Confessions of a Pastors Wife: Last Call For Alcohol

I want to share a perspective on the controversial subject of drinking alcohol. I know...there are some eyebrows being raised right now! ha ha. But this topic has been introduced, debated and watered down in many churches as well as Christian homes in recent years. Unfortunately, I have had someone very close take a stand that drinking was "not a bad thing" and began to participate in it. Now a few years later this person is addicted to alcohol and its effects have had many sad results in their life, marriage, job and eventually in their children's lives. What? This will not happen to you? Is that what you tell yourself? Well being someone in ministry; I have seen the negative effects alcohol has had on many people's lives...unfortunately many in the church do not know or do not see it because there is something called confidentiality. If only people would be transparent about their pain...then others would not also fall in the same pit.

I don't know about you but when I hear of or when I see a professing Christian drinking; my respect level of them goes down dramatically. I mean, is there anything more strange? I can visualize a new Christian just coming to know Jesus that sees a member of their church drinking, and how that can make them either feel empowered to do the same or feel disappointed in the lack of witness shown. I have also seen a new convert that struggled with alcohol and God miraculously delivered them of their addiction; just to become disillusioned when the person that led them to the Lord was seen drinking. How disheartening is that?

Because of free will our actions have consequences; and just because we don't see them immediately doesn't mean there are none. The truth is that everything we say and everything that we do creates an effect that can be good or bad and many of those aren't seen but are unseen. Let's not even talk about the physical ailments as well as the spiritual implications! (Drinking alcohol is like "pickling" yourself from the inside out!) There is a reason that we are to set ourselves apart from the world and not be like them. Doing so gives God more room to work in our lives and doing the opposite, well just shows who is really in control of us.
 

"Don't drink too much wine. That cheapens your life. Drink the Spirit of God, huge draughts of Him. Sing hymns instead of drinking songs! Sing songs from your heart to Christ. Sing praises over everything, any excuse for a song to God the Father in the name of our Master, Jesus Christ."           Ephesians 5:18-20 The Message

 

It's not the act of drinking or whether or not it's a "sin" that really matters here. We could debate on this for a long time. Trust me...I have been involved in many of a discussion and have heard so many uses of scriptures leaning one way or the other. And no group talk I have ever been involved in could ever agree on the subject. So I am not going to even use all the scriptures that everyone else uses. I am going to appeal to the heart today and not in the head knowledge of the thing. In reality, it is the character behind the thing that really matters. It is the WHY.

Why is it necessary for you to drink? Isn't the Spirit of God enough for you? What are you trying to fill? Is it because it tastes good (and we ALL know it doesn't!) or do you have another motive? Are you drinking for comfort or because you are in a bad mood? Am I drinking due to stress or due to peer pressure? Who should you be going to when you are in pain, sad, stressed, etc?
 

We were made to be filled with the praises of God and to show Him glory. This is our purpose of being His creations! Any person can find silliness and stress relief from drinking alcohol. But you are NOT just any kind of person! You may even argue that you have never been "drunk" and you only use alcohol for pleasure or "social" occasions. So then I ask, why do you drink at all? What is the purpose then? If this isn't a stronghold in your life, then can you let it go for Christ's sake? It is easy to say something doesn't control you until you are asked to let it go. As the verse above states, it is better to drink from the Spirit and sing songs of praise than to be filled with a substance that cheapens the life God gave us, no matter what that substance is! And the bigger picture here is that anything that we cannot give up for Christ is a stronghold, end of the discussion.

 

"Yes, I am sending you to the Gentiles to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God's people, who are set apart by faith in me" Acts 26:17-18

 

This was taken from Paul's encounter on the road to Damascus. This is Jesus talking to Paul. He says that we Gentiles are set apart BY FAITH in Him. It's one thing for God to come in and break the chains of addictions of sin to give us a new life, but it's yet another thing for us to step out in faith of what Christ did in us and remain pure! It DOES take faith though to live a life of purity, showing the world the life-giving power that comes solely from God. I have FAITH that Christ lived the most narrow lifestyle, pursuing purity to be set apart for His Father, even to the point of dying for ME. Faith requires action. I walk out my faith by setting myself apart for God alone, living as Christ lived so that the captives might find life in He who lives in me.

Just like Saul who killed Christians and hated them had an amazing encounter where he was converted to Christianity by a bright light! Isn't that just incredible?  The Word says that his eyes were "opened" immediately yet he could see nothing. He was immediately made aware that he had been deceived! Could it be that you think that what you are doing or what you believe is totally correct but in reality you have been deceived? Could it be that the enemy is trying to steal the promises that God has given you and has entrusted you with? Just like Saul scales fell away from his eyes to show the real truth of his situation. The truth was so incredible that his name was changed to Paul. Now that is revelatory truth!

In our own home; which is the pastor's home of our church; our son has on occasion used Rum to make Bananas Foster and used Jack Daniels whisky to make a sauce for our steak. Don was upset that our son bought it and used it to the point of argument; but agreed that upon tasting the food that it was incredibly delicious. So there the bottles sat up in our top cabinet. For all of you who know my husband; he used to drink. Now, he was never tempted from the alcohol; but he would open that cabinet and see those bottles and it would remind him of situations in his past that he considered horrible and that he was ashamed of. It was a time where God came in and intervened and saved him from himself and Don did not like the fact that these bottles were sitting there mocking him. It could be a doorway and he didn't want any part of it. We also noticed that our son had bought a few more things to "try" out in different recipes. Our home was quickly turning into a home of compromise. It was becoming something less than what God would be happy with. It took someone close to us losing their job and about losing their mind due to alcohol for us to talk to the boys about us never making compromises like that again in our lives. We would never again let it in our home. Together we poured it all out and decided that if Bananas Foster did not taste good without using Rum, well then we would just choose another dessert. Plain and simple.

After all...is there any end to the life lived like the world? So if alcohol is acceptable in our world, why not drugs, shacking up, abortions, homosexuality, lying, killing, stealing and any other thing that may so easily beset us. Any of these things we could argue about and if we find enough people to agree with....we could justify it! Maybe today you are saying...I would never do those things! I just take a drink here or there. You may be exclaiming as well,  "Jonna, you are being a little crazy and going to extremes by saying all of this!"

"Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You’re not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It’s the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith." 1Peter 5:8-10 The Message

Well maybe I am a little crazy; but God is calling us to be aware and to be intentional in these last days. We are to be aliens, radical and different and non-conforming.,,,.right? What does the Bible say will happen in the last days, anyway? What things will be destructive and lead people down the wrong path? The Bible is clear that there will be such a strong deception and that if it were possible even the elect would be deceived. What seems white will be actually black or what seems like the truth will be in reality a lie. There will be countless deceptions in every area of life that will lead people astray. Being led the wrong way in life brings bitterness, unhappiness, destruction, and depression but being led down the wrong path spiritually is far more dangerous. I am just here to remind you about that warning.

 "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" Isaiah 5:20

 If you find yourself getting upset about this article and wanting to debate it...well lets just say then; that is why I wrote it. There is NO topic more controversial in the mainstream Christian world right now than this. We are called to be DIFFERENT! And in believing that alcohol; which is a mind-altering drug; is okay then you are being deceived. We are to strive to live a life of purity and to say "no" to ANYTHING that seems contrary to the Word of God. It doesn't have to be a big debate either...deep down everyone that I have talked to about drinking say that they never have a clear conscience about it at "first". But then it gets easier and in time they "really just don't care" what other people think. Well, that was your first indication! The Holy Spirit in you will always try to give you a way out of a compromising situation. The more you ignore the voice then the further away that it becomes and you will find yourself one day waking up and wondering, "How in the world did I get to this place in my life?"

Let me encourage you with this; the next time that you decide to fast...choose alcohol to permanently delete from your home, your life and your "social time". Maybe it hasn't been a struggle for you personally; but you know that it isn't a good witness for others or for your children. There is NO greater thing then to live a life of obedience and honor to your savior. He will grant favor to those who put Him first in their lives.  Don't you want to honor Him with everything you do, say and wherever you go?

 I am no longer my own for I am called to be a light in the darkness. If by drinking, I cause a stumbling block and dim the light of God in me, then I have no desire nor ambition to ever let it touch my lips. I will put my life on display to show how powerful my God is, giving up anything that tries to diminish the work of God in my life. May you make the last time you drank your "last call for alcohol".


Adjust your Crown!

Jonna

*This blog is written by Jonna Gibson for "Invisible Crown". You can follow it at Jonna-invisiblecrown.blogspot.com

   

 

The Glove

Holocaust survivor Corrie Ten Boom spent the last years of her life speaking to men and women all around the world about the God who sustained her during her imprisonment in a Nazi prison camp. Corrie was a Christian who, along with her father and other family members, helped many Jews escape the Nazi's during World War II. She was imprisoned for her actions and she wrote a book, The Hiding Place where she describes the whole ordeal. 
 

During one of her presentations, she held up a lady’s white glove. Corrie asked, “What can this white glove do?”.  Then she went on to explain… "The glove can do nothing. Oh, but if my hand is in the glove, it can do many things…it can cook, play the piano, write. Well, you say that is not the glove, but the hand in the glove that does it. Yes, that is true.  We are nothing but gloves. The hand in the glove is the Holy Spirit of God. Can the glove do something if it is very near to the hand? No! The glove must be FILLED with the hand to do the work. So must you too must be filled with the Holy Spirit of God to do what He has called you to do." 

 

What a great illustration of God at work in the life of a believer! She brought to the platform a limp, worn out glove and talked about how useless it was in that condition. The glove looked the same and still appeared worn and faded, but the hand within it gave it new life. With that hand inside, that glove had the power to pick up things, throw things, and accomplish great tasks.
 

So it is with us. Although we may feel limp and powerless and worn out with life’s demands; the Spirit of God comes within us and then there is nothing that we cannot do. Of course, it wasn’t the glove, but the hand, that had life. And so it is with us, not me, and not you;  but the Spirit within us that accomplishes great things! We must be the willing shell or the willing partner that allows the great opportunity to be used by God!

Adjust that Crown!

Jonna

*This blog is written by Jonna Gibson for "Invisible Crown". You can follow it at Jonna-invisiblecrown.blogspot.com

The Bucket Principle

Eventually the brook dried up because of the drought. Then God spoke to Elijah: “Get up and go to Zarephath in Sidon and live there. I’ve instructed a woman who lives there, a widow, to feed you.” So he got up and went to Zarephath. As he came to the entrance of the village he met a woman, a widow, gathering firewood. He asked her, “Please, would you bring me a little water in a jug? I need a drink.” As she went to get it, he called out, “And while you’re at it, would you bring me something to eat?”

She said, “I swear, as surely as your God lives, I don’t have so much as a biscuit. I have a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a bottle; you found me scratching together just enough firewood to make a last meal for my son and me. After we eat it, we’ll die.”
Elijah said to her, “Don’t worry about a thing. Go ahead and do what you’ve said. But first make a small biscuit for me and bring it back here. Then go ahead and make a meal from what’s left for you and your son. This is the word of the God of Israel: ‘The jar of flour will not run out and the bottle of oil will not become empty before God sends rain on the land and ends this drought.’”

And she went right off and did it, did just as Elijah asked. And it turned out as he said—daily food for her and her family. The jar of meal didn’t run out and the bottle of oil didn’t become empty: God’s promise fulfilled to the letter, exactly as Elijah had delivered it!                        1 Kings 17:7-16The Message (MSG)

Can you just imagine that as she emptied her flour bowl and oil jar and then took a little cake to Elijah, and then returned home to wash the dirty dishes, she picks up the jar and the jug and she is in shock! The jar is full of flour and the jug is full to the brim with oil. She was an empty woman, but as she took what little she had to offer encouragement to another, God filled her up. I call this the Bucket Principle.

I believe that each of us is given a bucket of encouragement that we are to pour onto those around us. As we dip out of our bucket and pour onto others, God miraculously fills it back up. There are those who have buckets that are running a bit low or even close to empty. Maybe they haven’t had many deposits from other people lately, or maybe their bucket has a leak. In order to try to fill their bucket, they dip out of someone else’s bucket with a cutting word here or a degrading comment there. But you know what? You can never get your bucket filled by dipping out of someone else’s. You can only get your bucket filled by dipping out of your own and sharing the encouragement with others. When you give from your bucket of encouragement, God is there to pour more back into you.1

What is in your bucket?

