Updated on March 27, 2014
Fear’s Domain
Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. – 1 John 4:18
So often it feels like my body, my mind and my life are in Fear’s domain.
Domain – land to which there is superior title and absolute ownership.
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Yep, that sounds about right.
When I lie awake fearing what the news from my doctors will be in the coming day and weeks, I am giving Fear the superior title in my land.
When I let fears and worry drown out the truths I know, allowing them to change the way I act and react toward others, I am giving absolute ownership to Fear.
The devil makes it so easy to remain in Fear’s Domain. He twists my thoughts so much, gets my fears so ramped up, invades my rest times to such a degree that I am prone to snap at anyone who tries to remind me whose domain it really is.
You see, Fear is sneaky. Fear is a coward. Fear is a liar.
Fear has not the power of superior title or absolute ownership. Fear has only the power we give it.
Christ’s death stripped Fear of any true power it ever had in the lives of His people.
Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying. – Hebrews 2:14-15
The truth is that if we want to defeat Fear, we have only to accept the Spirit that has been given to us already. Let it reign.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. – 2 Timothy 1:7
My problem is keeping in mind who truly has perfect Domain… so perfect, complete and absolute that it is called Dominion. Dominion even over Fear.
I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which He will bring about at the proper time—He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen. – 1 Timothy 6:13-16
Amen.
Lord Jesus, May You always reign, in my life as in all other things. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on April 1, 2014
Be Fully His
When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish,
he will be satisfied.
And because of his experience,
my righteous servant will make it possible
for many to be counted righteous,
for he will bear all their sins. – Isaiah 53:11
Wow.
Each time I read this verse, all that I can think is, “Wow.”
I whisper it like a prayer. A prayer through tears of gratitude. A humble bare whisper of one who doesn’t have the worthy words to speak aloud after reading this scripture.
This scripture reminds me, no matter what is going on in my life or body at that moment, no matter what fears have me cornered, no matter what tears have me feeling all washed-out…
It reminds me that Jesus looked forward across the ages, into the New Testament and into me. Into you. Into the world as it is today, and as it was under Roman rule, and how it will be if the earth remains in another 2000 years.
He looked and He saw. He sees. Right this moment. In light of the anguish, the anguish he endured.
And do you know what He felt? What He feels?
Not disgust. Not frustration. Not anger or despair or regret. I’d have all of those, wouldn’t you?
No, Jesus feels satisfaction.
For me. In the state I’m in now, in the moment I turn my face and feet back to Him, in the darkest, most raw moment. He is satisfied.
Why?
Because we have the opportunity to be counted righteous. To spend eternity with Him. To be grafted in, adopted, loved as sons.
Because He bore all our sins. All of them.
Are you having trouble today with feeling satisfied, as I am?
Then I challenge you, as I’m challenging myself, to change that perspective around. If there was one more thing Jesus could have done to help us, please believe He would have done it 1000 times over. He’s already brought us to Him, given us the greatest gift, literally, of all time. He is satisfied to give us the opportunity to be fully His.
Be. Fully. His.
Today.
God in Heaven, You are marvelous and lovely. Thank you for finding satisfaction in silly little me. Thank You for this scripture that reminds me of Your love and sacrifice. I am unworthy. I am humbled and grateful. I am satisfied. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on March 30, 2014
Fix My Eyes
My eyes are always on the Lord,
for he rescues me from the traps of my enemies. – Psalm 25:15
A brain condition has stolen my peripheral vision. I haven’t been able to see my periphery for about 5 years now. It’s off and on, but mostly off.
This has taken my ability to drive. It has robbed me of the ability to enjoy scenic views. It has made me less confident of my surroundings, and I’m often scared when people approach me quickly from the side, because I can’t see them coming.
Now let me tell you what the loss of peripheral vision has done for me.
I wrote this post for my family over at Rest Ministries.
I hope while you’re there, you’ll see the wonderful things this site has to offer.
May you be blessed, as I have been, by their friendship.
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on March 28, 2014
Sunday Scripture: 3/30/14
photo credit: Sandeep Somasekharan via photopin cc
But Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests,
but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.”
He said to another person, “Come, follow me.” – Luke 9:58-59a
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on March 28, 2014
Recommendation Saturday: Snapshot
For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,”
has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure.
This makes it clear that our great power is from God,
not from ourselves. – 2 Corinthians 4:6-7
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Everybody has a snapshot. Or two, or three.
It’s a picture of what we believe about ourselves.
Then there’s God’s snapshot.
It’s the truth of who we are.
Who we can be in this life if we choose to trust Him.
Which snapshot are you focusing on today?
Which will you believe?
May I encourage you to believe God, who cannot lie?
May I give you a blessing by reminding you
that God never fails?
Say Cheese!
I would love to share in some of that community
right here from my website.
You can join in, too!
Share a post from your own blog
and then simply click on the
“Add your link” button below
and enter your blog information.
Then, please grab my Recommendation Saturday button
below, and place it on your website or post,
so that others can find their way to
our little Saturday community!
You can also Tweet your participation with the hashtag
#recommendsat
so that we can all find each other on Twitter!
You may also join in by leaving a comment.
The most important part of our community
is spreading our hope and love to others
by visiting some of the other inspirational sites
linked up and leaving comments there.
Heart Hugs, Shelly <3
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Shelly
Updated on March 22, 2014
Ring It Out
You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything. – 1 Thessalonians 1:6-8
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What an amazing story this is… I just love this chapter, short as it is. It is powerful.
