Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Three Word Wednesday: Knowing You, Jesus



I wish today's post included news of it being eight weeks since I fell to the temptations of that slithery snake. My hope was to approach Easter morning, the end of my Lenten journey, saying I was completely free from my eating disorder. Was it an unrealistic expectation? Can complete freedom be declared in eight weeks?

There is hope. There is always hope. There is hope because of His grace.
Grace upon grace.

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me." ~ 2 Corinthians 12:9

I know one day I will step on the scale and be able to say, "I am a Jesus girl who can step on the scale and see the numbers as an indication of how much my body weighs and not as an indication of my worth." ~ Lysa TerKeurst, Made to Crave: Satisfying Your Deepest Desire with God, Not Food

I was made for more than this. I was made for victory.

"We are made for victory. Sometimes we just have to find our way to that truth." ~ Lysa Terkeurst

Truth: "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." ~ Psalm 139:13-14

To find my way to that truth I need to know Him better.

"Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." ~ John 8:32

When I fail the enemy then tells me I need to try harder  do more. I’m not spending enough time in His word. I’m not praying enough. I’m not . . . enough. I wonder how many times God will forgive me for failing. Seventy times seven times?

The way to truth isn't through my works though. In the Life Application Study Bible it tells us in reference to Philippians 3:2, 3, "What believers do is a result of faith, not a prerequisite to faith."

It goes on to say, "… God values the attitude of our hearts above all else."

I’m reminded again of words said by my pastor, "The heart of the problem is a problem with the heart."

And Jesus … he specializes in transformations of the heart.

Jesus wants me to have victory. But He is more concerned with my spiritual healing than the physical healing from my eating disorder. He knows the problem is not the eating disorder  it’s a problem with my heart.

My heart continues to believe I’m not worthy of His love. The problem with my heart gets in the way of having an deeper relationship with Christ. I've been lingering at the surface with Him . . . believing what He says about me but continuing to seek the approval of others.

As Jennifer Dukes Lee writes in her book Love Idol, "My illness has become a way of life, a steady companion. Some days I feel trapped by my sickness; other days  crazy as it sounds  I can't imagine life without it." I hoped for the 46-day quick fix, a miracle of sorts, but maybe there is more He wants to teach me on my journey towards victory.

I have not arrived at my goal, "but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me." ~ Philippians 3:12

As Good Friday and Easter Sunday approach I reflect on what He did for me. This overwhelms me . . . I’m overwhelmed by His grace. We sang the words to the song Knowing You (All I Once Held Dear) this past Sunday and I lifted up my head, turned my palms upwards and worshiped Him.

"Knowing you, Jesus
Knowing you, there is no greater thing
You're my all, you're the best
You're my joy, my righteousness
And I love you, Lord"
~ Knowing You, Graham Kendrick

I want to know Him. Maybe that is what He still wants to teach me. To really know who He is. To know in the deepest part of my soul there is no greater thing.

"I want to know Him inside and out. I want to experience the power of His resurrection and join in His suffering, shaped by His death, so that I may arrive safely at the resurrection from the dead." ~ Philippians 3:10-11 (Voice)

I’m devoted to following Him. I’m devoted to knowing you, Jesus. It might not look perfect. I may fail again but I will press on.

"I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." ~ Philippians 3:14

I was made for more than this. I was made for victory – a victory that is only found in Him.


44 comments :

  1. Hi Beth, thanks for sharing your encouraging words here. I find sometimes when we ask God to heal us, he says no. He works through our suffering and often we become closer to him because of it. His grace really is sufficient and his power really does become perfect through our weaknesses. It's all for our good in the end. It's like you said: "I was made for more than this. I was made for victory – a victory that is only found in Him. : )

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    1. Thank you for your kind encouragement, Cathy. I truly do appreciate it. Your comment really touched my heart. Blessings to you.

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  2. You are an overcomer, my friend. You already have the victory. Now, you just get to walk it out. Praying for you! Hugs!

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  3. I think of you often, and am praying for you through this journey sweet Beth; I hope that many are encouraged and inspired by your great faith and hope during your battle to overcome! ♥ God is using you for great things!

    Blessings and love as we celebrate this Holy Week and His amazing grace and love! ♥
    Denise

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    1. Thank you, Denise. I truly appreciate your prayers. I'm grateful for your friendship. Blessings to you. {Hugs}

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  4. Praying for you to find strength to overcome. His strength come to us daily - minute by minute, sometimes second by second. May you be an overcomer until lunchtime. And then...until dinner. And then ...until you go to bed. His grace is sufficient for this minute. For today. I am sending you a {{HUG!!}}

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    1. I love that, Joanne. Reminds me of what a friend told me before I said good-bye to my husband. She said God would give you just enough grace right at the moment it was needed. So true. His grace IS sufficient. So grateful for you. Your hug was felt. THANK YOU.

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  5. God is such a loving God - His mercies are new each day! He encourages us to celebrate the victory of each day...each moment with Him! Even when you don't feel it, remember that God knows your worth. He loves you just as you are and He has wonderful plans for you! You are such an inspiration, Beth. You keep going even when you feel disappointed. You keep looking to God and that is a blessing above all others! May you feel God's strength, healing and peace this Holy Week! Have a wonderful Easter, my sweet friend!!

    Love, Joan

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    1. I always appreciate your encouragement, Joan. You have been such a wonderful friend. THANK YOU and love you so much.

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  6. "There is hope. There is always hope. There is hope because of His grace. Grace upon grace." Beautiful, my friend. Thank you for sharing. Your words have greatly encouraged me today. Blessings to you & yours!

