Stop Believing the Lies

1 John 3:1 New Life Version (NLV)

See what great love the Father has for us that He would call us His children. And that is what we are. For this reason the people of the world do not know who we are because they did not know Him.

1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 The Message (MSG)

9-11 God didn’t set us up for an angry rejection but for salvation by our Master, Jesus Christ. He died for us, a death that triggered life. Whether we’re awake with the living or asleep with the dead, we’re alive with him! So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you’ll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you’re already doing this; just keep on doing it.

Lies!  We tell ourselves lies constantly.  This past weekend I was asked this question, “What lie have you been telling yourself?  Are you still believing that lie?”  Take a moment and really think about that question.  Do you tell yourself that you aren’t worthy, you are fat, you are ugly, you aren’t…the list goes on.  Insert a few of those lies in the blanks in the verse below:

Galatians 3:28 New Life Version (NLV)

28 God does not see you as _____________. He does not see you as a___________ or as a _________. He does not see you as a man or as a woman. You are all one in Christ.

The lies that we tell ourselves may not be evident to those around us, but they burn inside of us.  They burn until they scar us to the point of where it is a permanent mark within us.  

The lie that I had been telling myself is that I’m not a leader.  I am just a normal gal with not much to offer.  I am someone who may have good ideas, but not good enough to act on them.  I have been working on breaking the chains of that lie for a while, but have really felt more freedom from that lie more recently.  However, when reflecting on WHERE this lie came from, it came from experiences from childhood that rolled into my youth and continued into my adult life.  Then it hit me like a ton of bricks, my daughter had started falling into that same rhythm.  ENOUGH!  I’m not going to let that be the lie that she rattles around in her head.  I’m stripping that lie away and modeling what it is to be a leader not a follower.  We are children of God and He never wants us to believe those lies.  You are not a slave to those lies because you are a child of God.  Enjoy the song below and stop believing those lies.  

“No Longer Slaves” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8TkUMJtK5k

Be Blessed!

PS  My father put a little reminder on my mirror growing up reminding me daily that I am a child of God.  My mother had this framed with a picture of us on my wedding day.  Keep reminders around you that help you break through those lies.  

Drifting

Hebrews 6:19-20 The Message (MSG)

18-20 “We who have run for our very lives to God have every reason to grab the promised hope with both hands and never let go. It’s an unbreakable spiritual lifeline, reaching past all appearances right to the very presence of God…”

John 14:1 New Life Version (NLV)

“Do not let your heart be troubled. You have put your trust in God, put your trust in Me also.”

Philippians 4:7 New Life Version (NLV)

7 The peace of God is much greater than the human mind can understand. This peace will keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

As a child, I loved to fish with my dad.  Some of my most favorite memories were of us, on the lake, in a little fishing boat.   I always remember him steering the boat and driving for what seemed like hours.  I didn’t know where he was going or why he ever picked the area he would pick, but I trusted him.  Once we found the “perfect place”, he would throw the anchor overboard. Now the anchor would either keep us in place or we would begin to drift.  He never let us get too close to the shore, but if he wasn’t paying attention we would drift further than he would want.  Quick actions would have to happen to make sure we didn’t hit bottom.  

This summer was a summer of being anchored.  Anchored in my life with my family, my friends, my business, and most importantly with Him.  I felt firm in my place.  However, I have looked down for the briefest moment and now I feel as though my anchor has shifted.  I have noticed that I have drifted away into waters that are a little rougher.  This is what I was called to do, but I am feeling a little lost and disconnected.  

God is steering our lives in the direction we need to go.  We need to keep our focus on Him and know that there are times He wants our anchors to shift and drift.  In those moments, we need to stop and try to understand what He is trying to tell us.  We may not understand immediately, but He will not let us hit bottom.  We just need to fix our eyes on Him.

Enjoy Francesca Battistelli’s song titled “Strangely Dim”:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBEOc2zZREU

Be Blessed!

Rapid Rivers and Stepping Stones

Isaiah 43:2 New Life Version (NLV)

2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. When you pass through the rivers, they will not flow over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned. The fire will not destroy you.

Romans 8:28 New Life Version (NLV)

28 We know that God makes all things work together for the good of those who love Him and are chosen to be a part of His plan.

Our faith walk will always be an adventure and/or a journey.  One that takes us to places that may seem dark and overwhelming.  One that takes us to moments of anxiousness and confusion.  One that takes us to moments of celebration, excitement, and happiness.  

This summer God placed a vision on my heart of what my faith walk has been and continues to be.  So as all good teachers do, I’m going to tell it in story form.  

Imagine that you are standing on the banks of a river.  This river is not a calm flowing river, but a river that rushes in front of you.  A river that has waves and ripples that come crashing into anything that it meets.  The whirling of the rapids can be exhilarating and spectacular to watch.  However, you have to cross this river on foot.  There is no steady foothold in sight.  You take a deep breath and pray.  As you open your eyes, a stepping stone comes to surface.  This stone is one that is not covered in moss and is not going to waver.  It is a sturdy place to step.  You take your first step, trying not to let the rapids falter your balance.  The minute you look to one side you loose focus, and anxiousness begins to take ahold of your mind.  You close your eyes, pray, breathe, and then open your eyes to see another stone has been placed before you.  Just like the stone you’re standing on, this one is just as secure.  You continue to take one step at a time.  As you are crossing this river, you continue to have moments of anxiousness.  You may even fall into the river, but then pray that He pulls you out so that you can continue to move forward.  

Our faith walk, if not aligned with Him, will falter.  We have to continue to realign our vision of what His purpose is for us.  The waters may be running all around, but keep your heart and head steady.  He will not let you drown.  

Enjoy and let the lyrics of this song wash over you.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GGFb6LcX3U

Be Blessed!