His Strength is Made Perfect in Our Weakness
Pages 226-228
The next lie deceives many women into giving up completely. They truly believe that God has placed too much in their lives.
God promises, however, that His grace is sufficient to help us in our weakness.
39. The lie: I just can't take any more.
As with every other area of deception, the key to defeating this lie is to counter it with the Truth. Regardless of what our emotions or our circumstances may tell us, God's Word says, "My grace is sufficient for you" (2 Corinthians 12:9).
The Truth: Whatever my circumstance, whatever my situation, His grace is sufficient for me.
Psalm 130:5, "I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope."
2 Corinthians 12:7-10, "And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
The Truth: God will never place more on me than He will give me grace to bear.
2 Corinthians 11:22-30
Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I. Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness -- besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation? If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity."
Your Choice to Believe
Whether you choose to believe it or not, if you are His child, the Truth is His grace is sufficient for you. His grace is sufficient for every moment, every circumstance, every detail, every need, and every failure of my life.
What do you need God's grace for? Wayward children? Aching body? Unloving husband? No money in the bank? Struggling to raise three kids without a dad in the home? Don't know where next month's rent is coming from? Lost your job? Just moved to a new city and don't know a soul? Desperately lonely? Weighed down with guilt? Chemically dependent? Hormones going haywire?
Fill in the blank. Whatever your story, whatever your situation, right now, His grace is sufficient for you.
This is The Promise
Your loving, heavenly Father will never lead you anywhere that His grace will not sustain you. He will never place more upon you than He will give you grace to bear. When the path before you seems hopelessly long, take heart. Lift up your eyes!
Look ahead to that day when all suffering will be over. And remember that when you stand before Him, all the tears and sorrows of a lifetime will seem dim in comparison with the beauty and glory of His face.
Without a doubt, you will say, "His amazing grace has brought me safely home."
Friday, April 23, 2010
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Gaining An Eternal Perspective
Refocusing Your Attention
Pages 224-226
Another lie we may fall for is that our circumstances will never change. If we believe this lie, we will grow discouraged and be tempted to give up when facing seemingly impossible circumstances.
Instead of focusing on the storm around us, the Lord wants us to see His purposes in it, and to embrace Him, trusting that He is conforming our character into something more like His character.
James 1:2-4, The Message, "Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way."
38. The lie: My circumstances will never change -- this will go on forever.
The Truth: My suffering may last a long time, but it will not last forever.
Psalm 30:5, "For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.
Romans 8:18, "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."
In order to walk in freedom, we must exchange our temporal, earthly perspective for a set of heavenly, eternal glasses. Even if nothing changes in our lifetime, the years we experience on this earth are a mere blip on the timeline of eternity.
The Truth: My painful circumstances will not last one moment longer than God knows is necessary to achieve His eternal purposes in and through my life.
Genesis 21:5, "Now Abraham was one hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him."
The Truth: One day, all pain, suffering, and tears will be removed forever.
Isaiah 35:1, "The wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad for them, and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose."
Revelation 21: 1,4, "Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
Summarizing
Regardless of how powerful the forces of darkness seem to be here and now, the final chapter has been written -- and God wins! Believing the Truth about what lies ahead will fill us with hope and enable us to persevere between now and then.
Pages 224-226
Another lie we may fall for is that our circumstances will never change. If we believe this lie, we will grow discouraged and be tempted to give up when facing seemingly impossible circumstances.
Instead of focusing on the storm around us, the Lord wants us to see His purposes in it, and to embrace Him, trusting that He is conforming our character into something more like His character.
James 1:2-4, The Message, "Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way."
38. The lie: My circumstances will never change -- this will go on forever.
The Truth: My suffering may last a long time, but it will not last forever.
Psalm 30:5, "For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.
Romans 8:18, "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."
In order to walk in freedom, we must exchange our temporal, earthly perspective for a set of heavenly, eternal glasses. Even if nothing changes in our lifetime, the years we experience on this earth are a mere blip on the timeline of eternity.
The Truth: My painful circumstances will not last one moment longer than God knows is necessary to achieve His eternal purposes in and through my life.
