He Owns My Heart

“Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person. The past is forgotten, and everything is new. God has done it all! He sent Christ to make peace between himself and us” (2 Corinthians 5:17-18a, CEV).

I no longer own who I am. I have been purchased by my Lord's sacrificial love for me. His sacrifice for my sins has been accomplished, but that sacrifice only becomes real for me when I accept His gift into my heart. Then His forgiveness is absolutely real. The old “me” that has lived in sin, or dealt with fear, or been hurt, or been told that I will never be good enough... is gone. He has set me free with His love. I am forgiven. I am a new person because of His love for me. 

It is in my daily surrender to Him that I discover again and again the amazing wonder of my loving God. When I allow Him to be Lord of my life, I discover an intimacy so deep that nothing compares. It is in my letting go of all that I am, I discover who He is in me.

In “The Practice of the Presence of God”, Brother Lawrence, a 17^th century Carmelite monk, wrote, “I regard myself as the most wretched of all men, stinking and covered with sores, and as one who has committed all sorts of crimes against his King. Overcome by remorse, I confess all my wickedness to Him, ask His pardon and abandon myself entirely to Him to do with as He will. But this King, filled with goodness and mercy, far from chastising me, lovingly embraces me, makes me eat at His table, serves me with His own hands, gives me the keys of His treasures and treats me as His favorite. He talks with me and is delighted with me in a thousand and one ways; He forgives me and relieves me of my principle bad habits without talking about them; I beg Him to make me according to His heart and always the more weak and despicable I see myself to be, the more beloved I am of God.” 

I will “practice” His presence everyday of my life. He is my loving Master, who gave all so that I might be free from all the sin and pain that has defined my life. He sees me, as Brother Lawrence, writes, through the eyes of grace. He is my “Adonai”, the Lord who owns my heart.

Ask Believing

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God" (Philippians 4:6, NIV).

You don't have to beg God. Ask Him believing He will supply all that is needed. Trust His love for you. Trust His faithfulness to you. Bring to Him your needs knowing that to lay them on the altar means immediate help in your time of need (Hebrews 4:16). His desire is to supply what you need, but you must ask, believing that He will supply what is best for you. Faith is the key that unlocks the door, but faith is only found in daily intimate contact with Him.

"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him" (1 John 5:14-15, NIV). Seek God daily. Draw near to Him, and He draws near to you. He hears your heart. Your confidence in His abiding love and faithfulness will blossom. As you grow closer to Him the desires of your heart will become His desires. What you ask will be heard, and He will answer with His best. And then “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7, NIV).

Nothing is Impossible

"Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”(Matthew 17:20).

Do you sometimes feel limited in what you can do in your Christian life? There are times I feel limited, but this is just a lie. There is no limit to what I can accomplish. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13). If God has called me to do something, He will supply the strength that I need. He faithfully empowers those He calls (1 Thessalonians 5:24). I will never give up because something seems beyond my power to accomplish. In my weakness, I shall realize His strength and power that moves mountains.

What has the Holy Spirit called you to do that seems beyond your capability? In your mind, it may be. But the Lord always sees your potential. There is power in what you consider weakness in your life. Your weakness is just an area that calls to be surrendered to Him so that His power and glory may be exemplified in you. Consider the weakness of what you might think is your small faith. When that small seed of faith is surrendered to the Lord, you can tell your mountain to move. Nothing is impossible.

Pansies bring color and beauty to the coldness of a winter morning. Sometimes, when it is freezing, they are shriveled and withdrawn, and their beauty is hidden by the cold air pressing upon them. As warm water is poured upon them, they open to the winter morning and stand strong and beautiful in the frigid air. I, like a pansy may be weary and shriveled from circumstances which surround me. But if I surrender to the warm power of His Spirit, and not to my pressing circumstances, He pours himself into my life. There is no task that He has called me to do that I can't accomplish.

I know then that in Him all things are possible.

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Perfect Peace-Not a Myth

“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you” Isaiah 26:3, NLT)!

Perfect peace is not a myth. It is not a dream or something that is just beyond reach. It is an absolute truth, and thoroughly attainable in the midst of any situation. Instead of drowning in fear, I can rest in His peace. Peace is born of trust in God, and is discovered when my mind is trained to focus only on the truth of His Word─His faithfulness, His power, His promise, and His will. He carries me through and often above the worst circumstance or pain. I don't have to be anxious about anything when I give all my fear to God (Philippians 4:6). If I dwell only on my circumstance, I don't allow God to handle what I can't handle. I try to control what I am unable to control, and fear consumes me. Instead of dwelling on my circumstance or my pain, I can train my mind to think on His truth that I can do all things with His strength (Philippians 4:13). If I trust the Lord and give Him all the fear that consumes my mind, I can receive His peace. My human mind can't comprehend this supernatural peace. I can't reason His peace. It just comes when my mind dwells on His Word, and His absolute unchanging faithfulness to me (Philippians 4:7-8). Trust blossoms as I lay more and more on His altar in my times of need (Hebrews 4:16). As I train my mind to dwell on Him, I capture thoughts that destroy trust, and pull down strongholds which fear has wrought. (2 Corinthians 10:4-5). I reach a place of trust where nothing can destroy the peace that He has brought. My faith rests on the firm foundation of His Word, and my mind remains constantly and completely fixed upon Him. 


