Rebuilding trust is a process that begins with a word and is followed by action – doing what you said you would do..... I want all the breaches of trust to heal in my relationships, I do, but I can only do my part. I can only live up to my word. I can’t live up to the other party’s word, silent expectations, or defend myself against their unfair judgments.
Seduced by the Enemy, Part 2: “Who sent you?”
The people in your life that operate as enemies may not come at you with guns blazing. They may not even realize that their momentary role in your life is contrary to God’s plan for you and His instructions to you. You are responsible for knowing what God has for you and what He has told you to do. You are further responsible for acting in accordance to that knowledge. So when people come at you with their agenda, which will ALWAYS be contrary to God’s agenda for your life, you need to be able to identify them as the enemy – in that moment they are against you and your purpose.
How’s Your Heart?
I had always thought I resembled the good ground that received the seed and nurtured it into abundant reproduction, but as I reread the parable of the sower in light of the question being put to me, “How’s your heart,” along with a sermon of the same name, I began to see how my heart was close to transforming into a thorny, barren wasteland. Was the Word being choked out of me through all my disappointing interactions with people?
Amy Winehouse: When did she live?
How you handle this life is a reflection of how you will handle the eternal life to come. If you are beaten, tormented, frightened, and lost, then your hope is not in Christ. You are not accepting the gift of salvation that God provided for you. You are allowing the enemy a victory he has no right to. There is no addiction that your will cannot overcome. It may take time, it may take a few or many setbacks, you may have to do it without family and friends who have long since given up, but you can overcome anything through Christ.
Company Doesn’t Equal Companionship
As much as I’ve tried to insert myself into their family units, I’ve been reminded by their repeated rejections that I don’t belong. I am not one of them. Despite the closeness and history of our connection, I will always be an outsider to any family unit other than my own. That may sound like a harsh statement, and believe me, it was a painful reality to come to – in fact, it has taken several such disappointing situations for me to recognize the truth of it. No amount of filling my time and space with company is going to satisfy my desire to have my own mate – my match, my companion.
Just do it – Walk in Faith & Praise God along the Way!
Jesus can’t be shocked by human nature, but He points out that He cleaned ten lepers and only one (a foreigner, at that) returned to thank Him and give glory to God. He continues and says because of that man’s expression of faith, he is now healed.
Just do it – You Are Duty-Bound!
It is important to know that yes, as individuals, we need to be grateful, but as servants we need to be humble. A humble servant is lowly in self-estimation. There is no pride or ego that needs the flattery of gratitude. Humbleness is modesty, but it’s not weakness. A great deal of strength is required to completely set your self aside in service to another.
Just do it – Get Up and Walk!
Perhaps I’ve known the principle of this story from a young age, because I can’t recall a time when I’ve known what I’ve wanted and didn’t act on achieving it or prepare to receive it. I’ve certainly had my low moments when I’ve prayed for help, support, and assistance of any kind; and lower moments when the help I was looking for never arrived. But being low (in spirit, in mind, in encouragement, etc.) never stopped me from standing up straight and moving forward.
Don’t Be Weak Minded… Please!
Let me tell you, that had to be the first time I approached someone I had just met in an unfamiliar environment and tried to provide them with a healing word. And it so happened that it was the first time I got shot down in mid-word for my efforts! I was stunned. And I struggled to not be offended. Belief is a choice. Faith is a choice. Accepting God’s Word is a choice. I can’t be upset with how others choose....
Just do it – Do Whatever He Tells You!
Yeah, that confused “whatwhyhow” is how I first looked at Jesus. His commands didn’t make sense to me. In fact, they seemed impossible. Then I started following His instructions one by one, step by step and I started doing the Word. Wonder of wonders, the Word has changed my life!
Harvest Life 