I sometimes think how much time I wasted as a young girl, teen, adult, wife, and mother. I did so many things wrong. I had a ton of defects in my character. I am so thankful that I finally started getting the clue.
I did religion most of my life and thought I had to work my way to heaven and gain God’s love and approval. I also lived in guilt and shame and condemnation for many years but would also keep sinning and believing Grace would keep me covered.
I probably was barely skidding into Heaven.
I did not even have the slightest clue on so many things. I was clueless!
As I have grown and developed a relationship with Jesus and no longer practice any form of religion it is so freeing. I try to live and teach my children to live by a Biblical world view.
I don’t look at His word, the Bible, as a list of rigid rules and meaningless stories. I look at it as covenants and promises and valuable information for me to get a clue on what is the best way to live and how to allow God to change all my defects of character.
I am learning to release my control and rely on God and no longer on my self.
This fasting experience is taking me so much deeper and closer to God. It is showing me that in just 21 days that there is a much better way to live. I don’t have to live in bondage to my flesh. I have Christ in me so I always have His resurrection power readily available to me.
Lord, may I never take for granted Your living Word and Power. May I remove anything that does not bring You Glory. May my life be a sermon preached without words. Remove the dullness and defects of my character so that You can shine more brightly through me to others. Thank You for being so patient with me. Thank You for lovingly revealing the best You have for me through Your love letter, the Bible. Help me to unpack and store all Your promises in my heart. Thank You for saving me despite my selfishness and sin that I lived in for far too long. I know You are the Great Restorer. You make all things new and work all things out for my good. Thank You for Your greatest sacrifice, Jesus. I am so grateful that now because of Christ I am in on everything so I never have to be clueless again. ~ Amen.
~XXOO Michelle Bollom
But don’t take any of this for granted. It was only yesterday that you outsiders to God’s ways had no idea of any of this, didn’t know the first thing about the way God works, hadn’t the faintest idea of Christ. You knew nothing of that rich history of God’s covenants and promises in Israel, hadn’t a clue about what God was doing in the world at large. Now because of Christ—dying that death, shedding that blood—you who were once out of it altogether are in on everything. ~Ephesians 2:11-13 MSG
Today was also weigh in day. I am happy to report that I am -7 lbs. I was a little discouraged because it was very hard and I was really wanting to pull a double digit on the scale, but as I went to the Lord with my feelings, I felt the verse “don’t grow weary in well doing” settle in my spirit. I knew later I would look up that for verse reference, as well as (5) other verses I had received from my waking times or dreams. It was going to be a full day of unpacking but first I was off to church.
During the message my pastor referenced my first verse! I did not even have to look it up! Confirmation! Let us not grow weary in well doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest, if we do not give up.~ Galatians 6:9 The Berean Study Bible
I was so excited. I also thought, ok no need to unpack the others this must be the one for today so I thought I had my 8 for 8 download and I was done.
Below is the notes in the Life Recovery Bible for Galatians 6:9: Paul left an important reminder for us all. We will always reap what we have sown. In other words, sins and addictions have painful consequences. We might be able to fool ourselves for a while into thinking that certain activities in relationships are all right. But when the consequences catch up with us, there will be no denying the facts. We need to take this warning seriously and take steps to change now. We don’t have to wait to hit bottom before we act. Using God’s word as a measuring stick, we can take a fearless moral inventory and make the necessary adjustments before it’s too late. ~Life Recovery Bible
But not so fast…..
When I got home I felt led to start to unpack the other verses. Right away I knew with each one that it was going to be a significant download and confirmation party.
So today an overload of downloads came rushing in from all the verses. (6) in total.
The 2nd verse: But the world must know that I love the Father. So I do exactly what the Father told me to do.
“Come now, let’s go.” ~ John 14:31 ERV I did what the Lord told me to do. I was obedient and it bore fruit!
Come now let’s go….to the next verse
I made sure the altar was supplied with the offering of wood and the offerings of firstfruits, too—each at the right time.
