Built for TRUTH...

Built for TRUTH... has been all consuming in my heart lately.  HIS DAILY BREAD for me today is HIM filling me with discernment that I've only received through surrender.  Letting go of my judgements, perspectives, letting down my walls of pride that have kept me from SEEING HIS TRUTH.  Surrender of the feelings of unforgiveness that I feel rightly to have.  HE is letting me know, that the very unforgiveness that I am holding onto is keeping me from the healing HE has for me.

HIS DAILY TEACHINGS today is revealing the importance for me to have open-hearted faith so that I will be readily available to do the very things HE has planned for my life.  HE is letting me know the pre-requisites to having an open-hearted faith are a willingness to let go, to surrender, to be ready to love as JESUS loves, and to allow HIM to soften my heart (even when I disagree).  

Pride, well that has tripped me up for so long.  This is because of the layers of self-protection I have worn since I was 2.5 and didn't take off until I turned 48.  Self-Protective layers that I needed at the time but don't serve any purpose for me now in the chapter of my life I am living with JESUS.  In letting go and allowing HIM to open my spiritual eyes to SEE (open-hearted faith) I am reminded of why HE has so lovingly taken so much time preparing me every step of the way through learning and understanding of the imperativeness of a HOLY RESPONSE in the conflict, confusion, and division in my life.

I am learning, and well my awareness is increasing daily that I'll be learning until either JESUS comes back, or I am called HOME to BE with JESUS, Philippians 1:6.  That if I am waiting for the moment for heart work to cease in my life, well that just isn't going to happen, for as long as I am breathing, I NEED JESUS.  I NEED HIM not only to BE my SAVIOR, but my LORD.  I NEED HIM to help me understand that I was built - created for HIS TRUTH.  HIS TRUTH IS:  ALL OF HIS KIDS- you, me, we were ALL BUILT for TRUTH, NOT to swallow the lies of the enemy, Ephesians 2:20-21

HIS TRUTH IS reminding me once again that I was NOT given a spirit of fear, but of POWER, LOVE, and a SOUND MIND, 2 Timothy 1:7.  The enemy schemes ALL of the time to take me out.  To trip me up in pride, judgement, animosity, bitterness, jealousy, anger, hatred, and unforgiveness.  This is because relationally for most of my life that same lie that was breathed into my soul, was cultivated over and over again in every season, every stage, every chapter of my life.  It's where I can look back on my life and the villain's I "thought" I had, all have the same characteristics, same personality, and a common theme of the attacks came in the same manner.  Attacking my self-esteem, self-worth, increased the intensity of loneliness, being forgotten, unwanted, unworthy, unlovable, too much, and not enough.  In the attacks, the schemes the enemy successfully tricked me into believing isolation was the ONLY way to avoid another level of betrayal in my life.  

I spent most of my life until 4 years ago swallowing lies, and it wasn't until HE began to teach me how to PUT ON HIS ARMOR did, I learn to fight.  Did I learn WHO I was fighting.  It wasn't until then that I learned the upmost importance and power in PRAYING in HIS MIGHTY and HOLY name, JESUS CHRIST OF NAZARETH WHO CAME IN THE FLESH.  In putting on HIS ARMOR daily HE began to speak HIS TRUTH over my life, cutting out the lies at the root, as people pleasing was one of the deepest-rooted lies in my life.  As part of my self-protection was NOT to draw unwanted attention to myself, do my absolute best to stay under the radar.  To avoid conflict at all costs.  That is until my eyes were opened to SEE the lies that I was swallowing daily, that skewed my perspective for living and kept me from SEEING with a FRESH HEAVENLY PERSPECTIVE, which has ALWAYS been HIS TRUTH.

Conflict has invaded my everyday life, even in my own family.  Division, destruction and estrangement have become our reality.  That the attacks against me weren't enough for the enemy, he began to target my family.  Those whom my heart bleeds for in their loss, their grief, their struggles, their storms of life.  I'm watching from the sidelines, praying, waiting for HIM to rescue those who have fallen prey to the enemies lies and schemes.  All the while praying to keep my eyes opened to SEE, to never just assume, but to prayerfully seek HIS TRUTH always.  Even so boldly praying that HE would help me to accept HIS TRUTH even if it's devastating, even if it's hard.  Praying daily to have, to keep my resolve for a HOLY RESPONSE, that even when it hurts, even if it isn't true, not reacting, rather giving HIM ALL my emotions, feelings of anger, hurt, and overwhelming sadness.  

Life hasn't gotten easier; I've just gotten stronger because of JESUS.  Because of HIS strength poured over me, in me, and flowing through me.  It's because of HIS BLESSED ASSURANCE, HIS HOLY PROMISES that HE has kept steadfastly faithful to me, for me.  It's because I am learning I was Built for HIS TRUTH and am never expected by HIM to swallow the lies just to keep the peace.  Rather to speak boldly HIS TRUTH in love, to step way, stand aside, take a HOLY RESPONSE posture of grace and humility.  To wait for JESUS, to allow HIM to lead me.  As HE is after all the Author and Perfector of my FAITH, Hebrews 12:2

Dear Ones,

HE knows, HE understands why, what happened, what was said to you, gossiped about you.  HE knows the slander against you and what you have slandered in response to theirs.  HE knows what's transpired and has heard all the conversations that you weren't privy to.  HE knows the healing, the apologies that you long for.  HE knows the restoration, the renewal, the redeeming HE has planned for your life.  HE knows who you are missing, how much your heart is hurting.  HE knows, HE cares, HE is with you.  HE has NEVER left you, nor has HE ever forsaken you.  You, Dear One, are NOT alone, your name is etched in HIS hands, HE has you, HE has good and amazing plans for your life.  

HOPE HAS A NAME, HIS NAME IS JESUS

ALL FOR HIS GLORY

With much love, compassion, kindness, humility, and understanding,

Your Sister in CHRIST JESUS,

~Heather