Saturday, December 27, 2008

From a caterpillar to a Butterfly!!

I told you awhile back that I would post my testimony some day, well here it is. I hope it is a blessing to you, and that you share it with someone male or female. I believe it will help them. I needed to read this again myself. I spoke this at our churches women's trip to Tennessee a couple of years ago. God was all over it, I cant write that way without Him. He is awesome and I love Him with all of my heart and soul.

It starts out with a story I found on the Internet while I was looking up butterflies.

YOUR COMFORT ZONE

Winter is ending. You’ve been wrapped in a cocoon of a warm house or warm clothes to stay comfortable and protected from the elements.
Now spring is arriving. The weather is warming up, the flowers are blooming and the clear skies and sun are pulling you out into the beautiful world. You no longer need your protective cocoon.
This changing of the seasons draws you out of your cocoon of warmth to the warming rays of the sun. As the butterfly spreads its wings as it emerges from it's cocoon, it's life is transformed. The caterpillar was limited to crawling slowing from leaf to leaf. The world has opened up to the butterfly; it is no longer bound to the area it could crawl to.
Your life can be transformed like the butterfly's. Most of you live in a cocoon of safety, called your comfort zone, to protect yourselves from the elements. You are accustomed to the routine of your lives. You know what to expect each day as you crawl out from under your warm covers.
Your comfort zone keeps you safe. But your comfort zone limits you, just as the caterpillar is limited when compared to the butterfly. To the caterpillar, life is fine. There are branches to climb. There are leaves to eat. It can even use the leaves to hide from the birds of prey.
But to the observer who can see the whole picture the reality of the caterpillar's life is very limited. That observer can see the possibilities of transformation that lie ahead for the caterpillar. That observer can also see the possibilities of transformation that can lie ahead for you.
Your comfort zone limits you in the same way the caterpillar is limited. The vision of the caterpillar is limited to a few feet around it. It cannot even imagine a life beyond it's vision. But the caterpillar is lucky. Nature has provided a path that will transform it into a butterfly with a hugely expanded vision. It doesn't have a choice.
You also have a path of possibilities. But instead of nature making the transformation for you, you have to do it yourselves. You do have a choice. You do have a vision beyond your comfort zone. But your comfort zone wraps you tightly to keep you safe. You may not be able to even imagine the possibilities in store for you that the observer can see, but you do have a vision beyond your life today.
Break out of your limiting comfort zone, just like the butterfly emerges from it's cocoon. Do what is uncomfortable. Do what scares you. Do what stretches your limits. The more you do, the more your vision expands and the more you can see is possible for you.
Breaking out of your comfort zone does amazing things for you. It transforms your life, just like the butterfly's life is transformed. Today, just like the caterpillar, you cannot even imagine what your life can be like. But just like the butterfly, you can emerge from your comfort zone into a life of limitless possibilities and beauty.

MY TESTIMONY: BY UYLONDA SMITH

I WOULD LIKE TO START BY SAYING THAT I AM A BUTTERFLY. I ONCE WAS A CATERPILLAR READY TO STAY IN MY COCOON AND EVENTUALLY DIE THERE. BUT, GOD RAISED ME UP OUT OF MY PIT TO BE USED FOR HIS GLORY. THE TRIALS I WENT THROUGH MADE ME STRONGER IN MY WALK WITH HIM. I USED TO FOCUS ON ME AND MY PROBLEMS IN THE SMALL AREA I COULD CRAWL TO. BUT, GOD CHANGED ME WHEN I ASKED HIM TO HELP ME AND I BEGAN SEEKING HIM. I AM FREE TODAY FROM THE TRIALS OF MY PAST. FREE TO WORK FOR THE LORD TO DO HIS WILL, AND TO HELP OTHERS OVERCOME THEIR TRIALS AND FLY AWAY TO JESUS!!!

TO BE A BUTTERFLY YOU HAVE TO HAVE BEEN A CATERPILLAR FIRST. WE HAVE TO HAVE STRUGGLES TO BE ABLE TO BE SET FREE, AND SEE WHERE GOD HAS ALWAYS BEEN IN OUR LIFE.

THE TITLE OF MY DEVOTION IS…….

FROM A CATERPILLAR TO A BUTTERFLY

A CATERPILLAR IN A COCOON IS UGLY AND LOCKED UP.
A BUTTERFLY IS BEAUTIFUL AND FREE.

Ps. 138:7 says Thou I walk in the midst of trouble thou wilt revive me; thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.

