CHOICE

Flipagram - April 30, 2014: http://youtu.be/0IvaT3dwODk

The Red Sea

It seemed like an insurmountable issue, with no possibility of a solution in sight. The Israelites wedged physically and mentally between the red sea and Pharaoh's powerful horses and chariots came to mind. The best thing it seemed was to give in and be crushed to death by these chariots....it would finally be over, no more fears, no more painful recollection of being enslaved.....what has Moses got to say.....all these for trusting him...

Without the red sea in the way  the Israelites would not have experienced the demonstration of God's power, as the ALMIGHTY ONE cleared a path through impossibility to a door of better things. God never promised a life without battles, He promised victory as we walk in faith and peace the world cannot give.

The Israelites could have stayed in Egypt but took the chance of following Moses till they were caught between Pharaoh and the red sea. Going back to Pharaoh on their knees was an option, but they looked to Moses who cried to God.

Christ Jesus is our Moses, the high Priest of our professions (our declaration) As we declare we have no other help but Christ and look to Him, He intercedes on our behalf, our advocate. God hears Him who has been in our place, the perfect advocate, and opens doors to a new life, as He parts whatever our red sea may be. The sea did not disappear, the Istaelites walked through the miraculous path in it!

Red seas vary- It could be a "terminal" illness, financial distress tat's seeingly insurmountable, relationship difficulties, chronic illness or a difficult child. There's nothing that can defy God's power if we yield ourselves to Him. He'll walk us through the red sea to a land that flows with milk and honey whilst empowering us to face the giants that may threaten us in the place prepared for us.

Identity

Listening to Andy Stanley on Romans 6:
Declare
Decide
Devote

Imitating Christ will result in failure, key to success is letting the life of Christ in me radiating through me.

I can choose either to identify with being in Adam or being in Christ.

I decide who I yield my members to. Sin will ask to use my mouth , my mind etc I decide NOT to let sin have dominion over me and to devote every member of my body to you!

Prayer......

I felt at peace in every way, with a matter that was causing so much anxiety in the family. It made me imagine how the Apostle Paul felt when he with confidence stated, "the angel of God whom I serve, and whose I am.......", had assured him there would be no loss of life.

Seed
Time
Harvest

God gives the increase
Let go of the seed in prayer , nurture with the water of faith, eliminate every doubt with confidence in the words of life John 6:63.

Facts and Feelings.

My friend appeared relieved at being able to express her feelings. She had talked openly about feeling confused, not knowing what she wanted from life and having been let down by friends. I suspected her disappointment dated years back than she feared to admit.
"I feel like rubbish" shaking her head like she was shaking off the undesirable feelings she expressed.

It was hard to separate feelings from facts! She was a pretty young woman that many other girls admired. Her face brightened up with life when she smiled even through tears. She could not help as she later explained, nominating on her traumatic life experiences, and noting that through it all - she was the constant.

I thought it might help to think things through together and posed the thought of how a queen may feel if she got splattered with mud. Surely she would not conclude she was a pig! She would certainly admit she needed cleaning up but she was no less a queen mud or not.

The Truth
The challenges can seem so real, but more real is what we do not see. Functioning devices powered by electricity are real to man, more powerful is the unseen power, electricity, without which the devices will not work.

When confronted by life's challenges, and we feel deflated like a burst balloon, it's worth remembering the power that's needed is not the fixing of our fragile frame, but God's breath in us. 

When feeling low in spirit, we need refilling by God's Spirit to keep us going. At such times it therefore helps to lean on God - He'll fill us anew and fix the leak.

The WORD

Our world operates with words:
Communication both verbal and non verbal are interpreted in words. Everything that can be described as a noun and every action, is identified by words. Words may be spoken or unspoken, words may lift spirits or depress.

A grievous word stirs up anger
Death and life are in the power of the tongue
Proverbs 4: 20-24 God"s words are health and life to those who receive them.

John 6:63 Jesus Christ"s words are life giving
Hebrews 1:  Our world is sustained by the WORD of God"s power!

The Word of God mixed with faith (Hebrews 3:15) transforms situations to align with divine purpose, to our benefit.

Who am I?

Kirsty was glad to be home after a hard day's work. Exhausted she heaved a sigh of relief, as she slid her shoes off eyeing a comfortable corner on the settee. She prided herself on a sense of progress, glad she had been able to resolve some major issues for her employers. She winked in self admiration as she threw her head back to a comfortable pose on the sofa.   It wasn't till she woke up hours later, to the smell of wine and a wet top, that she realized she had fallen off to sleep with her drink in her hand. 

Her thoughts drifted back to her week at work. She thought of the joy she derived from the challenges at work. She smiled to herself as she thought she was not one for passing time at work. "yes" she thought, there was a fulfillment she derived from taking on challenges in the work place. It had also been well worth it! She had been rewarded with pay rises and annual bonuses, supported by her employer in her pursuit of personal development. It was all going good, more heights to attain. Her thoughts seemed to slide down from to the reality of the part of the week she often dreaded - coming home on Fridays!! She had once thought the lonely weekends was a result of not having a man in her life, but then realized her married and partnered friends shared this horrible feeling of an emptiness on the inside. It was a horrible feeling that seemed difficult to fill!! She thought of work again and identified it as a distraction that helped at least for most of the week. What was it she desperately, and seemingly unknown to her did she seek to be distracted from? Kirsty was desperate for answers- yet fearful.

Who am I? what is the purpose of my existence? How did I come to be besides the explanation of my biological being? A mass of cells surely can't think? She was convinced there was much more to her than her physical existence. How can I know what or all I am about? She suddenly feared she may be losing it - these seemed to be crazy thoughts. She dreaded she may be experiencing early signs of insanity yet wondered if she was running from confronting the truth about life. "I really must stop" she concluded. She propped herself into a sitting position uncertain what to do for the rest of the night, with being so alert and no more signs of sleep. She poured herself another glass of wine, "I might as well!"

It was nice to be admired. So many of her colleagues had not hesitated to let her know how they wished they had her confidence. If only they knew it was all a facade. She dressed up to the image she perceived was required for the work place. she was confident about her skills in the managerial role, but that had been developed over time. She wished she could be happy, satisfied, like herself in every way....Her thoughts were suddenly interrupted by her James, "how was your weekend?" She found herself struggling to respond, this wasn't Kirsty, no what's the matter with me? Her voice finally came, "Oh, er, it went so fast, but ok". "you obviously had a nice time, never a dull moment with you Kirsty." The distressing thought rumblec again in Kirsty's heart, " who exactly am I?"