Adjustments

When I am growing in the things of God or just growing in my personal life I find it very uncomfortable. The truth is I don't like change. I like things to stay the same. For instance, my house was remodeled a couple of years ago. During the renovations I was complaining the entire time. I was complaining because (1) I didn't think renovations were needed. I thought the house was fine the way it was, (2) I didn’t know renovations were going to take place until the last minute, so I felt unprepared, and (3) I didn't know what the end result was going to be. However, with all of these thoughts running through my mind I had to get comfortable with the fact that change was taking place. Now, the house is complete and it is breathtaking. It was worth the adjustment that I had to make for the short amount of time it took to remodel.

Having this experience helped me realize that the change God places in my
life happens for my benefit. It helps me to become a better person. Even, if I
don't understand what God is doing from the start I have to trust and believe
that He won't lead me in the wrong direction. Being able to trust and believe
God develops with maturity. I have to be mature even when things don't
necessarily go my way. I also have to be open and understanding for God to make
the changes and get the end result.

God Bless,

CG
Twitter @CMGlover05

Scripture:

11. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Jeremiah 29:11 (KJV)

Inside Out

I often wonder what God was thinking when He created man. I say this because when something is being created it takes time to see the finished product.  In the word in Psalm 139:13-16 (Amplified Version) it states, 13. For You did form my inward parts; You did knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well (KJV). 15. My frame was not hidden from You when I was being formed in secret [and] intricately and curiously wrought  [as if embroidered with various colors] in the depths of the earth [a region of darkness and mystery]. 16. Your eyes saw my unformed substance, and in Your  book  all the days[of my life] were written before ever they took shape, when as yet there was none of them (Amplified Version). I looked up the word knit in the dictionary to get an understanding of what that word means. This is what I found.

knit (nt)

v. knit or knit·ted, knit·ting, knits

v.tr.

1. To make (a fabric or garment) by intertwining yarn or thread in a series of connected loops either by hand, with knitting needles, or on a machine.

2. To form (yarn or thread) into fabric by intertwining.

3. To join closely; unite securely.

When I think of someone knitting a garment they have to carefully stitch each section together. If they mess up and get knots or lumps in the section, then they have to do the section over again. Therefore, when I think about God knitting us together; In my mind it means He took His time making sure that every limb, every strand of hair, and every piece of our body was stitched together with tender loving care.   We read earlier that we were fearfully and wonderfully made. That means in God’s eyes we are His masterpiece’s because we were made in His image and likeness (Genesis 1:26 & 27). 

Before reading this scripture I had low self-esteem. I didn’t like my appearance.  But, after walking with God and getting delivered from a few things; I thought this issue was resolved. Unfortunately, I was mistaken. I suppressed it, but didn’t really deal with it. Therefore, it resurfaced in a different way. I am no longer insecure in the way that I look, but I was insecure in the way that people accepted me. I was always seeking approval from others. 

Now, I am in the process of getting totally delivered from this issue. I am getting healing through cd’s, books, and reading God’s word. However, I am mostly getting healing from understanding and realizing how much God loves me. As long as I have been “saved” and a Christian I thought that I knew God. But, I knew God like I know a friend. I didn’t know God in the “Yada” sense of the word. Yada is the Hebrew word for know. It means to know someone intimately. I didn’t have an intimate relationship with God. I knew what His word said, but I really didn’t let the word transform my heart and change my life. Since I have decided to be an active participant in my growth process, I am starting to see my relationship with God form and change for the better.

It is wonderful if you look great on the outside, but if your spirit man is desolate; then you won’t become all that God is calling you to be. Become an active participant with God and let Him change you from the inside out. He is an awesome Father!

God Bless,

CG
Twitter @CMGlover05

Scriptures:

  

But now, O Lord, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.

Isaiah 64:8 (KJV)

²⁶ God said, Let Us [Father, Son, and Holy Spirit] make mankind in Our image, after Our likeness, and let them have complete authority over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the [tame] beasts, and over all of the earth, and over everything that creeps upon the earth.^(D)

²⁷ So God created man in His own image, in the image and likeness of God He created him; male and female He created them.^(E)

Genesis 1: 26&27 (Amplified Version)

  

Trusting in Yourself...

Trusting in yourself can get you emotionally distraught, physically hurt, or even cause detriment to your life. I learned this by taking a trip to the doctor’s office. In 2009, I went to the doctor for a check-up. Since I was born with a heart murmur my physician said, “Let’s check your heart to see how it looks”. I said, “Okay” because I knew that my heart would look fine. After checking my heart she referred me to see a cardiologist to get a second opinion on what she saw. The cardiologist confirmed that they saw the same thing. Then, I received the most shocking news of my life! My physician told me that I needed to get heart surgery at the age of 27!

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I told her that I wanted a third opinion. But, she said “I am not referring you to another cardiologist!”  “You need to make the appointment to have the surgery as soon as possible!” However, I didn’t make the appointment. I took matters into my own hands and searched for another doctor that would see me without a referral. That didn’t go so well. So, I finally started praying and asking God to heal me. I decided to believe that the Lord would heal me without the surgery. But, I wasn’t at peace with that decision.

After I did all that I knew to do I finally went to get counsel from my pastor. I told him everything that I was dealing with and I decided that the Lord could heal me without the surgery. He asked me if that is how the Lord said that He would heal me.  I said, “No”. So, my pastor asked me what I believed the Lord could do for me through the surgery. I said, “If I get the surgery, then I believe for a healthy heart and a speedy recovery.” We prayed and agreed on that request.

After my surgery I received what I prayed for. I had a healthy heart and I was up and walking around earlier than expected. God is so awesome! I am so glad that my pastor had the wisdom to ask me did the Lord say that He was going to heal me without surgery.  That was a turning point for me. It meant that I had to settle everything that was in my mind, quiet my emotions, and face my fears. I had to answer that question honestly and say no. If I trusted in myself and didn’t have the surgery, God only knows where I would be today. I am so grateful that I received counsel and trusted in the Lord, because He truly knows what is best for me! Thank you God for your grace, favor, and mercy upon my life. ~Trust in the Lord!

God Bless,

CG
Twitter @CMGlover05

~Dedicated to Pastor Wm. Di'Mon Brown & First Lady, Angela Brown

Scriptures:

⁵ Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
⁶ In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Proverbs 3:5&6 (KJV)

¹⁵ The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who listens to counsel is wise.^(C)

^{Proverbs 12:15 (Amplified Version)}

¹⁴ Where no wise guidance is, the people fall, but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.

Proverbs 11:14 (Amplified Version)

⁹ A man’s mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure.^(D)

^{Proverbs 16:9 (Amplified Version)}

²⁰ For where two or three are gathered together in my name,there am I in the midst of them.

Matthew 18:20 (KJV)