Philippians 1:6 by Susan L.

  Affirmation #61 "I am confident He will finish me."
  "Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." NKJ
  The Jesus Centred Bible reads, "will continue His (good) work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns."
  I think there's a possibility that this could also mean until the day our Lord takes us home. We'll meet Him then, too. Or does completion continue after life as well? Food for thought.
  Although I've also pondered and found comfort in the idea that some hurts in my life might not be healed until the day the Lord takes me home. Then He will finally "wipe away every tear" Rev 21:4. (Those wounds I surrender to His will because I am more than willing to be healed this side of Heaven.)
  This is such an inspiring verse for me. It has also affirmed what I wrote about the other day, that from moment to moment we are completed until the next set of completions begins.
  G(o)od in action. It's a work that is even more important than the creation of a universe full of good things.
  Humans have tried to create a mini-earth: an enclosed, self-sustaining, environment. With little success. Microscopic bacteria poisoned the air of one such experiment and nearly killed the people inside.
  Our Lord was meticulous in His design, in all the elements, the creatures, the plants, the air we breathe. Even the weather and ocean currents that vitalize this planet were part of His plan. From atoms to the sun, He set in place a careful balance necessary for life to thrive.
  From Adam to the Son, He set in place the careful balance necessary for us to thrive, to rise above the dark forces of this world. But only if we let Him help us to live according to the promises He has given us. His plan for us is beyond good.
  Christ's work on the Cross means I, we, don't have to wait to die to meet Him. He is Jehovah, God with us. Always.
  "And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and discernment." Phil 1:9

  Beloved, be loved. If you don't know Jesus as Lord, I once again invite you to invite Him into your life. He has been waiting especially for you for a long, long time.
 
 
 
 
 

1 John 5:14-15 by Susan L.

  Affirmation #60 I am confident of answers to prayer.
 "And we are confident that He hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases Him. And since we know He hears us when we make our requests, we also know that He will give us what we ask for." JCB
  I've been reading Bruxy Cavey's book "re(union)" which is the foundation for the teaching series we are going through at church. It's challenged me on a number of levels. One of which ties into today's affirmation.
  It's wonderful to be able to look back through past posts and see that prayers have been answered time and again. Most of these prayers are spur-of-the-moment, heartfelt requests for healing and a deeper understanding/relationship with my heavenly Father and even more so, Jesus. Many of them have answers that are still unfolding even as I type. It is definitely something to give thanks for.
  I'm being nudged towards making a different type of prayer. One that has me voice my dreams for the future. It scares the pants off me! Even though I have a most welcomed hope for the future, it's still vague. As I read a section in "re(union)" about asking God for our heart's desire, I was a bit sad because I couldn't think of anything that was wanted enough to ask/hope for.
  S-t-r-e-t-c-h...
  So, why is it so hard to make a wish, a prayer for my future life?
  I guess it's because it is such a foreign concept. It's learning a new language. Future-speak. It's also bigger than just asking for stuff. Although, time and again, the Lord has blessed me with road side finds fulfilling a need needed. Each time I've done a shameless, happy dance of gratitude.
  Maybe "bigger" is the wrong word. "Different" is better, not so imposing.
  So I have to ask myself, what do I want?
  Do I want a partner to share life with? Part of me says yes, the other isn't so sure. What sort of person would suit? Could I think about what he would need to be like?
  Most of the time my prayers have been to remain single if a human relationship would take me away from God. Now I am learning how relationships are a way of drawing nearer to God, it's got me thinking about those prayers. Am I ready for something completely different? Is it time to move out of isolation, the protection of my sanctuary and singleness?
  Whoa! Back up a moment! I need to be kind about this. I have not hidden behind being single. I have not been well enough for a long time to even consider having another person in my life besides a few special friends and Pumpkin. Cats are demanding partners! If anything, this is a celebration moment because I am even entertaining the possibility of a relationship with a man. Talk about a change!
  Do I want to go back to school? For what? To become a pastor? Why a pastor? Hmmmm, is it possible to do online courses towards that purpose? It's an idea that has been whispering around the edges of my mind for quite a while now. I've never put it "out there" before. 
  Lord, let Your calling for my life come through loud and clear.
  There I go again. Finding a way to escape asking for something. :)
  This new language is going to take some getting used to!
  "But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life." Jude 1:20-21
 
 
 

I am Confident 1 John 4:17 by Susan L.

