Pressing On!
"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Journey girls (Elisabeth's version), I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." ~ Philippians 3:12-14
I woke up to snow this morning and a lot of it! I'm not the biggest fan of winter, but today I am praising God for the snow. As I sit and watch it through the window, I am reminded of how each one of us are created uniquely to bring God pleasure and glory. Know that YOU bring Him pleasure today! I just wanted to encourage each one of you as we continue on our journey. Do not be discouraged and do not let the enemy use guilt to make you feel as though you aren't going to make it through this journey! Remember what our goal is during this 40 days, to draw closer to Jesus! It's not about what we are sacrificing or "giving up" as much as it is about how we are becoming more intimate with our Savior. There will be some bumps in the road along the way. If your foot slips or if you stumble, look to Jesus. Psalm 94:18-19 says, "When I said, 'My foot is slipping, your love, O LORD, suppported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul." No worries! Get up and press on!! He loves you so much!
I have to admit that I was struggling in this area as well. I was feeling insecure, inadequate and unable to do what He has called me to. I was struggling with past hurts, failures, loneliness and feeling as though the Lord was finished with me. You will learn more about my journey throughout this 40 days, but for now lets just say that I have been in the desert for the past 2 1/2 years and I now feel as though I'm in the wilderness. "In a desert land he found him, in a barren and howling waste. He shielded him and cared for him; He guarded him as the apple of His eye." (Deuteronomy 32:10) Thank you Lord! I praise God that He never leaves or forsakes us. He is our guard and shield. He keeps us in the shadow of His wings, as the apple of His eye! (Psalm 17:8)
I am so thankful for family and christian friends who have encouraged me along the way. Even last night as I was doubting, one of my "Roosters" (accountability partners) reminded me of God's promises! I'm opening my heart to you ladies. I want you to know that even as a pastor's wife, I feel these same emotions. We are all human, we will all have shortcomings and failures and we all are in need of a Savior! Praise God for His saving grace, His mercy, and His unfailing love! If you know Christ personally then you have the power to stand up against the enemy!! Don't allow him to get you down! God has purpose for your life! He intends you to live an abundant and effective life for His glory! (John 15:8, John 10:10).
I am so thankful that we have each other as well. I am praying for each one of you each day. Isn't it awesome that we can come together from all over and share what God is doing in our lives? Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says, "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!" So if you are feeling lonely, insecure, inadequate or like you have already failed. . .cling to God's Word my sweet sisters and know that you have over 50 Journey Girls who are right beside you on this path. To encourage you when you fall, to help you to stand and pray with you along the way. But most importantly, you have a Savior who loves you more than you could ever imagine! His love does not come as a result of our doing, but is bestowed on us as a free gift. My sweet friend, you are LOVED by the King of Kings, the LORD of Lords, the Most High God!! Be encouraged! Stand up and PRESS ON! I love you!
Pressing On,
Elisabeth
I woke up to snow this morning and a lot of it! I'm not the biggest fan of winter, but today I am praising God for the snow. As I sit and watch it through the window, I am reminded of how each one of us are created uniquely to bring God pleasure and glory. Know that YOU bring Him pleasure today! I just wanted to encourage each one of you as we continue on our journey. Do not be discouraged and do not let the enemy use guilt to make you feel as though you aren't going to make it through this journey! Remember what our goal is during this 40 days, to draw closer to Jesus! It's not about what we are sacrificing or "giving up" as much as it is about how we are becoming more intimate with our Savior. There will be some bumps in the road along the way. If your foot slips or if you stumble, look to Jesus. Psalm 94:18-19 says, "When I said, 'My foot is slipping, your love, O LORD, suppported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul." No worries! Get up and press on!! He loves you so much!
I have to admit that I was struggling in this area as well. I was feeling insecure, inadequate and unable to do what He has called me to. I was struggling with past hurts, failures, loneliness and feeling as though the Lord was finished with me. You will learn more about my journey throughout this 40 days, but for now lets just say that I have been in the desert for the past 2 1/2 years and I now feel as though I'm in the wilderness. "In a desert land he found him, in a barren and howling waste. He shielded him and cared for him; He guarded him as the apple of His eye." (Deuteronomy 32:10) Thank you Lord! I praise God that He never leaves or forsakes us. He is our guard and shield. He keeps us in the shadow of His wings, as the apple of His eye! (Psalm 17:8)
I am so thankful for family and christian friends who have encouraged me along the way. Even last night as I was doubting, one of my "Roosters" (accountability partners) reminded me of God's promises! I'm opening my heart to you ladies. I want you to know that even as a pastor's wife, I feel these same emotions. We are all human, we will all have shortcomings and failures and we all are in need of a Savior! Praise God for His saving grace, His mercy, and His unfailing love! If you know Christ personally then you have the power to stand up against the enemy!! Don't allow him to get you down! God has purpose for your life! He intends you to live an abundant and effective life for His glory! (John 15:8, John 10:10).