His perfect peace is absolutely real. It is that place where the thoughts of my mind are made new by His Spirit (Ephesians 4:23), and where I receive His perfectly sufficient grace over and over again.

Completed by Perseverance

“Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance! Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:3-4, NIV).


Do we realize that the testing of our faith develops perseverance....that if we allow perseverance to work in our life we will be complete in our faith and not lack anything in hard times? This is a riveting image. There is a work going on inside each believer, and it can only be completed through commitment and determination and perseverance. Spiritual growth discovered through perseverance has the power to create a joy that nothing can shake. When we have fought to learn His lesson and we have won, there is no joy like the joy of victory.


The Lord’s perfect will is for faith to spring up in the midst of suffering. It is our decision whether the lesson is learned. Trials and suffering should inspire spiritual growth. “These have come,” Peters imparts, “so that your faith–of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire–may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed” (I Peter 1:7, NIV). The testing of our faith during hardship is meant to create the ability to persevere. It is our decision whether we allow His refining fire to purify and strengthen our life.


“No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face,” Paul writes. “All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he’ll never let you be pushed past your limit; he’ll always be there to help you come through it” (1 Corinthians 10:13, MSG). God knows our limit and will never give us more than we can handle. His grace is more than sufficient, and He will provide the strength to stand. Satan attempts to bring out our worst in the storm, but God always seeks to bring out our best. We can either be adrift in fear, or we can allow God to anchor us in faith. 


“We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope” (Romans 5:3-4). The purpose of hardship in life is to create the ability to persevere. Perseverance reveals the moral fiber in good character. Character promises hope. Hope doesn’t disappoint, but fuels our faith. We rejoice in the fact that we grow in faith and spiritual maturity. Faith is being sure of what I hope for and certain of what I cannot see (Hebrews 11:1). We press on through the hardship of life in order to believe in that we can’t touch or see. 


“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in (or wait upon in KJV)) the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:28-31, NIV). In these verses God is shown as one whose wisdom is greater than ours, and who is incapable of failure. He becomes not only the God of power revealed through His creation, but also the God of power given to His creation. The Creator imparts to us His strength to stand, be strong, and wait upon Him. We can soar above the trials of life. We can run and not be weary. All that we must do is allow perseverance to complete its work so that we will be completely mature. With His power alive in us because we have endured, we will not lack anything (James 1:4).

Rejoicing in the Rain

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus . Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you ” (Philippians 4:4-9, NIV). 


Life is not about waiting for the storms of life to end. There will always be storms. Life is about learning to rejoice in the rain. It is about bringing the Lord a sacrifice of praise (Hebrews 13:15) no matter what storm rages in your life. You can't wait the storms of life out. You must launch into the fury in faith trusting the Lord to help you handle each one with grace. Jesus Christ is the very best truth for your life! He is a solid and strong foundation on which to stand. His truth is not lessened by trials and suffering. If you practice what is right, continually dwell on what is good, and trust the Lord, you will discover God's promise of peace and joy in the midst of any storm.


Do you rejoice in His faithfulness or does worry anchor your mind in fear? If God is with you, why should you be afraid? This Scripture from Philippians imparts the truth that if you give Him your storm to handle, you can have His peace of mind and heart. You can't live in peace and be consumed with worry at the same time. Anxiety and worry will destroy peace of heart and mind. God, however, assures those who have made Him Lord, that He is constantly with them as they face the raging storms of life. If you know Him, and serve Him, and live for Him, you have His constant care, and faithful promise to carry you through to the end, or either intervene when the way is too rough (1 Corinthians 10:13).


Always rejoice in Him. Let His forbearing and gentle spirit be evident in your life. This is His power revealed in your commitment of heart. Give Him your fear with thankfulness that He will handle what you are unable to handle. Dwell on what is good and worthy and noble, and put these into practice. The Lord God of peace will continually be with you. You will face any storm rejoicing in the rain.

A Life-Giving Perfume

"The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it" (1 Thessalonians 5:24, NIV).