FIVE YEARS AGO GOD TOOK ME
FROM A CATERPILLAR, AND CHANGED ME
INTO A BUTTERFLY BECAUSE I HAD BEEN PRAYING AND STUDYING ON HOW TO BE FREE FROM THE CHAINS OF BONDAGE I WAS IN.

GOD TOLD ME THROUGH MY WRITING, STUDYING AND PRAYER THAT I WAS BEING TRANSFORMED FROM THE CATERPILLAR IN THE SAFETY OF MY SELF INFLICTED COCOON INTO HIS BUTTERFLY.

AT THE TIME, I HAD BEEN PREPARING FOR A
DAY TRIP WITH THE LADIES IN OUR BIBLE
STUDY GROUP. THEY WERE ALSO MY FRIENDS AND
PRAYER PARTNERS.

GOD HAD TOLD ME TO BE HEALED OF THE PAIN HOLDING ME IN BONDAGE I HAD TO TELL WHAT ALL HE HAD DONE FOR ME. NOT JUST WHAT I FELT COMFORTABLE TELLING. NOT TELLING ANYONE AND NOT GETTING RID OF IT THE DEVIL COULD STILL USE IT AGAINST ME, AND GET INTO MY MIND WITH IT. I WAS AFRAID TO TELL. AND THE DEVIL MADE SURE I STAYED THAT WAY, UNTIL I DID AS GOD HAD SAID TO DO.

I NEEDED TO SHARE THIS WITH LADIES I FELT SAFE TELLING IT TO. TO GO AND JUST TELL ANYONE WOULDN’T HAVE BEEN GODS WAY OF HEALING ME. IN THIS ENVIRONMENT I WAS SAFE TO NOT BE JUDGED OR TALKED ABOUT. TO TELL JUST ANYONE WOULD HAVE BEEN FUTILE IN GODS WORK. I NEEDED HIM TO HEAL ME THE WAY HE TOLD ME TO.

THE LADIES AND I WENT TO CUMBERLAND FALLS FOR THE DAY, AND IT WAS AWESOME. THE PRESENCE OF GOD WAS SO STRONG ALL DAY, AND WE PRAYED FOR AN HOUR AND A HALF BEFORE I STOOD TO TELL MY STORY, OF BEING TRANSFORMED FROM A CATERPILLAR INTO A BUTTERFLY.

GOD TOOK THE PAIN I HAD WENT THROUGH THAT WAS MEANT FOR EVIL, AND TURNED IT INTO GOOD WHEN I LET GO OF IT AND GAVE IT TO HIM THAT DAY. MY LIFE CHANGED FROM THERE.

MY HUSBAND WAS SAVED 8 YEARS AGO ON OCTOBER 29TH, 2000. SO I’LL GO BACK A LITTLE BIT TO THEN. A YEAR OR SO AFTER MY HUSBAND GOT SAVED I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD TALKING TO GOD. I WAS TELLING HIM HOW I WAS STILL HURTING, THAT EVEN THOUGH MY HUSBAND WAS SAVED, AND ITS WHAT I HAD PRAYED FOR, FOR YEARS I WAS STILL HURTING. I SAID GOD, I DON’T LOVE HIM. I’M ONLY WITH HIM BECAUSE OF YOU. I WANT TO LEAVE. I HATE HIM MY LOVE FOR HIM IS DEAD. (INSTANTLY I HEARD GOD SPEAK TO WHERE I TURNED MY HEAD TO SEE) HE SAID…I CAN RAISE THE DEAD, IF YOU WILL LET ME, AND I WILL MAKE YOUR MARRIAGE BETTER THAN IT EVER WAS BEFORE. I WAS SHOCKED!! NOT BECAUSE GOD SPOKE TO ME, BUT BECAUSE I HAD NEVER THOUGHT OF IT THAT WAY! I’D ALWAYS THOUGHT OF GOD RAISING DEAD PEOPLE, BUT A DEAD LOVE? SO, I SAID OK GOD, I’LL TRUST YOU, BUT YOU HAVE TO LOVE HIM THROUGH ME WITH YOUR LOVE, BECAUSE I’M NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO LOVE HIM MYSELF RIGHT NOW.

