Updated on January 6, 2014
What Kind of New Creation Are You?
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. – 2 Corinthians 5:17
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When I read this verse, I always think of the scene from Toy Story 2, when Woody gets a makeover from the greedy, bearded guy.
I picture God placing me carefully on his workbench. Then he repaints my scuff marks, sews up all my torn places, and gives my eyeballs a shine. Sign me up, right?!
But what if God is more of a Paula Deen than a toy restorer? See, He’s much more interested in creating sweet concoctions that feed others than in waxing eyeballs.
So what does that mean for me?
It means that I’ll be tumbled in a bowl with all the other ingredients; maybe even disappear and become unrecognizable as I’m blended in.
Maybe some of the other ingredients are a bit rough around the edges, like chopped nuts. Or maybe some ingredients are bitter if you taste them individually. But together, we blend into a concoction that has just the desired flavor and nutritional value.
And then, just as the world stops spinning and things begin to settle, I’ll be poured into a container that has just the right capacity and shape. The Master Baker will come along and ensure that I’m spread evenly and no cracks remain unfilled.
And then, then things will start to heat up.
As the heat rises, I can feel myself really changing. Not just “coat of paint” changing, but recreating on a cellular level. My Father-Chef ensures that the heat never gets hot enough to scorch and that I’m left in long enough that my center won’t be gooey.
A perfect batch, that’s what He produces every time. And even if I disappeared in the process, the fact that I am part of something so nourishing and delicious fills me with gratitude.
Then I realize that this completely new creation was what He had in mind all along, way back when Paul penned those words to the Corinthians.
And when Jesus prayed:
“I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word;that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.” – John 17:20-21
Father in Heaven, Help me to surrender to the new creation process You have in mind, instead of just an eyeball shining. Thank You for loving me enough to hold Your patience with me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on January 6, 2014
Sunday Scripture: 1/5/14
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“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord.
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways
And My thoughts than your thoughts.
– Isaiah 55:8-9
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Shelly
Updated on January 5, 2014
Recommendation Saturday: Someone’s Watching!
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Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God. – 3 John 1:11
This little video is a perfect reminder:
No matter who you are,
how insignificant you feel,
or how small your immediate scope of influence is,
there’s always, always someone watching.
Will you show them something worth imitating?
Oh, and “Bless You!”
We are best when we are community.
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
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 December 26, 2013
Defining Moments
Have you no respect for me? Why don’t you tremble in my presence? I, the Lord, definethe ocean’s sandy shoreline as an everlasting boundary that the waters cannot cross. The waves may toss and roar, but they can never pass the boundaries I set. – Jeremiah 5:22
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We all have them. If you’ve lived any amount of time on this Earth, you’ve been through an event that changed everything.
Changed the way you viewed the world.
Twisted the way you described yourself.
Robbed you of your preconceived notions.
Rearranged all you plans.
A moment that was a crossroads; a chance to choose right or left, whether to forge ahead or turn back.
To hear about my life, one might guess that my defining moment came when I was diagnosed with a rare, incurable disease. That was surely a moment I will never forget.
Or maybe it happened when I awoke with a tube installed in my brain. I was more surprised than anyone when I woke up still “me”.
How about the day, a year later, when it finally sunk in that this disability is forever? That was definitely a difficult moment.
Indulge me for just a bit? I’d love to tell you about the true defining moment of my life.
I was 9. I heard the call of God in my heart. He showed me my sin, and I recognized my need for a Savior. I confessed Christ Jesus and repented of my sin. I joined Christ in death through baptism. When I rose from that water, just as Jesus had risen from a grave that could not hold Him, I knew that this was it. My defining moment.
Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was. We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin.And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him. We are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead, and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him.When he died, he died once to break the power of sin. But now that he lives, he lives for the glory of God. So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus. – Romans 6:3-11
For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. – Galatians 3:27
And because it is no longer I who lives, but Christ lives in me, (Galatians 2:20) this defining moment, well…. defines all that comes after.
My True Defining Moment redefines all contenders for that title.
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. – Romans 8:18
And dictates my response in a way those washed-out moments never could.
For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 8:38-39
What is YOUR defining moment?
