"Self Saboteurs"

When I began this blog I wanted it to be a place where people could come and be encouraged and find hope and peace that is so desperately needed in this day and time. My desire, is that readers would leave this place inspired as well as equipped to reach out and take the hand of Jesus. To be lifted up out of the miry pit, to keep moving forward despite the storms of life. This is still my intention. I will continue this by the power of the Holy Spirit always striving to be uplifting in the words that I write in hopes that "if possible" lives can be changed. It has been a couple of years now since I began blogging and while on my journey, I am discovering that the Lord would have me to ask more questions. The explaining and expounding with encouraging words has it's place, but for a person to really learn there should be questions asked so as they can think on their own? So, coupled with uplifting words I am going to begin to ask more questions. I feel this is the direction that the Lord is leading me, so I'm going with it. Not only will this benefit you the reader to get you thinking, but it will also benefit and grow me. I never want to get to the place where I feel as though all wisdom will die with me and that I have all the answers. My desire is to remain teachable and to learn from what others have to say. Will I always agree? No, probably not, but that's okay because this is how we learn and grow as well as fine tune our beliefs when it comes to the Word of God.

So, before I present a question I have some thoughts that I would like to lay on the table.

It seems to me that in today's society I am seeing more "saboteurs of self." Those who seem to continually place themselves in harm's way. They make decisions and hold onto attitudes that are self-destructive which is not for their good. What's so frustrating about this, is that all the while they are clinging to their self-destructive ways, they know better. Yet they continue on this insane cycle of destruction. Which will undoubtedly lead them to more heartache and pain in their lives. These same people will come to you for help, counsel/advice or whatever but when you give them a ladder so as to climb up out of their miry pit they refuse to take the first step in climbing to their freedom. To be honest I have found myself somewhat frustrated with people who do this. I continue with every ounce of myself to remain encouraging. But eventually, in the end all I can do is just pray for them in hopes that they will begin to climb the ladders that have been placed all around them. Beginning their own journey to freedom, and arising to be a victor and not a victim. I can love them and cheer them to victory the best way that I know. But before they can arise victorious they have got to "want" freedom for themselves. My passionate desire has always been that people will know who they are in Christ Jesus. Pulling from His strength and power from within to be an overcomer. I hope that I am not sounding insensitive. I understand that people have been through some major storms in their lives. Some a lot worse then I have ever been through or will ever be. One thing I do know is that God is greater than any storm, and more powerful. When one finally realizes the power of God and His strength for their lives I believe that they can overcome and conquer anything. There are many testimonies from people that have gone through some mighty storms in their life but they made it. They are stronger today because of it. My husband is one of them. I am not going to go into the details of his storm but believe me when I say that he has overcome some major storms with the grace, power and strength of God in His life. My husband is a man that has never given up hope, despite the power of the storm, and I thank God and give Him all the glory for this and so does my husband.

It's now time for the question. Please give me your thoughts.

(1) Why do some continue to stay in a miry pit of defeat and or destructive behavior, when they have been given the answer on how to get out?

Hope always shines through

Despite everything that might be going on in the world or even your own personal life don't give up hope. You may be looking at your situation and it seems to be as big as a mountain standing before you. But I am hear to say that hope always shines through the most darkest of storms. Don't forget what Jesus promised you, He said, "I will never leave you or forsake you." The Word of God also says, "all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose." This is a promised truth that the Lord has given to you. Hold onto it with all of your might and don't let it go. Cling to Him.

There will be times of trouble in our lives but all in all He has made us more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus and we must know that if God is for us who can be against us? And we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.
There will be battles if there are going to be victories. So take heart my brothers and sisters and know that there will be seasons when He will cause you to lie down in green pastures and He will lead you beside still waters and restore your soul. God can give you His supernatural comfort and encouragement and His grace in these times of trouble. Through it all lean upon Him and trust Him for it.

At these crucial times in our lives it is so very important that we listen to the voice of Truth and not the voice of lies. Listen to the voice of Truth straight from the Word of God;

"You may be troubled on every side, yet not distressed, you may be perplexed, yet not in despair; you may be persecuted, but not forsaken; you may be cast down, but not destroyed; always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh." (2 Cor. 4:8-11).

During these troublesome seasons in our life this is our opportunity to come to know Christ more intimately by being still and knowing that He is God and listening to His voice of Truth. Allow His Truth and Love to take precedence in your heart and make it's abode there.

Truth and Love have even a greater name which is above all names and that name is Jesus. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life and no man can come to the Father except through Him.

Our Good Shepherd knows us better than anyone else. He calls you by name, He knows your person/heart, He knows you intimately. When our Good Shepherd speaks may we listen and hear and know that we are His and nothing will separate us from His Love, and we can continue to always place our hopes in Him for our lives.

For the Lord thy God is a consuming fire

Duet. 4:24 says it all. The Lord your God is a consuming fire.

