"The Lord has been so patient with me over the years
with all the things He has taught me and the things He
has changed in me, knowing that I struggle to stay
abiding in the simple truths of His love for me.
His patience and longsuffering overwhelms me with
gratitude. Still to this day though, the devil
brings on a spirit of heaviness in my soul reminding me
of all the things I didn't do or haven't done for the
Lord. I usually feel this coming on and absolutely
hate it, because I have been fighting it for so
long. To and fro, back and forth, over and
over.... never really living in settled complete
peace -- the story of my life, and I believe Jesus has
now said we're done with this!
Just a few days ago, in complete tears, I asked God
to please help me. I asked Him to take away this
thorn and give me rest; I told Him I just want to rest
in His perfect love -- the rest that brings joy and
confidence; the rest that never ever doubts! He
answered me immediately, and boy has He now showered me
with his basic truths from all angles just in these few
short days. It has been so much that my head is
kinda spinning (but in a good way)!!! His basic
truth, the gospel of truth and peace, has once again
been so liberating and wonderful! I realize I
still have this propensity in me to work for love and it
may always be in there somewhere; therefore and just in
case, I will put the armor on every day and claim my
promises from the One who has already done the work for
me!
For those of you who may be like me...
wondering if you have enough oil, wondering if you are
holy enough, wondering if you have repented of every sin
(even the ones you don't know about)... the simple
gospel is our good news of rest! IT IS FINISHED,
and if you have called upon the name of Jesus and
received His gift, then He will not allow you to stray
too far (remember, he goes to get the lost sheep!), and
NOTHING will separate you from His love! He will
finish His work in you; He will make you holy; and He
will make you His bride. I just recently heard a
pastor remind us all that God gave each one of us to
Jesus, and Jesus takes the responsibility for us.
He does all the real work! We simply surrender and
trust and then move when He urges; that's it. He
will take us to the word, to prayer, to sharing, to
ministering, to doing the works of faith -- just like He
urged me to share this with you all!"
Blessings to you Paul,