Coping: old way vs. new way

Heavenly Father,

I don't know what my future holds, but I know who holds my future. Even though powerful emotions of fear and doubt are foremost in my soul and feelings of abandonment overhwelm me; I choose to trust in your unfailing love, my heart will rejoice in your salvation. I will sing unto you Lord, for you have been good to me.

I trust your heart and your intentions towards me. I realize that there is power in powerlessness. I know that the way I was taught to cope with the transitions and changes of life when I was younger led me to illusions of my own strength. My mind would always obsess about what happened and my emotions would reel out of control. I would feel sad and depressed and nightmares would plague me. I would sometimes find myself filled with rage and hatred and yet other times, to my horror, I would find myself missing the good I saw in that person. The feelings of guilt, shame, and worthlessness were overwhelming. I always felt abandoned by you. As a solution, I would try to pretend as if it never happened, eventually letting anger and hatred fill my heart with thoughts of revenge. Then, I would shut the door on that part of my life and lock it tight, forcing my mind to never think of it again. Then I would set out to prove to the world and myself my true worth and competency. In the end, I would eventually just give up all together.

From then on, everytime I experience turn or transition in life I feel caught between my strenghts and my weaknesses all over again. All of the mental and emotional chaos of the abuse of my past is brought up again. It feels like I am trapped and there is no way out.

But I have come to realize that there is power in powerlessness. For that is when you heal the brokenhearted and bind up peoples wounds. I have learned to expect disappointment in life, but by trusting your faithfulness, I find hope.

Bring all of my pain, shame, and anger caused by this new situation into the light. I want to take notice of these things and offer them up to you. I no longer desire a quick escape but rather, true healing. I do not want to rely on drugs, alcohol, or sexual promiscuity. I do not want to be overwhelmed by irrational fear and extreme insecurity. Nor do I want to pour myself into work or achievement or pretend like what happened doesn't bother me anymore.

During this time of healing give me the eyes to see and ears to hear. Make everyones intentions and motives transparent to me so that I may know when to listen and when to disregard. Help me to see in advance what kind of effects each opportunity i'm presented with will have on my life, so that I may know what is beneficial and what is not. Make me extremely sensitive to your Spirit's warnings and encouragements. I want to do the right thing for you Lord, so have mercy on me, fill me with your Spirit, bless me with wisdom and understanding so I may be healed.

In your Son's beautiful name I pray....

Amen!

Commitment

As I was reading my bible today God began to reveal to me some things. Here is what I know for sure....

• I am not the same person I was 1 year ago, or even 6 months ago.
• I have been saved by the grace of God, and desire to give that grace to everyone in the world, no matter how great of a debt their record holds.
• I want God's will for my life, even if that means crucifying my own selfish ambitions and desires.
• I am a daughter of the King, I need not be afraid, for he will fight my battles for me. I do not have to waste my time worrying, being sad, anxious, fearful, afraid, scared, or anything. I know that he will provide enough love for me to be happy all of my days. And if he wills me to be married, then I know that that person will love and respect me the way God intended.
• I do have a family and a community who is there for me 24/7 and who really do love me sacrificially.

This is the point in my old life when I would typically go the wrong direction. I would be lead astray by the superficial love of other men. I went straight to another relationship, seeking to love and be loved.

But now, in my new life as a daughter of Christ, I am acknowledging that past failure and refusing to go down that road. I am going to take the time to grieve, be angry, forgive, heal, re-focus on God, and move on in a contentment of my relationship with him. I am going to delight myself in the Lord, knowing he will give me the desires of my heart (meaning love, security, acceptance, and respect). I will not fill this time of grieving with temporary fixes, nor will I lead another man's heart astray so I may experience temporary fufillment.

It is time for me and God to have some one-on-one time. His love always awakens my heart and rejuvenates my soul. He fills me with hope, joy, faith, love, peace, and other kinds of goodness. Pray for me as I go at this the right way for the first time in my life. I do not want to get caught up in any kind of emotional circumstance that will sway my heart one way or the other. I know I am being emptied so I may be filled again.

God is Faithful, God is Love, God is Just, God is True and I trust in Him.

Baptism

Today was amazing. Today was my wedding day with God. Him and I have been engaged for a quite a while, we've been off and on for even longer... but today was the day I made him the Lord of my life.

Strongholds = Gone

Lies from Satan = Forgotten

Sins = Forgiven

Me = Redeemed

All my doubt, guilt, and shame has been replaced with Joy and Love.