Lord Jesus, Thank You for Your saving love. Please help me to view all moments in my life from that eternal perspective. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on January 2, 2014
I Resolve…
So happy to join my family over at Rest Ministries today, to talk about my resolutions for this New Year!
What are you 2014 Resolutions?
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Shelly
Updated on December 26, 2013
The Echo
Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. – Colossians 3:1-3
* Sigh * It’s that time of year again. We’ve rolled around to a “fresh beginning”, another “start”… almost like someone hit the reset button, for everyone but me.
Soon I’ll be seeing the ads about making a “new you”. New diets, new hairdos, new wardrobe. A fresh set of resolutions to help me be better in the coming year.
When all I want is the “old me” back. All I want is a chance at my old level of energy. I long for my old way of life. I miss the old me. She was vibrant, fun and full of life. She laughed at resolutions.
What makes us humans so eager for a do-over? We love the look of a fresh clean slate. A newly fallen snow before anyone has walked in it. We want that new beginning.
I’ve been talking with God a lot about new beginnings as the New Year approaches.
And do you know the Word I keep receiving from Him?
Perspective.
As I look back over my recent blogs…
As I read over blogs that are yet to be posted…
As I read blogs written by people I have never met…
In dreams…
In conversations with close friends and family…
The word keeps echoing in every canyon I pass through.
Perspective.
I hear you, Lord. I’m open. Teach me, Grow me, Lead me.
But most of all, God, in this coming year….
Never stop loving me.
Dear God, I follow YOU and You alone into this coming year. Lead me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on December 26, 2013
Foolish vs. Wisdom
It is foolish to the Jews, who ask for signs from heaven. And it is foolish to the Greeks, who seek human wisdom. – 1 Corinthians 1:22
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Dealing with chronic illness on a daily basis can be a lot like this verse.
I have a definite desire to ask for signs from heaven. Signs that I am not alone. Signs that God can still use me. Signs that He is even still out there, and I am not screaming to the stars.
And oh, how I seek human wisdom. Opinions of others as to how this should go. Advice from Christians as to how to handle these trials. Reading books written about why these things happen, and where God is when they do. Seeking answers in medical studies and anecdotes of others who share my plight.
But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength. – 1 Corinthians 1:24-25
So once again I read that it all boils down to this… Faith.
Faith in Jesus Christ. Faith in the power and wisdom of God… alone.
Hebrews 11:1 tells us that Faith gives us assurance of things we cannot see. If I am then asking for signs and seeking wisdom from those who cannot possibly hope to fathom all that the Lord can and has done… all He will do… how am I demonstrating my faith?
On these difficult days, my prayer is that I am not like the Jews or the Greeks that Paul is referencing. I hope that I am not seeking signs of His care when He has already shown His steadfast love over and over again. I want to search for answers in HIS Word, and no others. I want to seek true Wisdom.
Dear Lord, please remind me, however often is necessary, that I am to look only to YOU, and have Faith in all of my struggles. Thank You for your patience with me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on December 29, 2013
Can We Have Abundance?
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I’m posting on my favorite site again today!
Please head on over to Rest Ministries and check out all that they have to offer.
Oh, yeah, and while you’re there, you can read my post.
Can We Have Abundance While Living With Chronic Illness?
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on December 28, 2013
Sunday Scripture: 12/29/13
For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! – 2 Corinthians 4:17
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on January 5, 2014
Recommendation Saturday: Why Me?
“Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” – Psalm 46:10
There aren’t many who are willing to delve into the honest, gritty truths of suffering in today’s world. I know a man who does so with faith, conviction, and a rare insight.
His name is Jim Davis.
What he offers is hope. He’s offered it to all of us through his website for some time now.
And now he is offering it through his book, Why Me? And Why That’s the Wrong Question.
This book is available for pre-order through Amazon, at a special price. It will be released on January 14, 2014. What a great way to ring in the new year!
Here’s what Jim says about the book:
I wish nobody ever needed a book about suffering, but it is something we all go through. Before your trial makes you lose heart, I hope you will take a look, and then rest in what the Bible shares. Because it’s good news. Really good news.
You can read more about it, including an interview with the author here.
Give yourself or a struggling loved one the gift of hope this new year… eternal hope.
We are best when we are community.
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
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.
All you have to do is click one of the buttons below.
May God Bless You,
Shelly