EZ 37:3-5 SAYS…AND HE SAID UNTO ME, SON OF MAN, CAN THESE BONES LIVE? AND I ANSWERED, O LORD GOD, THOU KNOWEST. 4. AGAIN HE SAID UNTO ME, PROPHESY UPON THESE BONES, AND SAY UNTO THEM, O YE DRY BONES, HEAR THE WORD OF THE LORD. 5. THUS SAITH THE LORD GOD UNTO THESE BONES; BEHOLD, I WILL CAUSE BREATH TO ENTER INTO YOU, AND YE SHALL LIVE:

DO WHAT GOD SAYS AND HE BRINGS LIFE INTO YOUR SITUATION. IF YOU WILL LET HIM. Bro. GREG SLAYTON PREACHED AWHILE BACK ABOUT DRY BONES AND SAID WHAT GOD ASKS OF YOU, IT CAN LIVE. GOD ASKED ME TO LET HIM RAISE UP MY MARRIAGE SO IT COULD LIVE. BUT HE WOULDN’T GO AGAINST MY WILL. GOD WON’T GO AGAINST YOUR WILL TO HOLD ON TO THE CHAINS. HE’S WAITING UNTIL YOUR TIRED OF THEM. REPENT OF YOUR WILL, AND WRONGS, AND YOU WILL GET LOOSED. I WAS STANDING IN THE WAY AND I HAD TO LET GOD MOVE FOR ME. I HAD TO LISTEN TO HIM! AND YOU HAVE TO TAKE TIME FOR GOD FOR THINGS TO CHANGE. OBEY HIM!!! NOTHING HAPPENS FAST. LOOK AT THE PROCESS THE CATERPILLAR GOES THROUGH TO BECOME A BUTTERFLY! A CATERPILLAR DOESN’T KNOW HOW TO BE A BUTTERFLY. IT HAS TO RELY ON GOD TO MAKE THE CHANGE.

WELL I WENT ON TO TELL THE LADIES HOW I SUFFERED IN MY MARRIAGE BECAUSE OF THE DRUG ADDICTION MY HUSBAND HAD, AND I TOLD THEM OF THE PHYSICAL ABUSE I SUFFERED. I’D BEEN WITNESSING ABOUT THIS FOR 2 YEARS AND I WAS STILL IN BONDAGE, UNTIL I ALSO LET GO OF THE PAIN OF THE ADULTERY HE HAD COMMITED. I HAD KEPT THIS A SECRET, TELLING NO ONE. IT HURT TO MUCH. BY DOING THIS AND KEEPING IT TO MYSELF THE DEVIL COULD PLAY ME LIKE A FIDDLE AND HE DID. EVERY DAY I STRUGGLED BECAUSE I HADN’T LET IT GO. BY NOT TELLING ANYONE I STAYED IN BONDAGE AND WAS CHAINED TO THE PAIN. I COULD TESTIFY ABOUT WHAT GOD HAD SET ME FREE FROM IN MY MARRIAGE WITH THE DRUGS AND ABUSE AND IT SOUNDED GOOD! BUT I HAD BEEN SET FREE FROM THE ADULTERY AS WELL, BUT NO ONE KNEW IT. I WOULD MOVE FORWARD IN MY WALK 2 STEPS AND BE DRAGGED BACK 3. I KEPT SAYING GOD WHY?! HE KEPT TELLING ME, AND THEN ONE DAY I HEARD HIM. HE SAID I WANT TO USE ALL OF YOUR TESTIMONY FOR MY GLORY NOT JUST WHAT YOU FEEL LIKE TELLING. TELL IT AND BE SET FREE AND HELP SET OTHERS FREE TOO! HOW COULD HE USE ME COMPLETELY IF I WAS AFRAID AND EMBARRASSED ABOUT WHAT I HAD BEEN SET FREE FROM? THE DRUGS AND ABUSE I COULD DEAL WITH, BUT THE ADULTERY TORE ME APART. IT SENT ME INTO A DEPRESSION TO WHERE I WAS IN A COCOON AND I DIDN’T WANT TO COME OUT. BUT, IT ALSO SENT ME INTO THE COCOON WITH GOD. HE WAS WITH ME ALWAYS.

