I recently read a really good book and wanted to share it with you. My uncle had told me about the author who was a friend of his. He sent the book to me and it was amazing how God used it in my life.
After reading the book, I had the opportunity to talk with the author. He asked me to mention the book to my blog followers. The name of the book is The Lost Secret and the author is Rick Suarez. You can visit his website at http://www.lostsecret.org/
The book is illustrated beautifully and is not like any other book I have read. It is also in a study guide form. Rick shares his life honestly and openly. And it is an amazing story. Jesus became the focus of His life and is using him to reach many people with the message of the cross.
The book covers every area in the Christian's journey. One of the chapters is about idols. And the Lord used the book to reveal the idols in my life.
Thinking I knew myself pretty well and knowing how God has healed my heart and changed my life, my prideful self thought this should be easy. It went like this:
"Lord, do I have any idols in my life?"
The answer came quickly, "Yes."
Mmmm...I had to really think about it. Do I really want to see the idols in my life? I have known the Lord long enough to know that when he is ready to work in your life, don't put it off. No matter how painful it seems, there is always victory on the other side. I knew I didn't want to miss out on what he has for me.
So, I worked up enough courage and said, "Okay, Lord, please show me what is an idol in my life".
He said, "Your family".
I quickly responded and said, "No, it's not". Pretty bold of me to argue with God, huh. I was so defensive!
He answered me with silence. He just waited...he didn't condemn me or shame me...he just waited.
I felt His presence so strongly and I was so humbled. I know that He is God and he knows me perfectly.
I then saw a picture in my mind. In my mind, I saw the cross. And then the idols in my life were lined up like wooden "game pieces".
The first one was my husband and then my kids, and then my parents, and then my siblings and then their children and my in-laws and their children...all of them...lined up. At the end of the line was me. I have a fairly large family, so this was a pretty long line.
How could I argue with God?
But I did, I said, "But Lord, I love them and I care about them and I want them to know you".
I was the first to get saved in my family, and have felt responsible for them. I want to be a good witness and I don't want them to miss out on what God has for each one of them. I want that more than anything!
Oh, so there's the key, I want that MORE than anything. I guess that is the definition of an idol, isn't it?
The Lord answered me and said, "Then let me be their God and stop playing God in their lives." I was so humbled. I didn't argue with God. I was speechless.
I sat quietly for a moment. I said, "Lord, I'm so sorry. I don't want anything between you and me."
And as quickly as I finished that prayer, the "game pieces" fell like dominoes. I was instantly at the foot of the cross, with nothing between me and Jesus!
The weight was taken off of my shoulders. The weight that I chose to carry. Jesus never asked me to carry that burden. Oh, he is so much better at being God than I am. I am free to set them free...and let Him be God!
So, check out the book. I am pretty sure God has a message for you somewhere in it too. And tell Rick I sent you...www.lostsecret.org.
A life changed by God is a blessed life! Be blessed!
Monday, September 28, 2009
A Man of His Word
These random thoughts play through my mind daily. They are thoughts of Jesus and they are thoughts of you. Here is a glimpse of my day:
You will see Jesus coming near, His voice you will hear...
Praise the Lord, O my soul, His Name is to be praised.
Spend time in His presence, and become His essence.
He longs to hold you close, He longs to look in your face.
He wants to see His reflection in you, as you reflect His glory.
I can't get enough of this amazing love, I can't describe it or speak loudly enough.
I want you to know Him like this, to know who you are in Him.
How can I help you? How can I explain Him? I don't have the right words, but He does.
His word is His essence. It is WHO he is. It describes Him precisely.
There is no other God but Him. There is none above, on earth, or below...He is the great I AM.
He wants to be known. He wants to be praised. He wants to shower you with blessings.
He wants you to be in a position to receive from Him. He has a plan and wants you to walk in it.
Do you rest in His presence? He wants to give you rest.
He wants to give you direction for your life. The One who made you, knows all about you.
The One who made you, loves you perfectly. The One who made everything you see, sees you!
Draw close to Him and He will draw close to you.
Surrender your life to Him and He will give you MORE life!
He who has the Son has LIFE!
Bless the Lord, O my soul, for He has done wonderful things in my LIFE!