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    1. Thank you, Kaylene. I'm grateful you found encouragement here. Blessings to you.

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  7. Thinking of you and praying for you often my friend! Sunday's coming and we will all stand before Him in the righteousness found in Christ. We don't have to do it on our own...or do it at all...because He's already done it for us. Much love to you!

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    1. You are WONDERFUL, friend. Thank you for your prayers and for your encouragement. So blessed to call you friend. <3

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  8. grace, sweet grace toward yourself, my friend. this, my prayer ...

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  9. New* - We are more than the challenges we face - We need Him - He designed us that way. He's not surprised when we struggle - He knows just what we need - and He meets us where we are, loving us each completely in our own messes. It's the journey, the daily - not the goal (i.e. the scale). Sweet, encouraging post Beth! Thanks for inviting me over!

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    1. Thank you so much for joining us and for your sweet encouragement. I hope you join us again!! Many Easter blessings to you.

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  10. Praying for you. Rejoicing in your victory-to-come. Confident that God wants to use you to help others with similar struggles. Your struggles are not in vain. Love you! ♥

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    1. Love you so much, Satin. Thank you for all you love and encouragement.

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  11. "Made for more"words that swirl in my head often. We all have our battles they just take different forms. If only we could get our hearts to BELIEVE that we were meant for so much more!

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    1. Makes me think of the verse from Mark 9:24, “I believe; help my unbelief!” Thank you so much for stopping by, Alecia. Easter blessings to you.

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  12. You and I were made for victory... YES sister. Keep going... sending love and hugs :)

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    1. Thank you so much, Tracy. Love and hugs to you.

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  13. Beth,

    I am also going through Made to Crave.

    Your words today were so powerful and I needed to hear them. I struggle with being "enough."

    Thank you for your writing. I am praying for your victory.

    I pray that you have a blessed Easter!

    Love,
    Elizabeth

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    1. It's a wonderful book, Elizabeth. You will truly enjoy. Easter blessings to you. Much love.

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  14. Beth, you are a work in progress, just like we all are. Continuing to pray for you.

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  15. "What believers do is a result of faith, not a prerequisite to faith." These words jumped out at me, Beth - both for you and for me! You can do this! You have all the pieces - you are enough. Kick that slithery snake back to whatever hole he crawled out of - you are a Child of God. Looking forward to Sunday - hugs! Janet

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    1. I'm giving him a big kick in the butt! Thanks so much for making me smile, Janet. Much love to you.

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  16. "For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace." - John 1:16

    A fountain free for you to drink from each moment. Praise God that He has given us these marvelous gifts.

    I lift you in prayer daily. This life is a constant struggle, and it reminds me of what Paul said in Romans 7:14-25. It ends with, "Thank God! The answer is Jesus Christ our Lord."

    Sending you heart hugs. You inspire me. <3

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    1. You are such a blessing to me, Shelly. THANK YOU. I'm just grateful for you. Love you.

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  17. No greater thing. Praying for you. It's hard not to be broken by the struggle. There is hope. And he loves so much. Thank you for your heart.

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  18. Hi Beth!
    Glad to have found you. I believe we already have the victory over the mountains in our lives.... But, sometimes, it's difficult to accept the victory and move forward. My heart tells me to accept the victory and prize, but sometimes, I feel I just don't deserve it. In essence, none of us deserve it. Every day, I ask Jesus to give me a heart of with more love for Him, myself and others. Blessings and joy to you!

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  19. Pressing on! Beth! To know the power of His resurrection! To know Him! Praying for you to grow in his grace and knowledge. You are loved. No, we are not perfect, but we are perfectly loved by our Lord. Let us rest in His love, look to Jesus and give thanks to Him that He cried, "It is finished!"

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  20. Oh, sweet, Beth! You are so much closer than you realize! Your desires are proof of that! We have victory in Jesus! Keep pressing on - keep focusing on what you know is TRUE {not always what you feel}. Praying that God will encourage and strengthen you, and bring you JOY. Blessings, my friend.

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  21. Oh Beth, the journey is made up of small steps, and the destination is worth the effort. The Lord sees your heart, and He knows how much you long for Him. Keep HIM in focus, for JOY is only found in Him. I am learning to let go of my sense of unworthiness, for it only gets in the way of me seeing Him clearly. Instead, I am concentrating on the fact that HE considered me worth dying for.

    Pressing on to see myself and my life through the cross and empty tomb.

    GOD BLESS - and Happy Resurrection Day!

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  22. Beth- I am afraid I am spent for eloquent words, but wanted you to know that you are in my prayers. Always. I love you!

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  23. Love this post..."the heart of the problem is a problem of the heart. So true!

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  24. I'm sorry you have to go through this deep struggle, Beth. I love Lysa's quote, "I am a Jesus girl who can step on the scale and see the numbers as an indication of how much my body weighs and not as an indication of my worth." I wish you the best in this difficult journey. Praying for your healing in heart and body. Have a blessed Easter!

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  25. Visiting from Bonnie's... this is such a raw and vulnerable post. It's why it's beautiful. I pray you will continue to have greater awareness of Him and His work in your life. That your heart will make the connection to what your head knows. You are valuable because you are His, which is saying a lot, because He thought you were valuable enough to die for. Loads of love to you. Thanks for being so open. Continue to press on!

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  26. Have I mentioned how beautiful and authentic your posts are, Beth? Seriously. I just love them. And you.

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  27. Yes you were made for victory - you were made by Him and for Him and designed to fully live in Him

    You will - because He is!

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Much love to you.