Nehemiah: O God—my God—remember me with favor. ~ Nehemiah 13:31 The VOICE Nehemiah was a great rebuilder. He reconstructed the wall of Jerusalem. He helped the people to rebuild their broken lives. There is no question that God gave credit to his good and faithful servant! And God will honor our attempts to rebuild, too. We also will experience God’s kindness in our life. ~Life Recovery Bible
I understood this verse, and from a conversation at church when giving an offering of my kiddos first fruits from their babysitting money and how years ago we instilled in our children the importance of taking 10 % off every dollar they earn, be it Christmas, birthday, dog sitting or babysitting. 10% goes back to the Lord. So today they turned in an offering from all their first fruits within the last month. Then the LRB notes are what solidified the download for me.
Today was a day of so many confirmations.
A woman approached me and said how much she loves the Restored Ministries Facebook page and blog. Just like Nehemiah helped rebuild broken lives, that is our mission for Restored Ministries. I thanked her and thanked God now for confirming I was in His will.
The 4th verse was: Arise [from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you—rise to a new life]! Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord), for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you!~ Isaiah 60:1 AMPC Gods people are called to let their light shine to the nations. God’s desire is to transform all of us and then to use us to bring his truth to others. ~Life Recovery Bible
The LRB again confirmed what God has placed on my heart. Real People Real Stories Real Healing. Sharing His transformational truths with others. When we share our stories we repair our stories. Living Restored, mind, body and soul. Everyone has a restoration story.
Then the 5th verse was: And His gifts were [varied; He Himself appointed and gave men to us] some to be apostles (special messengers), some prophets (inspired preachers and expounders), some evangelists (preachers of the Gospel, traveling missionaries), some pastors (shepherds of His flock) and teachers.~ Ephesians 4:11 AMPC We have been gifted in ways that make us necessary to others. Others have been gifted in ways that make them necessary to us. Some of us have special gifts for teaching others about God. Others of us may have the gift of caring for hurting people. Whatever gifts we might have, they are important for the emotional and spiritual growth of others. Since God has a purpose for each of us, it is important that we strive to know him better through prayer and meditation on His word. As we seek him, he will show us what our gifts are and how we can use them to help others. As we share our gifts and receive the benefits of other peoples gifts, we will find the body of Christ growing stronger and healthier. ~Life Recovery Bible
I have had quite a few people in the last week tell me that they were thankful for my gifts. Exhortation, helping others, teaching, bringing them a word in due season. So I knew this verse and LRB notes were confirming all that. A word caught my eye and so I looked up expounder– I again laughed and thanked God for making me an expounder! I never want to leave a detail out when I tell a story. I can be long winded for sure! Learning that actually can be a gift is good news for me! It also is a person who actively supports or favors a cause, which again full circle confirmation on Restored Ministries Mission. Expounder- explain in detail; elucidate:
a person who actively supports or favors a cause.
Then the final and 6th verse was: Oh, come back to God. Live by the principles of love and justice, and always be expecting much from Him, your God. Hosea 12:6 TLB God asks His people to love Him by loving others. It is only through God that we will treat others as God would have them treated. ~Life Recovery Bible
It was a total confirmation to me about giving up the idol of food or other things and coming back full force to all things of God. Don’t limit God, expect much from Him.
When we love others, even those hard to love, those that reject you and can’t even give you a warm smile back or acknowledge you, or support what you have been called to do, you just ask God to help you love them and show you what He loves about them. As we grow in love for God we naturally grow in love for others too.
So for my overload of downloads here is the recap: Keep going, don’t grow weary in well doing, don’t give up. Keep being obedient, it bears fruit and unlocks blessings. Give God the first fruits of everything. Keep helping to reach people with the message of Jesus and how He restores and rebuild lives. Keep shining- shine your Light. God is transforming you so you can share with others His transformational truths. Keep paying it forward. Keep studying and learning to know God deeper. Share your gifts and embrace others gifts. We all need each other to grow healthier and stronger. Stay in community, stay connected. Keep teaching, preaching, sharing messages, introducing people to Jesus and expounding on all the goodness of God.
And bring it all back to square one- Love God
Character can be defined as the mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual.
Affirm:
Romans 5:4 “And endurance produces character, and character produces hope…”
Recall:
Last week my girlfriend and I were conversing about GOD’s gift in our lives and the gifts of others. In our conversation we realized that character plays a significant role in our growth in life. Why is this important? I am curious.
Do you feel like you are in a situation and you feel that you can’t move? Do you ever feel that you are being tested in the same area over and over again? Does someone anger you so deeply that you consistently explode? Are you experiencing disappointment over and over and over again? Do you ever feel like you progress in life and then feel like you are regressing?