Adjust that Crown!

Jonna



1.Jaynes, Sharon (2007-09-01). The Power of a Woman's Words (pp. 219-220). Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition.

If in Doubt; Leave it Out

A wise person makes decisions based on the understanding that God and his time-honored principles are the only sure foundation for life. A foolish person does not act on the foundation of a reverence for God but instead lives recklessly for selfish gain. “Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who knows no discretion” (Proverbs 11:22).

No matter how beautiful a woman is on the outside, a lack of discretion will definitely change the way everyone sees her. Have you ever witnessed this? Here’s a great rule to live by: If in doubt, leave it out. In other words, if you are not sure if you should say something, then don’t. The ability to think before you speak and filter your thoughts through wisdom is a valuable tool.

King Solomon had a ready answer when asked if there was one thing that he would want to be given in life…he chose wisdom. There is only one way to know when to speak and when to be silent—by becoming a wise godly woman. “By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures” (Proverbs 24:3-4).

I want my life to be reflective of rare and beautiful treasures! How can we do that? Well we can be careful with what words we use to build our life around us. Being careful of what we speak into our lives as well as into others. When we speak in love, honor and respect we build things up for others but at the same time we build that up for ourselves.

I am a firm believer in the 'reaping what you sow' concept. What you say, do or agree with about a person is directly proportional to what you will receive. So if you want beauty and wisdom then you need to start operating with love and with the concepts that are in the Word. We don't do good things or live a Godly life to get good things but to BE like Jesus. He will take care of things in our life. He is the good shepherd and He honors obedience and His eyes will turn towards people that honor His Word.

So today be mindful of what you are putting out there in your atmosphere and when in doubt; please leave it out!

Adjust that Crown,

Jonna

Aroma of Christ

This is the choice that we have daily: to choose NOT to react in anger, but extend grace. You know that every day we have the ability to get upset or angry at something or someone. That guy pulls out in front of you causing you to slam on your brakes, someone cut in front of you in line or your friends puts a rant on Facebook that makes your face sting. Come on, we have all been there! It is that split second that we have of injustice that causes something to well up in us. Now what happens at this point is clearly a choice and we have to be intentional about choosing well.

When we extend grace; the aroma of Christ is released. “My dear brothers and sisters,” Paul writes, “take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because our anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires” (James 1:19 TNIV). Thomas Jefferson once said, “If angry, count to ten before you speak; if very angry, one hundred.” Those are very wise words! I know that I have said or did plenty of things in a flushed face of anger! I usually do not feel better afterwards either...I am usually embarrassed or ashamed!

Where does anger come from, anyway? It is a reaction to irritating people and circumstances, you might say. But I believe that the root cause of anger is self-centeredness. We live in a world that tells us “It’s all about me!” And when something doesn’t suit the center of our universe—me—then anger erupts. That’s difficult to admit, isn’t it? But it is so true!

Here’s a little test. Each time you become angry over the next few days, ask yourself this question: Am I angry because I didn’t get what I wanted when I wanted it? When we ask that question, the little kid throwing a temper tantrum in the toy store bears a striking resemblance! Rather than using our words in anger, we can use our words to be the fragrance of Christ (2 Corinthians 2:15).

Try to look at the bigger picture when you are in a situation that angers you: did the elderly lady need to closer parking place anyway? Wow...I am so glad that I was able to stop in time to not get into an accident; thank you Jesus for quick reflexes and watching out for me! You see how you can think something negative into a positive and circumvent anger and the need to "tell someone off!"

In our society today I have noticed that NO one wants to be wrong or wants to ever admit that they are wrong. We just tend to justify ourselves and so instead of apologizing we gain groups of people who will support us in our decision; right or wrong. We tell everyone why we "did what we did" so that they will understand why we "do what we do". (Yes...this is the blame game we often see on Facebook and please...do not join in ....it will only cause you anger & disappointment...you cannot reason with unreasonable people! You are aren't dealing with flesh and blood but with powers of darkness and the smell of this really stinks.)We play the blame game so that people will "understand us" and take up our offenses. This feeling of right standing in our anger and our actions is so very against the ways of God! We are to carry with us a light of Jesus...not a torch of US!

Have you ever hugged someone and ended up wearing their perfume? I know that there are some people that when I hug them I just inhale strongly...they always smell so good! That is exactly what we are to be in the people we encounter...a wonderful aroma of Christ. That in whatever we are; we will leave a beautiful fragrance with our words and actions. Choose joy and choose to love and that is a smell so beautiful that nobody can deny.


Adjust Your Crown

Jonna

*This blog is written by Jonna Gibson for "Invisible Crown". You can follow it at Jonna-invisiblecrown.blogspot.com

The Old Lady

You are going to meet an old lady someday. Down the road 10, 20, 30 years—she’s waiting for you. You will catch up to her. What kind of old lady are you going to meet? She may be a seasoned, soft, and gracious lady. A lady who has gown old gracefully, surrounded by a host of friends—friends who call her blessed because of what her life has meant to them. Or she may be a bitter, disillusioned, dried-up, cynical old buzzard without a good word for anyone or anything—soured, friendless, and alone.

The kind of old lady you will meet will depend entirely upon you. She will be exactly what you make of her, nothing more, nothing less. It’s up to you. You will have no one else to credit or blame. Every day, in every way, you are becoming more and more like that old lady. You are getting to look more like her, think more like her, and talk more like her. You are becoming her.

If you live only in terms of what you are getting out of life, the old lady gets smaller, drier, harder, crabbier, more self-centered. Open your life to others. Think in terms of what you can give and your contribution to life, and the old lady grows larger, softer, kinder, and greater. These little things, seemingly so unimportant now—attitudes, goals, ambitions, desires—are adding up inside where you cannot see them, crystallizing in your heart and mind. The point is;  these things don’t always show up immediately. But they will—sooner than you think. Your experiences and choices now is what makes her what she is going to be.

The time to take care of that old lady is right now. Today. Examine your motives, attitudes, goals. Check up on her. Work her over now; while she is still pliable, still in a formative condition. Then you will be much more likely to meet a lovely, gracious old lady at the proper time.1

Now isn't that a sobering thought?