I WAS AT A POINT IN MY LIFE AFTER ALL OF THIS MESS HAPPENED THAT I WROTE IN MY JOURNAL AND DIDN’T WRITE IN IT AGAIN FOR THREE AND A HALF YEARS. I HAD KEPT A JOURNAL SINCE I WAS 12. I PICKED IT UP ONE DAY TO SEE WHY I HADN’T WROTE IN IT FOR SO LONG. THIS IS WHY. MAY 1999.… I STILL HURT EVERYDAY, I AM NOW. I LIVE BY GODS GRACE, IF IT WEREN’T FOR HIM HOLDING ME I’D BE NUTS. I CAN DRIVE MYSELF CRAZY THINKING. I MEAN IF I THOUGHT ABOUT IT ANYMORE THAN I DO, AND IF GOD WASN’T IN MY HEART AND LIFE I WOULD BE NUTS. I DON’T KNOW WHERE ELSE I’D BE. IT’S A DAILY STRUGGLE TO STAY AND A STRUGGLE NOT TO LEAVE. ALL I CAN SAY IS THANK GOD I'M OK. MY KIDS NEED ME. I NEED ME AND I WANT ME BACK, BUT I’VE CLOSED AND LOCKED THE DOOR AND I DON’T KNOW HOW TO OPEN IT BACK UP. GOD KNOWS I WANT TO, BUT I'M AFRAID TO PUT THE EFFORT INTO IT. I DON’T KNOW WHATS OUT THERE IF I DO. I FEEL LIKE IT WOULD BE OK BUT AT THE SAME TIME I'M TO TIRED TO TAKE THE EFFORT TO WORK ON IT. I PRAY FOR ME AND MY FAMILY DAILY. I TALK TO GOD ALL THE TIME. HE IS MY STRENGTH. I HAVE NONE. HE’S DOING IT ALL FOR ME. HE BRUSHES MY HAIR, AND PUTS ON MY MAKE UP AND CLEANS THE HOUSE AND BUYS THE GROCERIES AND WASHES THE DISHES AND KISSES DELORNE AND BREATHES FOR ME AND HOLDS MY KIDS, I HONESTLY DON’T DO ANYTHING. I’M PARALYZED AND GOD IS MOVING MY BODY TO KEEP IT FROM DYING.

I WAS IN BONDAGE AND CHAINED TO THE PAIN. I COULDN’T LET GO OF IT. I NEEDED THE PAIN TO SURVIVE.

WELL, A YEAR AND A HALF LATER MY HUSBAND GOT SAVED AND WE STARTED LIVING FOR GOD AND GETTING INVOLVED IN CHURCH. I WAS CHANGING MY LIFE AND I WAS RELEASED FROM THE CHAINS OF BONDAGE BY LOOKING TO JESUS FOR MY STRENGTH, BUT BECAUSE OF MY UNBELIEF I WOULD STAND THERE AFRAID TO MOVE BECAUSE MAYBE I REALLY WASN’T FREE. TO BE TRULY FREE, YOU HAVE TO RECOGNIZE THAT YOU ARE FREE. THEN SOMETHING GOOD WOULD HAPPEN AND I’D FEEL FREE AND GO FORWARD, ONLY TO GET TO THE END OF MY CHAIN AND IT WOULD YANK ME BACK TO THE SAFETY OF MY COCOON. THEN I’D FEEL FREE A LITTLE LATER AND GO FORWARD LIKE A BARKING DOG RUNNING ON A CHAIN AND THE CHAIN WOULD YANK ME BACK AND I’D GO CRYING TO MY COCOON AGAIN. SAFETY THERE-STAY THERE IT’S TO HARD TO LET GO OF THE CHAIN. BUT
WITH GOD YOU HAVE THE POWER TO DROP THE CHAINS AND FLY AWAY.

TO BE FREE, I HAD TO PREPARE MYSELF.
EPH 6:13 SAYS: WHEREFORE TAKE UNTO YOU THE WHOLE ARMOUR OF GOD, THAT YE MAY BE ABLE TO WITHSTAND IN THE EVIL DAY, AND HAVING DONE ALL, TO STAND. OUR ARMOUR IS HIS WORD. WE HAVE TO PREPARE TO BE ABLE TO STAND AND ACCOMPLISH SOMETHING FOR GOD. PREPARE BY DAILY STUDY OF GODS WORD AND PRAY. THE REASON WE GET YANKED BACK DOWN BY THE CHAIN WHEN WE’RE AT THE END, IS BECAUSE WE HAVEN’T DONE ALL TO PREPARE TO STAND. JOYCE MEYER SAID…IT’S EASY TO QUIT, IT TAKES FAITH TO GO THROUGH. YOU HAVE TO STAY WITH IT! KEEP GOING TOWARD GOD, DON’T STOP!!

