Holy cow, batman! It has been one incredibly busy summer - incredibly busy but also incredibly rewarding! Today was our first day back at school, and it is crazy to me that we are looking forward to going back to school so things will slow down! Who says that? I know, it's crazy! But more on school and all the craziness later! I am afraid I have to get a little serious on you, for just a minute!
Not very long ago, our pastor talked about having confidence in God and in who He created you to be, your calling. I don't think that is something you earn or work towards, I think it is something you have to tap into. I get that sounds somewhat weird, so let me explain what I am thinking. 2 Timothy 1:7 says that "God has not given us a spirit of timidity (fear), but of power and love and discipline." That power, love, and discipline are not things that we are born with but are things that we are given through Christ being real and present in our lives! We have to "renew our minds" as it says in Romans 12 in order to keep that line of communication open and to know the importance of that power source!
But please get this friends, power and love and discipline are not things the devil wants you to tap into. In fact, he will do everything in his finite power to keep you afraid and discouraged. Powerless in this battle we call life. Tonight as I was sitting down to catch you up on the past few weeks, my heart has been heavy because life has been hard. It was then that I realized exactly what I was feeling. I was discouraged and afraid - have you ever felt like that? It is probably one of the worst feelings ever!
I think back to our study on Nehemiah, aptly titled Fear and Discouragement, and Nehemiah's prayer for God to simply "strengthen my hands." So many things were used to break down Nehemiah and the people of Israel, but Nehemiah never ceased praying or tapping into that power that could only come from God. So tonight I am so thankful for studies done and for words of encouragement that could only come from Scripture. It seems to help to know who the enemy is, that the war is won, and that we have the armor to fight the battles.
So as for sharing this quite deep topic. I was once told that once you know the truth, you are held accountable for what you do with it. I pray with ALL of my heart and soul that these words reach that soul that perhaps has tears of experience in their eyes at this point. There is hope! That power is there for the accessing - in His word. It is, after all, our only piece of offensive armor given in Ephesians 6. I also hope that once you know the Truth, you will pass it along!
Not very long ago, our pastor talked about having confidence in God and in who He created you to be, your calling. I don't think that is something you earn or work towards, I think it is something you have to tap into. I get that sounds somewhat weird, so let me explain what I am thinking. 2 Timothy 1:7 says that "God has not given us a spirit of timidity (fear), but of power and love and discipline." That power, love, and discipline are not things that we are born with but are things that we are given through Christ being real and present in our lives! We have to "renew our minds" as it says in Romans 12 in order to keep that line of communication open and to know the importance of that power source!
But please get this friends, power and love and discipline are not things the devil wants you to tap into. In fact, he will do everything in his finite power to keep you afraid and discouraged. Powerless in this battle we call life. Tonight as I was sitting down to catch you up on the past few weeks, my heart has been heavy because life has been hard. It was then that I realized exactly what I was feeling. I was discouraged and afraid - have you ever felt like that? It is probably one of the worst feelings ever!
I think back to our study on Nehemiah, aptly titled Fear and Discouragement, and Nehemiah's prayer for God to simply "strengthen my hands." So many things were used to break down Nehemiah and the people of Israel, but Nehemiah never ceased praying or tapping into that power that could only come from God. So tonight I am so thankful for studies done and for words of encouragement that could only come from Scripture. It seems to help to know who the enemy is, that the war is won, and that we have the armor to fight the battles.
So as for sharing this quite deep topic. I was once told that once you know the truth, you are held accountable for what you do with it. I pray with ALL of my heart and soul that these words reach that soul that perhaps has tears of experience in their eyes at this point. There is hope! That power is there for the accessing - in His word. It is, after all, our only piece of offensive armor given in Ephesians 6. I also hope that once you know the Truth, you will pass it along!
