Tag Archives: Jesus

Truth! Are you Free in Christ??

Christ's rest, Freedom in Christ, Jesus Christ, Spiritual Encouragement, Who I am in Christ, , , , , , , , ,

freedom

Who are you in Christ?? Not who you think you are on the days that you fail miserably…but Who does God’s word say you are??? You are FREE in Christ my friend!

I will continue to share more truths about our true identity. This is not an exhaustive list to be sure, but scripture that we can learn and lean on; especially when we don’t “feel” the truth. Even when we don’t “feel” it, we must lean on the truth of His word that teaches us that we are indeed “free” in Christ.

These truths were confirmed in my heart many times over with teachings from Bill and Annabelle Gillham. You can access their website...www.lifetime.org I encourage you to visit their site.

I am inadequate…..I am complete in Christ……“For in Christ all the fullness of Diety lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.” Colossians 2:9-10

Each person must live his own life…….Christ will express His life through me….“For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” Colossians 3:3-4

I would have made it on my own if I won lots of money…..I have been blessed with every spiritual blessing…“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” Ephesians 1:3

I am always the last one chosen….I am chosen by the One who makes the rules.….“For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will to the praise of His glorious grace which He has freely given us in the One He loves.” Ephesians 1:4-6

I feel guilty all the time…..“The One who makes the rules says that I am forgiven….“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.” Ephesians 1:7

I worry about the future…My glorious future is set in spiritual concrete...“And he made know to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Christ, to be put into effect wen the times will have reached their fulfillment, to bring all things in heaven and one earth together under one head, even Christ. In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will.” Ephesians 1:9-11

I feel so insecure and anxious...I have been sealed with the Spirit, I am safe...““And you were also included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession-to the praise of His glory.” Ephesians 1:13-14

I am so thankful for His word, the living WORD of God which breathes life into my parched soul!

Be blessed dear ones..
IN CHRIST ALONE

Isaiah 55:8-9

http://www.lifetime.org
*google image*

Checklists and Ropes…Part 1

Spiritual Encouragement, , , , , , , , , , , ,

RopeManilla2Inch_Quest

Yoo-Hoo!  Over here…look at what I am doing!  Is she upset with me?  Did I make her mad?  Did I do that right?!?! Did I , could I, should I??

Good grief! Ok, confession here.  These are not the rantings of an adolescent, but that of a 52 year old woman!  Not out loud where people could actually hear it….but ah, those thoughts ran through my head many a day!

Last time I talked about my “performance based acceptance” and the legalism that bound me for several years.  It took me a while to quit making those checklists and get “free” and realize I was to live under grace! I had to break my pencil to quit those lists! Well let me tell you, the checklist reappeared and with it a very tight rope. And I helped tighten it!

I just re-read a blog from last year during this time and I was indeed swirling.  I was in a deep, dark hole…spiritually, emotionally, physically and mentally.  I did not realize how deep until I cut that rope and threw away that list!  I felt I was just “going through the motions and hanging on to God.”  Actually, I see now that He was “hanging on to me.”

I had re-entered the public school system as a teacher about 10 years ago.  I felt led to do so and the Father opened up a job.  In one day I had an interview and got a job.  I really was only half way looking since my wise husband had been praying for a way to pay for our son’s college education.  I had homeschooled them and they were about to further that education.  It was a total God thing to get a job that I did not know even existed!! I always felt it was for a season.  A time to help financially, and then I would be released.  

I stayed two years too long.  How do I know that?  The youngest graduated two years ago…but I thought I could hang on long enough for a partial retirement.  A “dangling” carrot of sorts.  Not that there is anything wrong with a pension, but it became my primary goal and I truly wasn’t listening when the Father was trying to get my attention. At the end of that checklist I saw a small bunch of carrots and had to get to them!

The rope almost choked me in October.  I started the school year, trying to muster up a good attitude.  I had started losing my hair in tremendous volume and all over ( but thick, curly hair provided a good comb over on my head..) and had a bout with a very curable skin cancer ( its placement kept me from raising my left arm for several weeks..long enough for my husband to have to basically set up my room) But I was strong, I could do it!!

Therein lies the issue.  I could not do it in my own strength.  Last year at this time I had to increase my anxiety medicine. (Another blog) and I felt awful.  The rope around me continued to tighten, and I just stood there! The checklist increased in length.  October 1st…. I gave up.  I quit. I bailed.  

I will share more of this story next time…stay tuned!
Blessings,
IN CHRIST ALONE
Isaiah 55:8-9
*google search image*

Seasons in Life

Spiritual Encouragement, Uncategorized, , , , , ,

Image Seasons.  Most of us experience a change in seasons about four times a year.  Where I live, it seems like you can experience at least two of them in one week.  Like right now.  We are supposed to have some severe weather; while Monday it was cold and in the 20’s.  Go figure.  Seasons indeed change, just as the seasons in our lives. I have experienced such a change of late.  I am no longer teaching.  I taught in the 80’s for five years, then stayed home to be a mom to the two wonderful sons that God blessed us with.  I also was able to homeschool them, something I would do all over again.  During those years on and off I worked at a Crisis Pregnancy Center, as a radio announcer, Bible study teacher, and many other things.  As with many, life offered its “ups and downs” through deaths, storms, health issues, etc.  But God got us through each and every thing, each and every time. I had been praying that the Father would release me from my teaching job for several years.  I knew He had given it to me (in one day I might add, when I did not know one was available), so I knew that He would release me when it was time.  I knew that the season would be over one day and I would go on to other things He had for me to be involved in.  Unbeknownst to me, I had been released about two years earlier, but I was waiting for a “job” to fall in my lap before I could move on.  I found out if I worked 8 more years, I would pull a small retirement.  I had to hang on!  A dangling carrot of sort. Almost daily I wanted to stop working.  The laws governing special education were tedious and required an incredible amount of paperwork.  My students had more issues than ever before, and I was unable to give them all they needed.  I felt as though I were being wrapped over and over by a strong rope and literally losing myself.  I was getting lost, and I wasn’t hearing the voice of God.  I simply was so drained that I hardly recognized it anymore. So on October 1, after much prayer and confirmation…I resigned my position.  I had been through skin cancer and severe hair loss the past summer. The total body hair loss was most likely stress, as three doctors pointed out.  I am not saying that the skin cancer came from stress, but I know that it was a contributing factor. I took a step out in faith.  I had to believe that God would take care of us.  He always had, and He wouldn’t stop now.  I found some online work and starting selling some wreaths and craft items I so loved to make.  I was overwhelmed with the confirmation He gave me over and over in His word. I am not going to pretend to understand all that is going on.  I just know that He is faithful.  I believe that I am healing.  I did not know how bad I felt until now.  A month has passed and I feel like my old self again.  I can minister and love on people with a full supply.  I am no longer empty, nor drained like I was.  I am sleeping, and I am not losing nearly as much hair!  And it is growing back as well!!  I did master the “comb over” since my hair has always been curly and thick! So my encouragement today is this:  1.) Listen.  Don’t think He is not speaking to you, He is..sometimes the noise of this world drowns Him out.  2.)  Just as the temperatures, our “seasons” in life change.  One day you are with your little boys on the beach, and the next thing you know you are 53 years old and writing about it on a blog.  But enjoy the ride…He is always working and loving us. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts your thoughts”. Isaiah 55:8