Sunday, February 9, 2014

This thing called Grace...

This post is not meant to be perfectly coherent... Its a subject that i struggle to grasp and put at work in my life. So please bare with me, there are some things on my heart and I'm not sure the correct words are in my head.

Grace - Unmerited favor... This concept that alludes me... I mean I get it, I can't do anything to earn God's love.
Eph 2: 8-9
For ye are saved by grace, through faith; and this not of yourselves; it is God's gift: not on the principle of works, that no one might boast. 
And i know my exact problem here... Let me state it plainly, I judge myself to be unworthy. I struggle this this feeling of unworthiness in some many areas of my life; To the point at times when i'm just waiting for someone to tell me that it was a mistake and i no longer belong. This feeling that there must be someone else that is smarter, prettier, better, kinder or more qualified than me. I have the feeling sometimes when i walk in to School and i just wait for someone to tell me that they made a mistake in accepting my application (Its called impostor syndrome) or when i am on edge waiting for my friends or boyfriend to tell me our relationship is over. There is no reason for this, I can't shake it, and I've tried. I've tried to reason my way through my insecurities, to grasp some sort of problem that I can eliminate or fix. But it always comes back to this one question: Why in the world would ANYONE, especially God choose me? What could He have possibly seen in my stupid choices, reckless decisions and selfishness to say "yeah that's the one, I want HER".
Then tonight for some reason it just hit me... Iam not chosen for who I am now at this point in time, I was chosen for who i am becoming. God chose me because he saw what i would become as i walked in his light and righteousness. His chose me because he saw what his power could effect in me.
Proverbs 4:18
But the path of the righteous is as the shining light, going on and brightening until the day be fully come.
The point being that God doesn't choose to extend grace to us because of our qualifications, he extends his love and grace to us because of our Kingdom potential. He chooses us for everything that his power and love can effect in us. Because you were made in his image, you have the potential to become like him, abounding in love, joy, peace and a lover of truth and justice; Spreading the good news and doing good works in his name. This calling that he has placed on my life cannot be changed or removed; regardless of how inadequate i feel.
Romans 11:29
For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
Just because i feel unqualified now doesn't mean i will never be qualified. If fact God is qualifying me as we speak. He started by making me clean by washing away my sins and cleansing me with his blood; now his is purifying and teaching me in the school of spirit. I am made worthy by he who has seen my end and ESTABLISHED it as GOOD.
Innately, I am not worthy of anything. But i truely hope that the people who have chosen to have me in there lives chose me not based on the "Now me", because I don't hope to stay with these flaws for long. I hope that God maybe gave them a small glimpse of the "future me", the one that is purified, a more perfect reflection of my creator in whose image i was made.

Monday, January 20, 2014

Don't Fall Short of Glory

Colossians 1:27  To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

Christ in you the hope of glory.... It is the hope of glory because if Christ is in you, you have the chance to choose glory, to not fall short of the mark... This is working toward the perfect example of Christ: To only do the work of the Father, nothing else.

Once we are saved, we should not be falling short of glory. Since we were removed from the sin nature, we should be hitting glory Every Single Time. The flesh is at war with the spirit, trying to keep you from hitting the mark of perfection. You must have hope and confidence that you will hit glory every single day; You can't get to glory without faith. Our greatest authority is that we can CHOOSE GLORY over sin(missing the mark). You must have a strong will for glory. You can't have a passive attitude when working to fulfill your destiny and reach glory. There is a pressure in this world that will try and conform you to miss the mark. But learn to recognize it and don't let that pressure keep you from choosing glory!

These are some Tips that someone once told me:

Recognize temptation - don't ignore it, that's not faith. Faith doesn't ignore problems; faith sees the obstacle and recognizes that the word of God is stronger. Darkness only has power through illusion and confusion. Call it out and speak the Word of God over the problem; the word is you sword --> use it fight.

Make a choice for glory- every sin is based on misuse of power, position, authority or ability. You have been given power, position, authority and ability to choose God's glory. Some things God has put in your control. When you make a habitual choice for glory, things will no longer be temptation for you. You can configure your mind so that certain things will not register with you... You can configure your mind to see GLORY in every situation. Temptation is not evil, not choosing glory is when it becomes sin(missing the target).
Philippians 2:5-13
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

God is working in you to have the same vision of GLORY. Keep your eyes on the GLORY, you have to see the glory in order to choose it.

Transformation is irreversible change. Let God transform your mind by keeping it renewing it to the Word. The word of God and prayer must be used to choose glory. You have to keep your life flow going...  Give God a foot hold, to flush living water through you, that water brings life.

Everyone has a plan till they get punched in the face. Make your training instinctive, so that your spirit man is buff in the fruit of the spirit and faith and grace, power and glory. Choosing glory should be our first reaction. Train when there is nothing so that when you get punched in the face choosing GLORY is you first reflex. You must be constantly  vigilant.