"The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." -- Zephaniah 3:17

Beauty

Serenity and inner beauty come when we wait upon God. 'Waiting' like that is not merely wasting time.

The recipe for beauty is to have less illusion and more Soul, to retreat from the belief of pain or pleasure in the body into the unchanging calm and glorious freedom of spiritual harmony.

Within each of us, just waiting to blossom, is the wonderful promise of all we can be.

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us most. We ask ourselves, "Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and loved?" Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in all of us. And when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

Outer beauty catches ones attention; but inner beauty captures the heart.

True beauty is shown not in the sunshine of life but in the storms.

You Are More - Tenth Avenue North

I still believe...

I will praise the Lord with all my heart.

Great are your works; everyone who meditates on them is filled with joy.

Help me to remember your wonders.

Lord, you are gracious and compassionate.

You always provide and remember your covenant forever.

You have shown me the power of your works..

The works of your hands are faithful and just;

all of your precepts are trustworthy.

They are steadfast forever and ever, done in faithfulness and uprightness.

To you belongs eternal praise!!!

You raise me up...

When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary;
When troubles come and my heart burdened be;
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,
Until you come and sit awhile with me.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up... To more than I can be.

There is no life - no life without its hunger;
Each restless heart beats so imperfectly;
But when you come and I am filled with wonder,
Sometimes, I think I glimpse eternity.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up... To more than I can be.

You raise me up... To more than I can be.

Really??????????

God,

Everything about the situation just feels so helpless.
I have put everything I can into it.
I've Loved, I've Waited, I've had Self-Control, I've resisted temptation.
I've rejoiced, i've cried, i've prayed, i've pleaded, i've fasted, i've screamed.
I've been happy, sad, content, at peace, furious, confused, mad.
What else can I do?



It feels like my prayers have been useless.
Like my cries weren't heard and my plea's were ignored.
Have you forgotten your promise to me?
Did I do something wrong?
Am I supposed to just give up?



I've relinquished any control I had over the situation.
I don't even desire to control it anymore.
I've completely given the situation to you.
What else am I supposed to do?


Is victory coming?
Were your promises true?
Do your plans change?

I've believed and had faith, Lord.
I've acknowledged and submitted.
I've listened, I've questioned, I've asked, I've sought.

When will the harvest time come?
When is the season of joy going to arrive?
I'm tired, i'm exhausted.
I'm holding on to your promises with everything I have.
But it seems like this trial is going to never end.

Are the tears, pain, and fear going to end?
Are the burdens going to become lighter?
Until that day, I'm holding on to you Lord.

Though my soul is troubled, I am trying not to lose heart.

Am I not good enough?
Am I doing something wrong?
Is it impossible for you, God, to rebuild trust?
Is it impossible for you, God, to redeem?

Are his ears unable to hear your voice?
Are his eyes unable to see your will?
Is his mind controlled by the Father of Lies?
Is his heart hardened to your will?
Has he given up on your promises?

Is his resisting your guidance and your spirit?
Does he not have faith in your name?
Does he not believe in a God of Resurrection, a God who brings things back to life, a God who rises from the dead, a God who does the impossible?
Does he not believe in grace and compassion?

Am I stupid?
Should I give up on Love?
Is that even possible?

Well some words for you my friend...

Don't give up on love and throw it all away.
Don't give up on love and let it fall away.
When did it become so easy to run from your pain?
Don't give up on love and throw it all away.

I heard you say you can't change a stubborn heart.
I can relate 'cause that's how I feel when I talk with you.

But, Why should it take losing everything to realize it might be time to change?
Your restless heart won't win
'cause you take but you don't give.
And you'll keep moving on until you learn what love is.

I know because I've been there....

Do you believe our God is faithful!?! THEN PROVE IT!!!!
Do you believe our God is the Redeemer!?!! THEN PROVE IT!!!!
Do you believe that God keeps his promises!?! THEN PROVE IT!!!!
Do you believe that God is a God of Reconciliation!?! THEN PROVE IT!!!!
Do you believe that you can trust in our God!?! THEN PROVE IT!!!!
Do you believe that your God is faithful!?! THEN PROVE IT!!!!
Do you believe that God loves you as much as his own child!?! THEN PROVE IT!!!!

Don't claim to believe in this God with your words and deny him with your actions!!!! All you're doing his hurting yourselves and others.

