“When
you and I focus on how we’ve been done wrong in the past, we lose focus on how
we’ve been done right by Jesus.”
Derwin Gray
Derwin Gray
This week my focus has been on my heart. God has really been sending me some messages
and signals that are pointing straight to my heart and how I need to have a
change of heart. John 2:5 says to “Do
whatever He tells you.” I need to change
my heart…which means I need to change my thinking.
Lately I’ve been going in multiple directions and I can
feel the tension…I can feel the bitterness starting to choke and my mouth is
starting to speak words that don’t make a soul stronger.
When I focus on how I’ve been done wrong…I get bitter and
my heart becomes hard.
“Where the heart is changed,
the life and actions will be changed.”
Matthew Henry
I know this…I know when I put my focus on the negative that
it will only bring me and those around me down.
He must become greater and I must become less. My purpose in this life is to testify of His
greatness – I must “bear witness to the Light.” John 1:8
My biggest job as a parent is to minister to my
kids. And if I am bitter and focusing on
how I’ve been done wrong then Jesus is NOT being revealed through me at
all. I’m so thankful that Jesus looks
for the down and out…the dirty…and says “Follow Me---I’m going to unleash you!”
Ann Voskamp states that “The words your mind thinks
become the house your heart lives in.”
YES…that is so good. The words
your mind THINKS become the HOUSE your heart lives in. And when my heart is hard…so are my
actions. That is not who I want to
be. Thank God I am “Forever Loved and Accepted” by a God that pours grace and mercy out
so generously.
“Mercy is to the soul what
water is to a thirsty man. Love is to
the heart what oxygen is to the lungs.
Life is to the body what food is to the stomach. Humanity is in need of mercy, love, and
life. Religion can’t provide these. Only Grace can because Grace is a person
named Jesus.” Derwin Gray
I am going to fail.
I know this. I know that I am not
the perfect person, or perfect Mom, or perfect wife, or perfect friend…but you
know what? God loves me forever and I am
accepted in His family no matter what.
The fact that I am listening to the gentle guidance of God telling me to
“Be Still” and “Come close to Me” lets me know that even though I’m not in a
great place with my heart right now…it’s not too late to turn it back around.
Psalm
119:1-2 In the Message says:
“You’re
blessed when you stay on course, walking steadily on the road revealed by God.
You’re blessed when you follow His directions, doing your best to find
Him. That’s right - you don’t go off on
your own; you walk straight along the road He set. You, God, prescribed the
right way to live; now you expect us to live it.”
Grace surrounds us.
Jesus is a friend of sinners. Jesus loves us more than He hates our sin! He loves me enough to say, “Hey Michelle- you
are becoming weak and bitter…it’s time to let it go and come to Me!”
“God’s
gift to humanity is not based on our goodness or lack of goodness, but based
solely, entirely, and completely on God’s goodness.
~Derwin Gray, Limitless Life
~Derwin Gray, Limitless Life
I could let my heart continue to grow in anger and
bitterness…but who wins in that? Satan
does…our enemy. “Am I pursuing God with the vigor that Satan is pursing me?”~Brooke
Boon
Running in so many directions makes me weak. “Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the
Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or
understanding.” Proverbs 3:5 When I become weak and angry…I am not thinking
correctly and ultimately it is my family that pays the price.
Jesus said, “Come off by yourselves; let’s take a break
and get a little rest.” Mark 6:31 That
is an invitation I can’t resist. That is
medicine for my heart. That is a God
that says--- “No matter what, you child are forever loved and accepted!”
“Come to Me continually. I am meant to be the Center of
your consciousness, the Anchor of your soul.
Your mind will wander from Me, but the question is how far you allow it
to wander. An anchor on a short rope
lets a boat drift only slightly before the taut line tugs the boat back toward
the center. Similarly, as you drift away from Me, My Spirit within you gives a
tug, prompting you to return to Me. As you become increasingly attuned to My
Presence, the length of rope on your soul’s Anchor is shortened. You wander only a short distance before
feeling that inner tug---telling you to return to your true Center in Me.”
~Jesus Calling – Sarah Young
I’m so thankful for His pursing Me. I’m so thankful that He is my Anchor and that
my rope is only a short distance from Him.
Because I can’t imagine NOT
remaining in Him in this life that I have been blessed with.
“When
life is sweet, say thank you and celebrate.
And when life is bitter, say thank you and grow.”
~Shauna Niequist
~Shauna Niequist
Do whatever He tells you…yep whatever He tells you to do,
do it because as Derwin Gray states in his book, Limitless Life, “The life
you live today will affect your tomorrow!”
What a great post! I cannot tell you how much this spoke to me today! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteYou and me both, Barbara! :) I'm right there with you! Hope you are having a blessed day.
DeleteThanks for sharing these words and such beautiful photographs, Michelle! Love them! :) Blessings ~ Shelly (P31 OBS Team)
ReplyDeleteThank you Shelly!! =)
DeleteBeautfil pictures and beautiful words. You spoke to me today. THANK YOU! Thank you for being open and honest. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jill! =) I appreciate you stopping by and your kind words.
ReplyDelete