A religion of bondage…

Posted on June 22, 2010 by WomanAlive

A religion of bondage always exalts self.  It is what I do…my efforts, my wrestlings, my faithfulness.
But a religion of liberty leaves self nothing to glory in; it is all Christ and what He does, and what He is, and how wonderfully He saves.

Don’t jump!

Posted on June 17, 2010 by WomanAlive

Why does it take us so long to learn life’s hard lessons?  I don’t know, I guess we’re just stubborn human beings.  But when a lesson is learned it’s such a relief to know you won’t be making that same mistake again…we have victory in that area of your life…finally, finally, finally we can breathe a sigh of relief.  Now that doesn’t mean we won’t be tempted to go back and repeat old behaviors from time to time but now we know better and are much less likely to go around that same mountain again!  I’ve heard said before…you’re not old or uncool, just wise enough to know the consequences of the decisions you make. 
Proverbs 3:5-6
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

Green Pastures

Posted on June 11, 2010 by WomanAlive

My heart needed this today…I hope if you need some encouragement this will help you too.  May you find rest today in His green pastures.
from Max Lucado “Traveling Light, Releasing the Burdens You Were Never Intended to bear”
Green pastures were not the natural terrain of Judea.  The hills around Bethlehem where David kept his flock were not lush and green.  Even today they are white and parched.  Any green pasture in Judea is work of some shepherd.  He has cleared the rough, rocky land.  Stumps have been torn out, and brush has been burned. Irrigation.  Cultivation.  Such are the work of a shepherd.
Hence, when David says, “He makes me to lie down in green pastures,” he is saying, “My shepherd makes me lie down in his finished work.”  With his own pierced hand, Jesus created a pasture to the soul.  He tore out the thorny underbrush of condemnation.  He pried loose the huge boulders of sin.  In their place he planted seeds of grace and dug ponds of mercy.
And he invites us to rest there.  Can you imagine the satisfaction in the heart of the shepherd who, with work completed, he sees his sheep rest in the tender grass?
Can you imagine the satisfaction in the heart of God when we do the same?  His pasture is his gift to us.  This is not a pasture that you have made.  Nor is it a pasture that your deserve.  It is a gift of God.  “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this  not from yourselves, it is the gift of God” (Eph.2:8 NIV)
In a word rocky with human failure, there is a land lush with divine mercy.  Your Shepherd invites you there.  He wants you to lie down.  Nestle deeply until you are hidden, buried, in the tall shoots of his love, and there you will find rest.

The Pear Tree

Posted on June 7, 2010 by WomanAlive

A surprise blessing!

The forest behind our house it looks normal, but if you lived there many years ago you would know there is a mess underneath all the lush green overgrowth of vines, thick underbrush and tall pine trees .  The “mess” is chunks of metal and all sorts of scrap iron…it is so overgrown it’s hard to even walk through that part of the woods.
Last week while on vacation, I’m sitting out by the garden on a bench with my back to the forest and a termite flew out of the woods, (this time of year they swarm in Texas).  I watched as several Termites flew out in the open and as I did my eye traveled to where they flew from and I saw something astounding!!! Less than 10ft. from the clearing, a pear tree!!!  The one branch that I could see is loaded with beautiful fruit   WOW!  God immediately spoke!
Beauty from ashes, beauty from chaos…see the beautiful fruit that grows through hard circumstances.
Have I been missing this blessing of fruit all these years?  Or did the tree just start bearing fruit?
From this mess of scrap metal, this tangle knot of vines, grew something perfect, sweet and beautiful.
We can be in a current circumstance and think it’s an insurmountable problem, how can anything good come from this situation?  Or we can look back on our life and think, that was a tough time, what a waste, it wasn’t worth it and nothing good came out of it.
I guess the message in all this would be…look for the “Pear Tree” in the mess, it’s there although sometimes we don’t see it right away and sometimes it takes years to grow…be on the lookout , it’s there!
Nothing is a waste….Romans 8:28 says “We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God-those whom He has called according to His plan.”

My Confession

Posted on June 2, 2010 by WomanAlive

Remember, you aren’t defeated, you are VICTORIOUS IN CHRIST!

1. I walk in divine health (3 John 2)
2. I live under an open heaven (Mal. 3:10)
3. I have no lack for any good thing (Jud. 18:10)
4. I am prosperous and God delights in my prosperity (Ps 35:27)
5. I expect favor with God and with man (Luke 2:52)
6. I live in abundance (Eph 3:20)
7. I am blessed to be a blessing (Gen 12:2)
8. I am a lender and not a borrower (Duet 28:12)
9. My God shall supply all of my need according to His riches & Glory in Christ (Phil 4:19)
10. I walk in the Fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22)
11. I hear from God (Acts 22:14)
12. My steps are ordered by the Lord (Ps 37:23)
13. God is my strength, and I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil 4:13)
14. I walk by faith and not by sight (2 Cor 5:7)
15. I enjoy my work and make the most of my time (Eph 5:16)
16. I am a person of excellence and integrity (Ps 25:21)
17. I have supernatural wisdom and discernment (James 1:5)
18. I walk in revelation knowledge (Eph 1:17)
19. I am a person who forgives easily and loves all people (Col 3:13)
20. The gifts of the Spirit operate in my life (1 Cor 12:8-10)
21. I am the head and not the tail (Duet 28:13)
22. I am blessed with every spiritual blessing (Eph 1:3)
23. I live every day in abundant Joy (Is 35:10)
24. I am strong in the Lord (Eph 6:10)
25. I am bold for Christ (Acts 4:29)
26. I am a soul winner (Mark 16:15)
27. I will fulfill my calling and destiny that God has for me, and I expect God’s best (Jer. 29:11)
28. I use my talents and gifts to glorify God (1 Pet 2:12)
29. I am faithful and steadfast in the Lord (Ps 51:10)
30. I have the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16)
31. I have a teachable spirit (Prov. 9:9)
32. I am strong in character and ready for anything (James 1:2-4)
33. I receive what I ask for, I find what I’m looking for, and the doors are open in my life (Matt 7:7-8)
AMEN!!!