I’m defined by God…and God alone. No one else and nothing else can define
me. Not numbers on a scale, not
compliments from people, not negative remarks, not numbers on social media…only
God. If I focus on anything other than
what God thinks of me then my focus is not on God. My focus is on ME.
When I begin to make this all about me - I need to align
myself with God. In Phil. 4:8 it says, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble,
whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is
admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy— think about such things.” So, if what I’m thinking about does not line up with this…then
those thoughts need to go. I can drown
in the negative or I can focus on the positive…Jesus.
Focus on Jesus and STAY ABOVE THE WAVES!
“We destroy arguments and every lofty
opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to
obey Christ” ~ 2 Cor. 10:5
Our verse this week in P31 OBS is “I will give you treasures of
darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the
Lord, the God of Israel who summons you by name.” ~Isa. 45:3 And in her book, Made to Crave, Lysa
TerKeurst breaks down this verse on how God was talking to her…and I feel like God
is saying the same to me, “Hey Michelle…I know your name. Now, rest in the security of My name and all
that it means to your identity.” That is
some peace right there.
Obedience is to continue to keep my eyes on Jesus and His
truths about me…so that, I am able to move forward in the path He is asking me
to go in. When I make it about me…those waves come crashing in and bring me
down. I can’t move forward when I’m
being knocked down by my own stinkin’ thinkin’!
I need to take captive every thought and breathe. I need to “make space in the pace for
peace.” ~Ann Voskamp
And Peace is a person.
“Nothing tastes as good as peace feels.” ~Lysa TerKeurst
I taste that peace right now. I am beginning to feel free of the addiction
I had. I’m beginning to feel free of not
caring what others think of me. I am
beginning to stop being a people pleaser. I am beginning to feel free of the
things that were becoming an idol for me.
I am living for Jesus and His peace feels good! Yes, Peace is a person and all He wants is my
heart and obedience.
I really enjoyed your thoughts today. And your photos as well!! God bless you.
ReplyDeleteThank you Linda =)
DeleteThank you for sharing your thoughts! The photos are such a nice way to help express your feelings and convey your emotions. I reallly enjoyed it all.
ReplyDeleteThank you!! =)
DeleteMy name is Sara and I am the small group leader of group 43. I absolutely loved your blog!! All of the pictures made it so much fun to read :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Sara!!! =)
DeleteMichelle - another great post. I REALLY enjoyed the pictures this time - especially the one for this week's M2C bible verse. Yes..it has to be LESS of us and MORE of Him. God bless! ~ Miriam of http://cravingsconfidential.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteThank you Miriam! Yes...less of us and more of Him. I somehow turn that around a lot! =)
DeleteThanks Daphne for stopping by. =)
ReplyDeleteI loved the knitting graphic! It goes so well with that verse! I really puts the image of God knitting us into the person He desires us to be. Each one of us is useful and has a purpose just like a blanket, scarf, hood, mittens, and such :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Vivian...I thought the same thing. =)
Delete