WELL I WAS LIVING MY LIFE BUT, I WAS STILL STRUGGLING WHEN I HAD A DREAM THAT I PULLED A WORM OUT OF MY EYE, AND I WAS EMBARRASSED IN THE DREAM! I KNEW IT WASN’T JUST ANY DREAM. IT WAS DIFFERENT THAN ANY DREAM I’D EVER HAD BEFORE. I ASKED GOD WHAT DOES IT MEAN BECAUSE I COULDN’T LET IT GO. I KNEW IT WAS MORE THAN A DREAM. AND I HAD TO FIND OUT WHAT IT MEANT. IT WAS A HEALING DREAM. GOD TOLD ME TO LOOK UP THE DEFINITION OF EACH OUTSTANDING WORD IN THE STRONGS CONCORDANCE I DID, I WAS FLOORED!! I FOUND OUT I WAS STILL CHAINED TO THE PAST AND THE PAIN. I WAS ONLY ACTING FREE.

THE DEFINITION OF MY DREAM IS…….

THE WORD PULLED MEANS IN HEBREW: TO TEAR AWAY, DESTROY OR PLUCK THE ROOT, DELIVER UP, RESTORE, SHOOT FORTH AND UP. AND, TO BE HEALED AND BRING FORTH CHANGE!!!

FREE LIKE A BUTTERFLY TO GO UP TO JESUS. HALLELUJAH!!!!

THE WORD WORM IN HEBREW MEANS SENSE OF BREEDING, RAPIDLY BRED. BUT A ROOT OF THE WORD IS TO RISE, EXALT, GET ONESELF UP, MOUNT UP!!
THE WORM IS A REFERENCE TO THE CATERPILLAR. A CATERPILLAR TURNS INTO A
BUTTERFLY AND RISES UP, IS EXALTED, MOUNTS UP AND FLIES TOWARD JESUS!!

NOW THE WORD EYE IN HEBREW MEANS TO
STAY IN A GIVEN PLACE OR STATE, RELATION
OR EXPECTANCY, AND TO DWELL.

IN THE GREEK EYE MEANS TO WEAR AWAY, A WOUND, A RUT OR WORN PATH, TO GNAW OR CHEW OR TO EAT. IMAGINE IF YOU COULD SEE YOUR SOUL AND THE PATH OF PAIN THAT’S BEEN WORN LIKE THIS. LET IT GO!!

HOLDING ONTO THE PAIN ATE AWAY AT ME AND GNAWED AT MY SOUL. THERE WAS A WORN BEATEN PATH BACK TO MY PAIN. I HAD TO LET GO!!!

SEE; I ALLOWED MY THOUGHTS TO BREED IN MY MIND AND KEEP ME BOUND TO MY PAIN. THE PATH TO IT WAS WELL WORN. I WENT THERE EVERY DAY. I WAS IN A PLACE OF EXPECTANCY, I EXPECTED TO FEEL BAD, SO I DID. I STAYED IN THE GIVEN PLACE AND DWELLED AND DWELLED ON MY THOUGHTS. AND AS LONG AS I DID , THEY WORE AWAY AT MY SOUL.

THE ONLY WAY TO BE FREE IS TO CAST IT OUT IN JESUS NAME EVERY TIME THE THOUGHTS COME TO YOU. EVENTUALLY THE DEVIL QUITS THROWING THEM SO MUCH BECAUSE YOU KNOW HOW TO FIGHT THEM. JUST DO IT! I HAD A LADY CALL ME ONE DAY AND SHE WAS STRUGGLING IN HER MARRIAGE BECAUSE HER HUSBAND ISN’T SAVED. AFTER AWHILE SHE SAID UYLONDA, HOW DO YOU NOT THINK ABOUT WHAT ALL HE’S DONE TO YOU ANYMORE? AND I TOLD HER… I JUST DON’T. I LEARNED TO THINK ABOUT JESUS, AND HOW HE SAYS IN ISAIAH 26:3 THOU SHALT KEEP HIM IN PERFECT PEACE WHOSE MIND IS STAYED ON THEE!!

PAIN MAKES YOU CHANGE. IT’S MOTIVATING. WITHOUT IT WE WOULD SIT AND DO NOTHING TO MAKE THINGS CHANGE. THE FIRST TIME I EVER WENT TO A COUNSELOR WAS THE FIRST TIME DELORNE LEFT ME. HE WAS GONE FOR THREE WEEKS. THE COUNSELOR ASKED ME WHY NOW? WHY NOT BEFORE? THE ANSWER WAS BECAUSE I WAS IN SO MUCH PAIN I HAD TO DO SOMETHING TO MAKE IT BETTER. MOST OF THE TIME THIS IS WHAT WE DO. WE WAIT UNTIL THE PAIN IS SO BAD THAT WE FINALLY REACH OUT. PAIN CATAPULTED ME TO GOD. KEEP LOOKING TO HIM, HAVE FAITH, WHICH IS HOPE. ACT ON IT AND DON’T STOP.