Genesis 21:5, "Now Abraham was one hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him."
The Truth: One day, all pain, suffering, and tears will be removed forever.
Isaiah 35:1, "The wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad for them, and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose."
Revelation 21: 1,4, "Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
Summarizing
Regardless of how powerful the forces of darkness seem to be here and now, the final chapter has been written -- and God wins! Believing the Truth about what lies ahead will fill us with hope and enable us to persevere between now and then.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Purpose in Suffering
To Be Like Jesus
Pages 221-223
Another way many believers have been deceived is by the idea that they shouldn't have to suffer. After all, as Christians, we should have lots of money, success, and no worries, right? Not necessarily. Jesus never promised an easy life.
On the contrary, the Scriptures teach that it is impossible to become like Jesus -- to be holy -- apart from suffering. Because we don't understand the necessity and value of suffering, we are often more concerned about getting relief from our pain that about discovering the pure fruit God wants to produce in our lives through the pain.
37. The lie: I shouldn't have to suffer.
The Truth: It is impossible to be holy apart from suffering.
You see, God is far more interested in our holiness than in our immediate, temporal happiness. There is a depth of character that cannot be produced in our lives apart from suffering.
Jesus Himself, during His years here on earth, was in some unexplainable way made "perfect though suffering" (See Hebrews 2:10).
The Truth: We have been called to suffer.
Acts 14:22, "strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, 'We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.'"
1 Peter 2:21, "For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps."
The Truth: True joy is not the absence of pain, but the presence of the Lord Jesus in the midst of the pain.
Psalm 23:4, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me."
Pondering the Truth
If you came to the Lord and asked Him to live in you and be the Lord of your Life, then you are saved. If you somehow got the idea that by doing it, your problems would all go away and you would be relieved of your circumstances, then you have wrongly believed.
The Truth is that Jesus now shares your burdens, and He provides a way for you not to worry about your circumstance. He shows you the wise choice that you should make in order to live peacefully, and even in victory, in the midst of your storm.
1 Peter 5:10, "But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you."
Pages 221-223
Another way many believers have been deceived is by the idea that they shouldn't have to suffer. After all, as Christians, we should have lots of money, success, and no worries, right? Not necessarily. Jesus never promised an easy life.
On the contrary, the Scriptures teach that it is impossible to become like Jesus -- to be holy -- apart from suffering. Because we don't understand the necessity and value of suffering, we are often more concerned about getting relief from our pain that about discovering the pure fruit God wants to produce in our lives through the pain.
37. The lie: I shouldn't have to suffer.
The Truth: It is impossible to be holy apart from suffering.
You see, God is far more interested in our holiness than in our immediate, temporal happiness. There is a depth of character that cannot be produced in our lives apart from suffering.
Jesus Himself, during His years here on earth, was in some unexplainable way made "perfect though suffering" (See Hebrews 2:10).
The Truth: We have been called to suffer.
Acts 14:22, "strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, 'We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.'"
1 Peter 2:21, "For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps."
The Truth: True joy is not the absence of pain, but the presence of the Lord Jesus in the midst of the pain.
Psalm 23:4, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me."
Pondering the Truth
If you came to the Lord and asked Him to live in you and be the Lord of your Life, then you are saved. If you somehow got the idea that by doing it, your problems would all go away and you would be relieved of your circumstances, then you have wrongly believed.
The Truth is that Jesus now shares your burdens, and He provides a way for you not to worry about your circumstance. He shows you the wise choice that you should make in order to live peacefully, and even in victory, in the midst of your storm.
1 Peter 5:10, "But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you."
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Accepting Our Circumstances
How We React to Our Circumstances
Pages 215-221
Chapter 9 applies to every one of us, for we all have "circumstances." Our situations in life are as varied as the people involved. How we react to our circumstances -- whether we believe the lies presented to us or embrace God's Truth -- has a profound effect on everything else.
One lie many women believe is that if only their circumstances were different, then they would be different -- they would act differently or they would be happier. What they are really saying is that they are victims of their circumstances and they are powerless to control what they say and do.
