As many other stumbling women of God look into the mirror of Holiness and see a foolish one staring back at them, so at times, it is with me. An honest assessment, is called for, in order to grow in the grace of following Him. How often I'm found to be a foolish one. A foolish woman.
At each step of development in my life, death, of some sort, is experienced. Ironically, death isn't complete at once. Our understanding, our flesh experience with death, is complete and finial. This view inhibits our embracing of Resurrection Truth and holds us back from dying to self. Decaying woman brings with her the pull of flesh through sin. We desperately hold on to life and fear death. CHANGE itself is overwhelming and stressful. Avoidance is escape. Godly change is not exempt. I cling to my desires, understandings and plans. The crown I wear is one that rusts, rots, and can be stolen. Fear, emotions and intellect rule action, voice and thoughts. Setting goals, making plans and driving purpose. Either to gain or to depress. Pride or dispare. Both extremes are life in the flesh. Not a buried past.
Foolish one, what you sow is not made alive unless it dies.
I Corinthians 15:36
The fear of death played out in this world keeps me from surrender. It keeps me in the illusion of control. Don't miss understand....much has been surrendered and death has occurred. It's just there is more found to kill, lay to rest, leave, scorn, cut off. As my hand goes to pick the crown I'll wear TODAY in the battles of my life, waged in the corners of the soul, the question needs asked. Dead? A mirror check is needed. Surprise may register and I see the Resurrected New Life or surprise may speed my pulse at the vision of roting flesh. The rot and decay I keep holding on to expecting different results. (Rotting flesh produces rotten fruit.) One is beautiful the other quite ugly. And ugly has no alibi!
Christians have nothing to fear in death. And I don't. I struggle with fearing pain and suffering, at times the process. But to be dead from this world holds no fear. My hope is in the LORD and I believe His Promises.
But, in my foolishness, this is a BIG BUT, I do have fear of death in this world. The proof is all over my life. Holding on to anything other than life with Jesus RIGHT NOW. When conflict arises, when dreams are shattered, when called on to suffer, submit or sacrifice....obey without understanding, without seeing hope... Simply, in those moments or seasons, my thoughts are my OWN and not CHRIST's. A battle is waged in my soul or victory is claimed at the on set. Too often, victory is claimed and it's not the LORD's. I'm found alive and kicking in the flesh. Not dead, at all. More lacking trust and faith in His Destiny for me. Finding myself buried yet not dead. Baptized yet not dead. Missing out on the Resurrected Life.
Not made alive unless it dies..... How wonderful the LORD Jesus is illustrating this truth in creation. He says all creation testifies! I want desperately to be ALIVE in HIM.... so I'll die a little more today. I'll think it's done until the mirror of His Word, through the Holy Spirit reveals what's been left in the flesh.
I think about cleaning out all the leavening from the home. Such does teach to look for hidden sin, hidden life of flesh. The pieces left alive, disguised, smuggled in, under another name, twisted truth, a derivative. The enemy is crafty.
The list in my life is growing, Praise Jesus, of the things I am dead to. I am entering a period of mourning. I like or am very comfortable with parts of me that are called to die. But they DO NOT compare to the JOY SET BEFORE ME!
Help me Jesus, fill me with Your Holy Spirit to be able to throw off everything that hinders and entangles. Give me your perseverance, fix my the eyes on YOU. Show me the JOY. Help me scorn the shame of the cross to die to self. Alive, able to cast beautiful crowns at Your Throne. Help me not grow weary or lose heart by remembering WHO YOU ARE and how blessed I am.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Hebrews 12:1-3
Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.
John 12:24-26
TRUTH sets us free! Power is in HIS SPIRIT! It's all because of Jesus I'm alive. It's all because the blood of Jesus Christ. ...That covers me and raises this dead WOMAN's LIFE!
GLORY to GOD!
All Because Of Jesus lyrics
Giver of every breath I breathe
Author of all eternity
Giver of every perfect thing
To You be the glory
Maker of Heaven and of Earth
No one can comprehend Your worth
King over all the universe
To You be the glory
And I am alive because I'm alive in You
It's all because of Jesus I'm alive
It's all because the blood of Jesus Christ
That covers me and raised this dead man's life
It's all because of Jesus I'm alive
I'm alive, I'm alive
Giver of every breath I breathe
Author of all eternity
Giver of every perfect thing
To You be the glory
Maker of Heaven and of Earth
No one can comprehend Your worth
King over all the universe
To You be the glory
And I am alive because I'm alive in You
It's all because of Jesus I'm alive
It's all because the blood of Jesus Christ
That covers me and raised this dead man's life
It's all because of Jesus
Every sunrise sings Your praise
The universe cries out Your praise
I'm singing freedom all my days
Now that I'm alive
I'm alive, I'm alive, I'm alive
[ From : http://www.elyrics.net/read/c/casting-crowns-lyrics/all-because-of-jesus-lyrics.html ]
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