genuine

"Does your life demonstrate submission to Sovereign Lordship?" Pastor Dave Mudd

"You don't have to compromise convictions to be compassionate" Pastor Rick Warren

For quite some time now I have been in HIS word Daily.  I wish I could say consistently, but that is NOT the case.  However, I am becoming more aware of how much I need HIS word, just as much as I need air to breathe.   In needing to breathe this morning, HE woke me up at 4 a.m. and let me know that it was time for me to dig deep into HIS word on my own, and NOT through the promptings of someone elses writings.

HIS Daily Teachings today is letting me know that in order for my writing's to really be personal, and for me to really live with genuine faith, I must be digging deep into HIS word on my own, and allowing HIM to teach, lead, and guide me to what it is that I need to know as I stand right where I am.

While listening to the powerful, in-your-face message yesterday at church I had this thought, "LORD use me right where I am, so that I can get to where YOU are."  In that next moment, our pastor said almost the same exact thing.  HE was letting me know that HE was priming me to hear yesterday's message, one of which would rock me to my core.

As I began to dig deep this morning into HIS word, the thought of  "false teachers" came to my mind.  It was then that I realized that I needed to know what HIS word said for myself, and NOT just someone else's interpretation.  From the prompting of my Pastor yesterday, I sat down this morning with my bible and read and journaled through 1 Peter chapters 1 and 2.  

"Don't preach a Savior, and NOT want a LORD" Pastor Dave Mudd

I am learning that in order to be WHO HE has called me to be, means that I must submit to HIS will, and answer HIS calling for my life.  I must give ALL praise, honor, and glory to HIM as I have been given this new life to live through HIS sacrifice for my sins.  It is through my hope in JESUS CHRIST my SAVIOR, WHO bore and died for my sins, so that I would be reconciled unto HIM and HIS FATHER in HEAVEN, that I am able to boldly declare that ALL of my hope is in HIM, IN CHRIST & CHRIST ALONE!

HE is wanting me to know this morning that when I choose to BELIEVE and have faith in HIM, HE will protect me.  HE is telling me that my inheritance is waiting for me in HEAVEN, and can only be received through my genuine faith in HIM.  HE is wanting me to know that the suffering that I am going through will continue until the day that HE, CHRIST JESUS my SAVIOR comes back for me.  I know that HE is coming back for me as it is written.

"to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." 1 Peter 1:4-5

" You have heard Me say to you, ‘I am going away and coming back to you." John 14:28

HE is wanting me to know that my time of suffering was meant to be, that I am called to suffer.  NOT because HE wants me to be in pain, but rather HE wants me to live a life according to HIS will, HIS plan, and HIS purpose.  HE is wanting me to live with genuine faith as a living testament to WHO HE is, WHAT HE has done, and WHAT HE will continue to do.  HE is telling me that while suffering, I must remember that it is ALL for HIS glory, HIS honor, and HIS praise!  Therefore, I must be thankful for my sufferings as I am learning that I am a misfit for this world, as if I am truly living a genuine life I cannot be of this world.

"In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials." 1 Peter 1:6

In reading HIS words this morning I am learning that HE is allowing tests and trials to refine my faith into a genuine faith, so that anyone who hears my testimony will know that I truly have been saved by HIS amazing grace, and that HIS mercy, and love have been showered upon me.  HE is using me to reach the masses through my mistakes, my testimony, and my story.  I must NOT ever feel sorry for myself, but be glad, be humble, be thankful that I have been chosen to live the life I am living, and to now have the freedom to speak HIS truth, HIS words, HIS love, to everyone and anyone that I may come in contact with.  

Yesterday my nine year old daughter made this statement, "seeing isn't believing, it's faith Mama"  How true those words are, and how amazing those words are, as it is through genuine faith that I am given the ability to BELIEVE and trust HIM, that HE is WHO HE says HE is.  I am learning that I don't need to see HIM to know that HE is working in my life.  To feel HIS presence in every step I take in my journey towards wholeness.  I am learning that set apart from HIM, I am truly NOTHING.  In NOT wanting to be nothing I am continuing to seek HIM, and asking HIM to refine, and renew me daily so that I will live with genuine faith.

"Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy" 1 Peter 1:8

This morning my faith in HIM has been renewed just by remembering that my hope, and my JOY is in HIM. HE is the reason that I sing!  HE is the only reason that I am still here, living and breathing in this world.  I know this because HE has proven to me time and again that HIS plan, HIS purpose, HIS timing, and HIS provision is absolutely perfect for my life.

I am thankful to see, and grateful to know how HIS HOLY SPIRIT resides within me.  I am so blessed by HIS gift of HIS ever presence in my life.  I am overwhelmed by how much HE has planned for me, and how HE sets everything up to be revealed to me in HIS timing, all of which have been designed specifically to blow me away by HIS goodness, HIS love, HIS mercy, and HIS grace.

In seeking HIS truth for my life, and being able to write about the things that HE is teaching me, I never want to be just a "little Suzy sunshine" writer.  I want to share the storms and trials of my life, of which HE is using to renew and refine me daily.  I never want to be someone who "thinks" they are living with genuine faith, I want to know that I am living with genuine faith. I want the readers, you, to know that in whatever the circumstances may be in your life that you are NOT alone.  I want you to be comforted by knowing that even though your marriage may be on the rocks, your job isn't going well, your health is declining, your finances are a wreck, you relationships are failing, whatever it is that you are going through, HE is there!  HE is waiting for you to catch up to HIM.  HE is waiting for you to cry out, and come under HIM, and allow HIM to teach, lead, and guide you, so that you too will be able to live with genuine faith.

 It is my prayer for whoever, whomever I come in contact with to see HIM in me, and so I pray each day, "LORD JESUS so much more of YOU, and so much less of me."  I pray today that through my living testament of WHO HE is in my life, that you will be able to see HIM in yours.  I pray that you will receive HIS peace and HIS love, as you bravely take the first step in admitting that set apart from HIM, you are nothing, but with HIM you will be made whole.

Blessings,
Heather