Monday, May 7, 2012

Expect to See Blessings Everyday

46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity[j]
47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people.
And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.
~Acts 2 46-47


I was reading a daily devotional the other day The Confident Woman by Joyce Meyer... and something struck a cord.

"Resist and refuse to let doubt convince you that good things won't happen to you and your family; aggressively expect good things! Ask God to give you divine supernatural favor and then expect to see it in your life daily." (p.121) She follows with a prayer that I will tell, as I remember it (it is not word for word)...

Expect to see Your blessings poured out to you today.

Makes me take a deep breath.

When I was faced with the news of this illness, I couldn't help but fall into the deep abyss of doubt. I asked Him, if there would ever be any good for me in this life.
I didn't understand what it meant to praise during hardship.
I didn't understand that I'd see His hand like never before.
I didn't understand that I was actually being faced with an opportunity for greatness.
-For an ultimate blessing.
I couldn't see it then,

but I see it now.

I wake up everyday, asking with expectation for His blessings to be poured unto me.

Because He does.

Because He is faithful in doing so.

He has added to my fellowship, like never before.

I implore you, take a deep breath, look at the good.

Sometimes we dwell in the muck of the bad news. We entertain those thoughts in our head. One, two, three, we list all the things that we have going badly for us. We numerate them, caress them and guard a special little corner in  our hearts for that cancer of a feeling. Depression. Resentment. All ugliness that breeds in our hearts, grows with every drip of watering we add to it every day.

We need to stop.

I've learned that what my mind entertains, that is what comes out of my heart. And this is not just positive thinking. Looking at the glass half full. It is more than that.

It is taking every single negative thought captive. Looking at it, recognizing it, and then throwing it away. Trust me, it's not easy. I became use to it. It was my little pet that followed me around throughout my day, unconditionally faithful to me. It took a lot to change my ways.

The first step was recognizing that negative thought. That devil's lie.

Second, was throwing it away. Be done with it. Stop putting yourself down. Stop caressing that evil thought.

Third, believe in the One who gave it all up for you. He is your lawyer. He has taken it all on His shoulders. And He wants to bless you.

He wants to pour out so much goodness on you that you will have nothing else to do but gasp at His grace.

So every time I find myself praying like Jesus did in Gethsemane. The devil will try as hard as he can to put me down. I hear so many lies. So many put downs. He belittles me. He mocks me.

You'll never see this. You'll be dead soon. You can't do this, or that. The list goes on and on...

But I know I have the power to stomp on his head, just like Jesus did on that hill.

Romans 8 says, "No power in the sky above or in the earth below -indeed nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate you from the love of God..." (verse 39).

So when I'm out of breath, feeling the symptoms of this disease. I slow down. Take it in. I think back to the joy and generosity that He's surrounded me with and I praise Him. I choose to believe that He will pour out blessings on me. Right then and there.


He always does.

The blessings not only pour out, but cascades of goodness come over me. I have been able to do things, that I didn't think I could. His blessings never stop.

And He wants to bless you too.





~Life As Lizzy

1 comment:

Kathryn Leonard said...

Praise God you are still in the fight! thank you for the reminder not to roll over and give in, but to expect God no matter what our circumstances are! I have had my own health journey and i praise God for your testimony! Bless you dear one! Kathryn leonard

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