Let Go and Let God

When things get a little difficult for us, whether it be financially or in other areas of our life, God is teaching us a new level of dependence on Him. I find that when I am confronted with some difficult situations and take them before God, there are three things that God usually says to me, and that is to..."Fret Not", "Fear Not" or He just simply answers by saying, "Trust Me!"

I was fretting and fearing over something the past few days but when I finally stopped fretting about it and actually accepted the fact that there was nothing more I could do about the situation, because I had done all I knew to do then it happened! What I needed was manifested the very moment that I LET GO and LET GOD! I believe that we can sometimes "tie the hands of God" by not giving it to Him to take care of.

God always will meet us through our "waiting" in ways beyond those we can ask for or imagine. Sometimes in the bleakest moments, His intervention manifests itself...whether it be receiving the perfect job, a physical healing, a necessary fund, etc...then the wait is finally over. Other times He does the miracle IN US.

Why do we doubt Him, why do we fret, and why do we fear, when we know He always comes through for us, IF we only let Him? If you are in that place today fretting about something or fearing that something is not going to go right or get fixed, begin to truly TRUST GOD by accepting the fact that you've done all you know to do...now LET GO and LET GOD!

Connie J. Schmoll

If you are viewing this from email, please visit http://waitingatthewindow.blogspot.com to listen to the video by Francesco Battistelli, titled "I'm Letting Go!"

I Bear The Marks

There are times in our life where we can suffer many hurts and disappointments that leave permanent scars, but I have found that those scars or marks identify who(se) we are. This devotional, I Bear The Marks, tells about that.

I Bear The Marks

Galatians 6:17 From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.


John 20:19-20
(19)Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. (20) And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.

Throughout our lives, we all have accidents that cause injuries. These injuries, whether it be a knee scrape caused from a fall or an injury from a car accident, they all leave marks or scars on our bodies. Each mark or scar tells a story.

When Jesus Christ was crucified, buried and resurrected, he could have been resurrected with no marks, but he chose to have those marks remain in his resurrected body. His body was not resurrected as a perfect unblemished body, but there were scars upon it to mar and mark where man's cruel hands had induced death - inflicting wounds.

Do you ever wonder why Jesus chose to have the scars remain? As you can see in the verse above: John 20:19-20, the scars that remained on Jesus' body identified who He was, and what He was: the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

Isaiah 53:5 says, He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with his stripes we are healed.

When Jesus came forth from the tomb of death, He came forth victorious. Yet, He came forth marked. What at first appeared to be the greatest defeat became the greatest victory!

There may be times in our life when all appears dark with the bitter taste of death and defeat, and life's problems seem to have gained a victory over us. Just as Mary Magdalene stooped down, weeping, and gazed into the cave that entombed the dead and lifeless body of her Lord, so it is with us at times. In our discouragement and despair, we stoop down before a tomb, gazing intently into it, never removing our eyes from our problems long enough to see the victory standing just behind us. People will even judge us many times for our behavior because they, too, do not see what's happening OR coming.

As Mary continued to weep at the entrance of Jesus tomb, new hope slipped up behind her. It came in the form of her resurrected, but marked, Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In her preoccupation with her despair and hopelessness, she did not recognize her Lord. It wasn't until she heard His voice call her name, then she realized who was standing behind her. In order to receive what was standing behind her, she had to first turn away from that tomb of despair and hopelessness.

So it is with us. We have to turn our back on our problems and situations in our life and quit letting them rob us of our joy and faith. Once we turn to the voice calling our name, we come face to face with hope. There we fall at the feet of Jesus and worship our way to victory.

Mary Magdalene was often found at the feet of Jesus. It is when we are at His feet, that we are victorious! Yet, just as Jesus himself, remained marked and marred by the memory and the existence of the wounds that had been inflicted upon him, so it is with us. Often times, we remain marred and marked by the wounds that life and problems have left upon us. These wounds are not always viewed as something negative, nor are they expected to not remain. Jesus' wounds identified Him. Our wounds identify us.

Apostle Paul said in Galatians 6:17 ~~ from henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.

