Identity

                Identity

Identity is something that I have struggled with for a long time. As children we look to our parents to help us really identify with who we are and our purpose in life. I looked to mine and I found no answers. I will spare you the details, but horrendous acts happened in my life as a child, which caused fear, anxiety, and walls to go up around my heart. Truly as parents we should be giving our children a strong foundation in who they are in Christ, and encouraging them to pursue HIM and the plans He has for their lives.

I can tell you this...I tried to find my identity in so many things....Men, friends, being a wife, a mother, a musician, a writer, a worship leader, ministry and it all fell short of who I really was and the ONE that I could find my worth in. Those are all things about us...but who are we really at the core of our being? Where can we turn to find these answers? I'm sure you have tried, just as I have to find them in the world around you through many different avenues. Maybe you have read the word of God and have heard what God has to say about you, yet you aren't living in that truth. Maybe you've never read the bible and are longing for purpose in your life. Where ever you are I pray that the Holy Spirit would meet you there and minister the truth of Gods word to your heart. (This is only for those whom have believed in their hearts and confessed with their mouths that Jesus is GOD). If you have not done that please just pray and repent acknowledging that you need God...enter in through Jesus the Christ :)

Have you been looking for love?

• I am loved. (1John 3:3) 

Have you been longing for and seeking acceptance?

• I am accepted. (Ephesians 1:6)
• I am a member of Christ's body. (1 Corinthians 12:27)
• I am a child of God. (John 1:12)
• I can always know the presence of God because He never leaves me. (Hebrews 13:5)

Have people failed you and let you down or vice a versa?

• I am Jesus' friend. (John 15:14)
• I have direct access to God. (Ephesians 2:18)

Do you lack purpose and direction in life?

• I am a joint heir with Jesus, sharing His inheritance with Him. (Romans 8:17)
• I am chosen to bear fruit. (John 15:16)
• I am chosen of God, holy and dearly loved. (Colossians 3:12)
• I am God's co-worker. (2 Corinthians 6:1)
• I am seated in heavenly places with Christ. (Ephesians 2:6)
• I’ve been given exceedingly great and precious promises by God by which I share His nature. (2 Peter 1:4)
• I am one of God's living stones, being built up in Christ as a spiritual house. (1 Peter 2:5)
• I am established, anointed, and sealed by God. (2 Corinthians 1:21)Have you ever tried to find your worth in something or someone else?
• I am complete in Jesus Christ. (Colossians 2:10)
• I am united with God and one spirit with Him. (1Corinthians 6:17)

Maybe you have been abused and feel dirt or you have been thrown away in life?

• I am a Saint. (Ephesians 1:1)
• I am redeemed and forgiven. (Colossians 1:14)
• I am a new creation because I am in Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
• I am free from condemnation. (Romans 8:1)
• I do not have a spirit of fear, but of love, power, and a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)

Beloved today, if you find yourself striving and trying to find your worth in your actions or your purpose in the world around you, I pray that you would stop!!! and let the word of God wash over you. The truth will set you free from the prison of people pleasing. Let these beautiful truths wash over you..offer up a sacrifice of praise which is the fruit of His name upon your lips. Stand with your hands lifted high to the one who came to set the captives free, redeem, send us out for good work, has numbered the hairs upon your heads, and is longing to be with you. Beloved find your worth and identity in HIM today. Let Jesus be the source of which your mothering, blogging, friendships, writing, being a wife, a runner, a student, a daughter....etc.....flow from. In Him you can be fully satisfied. So when you mess up as a mom, or no one reads your blog, or no one shows up to your bible study, or your husband seems to have lost interest in you, or your knee goes out so you cant run...insert your own thing that you may identify yourself with...YOU WILL NOT BE SHAKEN!!! Your flesh and heart will try and lie to you...but the Spirit of God, which lives in you will minister these words to you. You are loved, You are cherished, you are chosen, you have worth in CHRIST..Your husband, God, Father, The lover of your soul!!!! Let this truth permeate you today and Pray that they will me too!!