I TURNED TO GOD AND PLEADED FOR HELP AND HE ANSWERED. I KEPT SAYING GOD, CHANGE HIM AND IT WILL GET BETTER. GOD TOLD ME TO CHANGE. A SAYING I FOUND IS: THE HEART CANNOT BE CHANGED UNTIL THE MIND IS CHANGED.
ROM. 12:2 SAYS AND BE NOT CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD: BUT BE YE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND, I ALWAYS ASKED HOW? HOW DO I CHANGE GOD? FINALLY I REALIZED HOW. PRAYER AND STUDY IS HOW YOU ARE RENEWED. GET INTO GODS WORD TO CHANGE. I HAD TO RENEW MY MIND, LET GO OF WHO I WAS, AND BECOME WHO HE IS AND WHAT HE WANTED ME TO BE. I HAD TO LET CHRIST LIVE IN ME TRANSFORMING ME INTO THE LIKENESS OF HIM.
2 COR.3:18 SAYS BUT WE ALL, WITH OPEN FACE BEHOLDING AS IN A GLASS THE GLORY OF THE LORD, ARE CHANGED INTO THE SAME IMAGE FROM GLORY TO GLORY, EVEN AS BY THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD. I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO CHANGE WHEN I STARTED SEEKING HIM FIRST. I WAS LIKE THE CATERPILLAR---HE HAS NO CHOICE BUT TO CHANGE INTO A BUTTERFLY.

HOW DO YOU GET TO THE POINT OF FREEDOM FROM THE CATERPILLAR IN YOUR SAFE LITTLE COCOON OF MISERY, TO THE BUTTERFLY?!!! FREE TO GO ON IN LIFE BEING WHAT GOD SAID YOU CAN BE?

WELL MAYBE YOU WANT THINGS TO CHANGE, BUT YOU DON’T DO ANYTHING TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN. YOU LOOK AT SOMEONE WHO HAS CHANGED AND HOPE THAT JUST BY LISTENING TO WHAT GOD HAS DONE FOR THEM, IT WILL MAKE A CHANGE IN YOUR LIFE? I USE TO DO JUST THAT. I WOULD LISTEN TO JOYCE MEYER, PAULA WHITE, AND OTHER WOMEN SPEAK ON THE CHANGES IN THEIR LIFE. IT WOULD EXCITE ME TO CHANGE, BUT I WOULD THINK THAT I LEARNED ENOUGH BY LISTENING TO THEM NOW ITS GOING TO CHANGE ME, BECAUSE I HAD HEARD FROM GOD THROUGH THEM!! JESUS SAYS TO GET UP AND DO IT YOURSELF. THE SECOND HALF OF ROMANS 12:2 SAYS THAT YE MAY PROVE WHAT IS THAT
GOOD, AND ACCEPTABLE, AND PERFECT WILL OF GOD. PROVE YOURSELF WORTHY. LIKE THE MAN IN THE PARABLE OF THE TALENTS. HE HAD ONE TALENT AND BURIED IT. HE WAS AFRAID TO TRY FOR MORE, AFRAID HE WOULD FAIL. SO HE ENDED UP WITH WHAT HE ALREADY HAD. GOD WANTS YOU TO MULTIPLY YOUR TALENTS, SO GET UP AND PUT YOUR TALENTS TO WORK FOR YOU. YOU SAY, WHY BOTHER IF I'M GOING TO FAIL? GIVE IT TO GOD AND WATCH IT CHANGE. YOU HAVE THE MEANS IN FRONT OF YOU. HE’S GIVEN THEM TO YOU, USE THEM.. WHAT ARE THEY?…………..

1) PRAYER: DAILY, NOT JUST THE ONES YOU PRAYED YESTERDAY. THEIR NOT MULTIPLYING YOU TODAY. PRAY DAILY. REALLY PRAY. GET WITH GOD ALONE AND LISTEN TO WHAT HE WANTS YOU TO PRAY. WRITE YOUR PRAYERS DOWN. GOD GIVES YOU ANSWERS THROUGH PRAYER--MULTIPLYING YOUR TALENTS. ONE PRAYER YESTERDAY IS NOT ENOUGH TO MOVE YOU TODAY. TO DO HIS WILL PRAY TODAY. MULTIPLY YOUR TALENTS. GOD SAID TO.