Sometimes our wounds will make others uncomfortable. So uncomfortable, they tend to judge. They may even feel that if we have been healed of past sins or have truly forgiven others for the wounds they have placed on us, that no sign of those wounds should ever remain. When signs of wounds do remain upon those who have been hurt, others may become offended. You are never left unscathed or unmarked by a wound or injury inflicted upon you by someone. But, instead of focusing on those wounds, focus upon the One who is able to take the sting of those wounds from us. Turn away from your painful preoccupation with your hurts and wounds, and see the wounds in the body of our resurrected Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is the only One who can give it, for others only see your behavior, but it is Jesus who sees the heart. Come and worship at His feet, and find new hope, joy, peace and healing!

Connie J. Schmoll

Naturally Holy

You know, some things that happen in our life is JUST LIFE, but sin can also be the cause of tragedies.  Even though when we (Christians) sin, it does not take us "out of Christ", it can open up doors for the devil to cause a lot of havoc and turmoil, thus the very reason why we should do our best NOT to sin.  We were saved by grace through faith, but grace is not an excuse to sin.  I really like Andrew Wommack's Article today that I received in my daily devotion so I wanted to take the time to share it with you on my site.  

NATURALLY HOLY
By Andrew Wommack

John 5:14, "Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee."

JOHN 5:1-15
In saying this, Jesus shows that sin causes the tragedies that come into our lives. The reason for holiness in the life of the believer is that when we obey sin, we yield ourselves to Satan, the author of that sin. Yielding to sin is yielding to a person - Satan. God doesn't impute the sin to us but the devil does. Our actions either release the power of Satan or the power of God in us.

Although God is not imputing our sins unto us, we cannot afford the luxury of sin because it allows Satan to have access to us. When a Christian sins and allows the devil opportunity to produce his death in their life, the way to stop it is to confess the sin, and God who is faithful and just, will take the forgiveness that is already present in our born again spirit and release it in our flesh. This removes Satan and his strongholds.

The sins of a Christian don't make him a sinner any more than the righteous acts of a sinner make him righteous. Sin is a very deadly thing that even Christians should avoid at all costs, but it does not determine our standing with the Lord. A person who is born again is not "in" the flesh even though he may walk "after" the flesh.

What is the motive for living a separated life? We live a separated life because our nature has been changed. We were darkness, now we are light (Eph. 5:8). Many people argue for holiness in order to obtain relationship with God. We need to live holy lives because of the relationship that we already have. It's the nature of a Christian to walk in the light and not in darkness. If Christians were rightly informed of who they are and what they have in Christ, holiness would just naturally flow out of them. It's their nature. It's our nature.

The Secret Place

We all have moments where we feel a great need to share something with someone because it seems to help when we are able to vent our feelings to “get it off our chest”. But then later, we regret doing so. Such hurt and disappointment comes from friends because of a broken trust. Such betrayal! I longed so much for a place of secrecy to go and share all my deep secrets, my thoughts and dreams, my hurts and frustrations. I just needed someone who would understand! This was when God taught me about the importance of prayer and how THE SECRET PLACE is needed in my life.

THE SECRET PLACE

"He that dwelleth in the Secret Place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty." Psalm 91:1


I remember when the Lord first started working in my life, drawing me to that life I was to have in Him. A friend began writing to me and telling me how the Lord had changed her life. I had not seen this friend for a long time but in her letters she wrote things that ministered to me, like she knew what had been happening in my life. I was so puzzled at how this could be. A neighbor friend began explaining to me about prayer and how we could talk to God and He could talk to us. This was so amazing to me and things began to make more sense concerning these letters that my friend had written to me. God kept speaking my name to her each time she got down to pray and she knew that she was to contact me. The anointed letters were just the beginning of God’s way in reaching me.

When my walk with the Lord began after I gave my life to Him, I was so hungry to learn more about this new relationship that was developing between us.  I was so touched to learn that God, who was so much bigger than I could imagine, actually cared about me even before I knew anything about Him. And as I walk with Him, He teaches me many lessons by the things I go through in my life.

