February 2018 – Tattoo It On Your Heart

Let the Light In

We can’t always stop the demons from stalking us—ambushes happen. Sometimes they squeeze their way into our lives through the cracks we leave untended. Sometimes they batter down the door. Life happens. Depression, anxiety, fear, apathy, bitterness, anger, suicidal thoughts…. may show up at your house. Just don’t invite them under the covers and curl up in bed with them.

Get up! Cry out for help from God and from others. Remaining silent when we are in need can leave us alone in a crowd. Isolation leaves us open to the enemy.

“Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up.” ‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭4:9-10‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

God tells us in His Word to be anxious for nothing because He knew we would at some point find ourselves being anxious. Jesus said he didn’t come to condemn but to seek and save. The Word of God is meant to show us where we are and to instruct us how to get to where we need to be.

The Word of God, prayer, time spent with with those who make us laugh and challenge us, positive spiritual things such as Christian music help bring clear vision, strength, deliverance.

“As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. Proverbs‬ ‭27:17‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

A good friend doesn’t ignore problems. Neither do they just point out the problems, but rather, they help with solutions. They walk alongside you literally and figuratively. Sometimes what’s needed is just being there and saying nothing; but sometimes it’s taking a stand and saying something. A good friend battles with you and for you. Be one. Find one.

Prayer, the word of God, and love are ultimate weapons against all we face. The love of God trumps all.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV

Did you notice this scripture says everything and requests? God wants us to bring everything on our hearts, not just our needs, but our requests to Him. He wants to do life with us.

I aim to use whatever the devil shoves at me against him.

“God, help me.”

Use struggle, pain, failure—to help someone else. That’s one way to win.

Fight back!

He teaches my hands to make war, So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze II Samuel 22:35 (NKJV)

When I can’t rejoice in my own circumstance, I find someone to rejoice with over their victory, or someone to help with their struggle. Count your blessings, one by one. Gratefulness is one of the keys to contentment, joy and peace within, and to intimacy with God and others. Gratefulness seeks to serve others. Our greatest service to others is to share Christ and the hope we have in Him, that they too can be a child of the King and make Heaven their home.

I fail and falter all the time, but Jesus loves me anyway. He loves you too. God said all things are possible to those who believe—not all things are easy. It’s a battle.

God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Psalms 46:1 (NKJV)

LINK TO SONG: Morgan Harper Collins— I Can’t Save Myself

“No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, And their righteousness is from Me,” Says the LORD.”
Isaiah‬ ‭54:17‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Seek wise counsel.

For by wise counsel you will wage your own war, And in a multitude of counselors there is safety. Proverbs 24:6 (NKJV)

Run from the shadows of the cares of this world and into the safety found under the shelter of the wings of the almighty God.

I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. John 14:18 (KJV)

Yet in all these things we more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Romans 8:37 (NKJV)

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Psalms 91:1 (NKJV)

Sometimes the way out is through. Jesus meets us in the midst of the raging waters and calms the storm. He will never leave or forsake us. There is joy in His presence.

SERMON: Helping Those Struggling with Depression & Suicidal Thoughts | Pastor Harold Warner | Door Church

LINK TO SONG: Shane and Shane— Psalm 46 (Lord of Hosts)

Light dispels darkness. So, let the Light in.

You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV)

Resources

Focus on the Family Counseling Services & Referrals:

To request a conversation with Focus on the Family’s Counseling Department with one of their licensed or pastoral counseling specialists at no cost to you: 1-855-771-HELP (4357) weekdays from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Mountain Time https://www.focusonthefamily.com/…/counseling-services…/

24/7 Billy Graham Prayer Line number:

1-888-388-2683

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:

24/7/ 365 days a year Call: 1-800-273-8255

Being a member of and attending a good Bible believing, Bible preaching church is part of God’s design for finding the best help and support for navigating life.

If you are not already connected to a church, please consider finding one. Here is a link that may help you find a church home:

https://www.cfmmap.org

http://www.worldcfm.com

Fathomless

Tattoo-It_On_Your_Heart_Rachael_M_Colby_Fathomless Why do we let our finite problems eclipse our infinite God?

Why do we limit the possibilities

When we have access to a limitless God?

He is unsearchable

Yet He calls us to know Him

The more I know Him

The less I feel I know

There is always more

He is fathomless

All encompassing goodness and grace

I have tasted of the wine of His Word and will

And I want more of Him

Nothing else satisfies

Nothing ever will

Rachael_M_Colby_Tattoo_it_on_Your_Heart_Drunk_on_You

Morning Song

Jesus,
You captivate me.

Your love overwhelms me.

Your majesty is brighter than the noonday sun.

Your splendor outshines the stars.

I am undone.

You are my everything, my all in all.

My Savior. My friend,

My God.