36. The lie: If my circumstances were different, I would be different.
The Truth: My circumstances do not make me what I am; they merely reveal what I am.
Matthew 6:21, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Luke 6:45, "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks."
The Truth: If I am not content with my present circumstances, I am not likely to be happy in any other set of circumstances.
Philippians 4:11-12, "Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need."
The Truth: Every circumstance that touches my life has first been filtered through His fingers of love.
Romans 8:28, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."
The Truth is that we are not victims. We may not be able to control our circumstances; but by God's grace, we can choose how we respond to our circumstances.
Let's Go to the Lord
Heavenly Father, I confess that I often let my circumstances control my attitudes and my responses. I want to be controlled by Your Holy Spirit. Please help me to trust in You, regardless of what is going on around me, and to learn to rejoice and be content in every circumstances. Amen.
Pages 215-221
Chapter 9 applies to every one of us, for we all have "circumstances." Our situations in life are as varied as the people involved. How we react to our circumstances -- whether we believe the lies presented to us or embrace God's Truth -- has a profound effect on everything else.
One lie many women believe is that if only their circumstances were different, then they would be different -- they would act differently or they would be happier. What they are really saying is that they are victims of their circumstances and they are powerless to control what they say and do.
36. The lie: If my circumstances were different, I would be different.
The Truth: My circumstances do not make me what I am; they merely reveal what I am.
Matthew 6:21, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Luke 6:45, "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks."
The Truth: If I am not content with my present circumstances, I am not likely to be happy in any other set of circumstances.
Philippians 4:11-12, "Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need."
The Truth: Every circumstance that touches my life has first been filtered through His fingers of love.
Romans 8:28, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."
The Truth is that we are not victims. We may not be able to control our circumstances; but by God's grace, we can choose how we respond to our circumstances.
Let's Go to the Lord
Heavenly Father, I confess that I often let my circumstances control my attitudes and my responses. I want to be controlled by Your Holy Spirit. Please help me to trust in You, regardless of what is going on around me, and to learn to rejoice and be content in every circumstances. Amen.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Dealing With Depression
A Sensitive Topic
Pages 204-211
We close the chapter with a lie that has to do with how women deal with the increasingly common problem of depression. The widely accepted and promoted view today -- even among Christians -- is that the answer to depression must first be sought in medication or psychotherapy.
The problem with that assumption is that in many cases, the physical and emotional symptoms of depression are the result of issues rooted within the soul or the spirit.
If that is the case, medication or therapy may temporarily treat the symptoms, but they will not bring lasting change.
Regardless of the cause of the depression, we must remember that God has not promised to provide relief from all our problems (here and now) or to make us feel good; however, He has promised to be with us and to give us grace to endure.
35. The lie: The answer to depression must first be sought in medication and/or psychotherapy.
The Truth: Physical and emotional symptoms of depression may be the fruit of issues in the spirit that need to be addressed.
Psalm 32:3-4, "When I kept silent, my bones grew old through my groaning all the day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my vitality was turned into the drought of summer. Selah"
The Truth: If my depression did not originate as a physical problem, medication will not permanently relieve my depression.
James 5:13-16, "Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much
The Truth: God has given us powerful resources -- His grace, His Spirit, His Word, His promises, the body of Christ -- to minister to our emotional needs.
Romans 8:26, "Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."
A Prayer
Lord, You are my Light in the darkness, my Hope in times of despair, and my Helper in life's most desperate hours. You lift up my head. No matter how great the darkness I am experiencing emotionally, help me to look to You, to wait patiently for You, and to trusts that You are faithful and that Your mercy and grace will sustain me. Amen.
Pages 204-211
We close the chapter with a lie that has to do with how women deal with the increasingly common problem of depression. The widely accepted and promoted view today -- even among Christians -- is that the answer to depression must first be sought in medication or psychotherapy.
The problem with that assumption is that in many cases, the physical and emotional symptoms of depression are the result of issues rooted within the soul or the spirit.
If that is the case, medication or therapy may temporarily treat the symptoms, but they will not bring lasting change.
Regardless of the cause of the depression, we must remember that God has not promised to provide relief from all our problems (here and now) or to make us feel good; however, He has promised to be with us and to give us grace to endure.
