and what HE IS for who and what HE SAYS HE IS, not what we think He is.
It would be then, that we would begin to understand the attributes of God. It would be then, that we would begin to hear, to see, to experience, to choose, to decide, to deny, to accept, to know God for God…prehaps like the very first time you met.
- Revelation 2:4-5
In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopefully. Empowered.}
What if?
In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}
I don’t wanna hear anymore, teach me to listen
I don’t wanna see anymore, give me a vision
That you could move this heart, to be set apart
I don’t need to recognize, the man in the mirror
And I don’t wanna trade Your plan, for something familiar
I can’t waste a day, I can’t stay the same
I wanna be different
I wanna be changed
‘Til all of me is gone
And all that remains
Is a fire so bright
The whole world can see
That there’s something different
So come and be different
In me
And I dont wanna spend my life, stuck in a pattern
And I don’t wanna gain this world but lose what matters
And so I’m giving up, everything because
I wanna be different
I wanna be changed
‘Til all of me is gone
And all that remains
Is a fire so bright
The whole world can see
That there’s something different
So come and be different; oh-oh
I know, that I am far, from perfect
But through You, the cross still says, I’m worth it
So take this beating in my heart and
Come and finish what You started
When they see me, let them see You
‘Cause I just wanna be different, ye-ey
I wanna be different
I wanna be changed
‘Til all of me is gone
And all that remains
Oh is a fire so bright
The whole world can see
That there’s something different
So come and be different
I just wanna be different
So could You be different
In me
Different lyrics © Music Services, Inc
YouTube Link below:
Different by Micah Tyler
This song has been burning a fire in my soul, because I want to be different. Not different for different sake, but because He is worth more than this world; more than my life.
I want to be HIS — all of His! If He doesn’t have all of me, He doesn’t have any of me.
I want my mortal flesh to be changed into His likeness ’til all that is seen is Christ — nothing less, so that others may see Him and know Him, His power and resurrection; this life is to short to fool around with anything less.
I want my life to count for Christ!
In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}
In these 16 verses alone they just my the goosebumps! Seeing the love of the Father and the Son for mankind…for me, for you…I am overwhelmed. I am humbled yet incredibly encouraged that He loves me so. He loves you that much!!!
There are numberous passages beyond these that we could quote, yet in these 16 verses alone we see clearly see who God is, His physical acts of love upon mankind along with His love for mankind. His Son’s love, display, physical death and resurrection, submission to the will of the Father, beyond discription of outward and inward love for both us and his Father. What a display of example to us.
Together, we could literally spend hours filling pages full of God, His attributes or character. We could fill blog posts of the Words of God proclaiming how Scripture is compacted with living displays of vibrant, consistent, unchangeable, unwavering, unshakable, demonstrations of God’s love for mankind from time past, this present day, and in the future to come showing our immense need for thee Savior.
Sadly, in the midst of all this knowledge (yes, I am talking to believers here), we often fail to live in the land of belief, trust, and simply put “not quiet sure God’s got this” mindset that lives out ‘self is better than God’. Oh, we would never say this outwardly but we live, make decisions, act, think, and like it. You may disagree with me, but this leans me to one thought. One question.
We read, hear sermons, maybe even teach a class, sing in choir or lead the choir, yet still doubt the God in whom took the nails for us. We doubt that God can’t and I am better able. We choose the duct tape. We deny the power of those nails and choose our handy-dandy self-duct tape to fix our life’s problems when all we need, who we need, is given to us within the pages of Truth, God’s Word.
Sure, real duct tape has its purpose in real life; we would never think of using duct tape to build a house. Thus we should never metaphorically replace Christ’s nails with our own self-induced duct tape and count it stronger or more reliable than Christ’s nails…NEVER!
How are you building sister or brother in Christ?
In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}
Maybe, just maybe, if we chose to put ourself aside for just one moment to stop presupposing we knew who or what God is, but rather came before Him & His Word with simple child-like-wide-open unbias eyes, untainted heart, and unskewed minds….maybe, just maybe, we would grasp His understanding of who and what HE IS for who and what HE SAYS HE IS, not what we think He is.
It would be then, that we would begin to understand the attributes of God. It would be then, that we would begin to hear, to see, to experience, to choose, to decide, to deny, to accept, to know God for God…prehaps like the very first time you met.
- Revelation 2:4-5
In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopefully. Empowered.}
3 Simple Reasons why Church is God’s Plan A.
Here are three simple reasons why “church” is GOD’S plan A and there is no plan B in God’s book. Why we must stop kicking and screaming and questioning God’s plan. It is He that is in change. It is HIS salvation gift to us. It is His death that paid the price…NOT OURS!
1. Church is plan A because God tells us NOT to forsake the gathering of ourselves together as believers. This is one of those hot buttons of the day and yes, I am going to talk about it! First, I’d like to say that I am truly sorry if you have been hurt, offended, or even abused in any form by the church as a whole. This is WRONG!! This is not pleasing, honoring, or glorifying to the Lord nor is it not His plan for His church.
But may I ask you a question? Have you ever bought something from a store, like meat, and got home to find out that it was bad? Did it stop you from buying meat for the rest of your life?
Have you ever had food poisoning from a restaurant? Did that stop you from ever eating out again? Most likely NOT!
SO…why is it when something “bad” at church happens we lump them all together and vow the mother of all vows that ALL Christians are hypocrites, ALL churches are filled with liars, cheaters, hypocrites, and rotten filthy sinners and we are never going back.
I want to stop right here. I understand, I know I talk with ladies who have physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually been abused by family members, unbelievers as well as believers. None are right. None should have happened (mine included), but we live in a sin-filled world and we have a choice. Yes, we have a choice even in the midst of our greatest pain, sorrow and trial. Will I use this situation to grow closer to my Heavenly Father or will I take it and grow bitter by the the day.
