I went to a luncheon yesterday with a small group of lovely women, and while I was there I spoke about my journey and the ministry God has given me. It was a nice luncheon, and the women there were all very kind. God was gracious towards me, because of the place I have been in the last few weeks, I needed a lot of grace. My words did not flow as easily as they normally do, and I did not say as much as I normally might. But, as one friend commented, "the highlights were hit!" And, my prayer is that someone's heart was touched by His Spirit. This morning, in my time with God, I continued to pray that He use me for His kingdom, even in the times when I am challenged. That He takes my struggles and uses them for good. As I prayed 2 Corinthians came to mind, and I love the entire chapter.
This verse is especially lovely: "You yourselves are all the endorsement we need. Your very lives are a letter that anyone can read by just looking at you. Christ himself wrote it-not with ink, but with God's living Spirit: not chiseled into stone, but carved into human lives-and we publish it."
I am the endorsement, and so are you. Christ Himself wrote the script with His Spirit carved into my life, deeply rooted. The way I live my life, is the way I publish it. My testimony of Him. And, when I am challenged with difficult times, frightening times, and I am, I can choose to walk through them or I could run away from them. But, I am a living testimony, obedient to His word, so I will choose to walk with Him through the challenges.
As it says further down in the chapter, "With that kind of hope to excite us, nothing holds us back. Unlike Moses, we have nothing to hide. Everything is out in the open with us."
I'm going to hang on to that verse, the hope part at least. And, claim all of it as a promise.
Say That Again, Jesus, You have endorsed me as Your testimony to witness for You. You have asked me and asked others to meet many challenges through you, so here we are, chiseled before you, sometimes fearful, but here. Say That Again, Endorsed and on Your side.
This verse is especially lovely: "You yourselves are all the endorsement we need. Your very lives are a letter that anyone can read by just looking at you. Christ himself wrote it-not with ink, but with God's living Spirit: not chiseled into stone, but carved into human lives-and we publish it."
I am the endorsement, and so are you. Christ Himself wrote the script with His Spirit carved into my life, deeply rooted. The way I live my life, is the way I publish it. My testimony of Him. And, when I am challenged with difficult times, frightening times, and I am, I can choose to walk through them or I could run away from them. But, I am a living testimony, obedient to His word, so I will choose to walk with Him through the challenges.
As it says further down in the chapter, "With that kind of hope to excite us, nothing holds us back. Unlike Moses, we have nothing to hide. Everything is out in the open with us."
I'm going to hang on to that verse, the hope part at least. And, claim all of it as a promise.
Say That Again, Jesus, You have endorsed me as Your testimony to witness for You. You have asked me and asked others to meet many challenges through you, so here we are, chiseled before you, sometimes fearful, but here. Say That Again, Endorsed and on Your side.
Bethany,
ReplyDeleteCan you tell me the significance of the peace sign you have as such a prevelant symbol in your ministry. I have always understood it to be a symbol of rebellion to Jesus Christ. The symbol being a the broken cross of Christ...sybolizing that we can have peace without The Prince of Peace. I thought you could enlighten me if it means something different to you.
Dear Anonymous
ReplyDelete"the anti-nuclear emblem or the peace sign is one of the
most widely known symbols in the world.
it was invented on the request of lord bertrand russel,
head of the british ‘campaign for nuclear disarmament’
or CDN and sponsor of mass marches and sit-downs
in london. the graphic symbol was designed by
gerald holtom, a member of the CND movement,
as the badge of the ’direct action committee against
nuclear war’, for the first demonstration against
aldermaston (a british research center for the development
of nuclear weapons) in 1958. holtom, a professional designer
and a graduate of the london royal college of arts, had
originally considered using the christian cross symbol
within a circle as the motif for the march, but various priests
he had approached with the suggestion were not happy
at the idea of using the cross on a protest march."
The peace sign was originally created as a sign of peace, and nothing else. It is true that some people have taken it and used it for evil, but that is not it's original purpose.
I like the symbol, and it has always been a favorite of mine. Many people give me gifts with the peace sign on it and with the words "joy" so, consequently, I incorporated them into my blog as well. God brings peace, it is also His symbol, and He reclaims it.
I hope this answers your question gracefully.
Bethany