A few weeks ago the bookkeeper and I were having a difficult time keeping up with all of the invoices and receipts that were being turned in. It seemed that everytime one of us walked past the in-box that day, it was overflowing with more items. Later that afternoon I referred to our expense forms as bunnies... they just kept multiplying. They were everywhere!
It also occurred to me that expense forms are not the only thing that multiplies like bunnies. Sin can quickly reproduce faster than we can ever imagine. Have you ever noticed how one sin can lead to another sin that can lead to another, eventually leading us into a spiral that will take hard work and healing to get out of? For example...
* entitlement can lead to pride -- you deserve something because you are better than the next person
* comparison can lead to insecurity -- you can't live up to the standards that you set for yourself because you perceive that people around you are better than you
* codependency can lead to disunity -- something or someone comes between you and the other person and now you have no respect for what came between you
* discontentment can lead to addiction -- nothing in life can fulfill you so you turn to empty sources to fill the void.
What appears to be simple, or even small, sins can quickly escalate into sins that damage and destroy. When the enemy finds the smallest fisure to enter, he will come fast and furious and that small gap becomes a gaping hole. Before you know it, you have hurt your relationship with the One who loves you and you have damaged your heart and the hearts of those around you. So... what do you do?
You maintain an intimate relationship with Jesus. You stay close to the cross, remembering why He came and died for you. Give permission to those you love, trust, and respect to call you out if they notice any destructive patterns in your life. Remain in community. If you don't have an intimate relationship with Jesus, establish one. He wants to walk with you, He wants to lead you, and He wants to spend eternity with you. Do whatever you can to keep the sins from going out of control and multiplying... well, like bunnies.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Seriously... He really does love you
So many people blow off the fact that God loves you unbelievably. We get wrapped up in comparing how God loves us to how other people love us. Many people grew up attempting to earn conditional love from a variety of people in their lives. They believed that they had to behave, dress a certain way, perform certain acts, or live up to expectations and standards in order to experience love. And... it is sadly true that people will provide conditional love. Such behavior will drive us to feeling inferior, insecure, and depressed resulting in pride, entitlement and comparison thinking that we will never live up to expectations and we will never be good enough.
The good news is that our foundation does not have to be built on the love of others but on the love God has for us! God's love is something that we get to experience and live on. Ephesians 3:17 NLT says "Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong." I dismissed God's love for many years. The dismisssal wasn't due to disbelief but just something that I took for granted... something that I believed in my head but did not allow to take root into my heart. Two years ago God removed the head knowledge and planted it into my heart. He told me that He not only loved me but that He adored me. Since that time, my foundation has become solid and I am unshakeable.
If you would, please let me share some truth with you. Let your roots go down deep into God's love as you read the following. He really wants to share this with you...
I take delight in you and I rejoice over you with singing -- Zephaniah 3:17
You are my own special treasure -- Exodus 19:5
And the apple of my eye -- Psalm 17:8
You are my child and I am your Father -- 1 John 3:1
And I want to lavish my love on you -- 1 John 3:1
I will never stop doing good to you -- Jeremiah 32:40
With my love, I will calm all your fears -- Zephaniah 3:17
Give all your worries and cares to me because I care about you! -- 1 Pete 5:7
I've never quit loving you and nave will. Expect love, love, and more love! -- Jeremiah 31:3
I created you in My image -- Genesis 1:27
I knit you together in your mother's womb -- Psalm 139:13
And you are fearfully and wonderfully made -- Psalm 139:15
I catch all your tears -- Psalm 56:8
And I will wipe them all away -- Revelation 7:17
With everlasting love I will have compassion on you -- Isaiah 54:8
Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine -- Isaiah 43:1
And so now I'll start over with you -- Jeremiah 31:3
My plans for you are good -- Jeremiah 32:40
In me you will discover who you are and what you are living for -- Ephesians 1:12
I will never fail you - I will never abandon you -- Hebrews 13:5
Nothing will ever separate you from my love -- Romans 8:38-39
I am for you -- Romans 8:31
You are my beloved child -- Matthew 3:17
And I am so pleased with you -- Matthew 3:17
The good news is that our foundation does not have to be built on the love of others but on the love God has for us! God's love is something that we get to experience and live on. Ephesians 3:17 NLT says "Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong." I dismissed God's love for many years. The dismisssal wasn't due to disbelief but just something that I took for granted... something that I believed in my head but did not allow to take root into my heart. Two years ago God removed the head knowledge and planted it into my heart. He told me that He not only loved me but that He adored me. Since that time, my foundation has become solid and I am unshakeable.
If you would, please let me share some truth with you. Let your roots go down deep into God's love as you read the following. He really wants to share this with you...
I take delight in you and I rejoice over you with singing -- Zephaniah 3:17
You are my own special treasure -- Exodus 19:5
And the apple of my eye -- Psalm 17:8
You are my child and I am your Father -- 1 John 3:1
And I want to lavish my love on you -- 1 John 3:1
I will never stop doing good to you -- Jeremiah 32:40
With my love, I will calm all your fears -- Zephaniah 3:17
Give all your worries and cares to me because I care about you! -- 1 Pete 5:7
I've never quit loving you and nave will. Expect love, love, and more love! -- Jeremiah 31:3
I created you in My image -- Genesis 1:27
I knit you together in your mother's womb -- Psalm 139:13
And you are fearfully and wonderfully made -- Psalm 139:15
I catch all your tears -- Psalm 56:8
And I will wipe them all away -- Revelation 7:17
With everlasting love I will have compassion on you -- Isaiah 54:8
Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine -- Isaiah 43:1
And so now I'll start over with you -- Jeremiah 31:3
My plans for you are good -- Jeremiah 32:40
In me you will discover who you are and what you are living for -- Ephesians 1:12
I will never fail you - I will never abandon you -- Hebrews 13:5
Nothing will ever separate you from my love -- Romans 8:38-39
I am for you -- Romans 8:31
You are my beloved child -- Matthew 3:17
And I am so pleased with you -- Matthew 3:17
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Eternally changed...
