A snapshot of my testimony

A snapshot of my testimony  

by Michelle M. James

For many years I lived lukewarm. I had enough of Jesus to make me feel good but not enough to make a difference. I loved Him as Saviour but rejected Him as Lord. I indulged when it was convenient but neglected Him full time. I always knew to cry out in times of need but as soon as things were "right my way" I quickly parted from His feet.

I never really understood my surrender was required or how serious God sees sin as vile wretched and evil. I had head knowledge of Christ but my heart was hard as stone. There was nothing personal about my relationship with Him. Actually to say a relationship existed is blasphemous in itself!

Then one day He showed me I was no different from anyone else. I talked just like them, dressed just like them, acted no different, indulged in the same music, movies and entertainment that contradicts Him. So on and so on things were made clear.

Truth struck at my heart as lighting to a dead tree. I was Christian in name only as I really didn't know this King. I knew of Him, that much was true but in reality I created a god of convenience who looked no different than me and you.

His love hurts, then heals as He makes all things known. His character is real and without compromising Himself, He is true to His Word. His attributes are divine and His ways are so much different than mine.

If you say you know Him, are you sure it's the One who gave His life for you? Is there evidence of Him in your thoughts, life, behavior and in your love for Him and others? Is there a change that continues to be seen, felt and heard?

#SelfExamination #HeartCheck #SurrenderRequired

 #honestyispowerful #bringingtruthtodeceivedpeople

Watered in the Word

Photo credit: picture captured from my garden

One day while standing outside with my husband and a friend, my husband noticed a plant in dire need of water. So, I went and grabbed the hose. 

Common sense right, Lol! Plants need water to not only grow but to survive. As I'm watering our plants in need, the Lord spoke immensely to my heart. 

He reminded me of those around us (born again believers). People notice when we are dry and parched too. Though they likely can't put a finger on why we are changing, they take note. Others around us are watching! 

If we aren't being watered daily, our hearts can become hardened which makes a prime breeding ground for weeds (i.e. bitterness, anger, resentment, etc.) to set in. Sounds crazy, but it's true. The Word is the Living waters we need daily! 

If we don't allow the Word to saturate us from the inside out, there's no way we can live what we believe is true about God, much less share those wonderful testimonies that belong to the Lord! Even if we tried sharing, who would believe a crabby, complaining & contentious Christian?

If we've allowed ourselves to become dry and dusty, it only takes a few moments to get back on track. Turn back to those living waters and allow the ground of your heart to heed His call!

"Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;

But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God." 2 Corinthians 4:1-2

Question is, are we willing to look at the state of our hearts conditions? Are we watered daily, regularly consuming the Word resulting in a reflection of Christ? Or, have we grown dry, dusty, crabby and contentious? 

My heart is fixed

"My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise." Psalm 57:7

Only a heart "fixed", which is established, fastened, firm and/or ready can continually sing and give praise. Why? Because this heart sees Christ above all circumstances, trials, tribulations and temptations. 

Do you know why this is so important? It testifies to those around us Who Christ is: he is our Rock, our Strength, our Fortress, our Deliverer, our Strong Tower, He is alive, working and ever present! Is the joy of the Lord evident in your life today?

A Moment in the Mind

 

Memories... much can be said about what the mind retains.

Many know in my early 20's, that I've experienced a Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (MTBI). As one who has gone through short term memory loss I've learned the value of writing... whether on a sticky note, a daily planner or in a journal book.

Think of the simple things we retain. For example, fire is hot so don't touch it. Or, ice is freezing! Don't hold it too long. On a more sophisticated note, we remember those we've loved, liked and those we had no problem letting go. We remember emotions associated with certain people in our lives too.

Truly the mind is an amazing thing! It captures moments in time. Sometimes we can put or experience in words and other times, there are no words to be found.

With all that said, let's consider the vast depths of the Word of God. There are 66 books written in great detail. Some people retain majority of what they read, whether in the Bible or anything else. Others, its held for a short time, maybe minutes or hours, possibly even a few days.

Is it really any wonder why we aren't to rely solely on our human minds to retain what is needed? For the believer, filled with the Holy Spirit we have a gift greater than any other. A memory beyond our comprehension! How? The Holy Spirit not only teaches us as we need, but also brings back what we might have forgotten.

"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." John 14:26

There's a massive difference between head knowledge and that which the heart holds. When we take the time to prayerfully ponder and study the Word of God, it not only saturates the mind for a time, it steeps deep within the heart!

Psalm 119:11 says, — Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

The mind is an amazing thing and so is the heart. Its fascinating how they work together! Maybe you can relate to this kind of reliance? Whether pushing a pen to retain what's needed for a time or pushing in prayer, asking for the help of the One greater than our temporary minds can contain.

If you are one who finds writing boring, mindless and without point are you willing to consider that even the Almighty, the Living God has books written... consider the Scriptures and even detailed within He says, "Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name." Malachi 3:16

Pretty amazing isnt it!? That is only one account of many. Have you ever considered a moment in the mind or the heaps of help in regaining those precious and powerful restored memories?

Complaining and the corrupt heart

When I find myself complaining and easily irritated (which seems pretty frequent lately), the Lord pricks my heart. Why? Because it reveals my heart isn't right with Him. 

How can we know this? 

"A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh." Luke 6:45 "Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?" James 3:11

These things reveal much about where we seek contentment. If our eyes and hearts are fixed upon Christ, we won't be so easily disappointed and spring off of our emotions. After all, our only stability is found in Christ, our unmoveable Rock! 

"Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;" Philippians 2:14-15

My sweet lil friend reminded me yesterday, "Always remember Michelle, life's not fair". It's true! May we praise the Lord more and complain less! There should be a notable difference in us who have Christ, not mirror those of this world. 

Father, please fix our hearts upon Christ by Your Spirit which is stronger that any super glue, for Your glory. In Jesus name. Amen!!!