Adjust that Crown!


Jonna



1 Jaynes, Sharon (2007-09-01). The Power of a Woman's Words . Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition.

*This blog is written by Jonna Gibson for "Invisible Crown". You can follow it at Jonna-invisiblecrown.blogspot.com

Suspicion

Ephesians 5:9-12 "For the fruit (the product) of the Light or the Spirit [consists] in every form of kindly goodness, uprightness of heart, and trueness of life. 10And try to learn [in your experience] what is pleasing to the Lord [let your lives be constant proofs of what is most acceptable to Him]. 11Take no part in and have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds and enterprises of darkness, but instead [let your lives be so in contrast as to] expose and reprove and convict them.12For it is a shame even to speak of or mention the things that [such people] practice in secret."

Believe the best in people and speak it into their lives even when you do not see it...this is the ultimate love we can have for each other. When we begin to wonder and think "what are they up to?" and react in mistrust or suspicion then we imprison ourselves and our hearts become hardened. We fear what they are going to do or say and we end up in defensive mode....God is your defender so cast your care on Him. It isn't your burden and remember that God's ways doesn't always make sense; but in the end....you want to come out a shining reflection of Christ, right?

"The life of King Saul also shows us how suspicion can masquerade as discernment and ultimately lead us into bondage. Suspicion is the gift of discernment being used by the spirit of fear. It leads to bitterness, unforgiveness, and torment, and it results in our going into a spiritual prison where all guards work for the dark side. The spirits who guard the walls of this prison have names like sickness, depression, hatred, and murder."1

 Suspicion defined: the act or an instance of suspecting something wrong without proof or on slight evidence, mistrust, a state of mental uneasiness or uncertainty, doubt, a barely detectable amount

  It is truly amazing how quick that we can find ourselves being held captive by our own minds. Our imagination is such a powerful thing! Our past experiences can form mind sets and pre-conceived ideas that can actually dictate the way that we interact, love, have friendships etc. We can also listen to gossip and believe what is being told to us that will change the way we think about someone or something. If we aren't "renewing" our minds daily with the words of Christ then we can fall subject to this quite easily. One of my favorite scriptures in the Bible is found in Psalms 51:10 "Create in me a clean heart Oh God. And renew a right spirit within me." It is our natural tendency to get angry or want revenge when others hurt us or betray us BUT that is why we must dwell on the Word of God that brings life to our spirit.

Living a life of suspicion can be painful. You will find yourself in a place where you have no friends and that you leave a trail of "destruction" wherever you go. You gossip and slander and live in a state of mistrust it doesn't feel good at all. So then you blame others on how you feel and the vicious cycle continues no matter if you change churches, cities or relationships. It is a sickness that has been in the church for years and the enemies best card in his hand. No matter what side of the coin you find yourself on...the one talking or the one being talked about; you can find yourself bound and miserable. Where there is suspicion; there is NO room for love. Where there is no room for love...well...God does not dwell there.

God I pray that our spiritual blinders be broken off in your name. I pray that whatever chains is holding us back from our true calling and standing that we shake them off this very day. That your people experience freedom today from the tricks that our minds make and that we find ourselves on our knees asking for your forgiveness. Make us clean from trying to take matters in our own hands. We lift up those that hurt us or those that we have a issue with and we ask you to forgive us for harboring resentment and suspicion. Father renew a trusting and loving heart in us.  I pray for my perceived enemies and I speak blessings on them and their families. God restore us to right standing. We call out to you; the one that can give our souls a refreshing like none other. I speak joy into lives today and a that a new spirit is being created of love, joy and peace. Give me the wisdom to speak truth and love and speak life into people and circumstances. I declare it so in your name. Amen.

Adjust your crown!

Jonna

*This blog is written by Jonna Gibson for "Invisible Crown". You can follow it at Jonna-invisiblecrown.blogspot.com
 

1Johnson, Bill; Vallotton, Kris (2006-04-28). The Supernatural Ways of Royalty: Discovering Your Rights and Privileges of Being a Son or Daughter of God (p. 48). Destiny Image. Kindle Edition.

The Victory

I have always been a tad bit sarcastic. I like to throw out quick quips or sassy sayings to people all in fun. When I worked in the ER at Ben Taub I had to "front" people and it wasn't easy at first. It was a really really rough place to work and not only would I get verbally or physically abused by the patients but the family members were even worse. My life was threatened many times and people would say that they would be waiting for us in the garage when our shift was over. It wasn't that I was mean...I was far from it. But my soft spoken voice had to get a little louder and I had to get more confrontational so that they would not run over me. My co-workers didn't think I would make it past my first year. Eventually my sense of sarcasm kicked in and I got pretty good at "setting people straight" but in a nice way. Or if it got really bad; I just called the police that was in the same department and they would escort the person off the property. So you can see how that felt...the power to control whether a person stays on the premises or not. No matter what someone said in the end...I had the best comeback, "Security!".

I had to get out of that environment and after 4 years I finally did. But what I have noticed that on many occasions, when someone is telling me about a confrontation with a family member or a coworker, those quick-witted remarks still pop up in my mind. I would think of what they should have said or could have said to top them. Ha.  And to make matters worse; in a shopping situation when a clerk or drive thru employee gives me attitude, I can usually think of something great to say back.

So where’s the victory in all of this? The victory comes when I choose not to let the words out of my mouth. When I lasso the words before they have a chance to run out of the gate. When I offer blessings rather than cursing. When I put on the humility of Christ and take the comments without the retaliation. That, my friend, is choosing to walk in the Spirit instead of choosing to walk in the flesh. It can only happen by the power of the Holy Spirit and becomes easier with practice as well with time. The "internal voices" I used to have hardly make it to my head anymore because I have become intentional about thinking good and the positive in every situation.

"The world is unprincipled. It’s dog-eat-dog out there! The world doesn’t fight fair. But we don’t live or fight our battles that way—never have and never will. The tools of our trade aren’t for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture. We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity." 2 Corinthians 10:4-6

Adjust that Crown,

Jonna

 *This blog is written by Jonna Gibson for "Invisible Crown". You can follow it at Jonna-invisiblecrown.blogspot.com

Be Proud of Who You See

Are you wondering who you really are? Wondering if you are even forgivable or worthy? Well if you have ANY thoughts that are similar in that pretty head of yours then you have believed a lie!

