Find
"The strength of the fatherless was crushed. Therefore snares are all around you, and sudden fear troubles you. " - Job 22: 9-10 Describe a situation when your words have been similar to the words in the verse above.
I would have to say it was when the doctor told me that my momma was dying. I was very much trapped in sadness and fear. But, I realized that she would be much better off, and have no more pain or sickness. So, God removed my fears, and replaced them with His sweet peace.
Read John 8:31-36
31To the Jews who had believed Him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
33They answered Him, "We are Abraham's descendantsa]">[a] and have never been slaves of anyone. How can You say that we shall be set free?"
34Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." (NIV)
Why is it so important to be transparent with other people?
It will show them that you are for real, and are not hiding anything. They will know you can be trusted.
God knows everything about us, so why is it important that we be transparent before Him?
God wants us to be who we are, not a fake. He wants us to love Him enough, that we will not be afraid to show our true self to Him.
Consider the questions below, and respond to one or more of them:
What is it that I am afraid people might find out about me?
Why do I keep people at a distance?
Why do I assume that if I let people in they would be disappointed and leave? I assume that people would be disappointed and leave if I let them in, because I find so many things wrong with myself. I feel I would never be good enough in their eyes.
Paul said, "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2). List some people who need you to bear their burdens and those people who have helped carry your burdens. Select one or more people on the list and, if possible, write personal notes of thanks and encouragement. My Father God, of course daily carries my burdens, and I thank Him with all I am. My dear lovebug carries my load, thank you sweetie. My precious blogging sisters and brothers, what would I do without all of you? You constantly pray for me, love me, and so many of you have generously helped us financially. My heart floods with love, appreciation, and prayers for all of you.
Feel
"There are many different reasons we feel a sense of shame, but how we then behave seems very much the same. If we believe there is something deep inside of us that others would reject, we hold ourselves back, or simply vote ourselves out of life. This can lead to depression, addictions, bitterness and despair." (page 31). Why do you think this isn't the life Christ wants from you? He wants us to live a happy, peaceful life. He does not want us shackled to burdens, He wants to set us free, so we can be all we can be in Him, and for Him.
What comes to mind when you think about belonging? Be honest about your feelings. What comes to my mind, when I think about belonging, is being close to someone. Heart to heart, mind to mind, soul to soul. Never having to be alone. Father God has never wanted us to be alone, and He will never leave us lonely.
Describe a time when you have listened to a song, or watched a scene in a movie, and suddenly you are overwhelmed by feelings out of proportion to what is happening around you. How did that experience make you feel? This happens to me quite often, I cry during movies, songs, sometimes even commercials. It makes me feel very emotional, sometimes sad, if it reminds me of someone, or an event in my life.
What do you think God is trying to say to you through those experiences?
That I should not be afraid to show my emotions, let them flow forth. Crying can be healing.
Jesus issues an invitation to anyone who has finally come to the place where she is tired of pretending that everything is fine. Is this an offer you are willing to accept? Why or why not?
I am very willing to accept His invitation, so many times I try to hide my pain. But, when I fall upon my knees, open up my heart totally to Father God, He eases my pain, and gently wipes my tears away.
Follow
God knows everything about you and loves you. What is keeping you from trusting Him with you past, and following Him?
At this point in my life, its quite the opposite, it is because I trust Him that I can let go of things from my past, and follow Him.
Describe a spiritual breakthrough you would like to experience right now.
For me, it would be the fear I have of going blind. Diabetes has taken a great toll on my eyes. They constantly hurt, I am legally blind, they are weak, and getting weaker. I need to place this burden in His hands, and trust Him to take care of my eyes.
Summarize the instructions of John 8:31-36 by completing the following statement, Because Jesus said, "I belong to Him," I will "put my faith in Him."
Now write a prayer asking God to give you the breakthrough you described above. Keep praying the prayer, and believing God for the answer as you spend time with Him in the days to come.
Father God,
Jehovah Rapha, the Lord that heals, you have been faithful in your love and plans for me. Though I do not know the reason why you have not healed me, by me just praying for it, You must have a reason for me to endure this pain for as long as I have. I am praying, Father, that during this time of pain and suffering, You have a purpose for me.
I ask Lord, that you continue to give me a perfect peace about my eyes, and remove all anxiety about them from my heart, mind, and soul. I commit myself, and my health to you Lord, and ask for Your will in my life. I lift these humble requests up in your name Lord, My Jehovah Rapha, In Jesus's name, I pray, ~ AMEN!
"The strength of the fatherless was crushed. Therefore snares are all around you, and sudden fear troubles you. " - Job 22: 9-10 Describe a situation when your words have been similar to the words in the verse above.
I would have to say it was when the doctor told me that my momma was dying. I was very much trapped in sadness and fear. But, I realized that she would be much better off, and have no more pain or sickness. So, God removed my fears, and replaced them with His sweet peace.
Read John 8:31-36
31To the Jews who had believed Him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
33They answered Him, "We are Abraham's descendantsa]">[a] and have never been slaves of anyone. How can You say that we shall be set free?"
34Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." (NIV)
Why is it so important to be transparent with other people?
It will show them that you are for real, and are not hiding anything. They will know you can be trusted.
God knows everything about us, so why is it important that we be transparent before Him?
God wants us to be who we are, not a fake. He wants us to love Him enough, that we will not be afraid to show our true self to Him.
Consider the questions below, and respond to one or more of them:
What is it that I am afraid people might find out about me?
