Doing the Hokey Pokey - Facing the Future Part 2

I talked last time (Part 1) about how often when I'm thinking about the future I can slip into an attitude or posture of FEAR instead of standing in FAITH.  I am definitely still learning this dance move, but basically God has me working to turn these feelings around (that's the Hokey Pokey part J) so that I can move on in His strength all the way to victory!  It goes something like this (though the order varies depending on how He leads):


STOP.  Come before His throne and get down on my knees.  Be still.  Look up and listen.  Look back and remember how faithful he has ALWAYS been.  Throw my burdens into His hands.  Thank Him for all He's done before and what He's going to do still.  Turn away from the sin I may have fallen into.  Push back and resist the enemy.  Put my hands in God's and let Him lead.  Trust Him.  TRUST HIM.  TRUST HIM!  Climb up on His lap and maybe all the way up to His shoulders and see what He sees when He looks at my future!  And then make some choices...


To be DETERMINED instead of dreading.
To start being COURAGEOUS instead of cowardly.
To choose to be CONFIDENT and stop despairing.
To be TRUSTING instead of anxious.
To be FILLED WITH FAITH instead of fearful.


To BELIEVE and KNOW that IN CHRIST I CAN BE...


EXPECTANT instead of worried.
HOPEFUL instead of discouraged.
ENCOURAGED instead of depressed.
BRAVE instead of timid.
PERSEVERING instead of giving up.
STRONG instead of weak.
BOLD instead of afraid.
FEARLESS instead of terrified.
EMPOWERED instead of powerless.
SECURE instead of insecure.
ENLIGHTENED  instead of confused.
EQUIPPED  instead of incompetent.
AT PEACE  instead of falling apart...
EXPECTING and PROCLAIMING VICTORY instead of declaring defeat.
COUNTING IT ALL JOY instead of whining!!!


"We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed."  (2 Corinthians 4:8-9)


Why???  Because God says so.  (In 2 Corinthians 4 it also says...)

6For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.  7But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.

16Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

13It is written: "I believed; therefore I have spoken." With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak...

I have to believe it and speak it.  I will not lie down and give up because my victory is not dependent on my own power. Christ bought it for me with his blood.  I will not squander that!  My victory depends on God and I HAVE THIS TREASURE and no one can take it away from me.


And THAT, my friends, is what it's all about.  J


In Faith, Hope & Love,
Melissa

Facing the Future... Part 1

It dawned on me a few weeks ago that many of the negative feelings that I often deal with are directly related to how I'm feeling and what I'm thinking/believing about the future. Most specifically, how I'm FEARing something in the future. Whether it's the future in 5 minutes or the future in 5 years or more, facing the future can at times leave me dreading whatever I anticipate is to come. Guilt, shame, bitterness and the like are connected with the past. But most of my issues have to do with the FUTURE. If I'm not standing in faith and looking at the future from a God-centered, Trust-and-Truth-based perspective, I'm probably Facing the Future with FEAR and I will find myself feeling:

Defeated

Cowardly

Despairing

Anxious

Afraid

Worried

Discouraged

Depressed

Timid

Like Giving Up

Weak

Terrified

Insecure and

Powerless

But IN CHRIST, I am NONE of those things!  A few weeks ago God showed me that too often I have anticipated battles (some that came and some that didn't) but stopped short of anticipating and expecting VICTORY. And you know what? When God got it through my head and into my heart that it was HIGH TIME that I started anticipating and expecting victory instead of just a battle... I STARTED EXPERIENCING MORE VICTORIES.  And I so intensely want that for you too!

He's been teaching me that when I am Facing the Future with FEAR (see the list of symptoms above), I need to STOP, TURN myself AROUND and Face the Future with FAITH. Then I will experience the victory. I'm gonna write more about the ways God's been showing me to do that in another post or three. But I want to leave you with the words to a hymn that was written in 1891 reminding us that FAITH is the VICTORY. Remember that, Friend!!!  And I'm praying that if this is an issue God wants to work on in you, too, that He will start by showing you how often you are looking to the future this way...  because when we expect and declare defeat when it's not even half-time yet, we give up and the enemy wins.  God almost always starts freeing my mind by showing me first that I AM IN BONDAGE to some kind of lie and I NEED TO BE FREED.  So if that's the case with you, I'm praying God will show you.  I feel like I should apologize if He answers, because it likely won't be pretty...  but I don't believe He uncovers and exposes stuff that He doesn't intend to heal, so I'm gonna expect victory for you and praise Him for what He's gonna do... even if the process is painful.  And if this is just about me, that's okay too...  I'm already thankful for the victory He's bringing me.

Grace & Peace,

Melissa

Faith is The Victory

Words by John H. Yates - Music by Ira D. Sankey

1891

1 John 5:4

"For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world:

and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith."

Encamped along the hills of light, ye Christian soldiers, rise.

