What you don’t know
©2015 Helena C There are secrets you wouldn't understand and don’t know. The struggles I face they help me grow! The ones I didn’t choose yet I’ve had to face, Sometimes all alone and meant to be at my pace. You think you know of all my pains, Yet I do not speak of the awful chains. The chains that held me; to keep me down. The ones you placed on me to help me drown. Yes, today I know the sins I had shared; With a world that left me so utterly alone and scared. I choose to look forward and continue to fight; a fight you are unable to believe or see. The precious crimson blood that washed me clean, He shed His blood for me! A price that for all mankind including myself was paid; And at His feet my burdens have been laid! Each day I reach to attain new heights; I'll keep reaching although others may try to blur my sight. I fall so often, yet I’ll complete this race! I’m not perfect just saved by God’s amazing grace!!
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I've felt the overwhelming storm of emotions and the infinite nag of emptiness. I understand, I remember thinking and feeling I wouldn't even be missed and that I just wanted it all to end. Truth is you matter, you can't see it right now but you make an impact on others. Your life still has potential! Reach out and try to grab hold of some hope. You are strong, you've made it this far and you can keep going. It WILL get better. Reach out for help. Most importantly don't just go, stay. Make it through today, then tomorrow, then this week, then next week and continue going one day at a time. Sending love and light. Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
This mug sits on my window sill and it reminds me of so many things. First let me tell you the story of this mug. The story of the mug is short but the lessons I find within are powerful for me. One day last year we were preparing the soil for our garden and I was trying to decide what to spread the nutrients with; I eventually decided to use one of our coffee mugs. When we finished the garden it may have started to rain or maybe I was just tired but for whatever reason I left the mug. A couple days went by and I didn't even think to go back for the mug, honestly I had forgotten about it. Maybe because we had so many I didn't even notice one was gone. My husband had come across it and decided to use it as target practice; I guess it was just something to do, maybe he took some irritations out on it and didn't think we would really miss one mug. Several days later when he asked me to come see how the seeds had sprouted in the garden I was shocked to discover pieces of the mug in the dirt. Pieces are what remained of the mug. I didn't get a chance or just didn’t feel like picking up the pieces that day so there they lay. A few days passed and when my daughter came inside she tells me “I've got something for you” she hands me my mug. She said “see I fixed it for you, some pieces I couldn't find so I just made them. You could still use it if you needed to, right?” I said yes of course, thank you. I was so surprised, she hadn’t even known it was out there broken. I had been disappointed by leaving it out there in the first place, that it had been broken and I had not picked up the pieces. She had no idea how much this gift would minister to me. This mug reminds me of my own life and the lives of those I have known. When I look at this mug several things come to mind. 1. We are used by God in many ways - This was not just a “coffee” mug. The label I had given it didn’t limit the actual possible uses of the mug. - Through our own perceptions we limit ourselves and others, God doesn’t limit us. 1 Corinthians 12:14-27 For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. - We have to remain aware that we are all members of the body of Christ, we have different places within that body, are used in more than one way and all are important. - Do we value every member in the body of Christ? Are we more concerned with the place others fill or are we examining our own? 2. What we pour out from within us impacts others - Are we helping people or hurting people? Are we nurturing or poisoning? -I’ve read many stories of people who planned suicide but did not follow through because of a smile or kind word of a passing stranger. Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. -Are we speaking life into others or are we using our words to break others unaware that we are pushing them closer to physical or spiritual death? 3. People often pass by, leave or forget the broken Luke 10:30-35 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. - Are we like the priest and Levite that saw the man and walked away, are we wounding others and leaving them half dead or do we have compassion like the Samaritan and help? 4. Jesus doesn’t forget or leave the one, He sees the value Luke 15:4-7 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. -Don’t be so quick to dismiss the broken. Jesus sees the broken and knows they can be used. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. - We should pray for people and lead them to Jesus. Is there anyone we have forgotten or left behind? Will we help pick up their pieces or leave them broken? 5. We can all become broken -Our brokenness can be the result of our own sin or sins of others committed against us. This is what David speaks to God after he had gone to Bathsheba Psalm 51:8-10 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Proverbs 15:13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. -Times of brokenness often leads to growth. Have we forgotten lessons we’ve learned in our own times of brokenness? 6. Our own attempts at fixing the broken will be incomplete -Broken people can be fragile and need to see the love of God through us. 1 John 3:17-18 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. - Don’t break others in hope it will strengthen them, God may allow brokenness to come along in their lives so He can strengthen us but we need to leave that job to Him. -Broken people need compassion and to be reminded of their value. We can’t fix everything but we should help where we can. - Is our love for others just words spoken or are they shown true through our actions? 7. The broken can still be used -Many in the Bible were used of God while broken, their experiences are still being used to teach of God’s power.