You are without question a beloved child of God. As Beth Moore once said, “If you are not royalty, He is not King.”1 We are the rightful heirs to God’s kingdom — and of His love, acceptance and any other resource that heaven has available. You are a royal and dearly loved daughter, and He is the King of all kings!

Proverbs says, “For as a man thinks in his heart, so is he” (Prov. 23:7). Our imagination is a very powerful part of our being. "Everything that has ever been built, made, painted, or developed began in someone’s imagination. We tend to reproduce what we feast our thoughts upon. We spend much of our lives reacting to what we don’t want to be instead of responding to the call of God on our lives. We waste a lot of energy trying not to be something."2

"Be proud of of who you see in the mirror; not because of who you are but because of whose you are." -Tracie Miles


Oh Lord, how I want to break free from the pain and shame of my past and embrace who I am in You. Cleanse my heart and mind of the lies I have believed, and transform the reflection in the mirror into that dearly loved child of God that you see. I am calling it out today in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

“Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous — how well I know it.” (NLT) Psalm 139:14

Adjust that crown!

Jonna

*This blog is written by Jonna Gibson for "Invisible Crown". You can follow it at Jonna-invisiblecrown.blogspot.com

1. Moore, Beth. Breaking Free.
2. Johnson, Bill; Vallotton, Kris (2006-04-28). The Supernatural Ways of Royalty: Discovering Your Rights and Privileges of Being a Son or Daughter of God (p. 41). Destiny Image.

Many are Called

Can you imagine your telephone’s caller ID displaying “God,” when your phone rings? I think I would panic a little bit! How many of us in fear would just let it go to voice mail? Of course, His calling is much more subtle than that, but it is just as real. Jesus plainly stated, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws [calls or invites] him” (John 6:44). Clearly, Christ is saying that no one can come to Him; that is, no one can become a Christian unless the Father first calls that person.

The really good news is that God CALLS everyone of us!  And He gives us the ability to respond! Just like when you are invited to a wedding and you get that beautiful invitation and you just smile because...well I love wedding cake....and it is just precious to be invited to a wedding! Inside that invitation there is a small card and envelope with the address already written out and a stamp applied! All you have to do is check the box whether you will be attending or not! Then just drop it in the mail! Then the bride and groom put you on their list.

 

Have you ever attended a wedding that you didn't RSVP? In a case of my friend...she was NOT allowed into the reception! Every seat had a place card and only those who prepared in advance could enter. Of all the people who were invited...the only ones chosen to attend were the ones that responded.

Matthew 21 talks about a kingly wedding where many influential people were invited but many didn't show up. So the host asked his servants to go out and invite anyone that they could find to come. The King did not lower His standards by sending servants to round up any they could find, for there are no standards with God. God's call is universal and unlimited. And it would seem that nothing changes through time. The world of money, fame, and the pursuit of the "American Dream" are as seductive as ever. Even if those that are called do not show up;  the wedding still goes on.

So are you answering, communicating to the call of God on your life; or should I ask, how are you responding? He has invited all of us and is just waiting on us. Are you too busy doing the things of life that you decide not to answer or you have decided maybe another time? I would hate for you to finally show up and find out that the circumstances have changed and you had no RSVP. And in the mean time He has chosen another. Don't miss your time that is appointed by God because you are out doing things that have no eternal value. All are called to this life of victory in Jesus but few are chosen because they simple do not answer His call.


Adjust Your Crown,

Jonna

*This blog is written by Jonna Gibson for "Invisible Crown". You can follow it at Jonna-invisiblecrown.blogspot.com

 

Pondering

I cannot really think about Easter and not think about Mary, the mother of Jesus. As a mom I do wonder what she was thinking and feeling. We tend to think of her as having such a great life being chosen for her role in Jesus coming to Earth. But at the same time she knew great sorrow and had to endure things that most people never had to even think about. With her "chosen-ness" came great sacrifice and pain.

"And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds.    But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart." Luke 2:18-19

 

The word "ponder" means to weigh in the mind, or consider quietly. It is allowing a thing to be in one's heart where it can be treasured and quietly reflected on. So I think about Mary meditating on the scriptures that she was taught as a child. Did she think ahead to the cross? She was taught the Old Testament scriptures. Her heart must have been broken as she considered Isaiah 53.

 "Surely he hath borne our grief, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed."

She had to have a clue on what the "bigger picture" was yet she quietly reflected; treasuring the knowledge and information she had been given. I know that sometimes when I see what may happen down the road or inevitably in a situation that I tend to "freak out" and panic about all the possible outcomes, scenarios and then I visualize how I might prevent that all from happening. I know that isn't good at all! But I am sure that I am not the only guilty of this!

Mary didn't live life as a perfect person or saint....but as a woman who knew that the role she had; whether it seemed fair or not...was a part of significance. Giving birth to Jesus had to have been nothing short of amazing....but seeing your son on the cross and treated like a criminal had to have been more than most of us could bear.

She could have freaked out and lived fearful of the future. She could have even reacted and spoke out against all the naysayers and defended her son. She could have even told everyone what had happened to her...that an angel came to her and told her that she would give birth as a virgin and she would have a son and his name was to be Jesus. Mary could have bragged and she could have talked about all the injustices as well. But she didn't and CHOSE to be a strong woman of faith and ponder what she knew in her heart. And because of that choice she is looked upon as such a strong woman of faith to this very day.

My how we all need to learn to ponder. To have that peaceful attitude and hope knowing that my life is not my own. That God is in control of this mess and He is going to turn it all around for good. Why? Because He loves me and has called me to a higher purpose. That He has got this!


Ponder on That!

Jonna

*This blog is written by Jonna Gibson for "Invisible Crown". You can follow it at Jonna-invisiblecrown.blogspot.com

You Can't Have One Without The Other

 

I remember the old show called "Married with Children" and their theme song. The lyrics were, 'Love and marriage, they go together like a horse and carriage, this I tell you my brother, you can't have one without the other'. Now it is true that you need love with marriage; but the real truth is you cannot have love without forgiveness. And I don 't really think you can have forgiveness without having love.