Get a grip! Realize what you're doing and TRUST!

In Between

But it’s the time in between, That I fall down to my knees. Waiting on what You'll bring. And the things that I can't see. I know my song’s incomplete. So Still I'll sing in the time in between....

Good-bye

Oh Father,

What have I done? Falling in Love.... I feel so stupid to think it was really going to happen.

My life isn't some fairytale. I don't live in some movie. Dreams just don't really matter. Wishes rarely come true. Who was I to think mine would?

I'm not mad Lord. I'm not really sad either. I suppose I always knew it would happen this way. Some people just don't get to have their dreams come true.

And ya know what God? I'm not bitter either! Because I have you! You are my true love. My "one and only." And if I end up having no one in the world except you... I'm okay with that.

Thank You for always being there for me and never letting me down.


Yours Truly,
-Ariel

The greatest discovery of all time

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." -Matthew 7:7

"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." -Jeremiah 29:13

"You do not have, because you do not ask God." -James 4:2

Lord, I cannot handle this alone. I've hit the wall for the thirty-second time and I need you!

"Oh what peace we often forfeit,
Oh what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry,
Everything to God in prayer."

E.M. Bounds wrote:

"Prayer ought to enter into the spiritual habits, but it ceases to be prayer when it is carried on by habit only.... Desire gives fervor to prayer. The soul cannot be listless when some great desire fixes and inflames it.... Strong desires make strong prayers....

The neglect of prayer is the fearful token of dead spiritual desires. The soul has turned away from God when desires after him no longer presses it into the closet. There can be no true praying with desire."

if the times are as bad as we say they are.... If the darkness in our world is growing heaver by the moment.... If we are facing spiritual battles in our own homes and churches.... Then we are foolish not to turn to the One who supplies unlimited grace and power. He is our only source. We are crazy to ignore him.

In times of trouble.... PRAY. In times of distress.... PRAY. In times of joy.... PRAY. In times of fear.... PRAY. In times of anxiety.... PRAY. In times of pain.... PRAY. In times of confusion.... PRAY. In times of uncertainty.... PRAY. In times of brokenness.... PRAY. In times of healing.... PRAY. In times of weeping.... PRAY. In times of mourning.... PRAY. In times of silence.... PRAY. In times of laughter.... PRAY. In times of love.... PRAY. In times of hate.... PRAY.

Satan's main strategy with God's people has always been to whisper, "Don't call, don't ask, don't depend on God to do great things. You'll get along fine if you just rely on your own cleverness and energy." The truth of the matter is that the devil is not terribly frightened of our own human efforts and credentials. But he knows his kingdom will be damaged when we lift up our hearts to God.

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Prayer. Just pray and God will intervene. "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and grace to help us in our time of need." -Hebrews 4:16

A time to wait....

I have come to the realization that you can never make somebody else receive love, you can never make somebody else know something or understand something. You can never try to sway them one way or the other because even if they do for a little while they will always go back. You can never try to manipulate or convince. The only thing you can control is yourself.

After much thought... I am okay with that.

Why?

Because although I am weak in my own patience and self-control and although I may be overcome by fear... I have the Spirit if the Lord in me and in all of my weaknesses he makes me strong.

Everyone experiences times of waiting... but enjoy the season that you are in. Just because God says "Not Yet" doesn't mean you should run in either direction. It just means you sit and wait for him where you are at. God will fight the battle for you! He is faithful and is always with you! Don't spend this season of your life looking forward in expectation of something. Being single isn't a time to wait to be married, its a time to be single and learn what God wants you to learn while your there! Being married isn't a time to wait to become pregnant, it's a time to be married and learn what God wants you to learn while you are there! Being in college isn't a time that you have to endure to get to your career, it's a time to be in college and learn what God wants you to learn while you are there! Live in this moment!

IN TIMES OF WAITING

Detours are not a time to shut down. They're not what we expected or wanted, but God can use them to make all the difference in our journey if we make the best of them and don't give in to discouragement or cynicism. (Behave during times of waiting like you are fulfilling God's plan during that time).

Detours are temporary. To us, God's timing and methods often look strane and meandering, but He'll get us to our destination if we trust him to do things his way.


Stop looking at whether or not you can do this and instead, think about whether or not God can do it.

Remember that obedience doesn't guarantee quick results.

We should put up with pain and inconvience for the sake of long-term results. (For example, you put up with pain and suffering after a surgury so that you will have better long-term health).

