God is really encouraging me though the One in a Million bible study (available at Lifeway.com along with the individual use download video sessions for the study) and also through John Piper’s book Future Grace.
Has God worked in your life to show up in ways that have encouraged you in the past? Join me in giving glory to God for these things…and then let’s take that knowledge that he *has* shown up in the *past* and anticipate…He is going to show up again…today! Let’s have faith in future grace!
I was all “worked up” about today…leading worship without a full “team,” but God has shown up in the past and He has challenged and encouraged my heart…He will show up now, too. He will put His peace in and through and upon me. He will work. He IS at work! He doesn’t need a “full worship team” in order for HIS “ducks to be in a row!” LOL! He has hand selected (for his purposes only and they are above anything I can imagine) just who will lead worship this morning. So I will delight that he has a perfect will and that I just happen to get to participate in it. Butterflies in my stomach are about ME taking my eyes off of HIM. This is ALL about HIM!
Lord, be worshiped today, be glorified, remove any pride or SELF-consciousness and replace it with humble, God glorifying, GOD CONSCIOUSNESS!
What a great trade! 🙂
I wanted to thank you for what you’ve written in your blog the last few weeks. You’ve precisely summed up where I am in my weight loss journey! I am making my third trip through the desert and this time has been more difficult than my previous journeys. I have struggled with so many issues this time and I’ve questioned why this time has been so difficult, why I’ve made NO progress. Here is what I’ve decided….my focus has been wrong on all three of my journeys. In the past, I have been VERY proud of the weight loss, I’ve given God the Glory (or at least part of the glory, because down deep – SELF has grabbed a hold of the victory). Of course my success has been short lived…on the first journey, I kept the weigh off until the pressures of being pregnant took hold. The second time, I kept the weight off until the pressures of my critically ill father took over. Both times, I’ve been weak and allowed myself back in the driver seat. But both times my motivation has been weight loss…even this time; weight loss has been my focus, not GOD! When I read the things you’ve poured out about yourself, I felt as though I was slapped in the face. It has always been about ME and never really about HIM. That is the key! For the past year, I’ve searched for the right program to help me get back on track (believe me I’ve looked at EVERYTHING, including surgical options). The irony is that I’ve had it here in front of me all along; it is the HOLY SPIRIT and my complete and utter dependence on God to get me though. I know how to do it…eat when I’m truly hungry, stop when I’m full (how easy is that). If I am totally OBEDIENT to Him, it will come out in all that I say and do. Eventually, the evidence will be in weight released, but that should not be my goal. My goal should be strengthening my relationship with my God. I’m just clinging to the hope that this all sinks in and that by the time I get home this evening I haven’t forgotten what I’ve come to realize today. I pray that this journey through the wilderness is the last one that I truly get my heart focused on God and that; I totally throw mySELF out of the way! Are you still planning your study on “Heal”? I was just curios. Thank you so much for your words of wisdom…I honestly feel like they were penned for me. I’ve also made a note to start the Priscilla Shirer Bible Study…your references to the Israelites journey was the icing on the cake for me. References to their journey have been coming out in everything that I’ve read and listened to for the past several weeks. I know that GOD is trying to tell me something! He has my attention now.
I wanted to thank you for what you’ve written in your blog the last few weeks. You’ve precisely summed up where I am in my weight loss journey! I am making my third trip through the desert and this time has been more difficult than my previous journeys. I have struggled with so many issues this time and I’ve questioned why this time has been so difficult, why I’ve made NO progress. Here is what I’ve decided….my focus has been wrong on all three of my journeys. In the past, I have been VERY proud of the weight loss, I’ve given God the Glory (or at least part of the glory, because down deep – SELF has grabbed a hold of the victory). Of course my success has been short lived…on the first journey, I kept the weigh off until the pressures of being pregnant took hold. The second time, I kept the weight off until the pressures of my critically ill father took over. Both times, I’ve been weak and allowed myself back in the driver seat. But both times my motivation has been weight loss…even this time; weight loss has been my focus, not GOD! When I read the things you’ve poured out about yourself, I felt as though I was slapped in the face. It has always been about ME and never really about HIM. That is the key! For the past year, I’ve searched for the right program to help me get back on track (believe me I’ve looked at EVERYTHING, including surgical options). The irony is that I’ve had it here in front of me all along; it is the HOLY SPIRIT and my complete and utter dependence on God to get me though. I know how to do it…eat when I’m truly hungry, stop when I’m full (how easy is that). If I am totally OBEDIENT to Him, it will come out in all that I say and do. Eventually, the evidence will be in weight released, but that should not be my goal. My goal should be strengthening my relationship with my God. I’m just clinging to the hope that this all sinks in and that by the time I get home this evening I haven’t forgotten what I’ve come to realize today. I pray that this journey through the wilderness is the last one that I truly get my heart focused on God and that; I totally throw mySELF out of the way! Are you still planning your study on “Heal”? I was just curios. Thank you so much for your words of wisdom…I honestly feel like they were penned for me. I’ve also made a note to start the Priscilla Shirer Bible Study…your references to the Israelites journey was the icing on the cake for me. References to their journey have been coming out in everything that I’ve read and listened to for the past several weeks. I know that GOD is trying to tell me something! He has my attention now.
Heidi–I was checking in as well to see if you are still planning to do HEAL and when you think you might be able to start.Kristy James–I really appreciated all that you shared. It encouraged me (and I could relate). And I've prayed for you as you continue on this journey….CherHim
Heidi–I was checking in as well to see if you are still planning to do HEAL and when you think you might be able to start.Kristy James–I really appreciated all that you shared. It encouraged me (and I could relate). And I've prayed for you as you continue on this journey….CherHim
Kristy, thanks for your post. What a fresh wind of encouragement. I needed it, too. When you said this:it is the HOLY SPIRIT and my complete and utter dependence on God to get me though.you really hit a chord with me…this is it. More to say on that in days to come! THANKS SO MUCH!
Kristy, thanks for your post. What a fresh wind of encouragement. I needed it, too. When you said this:it is the HOLY SPIRIT and my complete and utter dependence on God to get me though.you really hit a chord with me…this is it. More to say on that in days to come! THANKS SO MUCH!