Many of us today struggle in the dark times of our lives, when trials come our way. We don’t realize that these times can be the most profitable for us as pertaining to our walk with God. During these times we are drawn to that SECRET PLACE with Him. We enter into His Presence where we find safety, assurance, intimacy and privacy. This personal devotional time spent with the Lord is very important.

It took many times of disappointment, hurts and betrayals in my life before I learned that there was only one place I could go and share my deep secrets, my thoughts, my dreams, my hurts and frustrations in confidence and actually get them all taken care of. “Getting things off our chest” is what God’s Word refers to as “casting our cares upon Him”.

We think we need a “person” to talk to at times which is okay because God does use people to give us encouragement in different ways. But we need to understand that it is God that knows us intimately and knows exactly what we need for our present situation. Be sure that when you do go to a friend, you are being directed by God to do so. Go before God together asking Him for comfort, direction, encouragement or whatever the need may be.

During the times when we really feel a need to share, and need answers to a situation, remember that in that SECRET PLACE in God we will receive treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, because He knows us intimately. (Isaiah 45:3) Jesus tells us that when we pray, to enter into our closet, shut the door, pray to the Father in secret, and we shall be rewarded openly. (Matthew 6:6) That SECRET PLACE is where a closer relationship is being developed with the Lord. We are able to share our heart safely with the One who completely understands and who gives us the assurance that nothing will ever be repeated.

Go to God about everything because no matter what we go through in life, Jesus Will Still Be There! Enter into that SECRET PLACE.


PRAY THE WORD:

Father, thank you for that secret place where I can go and share my heart safely and in secrecy. Your Word tells me that anxiety or worry in a person’s heart weighs it down but an encouraging word makes it glad. I no longer worry about anything because I have you to bring everything to by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving. For then I know that Your peace that surpasses all understanding will guard my heart and mind through Christ Jesus. I will think on things that are true and noble, just and pure, lovely and of good report. I humble myself under Your mighty hand today that I may be lifted up by You in due time, as I cast all my worries on you because I know you care for me.  And I know that no matter what I go through, You will always be there!  In Jesus Name, Amen.


SCRIPTURES:

Read and Memorize Proverbs 12:25; Philippians 4:6-8; I Peter 5:6-7

If you are viewing this through email, be sure to visit http://waitingatthewindow.blogspot.com to listen to the Video, "Jesus Will Still Be There".  Beautiful Song! Beautiful Video!

Divine Perspective

God has a reason for everything that happens in our lives. Instead of us getting all upset when trials come our way, we need to seek God and continue to stand on His Word. I used to let my emotions rule much of my life and ended up making wrong decisions. But now I continue to stand on God's Word no matter the circumstance because I now look to GOD and strive to see things from His perspective.

A Divine Perspective

No one escapes the storms of life. However, those who take advantage of their personal storms, believing God through them, will rise in faith above the world's darkest storms. They will have learned that each storm brings promotion, and each storm has its reward. They learn to rest and soar on the winds of His Presence, and relax their faith as they let Him carry them to a warmer place.

True freedom comes from the inside out. I remember always wondering why God would allow certain things to happen and why He didn't choose to stop them or change them. But then I realized that just because there were many trials didn't mean that God was not working in my life. I realized that the Spirit of God was continually guiding me, always pulling me in to a closer relationship with Him. And when I did go through things, God always turned it around for the good by teaching me something. I came to realize that my reactions to situations were based on my emotions. Yes, emotions are a natural part of being human, but emotions were never meant to rule or anchor our life on earth. That role is reserved for God's Word because it never changes or fails.

When pain, rejection, or disappointment threatens to overwhelm you, are you tempted to go by how you feel about your problems and yourself? Don't fall for it! Go by what God says about you and your situation! Things are not always as they seem. God does not want us down, looking up. He wants us up, looking down. He wants us flying above our circumstances.

Worship Him and take your seat in His Presence during hard times. Worship opens the door for the light of heaven to flood our life and circumstances. His light is the way of revealing the truth behind the circumstances. Spread your wings of worship so you can soar high enough to take your seat beside Him and look out the portals of heaven. Get a God's view and divine perspective of your situation.

Connie J. Schmoll