YOU ARE GREATER.

Greater than my struggles.

Greater than my fears...

You are Lord over all.

I have been reflecting a bit on Thailand and realized that every time I look back the things that stand out most were the hardships... not all that God had done... while I was aware of what He was doing there, I still became intimidated easily.

Then, I thought about my past.

As I look back I see many, many times God has rescued me; yet the sting of fear and painful memories remains. I want to be able to look back with the perspective of, "God you are and always have been greater."

I have seen how the enemy has tried to scare me,  to take my eyes off of the One that stands ready to pick me up and carry me. I refuse to let him distract me with meaningless worries.

I will stand on truth and proclaim His goodness.

"You have overcome the world."

Love and Grace that came to me...

"I was a middle son,

Between two wayward ones.
I was more deserving of my parent's love."

I'm sitting here reflecting on my story and how far God has brought me from that point...
The place where I felt deserving, not because God laid down His life for me, but because I felt "good enough". I was not fully aware of just how much my God had done for me. After reading a passage from Joshua Harris last week, I am amazed! Do you realize he died for every sin ever imagined. When you really think about it, that's incredible!

Not only was he bruised and beaten for every sin, he stands defending each one in intercession. He would gladly stand up for and defend a sinner, someone completely undeserving, all for love.

What other God do we know that would do that for man?

But what is man?


Yet... He lavishes his love upon us, chooses to call us sons and daughters.

Revolutionary... Indestructible... Inseparable LOVE.

The song I quoted at the beginning goes on to say: "I was a Pharisee. I never saw my need for grace. Then Your love it came to me, stood next to mine and I saw that I was poor."

I am finding it important to remember who God is... to take a look at the compassionate, kind, gracious Savior... and to look true love in the eyes, to let Him transform a self-seeking, limited heart into an outward focused heart with unlimited capacity to love. I start remembering things like the fact that I used to think I was "good enough" and remembering my sin, but not to dwell on it, rather to remember that I have been forgiven; to give praise to the One who is deserving. For he who is forgiven much, loves much. Thank goodness I did not stay in that state of pride for long... I couldn't. The Holy Spirit knew that, that would only bring death.

Though, I still have more that I am dealing with in having a heart change, in being renewed and transformed; I rejoice for all that God has done.

Time for takeoff!

A while ago a friend of mine gave me a word:
"The door stands open..."
And while the whole thing was simple and powerful, I didn't quite get the full picture.
"The door stands open, I see you running. Take my hand, I'll lead you through."

What He sees is more than I could ever see... Yet, I'm seeing more now standing here with a greater view.

Tonight I heard the story of an eagle, a great, majestic bird, ruler of the skies; it had been locked up for ten years. The owners decided to free it after those ten years, but when they opened the door it didn't know what to do. It was locked in the invisible cage created by his mind. He would move no further than the only place he knew. But when another eagle flew by and called out the caged bird became a free bird. It took the realization from truth to get that bird out of the cage ( from "Brave Worship" by Jonathan David Helser).

Harriet Tubman once said that she could've freed more slaves if they only realized they were slaves.

It takes an awareness of who you truly are to walk out in the full freedom that you have been given.

You need to know that the truth is you are a child of God and the enemy wants you to believe everything contradictory to that.

We have a Father that created us because He wanted children... He delights in you. He has a plan and a purpose for you.

I am discovering more of my purpose. I know one thing... I will let out a freedom cry, sing the song of truth that the captives are yearning to hear. I am learning to step out of that mental cage and I am going to stop crawling back in it... Cause I am no longer a slave to fear. I am going to believe I am who God says I am and be bold, strong and courageous.

You are beautiful, fearfully and wonderfully made. You are His beloved child, delighted in. I sing a song of freedom, of His love... A song that has always been sung. He placed the planets in motion, set the stars in the sky... He came to Earth as a babe, thought of you and I. He loves you. You were worth it. He believes in you and you are not a slave to fear! You belong to Him!