The Word and Who I Am

When you read the Bible, do you ever wonder how the stories between its pages really apply to your life? How they are relevant to the circumstances or situations that you may be facing? I know that I have often heard the Bible called "just a book full of stories", "myths" and so on, but in truth the Word is much more than just a book of stories. It is our our manual, the manual, for living a life of success.

If there is an experience in life--the Bible is your road map and guide through it. It is more than just words in ink, placed on paper for us to read. Within its pages, flowing from Genesis through The Revelation, you will find the answers to every problem, challenge and circumstance that you will face. As you read the Word, meditating and digesting it, you will find that it will also begin to shape your "image". It is God's desire for us to live and function on Earth as He does in Heaven. The bible will provide you with the image of the living God, His character and His nature. The more that you read the Word, and meditate upon it, the more it will influence how you see yourself and the outcome of your life. Being able to know who you are "from the Word" and then taking action on what you learn, allows you to conform more and more to the image of God. In the book of James, 1:23-24, we are told about the person who reads the Word, but doesn't let it move him to take any action. It says, "For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was." There is no doubt, as we look into God's Word that we will discover who we truly are. If we allow the Word to speak to us, and meditate upon it, we will come to know our true identity.

In our lives, when challenges and circumstances come, we shouldn't bow down and submit to them believing things have to remain that way. It is during those tough times that we need to go to the Word and seek out how God wants us to respond. Pray, asking God to lead you into an understanding of the Word, so that you can understand how to apply it to what's going on in your life. Use the Word. Just remember, there were many people in the Bible who found themselves experiencing the same emotions, thoughts and circumstances that people are facing today. One of my favorite men from the Bible is David. David had a tremendous destiny before him, but just think of the trials, situations and circumstances he faced on the way to his destiny. In Psalms we hear David crying, pleading, praising and worshiping, finding himself in the lowest valleys and on the highest mountains. He experienced so much of what many people are facing today in their own lives. Yet, David declared in Psalm 119:105:

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."

David knew that the Word would provide the guidance that he needed. That it would reveal who he really was and provide the strength to choose the right paths. It is no different for us today, the Word will still reveal our true self, while providing the strength and light we need. David could have allowed the circumstances of his life to stop him, prevent him from fulfilling his destiny...but, David understood who he was and David knew his God. We need to let the Word shape us, form us...molding our identity. Each day, we can face life and what it throws at us...because we will know who we are and we will know our God. Until the next time.

He Will Carry The Load

I am sure that we all, at one time or another, have faced that situation which seemed impossible to us at the time. In the midst of it, it just seemed there was no way out and the burden only grew heavier. If we are honest, we may even have felt totally hopeless, lost and not really knowing what to do. Have you ever felt alone in the middle of a really tough time? With people all around you, your family and your friends, yet you feel so alone...as the circumstances you face continue to beat away at you. Sometimes, we count it a victory to have just made it to the next day. It is in the these times, and these circumstances, we have to let go of the load we are trying to carry...and let God carry it for us.

The facts of our condition (circumstance) may look bad, but it is the the truth of God's Word that brings hope and deliverance. The facts are--we can't handle life's challenges all alone and God has never wanted us to. The God we serve loves us, more than you or I could ever know, and we have access to Him all the time. One of my favorite scriptures is found in Romans 8:38-39:

"For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

There is nothing that can separate us from the love of God. He will always be found loving us, and wanting to help us. It is us, who by choice, place a separation between us and God. Never allow the enemy to convince you that God doesn't love you or care about you. That is a lie of the Devil to deceive us. If the devil can steal our confidence in God, then he will lead us into feeling we are isolated from God's love. If we end up feeling like God doesn't love us, then our circumstances will be magnified as we begin to lose hope and life fills with chaos all around us. In this battleground, we will be more focused on the storms that are striking at us, than on the promises of God.

If we allow the pressures and stresses of life to influence our lives negatively, we will likely make decisions that will keep us bound in the "situation" we face. If you and I are to overcome, we must place our attention on the Word and the promises we have been given. In our lives, we will always be facing good and bad moments, days and circumstances. It is a reality of life and it will never change. If you are like me today, you may be facing one of those tough circumstances and deep down, wondering when God is going to show up. Sometimes, its tough and there's just no way around that. However, the Word tells us that nothing can separate us from God's love and knowing this, let's us know we don't fight our battles alone. I may not understand every detail of God's plan for me today, but I do know, that like the 3 Hebrew boys in the fiery furnace---there was a 4th man and they did not walk alone.

With total confidence in God, trusting in His Word, I will continue to stand on the promises that He has given us. I know that I can cast all my cares on Him, for He truly cares for me. It doesn't matter how "tough" it may seem in my "situation", I serve the God who cannot fail and the God who will never forsake or leave me. He knows just when to step in and help us when we need it the most. We don't have to carry the load alone. Until next time.

Mistakes--God Turns Them Around

Today, I want to speak a word of encouragement to all of "us" who have ever made a mistake. Can I tell you that in the midst of any circumstance or trouble, God understands...and He can turn it around. In fact, God can take a mistake and turn it into a "miracle". We all make mistakes. There is not one of us immune from them, and at one time or another, we have all made a wrong choice or simply messed up. In these times, I'm sure we have even felt like we were trapped, when the solution to problem would seem worse than the problem. And yes, those mistakes we make may lead to circumstances that seem awfully hard...but, remember--God can turn it around.

Maybe today, you find yourself having done the wrong thing, made the wrong choice, done something you knew you shouldn't do and now, you are feeling the consequences of what you have done. Consequences that are all around you. It doesn't matter what mistake you have made, or what tragedy has struck, God is well able to take your mistake, your awful circumstances and turn them around. In the hands of God, your mistakes will be changed into a "miracle". God is on your side, and you can not lose. He will take whatever mistake you have made, and...turn it around.

The apostle Paul, in Romans 8:28, says "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those called according to His purpose". Let me encourage you today, when I tell you that this verse tells us of God's ability to turn our "situations, circumstances and mistakes" around. "All things" include our failures, our shortcomings, our mistakes and our "mess ups". He will take them all and turn them around for good, if we will pray...love Him and seek to do what He wants us to do.

Today, know that God can turn any situation around---period. You must be totally convinced that He can take anything, any problem, any situation, any trial, and any mistake--and make it into a miracle. Know that He can "turn it around". You must also accept that God loves you unconditionally. Please know, that no matter what has come your way, that you are more than a conqueror through Him who loves you. You are an overcomer.

Take your mistakes to Him, surrender all...and watch God---"turn it around".