  "Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgement; because as He (Jesus) is, so are we in this world." 1 John 4:17 NKJ
  "And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgement, but we can face Him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world." JCB
  There's no such thing as coincidences. Our small group studied these passages. They were blogged about yesterday and, lo and behold, here is 1 John 4 containing today's affirmation.
  The Lord has blessed me with a gift: freedom from my generalized anxiety about everything and anything. I keep writing it, saying it, because the over the last few months, the wonder and joy in such a profound peace keeps surprising me! It pops up like a laughing Jack-in-the-box. It is unlike anything I've ever experienced. The be-on-guard-cause-something-bad-is-going-to-happen watchfulness is gone. Poof!
  My meds are still part of my daily regimen because they are important to my wellness. It's no different than if someone uses insulin to control diabetes. This healing has eradicated the issues the meds, on their own, could not help with. I need to walk in this brand new me for at least a year before considering making a change.
  Even so, there's a feeling of permanence in this healing. It's not a blip, or a reprieve from the struggle to just get by. It's a forever done deal. My human cautiousness, is well, being human. :)

  Lord, I can't thank You enough. For everything. Even the dark days on the Black River.
  Even though I am wrestling and even stumbling over the big ideas of what being a follower of Jesus means; even though there is plenty of room for improvement, hope and a solid assurance that my quests, my Triple T's will be answered, feeds this newfound confidence. There's so much ahead to explore and embrace and celebrate!
  Oh, Lord, there's a gazillion questions! It's okay to have questions! Even doubt is okay. Guide me into truth. In Jesus' name. Amen!
  And once again I am surprised how wonderful it is to imagine a future. Lifelong depression in its various forms stole that ability from me. It's even more wonderful knowing that the future God has planned for me far outweighs anything I could imagine.
  Why?
  "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involved torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him (Jesus) because He first loved us." 1 Jn 4:18-19
 
 
 
 
 
 

Affirmation #58 by Susan L.

  "I am complete in Christ." Colossians 2:10

  In home church we discussed 1 John 4. It's all about love and the perfecting qualities of God's love. It's a verse that makes me squirm in discomfort. It's also a verse I've struggled with because of this:
  "But he who fears has not been made perfect in love." 1 John 4:18
  Ergo, I fear. A lot. Therefore I am not perfect. I have felt condemned, inadequate, and unworthy whenever I've read this particular passage.
  On Tuesday, for the first time, I heard the compassion I believe this sentence was written with. I could almost see John's tears as he wrote it down so many years ago. I heard the grace of God in the spaces between the words, filling the gaps. I felt the sorrow that human understandings of love hinders my ability to embrace a Love that is beyond comprehension. It is beyond most of the "love" experiences I have had in this ole world.
  It has brought me a great deal of peace.
  Why?
  Because it's okay if I mostly don't get it. Today, anyways. My prayer is that one day I will.
  This sets me free to live in the identity of who I am a this very moment; to be the person God predestined me to be right now. Fears and all. I don't have to wait until I think I am perfect or acceptable to Him because, if the truth be told, that will never happen as long as my feet tread the dust of the world.
  In the end, even though I get hijacked by fears, I no longer have to be afraid.
  Today, in this very moment, with each breath, with each tick of the second hand on the clock, I am complete in Christ. Tomorrow, after learning more, surrendering more, I am complete. And in the next hour and the next day and the next month, I will be completed all over again.
  Completion isn't a destination. It's a gift of freedom, of security, of living in and through the love of God.
  Wow. This is one of those forever changed moments. Thank You, Lord for lifting a weight from my heart.
  "For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority." (JCB) Col 2:9-10
 

I am Comforted Jeremiah 31:13 by Susan L.

  I've been doing some thinking, some Triple T's, about how perfect love casts out fear.
  We had our church's AGM two Sunday's ago. There were two men sitting directly behind me. Both of them are tall and well built. Having them there had my senses on high alert, my body ready to spring out of danger. It's silly. I know both of them quite well. They are kind and caring. So why did I feel threatened by their presence behind me, out of sight? Even the hair stood up on the back of my neck it was that intense.
  I admit I was extremely tired and feeling rather vulnerable because of it but these unwarranted, unwanted reactions have bothered me ever since.
  Lord, how do I feel safe? How can I ever feel safe when my body hijacks my emotions especially around men? Even my step-dad is regarded with extreme caution. It must impact my relationships with my sons as well.
  How can I grow to love all men (and women, too) with Your perfect love?

