Grafted in and Grateful

Today’s post is inspired by the reading of God’s word in 2 Corinthians 3:12-18 (NIV)

With unveiled faces
We reflect The Lord’s Glory
Only those in Christ
Have the veil removed
With unveiled hearts we are transformed
The resulting likeness to Him
His followers will prove
That we are being transformed
Even when we stumble
We are being transformed
When we trip and fall
His ever increasing Glory
Covers our sin debt
Paid in full on The Cross
Paid once
For all
Since we have such great hope
Our minds are sharpened
Because we believe
We will enter His rest
Where The Spirit of The Lord is
There
Is freedom
Freedom for all those
Who choose His Best
So, do not be downhearted
Do not be afraid
The unveiled resemblance
Of His likeness is stayed
On all who believe
That Christ is our Savior
On all who believe
In the words that He said
Written in His blood
On the unveiled hearts
Of every sheep willing
To surrender and be led

* Inspired by the August 1, reading of Sarah Young’s devotional book entitled, “Jesus Always”.

FOREVER LOVED
-Marie H. Fitts

You are treasured and significant
You are forever loved
Delight in the wondrous truth
Nothing can separate you from My love

Encounter My loving presence
Sing songs of joy and be glad
Your name is written in The Lamb’s book of life
What an astonishing priviledge you have

To connect with Me each morning
Setting the tone for the rest of the day
Delight in the wondrous truth
Stay connected with me and pray

For I am The Alpha and The Omega
First and Last, Beginning and End
I am the Root and the Offspring of David Yes, I am coming again

To receive You unto Myself, forever
On that glorious day
Taking captives under My wing
Yes, I return to take you away

For You are treasured and significant
You are dearly loved
Delight in the wondrous truth
Nothing can separate You from My Love

I’m giving up my need to hurt you, for hurting me
I’m willing to pardon, to cancel the debt
To wipe the slate clean

To excuse, to overlook, make allowances for your behavior
To surrender the urge to “get even”
I offer you a waiver

I choose to let it go and abandon this position
To surrender anger and frustration
To nullify my irritation

Of feelings and emotions, bubbling just below the surface
To let them go, even though I know
What you did to me…was on purpose!

In letting go I will Not THINK or TALK about the situation
Though your behavior and your words, caused much
Resentment and frustration

Instead, I choose to open up my fist, lay down negative emotions carried,
To dig a hole and cover them up
Just like they were buried

Never to be resurrected or brought to life again, by me
Because in letting go…I am the one
Who is finally set free!

Curious toddlers
Inquisitive youths
Impulsive young adults
Actions we can’t refute

Searching for validation
We needed confirmation to legitimize
Our character, our performance, our views
Critiqued by watchful eyes

Yet, never fulfilling our own expectations
Our mental picture of
The hopes and dreams
Our heart’s foreseen

Could we ever be worthy of …His Love

But friend, this life is not yet over
Our work here is not yet done
For there are still many who don’t know Christ
The father, The Spirit, The Son

Our purpose…

To save as many souls
As we can reach while on this earth
The only reason we are here
Is to manifest Jesus birth

We must provide evidence
Stand together as proof
Showing the world
By behavior and attitude

What is clearly apparent
Obvious to our minds
Why we believe in The Lord
And all that He designed

Validation in this life only comes
Through
The blood of Jesus
Shed for everyone

We receive confirmation
Our souls will stand to the test
For we are justified through faith alone
Free from sin we will enter eternal rest

We must not be deceived by negative voices or uncontrolled thoughts that get in the way of the life whispers of Jesus telling us to stay close and do not go astray

Without a doubt we are children of the Most High God, and yes we have all the clout of His namesake, His Kingdom, and triumph over the grave. Everything He did on the cross was so that we might all be saved

From the fiery pit of hades where evil and destruction will forever reside when our Lord Jesus comes to take us home to eternity on the other side

Of this fallen world where darkness thrives turning negative wayward thoughts into actions for the evil one who strives

For our allegiance, our honor, our service to meet his evil demands in spite of heaven Satan knows the true deception behind his plan

Attacking lost souls through uncontrolled thoughts his fiery arrows are one of a kind

Piercing the heart of the wayward soul he captures attention by controlling the mind

So, we must cling to Christ and His Holy Spirit to the end. The life whisperer’s voice of rushing waters will drown out Satan’s voice once for all men

Yes, we must stay anchored to the life whisperer let His Word penetrate our soul.

Stay focused on what the life whisperer says don’t allow the deceiver a foothold

Gain God’s promised eternity with never a thing to dread. An eternity of peace and love awaits those who believe all the life whisperer says.

Inspiration for today’s post comes from the reading of God’s word in the book of
Revelation.

Revelation 3:21 (NIV)
“I will let everyone who wins the victory sit with me on my throne.”

