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!
Saturday, July 10, 2010
There is no plan B
I am reading The Jesus I Never Knew by Phillip Yancy and I highly recommend it. I just finished chapter 2 which talks about Christmas and Jesus's birth. It occurred to me that Christmas was quite a risk that God took. What if...
This was God's one shot to save humanity, the people He dearly loves... There was no plan B.
God loved us SO much that He took a huge risk to send His son, the firstborn of all creation, to come to a planet in very humble beginnings to present salvation. There was no divine announcement from the sky. God put the plan in some simple, young humans to birth His son into this world, to care for and raise Him, and to send Him on His way when the appointed time came. There was a risk that the disciples would say no to following Jesus, to learning and then sharing the good news. There was a risk that Jesus would have been viewed as a common criminal dying on a cross rather than the ultimate sacrifice for us. There was a risk that we would ever accept Him as the ultimate sacrifice and give our lives and hearts to Him. God did all of this through people who allowed their hearts to be opened to His words and promptings, not through a booming voice or a picture in the sky for all to hear and see. God's plan was to use people to save people. The irony is that He gives us freedom of choice and He knows how the story ends.
There is no plan B. Jesus is the only way that humanity will be saved. And He does it through you and me. WE are plan A.
Mary said no...
Joseph proceded with stoning Mary...
we didn't accept Jesus for who He really is?
This was God's one shot to save humanity, the people He dearly loves... There was no plan B.
God loved us SO much that He took a huge risk to send His son, the firstborn of all creation, to come to a planet in very humble beginnings to present salvation. There was no divine announcement from the sky. God put the plan in some simple, young humans to birth His son into this world, to care for and raise Him, and to send Him on His way when the appointed time came. There was a risk that the disciples would say no to following Jesus, to learning and then sharing the good news. There was a risk that Jesus would have been viewed as a common criminal dying on a cross rather than the ultimate sacrifice for us. There was a risk that we would ever accept Him as the ultimate sacrifice and give our lives and hearts to Him. God did all of this through people who allowed their hearts to be opened to His words and promptings, not through a booming voice or a picture in the sky for all to hear and see. God's plan was to use people to save people. The irony is that He gives us freedom of choice and He knows how the story ends.
There is no plan B. Jesus is the only way that humanity will be saved. And He does it through you and me. WE are plan A.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
The Most Unlikely Leader
I have decided to read the entire Bible this year. I am doing... ok... with it. I really wish it was something that I picked to do every day. Maybe over time it will. We'll see. :)
I am reading the book of Exodus right now. I am familiar with the story of Moses and Israel's slavery to the Egyptians from years of Sunday School and watching movies such as The Ten Commandments and The Prince of Egypt. But there is something different when it comes from reading the story straight from the Bible... it becomes more... it becomes alive. And God has revealed some new things to me from reading this story straight from His Word.
Moses was probably the most unlikely leader. No one would have picked him to lead Israel out of Egypt. He would have been the last kid picked during gym class. He grew up as Pharoah's grandson -- none of his own people would like him. He killed a man -- an act punishable by death. He met God on holy ground one day... and completely argued with Him. But God reassured Moses that he was made for the task. Moses leaves and meets with Pharoah commanding him to let his people go. Pharoah refuses and increases the work of the Israelites. Moses turns to God and asks why He was working against his people. In Exodus 7:3-5 God answers, "But I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and though I multiply my signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, Pharaoh will not listen to you. This I will lay my hand on Egypt and bring my hosts, my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great acts of judgment. The Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring out my people of Israel from among them." The Egyptians would not see Israel's freedom as a work of Pharaoh or even Moses, but as a work of God. Moses agreed to allow God to use him for His glory. God was revealed because Moses said yes to the work to be done.
On the surface, Moses was an unlikely leader. In the end, he was the most likely leader. Why? Because he spent time with God... he listened to God... he was real with God... he obeyed God... and he believed God.
When God calls you to something, do you believe Him or do you argue with Him? YOU really are the most likely leader.
I am reading the book of Exodus right now. I am familiar with the story of Moses and Israel's slavery to the Egyptians from years of Sunday School and watching movies such as The Ten Commandments and The Prince of Egypt. But there is something different when it comes from reading the story straight from the Bible... it becomes more... it becomes alive. And God has revealed some new things to me from reading this story straight from His Word.
Moses was probably the most unlikely leader. No one would have picked him to lead Israel out of Egypt. He would have been the last kid picked during gym class. He grew up as Pharoah's grandson -- none of his own people would like him. He killed a man -- an act punishable by death. He met God on holy ground one day... and completely argued with Him. But God reassured Moses that he was made for the task. Moses leaves and meets with Pharoah commanding him to let his people go. Pharoah refuses and increases the work of the Israelites. Moses turns to God and asks why He was working against his people. In Exodus 7:3-5 God answers, "But I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and though I multiply my signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, Pharaoh will not listen to you. This I will lay my hand on Egypt and bring my hosts, my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great acts of judgment. The Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring out my people of Israel from among them." The Egyptians would not see Israel's freedom as a work of Pharaoh or even Moses, but as a work of God. Moses agreed to allow God to use him for His glory. God was revealed because Moses said yes to the work to be done.
On the surface, Moses was an unlikely leader. In the end, he was the most likely leader. Why? Because he spent time with God... he listened to God... he was real with God... he obeyed God... and he believed God.
When God calls you to something, do you believe Him or do you argue with Him? YOU really are the most likely leader.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Happy vs. Joy
Per Webster's dictionary:
happy (adjective) -- enjoying or characterized by well-being or contentment
joy (noun) -- the emotion evoked by well-being, success or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires
Happy and joy are truly two different words. One is an adjective -- it describes something. The other is a noun -- something that you can have. Although I believe that many of us do realize that happy and joy are not the same thing, we invariably confuse the two words. A person can have joy without exhibiting happiness. However, a person may not exhibit happiness without possessing joy. True joy does not come from external, material things, but it comes from deep within.