Pick up His word, your Bible, and ask Him to speak to you. It is HIS word and He is a man of HIS word...
You can count on it!
You will see Jesus coming near, His voice you will hear...
Praise the Lord, O my soul, His Name is to be praised.
Spend time in His presence, and become His essence.
He longs to hold you close, He longs to look in your face.
He wants to see His reflection in you, as you reflect His glory.
I can't get enough of this amazing love, I can't describe it or speak loudly enough.
I want you to know Him like this, to know who you are in Him.
How can I help you? How can I explain Him? I don't have the right words, but He does.
His word is His essence. It is WHO he is. It describes Him precisely.
There is no other God but Him. There is none above, on earth, or below...He is the great I AM.
He wants to be known. He wants to be praised. He wants to shower you with blessings.
He wants you to be in a position to receive from Him. He has a plan and wants you to walk in it.
Do you rest in His presence? He wants to give you rest.
He wants to give you direction for your life. The One who made you, knows all about you.
The One who made you, loves you perfectly. The One who made everything you see, sees you!
Draw close to Him and He will draw close to you.
Surrender your life to Him and He will give you MORE life!
He who has the Son has LIFE!
Bless the Lord, O my soul, for He has done wonderful things in my LIFE!
Pick up His word, your Bible, and ask Him to speak to you. It is HIS word and He is a man of HIS word...
You can count on it!
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Jump for Joy
I read a statement the other day that said: Jumping for Joy is Great Exercise! I loved that!
Yesterday, I experienced the worst headache of my life. On a scale of 1-10, my pain was a 20! It came on very quickly and I found myself in bed for several hours with a pillow under my head, and one over my head and knowing I needed a quick exit to the bathroom if necessary. The pain was very nauseating.
As I lay there in pain, I couldn't help but think of the pain that Jesus endured for me. It's beyond comprehension. This pain was just one part of my body. Though it seemed almost unbearable, I could still move the rest of my body, though I didn't want to.
I kept asking God what I needed to learn from the pain. Pain is a great teacher. It stops us in our tracks, literally. It takes precedence over every other thing in our lives. It gets our attention!
The Bible talks about the church as the Body of Christ. When one part suffers, the whole body suffers. I want to encourage you to get close to God. Ask him the hard questions. Am I doing what YOU want me to do? Am I going where YOU want me to go? Is my light shining for YOU or is it just making me look good?
I am so thankful that today, I am not suffering. My boys are happy that I am going to get to go on their field trip with them. I am in agreement today with my oldest son, "That the same One who made the body can heal the body!"
I am confident that he can heal His body too. If you confess Jesus as your Lord, you are a part of His body. Are you whole? He wants you to be. I want to jump for joy in Jesus' presence. I want to hear him say, "Well done, good and faithful servant!"
Will you jump for joy in His presence?
Yesterday, I experienced the worst headache of my life. On a scale of 1-10, my pain was a 20! It came on very quickly and I found myself in bed for several hours with a pillow under my head, and one over my head and knowing I needed a quick exit to the bathroom if necessary. The pain was very nauseating.
As I lay there in pain, I couldn't help but think of the pain that Jesus endured for me. It's beyond comprehension. This pain was just one part of my body. Though it seemed almost unbearable, I could still move the rest of my body, though I didn't want to.
I kept asking God what I needed to learn from the pain. Pain is a great teacher. It stops us in our tracks, literally. It takes precedence over every other thing in our lives. It gets our attention!
The Bible talks about the church as the Body of Christ. When one part suffers, the whole body suffers. I want to encourage you to get close to God. Ask him the hard questions. Am I doing what YOU want me to do? Am I going where YOU want me to go? Is my light shining for YOU or is it just making me look good?
I am so thankful that today, I am not suffering. My boys are happy that I am going to get to go on their field trip with them. I am in agreement today with my oldest son, "That the same One who made the body can heal the body!"
I am confident that he can heal His body too. If you confess Jesus as your Lord, you are a part of His body. Are you whole? He wants you to be. I want to jump for joy in Jesus' presence. I want to hear him say, "Well done, good and faithful servant!"
Will you jump for joy in His presence?
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