Thursday, October 22, 2009

Satan's Tactics

Lies, Lies, and More Lies,

It amazes me how many women are hearing the lies of Satan, and yes I am one of them. He just would not stop with that first lie to the first women, he has to continue feeding more and more women with untruths.

Several have shared with me since the last post regarding the lies that they feel women are hearing. Lies about ourselves, our families, our church and many more. Although we know he is the Father of Lies, we still listen. Why? Because he is sneaky...making the lies seem so real and true. He is saying them over and over causing us to begin to believe them even if we know better. We begin picking ourselves and others apart and not focusing on God's things.

I am reading a new book by Lysa TerKeurst, "Becoming More than a Good Bible Study Girl". (This is a great book that if you are interested in walking through it with a small group please let me know) Anyway, in the book Lysa makes a great point.

"Satan would love for us to pick ourselves apart, to obsess on the negative. When we do, we become hyper self-focused and take our eyes off Jesus and the mission set before us. Many of us spend years trying to hide or fix what we perceive as personal flaws.
Jesus would love for us to see ourselves as a package deal of unique qualities that He -- the author and perfecter of our faith -- saw a necessary for the life He's calling us to live."


That spoke so much to me! I get so hung up on the lies Satan tells me but to hear that Jesus saw each and every quality that I was given...the good, the bad and the ugly (The last two most likely just in my opinion) was necessary for the life He called me to live. Those qualities are usable by Him and for His glory. If that ain't freedom from the lies of Satan I don't know what is!!!

His chosen daughter!

Cynthia

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Lies Satan Tells Women

Currently Bro Ronnie is leading us through a series "Satan: Father of Lies" and this really has me pouring over the many lies that Satan tells women. So I feel led to post about some of these lies.

Women today are bombarded with more and more lies from Satan. There is almost an epidemic of "soul-sickness" and it is not just among women in the world but also among those of us in church. Why? Because Satan wants us in bondage. He wants both you and me not to live freely but rather to live under a cloud of personal guilt and condemnation. He doesn't want us to enjoy the grace and love of God so he whispers lies to us. During our walk, we may stir up a lot of religious dust but we won't do Satan's kingdom any real damage when we listen and dwell on his lies.

So what are some lies Satan tells women? Please note this is just one or two and not an exhausted list. Maybe you would like to add more on in the comments.


One lie that Satan whispers to women is "If you take that mask off, people will not like you." He leads us to believe that if others see my uglies then they won't like us. I have noticed more and more that women want to see who other women really are. In other words, don't play like you have it all together when I am floundering around like a fish out of water. This is one that I am personally working on. I struggle and as I timidly slip the mask from my face, I sadly hear ladies say, "but I thought you had it all together." Wow what a lie I was telling! I have put on a mask of happiness, when really I struggle with depression at times. I have put on a mask of being outgoing when really I struggle with the fear of rejection and loneliness...even in a crowd. I am currently learning that these mask are doing nothing for me except keeping me in the crippling bondage that Satan desires for me.
Not only is the mask hindering me but it is very possibly hindering another lady from experience the grace and mercy of God.

Another lie Satan tells women is "you are not worth anything." Have you heard it? I sure have, especially when I am seeking to do that which God has called me.
Personally, Satan knows when to play "You are not worth anything" card on me. When I am trying to organize an event or study, he whispers it in my ear. When I am seeking God's direction for my self or ministry, he is there whispering it in my ear. Even when I sit down to write a blog post, he's whispering it in my ear. Whether through his own whispers or the use of others, Satan tries to make us feel less worthy. As we listen to Satan's lies we grant others the opportunity to determine our worth. He knows that many times our worth is in direct relation with what others have said about us. Instead of letting others define us we need to reflect on what is true. I am a child of God's and a treasured possession. I am currently doing a study on the Inheritance of God and if we were not worth anything then why would God send His only son to die for us? Why would he be preparing a place for us, a MANSION in heaven? Why would He call us co-heirs with Christ? It is all because we do have worth! We are worth some much more than this big revolving ball in the universe. Yes it is hard to fathom but it is true. The lie of no worth told by Satan is just that, a Big Fat Lie. I struggle with this lie sometimes but when it rears it's ugly head it helps me to dwell on the truth. Please take time to read Ephesians 1:3-12 and just listen to the Words of Worth spoken over you. Did you see you are chosen, adopted, purchased? What other truths did you find?

I know we could go on and on about the lies Satan tells women but it respect for your time we'll stop here. We may address a few more over the next few days but please leave a comment stating other lies Satan whispers in the ears of women.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Beautiful Feet

I have had a pedicure only once in my life. Not because I don't desire another but I am so down right ticklish on my feet I can barely stand it. Although I have experienced two foot surgeries and had to bare all the dealings on my feet I still can't bring myself to getting one. Yes I want to have the soft beautiful feet with expertly painted toes that so many sport but I just can't bring myself to it. Crazy I know...most of you are saying "Get over it". You just don't understand...sometimes just the simple act of pulling a sock over my feet tickles.
Yes my son loves knowing this about me and if I am bare foot with feet propped up, he will reach out to tickle me every time he walks by.

Beautiful feet got new meaning for me this summer with I was on the mission trip in France. One day a young man at the ports came up to the group handing out Bibles. He asked the young women that knew French if he could take a picture of the group's feet. A little dismayed at the request, she asked why? His response was, "I have never seen American feet before, they are pretty." She then pulled the group together to grant his request and responded with a question for him.

Her question was, "Do you know what the Bible says about beautiful feet?" With him shaking his head no, she quoted the verse from Isaiah 52:7 "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, who brings glad tidings of good things, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, Your God reigns!"

With this the young man asked, "What about the feet of those who believe in God?"

She responded, "They will become beautiful also because they will go and share what has become real in their hearts."

Upon hearing this the young man said, "then one day maybe my feet will be beautiful as well."

What encouragement we all received that day! What encouragement I want to pass on to you today! Your feet are beautiful as you share God's love. Even if you haven't had a pedicure recently by human hands let the God of All perform a pedicure on your beautiful feet. May the beauty of your feet be noticeable to all you encounter and a witness to the One to whom all glory is given.

Blessings,
Cynthia

Friday, October 2, 2009

Life changing verses.

Over the last few weeks my thoughts have been caused to ponder on several verses in Scripture. Verses that untangle my thoughts, soothe my soul, or even create a wonder so great that I have to dig for more.

Currently I keep turning to Eph. 1:18 "the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints."

What verse are you pondering lately?