"Almost" & "Not Yet" does not mean "Never!"

The fact that God takes a long time to accomplish His purposes does not mean he lacks the power or will.

The destination isn't the only thing that matters.

Waiting is part of your calling; not just a preparation for it.

Pay attention to each season of life before moving to the next.

Remember what God has done in your past... make this a regular part of your worship.

Take your station: the Lord will fight your battle for you. (Exod. 14:13-14)

Trust him is not passivity.

Don't get into the pattern of: (1) Restlessness, because this leads to (2) Complaining, which will lead to (3) Disobedience, which leads to (4) A longer journey.

Don't let impatience, lust, and desire overwhelm our determination to wait on God and follow His leading.

How to... pray against demons

How to Pray for
Someone Being Harassed by Demons


1) Pray that the demons may be cut off from all communication and help from other demons and Satan.
2) Pray that the demons would be confused and weakened in their hold on the person.
3) Pray that the person would be strengthened in his/her faith to understand their position in Christ and to trust and obey God’s Word.
4) Pray that the person may be able to distinguish between their own thoughts and feelings and those of Satan.
5) Pray that the person might recognize the demonic presence and not be confused, but willingly seek godly counsel and help.
6) Pray that God would protect and guide His child and set angelic forces at work to break up every scheme of the enemy.


“Prayer is the Christian’s 1st line of defense against demonic influence. And when you pray, mean it. Fervent prayer thwarts Satan’s activity like nothing else.”
–Quote from a High Priest of Satan-turned-Christian

I AM FREE!!!!

For the past few months I have been painfully going through a rebirthing process I had no idea who I was or where I was going, writing in the “about me” section on facebook literally would put me in a bad mood. I was in the process of merging my flesh with my spirit. It seemed I was stuck in that stage that Paul describes in Romans 7. But I am proud to announce that today, September 20, 2010, I am FREE!!!!!

My chains are gone! Jesus Christ has set me free! I am no longer a product of my past; I am no longer a rape victim, no longer a walking mistake, I am no longer a recovering alcoholic or drug addict, I am no longer worthless, I am no longer angry, I am no longer anxious or depressed, I am no longer guilty or shamed. What I am is free, I am a new creation, I am a child of God, I am loved, I am joyful, and I am at peace, and I am happy.

Thanks to those of you who played a special part in the rebirthing process. God used you in ways you’ll never know. Some of you had very difficult jobs, and some of them may have seemed minor but they all played a huge part in the journey from old creation to new! Everything mattered; from a text message to a short conversation, some of you just listened to me, some of you just embraced me while I cried, and some of you just loved me with all that you had, and some of you did all of the above! Thank you for being so patient and for being who you are in Christ. May God rain blessings upon you for the rest of your days!!!

As for what comes next… who knows …

This story is TO BE CONTINUED….

Glory to God forever and ever! Amen!

My Hate Letter to Satan

WHO AM I? : A Child of God

WHAT IS MY GOAL? : Sanctification

TIMELINE TO COMPLETE? : My entire life


Sanctification is... difficult. At this point in my life, for me, I am trying to merge my flesh and my spirit to become one. I am already eternally free and have received eternal grace, but haven't allowed myself to receive it daily. It is as if I am trying to make my flesh and spirit agree on something or be "on the same page."

For some reason, it is quite evident that Satan does not want me to complete this.

I HATE HIM!

For real... he is Conniving little bitch (excuse the language). He is the Father of Lies; his goal every stinkin' day is to DECEIVE me into believing I am an unworthy sinner who is unloved and a complete and utter failure, and at that he wants me to think I am not beautiful, I will never amount to anything, and I am now and forever will be a product of my past. He deceives me into thinking I absolutely can't move past this, I are stuck in this junk forever and guess whos fault that is... MINE.

I HATE YOU SATAN!

Well guess what Satan. Do you remember um... about two thousand years ago when that man named Jesus came to this earth for about thirty or so years and died on a cross and then resurrected. Oh yeah, um... of course you do because that was the day you became a PERMANENT FAILURE! You think you are a God, but you are the farthest thing from it. You think you have power... not next to my God you don't. You think you can control my mind; HA! Fat Chance i'm not gonna let you do that!!!!

Oh and by the way, do you REMEMBER where your spending eternity? Don't act like you don't, you know God's Word... probably better than I do... you know that you are spending ETERNITY buring in the unquinchable fires of hell. Banished for ever and ever from the presence the one and only God of Perfection!!!!