1 Corinthians 1:27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; -Are we viewing the broken as useless or used for God’s glory? 8. Jesus will always put the pieces back together Isaiah 61:1-3 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified. -This speaks of Jesus taking BROKEN people and making them HEALED. • the captives • those in darkness • the prisoners • those who are mourning and grieving • the poor • the blind • the oppressed Through the salvation of Jesus all broken people are made into: -trees of righteousness (A symbol of stability and strength, this describes the new condition of God's people.) -the planting of the Lord (Planted by Christ never to be rooted out, this gives us soundness and stability.) -that he might be glorified (This is the means by which God may reveal himself to the world.) -Are we trusting Jesus to mend the broken people we know? -Are we aware of the broken pieces within our own life or are we carrying them around instead of giving them to Jesus? The Broken Vessel Crash! The vessel Hit the floor Broken in pieces, Whole no more. She knelt to pick The pieces up “Oh No!”, she cried, “I won’t give up!” …Then saw the pieces Weren’t all there Yet stayed her task To mend…repair. Her heart the vessel Now so broken, Once more she knelt With words unspoken And gave the pieces All to God Her mending skills Had proven flawed. With folded hands And eyes downcast, She prayed one day Her pain would pass Her heart was never Quite the same Though patched, it seemed Some cracks remained. She called out “Lord, What shall I do? I’m still not whole I trusted You!” He answered her, “I left some cracks Once shattered You can ne’er go back.” “My Child,” He said, “I thought you knew The cracks are where Your light shines through.” -kp Galatians 5:7-10 Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you. A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.
For more than a week after reading this passage it would come to mind and became a question about my own walk. What happened? “Ye did run well” That was me, I had ran well until something caused me to stumble. It was easy to point the finger at situations or persons and say they were at fault, to allow that to be an excuse or reason to act out to give into being a person I no longer recognized. If I were to be completely honest with myself I knew I had nobody to blame but myself I went that direction. James 1:13-15 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. [1]It’s easy to blame others and make excuses for evil thoughts and wrong actions. Excuses include: (1) It’s the other person’s fault; (2) I couldn’t help it; (3) everybody’s doing it; (4) it was just a mistake; (5) nobody’s perfect; (6) the devil made me do it; (7) I was pressured into it; (8) I didn’t know it was wrong. A person who makes excuses is trying to shift the blame from himself to something or someone else. A Christian, on the other hand, accepts responsibility for his wrongs, confesses them, and asks God for forgiveness. Even with my mind filled of all the excuses for my actions my heart remained troubled because I knew the truth. The truth was I knew right and I didn’t obey God. I had allowed myself to focus on troubles and while it was good to reflect on them to learn from and release them to God, I had in fact allowed them to consume me and control me. Galatians 5:24-26 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. Did my actions reflect Christ or His character, would my example result in a desire for others to turn toward Him? Sadly I know the answer is no. I made excuses and didn’t crucify my fleshly desires instead I walked my own way and not in the Spirit. I had allowed pride, vengeance and excuses to creep in. To get them out I had to confess it as sin and ask God’s forgiveness. I had forgotten who I was and who I belonged to, I am Christ’s but I hadn't reflected anything more than fleshly attitudes and desires. I had thought wrong, I had done wrong, I had fallen. My focus seemed to quickly turn from God’s forgiveness and moved forward to self-condemnation, shame, depression, and almost defeat. Then I heard a message that reminded me life is a spiritual battle and I remembered that not only am I a child of God but I’m a soldier of Jesus Christ. 2 Timothy 2:3-4 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. There was my answer, life would be tough and I’d likely continue to endure hardness but to be a good soldier for Jesus Christ I would have to stop entangling myself with the affairs of this life. I would have to make that choice to acknowledge the person I had been but realize in Christ I could pick up and move on. My focus would need to remain on Him and I would have to be engaged in this battle. In battle soldiers are given orders they must hear and then do. James 1:22-25 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. I’d have to be sure I had on armor. (Ephesians 6:11-17 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:) I would also have a code of conduct. Colossians 3:12-17 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. Though I may be tempted by things of this life and possibly stumble in battle I can be certain that His strength will always be available to me and I can do all things through Him. 2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. This will be a long battle that will require me to daily choose to lay aside every weight and I will have to continue to look to Jesus for direction. Hebrews 12:1-2 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. [1] Note from Tyndale Life Application Study