salt&light

do you ever feel like a fake?

i have been attacked a lot since ive been in australia with that very thing.
the months prior to me coming here there were things that i did that im not proud of,
that were against my character, that i deeply regret.
all of that to say im now here, being equipped for ministry,
in a place that is stretching me beyond belief, and regardless of that i still feel like a fake.
who am i to be equipped for the things of God, when i have sinned against him?
you know?

i realized that that is such a selfish state to be in.
God calls me righteous and holy...set apart.
not because of what i do or don't do, but because of who & whose i am.
im his kid, so who am i to say that im unworthy?
im still going through a process of releasing guilt & shame & deep hurt...
but God is faithful, and has put amazing people in my life,
and just amazing things coming up that i know im here for such a time as this.

i got the chance to have a really amazing conversation with a friend,
just opening up to them about things, and sharing my hurts and struggles,
and them in turn being open and honest to me.
how healing that is!!!
they also were with me tonight at church and prayed over me and spoke into my life.
they told me that the very thing that is withered (like the man Jesus healed with the withered hand) will be the very thing that will become a strength!
so encouraging!!!

the very thing that you are trying to hide, that you are ashamed of,
God wants you to show and reveal that very thing, heal you, and make that a strength, so you can show other people that this is who i was, but no longer who i am!!!
AH!
i am rambling, i know.
but no matter what, God can use your weaknesses to be the very thing that bring people to the place of healing.

my friend, you know who you are, thank you for your encouragment and your prayers.
God is taking me from strength to strength and from glory to glory.
not because of me or you, but because of HIM!

because of things i have done, or havent done, i could easily give up, and let satan's lies rule...
but thankfully i know my God is bigger, that i am more than a conqueror, and that he who has promised IS faithful!
i know that regardless of what i have done, i will press on, keep running, keeping seeking Jesus, and keep sowing into other people's lives.
i will take what satan meant for bad, and definately use it for good.
i know that God is healing me, restoring me from the deepest most secret places of my heart, and that he longs for complete surrender.
im not there yet, but im definately on my way.

this weakness is gonna be a strength!
WOO!

i want to encourage you to speak into people's lives.
bring out the best in people.
be the salt that brings out the best flavour of those around you!
why not?
im definately getting salt in my wounds, but man is it healing.
take the opportunity when you see people you know just to say a word of encouragement.
it makes me feel so good when a friend just says, "man, its so good to see you."
gaw, doesn't that make you feel awesome?!
just tell someone how great they look today,
how you love being around them...

point out people's strengths,
it may just be what they need to hear.
dont pass up a moment to bless someone.
seriously!!!

"let me tell you why you are here.
you're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth.
if you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness?
you've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.
here's another way to put it: you're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world.
God is not a secret to be kept. we're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill.
if i make you light-bearers, you don't think i'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you?
i'm putting you on a light stand.
now that i've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand-SHINE!
keep open house; be generous with your lives.
be opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God,
this generous Father in heaven." mattew 5:13 (the message)

shine.
shine.
shine.
shine so that the world can see the God-colours in you!
man!
i want people to see the God-colours in me.
i want people to taste the God-flavours in me.

how good is that?

bringing out the God-flavours/colours in others requires us laying down our own lives.
it requires us seeking God, worshiping Him with everything that we are.
in darlene zschech's book, "extravagant worship" she says, "learn to seekg God's face without worrying about saving yours."
become foolish for God.
not to the point of cooky or unapproachable, but to the point of I LOVE MY KING AND I DONT CARE WHO KNOWS.
our freedom and extravagant worship will bring out the God-colours, and will encourage people in experiencing the same thing.

so regardless of me feeling like a fake sometimes,
in those moments i have to take my eyes off of me and my failures, and fix them on Jesus.
focus on encouraging others.
taking my eyes off of me is easier when you are focusing on bringing out things in other people.
how cool is that?!

okay im done,
ill leave you with this,
psalm 9 (the message)
its so beautiful, and so encouraging!
read it as a prayer and remember,
bring out the God-flavours&colours in others today!!!

"i'm thanking you, God, from a full heart,
i'm writing the book on your wonders.
i'm whistling, laughing, and jumping for joy;
i'm singing your song, High God.

the day my enemies turned tail and ran,
they stumbled on you and fell on their faces.
you took over and set everything right;
when i needed you, you were there, taking charge...

God holds the high center,
he sees and sets the world's mess right.
he decides what is right for us earthlings,
gives people their just deserts.
God's a safe-house for the battered,
a sanctuary during bad times.
the moment you arrive, you relax;
you're never sorry you knocked.

sing you songs to zion-dwelling God,
tell his stories to everyone you meet:
how he tracks down killers
yet keeps his eye on us,
registers every whimper and moan.

be kind to me, God;
i've been kicked around long enough.
once you've pulled me back from the gates of death,
i'll write the book on Hallelujahs;

on the corner of main and first
i'll hold a street metting;
i'll be the song leader;
we'll fill the air with salvation songs..."



go & live like you are called & have a purpose!!!