"When we walk in the Spirit we are projecting God image. " Now here is how I read it, when we walk in the spirit we are protecting God's image. My mistake caused me to stop and ponder, "protection of God's image." Yeah...it's exactly what we do when we walk in the Spirit, we protect His image. This is where that profound thought took me.
God has given us the desire to protect our children. Yet almost daily one can read or see on the news a parent who instead of protecting destroys their children. While I was potty training my first born a spirit of control took over and I was determined she would be potty trained by a certain age. I loved her beyond anything I could imagine and it broke my heart to know those feelings were in me toward this precious little girl of ours. Even then as a lost woman I knew this was about controlling and not love. When I heard my own sharp voice telling her she would potty I begin to weep...poor child, from an irate mother to a sobbing one. Praise God she does not remember that incident.
Grace is always there when needed. I am sad to say I am not always there for God protecting grace. Those times I walk in the flesh hurts God's image to those around me. If I put on God's armor I am protected against what ever the enemy throws at me. In turn the armor protect His image. Ephesians 6:10-20 tell us we are ambassadors of Him who designed the pieces of armor. God has provided all we need to battle on this earth
If God had not put I John 1:9 in the Word my failures would destroy me. His word encourages and strengthen me to pick my self up, re-arm AGAIN and get back out to the battle. His unfailing love motivate me to not give up the battle that rages to destroy God's image. Even my mistakes in reading one simple word is used of God to show me truth.
Since we are all cut of the same fabric, what has God taught you lately from a mistake?
I seem to get a lesson everyday from yet another mistake. I like how you put that, "Protecting God's image," the one we carry... Powerful, Betty. The understanding more and more of who our Father is I think will continually open our hearts and minds to His majesty... and cast the shadow of His grace across our fallen lives. Great post. Convicting...
ReplyDeleteThank God, thank God for His ever forgiving power. It is what gives us the strength to put the armor on again and again. Thank Floyd for you words of wisdom...you always seem to get my heart in the words I write.
ReplyDeleteThank your for writing this. This is the thruth of my life. I am glad to read your hopeful words.
ReplyDeleteJedidja, thank you for visiting my site. Glad it gave you hope. Blessings
ReplyDeleteI'm so thankful for His merciful forgiveness when I mess up and for His extended grace that enables me to put on His armor and protect His image. Thanks for this great post.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you came by my site today!
Blessings to you ~ Mary
Mary, enjoyed your post a lot. You are reaching out to a lot of women...bless you sister for giving of yourself.
ReplyDeleteWe need to protect our good name and also the name of the Lord. I like this thought. I was reminded of the verse - -
ReplyDeleteEnglish Standard Version (©2001)
A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.
Oh yes, I do thank you for sharing at "Tell Me a Story."
ReplyDeleteOh, Betty, how I've missed your writings! This is a powerful message. Very convicting!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Wise-hearted, Courageous, Betty!
Hazel, I just wondered when I posted on your site how many bloggers connect with each other because of you...you are a well spring of wisdom. Blessing my sister.
ReplyDeleteDiane...I miss you too when you are not on. Seems like we were all connecting then "LIFE" came and threw some of us a curve. I am on my way to visit you blog. Love the card you sent Martha, will stop at her place too. Blessings
ReplyDeleteDear Betty
ReplyDeleteOh, how we all try at times to control another! And it is so wrong. When we do that especially as parents, we try to take away their individuality! We should advise them, when they are adults like mine, but then leave them to make their own mistakes and learn! I mean, I still make mistakes and cann't see that it will be otherwise until we are all home!
Blessings and thank you for your visit to my place.
Mia
Dear Betty
ReplyDeleteOh, how we all try at times to control another! And it is so wrong. When we do that especially as parents, we try to take away their individuality! We should advise them, when they are adults like mine, but then leave them to make their own mistakes and learn! I mean, I still make mistakes and cann't see that it will be otherwise until we are all home!
Blessings and thank you for your visit to my place.
Mia
Kind of what Floyd said is "me"... I couldn't tell you enough here. So often have a knee-jerk reaction to something, and then need to un-jerk and clear things up. Sometimes no one knows it or sees it, but it's in my heart. The Lord sometimes just taps my shoulder, and I know I'm headed in a wrong way. He's so kind and forgiving... and always teaching.
ReplyDeleteSure would love to meet you. Our missions connections would have us roaring together, believe me!
Thanks Mia for coming by for a visit. It's encouraging to read we all struggle with the control issue. I am thankful God does not fear giving us free will. Yes we surely make mistakes but He is gracious and longsuffering with us. Blessings my sister.
ReplyDeleteCaryjo...it would be wonderful to meet and share stories. We are house sitting for some friends who left today for Africa. They go for two weeks, encouraging pastors. We took them to the airport today and I know my husband was thinking as I was. Oh I wish it was us getting on that plane for another over seas time. God has a way of using health to direct our steps. I remember God tapping me spiritually on the shoulders too when I was fretting over something and just hearing softly in my spirit, it will be all right...it will be all right.
ReplyDeleteI never cease to be amazed how He speaks so personally yet universally. We are a blessed people those of us who follow the creator of these frail creatures. Blessings my sister.
Betty,
ReplyDeleteI am so thankful for short memories, for the power of sincere, humble apologies, and for chances to start over anew with our kids,or anyone.
Jennifer Dougan
www.jenniferdougan.com
Jennifer, good to hear from you. I seen in the news you were getting more snow. I don't think I ever experienced cold like northern Mn. You have to be tough to live up there. Thanks for stopping by. Blessings
ReplyDeleteGrace Grace Grace Sometimes that is all I have left to pick myself back up. To keep moving after I fall I have to seek the Lord and figure out what He wants me to learn from my mistakes! Then pick up the lesson and move forward in grace!!! Sounds so easy but it sometimes takes me days to open back up to receiving love from those I have wronged or even from God. Blessing to you! Love Rachael from Inking the Heart (thank so much for visiting my site, Betty)
ReplyDeleteI love how the Holy Spirit can help us learn in all types of situations. Recently I read wrong but it was exactly what I needed to read!
ReplyDeleteI can't even remember what the phrase was supposed to say, but what I did read left a lasting impression: "What are my anchors?"
Turns out I had been placing an anchor in a person instead of God!
Thanks for sharing, this was powerful!
God bless.
Rachel...You are so right, only grace will lift us up...flesh won't, the devil won't and law won't...thanks God for is amazing grace. Thanks for coming by.
ReplyDeleteTC, I have has to fight that battle of placing my eyes on a man. I was so angry and disappointed in some men at our church. Took me about a year to really get over it. I am convinced every Christian goes through this. For me it forgiveness that brought me out of it...there were mere men, what made me think they would not disappoint me? And for that matter I have disappointment others too. It's all a process meant to draw us to Him. thanks for coming by
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