Limiting God

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Do we limit God’s freedom, and ability, to work in our lives by our responses to daily trials? My quick response would be to say “no, because He is all powerful and I am not strong enough to control Him!” Obviously at least the latter part of that statement is true. I cannot control God. BUT … He has given us free will and He has chosen to control Himself to respect our choices, even when He knows they will bring us pain, and allow us to reap the consequences! I limit His ability and freedom to work in my life because He gave me that power when He gave me freedom of choice.

Jesus Calling – March 5

I can fit everything into a pattern for good, but only to the extent that you trust Me. Every problem can teach you something, transforming you little by little into the masterpiece I created you to be. The very same problem can become a stumbling block over which you fall if you react with distrust and defiance. The choice is up to you, and you will have to choose many times each day whether to trust Me or defy Me.

He WANTS me to become a Masterpiece! But I have to stay on the potter’s wheel and remain pliable, surrendered, obedient.

I was thinking about this and I got a humorous mental image of myself as a piece of clay that chose to jump off the wheel, out of the master’s hands, and onto the floor. Now I’m rolling around, thinking I’m free, but I am picking up bits of dirt, dust, straw, trash, etc. I am becoming ugly and dirty as I wander free of His hands. And eventually I realize that I am not living up to my potential. I am not becoming the thing of beauty and service that I was meant to be. I’m not a plate, a bowl, a pitcher, a vase. I’m an ugly, dirty, useless lump of clay. And so I roll back to the Master’s feet. And I surrender. And He picks me up and removes most of the debris and dirt … though some of it has dug so deep that it has left scars that cannot be removed. And I am so sorry. But He tells me that it’s okay … He can make those scars part of my beauty. And He places me back on the wheel … and I surrender …

CHOOSE! Today. Every day. Will you roll around on the floor of the shop, or worse yet, beyond it’s doors? Or will you stay on the wheel, in the hands of the Master, surrendered, and becoming a Masterpiece?

We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose. Romans 8:28 AMP

The Joy Dare

4 – 3 Gifts Hard to Give Thanks For

debt – keeps me reliant on God for provision of our needs

health issues – reminds me that every moment is a precious gift and we are not promised tomorrow

trials of the last several years have matured me and made me stronger

5 – 3 Gifts Found

I really wish I could say my PhotoShop Elements which I bought this past summer, never opened, and haven’t seen since. Or even the book, “You’re Already Amazing, that I know came in the mail recently and has disappeared! But those things are still “missing.”

A renewed love, and focus, for my writing.

Peace, for the moment, with God’s direction and timing for my work situation

Online friends … old & new … each one is a precious gift!

March 5, 2012

What are You Holding Onto?

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Shhhhh … my Inbox is empty!

I have been too busy lately to find much time to indulge in blogging, reading blogs, or my assorted social media addictions, but it looks like things may finally be slowing down!  Most high school seniors are advised to get their college applications in by February 1st at the very latest so from here until the next crop hits in late July … we should have a fairly light work load.

Here are a couple of messages, from Jesus Calling,  that have really stood out to me over the last few days …

February 5 -

To receive My Peace, you must change your grasping, controlling stance to one of openness and trust. The only thing you can grasp without damaging your soul is My hand. Ask My Spirit within you to order your day and control your thoughts …

Romans 8:6

So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.

Psalm 46:1-2

God is our refuge and strength,
always ready to help in times of trouble.
So we will not fear when earthquakes come
and the mountains crumble into the sea.

February 6

Lift up empty hands of faith to receive My precious Presence. Light, Life, Joy, and Peace flow freely through this gift. When your focus turns away from Me, you grasp for other things. You drop the glowing gift of My Presence as you reach for lifeless ashes. Return to Me; regain My Presence.

1 Timothy 2:8

In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy.

February 7

Come to Me for Rest and refreshment. The journey has been too much for you, and you are bone-weary. Do not be ashamed of your exhaustion. Instead, see it as an opportunity for Me to take charge of your life.

Romans 8:8 (AMP)

So then those who are living the life of the flesh [catering to the appetites and impulses of their carnal nature] cannot please or satisfy God, or be acceptable to Him.

Psalm 42:11

Why are you in despair, O my soul?
And why have you become disturbed within me?
Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him,
The help of my countenance and my God.

February 8

I guarantee that you will always have problems in this life, but they must not become your focus. When you feel yourself sinking in the sea of circumstances, say “Help me, Jesus!” and I will draw you back to Me. If you have to say that thousands of times daily, don’t be discouraged. I know your weakness, and I meet you in that very place.

Matthew 14:28-32

 Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.”