So often, I see “church” used as an excuse and see bitterness grow by the day and the choice to live in disobedience to God spiral from that one choice!
The bitterness will take you farther than you ever excepted to go.
Regardless of what enters of life, we are accountable before Christ. When we use people as an excuses to not obey Christ, we justify our own actions and guilt to make ourselves feel better.
I have another question to ask you. I am assuming you got over your food poisoning or got over that purchase of “bad meat.” If I opened your refrigerator door, I would find it full or at least part-way full and would come to find out that you have feasted on many meals “outside” of your home. You didn’t grow bitter at the “bad” meat. You didn’t call the store a hypocrite. You didn’t hold a grudge. You didn’t allow bitterness, people, or excuses from stopping you from shopping or eating, did you??!!
So why the double standard? Using people, excuses, our own bitterness and unforgiveness to NOT obey God is sin. If you are a child of God, you are part of plan A…you are not doing your part. You are needed, but you are choicing to missing out on God’s plan A.
Because Matthew 18 wasn’t practiced like it should have been when the offense happened, sadly, you are hurting yourself, the church, fellow believers, unbelievers, and you are hurting the cause of Christ…for what “bad meat?” That didn’t stop you before!
Reconcile that “bad meat” even if the other party doesn’t want too! Make it right before God on YOUR end!! Go and confront that offense! Seek and be ye reconciled. Forgive.
I speak from experience! I have “abuse” in my background. What kind I will not speak of at this time, but believe me when I tell you, I know! I know what I feels like, how it hurts, the anger, bitterness, the confusion, the spiral effects. But I also know the healing power of God in ones heart and life. I know the comfort and release of walking in obedience to the Father and it is worth it all! I would do it a thousand times over!
It is one of the hardest things you will ever do, but it is one of the most spirit-freeing (bondage releasing) God+you experience you will ever do, because when you walk in trust and obedience, God blesses! You NEVER go wrong walking in obedience to Christ….NEVER!
Hebrews 10:25
2. The very second you accepted Christ as your personal Savior, He gave you at least one spiritual gift, at least one. You may have more! Do you know your spiritual gift or gifts? Do you know God wants that gift or gifts to be used? Yeppers, you guessed it! For Him, for His Glory in His Church!
I hear the question already, can you use your God-given gift in other places? Sure! But the primary place is where He wants, within His Church. Again, this is not our plan or trying to make our plan work…this is God’s plan. We either obey and do or not!
I Peter 4:10-11
3. Church is Plan A because it is the only plan! We are to be proclaiming, mouthpieces, ambassadors, of what and who God is and what He has done for us to everyone soul we come in contact with. To fail to accomplish the great commission is to live in disobedience to Christ.
Matthew 28:18-20
In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}
Have you ever ordered something on-line expecting it to be one size, only to be disheartened when it arrived? Have you believed the marketers’ promises of special amazing features, only to get half of them functional? Has there been a time when you purchased something that looked really good from the outside, only to be disappointed with the results?
Left unto ourselves, that’s what can happen to us spiritually. You and I may produce plenty of leaves. We might look like flourishing plants! But there may not be much fruit on our branches.
What might be keeping us from our blooming potential? Jesus addresses another key component for developing a fruit-bearing life in John 15. Maybe you and I are in need of a good cleanse.
Extra leaves and stems consume the nutrients and resources needed for fruit-bearing. One way the Vinedresser cleanses the branches is to strip the life-sucking extras in the spring that drain nutrients from producing fruit. Note, this is His regular activity. You and I repeatedly find ourselves in need of a good spring cleaning. Although we have nothing to do with it, I find it helpful to acknowledge this reality by inviting God to do His work in me.
I’m not discerning enough on my own to become more like Jesus, recognizing what is hindering fruit-production versus what is necessary for growth. But I can pray for a willingness to cooperate with anything and everything that lines up with Scripture. I might ask myself:
• What seems to spike up onto the calendar appearing urgent and overcoming the important?
• To what establishments is my money spent? Are they God-honoring – or do I spend money just like everyone else?
• Do my possessions look like the pile at my neighbor’s, who is NOT aiming to bloom for Christ; or is there a distinct contrast between us?
• Are my actions God-honoring to those around me? Or am I stuck in the same emotional rut I found myself one, two or five years ago?
The key here is this: it’s not enough just to look good. Looking like a fruitful branch is not the same as being one. We need the supernatural touch of the Vinedresser.
May we be receptive and open to receive whatever cleaning the Father sees fit to do in our lives so that we will become more and more fruitful from the inside out.
The kind of fearful that grabs the very core of your being so hard that you found yourself paralyzed which in return begins a series of after-effects that causes you to doubt your faith?
Let’s live in the land of God-Truth over façade.
Our Christ foundation is one that stands the test of time for He IS faithful. It is one that is built firmly on the Word of God for His Word is Truth and will not lead nor direct in any wrong way – He is trustworthy. God hasn’t changed.
Maybe you are in one, just like I am!
“Where’s your faith?”, Jesus asked them when they woke him up trembling with fear. Ouch! I don’t know about you, but this grips the core of my heart!
{{{the story isn’t finished}}}
There is only one way through the storm of life:
Standing firm the Word of God – His Word is Truth!
Standing firm in the beautiful Truth that Christ has already conquered them all – the victory is already won!
We can stand fearless in our storms even when we humanly ‘feel’ like we are unable because of Christ in us!
What a comfort!
There is a decision that must be made on the part of each individual – I will stand firm of the TRUTH of GOD’S WORD alone or I will not!
The same Jesus that calmed the storm on the Sea of Galilee is the SAME Jesus! That same power, that same authority is the same yesterday (for the disciples), today (for us) and forever (for all)!