  So I don't know if this thought is coming from God but I have to wonder if trusting men, people, is the same as loving them.
  I guess that's the fear part kicking in. Fear of reprisals and condemnation due to my own imperfections.
  Imperfection is a punishable offence. Now there's a core belief that has it all wrong! Thank You, Lord, for uncovering it.
  Boy oh boy do I struggle with criticism. Why is someone critical? Is it because of their own insecurity? Forgive me, Lord for being critical of others. I choose to forgive those who have criticized me. The list is long on both parts.
  I really need the perfect love of Christ to help me here. Not only through embracing His love for others but for myself as well so the voice of the critic will be silenced and unheard.
  This boils down to the fact I am tired of being afraid. It's not just men. It's prevalent in most aspects of my life. Another long list takes shape.
  Thank You, Lord, for grace but most of all this terribly insecure woman needs to feel the security of Your presence in my life. It's been an emotional roller coaster this morning.
  "The young women will dance for joy, and the men--old and young--will join in the celebration. I will turn their mourning into joy. I will comfort them and exchange their sorrow for rejoicing. The priests will enjoy abundance, and my people will feast on my good gifts. I, the Lord, have spoken." Jer 31:13-14
 
 

I am a Co-heir with Christ Romans 8:17 by Susan L.

  Yesterday was a special day. My son and his wife dedicated their baby girl to Jesus. It was wonderful to witness and was a perfect opportunity to link arms with her other Nana and my mom,  her Great-gramma, to pray a grandmother's blessing over this little, laughing bundle of joy.
  They attend The Meeting House in Oakville. It's the same church my own church follows, albeit our streamed teaching is a week behind. Our small church is in the process of leaving our non-denominational calling behind to become full-fledged members of the Be (formerly Brethren) in Christ family alongside The Meeting House.
  I also purchased a new Bible. (Thank You, Lord, for the freedom to do so.) It's called the Jesus Centred Bible and has easier language to follow than my New King James version. I'll probably use both going forward but will add the honorific capitals when Jesus is referred to as Him or He simply because I feel it is right to do so. I am still a bit old fashioned that way. (Perhaps I need to examine further why they have been dropped from modern Bibles and teachings. Not today, though.)
  Yesterday's teaching was a week early for me but it was a lesson I needed to hear in light of my last post.
  "For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to Scriptures." (NKJ) 1 Cor 15:3-4
  Today's verse is "For His Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God's children. And since we are His children, we are His heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs to God's glory. But if we are to share His glory, we must also share His suffering. Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory He will reveal to us later." (JCB) Rom 8:16-18
  How does all this fit together, my Lord?
  Generations. Inheritance. Family. Community. Connectedness. All of these give strength...to overcome, to persevere, to let go and let grow new understandings, new truths and to embrace the full knowledge of just how much God loves His children.
  My own love for all my children and grandchildren is a fraction of His love for me, for us. I love them so much that at times, it hurts.
  Nothing will separate us from the love of God because, "Be encouraged! Your sins are forgiven!" Mat 9:2
  As an aside, part of the teaching included The Gospel in Chairs. It was a powerful visual representation of our relationship with God. It's in The Meeting House's teachings under (re)union, week 4, Separation Solution.

 
 

Affirmation #55 by Susan L.

  "I am clothed with Christ." Galatians 3:27

  I find I am being challenged to get all this head knowledge into my heart which I know I can't do. At least, on my own. I admit that once a post is written, the ideas explored tend to wither into the forgotten corners of my mind.
  There has to be a better way to make these affirmations real.
  So what's stopping this from happening?
  Am I finding myself burdened because I should be able to live according to these affirmations? There have been many nudges in the areas where that's not happening. Usually guilt follows especially when I find myself not being very Christ-like. So who, exactly, is doing the nudging?
  Perhaps I am being too legalistic about the whole process.
  Here's the list. Memorize it. Get it. Live it.
  And the greatest legalist of them all chuckles and rubs his hands together in glee. Hint: it isn't God.

  These affirmations are meant to be a daily blessing, not a rule book. I think that's been forgotten over the last couple of months. I've begun to treat these wonderful, life giving words as a daily obligation, a chore, a task. Somewhere along the line, the joy in writing about them up and went.
  I didn't write yesterday because of an internet glitch. My phone, which I use as my internet connection, wouldn't hold a charge therefore it wouldn't turn on. Last night I discovered it was because I'd plugged in the wrong USB cord. I am sure it was divine intervention although it was frustrating at the time because things weren't going according to my routine.
  It has given me a couple day's separation to gain some perspective about what's going on behind the scenes. It makes me glad, in hindsight, that yesterday was an unexpected holiday.
  So where do I go from here?

  Remember, Sue, you started this project to help you understand the meaning of these affirmations.
  How about some grace? It's a lot to learn.
  How about some more grace? Change doesn't happen all at once. It takes time.
  How about even more grace? You are clothed with Christ. He is sufficient for all things and in all things. In Him, in His time, these blessings will become living things, pertinent today just as they were two thousand years ago.
  Be patient, girl, even though you don't necessarily consciously remember everything, each affirmation seed has been planted in your heart and soul. It takes time to grow and bear fruit.

  Lord, forgive me for being so hard on myself.
  "Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law. But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe." Gal 3:12-22