2) READ AND STUDY HIS WORD: GET FED. MATT. 4:4 SAYS IT IS WRITTEN MAN SHALL NOT LIVE BY BREAD ALONE, BUT BY EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDETH OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD. MULTIPLICATION OF FOOD MAKES YOU GROW. YOU CAN’T LIVE TODAY ON WHAT YOU ATE YESTERDAY. YOU HAVE TO READ HIS WORD DAILY. (MULTIPLY YOUR FOOD, MULTIPLY YOUR WORK FOR HIM) THROUGH PRAYER AND STUDY: TO FORGIVE, TO LET GO OF ANGER, HATE, BITTERNESS, VENGEANCE, ANYTHING THAT GOES AGAINST HIS WORD. BUT, TO DO IT YOU HAVE TO HAVE BEEN FED. YOU HAVE TO HAVE STRENGTH TO LIVE. YOUR STRENGTH COMES FROM PRAYER AND HIS WORD. IT IS LIFE TO US. OUR SPIRIT HAS TO BE FED, SO THEREFORE; DAILY READING OF THE BIBLE IS A NECESSITY TO SURVIVE. PS 119:105 SAYS THY WORD IS A LAMP UNTO MY FEET. AND A LIGHT UNTO MY PATH. THIS IS WHAT HE IS SAYING: READ AND STUDY MY WORD AND YOU WILL KNOW THE WAY TO GO AND WHAT TO DO. I FOUND A QUOTE FROM A BOOK OR SOMETHING I HAD READ AND IT SAYS CHRISTIAN GROWTH IS A DAILY PROCESS OF TAKING OFF THE OLD SELF ATTITUDES, BELIEFS, AND BEHAVIORS WHICH REFLECT THE DARK SIDE OF OUR NATURE WHICH IS SIN, AND CHANGING TO THOSE CHARACTERISTICS THAT REFLECT THE PRESENCE OF CHRIST IN OUR LIVES. IT’S THE ONLY WAY TO RENEW THE SPIRIT OF OUR MIND. EPH 4:22-24 SAYS: THAT YE PUT OFF CONCERNING THE FORMER CONVERSATION THE OLD MAN, WHICH IS CORRUT ACCORDING TO THE DECEITFUL LUSTS; 23 AND BE RENEWED IN THE SPIRIT OF YOUR MIND; 24 AND THAT YE PUT ON THE NEW MAN, WHICH AFTER GOD IS CREATED IN RIGHTEOUSNESS AND TRUE HOLINESS.

MULTIPLY YOUR TALENTS. USE THEM (DON’T BURY THEM IN YOU) WHEN YOU USE WHAT GOD HAS DONE FOR YOU TO HELP OTHERS YOUR MULTIPLYING YOUR TALENTS! PUT THEM OUT THERE TO BENEFIT OTHERS AND MAKE A PROFIT., DO THIS TO CHANGE. 1 JOHN 5:4 SAYS FOR WHATSOEVER IS BORN OF GOD, OVERCOMETH THE WORLD. QUIT BURYING YOUR PAIN AND FEEDING ON YOU PAST.

IS YOUR LIFE THE SAME TODAY AS A YEAR AGO OR YEARS AGO? HOW MANY WILL SAY (TO YOURSELF) OH THINGS HAVE CHANGED. AND THEY HAVE……
YOU LISTEN ONLY TO CHRISTIAN MUSIC, WATCH TBN ALL THE TIME, GO TO CHURCH ALL THE TIME, YOUR INVOLVED IN CHURCH ACTIVITIES ALL THE TIME ETC… BUT SPIRITUALLY NOTHINGS CHANGED!!! YOU’RE THE SAME GROUCHY PERSON AS BEFORE, YOU HAVE A BAD ATTITUDE ALL THE TIME, AND ON AND ON. AND YOU SAY WHY IS THIS? WELL, BECAUSE YOUR FLESH HAS CHANGED SOME THINGS TO PLEASE YOU AND MAKE YOU KNOW THERES CHANGES BUT, YOUR SPIRIT IS STILL THE SAME NO CHANGE!
PROVERBS 15:13 SAYS A MERRY HEART MAKETH A CHEERFUL COUNTENANCE, BUT BY SORROW OF THE HEART THE SPIRIT IS BROKEN. ACT THE WAY GOD SAYS TO, EVEN IF YOUR NOT THERE YET, AND IT CHANGES YOU. SLOWLY YOU START TO CHANGE AND YOUR NOT IN TOUCH WITH YOUR PAIN. YOUR IN TOUCH WITH GOD. THIS IS HOW YOU CHANGE FOREVER.