GOD is trying to take you to new levels that your character cannot maintain. If you find yourself moving up and then moving back down, it is time to switch into your character building season. It is time to make different choices.
God has given all of us gifts; however, we become refined when we endure life’s circumstances, life’s circumstances help us depend on GOD. The more we depend on GOD- the more Christ-like we become, and our capacity for life increases.
Every day we have the opportunity to build our character. Our character is what others see on the outside of us (based on what we’ve developed on the inside). This week, identify those areas of your life in which GOD might be trying to build your character and respond GOD’s way- not your way! Enjoy your week!
Exercise:
Dear God,
Thank you for showing me that this is my character building season. Please help me make choices that are GOD centered in all areas of my life. I truly desire a Christ-like character and I know this can only be built through enduring life and depending on you. Thank you for your love and grace. I love you.
~LerecaMonik
I was reading in the word this week in The Message version, Psalm 51:10. It says
Psalm 51:10
God, make a fresh start in me, shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life.
As I was reading I felt God begin to impress on me – that is what he is wanting to do in His people. He wants to begin a Genesis week in your life. He wants to breathe new life and growth into you.
The universe is always expanding. Always growing, always going. Bursting with life. That began in Genesis, when God spoke it into being. There is no limit on the creative power of God.
God has spoken some things into being in our lives. Some of us have promises that he has given us that we have not yet seen in the natural. But the scriptures promise us that if God began a good work in you, He is faithful to complete it and that His word does not return void! Stay faithful to your covenant with God. Keep trusting. Keep looking to Him. You may not see it yet, but if God has spoken it, it is on the way.
Some of us have seen the fulfillment of promises in our lives. They have walked out a portion of God’s plan for their life and now they feel that their time has past. God’s word is alive in you! The fulfillment of a work in you and through you is not the end of all work in you and through you. The fulfillment of a purpose in you is not the end of all purpose in you. He has more for you. The life and power he has spoken into you through His word is always growing and always expanding.
His word says that He makes all things new. He has made each of us the promise that He will never leave us or forsake us. The Bible is full of promises that God spoke into being for your life. I encourage you, keep walking with God. Keep reaching out to Him and seeking Him. He wants to start a Genesis week in you and breathe His life into you.
It would seem natural that I might possibly ponder this thought today.
Seated in Heavenly Places
I am seated in the middle of an airplane seat looking out a window of clouds high above so many thousand feet in the air. Okay, well looking over the stranger who is sitting in the window seat. Actually, I am sandwiched in between two men who are on their phone devices. I too am hooked up to my music and wondering why I didn’t check in earlier to get a better chance of sitting next to my travel partners.
Live and learn.
I am reading the book, “Think like Heaven” by Bob Hazlett.
My elbows are bruising from the hard arm rests poking them.
Why is it that men always hog the arm rests and take them over???
Back to my book I am reading….
The author writes whole chapters on how to achieve this glorious feat of heavenly thinking.
I am just going to stop and ponder on this one thought right now.
Let’s see what God has to say about this matter.
Yes, it is because we are a part of Christ Jesus that God raised us from death and seated us together with him in the heavenly places. ~Ephesians 2:6
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:1-3
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out what it means to be hidden in something.
I think of the hollow wooden nesting dolls. You know the ones you twist and open up and pull out the exact same doll only smaller to discover yet another one inside that doll.
It ends with a small teeny tiny solid one that doesn’t open.
I’m the wooden red doll hidden inside of Christ.
This particular verse says:
You have been raised with Christ.
Set your heart on things above……
where Christ is
(Where is He located?)
at the right hand of God
For I have died and my life is now hidden with Christ in God.
We know from other scriptures that we are to die as Christ is to live.
Spiritually speaking, I am alive in Christ Jesus.
I don’t have to board an airplane and fly up to sandwich myself between God and Jesus.
I am already there!!
They don’t hog the armrests!!
I am Seated in Heavenly Places
You can find me in seat 11 (just happens to be my favorite number) located in first class. Since God had much to do with firsts.
The cost and sacrifice was expensive for me to obtain this position. His life freely given so I can receive life, be free and sit as a coheir with Him.
Peek a Boo
There I am hidden in Christ. Can you see me waving out of the top of His head?
It is a whole different mindset to operate from this seat.