But did you see why? I mean, weren’t plenty of churches being formed and grown in this period of time? Yes! Weren’t many upstanding men and women doing wonderful things for Christ? Absolutely!
So why this church? Why is this group singled out as a beacon… no, a trumpet for the Lord? The word of their faith had spread so far and wide, beyond their local or even near distant areas. The message was being spread with joy to such an extent that the dedicated messengers didn’t even need to tell it! Why?
Look at this phrase:
having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit
These folks had suffered. They had much tribulation, coupled with unexplainable joy.
Do you suffer? Do you face tribulation and trials?
The you, my sweet friend, are a missionary in your own right. That’s right! You are shouting of the Lord from the rooftops without ever even saying a word. Your light is shining so far and wide and bright that no one needs any further message. Your joy, which is the joy of the Holy Spirit, is doing what no group of words strung together could ever do for the hearts of the lost and wandering.
You present a holy paradox and a perfect mystery that draws people to Christ as surely as a bee to clover.
Never doubt your calling. Ring the message out!
Dear Lord, thank You that You are able to use even such a one as I in order to draw souls to You. May I proclaim you with my every breath and thought. May my supernatural joy be known. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on March 22, 2014
Liebster Award
Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. – Romans 12:10
My friend, Jenni Saake, lives out this verse in her life better than just about anyone else I’ve ever met. I adore her. She inspires me every single day. So imagine my thrilled surprise when Jenni gave me this blogger award! Wow! And it’s my favorite color, too! Isn’t it pretty?
Blew. Me. Away.
I really hope you’ll check out Jenni’s amazing journey from catastrophic strokes that should have taken her life, to the beacon of wonderful that she is, still blessing the world through her struggles.
You can find her at: Infertility Mom
or at: Given Me a Thorn
or at: Stroke of Grace
She’s fabulous.
As a recipient of this award, I’d like first to thank the Academy. Ha! Nah, just kidding. I did, however, have to answer 11 questions, so here goes: (questions from Jenni)
Who created all the stars?
He brings them out like an army, one after another,
calling each by its name.
Because of his great power and incomparable strength,
not a single one is missing. – Isaiah 40:26
*Because it reminds me each time I look into the night sky that God is the Breather of these, and He’s got my mess all figured out already. He’s capable and wondrous and huge and that makes me feel safe.
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on March 19, 2014
Surrounded
Even before there is a word on my tongue,
Behold, O Lord, You know it all.
You have enclosed me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me. – Psalm 139:4-5
You’re surrounded. Come out with your hands up. Resistance is futile. Oh, wait, now I’m mixing my genres. 😉
When we’re ill, when we’re hurting, when the grief becomes suffocating, sometimes we try so hard to surround ourselves with… well, whatever it makes us feel better to be surrounded by, right??
Some try to fill up their calendar and surround themselves with busyness and lists that make them feel productive. Some surround themselves with food (a personal favorite of mine), as if they can fill the hole in their soul by stuffing the one in their stomach. Some surround themselves, quite literally, with quilts and fluffy pillows and crawl into a room shrouded by darkness, as if they can crawl away from their reality. Sounds tempting, doesn’t it?
This scripture reminds me that when it all seems too much… ok when it all IS too much… that I don’t need to surround myself for comfort. God already knows it all, before the word “Help” is on my tongue. He already has me surrounded before my first cry for mercy.
He has enclosed me behind. Maybe to encourage me (see: prod) when I stay entrenched in my dark thoughts just a little too long. Maybe to be there to ensure a soft landing when I fall (notice I didn’t say “if”). He quite literally has my back. Soak in that a minute.
The God of the Universe has your back.
He has enclosed me from before. Maybe to shield me from those fiery darts my faith is too dry to quench at the moment. Maybe so He can turn to smile at me, or perhaps give a funny little jig that will have me giggling. He likes it when I giggle through my storms. Let that sink in.
The Lord of Lords has got you covered.
He has laid His hand upon me. Maybe to hide me as a mother gathers her chicks, keeping them safe and warm. Maybe to keep me from sprinting up and away from His presence when I’m still too weak to stand. Either way, the power of touch cannot be denied. Let that hit home.
The Merciful Savior feels you.
You’re surrounded. Come out with your hands up.
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Heavenly Father, how can I begin to thank You for your care of all things that pertain to me? You are wonderful and I love You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
If you have been helped by this post and think it could be helpful to someone you know, please share this post on the social network of your choice for me.
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on March 21, 2014
Sunday Scripture: 3/23/14
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My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand. – John 10:27-29
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on March 21, 2014
Recommendation Saturday: Count Me
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor – Romans 12:10
This is me, six weeks ago, ready for brain surgery.
You are not alone.
I care.
I pray for you every day, each of you reading this.
I hope if you ever have need, you will call on me.
I will do what I can.
That’s what friends are for, after all.
God Bless You Richly <3
I would love to share in some of that community
right here from my website.
You can join in, too!
Share a post from your own blog and then simply click on the
“Add your link” button below and enter your blog information.
Then, please grab my Recommendation Saturday button
below, and place it on your website or post,
so that others can find their way to our little Saturday community!
You can also Tweet your participation with the hashtag
#recommendsat
so that we can all find each other on Twitter!
You may also join in by leaving a comment.
The most important part of our community
is spreading our hope and love to others
by visiting some of the other inspirational sites linked up and leaving comments there.
Heart Hugs, Shelly <3
Loading InLinkz ...If you have been helped by this post and think it could be helpful to someone you know, please share this post on the social network of your choice for me.
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