-MiniMug

Sunday, January 19, 2014

Count it all Joy... James 1:2-4

Ok, so I know that everyone and their brother likes to quote this verse at you when you are going through something rough. But as i was studying today, i saw somethings that i hadn't really noticed before and thought i would write them down. 

James 1:2-4

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.


Now let me give you some definitions:
  • Joy - cause or occasion for jubilation 
  • Encounter - Peripipto in the Greek meaning to "fall into" 
  • various - random 
  • trials - enticement of sin or times of adversity 
  • Endurance - deliberate purpose, steadfastness and constancy.

Basically this verse is saying to celebrate when you happen to fall in to rough spots. You can celebrate because you KNOW that as you pass this test your endurance or patience is getting stronger. You know what else patience is for... patience has a lot to do with faith. As soon as your patience runs out you are no longer walking in faith. Because faith WAITS confidently knowing that what God has promised he WILL DO! So if you don't have patience you cant have faith and without faith its impossible to please God! Summary: Patience --> Faith --> Pleasing God --> Happy God --> Happy (or Joyful) you! See it all makes sense... This is why we find Joy in trials. We also find joy in our trials because we KNOW that God has created a way out for us; but that is another day and another blog.

Those first couple verses are great and they make me want to stop and just praise Jesus for a while, but it was the last verse that i really began thinking about today. So verse 4 tells us to "let" endurance have its perfect work in us. I've always thought that this meant: "ok, I'll just trudge through this hard spot and passively "let" things "pass" and that is me practicing patience. But I realized my mistake when i look us the word "let" in the Greek....
  • let - verb --> "echo" --> hold ones self to a thing, lay hold of, adhere to and cling to...
This is not the passive interpretation that i had envisioned. Actually it is quite the opposite.. Being a verb this word is an action word. If i remember correctly from my years of watching Grammar Rock: "VERB - that's whats happening". You have to cling to endurance; endurance is not passive at all. Think about when you are running: you are trying to set a new personal record or expand your distance. I can tell you from experience that is NOT PASSIVE. I have to FORCE my legs to keep moving, my lungs to keep breathing; let me tell you there is a LOT of positive self talk going on during that time of endurance to reach my goals. It's the same thing here, you have to cling to your endurance or it will slip away from you before you know it. 

So hold your self to endurance... In whatever you are going through, don't loose your deliberate purpose to steadfastly and constantly cling to God's promise of good. Because the one who calls you is faithful and HE WILL DO IT. (1 Thessalonians 5:24)

Extra bonus: you know why cultivating endurance cultivates perfection - perfection meaning without blemish or defect, free from sin! It because if you have the endurance, you have the patience to wait for the fulfillment of the promise of something better, better then the earthly temporary gratification that sin will give you.

Thoughts and responses are more than welcome...
-G

Monday, May 6, 2013

When it comes to Testing

So i have been thinking a lot about tests and testing. I blame it on the Finals Extravaganza that is the end of M1 year. Note:First year medical students are affectionately referred to as M1's. I have noticed there is a vast difference between KNOWING the answer and knowing where to FIND the answer. I have know this a long time but I feel like the reality of the fact is really sinking in for the first time. But I want to point out that knowing where to find the answer doesn't do you much good if you are not in a open notes, open book test. And i have found that these types of exams are few and far between. (I think I've maybe had one open notes/open book exam in my entire schooling history.)
This morning i was walking to an exam and thinking about my spiritual life and how exactly testing works in the spiritual realm. So lets lay so ground for what was going on in my head.
Bible = Textbook
Test = What Life and the Devil throw at you
Knowing = Having the Word of God in your Heart and Mind = Memorizing Scripture.
NOTE: That means that Church is class, Devotions are personal study times and Prayer is like office hours with the Prof... (ok so maybe my mind took this a bit too far.) lol.
The Word of God is your sword (that is a tool used for fighting off the devils schemes)...