SCREW YOU SATAN!!!!

I refuse to listen to you and your lies anymore! I am turning a deaf ear to you and your demons!!! All your tricks, REVEALED!!! We are stronger because we have the All-Powerful; we are Smarter because He is Omniscient; We are FREE & SECURE because He our SAVIOR; We are LOVED because My God is LOVE; We are worthy because He is our Father and we are his Children; We are worry-free because our God is IN CONTROL.

WE HAVE WON BECAUSE HE IS OUR LORD!!!!


So Satan... just give up! Take your lies, your schemes, your tricks, and your pseudo-power and GO TO HELL!!!!! Oh yeah... and stay the hell away from me and my fellow Christians; and if you don't... who cares because HE IS STRONGER, SIN IS BROKEN, WE ARE SAVED, IT IS WRITTEN, CHRIST HAS RISEN, and HE IS THE LORD OF ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

See yourself for who you really are

Slavery in the United States was abolished by the 13th amendment on December 18th, 1865. How many slaves were there on December 19th? In reality, none, but many still lived like slaves. Many did, because they never learned the truth, others knew and even believed that they were free but chose to live as they had been taught.

Several plantation owners were devastated by this proclamation of emancipation. "We're ruined! Slavery has been abolished. We've lost the battle to keep our slaves." But their chief spokesman slyly responded, "Not necessarily, as long as these people think they're still slaves, the proclamation of emancipation will have no practical effect. We don't have a legal right over them anymore, but many of them don't know it. Keep your slaves from learning the truth, and your control over them will not even be challenged."

"But what if the news spreads?"

"Don't panic. We have another barrel in our gun. We may not be able to keep them from hearing the news, but we can still keep them from understanding it. They don't call me the father of lies for nothing. We still have the potential to deceive the WHOLE WORLD. Just tell them that they misunderstood the 13th amendment. Tell them that they are going to be free, but they aren't free yet. Tell them that the truth they heard is just positional truth, not actual truth. Someday they may receive the benefits, but not now."

"But they'll expect me to say that. They won't believe me."

"Then pick out a few persuasive ones who are convinced that they're still slaves and let them do the talking for you. Remember, most of these free people were born as slaves and have lived like slaves. All we have to do is deceive them so that they still think like slaves. As long as they continue to do what slaves do, it will not be hard to convince them that they must still be slaves. They will maintain their slave identity because of the things they do. The moment they try to profess that they are no longer slaves, just whisper in their ear, 'How can you even think you are no longer a slave when you are still doing things that slaves do?' After all, we have the capacity to accuse the brethren day and night."

Years later, many have still not heard the wonderful news that they have been freed, so naturally they continue to live the way they have always lived. Some have heard the good news, but evaulated it by what they are presently doing and feeling. They reason, "I'm still living in bondage, doing the same things I have always done. My experience tells me that I must not be free. I'm feeling the same way I was before the proclamation, so it must not be true. After all, your feelings always tell the truth." So they continue to live according to how they feel, not wanting to be hypocrites!

One former slave hears the good news, and receives it with great joy. He checks out the validity of the proclamation, and finds out that the HIGHEST of all authorities has originated the decree. Not only that, but it personally cost the authority a tremendous price which He willingly paid, so that he could be free. His life is transformed. He correctly reasons that it would be hypocritical to believe his feelings, and not believe the truth. Determined to live by what he knows to be true, his experiences began to change rather dramatically. He realizes that his old master has no authority over him and does not need to be obeyed. He gladly serves the one who set him free.

SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW

The above story is to illustrate the way we as believers still think of ourselves as sinners instead of saints. If you were to attend any Bible-believing church and ask the congregation, "How many believe that you are a sinner?" They will all raise their hands. Then ask, "How many believe you are a saint?" Few, if any, would raise their hands. Why is that?

Possibly because some have never been taught different. Others tend to think it would be prideful to identify themselves as saints. Many believe the label "sinner" best fits their present condition. They sin, so therefore they must be sinners. Even if you told them they are both saint and sinner, they will believe the latter and probably not the former because of their experiences.

Like the story, this way of thinking is from Satan. He is the Father of Lies. He has been studying us since the beginning of creation and he knows that even though Jesus has now proclaimed that we are the very children of God, and we are redeemed saints, he continues to try to and deceive us into thinking that this cannot be true because of our actions, our past, our experiences, our temptations, our thoughts.