A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE COMFORTABLE BEING BURDONED. THEY FEEL LIKE THEY DESERVE TO FEEL THIS WAY BECAUSE OF WHATS HAPPENED OR IS HAPPENING TO THEM. THE TRUTH IS, IF JESUS IS YOUR SAVIOR YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO BE MISERABLE. AND IF YOUR NOT SAVED, RECEIVE JESUS AND HE WILL HELP YOU. HE SET YOU FREE WHEN HE DIED ON THE CROSS. LET IT GO, WHATEVER IT IS! DON’T KEEP IT JUST BECAUSE ITS YOUR PAIN AND YOUR COMFORTABLE WITH IT, AND, YOU ALSO DON’T EVEN KNOW HOW TO THINK OF WHO YOU WOULD BE WITHOUT IT. THINK ON JESUS AND HOW HE SAID I WILL SET YOU FREE. JOHN 8:31-32 SAYS… THEN SAID JESUS TO THOSE JEWS WHICH BELIEVED ON HIM, IF YE CONTINUE IN MY WORD, THEN ARE YE MY DISCIPLES INDEED; 32: AND YE SHALL KNOW THE TRUTH, AND THE TRUTH SHALL SET YOU FREE. ITS YOUR CHOICE TO STAY CHAINED TO PAIN OR TO STEP UP AND STEP OUT OF IT.
PS. 37:23 SAYS THE STEPS OF A GOOD MAN ARE ORDERED BY THE LORD, AND HE DELIGHTETH IN THY WAY.

STEP UP AND STEP OUT AND GET WHAT GOD HAS FOR YOU, PEACE-LOVE-JOY-HAPPINESS. COME ON… WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
TAKE THE STEP TODAY STAND FOR JESUS. LET IT ALL GO WHATEVER IT IS, AND BE FREE! FREE LIKE THE BUTTERFLY.

LOVE YA, UYLONDA

Sunday, December 7, 2008

My mind is blank as what to write escapes me. I know I haven't written anything in three weeks, but I haven't known what to say. That is truly unusual for me, I always have something to say! So much has been going on that I don't know where to start. I do know that Jesus is calling His people to spend more time with Him. It seems to me that when I say this to people they usually don't get it. Jesus is just like us, only He is Holy and our soon coming King. I also know that not everyone hears from God in the same way. I want to share with you something that was in my devotion I do with my husband, I cried when I read it. It is Jesus talking to us and people just don't get it, He is calling His people to Him in every way possible, We just have to listen!

I just had to send a note to tell you how much I love you and care about you. I saw you yesterday as you were walking with your friends. I waited all day hoping you would want to talk with me also. As evening drew near, I gave you a sunset to close your day and a cool breeze to rest you. And I waited. But you never came. It hurt me, but I still love you because I am your friend.
I saw you fall asleep last night and I longed to touch your brow. So I spilled moonlight on your pillow and your face. Again I waited, wanting to rush down so we could talk. I have so many gifts for you. But you awakened late the next day and rushed back to work. My tears were in the rain.
Today you looked so sad, so all alone. It makes my heart ache because I understand. My friends let me down and hurt me so many times too. But I love you. Oh, if you would only listen to me. I really love you. I try to tell you in the blue sky and in the quiet green grass. I whisper it in the leaves on the trees and breathe it in the colors of the flowers. I shout it to you in the mountain streams and give the birds love songs to sing. I clothe you with warm sunshine and perfume the air with nature's scents. My love for you is deeper than the oceans and bigger than the biggest want or need in your heart.
If you only knew how much I want to help you. I want you to meet my Father. He wants to help you too. My Father is that way, you know. Just call me, ask me, talk with me. I have so much to share with you. Yet I won't hassle you. I'll wait because I love you
Your Friend, Jesus

This is what God wants of us to know. He wants a relationship with us without excuses as to why we can't find time for Him. I hear so many excuses myself from people that it amazes me, so I can only imagine how God feels. God talks to us individually, and in those conversations it is different for everyone. You can hear from the Lord for many reasons and in many ways. Don't deny them. God does not have to come down and speak literally to us, He speaks to us in our spirit, softly, quietly, gently. Just listen and you can hear Him. What is it He is saying to you? In the bible it says Be still and know that I am God. Ps. 46:10. He wants us to hear Him and listen to Him. Just get alone with Him in a quiet place and be still. He is God, and He will speak to you. It is awesome when He does. What is it you may need an answer to? If you give Him time, He will hear you.

Love you, Uylonda