I know I was created to love You. The desire rules from deep within. I am drawn to study Your word, gaining wisdom, time and again.

I know my soul was designed to worship You…what an indescribable gift! Nothing in this world matters. It is for You alone I exist. My heart is stayed on You, Lord; though my mind often wanders free…teach me to renew my mind, Lord; keep my thoughts focused on Thee.

I know I was crafted to need You, to depend on You day and night. Show me the way forward…unveil, Lord, the good things You have planned for my life.

I was not meant to be self sufficient. My need for You is ingrained. The life blood in me is aligned, Lord; for right standing with You to sustain…protection from loss or destruction, safety from injury, danger or harm. My faith is grounded in You, Lord; a soul on fire is never lukewarm.

Nothing is more important than You, Lord. Apart from You I am forever alone. Designed to love and adore You, all victors win a seat on Your throne.

Side tracked
Scatter brained
Unable to focus
Blurred lines remain
Seeking Your Kingdom
Thy will be done
In my life, Lord
Father, Spirit, Son
Show me the right path
Set my footing free
To follow You, Lord
Wherever You lead

You know my heart
The places where I struggle
Save me from myself, Lord
Keep me out of trouble
I tend to want vindication
When others do me wrong
But only You avenge, Lord
Getting even…is not my song
Teach me to forgive, Lord
To let go of yesterday’s trash
The feelings, emotions and actions
That bubble up like black gold from the past

Keep my mind honed on thoughts from above
Steer me through the storms of life…mooring solely on Your Love
Anchor my heart to the cross
Where You died to set me free
A greater love no man has shown
Like the “love” You’ve shown to me
I want to be worthy of the blood You shed
Long ago at Calvary
Get me out of my own way, Lord
So, You can have Thine Own Way in me

Ceaseless mind chatter
Perpetual mind games
Make it stop!
This tireless madness
Tell me, “who” is to blame
For the never-ending onslaught of
Negative thoughts that keep a soul occupied
Rolling the tape on the big screen
In the theater of your uncontrolled mind
Do you ever wonder what’s playing behind the curtain
Of auburn hair or hazel eyes
If you could envision the previews
You might be surprised to find
Every imperfect, living, breathing soul
Hears negative chatter with fervour
Scanning frequencies left and right
Sanity is tucked away in a drawer
Still the mind chatter, debris and the clutter
Interferes with faith’s radar screen
Filling the mind with disorder
On a confused multitude of things
So how do we gain back our “focus”
Align our thoughts with clarity
We must forever look to The Light
Through lenses of Jesus Christ’s purity
Sin creates the delusion
Fradulent darkness surrounds the mind’s eye
Mindful clutter intended to deceive
Its effect is unproductive… futile
Thus
Most chatter is negative and misleading
Inaccurate, distorted and untrue
Causing confusion, these misguided perceptions
Are adept at concealing the truth
We must remember, when thoughts seem scattered
Lacking orderly, organized, continuity
We must light up the cluttered darkness
With God’s truth…His truth will set your mind at ease
So do not listen to condemning voices
Speaking the guilt of yesterday’s past
Weary sinner
Lift your head
Live your faith
Unabashed!

Torn and tattered
Taped and tear-stained
Scripted margins
Bolded refrains

Highlighted and underscored
Yellow headings …Verses pink
Emphasized to remember
His words sink in deep

His commands flood the soul
Engulf the spirit within
Hold fast to His precious words
Read them over and over again

Know them well enough to recall the book… the chapter… the verse
Be enveloped
Completely swallowed up
Absorbed, submerged, immersed

In The Living Word
Written on every page
Words to which the redeemed heart clings
Words the saved soul will engage

In purposeful undertakings
Earnest and conscientious activities
The boldness to accomplish… so simple
Yet some will never perceive

That Faith…

Blind faith
Justification by faith… is all you need
Faith like a child, secure without question
Simple Faith… trusted belief

In everything He said
All He did at Calvary
Shedding His blood for all
If we would only believe

Keeping a heart that is open and willing
To breathe in the Savior’s love
Trusting in the promise of His Grace
His death and mercy… made us worthy of

So if you feel torn and tattered
Worn out like The Old Rugged Cross
Immerse yourself in the pages of His Word
Turning there….you will never be lost

Like sands through the hour-glass
Time with You slips through my fingers
I long to be near You
In this very moment
Learning Your truths
Memorizing Your face
Yet the responsibilities of the day beckon

“You’d better leave now…you’re going to be late!”

But the Spirit living in me desires nothing more
Than to sit quietly at Your feet
Adoring these priceless opportunities
Longing for more precious moments
In a room with no clock
In a world with only light
In the space to be fully immersed in Your love
In the quiet calm of serenity
Breathing in Your righteousness
My heart aches to know what You would say to me
If only I could stay here
In this very moment…