The first thing we need to understand is that our minds, unfortunately, do not have a mental delete button. We were born into this world as slaves to sin, allowing Satan to rule over our hearts and minds. We learned how to live independently of God. And now that we are Christians, we must renew our minds. Jesus came, died, and rose so that we may have new life, true life. Well, new life brings new identity. It is not what you do as a Christian that determines who you are, it is what you are that determines what you do.

Start seeing yourself for who you really are. We're not trying to become children of God; we are already children of God who are becoming like Christ. If you want to defeat fear, failure, rejection, lust, porn, anger, depression, selfishness or anything else you must get right with God. Getting right with God always begins with settling once and for all that God is your loving Father and you are His accepted child. That is the foundational truth from which you live.

You are child of God, you are created in His image, you have been justified already and already declared righteous by Him because of Christ's finished work and your faith in him. As long as you believe that and walk accordingly, your daily experience of practical Christianity will result in growth. I promise that if you question this finished work of Christ, you will struggle, because you are trying to become somebody that you already are.

We don't serve God to gain His acceptance; we are accepted, so we serve God. We don't follow Him to be loved; we are loved, so we follow Him. It is not what we do that determines who we are; it is who we are that determines what we do.

Beloved, you are a child of God. To live the victorious Christian life you will have to believe what is already true about you. Will you have opposition to believing this truth? Of course! The father of lies has deceived the whole world, and he accuses us day and night. And if that isn't enough, others will put you down. We have to keep reminding ourselves of these positional truths.
We are neither saved nor sanctified by how we behave but by how we believe.

Stop trying to do for yourself what God has already done for you. Stop trying to earn a title of saint; it is already true about you! We just need to worship God for all he has done and rest in the finished work of Christ. We need to hear again and again the wonderful identity and position that we already have in Christ; then we will be better prepared to receive the instructions and assume our responsibility for living the Christian life.

Next time you become dominated by the flesh or deceived by the devil, remind yourself. "I am a saint by the grace of God and I intend to live my life as His child in the way He intended me to live by faith in the power of the Holy Spirit."

Freewill

Freewill and the Sovereignty of God
By Mark E. Moore

Notice that the title of this essay is not ‘Freewill vs. the Sovereignty of God’ for the
Scriptures affirm them both. Obviously God is sovereign—he has the right and power to make
any and all decisions. Logically, however, this does not demand that he make all decisions or
determine all actions; it merely demands that he has the right and power to do so. Part of
sovereignty must, necessarily, include the ability of the sovereign to delegate authority,
decisions, and actions. If he doesn’t have the power to delegate then his power is, to this extent,
limited. To illustrate, a king has the sovereign right to send an ambassador to carry out his
business and even make independent decisions. Likewise a president or CEO will hire staff. Or
the father of a house (adopting the Biblical hierarchy of Eph 5:23; 1 Cor 11:3) could rely on his
wife or first-born son, or for that matter, anyone he chooses, to carry out his daily affairs. These
are, in fact, the kind of metaphors used of God so the illustrations seem appropriate here.

This essay not only affirms the sovereign rights and powers of God but even his privilege
to act in ways we might deem arbitrary. For example Deuteronomy 2:30 says God ‘hardened’ Sihon so that he refused to allow the Israelites to pass through his land in order that Israel would attack and beat the Ammonites and take their territory. In Judges 14:1-4 Sampson lusts for Philistine women because God ordained it! Here is a terribly troubling one: God incited David to number his troops and then punished him for doing so (2 Samuel 24:1). It gets worse: 1
Chronicles 21:1 tells the same story only replaces the word ‘God’ with ‘Satan.’ Apparently Satan
incited David to take a census because God bade him do the ‘dirty work.’ In a similar vein, in
Ezekiel 14:9 God ‘enticed’ false prophets and then punished them for telling lies. Even in
the New Testament God put a spirit of delusion on people so they would believe the lie
of the Lawless One (2 Thess 2:11). These hardly fits the flannel-graph God of Sunday School.
Hence, this essay is not an attempt to rescue God from seemingly arbitrary acts such as thirdworld poverty, historical human evil, or Pandora’s open box in the natural world such as viruses, earthquakes, chiggers, and country-music. If God is sovereign, as the Bible asserts, then he is perfectly capable of defending himself without my assistance.