When we forgive, it opens us up to God's forgiveness (Matthew 6:15), it puts us in a receiving position when we pray (Mark 11:24, 25), it helps us become spiritually fruitful (John 15:10, 12, 5). When we keep God's commandments and love one another, we prove that we love Jesus (John 14:21), and we abide in Christ's love (John 15:10)! What a magnificent blessing forgiveness really is.

Love is totally dependent on the ability of a person to forgive shortcomings, failures and misunderstandings. You can't truly love anyone--even yourself if there are things you just can't let go. Do we all instantaneously know how to do this? Noooooo.

We are all at different levels of love in our lives & as God calls us closer to Him and in a deeper relationship; then He also calls us to sacrifice more of our selves. It's a pruning process and it does hurt at times! Sometimes I feel like a great tall pine tree and then other times I may feel like Charlie Brown's Christmas tree. ha. God is faithful to call out things inside of us that we probably didn't know even existed!

Can you have a marriage without love? Sure but it isn't going to be a good one and it surely will not last. That is exactly how a relationship with Christ is without forgivness...you cannot live and be a true disciple if you aren't forgiving because it is a by-produce of love. And if you aren't loving people then you are not one of God's disciples. I know that hurts...but it is truth.


            "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."
                                                                                                                           John 13:35


This is where good Christians stumble in todays society. They drive people who are desperate but different than them away, people who are seeking answers but still have issues they shun, refusing to give them the same mercy they required just a few years earlier. Some embrace pride in their walk rather than humility, judgment rather than mercy, and rejection rather than acceptance of a heart that is hurting. They cease to be like the Lord, who loved the down and out.

Quite possibly it could be the fear of what to say or the fear that people full of tattoos and earrings and out in front of the church smoking; will affect their children or cause them to be uncomfortable or feel awkward. Maybe they just can't relate so they find themselves avoiding others who are different. But for us to mature and be what God has called us...lights to the World around us; we have got to see people through the eyes of Jesus.

If we are ever to be all that we are capable of being, we must renew our minds and be like Jesus. We need to forgive those around us in our past as well as our present so that we can "unclog" the flow of love that Jesus wants to move through us unconditionally and without hindrance. Your words, your smile could do more for someone than you ever realize! But you can't have a smile that transforms if you truly do not have love in your heart. You will find yourself ineffective.

My church, Mercy Gate has something that is called a Grace Covenant that helps remind members and leaders how we are to act in our everyday lives. These biblically based guideline helps us to make sure that we act in love in every interaction and conversation. We hold each other accountable to what topics are discussed and if anything is negative then we always correct with a positive. We speak love and that means life and we correct with love and that means life as well.

So don't settle for a life that is mediocre and move towards what is best. That will be one lived in love and forgiveness and trust me...as you live this way....you will find that you will be happiest you have ever been because you will be living the heart and will of your Father.

Adjust your Crown,

Jonna 

Mercy &Truth

"Let mercy & truth never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man." Prov 3:3-4

 

We cannot literally wear mercy and truth around our neck. But like a necklace which you do wear to show off something that you have of value or beauty; I believe that mercy and truth should be what a person sees first in your life. It should be a priority of what you model and wear...an ornament like your wedding ring signifying faithfulness and love. 

Mercy defined: a blessing that is an act of divine favor or compassion

Truth defined: sincerity in action, character, and utterance. The real facts about something : the things that are true.


So how do we show Mercy and Truth everyday? Well first by getting it in our hearts. The scripture says to write it on the tablet of your heart. Well I am pretty sure we do not have tablets in or around our hearts. Hee hee. But what I do know is that our "hearts" refer to one's mind and character, the true inner self which determines who we really are. Jesus addressed issues of the heart when He spoke these words in Matt 12:34-37

 "For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."

A tablet is a place where that we take notes so that we can refer back. We need to constantly refer to the "notes" that God gave us so that we can live this life the way He intended. But first we need to make it a part of us and what we think is important in our lives.

If God is love and He has given us love, mercy and forgiveness then we are to also give it away. Is it always easy? No! That is why the scripture says to "bind" it. What is binding? It is to "tie or fasten something tightly." So we have to make sure we aren't just wearing it but that we make a concerted effort to fasten it tightly to us! 

Intentionality is the key here. The more we soak in His truths then the more it will become a part of of us. And don't you want to be something beautiful to Jesus? Because mercy & truth is His heart and everything we do and whatever we are is all for the glory of our God.

Checklist for the day: Got Mercy? Check. Got Truth? Check.

 

Adjust that Crown!

Jonna

"Oh-fences"

When I was little my brother & I went through a barbed wire fence. When we finally came out on the other side...he was wearing a skirt and I half a shirt! Haha. 

His shorts were ripped open and we were both all scratched up. It looked easy to navigate but once one leg stepped over that wire we both realized we were in a mess that was going to take a while to get out. When he moved a wire it tore into me and vice versa.

It so reminds me of the mess people find themselves in today. When you are "in a fence" or as it should be spelled...an "offense" it tears up everyone that is involved. I liken it into a visual picture of a person caught in a section of fencing and  they are walking around and mobile but hurting and tearing at everyone they meet or encounter. They feel uncomfortable and are pained by their circumstances but they do not realize how badly they hurt people around them with the barbs of hate and lack of forgiveness. 

How do we as Christians find ourselves in such a predicament? Well, like my brother & I, it starts in being disobedient. My mom told us to never go to the other side of the fence to where the cows were but we decided that we knew what was best. We just wanted to give them a good pet! Well...that wasn't the greatest choice. 

Forgiveness isn't just a "good and healthy" thing to do... it is a matter of obedience according to the word of God.

"And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your transgressions. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your transgressions."
                                                                                                             Mark 11:25-26

This Scripture makes it pretty clear that you will not be effective in your prayers if you will not forgive others! My how forgiveness is so important to Him. Many times an unforgiving spirit comes from a heart filled with pride. We often feel justified in our unforgiveness because of the wrong done to us OR the thing done against us was so bad in our own mind that we cannot possibly forgive...who would?

