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Significant Encounters 2022 #4 The Soundtrack of Our Lives

Sep15

Significant Encounters is a place for you if you have experienced drama and trauma in your life.

A place of encouragement for you.

A place where you know that someone is in your corner.

A soft place to land.

Greetings. I’m excited that you came back again.

How many of us have certain songs that play over and over in our heads? I can remember words to certain songs that I have not heard in 50 years or more.

What about those tv commercials? If I say “Plop, plop, fizz, fizz”, how many can finish that jingle? Many songs we sang, became the “Soundtrack of our lives”.   

We’re wired to remember that way.

How many of us can remember the phone number we had as a kid? Or our childhood home address? Those things are pretty non-threatening stuff.

But what about that time your dad told you that you were nothing but trouble, and would never be worth anything? Or when that kid at school, said that you were so something; fat, skinny, ugly, dirty, smelly, stupid – You remember those words like it was yesterday.

You remember that those words cut you like a knife. Those words bury themselves in your heart, to be replayed whenever you try to be a friend, a good parent or do something to advance yourself.

That nastiness always comes back.

When we least expect it. When we are beginning to believe something better for our lives.

Can we agree that each one of those negative remarks, flaming arrows, sticks, and stones, is a big fat lie from the enemy of our souls?

Our heavenly Father loves us too much to say those things about us, much less to let them bury themselves in our hearts, and allow them to take root.

The Bible calls that a bitter root. We’ll see what God says about taking an ax to that root. Today, let’s begin to take a look at how God says we can wield that ax, you know, “Get to the ROOT of the problem”.  

Matthew 13 18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. (Unfortunately, weed roots tend to be very strong) 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty, or thirty times what was sown.”

What this means to us is that we have to make sure that our soil is good. What is the soil you ask? Good soil is a heart that is ready to receive the words it has heard.

We HEARD the words that were spoken over us. Those words affected us in a damaging way, we ingested them. We received them, and they took root.

In the Hebrew culture, any poisonous plant was called a “bitter” plant. Poison destroys, and the result of ingesting a poisonous plant would be bitter, indeed.

We did not realize that that was an actual choice that we made. That fact was concealed from our eyes. If we make the OPPOSITE choice, then we are on our way to demolishing the root system that has kept us bound for so long.

About choice, I was well out of my teens before I even realized I HAD a choice, that I was not locked into only doing what others decided for me, or living my life like their words said I would.

Now, whatever age you may be, I’m letting you know – You Have a Choice!

Choose wisely, and you will be free!

About that ax. The ax spoken of earlier is the Word of God. The word is God’s truth.

Over many years, after making different attempts at getting myself free, I finally made the choice to use what the word said.

A choice to believe it. Full stop. Believe it no matter what the circumstances were.

That’s two choices really. Follow the word, and CHOOSING not to give up, or back off.

In our narrative, the ax refers to the gospel: the Word of God, the ax is used to hack out the root. This is for our spiritual growth, and to cut out the rotten parts that do not bear good fruit.

In Matthew 4:4 – “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” NOT by what comes out of the mouth of any man.  

And John 8:32 You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Lastly, let me leave you with this. At 9.00 on video, and here in the text –

Please, please, please plant the following in your heart.

Let the roots grow DEEP.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

So your assignment, should you choose to accept it, is the following;

Make a choice

Take up your ax

Identify the root

Apply the ax

Overlay with the truth

Let us renew our minds with these thoughts. We are capable of changing the way we think of ourselves. We are capable of changing the “soundtrack of our lives”’

Join me next time, and we’ll talk more about that thought life. That soundtrack.

Significant Encounters 2022 #2 Who Does God Say You Are?

Sep8

Significant Encounters is a place for you if you have experienced drama and trauma in your life. A place of encouragement for you. A place where you know that someone is in your corner. A soft place to land.