Rather this essay is an attempt to understand and affirm several major aspects of the
Bible that affirm human freewill at least to some moderate extent.

1. Throughout the Bible, God develops relationships through covenant. Each covenant has
terms, promises, and punishments. If the terms are kept, one receives the rewards, if they
are not, one receives the punishments. Covenant is the macro-structure of the entire Bible
(we even name the two major parts of the Bible ‘Old’ and ‘New Testament’). Without
freewill, both the invitation to join the covenant and the punishment for breaking the
covenant is nonsense … or at least extraneous. If, after all, God predetermines the destiny
of every human being, why go through the extensive legal process of covenant? Just
reward those you like and those you don’t can go to Hell.

2. Conditional Prophecy, likewise, is an extraneous verbal waste. A conditional prophecy
is one that uses or implies the term ‘if.’ God says, “If you do this I will respond in this
way, if you do not I will respond differently” (e.g. Isa 1:19–20; cf. Matt 23:37). Ok, if I
have no choice, then why the ‘if’? It is empty language to offer someone a choice who
actually has no choice. It is like asking a teenage boy if he would like to grow 3 inches or
20. Furthermore, some prophecies to Israel did not, in fact, come to pass as God said,
precisely because the word of the Lord was not obeyed.

3. God does not want any to perish (Eze 33:11; 2 Pet 3:9). If our destiny is absolutely
controlled by God then (a) he is schizophrenic, or (b) these passages refer to the chosen
only. However, if these refer only to the chosen, why are the ‘chosen’ called ‘wicked’?
After all, our classification as ‘righteous’ as opposed to ‘wicked’ under total sovereignty
would be determined only by God choosing us—his choice makes me righteous.
Furthermore, 2 Peter says God is waiting patiently for the wicked to repent. How can he
wait for that which he determined before the foundation of the world? This is
nonsensical. Furthermore, to say that God wants the vast majority to go to Hell is a
horribly inhospitable thing of which to accuse YHWH. He is a God of love and it is
inconceivable that he be compared to a Musilini, Stalin, or Hitler, eradicating all whom
he does not arbitrarily deem worthy.

4. The Bible speaks as if people have choices. Cain apparently had a choice whether to do
what was right or wrong (Gen 4:6–7) and Joshua urged the Israelites to choose whether
or not to serve God (Josh 24:15). See also Proverbs 1:29; 3:31; 8:10; Isa 7:15; 56:4. In
fact, Israel, God’s ‘chosen’ rejected God and against His will set up kings and idols
(Hosea 8:3–4).

5. While none of us accepts the Lord without God’s prior choosing and wooing (John 6:44;
15:16) we are invited to respond to God’s invitation (Matt 11:28; 22:1–14). Why are
we invited to respond if we are predetermined?

6. Without human choice the categories or sin and love are both meaningless. How can
we be judged for doing evil that we were forced to do? That is tantamount to shooting
pit-bull because he mauled a bunny. That’s what he was bred to do; he is not culpable for
fulfilling his purpose. Likewise, manipulated or coerced love not only looses all its
beauty and charm, it is actually abhorrent. Pedophiles, kidnappers, slave-traders, and
pimps sometimes actually do have loyal ‘clients’ but it is because of a psychosis needing
treatment, not the gracious love generated only by a divine God.

7. God changed His mind on various occasions as a result of people either repenting or
praying (cf. Exodus 32:9-13, Numbers 14:10-20, 2 Samuel 24:16, Psalm 106:45, Isaiah
57:6, Jeremiah 18:8, 42:10, Ezekiel 24:14, Jonah 3:9-10 and 4:2).

8. We are made in the image of God. That very nature sets us apart from animals. One of
the essential characteristics of our imago dei is that we have volition. To remove that
would radically alter the creation account, making the whole narrative of the fall a farce,
not to mention the sacrifice of Jesus, which becomes unnecessary theatrics. For if God
made us sinners so that Jesus would have to die when God could have created us sinless,
then we have more significant problems than just figuring out what it means that God is
sovereign.

***ADDED BY ARIEL***

In short, maybe the whole sovereignty/freewill thing comes down to the fact that we make decisions and have freewill to do as we wish, but the sovereignty of God simply means that he knows in advance what we will choose to do. This seems likely since he is our very creator who knows us better than we know ourselves. So, when we are given a choice, we have the freewill to choose one way or the other, but God (being sovereign) already knows the direction in which we will choose.