Probably the most common stumbling block in this area is when we say that we have forgiven someone outwardly, while we still harbor the resentment or anger in our hearts. Jesus illustrates God’s viewpoint on this matter in Matthew 18:23-35 when the king’s servant, who had been forgiven his debt, turned around and refused to forgive the debt of a fellow servant. The king turned his anger towards the man, threw him in jail and ordered him to pay back all that he owed. “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart” (Matthew 18:35).

I have seen so many in a jail made by their own actions. Many don't even realize that they are imprisoned and just think that "this is just how life is." Never experiencing the true joy or freedom that God intended them to have. I am just so passionate on this subject because I see it all around me everyday. If people would stop feeling so JUSTIFIED because of the actions of others...it is a curse of today's society.

It is unfortunate that offenses ever occur, but the Bible indicates that if we keep our focus upon God and His Word, He will maintain such peace in our heart that we can become resistant to offenses.




              “Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them”
                                                                                       Psalms 119:165 KJV


  “You will keep him in perfect peace,whose mind is stayed on You,because he trusts in You."
                                                                                                         Isaiah 62:3


The Lord is our reliable source of peace in all the circumstances of this life. If we simply obey his Word and allow it to renew our minds everyday then we will not find ourselves in such predicaments. Thinking the best of others and asking Christ what He thinks about a situation is the key to not only healthy living but one that might save your life. Ask Jesus today to forgive you of the feelings of being justified in your thought life regarding a person or experience. Ask Him to help you let go of the feelings of bitterness and unforgiveness and no matter who was in the wrong...ask God to forgive you and take away the sin that is in your heart. Forgiveness isn't about THEM....it is about YOU. Then pray for that person and ask God to bless them. You will be amazed how quickly you can be delivered from a snares of the enemy. God's Word is powerful and reciting it and praying love and blessing over your perceived enemies will bring you great joy.

Obedience is the key to the Oh-fences in your life....please do not ever find yourself in a situation of hurting people because you have been hurt. Lay down the "fences" that so easily entangle you (Hebrews 12:1 NIV) and run with perseverance the race marked out for you. You cannot run and win any prize in a race if you are carrying an offense. It is too heavy and you really cannot see clearly to be victorious at all! Lay it down and be all that God has called you to be. A person that loves their neighbor as their self; one that will lay down their life for a friend, one that people will know that you are His disciple by the love that you have for one another.

Adjust that Crown!

Jonna


*This blog is written by Jonna Gibson for "Invisible Crown". You can follow it at: Jonna-invisiblecrown.blogspot.com






 

Food for Thought

We went out on a limb and bought the best dog food for our two Airedales, Harley & Roxey. Roxey has shown signs of an allergy since we have gotten her by the fierce itching and scratching; especially at night. It would get so bad she would whine and moan and me being the light sleeper would get woken up continuously during the night. We tried different soaps when giving baths, we made sure she didn't have fleas, worms or anything else plaguing her. So we were then advised to switch foods to see if her symptoms would disappear due to a possible gluten allergy. Yes...we were feeding her Kibbles & Bits with occasional table scraps...don't judge!!

Well we invested in a 22 lb bag of gluten-free Blue Buffalo dog food that was quite painful to purchase since it cost $65!!! Well we did it with a sigh and wouldn't you know it...the dogs turned their nose up at it! They would not eat it! They went on a two day hunger strike and would sniff their bowls and turn away. I was not very happy....in fact I was furious. I had thoughts of force feeding it to them! ha ha. Strangulation was another. Here I had spent a fortune on this stuff and it's good stuff...made of bison for goodness sakes and these ungrateful dogs refuse to eat it. Well finally after a few days they starting nibbling a bit at it and they weren't happy about it. They had this forlorn looks that Airedale owners know about...they have this personality that can show sadness unlike any other breed. It is actually hilarious.

What we noticed too was that despite this dog food that was practically made with gold nuggets was sitting in their bowls and when we let them in the house....they literally RAN to the garbage can with joyful glee and sniffed, dug and attempted to eat from the TRASH! Yes..you read that right...they wanted the nasty scraps that we threw away despite the good that lay before them. They went straight for the things that will ultimately make them miserable instead of what would heal them and make them healthy.

My how that reminds me of the great sacrifice the God made in giving us his son Jesus to die for us. But yet we ignore the value and the freedom and sometimes choose to go the other way where we know isn't good for us. Somehow we find our selves running to and actually digging in our past experiences and temptations despite where that has taken us before bound and lost with no hope. It costs something to say "no" to our desires and say "yes" to a life with Jesus but it is well worth it! Let us remember the "Prodigal Son" who ran from his destiny and found himself one day in the pig pen fighting the sows over their food. Yet we know the end of the story of how the father forgave and redeemed and restored him to his rightful place at the table eating only the best. God can do that for you...despite anything you have done. You just need to make the choice and keep making the good choices and one day you will be shocked by the things you used to be a part of.

God help us to understand that what is best for us might not always be the easiest, might not taste the best and might cost us much initially; but it sure will find us living the way we were created....as a child of the King....not perfect but victorious, favored and blessed!

Adjust that Crown!

Jonna

*This blog is written by Jonna Gibson for "Invisible Crown". You can follow it : Jonna-invisiblecrown.blogspot.com

 

In Tune

 

"Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21

Isn't that a powerful verse? Yet so many of us tend to say "I can't hear God speaking. I need to hear Him and I can't!" What IF maybe you weren't really listening so that you could hear Him?

Just like losing your favorite station when you are on the edge of town and the signal is getting weak...you try to find it and get static and just move on to a station that you would never listen to like say Tejano music...I have never listened to this style so why did I find myself tuned into it? Well because I searched and couldn't find anything so I was happy just to hear anything! Let me propose to you a thought...what IF you were okay with the static for a bit and you just waited...just maybe what you were waiting for is there and you just needed to be still for a bit. Your radio is still "in tune" with where you want to be but the problem is that you are not HEARING what you want...

 

All Christians have heard God’s voice sometime or another. In fact the Word says, "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him."  It was the voice of God that drew you . In your inner-most being you heard God saying, “I have chosen you and ordained you, come unto Me”. So why do you think that you are either not capable of hearing His voice or that you cannot hear it? Well we have all been there before and it won't be your last! BUT maybe this will help you out....

