2 Corinthians 12:9.

2 Corinthians 12:9, “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” - 

But--- the other shoe that will drop. 

He said (the Lord Almighty)

to me (Andrea)

"My Grace (God's mercy; clemency)

is sufficient (enough) 

for you (Andrea), 

for my (God's)

power is made perfect (having no mistakes or flaws)

in weakness (lack of strength and feebleness). 

Therefore (to that end)

I (Andrea)

will boast(to speak with pride)

all the more gladly about my(Andrea)

weakness( a condition where a person feels more effort than normal is required to exert a given amount of force)  

so that Christ's(My Jesus son of God)

power(a source or means of supplying energy)

may rest(relief or freedom, especially from anything that wearies, troubles, or disturbs.)

on me(Andrea)

Wow means so much more when I make it my own.

My Lord is My Valentine!

This is what we did for #MadetoCrave bible study.  I really need this to remember a man doesn't make me complete but our Lord does!!!!

Delighting in Obedience ~

I still feel like the scales define me.  I have lost 8lbs in the past three weeks.  This has been because of eating more fruits and vegetables, less gluten and carbs.  I messed up on Tuesday and had a meal that had orzo in it. I was told it is really good.  Well it was and to my disappointment it was pasta.  It sent me into a carbohydrate crash.   Ladies stay away.  It is not gluten free! 

Well I ended up having chili that night that was low fat, black bean, and rich in tomatoes.  I so tried to stay on track. (Notice I not God)  I then did a newsletter that took way to long and didn’t spend time in the word and with God like I normally do. In other words I was not being obedient to my true Master. I just went to bed.  Woke up the next day and had to weigh myself. 

Uggg! Gained two pounds. I stepped backwards in my journey and became that number on the scale.  I haven’t even read chapter 8 yet because I feel guilty that I haven’t been following my plan or God’s plan.   I have weighed myself for the past two days. My obedience has been to the scales. I hate scales.  I hate being defined by a number.  I think if I had an accountability partner I would be better.  But….. NOW how do I change it my thinking.  WELL, getting back to my Lord with prayer, reading my Made to Crave book, and reading my go to scriptures.  I don’t have this God does.  My encouragement to others is put it back at our Lord’s feet.  I always pick up my burdens and want to fix them on my own but this one he is going to have to fix.  That means that I need to every morning say a prayer to my Lord.  “God you know I struggle with eating healthy and in a way that glorifies you. Let me be obedient to you Lord and not food! Help me today to take your guidance and love.  Let my eating glorify you!  In  your son’s precious name Jesus Amen.

One Step...............

One step can be towards our Lord or one step back.  Sometimes it can be two or three.  In my Made to Crave Online Bible Study one of the moderators Nicki Koziarz.  She said the following:
How close we are to God is our choice.

James 4:8 says this, “Come near to God and He will come near to you.”

The presence of God cannot be manufactured, it can only be cultivated from within. But the beautiful thing about our God is it only takes one step to be closer to Him.

One step away from the excuses.

One step away from the fear.One step away from the doubt.
One step closer to His wisdom.
One step closer to His joy.
One step closer to His healing presence.

This is my prayer for all of us today as we take one step closer to Him:

So Very TRUE!!!

                 

Identity Statements - How God sees me!

When I see myself, I see my failures and shortcomings.  I see that I am a woman who has had circumstances shape who she is and not what she is.  I have let my past dictate me.  Not anymore! Lysa Terkeurst says in her book Made to Crave that God defines us not who we are and where we come from.  I so like that and look forward to learning more about myself when it comes to how God sees me.

Andrea the forgiven child of God. (Romans 3:24) - by his grace through Christ Jesus.

Andrea the set-free child of God. (Romans 8:1-2)-because the Spirit's law of life in Jesus Christ has set me free from the law of sin which is death.

Andrea the accepted child of God. (1 Corinthians 1:2)-because I am sanctified in him. I have brothers and SISTERs all around this world.

Andrea the holy child of God. (1 Corinthians 1:30)-Jesus gave me God-given wisdom--my righteousness, sanctification, and redemption in order that I may boast in the Lord.

Andrea the made-new child of God. (2 Corinthians 5:17)-because I am in Christ, I am a new creation; old things have passed away (or should be passed away), and look for new things to come.  

Andrea the loved child of God. (Ephesians 1:4)-for he chose me before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.

Andrea the close child of God. (Ephesians 2:13)-I was far away but now because of Jesus blood I can be closer to God.

Andrea the confident child of God. (Ephesians 3:12)-my faith in Him gives me boldness and confident access through faith in Him.

Andrea the victorious child of God. (Romans 8:37)-I am only victorious because he loves me.

Prayers and Praises

My prayer is for not caving in when it comes to my friends.  I resisted with God's help all day the two dozen donuts that were brought to the office on Friday.  I went out with a friend of mine Friday night and had some drinks "empty" calories.  Oh so felt it the next day.  I then had to work and the cookies that were also brought by a salesman were left over.  I ending up eating four of them.  They were my snack and not my usual of an apple a day.  Dinner was three pieces of pizza thin crust but.... I have been back on the wagon as per say today.  It is so easy to throw in the towel.  But I prayed to God, and sucked it up and did my reflection question for Chapter 2 and 3.  and see that these are the same mistakes I always make and that I am doing this study to break them.

A Raging Battle ~ Food etc.

A Raging Battle ~ 

I battle with Satan on a continue basis like all of God's children.  There are temptations for me at every turn.  They are food, clothing, and cigarettes to name a few. Each of these also destroy me in someway physically, emotionally, spiritually.  Each of these I am working on or collectively you might say in the current bible study I am doing called Made to Crave.  God made us to crave Him!!  I have managed to let so many other things be my center and not him.

Food of course is a big one.  It is my go to for almost everything.  When I am sad, I want to eat.  When I am happy, I want to eat.  When I see a friend eating something I know that is good, I want to eat.  I love the taste of food.  Nothing is wrong with that but when it overpowers your will to serve God, then it is a problem.  When it makes you physically sick because you are overweight and can't barely walk on your knees anymore because you are so fat, it is a problem.  I want to change this and hope with my current bible study I will find the tools to help me be on the right path.  

Clothing kind of goes along with the food.  I like looking nice.  I mean who doesn't.  I go overboard with it though.  I find excuses to buy something.  Oh it is on sale, or I have gained so much weight I need new clothes, or you name it I have used it.  I also get a enjoyment when I shop and it gets my mind off my problems and an escape.  I need to deal with those feelings with the help of God and not monetarily.

Cigarettes....They have been my go to for when life gets rough. Well folks life will always be rough.   Started at 13 and have been smoking on and off.  I am now 37.  That is 24 years.  Wow putting it in words makes me almost sick.  I smoke to calm down, to deal with stress, and to again escape and think about how to fix something.  I know that this is something I need to bring to God's feet.  When I need to escape or deal with stress, I need to go to him.  

What I want to get out the next few weeks isn't an easy fix.  I want to deal with my problems and through them and move on with the help of the Lord.  I might not be able fix all of what I crave besides the Lord, but I hope to find the tools, verses, and prayers that I can use with the help of my Lord.  Will you join me?

Thanks for reading.