Are there times when you will look around and say where is God at? You will think He is so far away. Because you're struggling with a problem you just can't be rid of, even though you have fought with all your might to overcome, but still no victory. Does the road look to long or too high? Do you think to yourself I just can't do it, I'll never be able to have the victory? You say, oh well this is my lot in life. I guess this is the way I'll be till I die. Or you have said, life is to hard, I give up.

Well have I got good news for you. Our God is a consuming fire. He wants to burn up your problems to get them out of your life. He is waiting to consume your situation no matter what it is. It is all up to you. He is waiting for us to hand it over to him and when we do He will take it and burn it out of our lives.

Take forgiveness for example: We can say oh I forgive them because the Word says to forgive and I am trying to be obedient to the Word. But forgiveness must be of the heart not the mind. The Lord is the one that changes the heart. You see, He takes our hearts of stone and makes them hearts of flesh. When He does that He has to consume some things in our life. He has to burn out some things. He uses a refiners fire to make us pure. I have seen what fire does, it is hungry, it will consume everything until it is all gone. That is what the Lord does, He consumes it until it is completely gone, because He is hungry to bring you to the place as He sees you. His child redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. Glory to His Name. He brings us from Glory to Glory, from one level to another level. All of this so that He can prepare you to be the bride without spot or blemish, beautified for the groom.

So today let Him consume you. Let Him refine you. Let Him take you to the next level in Him. He has said You shall not be ashamed. What you will do is rejoice in the King of kings and the Lord of lords and praise Him for the greatness of His love and grace.
Shalom
Joe

A Desperate and Determined Faith

Whatever you do, do it with your whole heart. Be determined to reach the finish line. God loves whole heartedness. Our God is the Author of great passion. He loves tenacity and loyalty. Everything about Him personifies VICTORY!!

Every example of healing in the scriptures whether spiritual or physical was accomplished when men and women became determined and or desperate for something miraculous to happen in their lives. In all of these situation Jesus said to them: "you have great faith" or "your faith has made you whole."

In Mk. 10 Jesus heals the blind man. The blind man is yelling with desperation. "Son of David have mercy on me." He was yelling so loud that those around Jesus were becoming annoyed by him. But blind Bartimaeus yelled all the more. Here we have a man yelling to Jesus with all of his heart. In desperation and with determination he desires mercy from Jesus as to have his sight restored. And what did Jesus do? He had mercy on him and healed him. And Jesus said to him: "Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole."

Another example of whole heartedness is found in Mk. 5. The woman with the issue of blood. She had suffered with this sickness for twelve years and had depleted all of her resources as to be healed of this plague but it had only gotten worse. She was desperate and determined to press through the crowd and just touch the hem of Jesus garment. She knew that if she could do this she would be healed. And she did just that, and Jesus felt healing issue flow out of Him and He immediately turned around and asked: "Who touched me?" Once again Jesus says: "Thy faith has made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague."

There are so many other examples of whole hearted faith and determination in the Word of God. Zacchaeus, climbing the tree just to get a glimpse of Jesus. Jesus seeing his desperation went to his house later and his whole household was saved. The centurion with the sick servant said to Jesus: "Just speak the word and my servant will be healed." The woman who washed Jesus feet. Her sin was great and she was desperate for much forgiveness, so with all of her heart she washed Jesus feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. These are all examples of great faith, desperation and determination to be healed as to have salvation come to them. Every time in these instances Jesus says: "Salvation has come to you." Whether they were healed spiritually or physically.. Salvation was theirs.. Their faith was pleasing to Jesus and their faith had saved them.

The Word of God says that faith is what pleases Him. God desires powerful, determined, desperate and persistent faith from us in receiving answers to our prayers. Please don't misunderstand, I am not talking about extreme emotions of the flesh here. I am talking about the zeal of our spirits which unite with the Holy Spirit. A faith that doesn't budge. It is steadfast, focused and sees the victory. Pressing in and praying through until there is a breakthrough in the spiritual realm. In that moment the power of the Holy Spirit is at work in us. Jesus interceding for us and in agreement with us. This is praying the will of the Father. If you have experienced this interlocking connection of the Holy Spirit with your spirit while in prayer, you will understand when I say, "That this is the power of God at work in you producing His will and His good pleasure in your life." This is the ultimate prayer of agreement because it is in agreement with Jesus Christ Himself for our lives, which brings the victory!

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure (Phil. 2:13)

A Desperate Heart

__________________

No hope in sight, do I give in?

A desperate heart takes over then

It's faith that's hot with holy fervor

It presses in, will it give up? No never

Jesus listens for the cry of a desperate heart

It's intense with faith, for that He won't depart

With a gleam in His eye and joy on His face

The desperate heart's cry He will embrace

Rise-up and walk be made whole my dear

Your faith is great, your desperate heart I hear

With deep sincerity you have cried unto Me

That's all I ask for that is faith you see

Behold, what you ask you shall receive

For your desperate heart tells Me you truly believe.

Tammy Greenwell