The beginning of your communication with God was when He was calling you to salvation. But your salvation was only the beginning of your calling. He continues to call you and woo you to places you have never been before.

 "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (Eph 2:8-10)


Jesus asks us to walk in His steps and come to where He is. The Holy Spirit always draws us, He pulls us though and never pushes us. We are to follow Jesus and be led by the Holy Spirit. There is a yearning of the Spirit in you calling you to do some thing or go some place, this is the voice of God in you! Don't doubt it or constantly question it! Sometimes we dismiss things so easily. I have often heard myself say, "Oh that was just me not God." Well...HELLO...Christ is living in me just like He is living in you...so why would we doubt hearing His voice?

The Lord goes before us preparing the way, and He goes with us on the journey. When we are following in obedience to the leading of the Holy Spirit, we walk in the presence of God! We experience His love, joy, and peace....even in the worst of circumstances!

 And the LORD, He is the one who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed." (Deut 31:8 NKJV)

God is always drawing you into His presence, when you meet Him at the place that He has called you to; it is there that you will experience an intense anointing to serve Him. That is the place that you can worship Him in Spirit and in Truth; for to obey God’s voice is worship. Worship is expressing love to God and Jesus says, “If you love me, you will obey what I command.” (John 14:15 NIV)
  
 Having the mind of Christ means that through the Holy Spirit we have access to the will of God, the thoughts of God, and the emotions of God. Just as we can experience God’s joy through actions of love we can also experience God grieving through our actions that hurt people.

"Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption." (Eph 4:29-30 NKJV)

We have all said things that have hurt others and then we immediately felt bad inside. What we need to recognize is that is that the “bad feeling” inside was God feeling bad because of our sin; it was the grieving of the Holy Spirit in us. This is God’s voice communicating with us directly, not with just words, but His very emotions! So can you still say that you do not hear the voice of God in and through you? I know you have! It is NOT natural to have these thoughts because flesh says that you are justified in these feelings. But God's ways are not the world's ways...they are quite the opposite!

      We know that God’s love, God’s joy, and the peace of God in your heart is an indication that you are hearing and obeying the voice of God.

"For you will go out with joy, And be led forth with peace." (Isa 55:12 NASB)

When there is a lack of God’s peace in your heart it means that your relationship with Him is lacking and that is why you are only hearing the static in your life. The Holy Spirit will then try to guide you back into a righteous relationship with God, and if you follow His leading you will once again experience the peace of God through the Holy Spirit in you. He will not leave you or forsake you! You only need to wait upon the Lord and ask for His instructions....sometimes we have just got to be okay with the static because it is in those times that we stop and be still and really start listening to what God is saying in our lives. And soon enough you will start hearing just what you are needing and longing to hear...the sweet melody of Christ in your heart. Being in tune with Him is what gives our lives meaning and puts that skip in your step no matter where you are at in life.

Adjust that Crown because you are a Child of the King!

Jonna

*This blog is written by Jonna Gibson for "Invisible Crown". You can follow it at Jonna-invisiblecrown.blogspot.com

 
 

Crab Basket

 

I have fond memories as a child spending weekends camped at the beach and we would all go crabbing. My dad would put chicken on a string and we would go to the jetties and "lure" those crabs close and someone would quickly scoop them up and put them in a wire basket. I remember watching those crabs trying to get out and they were a tangled up mess. When we took the lid off to put another crab in there; there was always one trying to escape. The funny thing is that the other crabs would grab him just when he got close and pull him back down into the basket! It was so funny to watch. 

Isn't that like old friends, old temptations and old habits in our life? We try to do what is right and work hard and just when we start to get to a new level or breakthrough; something or someone pulls us back down and drags us back to the bottom! 

If you find yourself today in a basket full of crabs I pray that you find a way of escape. There is nothing more exhausting to put effort into something and it all be in vain. You need a breakthrough so that you don't ever find yourself chasing a chicken neck when there are so many better options out there for your life. God has amazing provisions for you....you just need to position yourself with the right influences and people!

Adjust that Crown!

Jonna

*This blog is written by Jonna Gibson for "Invisible Crown". You can follow it at Jonna-invisiblecrown.blogspot.com

Circumstance

Have you ever looked around yourself and wondered how in the world you got in the circumstance that you are in? Your stuck in a dead-end job, having financial issues, living in a house that is in bad need of repair, having marital problems etc. Your thinking, I love God and believe that Christ died for my sins and I have asked him into my life. Now why in the world am I living in the state that I am in? Someone said that getting saved was a great thing but I am just not seeing it!

Circumstance is actually two words; circum- meaning to encircle and stance- meaning to stand. In other words, when you are going through hard times you are encircled by what is happening to you. What you tend to see is the circumstances around you and not past that. It doesn't take long to start having feelings of being overhwelmed and feeling desperate!

 Proverbs 13:12 states that "Hope deferred makes the heart sick."

 Hebrews 11:1 states, "Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen."

If the enemy can get you to lose hope then he can get you to stop living by faith. Isolation is a dangerous thing and when all you can see is the bad and the negative around you and you no longer see things in faith and through the glasses of hope...well you are on a slippery slope. 

Your circumstances are natural things that are important but are very temporary. In My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambers explained that not everything that happens to us as Christians makes human sense. "To turn head- faith into a personal possession is a fight always, not sometimes. God brings us into circumstances in order to exercise our faith."

So God wants us to take ourselves outside of the circle of defeat and see the bigger picture. If you are not including God and what the word says in your daily struggles then you are living life on your own terms. God wants to be in your surroundings whether they be good or bad. He wants to use the tough times in your life so that you will learn to call out in faith and trust in Him. 

In every hard time I have been in there has always been that moment where the light bulb came on & I had that "aha" moment. I would say, "ohhhhh that is why that happened!" It is so much easier after you have been through a thing to see that God was guiding you every step of the way. God wants us to follow Him even when we do not feel His presence or see where the next step your supposed to take will be. 

So take that circle that you have around yourself that gives you a limited view and create a bigger space to include the God who loves you and wants you to succeed in everything you do. 

Hebrews 12:1 "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."

Adjust that Crown, 

Jonna

*This blog is written by Jonna Gibson for "Invisible Crown". You can follow it at Jonna-invisiblecrown.blogspot.com