People don't just need to hear about who Christ is in my life. They need to see Him alive in me. They don't need to just hear about His forgiveness, but they need to realize it in me. They don't just need to hear about His power, but they need to experience it through me. They don't just need to hear about His peace, but they need to see my calm reassuring faith in Him, no matter what the circumstances. They don't just need to hear about His joy, but they need to see His joy spring up from depths of faith in my life. They don't just need to hear of His love, but they need to feel His love in me.


If I love Him and live a surrendered life, people will see Him in me. They may accept or reject Him, but they will have experienced His love and witnessed His power. “Our lives,” Paul declares, “are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume” (2 Corinthians 2:15-16a, NIV). If I am His vessel, He does the work and brings all His power to bear to bring each life to Him. All I must do is be faithful to Jesus Christ who has called me to live His love. I pray to be a life-giving perfume, but it is not my place to save. It is my place to live the change He has wrought in my life.

My Masterpiece

“Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith” (Hebrews 12:1b-2a, NIV).

Always fulfill the calling that you are given, my child, and leave the results to me. The work that I have given you has been designed for you. When you carry it out faithfully and obediently, the result will be what I planned. Listen to my voice, and follow my guidance. Even those who are wise do not completely understand the purpose that I have designed for you. Often they have enough trouble understanding and following their own. The masterpiece that I have designed for your life is made for you alone, and you are the artist to complete it.

I know who you are, my child. I know you intimately–your heart–your character–your capability–your greatest potential. When I direct you to do something, it is done with full knowledge of just who you are. Do not allow hardship and circumstance to pull you from your course. They only have the ability to refine you for greater purpose. When you follow me and give me your best, the result is glorious and rewarding beyond anything you can imagine.

Move forward in faith and follow my path. Be strengthened by my power. Keep your eyes on me. Run your race with perseverance. I started this faith and this work in you. If you continually surrender your heart and your will to me, I shall perfect my will in you. You are my artist, and I have birthed my masterpiece in you. Open up your heart; listen to me, and obey me. Allow me to complete my masterpiece.

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Stay the Course

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised” (Hebrews 10:23;35-36. NIV). 

 

Has the Lord made you a promise in your heart? Hold on to it without wavering, but never let that promise become the object of all your energy and love. Love your Savior above all else, and always desire Him more than any promise. Confidently believe in the Savior who loved you enough to lay down his life for you. He who has promised gave all for you. He is faithful to you. Don't give up. Believe. Stay the course. Persevere and keep doing the will of God. Live your life for Him, and keep loving Him no matter what the battle in your mind tries to impart to your heart. Once you have loved Him above all else and obeyed His will–once you have held unswervingly to His course–once you have lived a righteous life trusting in your faithful God–you will receive His promise at the perfect time. He will never fail you, and He will certainly never forsake you (Hebrews 13:8). 

 

“Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore, I have set my face like a stone, determined to do his will. And I know that I will not be put to shame” (Isaiah 50:7, NLT). “God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful” (1 Thessalonians 5:24, NLT).

My Essence at Rest in Him

“I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” Mark 9:24b

“Lord, I believe, but help me overcome my inability to believe!” This the cry of the heart of His child who longs for more faith. These words reveal areas where I lack faith, but they also reveal how my faith has grown. Sounds like a paradox, doesn't it? "I do believe, Lord, yet I need more faith to believe." As I grow closer to Him, I know Him more, and experience His power in my life. But at the same time I am more conscious of the times when I fall short of complete trust in Him. This is the soul's growth. There is increased ability to believe, and then comes a plea for greater faith. It is a cry to overcome all my unbelief. It is a cry for complete and perfect trust in Him. My heart's cry is heard, and He answers my prayer with more faith. He also reveals where I still lack in faith, and imparts the power to walk the path that leads, step by step, upwards and closer to Him.

Trusting Him completely is my gift to Jesus for all He has done for me. I have a friend who says trust is that perfect place of rest that comes from knowing He takes care of all the concerns of her heart. He has all things covered because that is what He promises in His Word. Another friend says that perfect trust comes when the “essence” of all He is rests in Jesus. Christ's perfect love casts out all fear, and then perfect trust rises from the heart. Our human minds cannot analyze the depth of such love, but our hearts can receive it. The Lord speaks to our hearts and minds to be still and know He is God (Psalm 46:10)–to focus on Him (Isaiah 26:3). When I allow all the “essence”of who I am to rest in Jesus Christ, perfect trust will blossom.

If you are struggling to trust Him more today, decide to trust Him more. Make “help my unbelief” the cry of your heart. Make a conscious decision, and bring your thoughts captive to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). You can never reason trust. Your mind can never grasp it. It will never happen. Perfect love is birthed by faith in Jesus Christ, and that is where perfect trust will take root. Allow the essence of all you are to be at rest in the essence of all He is. You will be renewed in the spirit of your mind (Ephesians 4:23), and perfect trust will flourish.