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Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Lord, I Want to be Moldable!

Have you ever heard these words in the depths of your soul?
"Are you willing to be molded into the image of My Son, Jesus Christ?"

I have heard them on more than one occasion, and it happened again this morning. I simply replied,"Of course, Lord, I want to be molded into the image of Christ."

My heart's desire is to be ALL God wants, therefore, my heart beats to please my Abba Daddy!

The molding began many years ago. I remember having a conversation with God about wanting to do His will no matter what and He spoke clearly to my heart,  "Satan has asked to sift you. I have told him to go ahead, because you will not deny me for you are My servant."
Job, right...Peter, right...but Angie?? "Okay God," I said, "Help me to never deny You as my Lord, no matter what comes my way!"

I meant it then and I mean it even more so today! I have been through the testing, and the beauty of testing is that God has to approve the testing of my faith. The testing has to go through His hands before it can touch His children. He allows Satan to test His children. You know, Christ promises us many things and one of His promises most Christians don't like to hear is what He said in John 16:33, "I have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me. Here on earth you WILL have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world."

We love knowing He has overcome the world, but we don't like the trials and sorrows He promised we would face. Naturally we hate when bad things happen to good people. But the trials, sorrows and testing are all part of our testimony. I am joyfully bearing the trial I now face!

I was diagnosed with a brain tumor on Sunday, May 20, 2012. Well, this past Thursday God asked me again, "Are you willing to be molded into the image of my Son, Jesus Christ?"

On Thursday May 24th I will have brain surgery to remove a tumor that has been slow growing and causing me to have constant headaches for a LONG TIME! I have not shaken my fist at God and asked, "Why me, God?" Instead my heart sings praises! He has filled my heart with pure peace and joy! Knowing He has a purpose for allowing this trial that could possibly bring sorrow, I have peace like a river because it has gone through His hands first. He knows what He is doing, and I am trusting Him!

I did have a conversation with Satan, and told Him that either way, He doesn't win! If God sees fit that my physical life ends on the operating table, my life has been lived to glorify God and I WIN! I believe My Redeemer lives, therefore, I live! Whether on earth or in heaven with my Savior! I WIN!!

God knows the outcome and I am trusting Him to do what He does best, and that is Glorifying His Name through His servant! I am His servant! I will continue to be who I am no matter what the devil tries to throw at me! I would think by now He would get sick of me not falling for his tricks, but I said yes to God's calling to be on the front lines. I am His Princess Warrior! I have committed my life to serving Christ and I will not go down without fighting for all souls I encounter for the purpose of them being united with Jesus. For He is the One and Only Way, Truth and LIFE!

I am here today because He lives! I am here today to bring Him glory! I am going through this today for someone to know God is faithful, no matter what we see! I am here today because I want to be molded into His image!
Be blessed! Angie

Friday, May 4, 2012

Are You Following The Shepherd's Voice?

John 10:3b-5 "He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out. When He has brought them outside,He goes ahead of them. The sheep follow Him because they recognize His voice. They will never follow a stranger; instead they will run away from him because they do not recognize the voice of strangers."

John 10:27 "My sheep hear My voice, I know them, and they follow Me."

We live in a day and age where everything/everyone is fighting for our attention. Some are "screaming" for it, or "flashing neon lights"...We have our own minds to battle with daily and our thoughts are often the loudest and our biggest competitor. You know what I love about Jesus; His patience for His own! He simply speaks and will keep on speaking with His still, small voice until we recognize the One speaking and we listen then follow Him. He doesn't have to do cartwheels, throw us a party, or use a bull horn to get our attention, He simply speaks as John 10:27 says, "My sheep hear My voice, I know them, and they follow Me".

If we are putting Him first in ALL we do, we will hear His voice over all the "noise pollution" in our air waves. We will follow Him no matter the cost, because He is the Good Shepherd! As the Good Shepherd, He will keep us safe and guide us to find "pastures of rest and peace".

I wish to reiterate John 10:3b "He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out." In order for Jesus to lead you out, you have to first recognize His voice and say "yes" to following Him. Have you done that? Have you heard Him call your name, and your response was, "Not today Jesus, I still wanna live my own life, my own way, after all you only live once."

Or have you found yourself lately wondering who was speaking to you? Have you found yourself, hearing from God, and then another unfamiliar voice rears its ugly head? If this is you, which most Christians go through this from time to time, then STOP:
S= Silence yourself before God
T= Take time to praise Him for who He is and all He has done
O= Open your heart to Him so He can speak to you
P= Prove faithful to your Shepherd and follow Him

He knows your name, He is calling you to follow Him. Are you following your Shepherd's voice?

Father God, You are the Good Shepherd, our Wonderful Counselor, our Great Provider, our Savior, You deserve all praise, honor and glory for ALL You have done and continue to do! May we open our hearts to hear from You. Speak to us, give us direction and may we prove ourselves faithful by following our Shepherd's familiar voice! In Jesus'Name, AMEN AND AMEN!

Following my Shepherd's voice,
Angie