I choose to operate from my assigned seat. He called ahead and assigned me there.
Ephesians 1:4
“He chose us in him before the creation of the world…”
God is way more organized than me!!
I am Seated in Heavenly Places!!
There’s a seat open next to me. It’s a window seat. I will scoot over and even share my arm rests!!
You too can book a flight with a seat hidden in Christ.
John 14:6
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Define: Forgiveness is the intentional and voluntary process by which a victim undergoes a change in feelings and attitude regarding an offense, lets go of negative emotions such as vengefulness, with an increased ability to wish the offender well.
Affirm: “But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.” Mark11:25
Recall: After last week’s Meditation Monday Message on forgiveness I decided to search for a deeper understanding of forgiveness. I knew there were areas of my life in which my blessings were being blocked because I chose not to forgive. Through this process I felt compelled to seek GOD. I asked him to help me forgive myself for hurting others and to develop the willingness to forgive those who have hurt me. As I meditated more on the scripture, I learned that GOD instructs us to forgive. His instructions are very clear. I believe him and in him. I know GOD wants me to exercise forgiveness in my life and he wants me to encourage others to do the same.
Are you ready to forgive? I challenge you to begin the process of forgiveness. When you do, you will feel GOD’s presence.
In pondering, I learned:
Forgiveness is a choice. It requires a change of attitude. We can choose to let go of negative thoughts and emotions.
Forgiveness is not earned. Many people choose not to forgive in fear of someone else’s thoughts and/or opinion. Forgiveness is a personal decision and we do not need other people’s permission to forgive.
Forgiveness is daily a process. GOD’s example prayer includes a phrase of forgiveness. Matthew6:12 states “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” I believe we should include forgiveness in our daily prayers; even if we are unaware of who or what needs to be forgiven.
Forgiveness leads to happiness. When we forgive we are declaring that we want to leave beyond the past and be in the present. As we are present “in the now” we will choose gratitude! Expressing gratitude makes us feel better.
Forgiveness offers peace. When we forgive we are making a decision to love ourselves more. Love is God like and GOD signifies peace.
Forgiveness is an experience. If we view forgiveness as an experience, we can instead be thankful for all circumstances and enjoy the ride.
Forgiveness is healing. Just think when we don’t forgive, we hold on to stress as a result. Stress causes many other health issues. When we forgive we will heal ourselves physically and emotionally.
Forgiveness is not condoning. It’s does not mean that we accept wrong doing; but it does mean that we are willing to let go of all anger and resentment.
Forgiveness requires a conscious effort and is a daily process. We can either make the choice to be bitter people, live in misery, and block our blessings or we can choose to be better people, live life to the fullest and receive GOD’s full blessings. Its your choice.
I have accepted the forgiveness challenge. Will you? Together let’s get well and move on!
Expression: I move beyond forgiveness to understanding, and I have compassion for all. I know that old, negative patterns no longer limit me. I let them go with ease. As I forgive myself, it becomes easier to forgive others. I forgive everyone in my past for all perceived wrongs. I release them with love. I am ready to be healed. I am willing to forgive. All is well.
“But when you ask Him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.” ~ James 1:6 NLT
Waver: to go back and forth between choices or opinions: to be uncertain about what you think about something or someone: to move back and forth in an unsteady way: to become unsteady because of weakness, emotion, tiredness, etc
Oh my! God has just read my mail!
Sometimes I am guilty of wavering.
I can flip flop with my emotions going back and forth from…
Faith to fear
Happy to sad
Calm to angry
Peacefilled to stressed out
Content to longing
Joy to worry
When I think of it in terms of being unsettled like a wave tossed and blown about by the wind, that does not sound like much fun to me.
I don’t want to be tossed or unsettled and have divided loyalties.
An unsettled person is an easy target for the enemy. The enemy is uncomfortable around a stable and joyful person so that is what I want to be!
Let us be encouraged to stand firm on God and His word and not let anyone or anything cause us to waver.
Well I can’t believe I would ever be getting myself all up in a dither about high school football!!! Well it’s actually over! Houston we have a problem. What do I do with myself on Friday nights now?
A twist and a turn in the midst of our winning streak season led our team down the path to the losing side.
We started with a winning streak that caused us to believe we were a shoe in for the playoffs and possibly even finishing it off for the finals in the Cowboy Stadium in Dallas!! We shoot for big stars here in Texas!!