Who I am... In Christ

I AM ACCEPTED

John 1:12 I am God's Child.
John 15:15 I am Christ's Friend.
Romans 5:1 I have been justified.
1 Corinthians 6:17 I am united with the Lord, and I am one spirit with Him.
1 Corinthians 6:20 I have been bought with a price. I belong to God.\
1 Corinthians 12:27 I am a member of Christ's Body.
Ephesians 1:1 I am a saint.
Ephesians 1:5 I have been adopted as God's child.
Ephesians 2:18 I have direct access to God through the Holy Spirit.
Colossians 1:14 I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins.
Colossians 2:10 I am complete in Christ.


I AM SECURE

Romans 8:1,2 I am free from condemnation.
Romans 8:28 I am assured that all thigns work together for good.
Romans 8:31-34 I am free from any condemning charges against me.
Romans 8:35-39 I cannot be seperated from the love of God.
2 Corinthians 1:21,22 I have been established, anointed and sealed by God.
Philippians 1:6 I am confident that God won't give up on me.
Philippians 3:20 I am a citizen of heaven.
Colossians 3:3 I am hidden with Christ in God.
2 Timothy 1:7 I haven't been given a spirit of fear, but of power, love
and a sound mind.
Hebrews 4:16 I can find grace and mercy in time of need.
1 John 5:18 I am born of God and the evil one cannot touch me.


I AM SIGNIFICANT

Matthew 5:13,14 I am the salt and light of the earth.
John 15:1,5 I am a branch of the true vine, a channel of His life.
John 15:16 I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit.
Acts 1:8 I am a personal witness of Christ.
1 Corinthians 3:16 I am God's temple.
2 Corinthians 5:17-21 I am a minister of reconciliation for God.
2 Corinthians 6:1 I am God's coworker (see 1 Cor. 3:9)
Ephesians 2:6 I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realm.
Ephesians 2:10 I am God's workmanship.
Ephesians 3:12 I may approach God with freedom and confidence.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Who are you?

"Who are you?"

It sounds like a simple question requiring a simple answer, but it really isn't. For example, if someone asked me, "Who are you?" I might answer, "Neil Anderson."

"No thats your name. Who are you?"

"Oh, I'm a student at OCC."

"No, thats what you do. Who are you?"

"I'm an American."

"No, thats where you live."

"I'm an evangelical."

"Thats your denominational preference."


I could say that i'm 5' tall and around 97 lbs. My physical dimensions and appearance, however, aren't me either.


"Who am I" is far more than what you see on the outside. Pauls said, "We recognize no man according to the flesh" (2 Cor. 5:16). Maybe the Early Church didn't, but generally, we do. We tend to identify ourselves and each other primarily by what we look like (tall, short, stocky, slender) or what we do (plumber, carpenter, nurse, engineer, clerk). Furthermore, when we Christians are asked to identify ourselves in relation to our faith, we usually talk about our doctrinal position (Protestant, evangelical, calvinist, charismatic), our denomination preference (Baptist, Presbyterian, Methodist, Independant) or our role in the church (Sunday School teacher, choir member, deacon, usher).

IS WHO YOU ARE DETERMINED BY WHAT YOU DO, OR IS WHAT YOU DO DETERMINED BY WHO YOU ARE?

I believe the latter to be true. I believe that hope for growth, meaning, and fulfillment as a Christian is based on understanding who you are -- specifically, your identity in Christ as a CHILD OF GOD. Your understanding of who God is and who you are in relationship to Him is the critical foundation for your belief system and your behavior patterns as a Christian.

I am beginning this journey today, September 7th 2010. Pray for me...

Lend me your Hope...

Lend me your hope for awhile,
I seem to have mislaid mine.
Lost and hopeless feelings acompany me daily,
pain and confusion are my companions.
I know not where to turn;
looking ahead to future times does not bring forth images of renewed hope.
I see troubled times, pain-filled days, and more tragedy.



Lend me your hope for awhile,
I seem to have mislaid mine.
Hold my hand and hug me;
listen to all my ramblings, recovery seems so far distant.
The road to healing seems like a long and lonely one.



Lend me your hope for a while,
I seem to have mislaid mine.
Stand by me, offer me your presence, your heart and your love.
Acknowledge my pain, it is so real and present.
I am overwhelemd with sad and conflicting thoughts.



Lend me your hope for a while;
a time will come when I will heal,
and I will share my renewal,
hope and love with others.