Ephesians 6:10-17, Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, , against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
We use the Word of God against the devil, but in order to use a sword you have to have that sword in your hand. When the test comes against you, the last thing you want to be doing is scrambling around in the mess of distractions in your life for the Word. When the enemy comes in like flood you don't want to be trying to remember where your put your boat. That is why we are told to be on the look out, to be ready; just in case today there is a pop quiz.
1 Peter 5:8, Be vigilant, watch. Your adversary the devil is like a roaring lion. He prowls around looking for someone to chew up and swallow.
In addition, you can just think you know what the bible says. That's when you get people quoting people and hymn instead of the bible. (I.E. "God helps those who help themselves" is not from the bible its the moral of Aesop's Fables, Hercules and the Waggoner."). Some folks are blatantly ignorant and other just don't know the details of the Word. But that just translates into picking up a toothpick and asking "is this my sword, I never bothered to find out what it looked like much less practice using it" or "I think this might by my sword but I always get it confused with my shoe horn..." In both of situations you get the kids that are sitting up all night right before the test trying to cram. And that might get you the passing grade but it will defiantly not get you the A!
I don't know about you but I don't just want to "get by" in this life... I want to rule and reign... You know: Head and not the Tail, above only and not beneath. God promised us LIFE... not only that but LIFE MORE ABUNDANTLY (the amplified says: to the full, till if overflows).
John 10:10, The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)
In the Greek the word that they use for life here is Zoe, you know what we call the "God kind of life". Let me tell you that God doesn't live under someones feet. The Greek Lexicon translates it as "The state of one who is possessed of vitality or is animate, absolute fullness of life, to be among the living, not lifeless, not dead, to be fresh, powerful, efficient; living water, having vital power in itself and exerting the same upon the soul".... GAAAHHH I'll take that!
OVERCOMING.... I want to overcome the flesh, test and trials which are of this world. This is how I will overcome!
1 John 5:4, For everyone forn of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.
Do you know where our faith comes from... It come from hearing and knowing the word of God....
Romans 10:17, So faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of GOD. 
So the conclusion of today musings are this: Memorize more scripture!
-Mini Mug
1 Timothy 4:12-16
Get the word out. Teach all these things. And don't let anyone put you down because you're young. Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity.Stay at your post reading Scripture, giving counsel, teaching. And that special gift of ministry you were given when the leaders of the church laid hands on you and prayed - keep that dusted off and in use. Cultivate these things. Immerse yourself in them. The people will all see you mature right before their eyes! Keep a firm grasp on both your character and your teaching. Don't be diverted. Just keep at it. Both you and those who hear you will experience salvation

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Soft. Broken. Moldable

In some manner of speaking I've hardened my heart. I had continued in practices that I knew where wrong and in doing so callused my heart against hearing the voice of God. Whatever gave me the idea that doing so would be healthy, fun, or worth it, I don't know. But I have to say that I desire that those practices end here. I am serious about serving God with all my heart! I am not a flake, fake or halfway convinced.
Today I took the first steps in taking a stand...
Will it be a struggle? Yes!
Will I be committed? 110%
Will it be a worth it? Yes!

1Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
In His strength,
-Mini Mug

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Feelings that don't define me


Uggg. so lets just run down the list of things I feel right now.

Frustrated.Overwhelmed.Impatient.Worthless.Stressed.Defeated.Mad.Aggravated.Tired.Disappointed.Lost.Sad.Doubtful.
Upset.Small.Insignificant.Foolish.Stupid.Crushed.Ordinary.Confused.Letdown.Inferior.Weak.Blind.Shortsighted.Superficial.

But I will not let things feelings define how I live my life. I refuse to let this world definition of success ruin my self confidence. I may not be the smartest, quickest, most personable individual on the face of this earth, but that does not mean that I am in anyway insignificant or worthless. No I don't win everytime, but I will not let my self quit. I don't quit, I can't quit. I have been amazingly and undeservingly been graced with the potential to be something great were it matters- in the kingdom. And I will not let myself grow weary in reaching that goal. These feelings of doubts will not define me and my attitude.
I refuse.. I REFUSE...

God has my path.. and it's like the light of dawn.. It just keeps getting brighter and brighter! I know this.. And I defiantly believe this...Jesus you Light up my sky. because of you I am..
At Peace.Blessed.Loved.Forgiven.Carried.Strengthened.Lifted Up.Helped.Filled with Joy.Saved.Heaven Bound.Supported.
Victorious.Humbled.Righteous.Patient.Faithful.Thankful.Filled with Awe and Praise.Floored.Ecstatic.I am Heaven Bound!

Friday, September 10, 2010

The 4 Outs

Knowing God does not happen by accident. It takes deliberate action.
1 Cor 9:24-Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one gains the prize? Run in such a way that you may WIN.

Winning is giving everything and running as hard as you can. God doesn't give pity prizes.
Thus when you run:
Throw-out: Every excuse for not winning. Excuses are drugs to make us feel better about failing. Here is the evidence:
Heb 12:1- Let us lay aside everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles and let us run with endurance the race set before us.
Watch-out: Set a guard over your heart. Watch what you put in your eyes and ears. Because the things you look at and listen to effect your heart. Because out of the heart flows life.
Proverbs 4:23- Watch over your heart with all diligence for out of the heart spring the issues of life.
Cry-out: God is not deaf, he is not callused or immune to his children's cries.
Jeremiah 33:3-'Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.'
Isaiah 65:24-It will also come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear.
Lastly,
Stand-out: Don't conform to this worlds standards of living. Have a fig tree standard, Be ready in season and out of season. When Jesus found the fig tree without the figs, he cursed the tree and it died. He expects us to always be baring fruit. Don't substitute excuses for fruit.
2 Timothy 4:2 - Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.
So, in short. Be intentional! Use everyday to grow closer to your savior. Put him first and take time to listen to his voice.