Love you gals :)

Marriages are struggling....

I am writing today with a heavy heart. Friends, many christians that I know are struggling, and I mean STRUGGLING in their marriages. I know so many people right now that are divorcing that it makes my heart ache. The process of the slow fade, the hateful words spewing out of saints mouths, adultery, violence (both physical and emotional), loss of interest in one another, and so many more things that bring you to that day where you say "I've had enough! I'm done." 

It is as though the very closest most intimate sacrament that is suppose to be a picture of Jesus and the church is being ATTACKED!! It seems like the enemy of our souls has caused husband and wife to look upon one another as enemies instead of co-laborers and brothers and sister in Christ Jesus. Our spouse should not be our enemy, we should be best friends.... we are on the same side fighting the good fight. 

As I sat thinking and praying about this I thought of a few verses...

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

(Ephesians 6:12 ESV)

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

(James 4:7 ESV)

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

(1 Peter 5:8 ESV)

I wonder in the midst of an argument if we could see the war raging in the heavenlies if we would still choose flesh and sin, giving into temptation? If we could see that we are playing right into Satan's hands, would we continue to allow him such victory in our lives? Its as if we have forgotten that there is a spiritual war raging and that we have to participate in Christ or be destroyed. Friends are you being destroyed? Are your marriages being destroyed? Are your children being destroy? Stand firm!!! Humble yourselves. Choose forgiveness as you have been forgiven. 

Wives submit to your OWN husband as unto the Lord. Respect and Honor your husband. Let him know that you are his biggest fan. Encourage him. TRUST HIM!! If you are fighting against him drop the rope and get behind him. We are on the same side of the struggle. (Husbands if your wife is not doing this your role stays the same). 

HUSBANDS LEAD!!!!! I'm going to say it again... HUSBANDS LEAD! Protect your wife and wash her in the word of GOD, spur her on with encouragement towards Jesus. Dwell with her in understanding. Get to KNOW her. Listen to her...LISTEN to her share her heart. Husbands don't be combative when you enter the door. Lay your life down for her as Christ did for the church. Cherish her. (Wives if he is not doing this your role remains the same).

Friends we have got to humble ourselves and wake up to the war raging around us. If you don't protect and nurture your marriage...NO ONE else will. If Satan destroys a christian marriage he goes after everyone in the family. That means your children are open and exposed to him ( I know what I am talking about as a divorced mother).

The next time you think about partaking in (this list applies to men and women) fantasies; porn, unrighteous anger, disrespect, adultery, abuse (with your words or hands), or any other sin really....think ABOUT THE LORD....IMMANUEL GOD WITH US!! He sees and knows every hidden recess in our hearts and he longs to set us FREE from bondage. There is Grace and healing in JESUS. PLEASE!!! I IMPLORE YOU.....Confess your sins together as a couple before the throne of GRACE. The truth will set you free and God promises us in HIS word that He is faithful to forgive us and heal us. Find Godly and biblical counseling, surround yourselves with prayer warriors and accountability, and trust GOD!!

I know that there are times when there is just no way around divorce. When a persons life is in danger or one spouse just refuses to walk with the Lord and walks away from the marriage, or adultery. Friend if you are in that place I pray to the Lord  GOD ALMIGHTY that He would be your strength and your covering. He knows the pain you are going through and I pray that He would comfort YOU. I pray that you will find Godly support and healing. I pray that you would be covered in HIS GRACE....Remember that HE Cherishes you!! ( I have Godly friends who have found themselves in this place).

Thanks for reading....if this is not you..... please pray for christian marriages or be a support to brothers and sisters who need help and support. Please friends if someone is weak or struggling in their marriage, don't judge, get in there and lift their arms up.

Praying for headway and victory in christian marriages today. LORD please hear our cries. Deliver us from sinful bondage and help us to walk in your Spirit bearing precious fruit, help us to forgive, help us to walk in humility completely dependent upon you. You are our only hope Lord and I pray that your children would find hope and healing in your Gospel message today.