"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you’ I will uphold you with my righteous right hand….For I am the Lord, you God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you” |Isaiah 41:10, 13|
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I know you are not perfect. But I always want you to remember that those who are in Christ are a new creation; the old, faulty, sinful, diseased, confused, angry, insecure you is gone; behold you have been made new. It may not always look like you are new, feel like you are new, and perhaps there'll be days where nothing affirms this transformation. But God has affirmed you—in His word He affirms you over and over. And that is enough. You are not a slave to the old you. You now have the Greatest Comforter, Greatest Helper on Earth who will strengthen you to manifest the spiritual transformation that you are going through.
You may be stumbling with one or a couple of things right now. The challenges seem insurmountable. You may want to give up, but know that you are greater than the sin that is trying to ensnare you. I am praying for you. I am praying that God guards all that concerns you. I am praying that He strengthens your hands and blesses them. I am praying that he anoints your head with oil and removes any and all shame that has followed you. I pray that your eyes continually search out His word, that you may be transformed by it, such that you will flee from all darkness. May your ears tune in to his word through preaching, and praise and worship. I pray that your mouth possesses the good that God has set up for you, that the words of it are a blessing to you, and to all that hear you.
You may not feel as strong as the words I am speaking to you, but I hope that you believe them. Above all, I pray that you do your part in hiding the word in your spirit, and practicing it faithfully. As you do so, may God transform you into the fullness of who He created you to be.
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From DesiringGod.org:
If a doctor says, “You’re very sick and may die of your sickness, but if you will take this medicine, you will get well and live,” and you neglect to take the medicine — too busy, the pills are big and hard to swallow, just forgetful — you are going to stay sick and you may die. That’s the way it is with sin and spiritual immaturity. If you neglect what God tells you will sanctify you and make you mature and strong and holy, then you will not be mature and strong and holy. Reading, meditating on, memorizing, and cherishing the word of God is God’s appointed way of overcoming sin and becoming a strong, godly, mature, loving, wise person.
https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/open-my-eyes-that-i-may-see
Pic via @turbanistaparis
https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/open-my-eyes-that-i-may-see
Pic via @turbanistaparis
