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I tend to be so responsible that my stomach has knots of "responsibility" in it. The positive side of this is I can yield and be obedient, giving the "ulcer" to God, along with the reins. The choice is mine it seems.
Ephesians 2:8-10 (New International Version)
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
We are a very works oriented society. "You are worth what you produce" seems to be the standard from childhood up. Yet, we are truly valuable because we are created in God's image PERIOD. How to get that from my head into my heart and being is somewhat of a mystery. Somewhere in there I start thinking that God loves me because I am a "good kid", obedient and I "produce". This is not His message to me.
It is then the Holy Spirit shows me this isn't my production, that it comes from Jesus in me. It is Jesus in me as I get quiet, yield and take up my cross daily. My deeds are supposed to flow out of my love for Him who sets me free.
"Take up my cross daily", a bunch of slivery sounding words as vague as "die to self". How do you do either of them? I want steps and a plan.
Take up my cross and die to "self":
*shoot down "I did it!"
*blast the strut and puffed up ego
*kill pride over accomplishments
*realize it took SO long because I kept jumping off the table every time surgery began
*REST, knowing God isn't into "production"
*there is "produce" but it comes as Jesus' grows fruit in me. Jesus' steam and energy as I roll over DEAD to SELF
I must :
*cease to struggle and rest
* yield my will
*obey/act when God says
*put the ball in His court
* be amazed at what He is doing
* let Him change me
*be on His time table
I am released from:
*fuss and struggle
* worry
* "I" did it with too much pride and responsibility attached
* production oriented worth
I am released to:
*minister
*be like Jesus
* have energy to pray and praise Him
* raise my arms and praise
* receive unconditional love
* be FREE in Jesus
Prayer: Oh, Jesus, this is SO good. Please help me to walk in this freedom. Thank You for sharing Your heart!
(C) Marijo Phelps all rights reserved. Use with proper credits.
Marijo Phelps was saved by His grace in 1974, from 9 years of
professing atheism into His loving arms. She lives with her husband in
the middle of a mountain meadow. She is wanting to spread the good news
about His redemptive plan for our lives through written media. Her name
is pronounced Mary Jo (her dad got cute with the spelling of it). She
was an RN for 23+ years, missionary with YWAM then statistical analyst
for Every Home for Christ over 9 years. She had her first poem
published when she was four years old (her mom might have had more than
a little to do with that!) She has been writing ever since. You can find more of her
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