I don't know about you, but when I slip up and do something (giving into this temptation or that one) that I know is not in line with God's call on my life, I have the absolutely hardest time finding the grace for myself to forgive myself and move on. Even when I have confessed my sin to the Lord, repented, and received His glorious grace, mercy, and forgiveness, I have a hard time giving it to myself. The enemy works on this weakness in so many ways, tormenting me with how I have mucked it all up yet again, telling me that I am unworthy of His love, of all the godly friends in my life, and just all my blessings in general.
So, the question is, how do I move on, tell satan to go take a hike, and just forgive myself? I can forgive others for their transgressions -- so why can't I do the same for myself?
The answer is in God's Word, in many different places, stated in many different ways. Letting His Words for me sink deep into my soul...to not just memorize them, but to meditate on them and know them in my very heart of hearts, it's then when true forgiveness and grace begins.
There are so many passages in Scripture that are there to comfort us and release us from the captivity of regret. Here are just a few:
"But the LORD says, “Do not cling to events of the past or dwell on what happened long ago. Watch for the new thing I am going to do. It is happening already—you can see it now! I will make a road through the wilderness and give you streams of water there." Isaiah 43:18 - 19
"Of course, my friends, I really do not think that I have already won it; the one thing I do, however, is to forget what is behind me and do my best to reach what is ahead. So I run straight toward the goal in order to win the prize, which is God's call through Christ Jesus to the life above." Philippians 3:13- 14
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13
"Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage." Galatians 5:1
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17
May you find the blessing in being a new creation in Christ, K
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Singing a New Song...What's Up with That?
You may wonder where I came up with the title of my blog "A New Song to Sing". Or maybe you already figured it out. Or maybe you could really care less, but if that's the case (and I say this with no attitude, but just pure matter-of-factness), I'm not really sure why you are wasting any time reading my blog to begin with -- just saying! :)
In any case, for anyone out there who is wondering, it actually comes from Psalm 40 of the Bible:
"He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord." (Psalm 40:3 NLT)
Over the last several months, I have come to realize the He has indeed given me a new song to sing. For so long I have wondered what my calling is, and been insanely jealous over anyone who had found theirs (or at least appeared to have found it).
Learning to be still in His presence, to always keep the lines of communication open, to thank Him for the many blessings and abundance I enjoy in my life, to give my problems, worries, and concerns over to Him (no matter how small or insignificant they may seem), to strive and yearn for an ever-expanding relationship with Him, to glorify Him. The things He is calling me to do are becoming more clear, bit by bit, as I learn to lean on Him, and live obediently to His will. I hope and pray that if you are unsure, scared, or alone, that you can also learn to press into Him. Your true calling is just around the corner!
Many blessings, Kristina
In any case, for anyone out there who is wondering, it actually comes from Psalm 40 of the Bible:
"He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord." (Psalm 40:3 NLT)
Over the last several months, I have come to realize the He has indeed given me a new song to sing. For so long I have wondered what my calling is, and been insanely jealous over anyone who had found theirs (or at least appeared to have found it).
Learning to be still in His presence, to always keep the lines of communication open, to thank Him for the many blessings and abundance I enjoy in my life, to give my problems, worries, and concerns over to Him (no matter how small or insignificant they may seem), to strive and yearn for an ever-expanding relationship with Him, to glorify Him. The things He is calling me to do are becoming more clear, bit by bit, as I learn to lean on Him, and live obediently to His will. I hope and pray that if you are unsure, scared, or alone, that you can also learn to press into Him. Your true calling is just around the corner!
Many blessings, Kristina
Friday, February 3, 2012
A Year of Change
So...it's been nearly a year since I posted last. What can I say? Life got crazy and this got put on the WAY back burner. But, God has been good enough to start speaking some truths into my heart, and one of them is how important writing is to my sanity...and how spending time with Him is even more so important to that sanity...but how great would it be if I could combine them once in awhile? Perhaps I would hear from Him even more if I was actually USING one of the talents He gave me to share my testimony with the world!
So, here I am, back in blog world. The fam is out to dinner (my hubby, son and our 17-year-old exchange daughter from Italy, Fiori...more about that later!) and I am here, home sick with a nasty sinus infection and bronchitis, but the silence is welcome and gives me a moment to sit down and type.
For the last year, I have been pursuing hard in my relationship with the Lord, trying to get to know Him as well as I can. Trying to know Him as I would a friend. Now, I am by no means saying that I have always gotten it right, or that there haven't been times that I have gotten lazy with my spirituality and (though I hate to admit it) shut down on God a time or two. But you know the great part? He's always been waiting for me with open arms when I finally got off my high horse, repented of my hard-heartedness and laziness, and came running back to him. Every. Single. Time. How great is that?
So, I can't wait to share the ups and downs of the last several months with you...and the way that God has worked through all those times to ultimately bring me closer to Him.
See you soon! Pouring out blessings on you and yours, Kristina
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
So, here I am, back in blog world. The fam is out to dinner (my hubby, son and our 17-year-old exchange daughter from Italy, Fiori...more about that later!) and I am here, home sick with a nasty sinus infection and bronchitis, but the silence is welcome and gives me a moment to sit down and type.
For the last year, I have been pursuing hard in my relationship with the Lord, trying to get to know Him as well as I can. Trying to know Him as I would a friend. Now, I am by no means saying that I have always gotten it right, or that there haven't been times that I have gotten lazy with my spirituality and (though I hate to admit it) shut down on God a time or two. But you know the great part? He's always been waiting for me with open arms when I finally got off my high horse, repented of my hard-heartedness and laziness, and came running back to him. Every. Single. Time. How great is that?
So, I can't wait to share the ups and downs of the last several months with you...and the way that God has worked through all those times to ultimately bring me closer to Him.
See you soon! Pouring out blessings on you and yours, Kristina
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:Clarksville, TN
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