I lived a very good life. God was so lavish with the life He gave me. I was born to good parents, grew up in a sweet small town, had great friends, went to a fantastic college, married a good man, and have a beautiful daughter. God protected me in many ways along the way by helping me choose not to get involved with things that would be damaging to my heart and by gently nudging me along a path He chose for me. When I was 18 and living with a heart that should have been completely closed off to His voice, I distinctly heard Him call me and tell me that I would serve Him and I would serve His church. But in the goodness of the life that God gave me, I still lived a self hyphenated life that was bitter, shallow, and judgemental. I needed a miracle and four years ago today, I became a miracle.
It's really amazing and beautiful how God pursues us. Even when we don't believe in God, He still believes in us. I deserved none of what God gave me and I still don't deserve it today. It's only by His amazing grace that I get to live this life. You see, I worked really hard the first 29 years of my life doing church and striving to do what I thought God wanted me to do. I was worn out and I had no peace. I was becoming more bitter and callous along the way. Then one amazing day God spoke to me so strong that I had to brace myself against a wall. He told me that I would not go to heaven when I die.
I was not living with a personal relationship with Jesus. I knew a lot about Him, but I did not know Him. Yes, I believed in Jesus and I never questioned what He did on the cross. But even all of hell's angels believe Jesus, they know who He is, and they know why He came. At that time there was truly no difference between me and then. Then a few days later, I became different. In the middle of a group of women... my Life Group... I came before Jesus and gave Him my ugly self-hyphenated heart and received a new grace filled heart from Him. I surrendered my entire life to Jesus and there was no looking back.
Life has been so amazing since then! I live with a peace and joy that can only be experienced by living a life with Jesus. God talks to me; I distinctly hear His voice and I recognize it every time. I get to live with a passion that is no longer about me and what I want to do. I am now a messenger of His good news... I run errands with God... I don't do just good things for Jesus, but the good things He wants me to do.
I went from bitter to joyful... judgemental to compassionate... unaccepted to adored... identity in what I did to an identity in who I am... bond to free... living a life that was picked for me.
The true desire of my heart is for EVERYONE to experience this. If you are living without Jesus in your heart, then you are living a life that is small, shallow, narrow and bound for hell. I know that sounds rough and judgemental, but it is the truth. Come to a place of not just knowing about the person Jesus but experiencing a personal walk with Him. If you have questions, ask me. This is my favorite thing to talk about. You may think that you can never change who you are, and that is true. You can't change yourself, but Jesus can! Don't go another day living without Him. Give up your life and accept the one He has planned for you. I promise that you will NOT regret it.
Questions? Put them in the comments below or message me via Facebook or email at alesha.graves@gmail.com. I can't wait to hear from you!
It's really amazing and beautiful how God pursues us. Even when we don't believe in God, He still believes in us. I deserved none of what God gave me and I still don't deserve it today. It's only by His amazing grace that I get to live this life. You see, I worked really hard the first 29 years of my life doing church and striving to do what I thought God wanted me to do. I was worn out and I had no peace. I was becoming more bitter and callous along the way. Then one amazing day God spoke to me so strong that I had to brace myself against a wall. He told me that I would not go to heaven when I die.
I was not living with a personal relationship with Jesus. I knew a lot about Him, but I did not know Him. Yes, I believed in Jesus and I never questioned what He did on the cross. But even all of hell's angels believe Jesus, they know who He is, and they know why He came. At that time there was truly no difference between me and then. Then a few days later, I became different. In the middle of a group of women... my Life Group... I came before Jesus and gave Him my ugly self-hyphenated heart and received a new grace filled heart from Him. I surrendered my entire life to Jesus and there was no looking back.
Life has been so amazing since then! I live with a peace and joy that can only be experienced by living a life with Jesus. God talks to me; I distinctly hear His voice and I recognize it every time. I get to live with a passion that is no longer about me and what I want to do. I am now a messenger of His good news... I run errands with God... I don't do just good things for Jesus, but the good things He wants me to do.
I went from bitter to joyful... judgemental to compassionate... unaccepted to adored... identity in what I did to an identity in who I am... bond to free... living a life that was picked for me.
The true desire of my heart is for EVERYONE to experience this. If you are living without Jesus in your heart, then you are living a life that is small, shallow, narrow and bound for hell. I know that sounds rough and judgemental, but it is the truth. Come to a place of not just knowing about the person Jesus but experiencing a personal walk with Him. If you have questions, ask me. This is my favorite thing to talk about. You may think that you can never change who you are, and that is true. You can't change yourself, but Jesus can! Don't go another day living without Him. Give up your life and accept the one He has planned for you. I promise that you will NOT regret it.
Questions? Put them in the comments below or message me via Facebook or email at alesha.graves@gmail.com. I can't wait to hear from you!
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