Our Bobcats did work their way back and hit the ground running
into the third round of the playoffs!!
Then it was “stick a fork in us” we are done.
Game over!
Getting to the playoffs was an accomplishment and the boys had much to be proud of this 2014 season of high school football.
I was pondering all these thoughts this morning as I dropped off my son and his two friends at school. Sophomores can’t park on campus until next semester. So they are stuck for now with their moms driving them. I thought about these boys who worked so hard to play and start their first year on high school varsity.
I am so proud of not only their accomplishments as athletes but more importantly their Christ like character of excellence.
I thought of the seniors who really have played well and are now left with only the recent memories of their football games and experiences. Some will go on and play in college. Others will not.
It’s like anything and everything in life. There’s a time to play and time to not.
It brings me to the age old famous lines of Ecclesiastes chapter 3:1-15 in the Bible.
(Of course, I have the Message version below for you to read.)
There’s a Right Time for Everything
3 There’s an opportune time to do things, a right time for everything on the earth:
2-8 A right time for birth and another for death,
A right time to plant and another to reap,
A right time to kill and another to heal,
A right time to destroy and another to construct,
A right time to cry and another to laugh,
A right time to lament and another to cheer,
A right time to make love and another to abstain,
A right time to embrace and another to part,
A right time to search and another to count your losses,
A right time to hold on and another to let go,
A right time to rip out and another to mend,
A right time to shut up and another to speak up,
A right time to love and another to hate,
A right time to wage war and another to make peace.
9-13 But in the end, does it really make a difference what anyone does? I’ve had a good look at what God has given us to do—busywork, mostly. True, God made everything beautiful in itself and in its time—but he’s left us in the dark, so we can never know what God is up to, whether he’s coming or going. I’ve decided that there’s nothing better to do than go ahead and have a good time and get the most we can out of life. That’s it—eat, drink, and make the most of your job. It’s God’s gift.
14 I’ve also concluded that whatever God does, that’s the way it’s going to be, always. No addition, no subtraction. God’s done it and that’s it. That’s so we’ll quit asking questions and simply worship in holy fear.
15 Whatever was, is.
Whatever will be, is.
That’s how it always is with God.
God’s Testing Us
There is a season for everything. Obviously we see it in nature with Summer, Fall, Winter and Spring.
We sometimes don’t like change and
resist the new unknowns ahead with each passing season.
It’s kind of refreshing to see it’s normal and natural for things to be stretching, growing, dying and constantly changing in our lives.
So rather than looking back and missing all your comfortable yesterday’s…..ask God to help you welcome the new days ahead and all it brings.
Starting with today.
I’m thankful for all the seasons of my life and look forward to all the new times ahead.
A time to move on…..
No more football but it will resurface in 9 months and bring new memories
and maybe even take us further to the ultimate prize of Texas High School Football Champions of Everything for all Seasons!! Ha!
What is it that you are holding on to and don’t want to let it go?
Don’t look back and be sad.
Step into your fresh new day.
Move into your next season with great expectation and wonder.
You give life, You are love
You give life, You are love
You bring light to the darkness
You give hope, You restore
Every heart that is broken
Great are You, Lord
It’s Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise
We pour out our praise
It’s Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise
To You only
Great are You, Lord
All the earth will shout
Your praise
Our hearts will cry
These bones will sing
Great are You, Lord
I played this song for myself early one morning before getting my home prepared for prayer time that I’d be having with friends later. That morning I felt convicted of treating my husband lovingly only when he does what I want him to do. I felt the words conditional love rise up in me. Greet me happily in the morning, take out the trash, put your stuff away before my friends come over, help me with the kids; all these requests before he can even brush his teeth in the morning because I’ve already been up for two hours.
Well, God reminded me of a few powerful words from this song a couple of hours later as I was praying for one of my sweet friends. “Great are you Lord.” Really, You are great. We can ask You for what we need. You will supply…in abundance. I want to pour out praise to You because You’ve already given and done so much for me. I also thought of ‘great is thy faithfulness,’ as I felt prompted to tell my friend to remember God’s faithfulness as she struggles to let her daughter make her own choices. Remembering His faithfulness helps us relinquish control. We can trust Him.
