M.I.A

It's true...I have been Missing In Action.  I am calling my post Africa blues, if you will.  For some reason since I have been home I have felt an overwhelming sense of defeat.  To be honest I am not really sure why.  My marriage is growing and flourishing, our children are thriving, the church is alive and growing in Christ, and I have an amazing extended family and friends.

After taking a hard look and spending some time with the Lord I am convinced that this feeling I have been experiencing is a lie.  Isn't it just like Satan (the one who comes to steal, kill, and destroy) to remind me of all of my short comings and stand ready to steal my joy, kill my excitement, and destroy all that God has shown me over this summer.

I read this quote yesterday and about burst into  tears on the spot...

"Lies fill our world and seep into our homes.  If we don't know His truths then lies will take us captive.  If lies bind us, we doubt God's love and question His faithfulness when difficulties arise.  If lies fill our minds, we define God's character based upon our circumstance rather than based upon His revelation.  We MUST maintain an arsenal of truths in our hearts and souls in order to combat lies."

What is amazing is the fact that I can see where God has been trying to show me this very thing in the last month of my life. 

Look at some of the things I have studies in Ephesians in the last weeks...

• God blesses us with every spiritual blessing
• He chose us
• He predestined us to adoption according to His kind intention
• In Him we have redemption, forgiveness of sins, all according to the RICHES of His grace that He LAVISHED on us
• He is a God of mercy and GREAT love
• We are His workmanship

And those are just a few of the reminders my sweet Lord has given me.

The problem comes when I just simply read these words.  God has called us hide His word in our hearts and to arm ourselves with the Sword of the Spirit (His Word)...It is very hard to stand in the face of the lies if we do not possess the truth.

So I am standing up to the lier...

I may not always feel like I measure up but God has given me every blessing (Eph. 1:3) and that His grace is sufficient for me, for His power is made perfect in my weaknesses.

On the days when I feel like I don't have what it takes I will remember that He has given me everything I need to live a life of godliness (2 Peter 1:3) and that not only am I His workmanship but He already has good works planned for me to do (Eph. 2:10).

On the days when I feel like I would just rather do nothing than live the life I know He has for me I will call to mind Proverbs 14:23...In all labor there is profit but mere talk leads only to poverty.  Or one of my all time favorites is Proverbs 13:4...The appetite of the sluggard is never filled but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.

I am so thankful that my God is who He says He is and that He can do what He says He can do.  I am thankful for the way He has opened my eyes to the truth and reminded me of His great love for me in spite of how ever I may be feeling about me!!  I am thankful that He is making me new everyday!

So out with the blues!  Bring on the life God has for me!!