Remember when I said that God was a creator and that He created us just the way we were? Let me read you something from Psalm 139:13-16 – For you created my inmost being, you knit me together in my mother’s womb.  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

If we fully understand these verses, then what we know is that God created us the way He wanted us to be. The way he could use us. The way that delighted His heart over us. The delight that He had over us could be a benefit to others. We know that we are not a mistake. God doesn’t make mistakes. It’s not something He’s capable of.

Now the world that we live in tends to glorify mistakes. They point them out. You’ll see it daily all-over social media. You’ll see it all over the daily news and hear it when you go out. Coming from every direction. Being canceled is a thing nowadays. It doesn’t take much, just disagree with someone’s opinion. This is NOT how God planned it. He wants us to know what he thinks of us.

He created us. So what does He say about His creation? We just read it, right? We are fearfully and wonderfully made. Even if we don’t FEEL like it.

Fearfully translated from Hebrew means heartfelt interest, reverence, and respect.

Wonderfully translated from Hebrew means unique and set apart.

God often uses our weaknesses to help others. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10.

Sin and pride mask the part where He said He made us with a purpose in mind. What is that purpose?  Love. To love Him. To love others. To show His love to all the people that we can.

Our identity must be found in God. It cannot be found in our families, our jobs, our homes, our hobbies, our travels, or even our dreams. Looking for our identity there, will still allow lots of room for insecurities and poor self-imaging.

Here is a partial list of just what God thinks of you, and the corresponding scriptures.

If you have received Christ as your savior*, then all of these things apply to you.  

It STILL amazes me that God thinks this of me, after all the lies I’ve ingested over a lifetime.

  • You are saved. 2Timothy 1:9 Who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began. (NKJV)
  • You are complete. Colossians 2:10. and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. (NKJV)
  • You are chosen. 1 Thessalonians 1:4 We know, dear brothers and sisters, that God loves you and has chosen you to be his own people. (NLT)
  • You are a new creation. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (NKJV)
  • You are a child of God. 1 John 3:1 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore, the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. (NKJV)
  • You are no longer a slave. Galatians 4:7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. (NKJV)
  • You are above and not beneath. The Lord will make you the head and not the tail. You will always be on top, never at the bottom, if you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I am giving you today.
  • You are accepted. Romans 15:7 Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory. (NLT)
  • You are healed. Psalm 30:2 O LORD my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me. (NKJV)
  • You are not alone. Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. (NKJV)
  • God thinks You are special. 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. (NKJV)
  • You are alive in Christ. Ephesians 2:4-5 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved). (NKJV)
  • You are His. Isaiah 43:1 But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. (NKJV)
  • In God, you are wise. Proverbs 2:6 For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. (NKJV)

Read more about it here; How do I receive Christ?

Pray this simple prayer.

DEAR LORD JESUS, I WANT TO KNOW YOU PERSONALLY.  THANK YOU FOR DYING ON THE CROSS FOR MY SINS AND FOR RISING FROM THE DEAD.  I OPEN THE DOOR OF MY LIFE AND RECEIVE YOU AS MY SAVIOR AND LORD.  I TRUST YOU NOW TO FORGIVE MY SINS AND GIVE ME ETERNAL LIFE.  PLEASE MAKE ME THE KIND OF PERSON YOU WANT ME TO BE.

Feel free to like, comment and share with anyone you think might find encouragement from this post.

I hope you’ll join me next time, where we’ll further our conversation on how and why we think of ourselves the way we do.

Significant Encounters 2022 #1

Sep6

I’m so happy that you have made the choice to join me here.

Significant Encounters is a place for you if you have experienced drama and trauma in your life.

A place of encouragement for you.

A place where you know that someone is in your corner.

A soft place to land.

In this session, I’d like to talk about who God is.

If we begin with understanding who he is, then we can understand how He wants to help us.

First, on the list, God is I’m omniscient. That’s a big word, a Latin one actually. What it means is that he is all-knowing. He knows absolutely everything, from beginning to end. There is not one thing that can surprise Him.

Then comes omnipresent. It’s another big word, meaning that he is all-encompassing. This means that God has created a circle around all of His creation. All of it, everyone, everything, everywhere.

Then the word omnipotent, meaning He is unlimited authority and power.