35. The lie: The answer to depression must first be sought in medication and/or psychotherapy.
The Truth: Physical and emotional symptoms of depression may be the fruit of issues in the spirit that need to be addressed.
Psalm 32:3-4, "When I kept silent, my bones grew old through my groaning all the day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my vitality was turned into the drought of summer. Selah"
The Truth: If my depression did not originate as a physical problem, medication will not permanently relieve my depression.
James 5:13-16, "Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much
The Truth: God has given us powerful resources -- His grace, His Spirit, His Word, His promises, the body of Christ -- to minister to our emotional needs.
Romans 8:26, "Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."
A Prayer
Lord, You are my Light in the darkness, my Hope in times of despair, and my Helper in life's most desperate hours. You lift up my head. No matter how great the darkness I am experiencing emotionally, help me to look to You, to wait patiently for You, and to trusts that You are faithful and that Your mercy and grace will sustain me. Amen.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Facing Life's Changing Seasons
Excuses, Excuses!
Pages 200-203
As we trek through the subject of Handling Emotions, we come to the next lie in Chapter 8 of our text.
This lie sometimes gets us off the hook when we're just plain mean. Many women use their changing hormones as an excuse for abusive words, sinful actions, or generally shrewish behavior. "I can't help it," they say "It's my hormones," or "It's that time of the month."
The Truth is that sinful behavior is never justified, regardless of what may be taking place in our bodies. As our Creator, God understands the hormonal changes associated with the changing cycles and seasons of our lives.
His grace is available and sufficient to help us obey and glorify Him as we pass through every season of life.
34. The lie: I can't help how I respond when my hormones are out of whack.
The Truth: By God's grace, I can choose to obey Him regardless of how I feel.
If we accept the lie that we can't control our emotions, we will also believe we can't control how we act when we are feeling emotionally vulnerable or out of control. Not only are we too quick to believe our feelings, we are also far too quick to obey them.
The Truth: There is no excuse for ungodly attitudes, responses, or behavior.
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, "Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul [this includes emotions], and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it."
The Truth: My cycles and seasons are under the control of the One who made me, cares for me, and has made provision for each stage of my life.
Psalm 139:14, " I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well."
Knowing Our God
Is it conceivable that our wise, loving Heavenly Father would be unaware of our hormone levels at any stage of maturity or would have failed to make provision for every season of life?
It's important that we understand that He does not offer an easy or trouble-free process of growth.
But He has promised to meet all our needs and to give us grace to respond to the challenges and difficulties associated with every stage of life!
Pages 200-203
As we trek through the subject of Handling Emotions, we come to the next lie in Chapter 8 of our text.
This lie sometimes gets us off the hook when we're just plain mean. Many women use their changing hormones as an excuse for abusive words, sinful actions, or generally shrewish behavior. "I can't help it," they say "It's my hormones," or "It's that time of the month."
The Truth is that sinful behavior is never justified, regardless of what may be taking place in our bodies. As our Creator, God understands the hormonal changes associated with the changing cycles and seasons of our lives.
His grace is available and sufficient to help us obey and glorify Him as we pass through every season of life.
34. The lie: I can't help how I respond when my hormones are out of whack.
The Truth: By God's grace, I can choose to obey Him regardless of how I feel.
If we accept the lie that we can't control our emotions, we will also believe we can't control how we act when we are feeling emotionally vulnerable or out of control. Not only are we too quick to believe our feelings, we are also far too quick to obey them.
The Truth: There is no excuse for ungodly attitudes, responses, or behavior.
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, "Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul [this includes emotions], and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it."
The Truth: My cycles and seasons are under the control of the One who made me, cares for me, and has made provision for each stage of my life.
Psalm 139:14, " I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well."
Knowing Our God
Is it conceivable that our wise, loving Heavenly Father would be unaware of our hormone levels at any stage of maturity or would have failed to make provision for every season of life?
It's important that we understand that He does not offer an easy or trouble-free process of growth.
But He has promised to meet all our needs and to give us grace to respond to the challenges and difficulties associated with every stage of life!
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