Have any of you noticed that as hard as we try to organize our life and get everything right; we can't. And we get frustrated and unhappy. Of course we think that we know what is right and if the Lord loves us, He'd agree! But often He has a different plan. This puts us in the position of trusting Him, or being frustrated and unhappy.
I go both ways, from frustration to peace and joy. I know what makes the difference but so often ignore what I know to be true.
"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. . ."
Ephesians 3:20
When we grasp the truth of this verse, we find the peace and joy we're looking for and ignore Satan who just loves to get us all riled up and frustrated. Remember the Scripture says Satan leads the world astray.
Do you find these words as incredible as I do - "immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine"!? I believe you need to experience this before it becomes true to you. Many times I've asked the Lord for some small thing only to be blessed in ways I had not asked for, or even imagined. It's like when you take a small child to the store with you and he says, "Can I have this coloring book?" And you say "Sure, and you can have a new box of crayons, a picture book and candy bar too."
You need to have tremendous love in order to die an agonizing death for someone - Jesus did just that for those of us who believe in Him. We are his 'delight', the apple of His eye!
Remember where your identity comes from and the difference between Satan's lie and God's Truth.
Satan's Lie
You are a sinner
because you
sometimes sin.
You get your
identity from what
you have done.
Your identity is
based on what
people say about you.
You behavior tells
you what to believe
about yourself.
God's Truth
You are a saint (one
declared righteous by
God) who sometimes sins.
You get your
identity from what
God has done for you.
Your identity is based
on you being a much
loved child of God.
Your belief about
yourself determines
your behavior.
As we begin this new year let's ask the Lord to open our eyes to the truth of His Word. Yes, life is full of frustration and deceit, but we can stand tall no matter what this world brings our way because we have a relationship with the King! We can trust that He "...works all things together for good for those who love Him and have been called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28
THANK YOU LORD THAT YOU ARE MINE, AND I AM YOURS. THANK YOU THAT YOUR POWER, YOUR HOLY SPIRIT, IS AT WORK IN US AND WE ARE NEVER ALONE.
