What is God working on in you?

I have recently been discouraged and quite frankly angry at how people act, more specifically how Christians act. I used to be an open book totally okay with sharing my life's secrets with anyone. I had faith in people, then I became cynical. I think it was gradual, this transformation, and I think it was necessary for me to learn what I needed to learn.
I have been looking at the negative perspective of  Christ's bride. The ugly human, complaining, slandering, back-stabbing, not doing what needs to be done part. The thing is looking at that caused me to become just that. Then in several different ways at several different times He has whispered Colossians 3 to me.

"If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.

 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

 

(Colossians 3:1-17 ESV)

I need to pray for the division and sin that I see in people but I am not to dwell on it. If I am called to approach someone then I do in obedience and love. But if I am not called to do that I need to pray and think on what is holy and good. I need to swallow my pride and humbly get on my knees and ask for forgiveness because of my selfish attitude. I need to forgive.

"Forgiveness is giving up the right to punish someone for what they have done." ~Bob Lepine LLYMI 2013

God is working on me. I lift up His bride and I pray she gets a clue but along with that I pray I get a clue too. I am unworthy. We are all unworthy. Thank God for His forgiveness and grace!!!

And what is God working on in you?

From Stressed to Blessed

It has been a long time since I have blogged. 2012 was not a good year. From hopes and dreams being torn away to a motorcycle accident that turned our life upside down for awhile with unneccassary drama and my dad getting lung cancer and dying. I am very glad that 2013 is here.

I have been discouraged by seeing other peoples behavior and my own. I have felt like everything that I have tried to get accomplished has failed. God reminded me this past Sunday that I need to get down on my knees and pray. Not say I will pray or even do a quick pop-up, generic "God help" pray but fervently seek His direction and guidance. I am not new to this concept. I have had times in my life where I was great at praying and seeking God. I do a daily quiet time and have for as long as I can remember but I get distracted. I don't give all of my attention to God. I need to lift my family, ministry, business, and church up in prayer. I believe that this is the way to totally go from Stressed to Blessed.

With that in mind I am going to open myself up to you (not that there are very many readers, lol) and make this my prayer journal. My hope is that you can hold me accountable and I can entertain you with the interesting things that happen in my life.

Lord, I pray that you guide me and help me in seeking you. I thank you for my blessings. Please give me wisdom as I seek you in parenting my children, in loving and respecting my husband, in leading the women in my Bible Study, in doing my business, in volunteering and in church leadership. Thank you for your gift of grace and forgiveness. In Jesus' name, Amen.