Dear friend, I know you need to hear this today. It is perfectly normal that you are both a masterpiece and a mess simultaneously. You may say, “I do not feel like much of a masterpiece right now, but Oh, you are! See, it is confirmed here in God’s infallible word~Ephesians 2:10~ For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus. Yes, it is true you are a mixed bag. So am I! That is because we live in a fallen world, of fallen people, with fallen laws, fallen morals and a ferocious enemy who wants you to believe fallible ideas about yourself. Not one of us is perfect, but our freedom is not in our perfection; it is in the truth that we are fallen citizens, but forgiven children! You are loved!
Tag: enemy
You Are Enough
You are not pretty enough, skinny enough, good enough, fun enough or organized enough. You are not a good mother, father, provider, cook, leader, friend or person. You cannot compete with everyone around you. You will never measure up, have enough or be enough. These are all LIES friend. Lies that an opportunistic enemy likes to plant in our minds when we are not on guard and insulated every morning by the word of God. If you did not have time to read this morning, let me remind you of a few of the beautiful things God says about you. You are mine. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. I have your name inscribed on the palm of my hand. I call you friend. You are my heir. You have been set free. In repentance, you find rest and I will remember the trespasses no more. You are righteous, redeemed and set free by the grace of Jesus. Nothing you can do will take away my love for you. I loved you enough to sacrifice my son. I have chosen you. You are complete in me. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. ~Philippians 4:8. You are loved and adored on you best and even more on your worst day, so do not despair, precious friend.
You Are Enough
Most days I do not have adequate time or energy to get it all done. The enemy tells me I am not enough. Living within the realm of infallible grace assures me that even on my worst days; I am always enough. You are, too, friend! Ephesians 2:8-9~ For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
The Real Trinity
What trinity are you operating under today?
I opened one of my books this morning and read this: In nothing be anxious. ~Philippians 4:6
That is a tall order for me most days. In really difficult and threatening situations, it is much easier to be a victim than a victor. It is common to profess to live under the Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. However, in the refining heat of life’s challenges it is effortless to become a casualty of the wrong trinity; fear, anxiety and worry.
What is easier can insidiously become a place of comfort. When getting honest, the wrong trinity can mascarade as a self-southing blanket of safety. This is one of the enemy’s biggest lies. He wants you and me operating under the wrong authority.
Walking in the shadow of Father, Son and Holy Spirit as our compass is not the effortless way, but it is the effective way. We are not called members of God’s army metaphorically; but literally because we are in a battle with the forces that are always preying on our hearts.
As 1 Corinthians 16:13 says, we must always be on alert; standing firm with strength and courage in our faith. May we all pray for sufficient grace to live that command every day, because we cannot do it out of our strength.
Be encouraged friends, the presence of fear, anxiety and worry does not mean we have no faith; it means because of the fall we need faith.
Twice or thrice a day, look to see if your heart is not disquieted about something; and if you find that it is, take care forthwith to restore it to calm. ~Francis De Sales
Working Harder is a Lie
Are you trying hard? Maybe you are trying to be better, be happier, be a better parent, spouse or friend? Are you exhausting yourself working to figure it all out? I often forget that I am inadequate and not in control! I can get myself so spun up trying to figure circumstances out.
There is good news for people like me, and maybe you. The notion that trying harder will get us where we want to be or bring clarity to problems is a lie from the enemy that we frequently feed ourselves. Trying harder is based on our sufficiency and strength. If I am the best I have, I am in trouble.
We were not created to figure life out. Jesus controls when or if we find out. Working harder does not make you happier, a better person a better (fill in the blank).
The secret is not in striving but surrendering.