My friends and I spent a couple of hours sharing and praying that day in a new family room in my home that my husband spent quite some time pondering the design, the style, paint and furniture. All of those things that I don’t have too much interest in. He made it all happen. I was very thankful for that space to have friends over and pray.
Later that night, I played the song again. Whoa. For real. Great are You Lord. Great are You, that You showed up in that room my husband pretty much designed just for our enjoyment and comfort that day. Great are You that You met some major needs that day just during our prayer time. Great are You Lord, that You granted my friend even more boldness that very day and she led a friend to Christ! We will pour out our praise, our hearts will cry and our bones will sing, Great are You Lord.
Great are You Lord that You show up in big ways amongst a handful of housewives seeking a touch from You, desiring to be filled up with Your greatness, Your breath in our lungs.
~Stephanie Wanic
On your feet now—applaud GOD! Bring a gift of laughter, sing yourselves into His presence.
Know this: GOD is God, and God, GOD. He made us; we didn’t make Him. We’re His people, His well-tended sheep. Enter with the password: “Thank you!” Make yourselves at home, talking praise. Thank Him. Worship Him. For GOD is sheer beauty, all-generous in love, loyal always and ever. – Psalm 100:1-5 MSG
For those who find themselves in a state of wonder.
I wonder what would happen if I go down this unknown road of discovery.
I am talking about traveling on a specific road that leads to destruction.
The road sign reads: Dangerous Curves Ahead.
The unknown roads that can entice any of us. They can start when we are living away from home for the first time. At a time that we are finally free to make our own decisions without parental restrictions. It’s unfortunate that sometimes we don’t listen to advice or counsel no matter how much it may make sense. There is this stubbornness in each of us that says, “I am in control of the situation and I am going to walk down that path. I will be fine.”
Even if it is quite evident there are lions, and tigers and bears oh no… lurking around each bend of the road. Until we experience the consequences ourselves we sometimes choose not to take heed to the dangers ahead.
It falls under our old nature or sin nature. Sometimes we just don’t fully grasp the danger of the curves of consequences until we actually walk through them and see for ourselves that maybe that road wasn’t the best choice after all. The best case scenario is that we learn our lesson and hopefully gain compassion for others who might have traveled that same road. As we approach the road it starts with a thought. In reality, it happens to be a bold face lie. Let’s just call it what it is.
“I would never do that!” or “I am strong enough! That won’t happen to me”. You better hold on tight to the railing. There is a slippery slope ahead. The truth is that we ALL are quite capable of falling. Especially, if we don’t take action and follow the signs posted along the path that lead us to safety. The road up ahead of us might say, “One Way”.
John 14:6 NIV
Jesus answered, “I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
Matthew 7:14
“Don’t look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don’t fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires total attention.”
The Message version puts it simply.
You have to be proactive in all that you do if you are going to find your way through life to God successfully. Well, at least without getting too many bumps and scratches.
This is my story based on my experience. Keep in mind my road map is The Bible. It has served me well, especially when I am intentional and take its recommendations on which turns I should take on this road we call life.
Let’s get real and see what happens.
For me, it started with the one thought.
Lie #1
“I would never cheat on my husband.” Honestly, I didn’t think I was capable because I had made great choices in the past and had set myself up for a pretty good marriage and relationship with my husband. I am a Christian with a strong desire to do what is right and honorable to God and my husband. Bottom line, I thought I was at low risk for any possibility of inappropriate behavior that would compromise the relationship of my marriage.
Lie #2
“I am not capable of such sin because let’s just face it….
I’m too good!!!”
Well, we all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God according to Romans 3:23.
That includes me, myself and I.
Looking back, that should have been my starting point to protect me from the choices I was going to make in the future.
My road sign should have hit me smack dap on the head and said:
“I am capable of having an affair so I will NOT put myself in compromising positions of weakness.”
That includes scenarios that might make me look odd or strange by others.
This is not a wide road remember, it’s quite narrow and not too many take it. It could be considered the road less traveled.
James 4:7
“If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.”
I knew each time I compromised and each time it got easier to push aside that little inner voice of correction. It reminded me, “You are quite capable of having an affair and you need to stop before it’s too late.”
Of course, the voice was really the Holy Spirit gently calling me back to a place of safety. He does have the luxury of knowing the end results of all that takes place in the past, present and future.
