So, what’s holding you back?

What’s Holding You Back?

So how do you know when something is holding you back?  Here are some signs:

* Despite your passion or desire for something, you do not take steps to attain it.

* Others see more potential in you than you can see for yourself.

* You believe that others have held you back or hindered you in some way.

* You believe in your potential but are afraid to move toward it.

* You feel stuck.

* You are worried about embarrassing yourself.

* You are hiding behind shame or guilt.

* You have given up on certain goals or dreams because of something in your past.

* You allow fear to control your decisions.

* You sidestep issues that need to be addressed in order to avoid conflict or disappointment.

* You have talents you rarely use.

* You think or speak in negative terms about yourself, your abilities and your goals.

* You are waiting on perfect circumstances before you take a step forward.

What have I to FEAR?

Psalm 27 (NIV)

¹ The LORD is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?

We can spend a large portion of our lives in fear–afraid to live life to the fullest because of this or that.  Most of what we are afraid of–are simply possibilities.  Things that only “might” happen.

God promised us that He will be our light; guiding the way.  He will be our strength; in our time of weakness.  When we are facing a storm; He will be our strong tower that we can run into and be safe.

There is no need to fear what “might” happen.  God (our Heavenly Father) will never leave us nor forsake us.  We can be confident and rest assured in the arms of our sovereign God.

PRAYER FOCUS:  Heavenly Father, I rest in You.  I will not be afraid of what might happen.  I will trust in Your complete control.  Help me to sense Your presence in my daily life.  I need not be afraid with You in my life.  IN JESUS’ NAME, AMEN.

The Ultimate Price for Love

Isaiah 53:4 (Amplified Bible)

^“Surely He has borne our griefs (sicknesses, weaknesses, and distresses) and carried our sorrows and pains [of punishment],…”

You have been called out and separated by God.  You were not created to be abused.  You were not created to suffer with depression or anxiety.  You were chosen to fit in the hands of God who has already accepted you.  How you need to know the height and depth of His unfathomable love for you.

Some women have never been secure in the love of their natural fathers, and it affects how they view their Heavenly Father.  There is no doubt about His love for you.  He made the ultimate sacrifice just to prove the genuineness of His love.

You are so valuable that Satan held you for ransom, requiring that your Heavenly Father pay an unimaginable price.  What price would God pay to see you freed?  He sent His Son armed with love and wrapped in flesh.  He showed how much He loved you and  just how valuable you are to Him, by hanging on the cross…beaten beyond recognition, with a crown of thorns on His head.  All just because He loves you!

Never again question His love for you.  You may not understand it, but believe it.  He absolutely loves you.  Not only when you are right, but also when you are wrong.  You are special and full of potential and possibilities.  You are the daughter of a King.  He is the King who spared no expense to pay the ransom that delivered you from all that would have you in bondage.

Be Free…and know that your Heavenly Father loves you more than you will ever be able to comprehend.

PRAYER FOCUS:  Heavenly Father, thank you for the ultimate price you paid for me.  Even when I didn’t deserve it; you sent Your Son to redeem me.  There is no greater expression of love than for one to lay down his life for another.  Thank you for ALL that you have done for me.  Help me to realize Your love for me.  IN JESUS’ NAME, AMEN.

Does The Compass OR The Clock Control Your Life?

The clock and the compass are two incredible instruments.

1. The clock is a complex instrument that measures the passing of time. A clock tells us what time it is.  It tells us the immediate present, but basically that is all it tells us.  It does not predict how much time we have left.  It does not give us time and cannot create time.  It just measures time. 

2.  In our society, the clock is an instrument of stress.  It reminds us of how much time has passed, time that we no longer have.  It cannot predict how much time we have left because it cannot predict interruptions yet to occur.  In our society the clock controls when we get up, how fast we live our lives, how hard we push, how long our day is, how fast we drive, and dictates our schedule as it alters our priorities. “What time is it? ”  is far more likely to be an anxiety question than a curosity question. 

3.  A compass is a very simple instrument that points north.  Its only purpose is to provide direction.  No matter how expensive or inexpensive, no matter how complex or how simple compasses are, they have the same simple purpose–point north.  By always pointing north, the compass enables us to establish a sense of direction.  The compass is an invaluable instrument when we need direction.  It can always help us establish a course, a direction that we can trust even if we don’t know where we are.  Because the compass provides a certainty in times of uncertainty, the compass is an instrument of reassurance and comfort. 

Jesus became the needle of our spiritual compass by never losing His sense of direction.  By always facing and following God. 

Nothing ever deceived Jesus; nothing ever led Jesus off God’s course for Him.  When satan tempted Him person-to-person, Jesus stayed on course.  When the Pharisees challenged and attacked Him, Jesus stayed on course.  When His disciples argued and fussed in ignorance and misunderstanding, Jesus stayed on course.  When one of His best friends betrayed Him,  Jesus stayed on course.  When His disciples deserted Him at His arrest, Jesus stayed on course.  Ehen He was tried , falsely condemned, ridiculed, and abused, Jesus stayed on course.  When He died hanging from a cross, Jesus stayed on course.  Hebrews 4:15 states;  For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in all things as we are…yet without sin. 

He is the needle of our spiritual compass.  As you live life;  if you want to identify with God,  you start with Jesus.  As you struggle in life; if you want direction that will point you to God, you start with Jesus. 

Beware!  Clocks run down and time runs out.  The compass is always there, always steady.  When we meet God, and we will, there will be no clock.  Time will be no more.  But the compass (Jesus) will be there, still pointing to God. 

***Taken from a recent sermon by:  Rev. Edward M. Bailey (Bethel AME Church of Churchtowne, Lancaster PA) 

PRAYER FOCUS:  Jesus, thank you for being the needle of my compass, always pointing the way to God.  When I can’t find my way, You are steady, and always on course.  I want to keep my eyes on the compass (Jesus) and not on the clock.  I need Your direction.  IN JESUS’ NAME, AMEN.