Omnibenevolence. In Latin, this word means all-good-willing. God is always good, and always willing to answer us when we call to Him.

Each of us has likely heard the creation story. It tells us that God is our creator and that He created the heavens and the earth. He created everything. He created it with His voice. He said “Be” and it was. This is what He said about you “Be”. And there you were! And you know what? It was good. You were good. It reminds me of a bumper sticker back in the ’70s that said, “God Doesn’t Make Junk”.  

God is sovereign, which means that He has supreme power and authority. God is eternal, holy, and true. He is love, and full of grace. He is just and full of wisdom.

He is immutable, that’s another big word. It means He doesn’t change. He never changes. Above all, He is faithful. He can be depended on no matter what. He will always do what He says He will do.

Now, if these concepts don’t mean anything to you, then our time together will help you to learn them. Our time together will help you to see who He is. You will learn that He loves you, and you will want to know Him more. You will learn about His character, and why He loves you. You will get to know him, and understand why you can trust Him.

When you know who He is, you will begin to see the expansive possibilities that He has created for your life.

Us knowing Him, Him knowing us, Us knowing Him, Him knowing us, is the perfect cycle. It’s a cycle that we want to have repeated in our lives.

Knowing how He knows us. Knowing how He loves us. Knowing how He created us the way we are. Knowing that He never makes mistakes. Knowing that He has a plan for us, our lives, and for our good, will make the things we’ll be hearing here in the next few weeks much easier to know and understand.

In my growing-up life, I never knew any of this. This just isn’t what I was taught. I felt alone most of the time, and it really did not make a difference to me.

I did have some real issues with believing in a heavenly father.

You see, growing up, I had two fathers. One was biological, and the other adopted me when was small. The bio-dad, I didn’t even know until I was an adolescent. My adopt-a-dad married my mother and adopted me so that I would have the same last name as him. Because in those days it didn’t bode well for a daughter and a dad to have different names. At any rate. Both of these men were abusive in very different ways. Those stories are for another day.

Suffice it to say that when I found that God wanted to be my loving father, I didn’t have a chip for that.

I had a hard time with that because I’d blown through two dads already.  Neither one of those did what they were supposed to do for me. Things like loving and protecting.

The whole concept of a loving father was difficult. Because hey, what if I was just defective? Or even unlovable?

Now, as an adult, I know that that struggle was real, but I also know that was worth the fight.

God is my father, and He has overwhelmingly shown me His love. He loves me so much. You know, He loves you too.  So much more than you know right now. You’re not a mistake.

You were not unknown to Him. He created you in the secret place of your mother’s womb. And He delights in you. He delights in you. Did you hear what I said? He delights in you.

His character never changes, and neither does His love for you. He is all-knowing, all-seeing, and all-encompassing. All the things that we talked about earlier. He is those things. Creator, unchanging, faithful. He welcomes us. He is honest with us. He is kind to us. He loves us, and He forgives us. He is a capable father. And you know what? He is knowable. He actually wants us to know him. And when we know Him, we know we can trust him.

The things that we grew up with that sent us into hiding. The things that caused us shame and guilt, humiliation, and anger, He will use those things as steppingstones for our success in life. In those places He can replace our weakness with His strength. Those things? He is capable of managing them. He can take care of them if we let Him.

Today’s message may or may not be what you thought it would be. But my encouragement to you is to hang on. Keep coming back. Together we can find out, and actually learn to know God the way He planned for us too. We can live a life of peace. The one He’s called us to.

I hope this helps, and I want you to come back next time. We’ve learned about who He is now.

Next, we’ll begin to learn about who he says WE ARE.

In the times to follow, we’ll go on to some other specific things. But first, I really feel like it’s important that we know who He is and who He thinks we are. When we’re armed with those two things, we cannot help but prevail. We can’t help but succeed. It’s important if we want to win.

This is essential stuff. I encourage you to grab your coffee, and join me back here next time, on Significant Encounters.

Psalm 145:17-19 ESV 17 The Lord is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works. 18 The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. 19 He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them.