Meanwhile, I was slowly being boiled like the poor little lobster thrown into a pot of water. The heat starts slow and steady then fires up to boiling without any warning. Before you know it, the lobster is boiled alive and didn’t even see it coming. (poor thing)
Okay, that’s a little dramatic but not really.
You slowly start making bad little choices that lead to bigger badder choices. Then before you know it you wonder how you got into this boiling pot of predicaments.
It’s really quite simple.
You believed the lies.
Say after me three times!!!
“I am capable of being boiled alive like a lobster!!!”
Or rather…… I am capable of any sin!!
You don’t have to fall into sin if your starting point is acknowledging your feet could stumble and equipping yourself with a plan of action.
Unfortunately, some of us can read this and NOT take heed. Again, our sin nature in us at times gets the best of us and we just simply don’t listen. You could tell a toddler a hundred times not to touch a hot stove. But until they touch the red hot burner and get their fingers burned they do not really get the message loud and clear.
The temptation of the forbidden fruit is extremely alluring and at times it can destroy families, lives and destinies. The enemy is not stupid and has been around a very long time scheming plans to destroy us. He starts by helping us jump on a “merry go around” of lies and dissatisfaction.
We go round and round picking up addictions, disappointments and depression with each turn we make. We start to wonder how we got stuck here and how do we get off this crazy ride. It makes us dizzy and it clouds our thinking.
1 Peter 5:8-11 The Message
“Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You’re not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It’s the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won’t last forever. It won’t be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are!—will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, he does.”
I know from experience the ride is exciting and thrilling going up the track. Coming back down the roller coaster ride loops us backwards and leads to an upside down scary that can drive us to destruction.
The good news is that you can do all things through Christ.
He gave me the strength to stop the ride and jump off quickly.
It was difficult and painful to go through the long process of restoration and really reconstruction of my thinking.
The Truth was my hammer to start breaking off the chains to set me free in more ways than one. I eventually became one of those survivors who learned from my experience and gained tremendous compassion for others who wandered down that same road of infidelity.
It’s a known road now. I know what’s ahead. I can tell you every curve before you get there because I
walked on it and came out stronger and smarter on the other side.
There is hope for those who find themselves stuck on this road and are afraid to go forward or backward.
Deut. 31:6
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
I will never forget the day I sat on my bed and surrendered!! The white flag was raised high and I cried out to God. It was time for me to do what was right but I was terrified. He heard my cry!! That still small voice that I had stuffed away and couldn’t hear anymore penetrated loud and clear through my thoughts.
“If you tell the truth, I promise I will never leave you nor forsake you. The truth will set you free.”
Sometimes we have to hit rock bottom before we choose to look up and ask for help. It’s okay because God already knows ahead and is never surprised. His love reaches far and wide and we can’t escape His goodness.
He just needs our permission to work with Him on restoring all that we allowed to be taken from us.
He gives back lavishly and is patiently waiting for us to come back to Him.
The cool thing is that what the enemy meant for evil can be used for good.
Beauty for ashes!!
Isaiah 61:3
“To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory.”
I really can’t tell you how anyone is able to work their way out of the hole of infidelity without a faith in God. It doesn’t seem possible to be able to turn things right side up without the assistance of God helping you. I could not have done it without God leading me and my surrender to His promises. I had to believe Him at His Word and act out the faith He gave me.
Walking out this curve in the road was difficult but worth the work. It has drawn me closer to God and my husband. Our marriage is not perfect but it is stronger and smarter.
If you wake up and find yourself somewhere at the beginning, middle or end of this particular road. It doesn’t have to be a road of infidelity only. It could be compromises, disobedience, or just a road that leads to no where. Maybe you just got to where you forgot to take God with you and you are tired of being on your own without hearing His still small voice.
Be encouraged, there can always be a moment of “interruption”.
It reminds me of the song by Ace of Base band, “I saw the sign and it opened up my eyes.”
Open up your eyes!!!!
Stop Signs are possible with God and he always provides a way of escape.
Start with a sign of a
surrender with a cry of help.
Watch as God comes along side of you and brings all the resources you need to help you get back on track.
Disclaimer:
This song is not responsible for anyone singing it without proper interpretation using the
context of this blog:
Think and Sing!
I saw the sign and left situations that are not healthy for my marriage.
That’s where I (we) belong!!!
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