Bible, King James Version That status got me to thinking of one of the lessons I've had to learn and prompted me to reflect over this past year and my life as a whole. We should always strive to be better and doing our best even when it isn’t easy. It's always good to clean up, reevaluate a few things and move on. Love ain't always easy or pretty but sometimes we are the only examples to a lost world. It's our choice, showing love will be modeled in our daily behavior, wither saved or unsaved. How can I win someone to the Lord if I can't say hey, I've struggled too, and show I genuinely care. How can people believe the love of Christ if you don't show them you love them first. God either sends or allows everything in our life, I've had joy and I've had heartache and trouble. Choices made by me and made by others around me are all developing me and teaching me what God would have me too know. All our experiences will teach us if we are willing to learn the lesson that is in them. The above status is my prayer for my own personal life. I pray it applies to all I come in contact with. I pray everyone will set goals and strive to meet them. Don't just make a resolution to change in the upcoming year. Set some goals and work toward them. Judge whither you are meeting them in God's sight and continue moving on; do better where you need to and repent where you need as well, be honest with yourself. God knows your best and if you listen He will tell you what your areas of strength are and what needs improvement. Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you. Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. (Matthew 7:1-29 ) I don't know why he sends or allows certain situations into our lives but we are allowed to choose how we react to it. I myself know I haven't reacted very well during certain times but He has sent or allowed these things to teach me. (1 Corinthians 1:27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;) Because I've had to go through it, someday I can help someone going through the same things. The lesson I'm learning is it begins at home and within our church families (John 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.) Can people see and know you love them, can you see you love and value your family members? In the church we are family and we are all members of one body that God has designed. (1 Corinthians 12:12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.) 1 Corinthians 12:14-18 For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. Follow God's leading. We may fear an outcome, people may fail us but we have to trust in His ways and do what's right even when it hurts. We are living to please God and point others to Christ. We have to have faith and know Christ will get us through because in our weakness He is shown strong. (2 Corinthians 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.) He knows the way and His judgment is best. Galatians 6:7-8 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? (Matthew 9:4) I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down. (Luke 13:5-9) We will be known by our fruit. It can be seen in our lifestyle and our family. Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit. (Matthew 12:33) Is your fruit good? (Galatians 5:22&23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.) Or is it bad? (Galatians 5:19-21Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.) "If you have a bad attitude with a capital A what kind of fruit do you have? -Eddie Kelso" Are you reproducing, have you won anyone to the Lord, talked about Jesus and led them toward the Lord. Are you unreachable or reachable, like Jesus? Are we saved and have a relationship or are we merely following law and keeping appearances? The situation can be bad but we aren't in it alone when we are saved. Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (Hebrews 13:5) We all need to work on making our fruit better and it will start with our family (Matthew 16:25-27 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.) What does it profit if you win the world and lose your family? How can your family believe you love them if you can't show you love them, how can they believe what you say about Christ is true if they cannot see it in your life and behavior toward them. Will they know what you say is true because it's modeled in your life or will they laugh at you like Lot the one who seemed as if he mocked. (Genesis 19:14 And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law.) Don't fear the outcome, trust God and follow Him. It won't be easy but you'll never be alone. (Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.) (1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.) He didn't say it wouldn't hurt! As a matter of fact sometimes hurt is just how you will reach others. It is only then that they can see what we've come through and witness that Christ has carried us in His strength. We aren't perfect all we can do is strive to be like Jesus and let Him live through us. We can show others our hurts but also show that in His strength we carry on. (Psalms 43:3 My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?) Can others see your God in you or do they see your gods; do they know where your strength comes from? Stranger, family, church member, homeless, indebted, rich, free, prisoner he died for us all. We don’t think we deserve the uncomfortable times of life but neither do we deserve blessings in our own merit. (Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.) We deserve death but instead He died so we could be saved; that's our greatest gift. Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 5:1-21) It's all in God's hands. Trust in the Lord. (Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. Joshua 1:9) For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. (Hebrews 10:30) If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? (Matthew 7:11) For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. (Romans 8:15) Christ died for us, He didn’t have to but to He valued us as His sons and daughters. (To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. Galatians 4:5) Examine yourself and get your priorities straight. Have you put anything in your life above God? Whither it be yourself, your family, your possessions, your health, anything before God is like an idol. (Exodus 34:14 For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:) & (Isaiah 42:8 I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.) God will do what it takes to get your attention and help you grow. Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. (James 4:14)
Lord willing this will not be my last year, day, minute or second. Thank you Lord for both your blessings and testings, in both I am blessed. I am His child. Are you His child and are you making the most of your time on this earth? We never know when our time is up, so live as if your time is up, get things right and don’t wish you had or hadn’t done something. Today is the present so enjoy and make your tomorrows something to be proud of. 1 Timothy 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Colossians 4:6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. "Be an encourager. The world has plenty of critics already. -Dave Willis" Is your life a positive example? Are you modeling the right things? We all have to answer that question for ourselves. Were we a positive influence or were we a negative one? We all go through struggles in life and whenever we believe we are strong the devil will find whatever our weakness is and attempt to use it to destroy us. The devil made an attack on our family and almost succeeded in destroying everything I held dear. I had finally released my own past and old hurts and had grown stronger in Him so the devil used this to invoke anger at God for not protecting us or stopping it and attempted to prove to me that I just wasn't valuable to God. The fog and bitterness I was in for a time because of the pain was almost unbearable but being a good example for my kids and others around me was my driving force to not give in and not give up. The teachings I heard in the past and during this time run through my mind over and over again and helped me to forgive and strengthened my resolve to continue the fight to hold my family together, my heart would not be whole without them. God allowed the tough times to make me stronger, show me what was important in life and so helped me better understand what others go through so that someday I may help them through the fog too. I'm no longer merely getting through day to day but I am living and I know without a doubt I am valuable to God and Christ is my strength. So the words of the poem I wrote ring just as true now as the day I wrote them.
There's Hope Written January 3, 2012 by: Helena I was a shell of a person I was struggling to cope But as I grew closer Lord, you showed me there’s hope I tried so long to do it on my own, I struggled to be strong The fumbling and stumbling was allowed to show me I was doing it all wrong All I had to do was turn it all over to you and let it all go Now I have more peace than I ever thought I’d know Drawing closer to you brought me such joy I will remain alert and not fall for Satan’s ploy Satan promises so many things that will never be true It robs us of all hope and joy in all that we do But Jesus you are a faithful, loving and kind friend You will forever be with us with a love that does not end Help me to help others so through you I can show them the way That through your salvation and closeness to you we are conquerors every day We all have so many emotions that can change from moment to moment sometimes leaving us wondering why we really felt that way. Positive emotions are always welcomed and often not questioned but there are times anger or sadness can pop up when least expected. If not dealt with properly our anger can lead to bitterness and hostility and our sadness or disappointment can lead to depression. Looking back on my own life I have found that feeling “less than” has been the primary trigger of these negative emotions for me. Through the times I have stumbled and struggled I would see others that seemingly had or did everything perfectly and the feelings of inadequacy or being “less than” would come pouring in. Other times I would wonder how some people could do so much while I was only able to do so little. I could find myself spiraling into anger or depression if there was a difference of opinion or even the slightest indication of disapproval, at some point I linked disapproval with not being loved or being thought of as unworthy or “less than”. The change in my focus along with the strength and power of God has helped me overcome the toughest of these emotions and over time it has improved. Every now and then the struggle reappears and I have had to remind myself this is going to be a daily battle considering the fact we are not always in control of circumstances or other people and the devil is going to do anything possible to defeat and discourage us. We will often unconsciously find supporting evidence for our thoughts and then begin to believe it must be true.
