Andy Vansloun
Pilgrim, (from Pilgrim's Progress) is weighed down with his burden of guilt, failure, sin and inadequacy that he unnecessarily carries around on his back every day, because he has not discovered the freedom that Christ brings. Sometimes we carry around unnecessary burdens that Christ wants to lift.
What an amazing time we live in that over 10,000 women can do a Bible study together at one time! That is how many of us will be studying the book, You Are Loved together this week! I am sooo happy that so many of you will be joining us to ponder anew what is really means to live, walk and breathe in daily the love of our Heavenly Father!
If you are like me, sometimes you are so used to the baggage of fear, past failures, the voices of others in our life, inadequacy and exhaustion you don't even realize what a drain it is to you. But Christ wants us to live in the freedom he provided for us every day. He does not want our burdens to take emotional or mental space in our lives that keeps us from experiencing his own commitment to us. It is my prayer that all of us will be energized, refreshed and heartened as we study this concept together in the scripture about how to embrace and daily engage our minds and hearts in the love God has for us.
Knowing His love and living in a fallen world with the inconsistencies of others can be confusing. We hope to address some of these issues through His Word in the coming week.
We are soo happy that women will be joining our study through 8 different languages, as that is how many books have been translated for groups joining us. Will you please pray with us, that women will be released from their emotional burdens and find Christ in a new way as we spend the next 8 weeks in His word together.
Angela and I will have a video for you each week. I wanted to share with you some of what is on my heart about beginning to understand your place with God. Hope you enjoy our messages. And know that we are praying for you today.
“I Love you!”
These are the words that soothe our heart, that fill us with comfort, that bring joy.
Yet, because we are living in a broken world, often instead we hear the words,
“You aren’t worthy!”
“You have failed.”
“You are inadequate.”
Yet, the truest thing about God is that HE has the capacity to love you, to surround you with His joy and delight forever and ever. He has compassion on you like a Father has compassion on His children. He gave everything to redeem you.
God is the one who designed your eyes, your hair color, your personality and he delights in you as a work of art.
This week, begin replacing the voices that speak to you in your head with, “I am loved.”
“He made me to be special.” “He gave everything, His very life, so that I could be restored to the secret place of His heart and love.
Even as a toddler crawls into the arms of her mother because she belongs there, so we can crawl into God’s love and tell him all that is on our hearts. He opens His arms to us and is delighted that we are there, because
WE BELONG THERE!
WE ARE HIS CHILDREN.
WE DO NOT HAVE TO DESERVE TO BE IN THE ARMS OF OUR FATHER, WE GO THERE BECAUSE IT IS OUR RIGHTFUL PLACE AS HIS CHILD.
As a matter of fact, God is so delighted with you that He will sing over you with delight. Let these words sink into your heart this week, and believe them and celebrate them as you come to understand even more the abundant, never-ending love of God, our heavenly Father.
The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3: 17
Remember, today, He rejoices over you with singing! Be blessed in His love today.
No matter what your issues that make you feel separated, anger, laziness, bitterness, failure, food issues, friend issues, selfishness or pettiness--all are a part of our lives--but we can have a fresh start today. Cast all of these on Him and start anew, take baby steps, live free!
For more encouragement, join Angela HERE at Goodmorninggirls.com
After watching this video, reading the first chapter, how is God speaking to you? I would love to hear from you.