CHFWeb: Who I Am in Christ-Quotes to Ponder

Who I Am in Christ

I cringed when I realized what I was going to write about this week. You see, for the past week, I have been dealing with feelings, reactions, and thoughts that embarrassed me, that made me feel so unworthy, that drove me to the brink of wondering why God even bothered with me, that convinced me my life must seem such a waste to Him. Some of my actions included throwing a basket full of clothes across the laundry room, stomping my feet in the middle of the family room because I felt like the only one that ever picked up around the house, cynically "informing" my husband that he must not realize my parents were coming to visit, and crawling into bed in the middle of the day trying to "escape the world" around me.

My husband came home for lunch yesterday and found me in tears. I sobbed to him, "I just feel so awful. I can't get rid of these thoughts, I can't control my actions, and I get so overwhelmed by my emotions. Why does God bother with me? I must be such an embarrassment to Him." Suddenly, he started to chuckle. How dare he do that! He explained. "What a brilliant attack. The way to bring you down, to take your eyes off Jesus, is to make you feel guilty about who you are apart from Christ." I thought about lashing out at him for "laughing" at me, but I realized he was right.

Late last night, I was relaxing in a comfortable chair with a glass of iced tea. I picked up the magazine laying on the floor. It was the June 2000 issue of Life in the Word magazine. I started reading Joyce Meyer's article titled, "Freedom from Legalism". You can just imagine what happened when I read the following ...

Do you think that every time you make a mistake, He is mad at you and won't talk to you...or that you must somehow make up for it? ... Many Christians fail to experience real peace because they don't understand that they are righteous in Christ. Until people stop living according to the way they feel and stand on who they are in Christ, they will never find true happiness.

I spent this last week convinced God should not have anything to do with me. My whole focus was upon who I was apart from Christ. I was reminded that God wants to have everything to do with me. He wants my entire life. He wants to dwell in me, as I dwell in Him.. Tears streamed down my cheeks, but this time they were tears of joy and healing. My focus is back upon who I am in Christ! I was reminded of something I read last week in the latest book I'm reading by Joyce Meyer, Enjoying Where You Are on the Way to Where You Are Going.(Isn't that an awesome title?!) Mrs. Meyer writes ...

Joy is in your heart, and if you won't fill your head with the problem, joy will bubble out. When it does, it will minister to you.

"Joy will bubble out." WOW! I had been filling my head with problems and worries and stresses. Not today though. Today I'm listening to praise and worship music. I'm committing time to prayer and Bible reading. I'm smiling. God's joy is bubbling out! I'm making the time for the Lord, for my relationship with Him. I'm praying that you will receive His joy and let it bubble out and minister to you in a way that only the Lord can minister! God bless you!

I'm going to include some of the Scriptures that Mrs. Meyer shared in her "Freedom from Legalism" article. These are all so good and remind us to keep our eyes upon Jesus; to dwell in Him, and He will dwell in you!

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. - Hebrews 4:15,16

To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory - Colossians 1:27

Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. - Matthew 5:48

Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began. - 2 Timothy 1:9

Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. - 1 Thessalonians 5:22-24

I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. - Psalms 16:8

Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust. - Psalms 91:1

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. - John 15:4,5

The following books are available through Our Favorite Books Bookstore. All proceeds from Our Favorite Books Bookstore in association with Amazon.com go toward supporting the chfweb.com website. Thanks for your support!

Enjoying Where You Are on the Way to Where You Are Going
by Joyce Meyer
In February, I started watching Joyce Meyer on television. I was at a very low point in my life. Mrs. Meyer and her ministry (through her tapes, books, and daily TV and radio programs) have been a tremendous blessing from the Lord in my life!! I just started this book and once again I'm learning so much! - Kathy Ridpath
Hardcover: *Order Now!*

Life in the Word Magazine
by Joyce Meyer
A friend signed me up to receive Life in the Word Magazine. I believe you can sign up for this magazine by clicking on the "Mailing List" option at the Joyce Meyer Ministries Web site. This magazine has no subscription price. It is supported by contributions.- Kathy Ridpath


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"And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord;
and great shall be the peace of thy children."
Isaiah 54:13