One phrase we should refuse to allow when endeavoring in our Christian walk is, “I Quit”. With all the pressures and times of discouragement we can easily feel defeated. The devil will tempt us with discouraging thoughts and ask us why we don’t just give up. We were never promised it would be easy we were promised He would never leave us or forsake us. “Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” We have to remain focused on Christ and realize we couldn’t make it on our own but He will give us the strength to make it through, “Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” People will say or do things that hurt us, we may scrutinize our own faults or agonize over our past or present failures, and we can even be feeling unworthy of carrying out the purpose and will God has for our life believing someone else is better for the task. This is all part of the devil’s plan to give you “proof” that you should just give up. Don’t listen to the devil, remember how valuable you are, “Matthew 10:31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.” If God takes care of sparrows and is concerned for their lives, we need to realize how much more care He will take of us, His children. Realize that Christ would have never died for you if you weren’t important to God. Ignore the devil and the people or situations he uses to form his lies and discouragement, “James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” Take it all to God and realize He has already decided to use you. Don’t let the devil defeat you! Focus on God and don’t allow yourself to be discouraged to the point of saying “I Quit”, instead resolve to forbid the statement or thought.
Where I have been has brought me to where I am today, good and bad. Though I’ve made some bad choices along the way and surely life would have been easier if I hadn’t made those choices, I’m not who I once was. I can’t even begin to count how many times I have gotten upset when someone brings up something I’ve done wrong in the past. The irritation of knowing that there are times I’m not given a chance because of something I’ve done before. The anger and hurt that sets in because I feel not good enough, condemned and rejected. If I’m not careful the flesh takes over and I start to go over all their imperfections and mistakes in my mind and think “who do they think they are fooling themselves thinking they are without fault”. It’s then that I have to remind myself that I’m doing the exact same thing the other person was doing. I also have to wonder how many times I’ve not given someone a chance because I’ve held their past wrongs against them and I have to remind myself that maybe they aren’t the person they once were either. I have to remember that people can change as I myself changed. How do people change? Don’t we often hear the saying “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks”? In reality people can change. The Bible teaches us that once you become saved you are a new man because you are born again of the spirit, “2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” As long as we are in Christ we are a new man and old things are passed away. Sometimes when we can slip away and become distant from God we can find ourselves going back to the way we were before because we are no longer in Christ. The remedy of that problem is easy, go back to God and be renewed. “Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” We can decide daily to resist going back to the way we were and determine to not make the same mistakes. What we do today and this day forward is what rebuilds our past. We are not without flaws and neither were the people in the Bible. Many of those named in the Bible committed some devastating sins yet they went on to be used in great ways by God. We shouldn’t get discouraged by our past, instead we need to determine to keep moving forward through the power God provides us. “2 Corinthians 4:16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.” Are you a new man and is your inward man renewed day by day or are you stuck in your past? I’m not who I once was.
I was a shell of a person I was struggling to cope
But as I grew closer Lord, you showed me there’s hope I tried so long to do it on my own, I struggled to be strong The fumbling and stumbling was allowed to show me I was doing it all wrong All I had to do was turn it all over to you and let it all go Now I have more peace than I ever thought I’d know Drawing closer to you brought me such joy I will remain alert and not fall for Satan’s ploy Satan promises so many things that will never be true It robs us of all hope and joy in all that we do But Jesus you are a faithful, loving and kind friend You will forever be with us with a love that does not end Help me to help others so through you I can show them the way That through your salvation and closeness to you we are conquerors every day 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
We must be vigilant because Satan is trying to destroy us. In order for us to be able to recognize his plans we must remain alert. In Satan’s Plan he will use at least one or all of the 5 D’s of Deceit
1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. Don’t let the devil fool you, we can obtain victory through Christ! How do we obtain victory over our setbacks?
Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
2 Corinthians 4:16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Philippians 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
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Authentic Helena
I'm a wife of 20 years to a husband that consistently chooses to love me despite my flaws and a mother of 3 wonderful, loving and giving children. I have 6 babies waiting for me up in Heaven. I'm imperfect, often broken and learning; you will see many aspects of what makes me the person I am throughout this blog. You will find no condemnation from me. I have my fair share of problems and battles, I win some and lose some but by God's grace I'm continuing in the good fight. I'm attempting to live life authentically and I enjoy the many blessings God has given both in happiness and pain. I don't have any formal education in Biblical Studies and I don't claim to be an expert. I'm just sharing experiences and lessons I am learning or trying to learn as I go through life. Archives
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