Embrace the Within no. 108

'The people that walked in darkenes haue seene a great light: they that dwelled in the land of the shadowe of death, vpon them hath the light shined. '

Isaiah 9:2 GNV

Recently I have seen quite a few folks sharing a post about how life altering this past year has been for them and how they are going to cry really hard on New Year’s Day. The post is below.

“i’m gone cry real hard on new years because this was a very life changing year for me. i was literally hurting all year and i wanted to give up so many times and didn’t. things happened to me that shouldn’t have. i’m so ready for a new year & new blessings . 2023 is my year ”

These folks are setting themselves up for failure in 2023 because they are focused on themselves for blessings and not the Lord. You can literally see the me-centered language of the world. The post is all about what I did and not about what God did.

There is a darkness throughout the land BUT there is also a great light out there to show folks the way. And the way is not through the self. The self leads to the way of the world which leads to sin and death. For the grace of God, I was once down that road myself BUT He rescued me from all that.

Instead of crying real hard on New Year’s Day, let’s cry really hard today and accept Christ as Lord and Savior of our lives. The moment I let God take control of my life is the first New Day of a New Year and a New Life. And the great thing about that opportunity to follow the Lord is that it can happen any time, any day, any moment. I just have to give Him control.

Our lives are full of hurt and pain. We can all have thoughts about giving up. We can all feel that what happens to us is unfair. We can blame everyone for life’s obstacles. Or we can trust in the Lord to see us through and truly bless our lives.

The great things about thoughts that appear in my mind is the ability to select what thoughts I allow to reside and what thoughts I choose to vanquish. A lot of that has to do with the mindset of my life. It is easy to get into a victim mindset about the way the world is. It is easy to see this relationship as negative. It is easy to blame the world and even God for where we are today.

'For ye were once darkenesse, but are nowe light in the Lord: walke as children of light, (For the fruit of the Spirit is in al goodnes, and righteousnes, and trueth) And haue no fellowship with ye vnfruitfull works of darknes, but euen reproue them rather. Approuing that which is pleasing to the Lord. '

Ephesians 5:8-11 GNV

BUT, I know that God offers light in the darkness. He offers me blessing and grace. He offers me abundance and joy. He offers the fruits of the Spirit. He offers a chance to live a life with Him in glory eternally.

All I have to do is stop focusing on me and my situation. I need to turn control over to God.

Grace and Shalom this week. Shalom to your home. Bless your being. The reign of the Lord is now. Be a blessing to the Lord and others.

#ThinkBetter #BeBetter #NoGodsNoMasters #NoKingButChrist #EmbraceTheWithin #NotMyWayYHWH

Embrace the Within no. 107

"Empathy is your pain in my heart."

Halford E. Luccock

Father,

There is so much for which to be thankful. And for all those things for which I am thankful, You deserve the glory. You allow this great creation to exist. You create a path through the way of the world to salvation through the life, death, and resurrection of Christ. You have known me from the beginning. You know my walk this side of eternity and my walk beyond. I am thankful for the daily walk of sanctification that allows me to grow closer to You.

I embrace being an ambassador for your Kingdom. Let me walk as a better ambassador for Your Kingdom this week than the week before. Help me walk in the Way of the Lord better each day. I give You the authority to lead with Your Way and Truth and not my way each day.

I pray for those that are struggling with physical, mental, and spiritual suffering. Specifically I pray for those ministering to our youth that they may find rest and reassurance in Your work. I pray for reconciliation between family and friends this holiday season that through Your grace and peace problems will disappear and love will overcome anger and confusion. I pray for revival among Your followers to be lights within the darkness of this world during this Advent season.

Help all find Your reassuring Spirit. Bring all peace and comfort. I pray that Your grace and forgiveness fall upon all of as we work out Your Truth.

I pray for those uncertain of the future. Those that are worrying about the situations and obstacles created in the way of the world. Help them to see that there is a Way that You provide through this broken and fallen world of humans. Give them the peace and joy that comes from Your Grace.

Forgive me for my failures. As I work out Your path this side of eternity, I am not perfect. I am working each day to become a better ambassador of Your Kingdom BUT I don’t have it all worked out. I stumble, I fail, and I fall BUT You keep allowing me time to work out sanctification through grace and peace. And I am thankful for that patience. That even though I fail You quite often, You do not stop working on making me better.

Allow me to forgive both myself and others for failing. Often I set unrealistic expectations for myself and the lives of others. We are only saved by Your grace and I can only work within the limitations of my understanding. Allow me the Wisdom and Truth to walk more in Your Way.

Thank you, Father.

Amen

Grace and Shalom this Sabbath. Shalom to your home. Bless your being. The reign of the Lord is now. Be a blessing to the Lord and others.

#ThinkBetter #BeBetter #NoGodsNoMasters #NoKingButChrist #EmbraceTheWithin #NotMyWayYHWH