I am so thankful that we have each other as well. I am praying for each one of you each day. Isn't it awesome that we can come together from all over and share what God is doing in our lives? Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says, "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!" So if you are feeling lonely, insecure, inadequate or like you have already failed. . .cling to God's Word my sweet sisters and know that you have over 50 Journey Girls who are right beside you on this path. To encourage you when you fall, to help you to stand and pray with you along the way. But most importantly, you have a Savior who loves you more than you could ever imagine! His love does not come as a result of our doing, but is bestowed on us as a free gift. My sweet friend, you are LOVED by the King of Kings, the LORD of Lords, the Most High God!! Be encouraged! Stand up and PRESS ON! I love you!
Pressing On,
Elisabeth
9 Response to Pressing On!
Journey Girls,
It's not to late for others to join our journey! Ask a friend, co-worker or family member to come along. We don't want anyone to miss out on a single blessing that God has for them. Tell them to pack up & enjoy the journey! :)
Love ya'll!
For those of you who know me, you know that I am a wallflower. I chose to watch from the sidelines. However, over the last 2 days my heart as been so full of love for women I dont even know, that i just had to post. I, too, have been in the desert these last 2 1/2 years. Not physically, but spiritually. I also struggle daily with insecurities inadequacies, loneliness, and ESPECIALLY past hurts!!! Ephesians 1:11 says "In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will".Not one of us is here by chance. I realized,over the past 2 days, that i needed this journey more than i knew!! Elisabeth, you NEVER cease to amaze me!!! Your words ALWAYS hit right at home to me!! I love you and miss you terribly!! I believe it is Avalon that has a song "Renew Me", and I am anxious to see the "renewed me" at this end of this journey.
Love Ya!!!!
I feel like i have been in a desert also for the last several years. I surround myself with my kids, friends, and work to keep me busy but inside have been collapsing. I have watched my sister battle an addiction to drugs for the last four years and watched how it wears on my christian family. I havent shared this with many people because it is so painful to admit and to watch. Just in the last several months I have started to tell friends and ask for prayers for my sister, my family, and myself. The anxiety that is has taken away just talking about it with others and asking for prayers has been tremendous. At times though, the Devil gets the best of me and anxiety takes over again and is almost suffocating. But, I can't even put into words how great it feels to know that I can tell Satan that I am on a journey with over 40 women and I am not going to let him defeat me and overwhelm me with this anymore. I am claiming Psalm 94:18-19 and trusting that He is going to bring joy to my soul! Thank you Elisabeth for listening to Him and letting us join you on this journey.
Elisabeth, I praise God for you. You radiate the love of Jesus! And you truly have the heart of a servant girl. As I looked over
your 'Journey Girls', I thought, wow, I'm the only one "older", or rather, "young at heart"! What do I have to offer? God gave me this
verse to put to memory; Psalm 103:1-5, ending with...."He satisfies your desires with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagles". So as an elder Journey Girl, I still crave to be more like Him, and learn more about Him. 2009 was a banner year for me. Last Jan. I prayed for God to reveal Himself in a new way. I wanted to see His glory. My prayer life is changed forever!! As I surrendered to Him, and walked in obedience, I can truly say that I have been awed by God !! I witnessed two miracles of His healing touch, a family brought back together, and blessing beyond belief. He IS an awesome God, and much bigger than any problem we have.
I have given up sweets, and breads. I, also, have had leftover sweets staring at me! I have been pushing them on Mike!! And I am working on better time management. And, Rhonda, I also goofed! Yesterday we picked up lunch at Arby's and as soon as I took a bite of the bread, I remembered! Next time out...a salad for me!! Sara, keep praying, I will join you in lifting up your sister. I have a story of God's redeeming grace that I'll share with you sometime.
Thanks again, Elisabeth, for walking in obedience, and letting God work through you. I love you and miss you so much.
This journey has begun at full force for me. On Wednesday I went to youth service and because it was so cold we served hot chocolate. Not thinking about it I grabbed one and began drinking it when I realized that I had given up chocolate for the challenge! OOPS! I placed my faith in God today after receiving another call from Morehead I went ahead and registered for a graduate course. I am nervous because I haven't taken a class in serveral years. Now I am praying for God to work out the finances and provide for me the money I need to pay for the class. I just decided to take a leap of faith and let God worry about the rest! Next I have to take and pass the GRE. I am not a test taker so I will again have to rely on God to help me obtain the scores I need to be admitted to the program unconditionally. Talk about a Journey, this came right in time! Thanks for all the prayers!
Angie,
Thank you so much for sharing your heart and for your sweet words. I LOVE that Avalon song and I am living it right now. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for doing this with me. I love you so very much and appreciate your friendship! God is so good and He has good things ahead for you and your family in 2010!
Sara,
Thank you for coming along in this journey and thank you for sharing. I am praying for you, your family and your sister. I am believing God for complete healing in her life! Trusting Him with you ~ I love you!
Becky,
Thank you so much!! I am thrilled that you are doing this with me! I miss my choir buddy! :) I am thankful that your heart still desires to know Him more & be more like Him. You are a blessing!! I love and appreciate you sharing! Miss you too!
Christy,
I am praising God today for answered prayer in your life! Continue to give it all to Him and He will work out all the details. I love you and I am praying with you about your upcoming test/class. No worries! You are going to do great!!
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