"I Yam What I Yam"

Insecurity. Such an ugly word, yet it takes up residence in some shape, size or form in each man, woman, and child. Over the last few years I have discovered more insecurities about myself than I care to admit. However, I am thankful, because if God has placed me in a position where they are manifested, then, I can ask Him to change me. I can ask Him to help me become more secure in who I am in Jesus. I can ask Him to help me not allow the opinions of other people, to shadow God's opinion of me, and, I can ask Him to help me see myself through His eyes. After all, "I Yam What I Yam" no more, no less, said so beautifully by none other than Popeye.

I think insecurity is the root of so many human behaviors. It is one weapon that the enemy keeps in the front of His tool belt, trying to make us feel as though we are not good enough. But God says that there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). Condemned is unfit for use, and every believer, yet unperfected, is able to be used and transformed by God.

Insecurity also causes us to give the opinions of others far to much control over us. As well as leading us to assume that others are thinking thoughts toward us that they may not even hold. The enemy is nothing more than a liar and a deceiver. He has no real power, therefore, he must manipulate his way through trying to destroy God's creation. If we stand in the truth, and keep our eyes on Jesus, there is no insecurity that we cannot overcome. God's grace, Jesus, is more than capable of teaching us how to not only know we have the victory, but to stand in it as well.

So, if you, like me, are on the road to complete and total freedom in this area, remember to keep your eyes on Jesus. Focus on His goodness, His worth, His love for you, and His ability. We all fall short, but God accepts us and loves us as we are. He choose each of us, knowing that we have insecurities to overcome, knowing that we have flaws, yet He does not see us that way. And, those things that seem to so readily steal our peace, are already overcome by the cross.

"I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect peace] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]" John 16:33

We do not have to live under the enemies lies. We are FREE! Just as Jesus is so are we in this world, and He is an overcomer!

Lets Talk Grace! What do you think about insecurity? What are some that you have overcome or are still overcoming? Do you believe that God through His grace, is able and wants to help you stand in victory in your area of struggle? Lets Talk Grace!

Grace...Overcomes!

Grace...Overcomes!

Grace. I have discovered the beauty of this word and the power that it contains to change and transform me. The Word "grace" is one that I have heard many times in my life as a believer, however, until the last few years it has lacked the person of Jesus. Many, myself included, have often thought of grace as a type of "Tylenol." Ah, how wrong we are!

"Tylenol" covers up symptoms and "gets us through. Grace overcomes! I have discovered that grace is the power of The Gospel. Jesus gives us gifts when we say yes to Him in our lives. One of those gifts is righteousness (right standing with God), the other is grace.

"Those who receive [God's] overflowing grace (unmerited favor) and the free gift of righteousness [putting them in right standing with Himself] reign as kings in life through the one man Jesus Christ the Messiah, the Anointed One).
Romans 5:17
.
The Amplified Bible, in various place describes grace in three different ways. The first one is: God's undeserved, unmerited favor. The second is: The power of the Holy Spirit to overcome every and any evil tendencies. And last, but certainly not least is: The unmerited favor and merciful kindness by which God, exerting His holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, and keeps, strengthens, and increases them in Christian virtues. WOW! The word "I" is not contained in there anywhere! Amen!

I used to think I had to earn all that stuff! I thought I had to read my Bible the right amount of time. I thought I had to pray long enough, and hard enough. I thought I had to have good attendance at church. And, I thought I had to give enough to God that He would give back to me. Oh, I knew I was saved, I just didn't know I had all that righteousness and grace contains without self-effort!

Don't misunderstand, as I said in the last post, I am not implying that we do not need to do anything. But, what I am saying is that none of those things mentioned above score us points with God! All of our doing is not what we must do, what must be done was taken care of by Jesus! But, we get to participate, therefore, there are things we will do! Our doings are called fruits not efforts. The Fruits of Righteousness (Philippians 1:11)!

Lets reign as kings in life together and let go, and let God be God. All of our trying to be good enough will only leave us feeling frustrated and insufficient. Whenever you feel like you are lacking, turn to Jesus and thank Him for who you already are because of Him. May His GRACE flow freely in your life!

Lets talk Grace! What are your thoughts on Grace? Does this challenge you in anyway? Do you agree that Grace is person named Jesus? Let's talk Grace!

What to do, What to do....

What to do, What to do...

Please read: Philippians 1:9-11, 2:13, 3:9-11

Would you believe me if I told you that when you are born-again you do not have to focus on your behavior? Ah, now I've got your attention! As crazy as this statement may seem it really is the truth. If you are truly born-again and you have surrendered yourself to Jesus, right doing will happen naturally as you draw closer to the Lord. Don't believe me? Let's see what the Bible says!

Philippians 1:11 refers to right doing and right believing as fruits of righteousness. I am not saying that we do not need to do the right thing. What I am saying is that when we focus on Jesus, and we learn to trust in Him, when we grow in His love for us, our actions will follow what we believe in our hearts. When we learn to trust in, rely on, and cling to the Lord--when He becomes our determined purpose --we will naturally produce Fruits of Righteousness.

"[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in the same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers]..."
Philippians 3:10

Simply doing the right thing does not make us righteous, receiving the righteousness of Christ does. We must focus on only one thing--Jesus. When we do this, His presence and power in our lives will bring transformation. Focusing on our behavior alone, will only leave us frustrated and feeling condemned (or prideful, if we think we have done it all right). Focus on Jesus and His love for you and you will walk in Fruits of righteousness!

Tell me what you think. Let's talk Grace! Does this thought pattern challenge you in anyway? Does it offend you? What are some behavior area's in your life that seem to have grabbed your attention away from Jesus?


Being loved by HIM, with you,
Daveda