Helping Women Flourish in Life, Relationships, and Dreams
I was sad
so you held my hand
and when I wept
you dried my tears.
You made me think
about who I am
and said to me
come and rest.
We talked until
my heart was full,
you said I am precious.
I cling to that.
We are intimate,
I trust what you say,
You saved me Lord
and I have peace.
I won’t let go
of the hand I took.
© Copyright 2011, Debbie Downs
Do you feel like people are out to get you? Like they slow you down or they don’t understand how important your schedule is? Do you think others should do things in the timing you need? Becoming critical of other’s behavior can put us in the role of being judge. I don’t know about you, but I don’t believe I qualify for the role of judge. Behind every single person you meet in a day, there is a story that most cannot see. Perhaps someone just lost a loved one, or they have a dependency, or maybe they are losing their home due to the down economy, or it could be that they just don’t feel LOVED. Recognizing this fact, while taking your focus off of yourself, allows you to see deeper into someone’s heart. Maybe . . . just maybe . . . instead of criticizing, you might see an opportunity!
Pray for eyes to see from His perspective. Ask God to open the eyes of your heart!
“…just as the Son of man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28 NIV
As followers of Christ move into roles of leadership, we are not placed there to lord over others with an attitude of superiority. We are there to serve others and become the dregs of the pot, if that is what is necessary, to serve our Lord in another’s need.
There may be those who will say things that hurt us and which are offensive and persecuting, but when pain comes and we are offended by how others treat us, we can remind ourselves of where the Lord met us. Remember how we were once so opposed to the Lord and though we hurt our Lord, He did not abandon or condemn us. He accepted us and loved us, not because of our worthiness, but because of His great love and respect of His Father.
There is nothing that anyone can do to us nearly as offensive as what we as human beings have done in opposition to the Lord. As we follow the example of Jesus Christ, let us be reminded that Jesus came to serve, heal, restore and deliver. His life was lived out on earth as one of service and offering life to others.
How is it that we are leading those in our circle of influence? In your service to the Lord, are you honoring Him by loving Him enough to live out His ways? Do people see His love manifested in you and are they running toward Him?
The Story of Victoria Moon told by her husband, Steve
This is the amazing story of the Victoria Moon and how God has moved in her life. There have been thousands of people praying for her and as a result, her recovery has increasingly improved!
As a result of her unique story and recovery process, her husband Steve continues to get requests by the media to share her story. He has decided to share some of her latest physical therapy sessions and Steve and his pastor, Steve Crowley of Piedmont Church will be interviewed!
Take a few minutes and check it out. Follow the link above to watch the incredible story of Victoria’s recovery, on the news tonight! What an amazing way to share with others that God is who He says He is and can do what He says He can do!
Thank you Lord for this woman’s restoration of health and life!
“Ascribe to the Lord the glory due to His name. Bring an offering and come before Him, worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness.” 1 Chronicles 16:29 (NIV)
God is the creator of the universe and everything in it. He is the creator of you and me, and we are created in His image. He knew us when we were in our mother’s wombs. He knows our every thought and wants better than we know them ourselves. He knows every single detail of our lives, as small as the numbers of hairs on our head. He is involved in the smallest details of our lives, leading us into His goodness, truth, and righteousness. He loves us in a way that is indescribable by humankind. He sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ to die for us. His Son took all the sin of the world upon His shoulders and died so that we could have forgiveness of all our sin, past present and future. Jesus was buried and after He was raised from the dead and more than five hundred people saw Him after He rose from the grave! He ascended to heaven to sit at the Father’s throne and sent us the gift of the Holy Spirit to guide us in all our ways and to help us to stay in Him. Remain in Him and He remains in us.
We obey Him from a heart of love and honor. It is our greatest hope to bring glory and praises to His name, not because we have to, but because it has become the desire of our hearts! He is our King of Kings! He is Sovereign. He is the Great Physician. He is the Mighty Counselor! He is Peace! He is our Rock, our Shepherd, our Provider! He is our Refuge, our Judge, and our Hope! He is the LORD, our Master, our Righteousness! He is Living, a Consuming Fire! He is the God Most High! He is Everlasting and Eternal! He is our Father!
He is our Husband and we are His Bride! We keep ourselves pure and white so that on the day of His return, we will be invited to join the feast and sit beside Him on heaven’s throne. He died for us, what more could we ask of one to show his love toward us?
His faithfulness to His Word has stood the test of time. In the lives of those gone before you, in your life and in mine – whether we see it now or not. So let us put away things that hinder our intimacy with our King and put on the clothes of righteousness. He will empower us for renewal, to endure and to stand firm in Him, by the Spirit of the Father that dwells within us.
“The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery, idolatry and witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissension, factions and envy, drunkenness, orgies and the like. I ward you as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the Kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:19-21 (NIV)
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” Galatians 5:22 (NIV)
Pray for your thoughts, words, and actions to bring glory to God. Ask Him to change your heart so that it will become hidden in His, transforming you to have His thoughts, His words, and His actions. It is His utmost desire to give this gift to you from His deep love of you! Those who belong to Christ no longer walk in the sinful nature, but by the fruit of the Spirit. Let us take each step trusting the Spirit of God to lead us! Seek to please God in all things and the need for approval from others will fall away. Ask God to do away with any conflict in you and remain patient as He begins His work in you!
Further Reading: Ephesians 5:9; Colossians 3:12-15; Romans 5:8; Proverbs 2:3; Philippians 2:3
Authentic worship and praise of the Lord involves us giving glory to God!