Why do I keep people at a distance?
Why do I assume that if I let people in they would be disappointed and leave? I assume that people would be disappointed and leave if I let them in, because I find so many things wrong with myself. I feel I would never be good enough in their eyes.
Paul said, "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2). List some people who need you to bear their burdens and those people who have helped carry your burdens. Select one or more people on the list and, if possible, write personal notes of thanks and encouragement. My Father God, of course daily carries my burdens, and I thank Him with all I am. My dear lovebug carries my load, thank you sweetie. My precious blogging sisters and brothers, what would I do without all of you? You constantly pray for me, love me, and so many of you have generously helped us financially. My heart floods with love, appreciation, and prayers for all of you.
Feel
"There are many different reasons we feel a sense of shame, but how we then behave seems very much the same. If we believe there is something deep inside of us that others would reject, we hold ourselves back, or simply vote ourselves out of life. This can lead to depression, addictions, bitterness and despair." (page 31). Why do you think this isn't the life Christ wants from you? He wants us to live a happy, peaceful life. He does not want us shackled to burdens, He wants to set us free, so we can be all we can be in Him, and for Him.
What comes to mind when you think about belonging? Be honest about your feelings. What comes to my mind, when I think about belonging, is being close to someone. Heart to heart, mind to mind, soul to soul. Never having to be alone. Father God has never wanted us to be alone, and He will never leave us lonely.
Describe a time when you have listened to a song, or watched a scene in a movie, and suddenly you are overwhelmed by feelings out of proportion to what is happening around you. How did that experience make you feel? This happens to me quite often, I cry during movies, songs, sometimes even commercials. It makes me feel very emotional, sometimes sad, if it reminds me of someone, or an event in my life.
What do you think God is trying to say to you through those experiences?
That I should not be afraid to show my emotions, let them flow forth. Crying can be healing.
Jesus issues an invitation to anyone who has finally come to the place where she is tired of pretending that everything is fine. Is this an offer you are willing to accept? Why or why not?
I am very willing to accept His invitation, so many times I try to hide my pain. But, when I fall upon my knees, open up my heart totally to Father God, He eases my pain, and gently wipes my tears away.
Follow
God knows everything about you and loves you. What is keeping you from trusting Him with you past, and following Him?
At this point in my life, its quite the opposite, it is because I trust Him that I can let go of things from my past, and follow Him.
Describe a spiritual breakthrough you would like to experience right now.
For me, it would be the fear I have of going blind. Diabetes has taken a great toll on my eyes. They constantly hurt, I am legally blind, they are weak, and getting weaker. I need to place this burden in His hands, and trust Him to take care of my eyes.
Summarize the instructions of John 8:31-36 by completing the following statement, Because Jesus said, "I belong to Him," I will "put my faith in Him."
Now write a prayer asking God to give you the breakthrough you described above. Keep praying the prayer, and believing God for the answer as you spend time with Him in the days to come.
Father God,
Jehovah Rapha, the Lord that heals, you have been faithful in your love and plans for me. Though I do not know the reason why you have not healed me, by me just praying for it, You must have a reason for me to endure this pain for as long as I have. I am praying, Father, that during this time of pain and suffering, You have a purpose for me.
I ask Lord, that you continue to give me a perfect peace about my eyes, and remove all anxiety about them from my heart, mind, and soul. I commit myself, and my health to you Lord, and ask for Your will in my life. I lift these humble requests up in your name Lord, My Jehovah Rapha, In Jesus's name, I pray, ~ AMEN!
12 comments:
Denise what a beautiful post tonight, although they are every night I found tonight's to be even more endearing. I too pray that your eyes will heal, we are only human sweetie and as humans we sometimes stumble and fall, sometimes we fail and that is okay as long as we keep our eyes on God and work towards having his will done.........:-) Hugs
I'm reminded of a book I read in highschool, "Why Am I Afraid to Tell You Who I Am?"
The book provided the answer and it has stayed with me a long time: "Because you might not like who I am, and that's all I have."
But no matter how much we try, some people just aren't going to like us. It took me a long time to come to terms with that. Only God can know us truly and fully, and thus we can be sure that His love is complete and thoroughly accepting of who we are.
Thank you, Denise.
Good stuff Denise. Thanks for sharing Sister!
Love,
Beth
Lord...please touch my friend's heart...and if it's Your will her eyes...but in either case Lord may her joy in You be her strength and do not let fear conquer her. Amen.
This is excellent, Denise. I feel such an anointing right now at your post. I am going to pray here.
AMEN!
Ohhh sweet sister,Denise (sigh) I stand firm praying with you!
Beautiful heartfelt prayer & post!
I love you!
Peggy
Hi there! I don't have much time. I have to go to my second job in just a few, but I wanted to stop by and tell you thank you for stopping by my blog and following me. That was so nice of you and it brightened up a not-so-good day. Oh, I'm following you now. I'm hoping that's ok.
~Amber
Joining you in prayer about all that concerns you. May the Word continue to plant peace, assurance, and joy in your heart! You are precious to Him.
Thank you for sharing that study and your heart with us, Denise. God knows all about us, and thank God He loves us unconditionally. Praying for our healing ~ Love and Hug ~
I so need to find this book and get it for myself. It sounds so inspirational, or maybe it's perhaps how YOU describe it. In either case, I'm still going Amazon to see if I can buy it. I'll let you know when I get it. :)
Thanks for sharing and God bless you!!
Thank you for sharing this, Denise!!
Praying with you...
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