It is too easy to think about our own pain. We can get lost in it if we allow ourselves.
All of the hurts and wrongs, we harbor deep inside. We fake smiles and spiritual talk.
We say we believe, but do we? What do we believe? Do we believe that He cares? Do we believe that He sees?
Do we trust? Can we just let go of it and give it to God? I mean, really give it to Him? Not take it back?
What is the cry of our hearts? He knows! He has made provision. He has made a way where there doesn't seem to be a way.
My sister, do not let the cares of this world steal your focus. Remain focused on Him, because He cares for you.
He holds the universe in His hands He holds everyone on earth in His hands He holds you and He knows you and He loves you He has set you free He is all you need Let Him show you what true freedom is
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that gives all men liberally and it shall be given him. But, let him ask in faith; not wavering. For he that waivers is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not a man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. - James 1:5-8
But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. - James 1:14
You have heard the saying "be careful what you ask for because you just might get it."
My question is, what are we really asking for? We tend to go after what we want, even if we know it is not good for us.
James warns us that if we are drawn away by our own lust, then we will be enticed. Entertain a thought long enough and it will become an action. What are your thoughts?
Let's take inventory of our thoughts...
We know that God does not tempt us. He can not tempt us, there is no evil in Him. He tells us to resist the devil and he will flee from us. To resist the devil, you must recognize that if the temptation does not come from God, it has to be coming from somewhere; our flesh and the devil.
We must not be double minded. We should not believe we will have what we ask if we are double minded. Do we pray, 'Lord deliver me from that chocolate,' yet, we keep staring at that chocolate cake? Are we really resisting that chocolate cake if we do not remove it from our sight? Of course not! Keep your focus on that cake and you will eat it.
Personally, I think that if we pray while focusing on something else, what we are really asking for is a loop hole. We are asking God to make an exception for us. But, that is another post.
Let's now apply this to relationships...
Are you in, or fresh out of, a relationship that you know is/was not good for you? Not only is/was it not good for you emotionally, but it is hindering you from walking in your calling.
We compromise, reason, rationalize and deny; to make what is wrong, right.
Sister, we have all been there.
I remember praying that God would break all ties with a certain man and the whole time I would stare at the phone trying to will him to call me. I would replay every word, action and memory of him in my mind. I was a miserable mess. You see, the reality is, I wasn't really asking God to deliver me, I was making excuses and asking God to go against His plan for my life and make an exception just this once. Thank God for His mercy and grace.
Could God deliver me from that bondage I allowed myself to be in? Yes! Did He? Yes! But I had to first set my resolve that I would not be double minded and if I truly wanted God to answer me and give me what I want (deliverance) then I had to adjust my sight.
I had to break connections (resist) and not waiver (faith) and the receive (His peace) and walk it out (see post Mr. Dangerous).
You see, sometimes when we know better, our prayers just become empty words; noise. We have no faith in our expression. We ask and we don't receive, because what we ask for is not God's will for us.
God wills for us to be free. Not to be slaves to our emotions or entangled with unholy relationships.
As a mother, I delight in giving my children good gifts. But, there are some things they ask for that I would not give them because it would harm them, or they aren't ready for it, yet. How much greater is our Father God as a parent than we are? Much greater!
The challenge today is to take inventory of our thoughts and motives.
Rather than cling to a dead man (wrong relationships) cling to life!
He is the healer and comforter. Let Him be your soothing balm, in Him you will find strength. Let go of what keeps you in emotional bondage. I am not saying it will be easy, but it is possible.
You have been created with a purpose. Submit yourself to Jesus and watch His marvelous works unfold before you.
And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, we will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel; only let us be called by your name, to take away our reproach. - Isaiah 4:1
...if you will not believe, surely you shall not be established. - Isaiah 7:9
This is for the women of God, called by the Spirit, but living in the flesh. To reveal the battle of the spirit and the carnal.
Do you not know that you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people, that you show forth the praises of Him who has called you out of the darkness into His marvelous light? (1 Peter 2:9)
In time past we were not a people, but are now the people of God; which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. Beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul. (1 Peter 2: 10-11)
Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. Don't be conformed to this world; but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:1-2)
Don't love the world, neither the things that are in this world. If any man (woman) love the world, the love of the Father is not in him (her). For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. The world will pass away and of it's lust, but who does the will of God will abide forever. (1 John 2:15-17)
This whole post could be written straight from the Word of God, it is quite clear and there is no mincing of words. But, I am going to break it down for you, as it is broken down for me.
Sometimes, we have a tendency to take a verse from the Bible and use it for our purpose. We try to make it fit for our circumstance or our state of mind. It is for the food for our souls. For nourishment for our souls, we must apply the Word in whole, not in part. Even our natural bodies can not be sustained on sugar alone; we must also eat our veggies. Do you hear what I am saying?
My sisters, if we are sisters in Christ, we must stop making excuses!
We belong to Christ. We were redeemed with a price. We are eternal souls. We must decide if we are to live eternally in life or death. The choices we make today will decide our tomorrow.
Do you need me to break it down more?
Get out of that man's bed!
You do not need a man to validate you when it was Jesus who justified you. Do you not know who you are and who you belong to? Have you forgotten? Do you not know who watches over you, sings over you, dances around you, cares for you, provides for you and will never leave you?
It is not that man you open your legs for! It is He who created you, called you, died for you and rose again so that you can be called daughter of God.
This is not easy to swallow, medicine never is. But, if you allow Him, He will deliver you heal you.
You carry hurts. These hurts have distorted your vision. It does not allow you to see yourself as the precious treasure that you are. It has effected your self esteem and your self image.
How many relationships must you go through and how many heartaches must you endure before you realize that you are His beloved and you are called to come up higher? Let Him wash you clean. Ask for and receive His forgiveness and then walk in His truth.
Jesus told the woman to go get her husband. She said she had no husband. He said she was right, for she had many and the one she was with is not her husband. (see John 4:16-18)
When you lay with a man you make a covenant with him. You have been in the world too long and that is why you do not see this. You mistake lust for love. A covenant is not to be broken. Only death can break that covenant. Yet, you have been tricked into making covenant with one man after another and with each breech, you walk away with less of yourself.
God desire you to be whole. Even now.
Precious one, give it to Jesus. Turn back to Him, for He is the true Lover. I know it is hard to be alone. I know it can be lonely. But, you will see, if you will consecrate yourself to Him, He will heal you and He will bring the right man, at the right time, into your life and he will not defile you. He will become one with you, before God. In this is a blessing and He will honor your relationship.
I love you, but He loves you even more. His mercies are new every morning. Let this be a new day for you.
Assignment: Break all ties with men that you have given yourself to. Recommit yourself to Jesus.
Prayer: I confess my sexual relations outside of marriage as sin. Father, I ask for and receive your forgiveness. Protect me from temptations and traps. Renew my heart and spirit. Thank You for Your love and mercies. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit so I can have power to resist the temptations of my flesh and conform me into the image of Your Son. It is in His name, the name of Jesus, I pray.
