I was picked a second time for the Nice Award. Granted, it was a week ago, but it was after Paula picked me, and I've been planning to post it, but life has intervened. Today, however, I am going to take out my award and put it where I can see it.
Today is a day when I need a nice award. It is the kind of day when I need to be reminded of who I truly am, not who this flesh acts like. And really, I am nice. In fact, let me tell you some other things I am.
- I am patient.
- I am loving.
- I am kind.
- I am gentle.
- I am self-controlled.
- I am joyful.
- I am good. Got that, self. I am good. Got that, Liar. I am good.
- I am faithful.
- I am peaceful.
Sometimes I don't act those things, but those are nasty flashbacks to before I died. You didn't know I died? Sometimes I don't act like I did, but I did. I chose to die in Christ. I have been buried with Him and raised to life. I am alive in the Spirit. Everything else is dead.
Today the Liar wanted to tell me I am inadequate, which is true. I am. But he tacked on "and hopeless". That is a lie. I am not hopeless. Psalm 25:3 says, "No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame."
Let's not forget Psalm 33 that says,
"18 But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him,
on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,
19 to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.
20 We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.
21 In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.
22 May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you."
Psalm 42 says, "5 Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and 6 my God. "
Somedays situations disturb me. Some days I disturb me because I'm far more dead and sticky than I am Jesus in real life. On days like that the enemy likes to come at me with the lie that I will always be this way. He likes to tell me that there is no change and never will be. He likes to remind me that some of these nasty behaviors or attitudes have been around for the last 30 years and wants to know what makes me think they'll change. Some of what he says is true, but when he starts asking why I think there could ever be change or why I think it'll get better, I get to the bottom of it. He isn't just accusing me. He's accusing my God. He's saying the One Who bought my life and gave me life can't do anything better with that life. He's saying I've been abandoned and left for dead.
Nothing could be farther from the truth or the Truth. And I like things that remind me of the Truth. The Truth is God is in me. The Jerri I was is dead, and the Jerri God created me to be is alive and well and learning to shine more each day. The Truth is I'm really everything I want to be. I just have to have the faith to act like it, and it's really nice to be reminded.
Those wonderful folks who remind me include....
Well, I'm sticking with Tonya, Jenny, Iona, and Jan (since she says tag-backs are okay).
I am also including Paula, who deserves it so much. I look forward to having coffee with you some day, too. Then you can give me my own autographed copy of your book. :-) And you can tell me the adventure you and God had while you wrote it. I would love to hear it.
One I did not remember before because I couldn't find her link is Claire Barton, who is an amazing prophetic artist. You just need to check out her work. She is also an amazing person, and I thank the Lord He brought her into my life as my friend.
You ladies remind me of who I am because you remind me of Who is in me, and, friends, there is nothing nicer.
4 comments:
I've SO walked this journey. Hold onto those truths God has given you. You are chosen by Him for relationship and friendship and as an important person who has significance in His service. You don't have to be adequate because He is! You are all that Christ is and He is bringing it forth in you.
Jerri –
Thank you. Once again, you honor and humble me with your tribute.
I pray that the lies of the enemy will fall on deaf ears and that you only hear truth. Here are the cold hard facts:
You are a blessing:
• to your family in your dedication to homeschool
• to you spouse in keeping your home
• to Ton, Paula and I for your words of encouragement
• to those you photograph
• to all who read your encouraging blog
• to the service men and woman you write to
I learned all that in just the short time I’ve known you so I know there is much more than I’ve listed. The enemy wants to silence your encouraging words so remember that you are a mighty woman of God. None of us is perfect. Dust off your armor and boldly tell him where to get off.
You are an incredible blessing and you will continue to bless others more and more.
Thank you Jerri! I love how you choose to walk in the Truth. I used to do the same thing that you posted here. I would claim who and what I am in Christ. Thanks for the reminder, I need to do this more often. I remember when I quoted, "I am a new creature in Christ, all things have passed away and all things are becoming new," for me, it was training my mind that I truly was a new person! Talk to you soon.
Paula,
You are absolutely right. It isn't about my adequacy. It is about His, and I receive and release it through faith in Him. Somtimes, I need to be reminded. Like Peter, I see the waves, and I begin to sink. God is amazingly faithful, though, isn't He? When we begin to sink, He reaches out to us through His Word, through a prophetic word or word of wisdom, or just through the loving hands of friends. And isn't it fun when He does a combination?!
Jan, thank you. I don't know what else to say, but it is heartfelt.
Tonya, what else do we have that cannot be taken away from us other than what God says about us? Everything else will fade away, but there is one truth that will never fade. The Truth says simply, "You are valuable because I made you. I have a purpose for you, and it is good. I love you, and my heart is for you. You cannot fail because I am in you, and I have already succeeded." In time, beauty fades, abilities wane, and gifts may change. Yet, our value does not because the King of all Eternity declares it. Our value is decided by Him. It is then up to us to decide to embrace it and live it.
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