And press the battle ere the night shall veil the glowing skies.

Against the foe in vales below let all our strength be hurled.

Faith is the victory, we know,

That overcomes the world.

            Faith is the victory!

            Faith is the victory!

            O glorious victory,

            That overcomes the world.

His banner over us is love, our sword the Word of God.

We tread the road the saints above with shouts of triumph trod.

By faith, they like a whirlwind's breath, swept on o'er every field.

The faith by which they conquered death

Is still our shining shield.

            Faith is the victory!

            Faith is the victory!

            O glorious victory,

            That overcomes the world.

On every hand the foe we find drawn up in dread array.

Let tents of ease be left behind, and onward to the fray.

Salvation's helmet on each head, with truth all girt about,

The earth shall tremble 'neath our tread,

And echo with our shout.

            Faith is the victory!

            Faith is the victory!

            O glorious victory,

            That overcomes the world.

To him that overcomes the foe, white raiment shall be giv'n.

Before the angels he shall know His name confessed in Heav?n.

Then onward from the hill of light, our hearts with love aflame,

We'll vanquish all the hosts of night,

In Jesus' conqu'ring Name.

            Faith is the victory!

            Faith is the victory!

            O glorious victory,

            That overcomes the world.

Update on my cousin

Several of you have asked how Amy is doing, so here's part of the update I received about her yesterday. Thank you so much for praying...

Love, Melissa

Amy was given an echo cardiogram test this morning which showed no swelling in the brain. Praise the Lord! The heart specialists report that her heart seems to be healing well, also.

Some friends of hers made the trip to see Amy and to help take care of the children. What wonderful friends! When they showed up at the hospital, Amy's eyes lit up in instant recognition (she is still unable to speak because of the ventilator). Even without words her eyes spoke volumes. The children were also delighted to see them.

Prayer Requests:

Pray for wisdom and unity among all concerned as they consider Amy's medical needs.

Amy still has a hole in her heart which is possibly the repaired hole reopened. Pray that this can be cared for in the least invasive way possible.

The doctors predict that Amy will need to stay in the hospital for at least 3 or 4 weeks. Pray for her family as they deal with that... for strength, peace, patience and wisdom one day at a time.

Thank you!!!!!

Please pray for my cousin...

Hi everyone... If you would be willing to pray for my cousin and her family today I would appreciate it so much. My cousin Amy is 35, lives in Colorado and is the mother of 6 kids under 11. Last week she went to the hospital b/c she was having some pain that felt like a heart attack. They discovered that she had some defects in her heart... major arteries connected in the "wrong" places that were causing them to kink. Nobody can explain how she's gotten this far in life (and through 6 childbirths!) without any problems.

She had a LONG open heart surgery yesterday... ended up with a double bypass and while they were there they removed a mass of tissue and repaired a hole they found. It seemed last night like it was all going to be okay, but this morning they airlifted her to Denver (about a 40 minute drive) because of some blood flow problems - and she hasn't woken up yet from the anesthesia like they expected.

Please pray for her heart and whatever is still wrong, for her to wake up when GOD wants her to, for the Dr.s and especially for her husband Rick, parents, her kids and her sister Cristy (it's Cristy's birthday today).

What's amazing about this is that last Fall, they discovered an aneurysm in Amy's brain. It ended up being so small that they didn't have to do surgery, (and as of an MRI just last week it is GONE!) but I truly feel like it was one way God prepared them for this. There are so many other ways we have seen God's hand at work, we know that no matter what He has been and will continue to be faithful. But I have a feeling that He is writing an amazing story through this frightening situation that is going to bring Him great glory when it is done. I am so thankful that in times like this I have the Hand of God and the Body of Christ to reach out to for strength...

Thanks so much...

Love, Melissa

Ummm.... Hi!

A new friend of mine from church discovered my blog recently (Hi Jenni!) which made me start sort of wondering what she might have stumbled upon and now know about me that she didn't know before! So I got on my blog and started clicking around on some of the labels on the side over here (on the right if you're actually ON my blog and not in a reader of some sort.) And you know what? Reading some of the things I've written in the last few years that I've forgotten about made me laugh - or chuckle - and smile. I read about our trip to Legoland in December 2007 and my almost-insanity there... about Mikaela losing her first tooth... about when I almost swallowed a spider... Really meaningful stuff! It confirmed what I've been suspicious of... that my blog has gotten awfully serious lately. As if all I do in life is study the Hebrew meanings of Biblical text in the Antiguo Testamento or something like that. (HA!)

In case you have perhaps ever started thinking something like that, let me say again HA! : ) It happens to be what I get very excited about and think is amazing and since I have a commitment (in my head at least) to post about my memory verses and not so much of a commitment to rambling about the rest of my life... well, you haven't heard much about the rest of my life lately. I'm NOT going to promise to change that (though I would like to!!!) because I have trouble keeping promises that I make in Bloglandia. But I thought I would offer you this semi-pointless post just in case you needed to know that I can still ramble about nothing with the best of 'em!

