Following are a few of the one-liners the Lord has spoken to me through the years that have dramatically changed my walk and my life. I hope they speak to your spirit and encourage and bless you - and possibly change you:)
1. “We’re going to work on you!” –Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, - Imagine that. When I started my walk with the Lord I wanted to point out all of George's flaws. The Lord told me "No, we're going to work on you! If George never changes, you need to!" Ouch! That hurt. But that was one of the best things he's ever said to me.
2. “There’s no such thing as a justified attitude” – Love your enemy; love your neighbor; love your wife; honor your mother and father; respect your husband - The Lord used this one on me when I thought it was okay for me to walk around self-righteous with my attitudes, excusing my behavior because others had hurt me. Guess I was wrong again.
3. “Love what you can love about them” – Philippians 4:8-98 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. -- The Lord gave me this instruction for those people in my life who were not going to go away - my family - This made it easier to walk in love and share my Jesus with those who had hurt me.
4. “Don’t enable them to do what I don’t want them to do” – Luke 11: 52 “Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge. You did not enter in yourselves, and those who were entering in you hindered.” - This is what gave me permission to say "No" to people who I wanted to help, but didn't feel led to help. It really lifted the burden. The Lord didn't want me to hinder what he was going to do with them and their current situtation. Many times we try to catch people before they fall so they never hit their knees. Not always such a good idea.
5. “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” – Genesis 18:14 Anytime I feel overwhelmed, the Lord reminds me of this scripture. Awesome!
6. “If I sent my son to die for you, what wouldn’t I do for you?” – John 3:16 For God so loved the world he sent his only begotten son that whosoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life. (Parted the red sea, wiped out your enemies and you’re worried I won’t feed you?--silly girl) The Lord uses this on me everytime I needlessly worry - which is anytime Iworry.
7. “They can’t undo the work I sent you to do” – 1 Corinthians 3:12-14 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. Sometimes you do a job and then people squash or destroy the good work you do. The Lord told me this after I left a job and he made me realize it wasn't about the job they hired me to do but about the job he sent me to do. Imagine that, it wasn't about me...
8. “They don’t appreciate what I’ve done for them, what makes you think they’re going to appreciate what you do” – 1st Corinthians 1:18 [Christ the Power and Wisdom of God ] For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. This helps me anytime I feel like people don't appreciate when I try to help or the squander the help that's been given to them. It stops me from complaining -- because who could argue with that - I could never compare what I do to what the Lord did.
9. “If you’re okay with God, you’re okay” - Matthew 10:28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Many times people talk about us behind our backs and it hurts. This has been a powerful statement in my life. That if I'm okay with my maker, I'm okay. Their discontent is on them.
10. “For my growth and His glory” –Romans 5:3-53 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. 1Corinthians 10: 31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. This is how I choose to live my life. I want every decision, every action and every circumstance to grow me and glorify my father. No matter what is going on with me or my family -- I believe God's growing us and that he turns all things for good for those who love him. Awesome!