 “Yes, come,” Jesus said.

   So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.  But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.

 Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”

 When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped.

Before we go any further, I want to say something about Peter. He gets a bad rep for sinking BUT:

  • He believed he could do the impossible!
  • He got out of the boat!
  • He walked on water!
  • He knew what to do when he started to sink …. he didn’t reach back for the boat … he reached out for Jesus!

I have admitted that I’m a control addict,  haven’t I? If not … there you have it, I, Beth Zimmerman, am a control addict. I fuss. I fidget. I plan. I manipulate. And God knows I worry! Lately it seems to me that all of the messages that the Lord is sending me are focused on letting go of that need for control and holding onto Him. Only Him! Perhaps part of the reason that I have fallen so far into this cycle of depression is that I am trying to hold onto the wrong things! Life is NOT going the way I planned. It’s not neat. It’s not orderly. Most of the time it’s not even fun! And I have been so focused on trying to pull the pieces back together and fix what’s broken … that I have kept God at arm’s reach. How ridiculous is it to know that my attitude has been, “Hang on a minute, Lord. I need to fix this. THEN I’ll deal with You are Your plans for me.” God’s plan for me is to let go of the broken. Quit trying to control the uncontrollable. Let go … and hold onto Him! Him alone!

The Joy Dare Prompts

7 – 3 Gifts Red

Icy cold watermelon on a hot summer day. Spitting seeds into the grass while the juice drips down my chin and falls sticky against my neck and chest.

Shiny red ribbons and bows on beautiful Christmas packages.

Crisp red apples in the fall.

8 – a gift broken, a gift fixed, a gift thrifted

My little bunny musical shelf-sitter, a gift from a long ago secret pal (forgotten who) – the cheerful little blue bird who sat on his back fell off.

My word tags (yes, I promised a post, I will get to it). They arrived – different than what I ordered. The artist graciously created a new set and sped them to me.

Clothing, I could afford, for a child who was growing faster than my budget could keep up with!

February 8, 2012

Worn Out

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Jesus Calling – February 4

Bring me your weakness, and receive My Peace. Accept yourself and your circumstances just as they are, remembering that I am sovereign over everything. Do not wear yourself out with analyzing and planning. Instead, let thankfulness and trust be your guides through this day; they will keep you close to Me.

Psalm 29:11

The LORD gives strength to his people;
the LORD blesses his people with peace.

Psalm 13:5

But I trust in your unfailing love.
I will rejoice because you have rescued me.

Today’s whole reading in Jesus Calling practically shouted at me, “Beth! Take note! This one is for you!” Especially this line: “Do not wear yourself out with analyzing and planning.” Guilty as charged, Lord! There are so many aspects of control addiction that He is pointing out to me and calling sin. This one … wow! I plot. I plan. I make lists. I try to figure out every possible scenario and the best way to respond to each in order to obtain the most favorable outcome. Not that I do this in ways that would make good practical sense. No. No. No. I don’t want to give you an impression of myself as a hyper-organized Polly Perfect. I do not budget. Well … I try … but I’m a Financial Peace University (Dave Ramsey) dropout! I do not menu plan. Shoot … I don’t even grocery shop anymore. Hubby has taken it over because of my health issues. And if you were to peruse my home you might decide I am the Queen of Clutter. Any of those areas would probably be perfectly healthy, and reasonable, areas on which to focus my unwavering attention. But no … I analyze and plan (endlessly) in areas over which I have little or no control. Areas that I need to let go of and leave in God’s hands!  I’ll keep you posted!

Joy Dare for February 4 – 3 gifts found when bent down

I’m not sure what to think of this prompt. Quite frankly, given my weight and the condition of my knees, I don’t bend down a whole lot. And when I do … the greatest gifts are that I do not topple over and that I can stand back up! Obesity does a number on mobility, flexibility, stability and a whole lot of other abilities. A truth that is brought home to me daily when I clean the litter box. And reinforced today when I was trying to chase Tigger out of my bedroom and he hid behind the recliner. I reached for him and about fell over. The only thing between me and a shoe covered floor was a flimsy TV tray. I considered it a gift when I found myself solidly back on both feet without a detour! And I managed to catch my wayward cat too!

My cats (the Israelites who want to go to the forbidden places and do those things that I have commanded them not to do)

My piles of shoes … including some cute new Crocs which are decidedly un-Croc-like! I LOVE Crocs and rarely wear other shoes. I went looking for some that would work with a dress and settled on these:

Tangled up cords that give lie to my claim that we are “poor.” We may not have the latest, the newest, or the best, but we have been given above and beyond our needs and I should be more grateful!

February 4, 2012