For a quick update about my family, I'll tell you this. My husband is still my favorite guy in the world and he's watching some action movie dubbed into Spanish right now. My daughter is the most hospitable 9 year old I've ever seen, Toby is learning Spanish muy rapido and Timothy asked me for permission today to eat his macaroni and cheese. Really! Our dog Brownie needs a bath and we still have 2 chickens that lay eggs for us semi-regularly. I have 3 sisters/in-law who are currently expecting babies... which means I will have... (counting... counting...) TWENTY nieces and nephews by the end of the year!!! : ) While there are still plenty of challenges every day, I'm making progress - with some real honest Divine Intervention - on getting my house in some kind of order and realizing that it's been my head that was out of order more than my house. And I love spring. : ) OH! And I'm wearing a pink John Deere hat that my hubby and boys bought for me at the Farm Show last month. Love it! (I'd take a picture and show you, but I'm lazy. Sorry!) : )

Phew. Do you feel better now? I hope so, because I do...

: ),

Melissa

Keep Walking... 2010 Memory Passage #6

Um, yeah... I'm a day late. : ) Here's what I'm studying and memorizing:

"I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk your steps will not be hampered. When you run, you will not stumble. Hold on to instruction, do not let it go. Guard it well, for it is your life." Proverbs 4:11-13

Here's what I'm loving/learning about this passage:

"I guide you": implies shooting or throwing... like aiming an arrow or something at a target.

"I guide you... and lead you...": not just that God "will" guide and lead me - as in a future promise - but NOW. Every day. It is what He does. What He has been doing and what He will always keep doing. (I love that!)

"in the way": on the path, road, journey, direction, course of life...

"of wisdom": skill (in war), wisdom (in administration), shrewdness, wisdom (in ethical or religious affairs)

"and lead you": the root of this word is the same word above used for "way" but this seems to imply walking, treading, marching... makes me think He's not only showing us where to march, but He's leading the way by marching along with us.

"along straight": even, upright, level paths. I want my thoughts to be upright - and level!!!

"paths": I expected this word to be the same as "paths" but it actually means "entrenchment or tracks." Interesting! He wants to get me in the right "ruts". : )

"When you walk, your steps": actually means just that.

"will not be hampered": won't be bound up or distressed. Sounds like walking in freedom to me!

"When you run, you will not stumble": reminds me of when a child (or anyone!) starts running and gets going faster than their feet can carry them and stumbles and crashes. Praise God He will (if I listen) keep me from running ahead of myself (and Him) and stumbling and crashing!

"HOLD ON": Wow. That doesn't do justice to what this word means. First of all, the Hebrew word itself looks like "Shazam!" : ) "CHAZAQ!" (Isn't that great?) And the definition includes these words: to strengthen, prevail, harden, be/become strong, become strong, be courageous, be/grow firm, be resolute, be sore. Wow. To hold on so tightly that I become sore - and strong and courageous. I. WANT. THAT.

"to instruction": Ouch. OK. I am looking up these words (see below for how/where) as I go along here and I'm sort of reconsidering what I just said I wanted... This kind of "instruction" isn't what I thought it was! It's the "discipline, chastening, correction" kind of instruction. Big sigh. But yes, I still want it. Only now I KNOW it's going to make me sore!!!

"Do not let it go": Still talking about the "instruction" and He's not just saying here "don't let it go" but don't slack off! Don't "sink, relax, sink down, let drop, be disheartened." Hmmm... Wow. That is so often what I do when I start something new. I'm enthusiastic at first, for a few days, and then sink, relax, drop out and get disheartened. God is saying that's not okay anymore.

"Guard it well": guard, watch, watch over, keep. Speaks of faithfulness and diligence to me.

"for it is your life": Life. LIFE.

Feels a bit like God is giving me a warning that I need to quit slacking and keep holding onto and pursuing the things He's teaching me to do. He's been opening my eyes and doesn't want me to slow up and go back to my old way of doing things. I don't really want to either. So, yes, Lord, please keep teaching, training, correcting and disciplining me. I need to know how to live so that I can have the LIFE that You want for me. ABUNDANT LIFE. I definitely WANT THAT. : )

(And in case you're wondering where I got all of this information... you can check out bible.lifeway.com . Look at the menu on the left and you'll see a list of Bible translations and some other stuff. Click on "KJV with Strong's" and you'll get an amazing resource! Click on the words that are underlined and you'll go straight to the original Hebrew or Greek words and their definitions. At the top there is a little window where you can type in whatever chapter you want to look at. It's my favorite resource!!!)

What are you memorizing? Are you doing anything for Lent or to prepare your heart in a special way for Easter? I'd love to hear about it!