Did you miss last year’s Valentine’s post? Or perhaps you need to be reminded of some of it again. I do. Often. Here it is:

Built to Last Not a Hollywood Romance

The plan was for me to read the scripture, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, at my brother’s wedding, and sit back down. But that’s not what happened…Sometimes this is what happens when I put pen to paper and God starts speaking. Sometimes this is what happens when you give me a microphone…

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. 1 Corinthians 13:4 (NLT)

You will notice the scripture doesn’t say, “love is a feeling.” That’s because it isn’t. Love has feelings, but it is a choice and an action. Love is first a proper noun, because God is love. But then Love became a verb, an action…

“So, are you the romantic type?” someone asked me recently. Romance, for me, may look a little different than the picture culture and Hollywood paints…

A Story

The fury of the snowy night downed power lines and enveloped all. They settled into the couch as the story played across the screen. Winter’s icy fingers pressed against the window panes… Continued here: Built to Last Not a Hollywood Romance

Speaking of romance, Here’s some more:

Romancing the Rock

Imagine a date where you showed up, tossed a list of what you wanted from your date at them, and then left without even partaking of the meal.

Do you know what “I’m busy right now, God,” means? It’s saying “There is something more important right now than receiving what you have to say to me, God.” And there isn’t. Ever. We need… Continued Here: Romancing the Rock

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16 (NKJV)

Do you know my Jesus?

Prior Post: I Hate Commitment, (or is it Failure I Fear?)

Dear reader,

I’d like to invite you to read about our young friend, Alek’s, battle against Lymes disease. Please consider sharing on your social media and with friends, family and co-workers.

*Matching funds on new donations from February 1st- February 14th! Link to read his story or donate toward his ongoing treatment. the information on Lymes disease in this article by his mom is a good education on the disease and may be helpful to others battling it or with undiagnosed similar symptoms:

Click to read or donate here: https://www.gofundme.com/aleks-battle-against-lymes

I Hate Commitment, (or is it Failure I Fear)

I hate commitment. It’s terrifying! Failure to keep a commitment devastates me, no matter how small. So, I shy away from it. I procrastinated all day about accepting author and writing coach Jeff Goins’s 30 day #My500Words writing challenge because I figured if I waited long enough, it would be too late to commit and then I couldn’t fail. One way to avoid failure is to not commit—just don’t take the risk. Right? Wrong.

The Bible admonishes us to count the cost, to consider if we are able to complete a task before we begin and to let our yea be yea and our nay be nay. We should have reverence for commitment, but there’s a difference between responsibly considering decisions and living in neutral. Neutral often slides into reverse motion

Tattoo_It_On_your_Heart_Rachael_M-Colby_Neutral

You can choose to live a reactive or proactive life. God calls us to action and faithful stewardship of our talents and abilities. Passivity is an action. We are responsible for the results of our indecision. We either pursue God and His call for our lives or neglect it. Inaction is an action; indecision is a decision. No risk, no gain. Guaranteed.

In an effort to feel more secure and protect myself from failure, I wrote my first 500 words before typing, “I’m in,” and accepting the challenge—at the last minute. So how did I do? I failed. I missed three days and many days I fell short of the 500 words, but on others, I exceeded it. There is a difference between failing at something and being a failure. Failing doesn’t necessarily identify you as a failure. It could just mean you tried and as Thomas Edison said, figured out many ways how not to do something, which is often the route to finally achieving a goal or overcoming an obstacle.

So, what really is the battle here? Am I afraid of commitment, or failure? Or am I just a control freak? The answer is yes. I like the sure thing. It’s not a risk if I know the outcome, can do it in my own strength, or don’t need a miracle. But if I stay in my comfort zone, I don’t need faith and if I don’t reach beyond my own abilities, I miss the chance to see God work with me, through me, and move on my behalf. My mess yielded to Jesus is a chance for God’s miracles. My obstacles are God’s opportunities.

I’m often hard on myself when I feel I’ve let myself, others, and most importantly, God, down. Even though I want and need input to grow, sometimes it’s hard to receive criticism from others because I’ve done such a good job of beating myself up. That’s an issue with Grace. God says in His Word that His mercies are new every morning.

Unspoken- Miracle

Let your trials and failures refine you and let God define you.

Sometimes it’s the process of the struggle that builds the strength to accomplish the task. The only real failures are those who do nothing or quit at their calling.

Sometimes what we think of as failure is God’s strength and endurance training, equipping us to help others.

Sometimes that good thing for us is failure, or setback, or discipline, or faith stretched until the midnight hour—and then the victory. Pray; wait on God, and when He says it’s time to move—move.

Tattoo-It_On_Your_Heart_CFM_Pastor_Chip_Ganiear_Potential_Miracle

When I depend on myself and my own abilities I fall short. The only sure thing is the Gospel. The only guarantee of success is to obey God and hitch our hearts, our hope, our destiny and eternity on Jesus. What matters is not my own or the world’s definition of success or failure, but God’s. God defines us by our identity with Him. I am His.

If God is asking you for something you can’t do then it’s God’s turn to do whatever it takes to accomplish His will and destiny for your life. — Pastor Chip Ganiear

And all that really matters is the will of God.

I’m going to fail sometimes. You’re going to fail sometimes. We will lose some battles, but I read the end of the story, and those who walk with Jesus win the war.

Pray. Persist. Prevail.