Nothing Holding Me Back......

"Now nothing is holding me back from You, Redeemer of my soul..."

Nothing held Jesus back from the cross.  He shed His precious blood as a living sacrifice so that we may be reconciled to the Father because sin had separated us. Nothing holds Him back from loving, forgiving and sustaining us! NOTHING!

Now, nothing should hold us back from Him who redeemed our soul.   The enemy no longer enslaves us because the veil has been torn and we now have full access to our Father.  However, are we utilizing this privilege.

Unfortunately, distractions, passivity. busyness and matters of the heart has kept us astray.  Yes, we do the "churchy" things, have bumper stickers declaring our religion, shiny crosses hanging from our necks and speak "christianeeze".  We even do ministry!!  However.......

"Just Come Like a Child..." ~ Abba

"COME LIKE A CHILD..."  These words have been pressed into my spirit more than once in the past few weeks.  Today, I heard them again.  I searched the bible for scriptures and came across these:

But Yeshua said to the, "Let the children come to me and do not forbid them, for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these." ~ Matthew 19:14

And he said: "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. ~ Matthew 18:3

Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." ~ Mark 10:15

When I think about a child, I am reminded of their innocence.  Their vulnerability to love unconditionally. Their ability to forgive their offenders quickly and easily - they are merciful.  Their care-free attitude in displaying affection - they are compassionate.   They find joy in the smallest things -  they are content.  Their perception of people is without judgment.   They know how to express themselves - they speak with sincerity of heart.

The End of "Self"

My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me ~ Galatians 2:20 NLT

Has "old self" been crucified and remains crucified? It's time for a self examination!

Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test! ~  2 Corinthians 15:5 ESV

Consider when you first came to the LORD:

• there was passion 
• spent time in prayer and intercession
• immersed in worship
• attended services and prayer meetings
• read the bible daily
• read books pertaining to Christian Living
• zeal to evangelize 
• sought opportunities to serve and fellowship
• fasted

Growth Requires You Planting THE SEED

Relationships are difficult to cultivate these days especially in an era where we expect to gain something without putting in the effort. In other words we expect to receive what we ourselves are not willing to give.

Many find it difficult to extend love because they don't know how or they fear to take the risk again.  Inside they deeply desire to do so. Therefore they pray that God fills their heart with love so they can love those around them like He does. Still in their asking and receiving, they find themselves still unable to do so.

The other day in prayer I asked the LORD "why is it so hard to love?" I said "You are LOVE because Your word says that you are. (1 John 4:8)  Therefore LOVE resides in me.  So why do I find it difficult to love like You do?

The LORD answered "because it requires for you to plant the seed that is in you."  

Mother: A Child's Love Never Fails....

Mother's did not come with an instruction manual, yet they have an inner instinct.  I remember as a child I embraced my dolls and care for them gently.  I knew how to hold them; change their diapers, bathe and dress them. I spoke to them lovingly and gave them so much love.  I didn't know how to be a mom at that age, but the instincts were there.

At 14 yrs of age I didn't know how to be a mom either but I did the best I knew how.