True joy that can mark our lives comes from the relationship that we have with our heavenly Father. One of the fruits of the Spirit is joy. When we make the eternal transaction with Jesus, giving our old lives to Him in exchange for the life originally intended for us, we begin to live in the Spirit. When we live in the Spirit, we will possess the fruits of the Spirit. Living in a relationship with Jesus allows us to have a deep and abiding joy. It is not a type of joy that makes us giddy and perky, but a joy that provides us with a hope... a hope that nothing is impossible with God. We can have this joy even in the deepest moments of sorrow and when we weather the strongest storm of our lives. But it is a joy that provides us with the hope that God will see us through and that He really does catch us in the fall.
You really can examine your life and note if you truly walk with an uncircumstantial joy. Does your happiness extend from a joy that is based on a relationship with our Heavenly Father? Or does your happiness and joy come from what is happening in the moment? Living with the solid joy of hope is truly the only place you will ever want to be.
happy (adjective) -- enjoying or characterized by well-being or contentment
joy (noun) -- the emotion evoked by well-being, success or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires
Happy and joy are truly two different words. One is an adjective -- it describes something. The other is a noun -- something that you can have. Although I believe that many of us do realize that happy and joy are not the same thing, we invariably confuse the two words. A person can have joy without exhibiting happiness. However, a person may not exhibit happiness without possessing joy. True joy does not come from external, material things, but it comes from deep within.
True joy that can mark our lives comes from the relationship that we have with our heavenly Father. One of the fruits of the Spirit is joy. When we make the eternal transaction with Jesus, giving our old lives to Him in exchange for the life originally intended for us, we begin to live in the Spirit. When we live in the Spirit, we will possess the fruits of the Spirit. Living in a relationship with Jesus allows us to have a deep and abiding joy. It is not a type of joy that makes us giddy and perky, but a joy that provides us with a hope... a hope that nothing is impossible with God. We can have this joy even in the deepest moments of sorrow and when we weather the strongest storm of our lives. But it is a joy that provides us with the hope that God will see us through and that He really does catch us in the fall.
You really can examine your life and note if you truly walk with an uncircumstantial joy. Does your happiness extend from a joy that is based on a relationship with our Heavenly Father? Or does your happiness and joy come from what is happening in the moment? Living with the solid joy of hope is truly the only place you will ever want to be.
Friday, April 2, 2010
What I Know...
When I was pregnant I would ask those who had born children what labor really felt like. I had never been through labor and I really wanted to know, in detail, what to expect. The childbirth class Kevin and I were taking provided bushels of great information. However, I wanted to know what labor really felt like. How did I know that I was in labor? How did I know that the contractions were real and not just Braxton-Hicks contractions? The best response I ever received was, "You will just know." That response was not good enough. I wanted explicit details and sufficient information to back up the explanation. I was on a quest for truth and knowledge.
Recently I discovered that I have a similiar response if someone asks "How do I know that Jesus really lives in my heart?" or "How do I know if Christianity is right?" My response, "You just know. I know because of how I am not changed."
I know that I am a changed person. I know that I am different from the person I was before September 8, 2006. I know that I respond differently, the characteristics that I had before have been transformed, and even the desires that I previously had are now gone. I am more certain than ever when I hear God's voice. I am free to live as the person God designed me to be and not to live as someone who is living up to other people's expectations. I know without a doubt that God provided me with a specific gifting and skill set that I get to use to live out my calling. The meanness and bitterness that previously resided in me have been replaced with joy and compassion. Everything that changed within me had absolutely nothing to do with how hard I tried, from self-improvement plans, or just simply doing better... it all came from God and the redemption through Jesus's sacrifice on the cross. I am saved and transformed by grace. There is just simply no other way.
So, if you were to ask me, "How do I know that Jesus lives in my heart?" my response to you will be, "You will just know." Then I will tell you the story of who I was, when I personally met Jesus, and who He has transformed me to be. I will point you in the direction of other people who have been redeemed and transformed by the living grace of Jesus. And then I will ask you if you "know" that Jesus lives in your heart because it will be unmistakable if He does. He doesn't hide and He likes to do the work of transforming you into the person He made you to be.
And, if you don't see Jesus there, I will gladly help you invite Him in.
Recently I discovered that I have a similiar response if someone asks "How do I know that Jesus really lives in my heart?" or "How do I know if Christianity is right?" My response, "You just know. I know because of how I am not changed."
I know that I am a changed person. I know that I am different from the person I was before September 8, 2006. I know that I respond differently, the characteristics that I had before have been transformed, and even the desires that I previously had are now gone. I am more certain than ever when I hear God's voice. I am free to live as the person God designed me to be and not to live as someone who is living up to other people's expectations. I know without a doubt that God provided me with a specific gifting and skill set that I get to use to live out my calling. The meanness and bitterness that previously resided in me have been replaced with joy and compassion. Everything that changed within me had absolutely nothing to do with how hard I tried, from self-improvement plans, or just simply doing better... it all came from God and the redemption through Jesus's sacrifice on the cross. I am saved and transformed by grace. There is just simply no other way.
So, if you were to ask me, "How do I know that Jesus lives in my heart?" my response to you will be, "You will just know." Then I will tell you the story of who I was, when I personally met Jesus, and who He has transformed me to be. I will point you in the direction of other people who have been redeemed and transformed by the living grace of Jesus. And then I will ask you if you "know" that Jesus lives in your heart because it will be unmistakable if He does. He doesn't hide and He likes to do the work of transforming you into the person He made you to be.
And, if you don't see Jesus there, I will gladly help you invite Him in.
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