Reactions

Sometimes I will react in a way that leaves me amazed at the wonderful changes God has wrought in me.  Sometimes...I react as the child I was.  

Oftentimes the childish reaction is so practiced, I don't even notice it doesn't line up with who I have become.  

Holy Spirit, point those old reactions out to me.  I know I have been set free from my past. 

"So if the Son liberates you [makes you free men], then you are really and unquestionably free." (John 8:36 Amplified)

I love this life.

Copyright 2012  Leah Lambert Smith

True Life

I've been thinking about the viewpoint that all of life, end from beginning is in the process of occurring now (see my recent post, "Now").

As a child of God, because of the completeness of Jesus' salvation, my purity is now, my freedom from sin is now, my righteousness is now.  There may be process and growth involved in living out these truths, but they are true now nonetheless.  

Jesus has given me what He purchased with his life and death.  He kept the commandments - did not sin; end from beginning it's part of His gift to me. I have been grafted into His vine.  His life flows through me.

I don't currently understand the fullness of His gift, but I am no longer who I was.  Though I may make mistakes, sin is not my lifestyle.  Though I may get frustrated with people, hate is not my lifestyle. 

I thank God for this gift of true life.

I love this life! 

Copyright 2012   Leah Lambert Smith

Note - This post came from meditating on 1 John 3.

Contentment

Now godliness with contentment is great gain. (1 Timothy 6:6 NKJV)

My current state of contentment was hard won.  Dying to the angst that was my way of life felt as if I was literally dying.  Major surgeries, often with no anesthesia, occurred as my old ways were replaced with new ways.  

I encourage others to let go of their expectations of life and people, and expect God to bring about His exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think (see Ephesians3:20).  I don't think to tell them the process may feel like dying.  My current joy so wonderfully eclipses the misery.  

The process is worth it.  I let go of those expectations of my spouse, my children, my friends...  I proceeded through the disappointment that my hopes may never occur, allowing room for the greater to occur.   

Godliness with contentment truly is great gain.

I love this life.

Copyright 2012  Leah Lambert Smith

Judging You Judges Me

Judging a person does not define who he or she is, it defines who I am.

I'm thinking about this statement today in regards to the people who are closest to me.  It could be a sibling, child or friend, but I'll use my husband (since he's the closest by far) as my example.

If I judge him as unloving, it says I'm wanting love in a way I don't feel I'm receiving it.  If I judge him as selfish, again, I have some unmet wants I'd like to have fulfilled.  If I judge him as disrespectful, I probably have an area of deficiency in my own self-respect.

I cannot change anyone else, but I can deal with the things that concern me.  I can especially deal with them because I have a divine relationship with my God who said He would provide all of my needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 

 

I feel free and brave.

I love this life!

Copyright 2012  Leah Lambert Smith

Peace

I don't like drama in relationships. 

That's why our relationship isn't between you and me, it is between God and me.  I ask Him about it.  That way, I have no regrets.  If I suspect you might not be happy with me, I don't run to you to fix it.  I go to God.  I ask Him for wisdom regarding what I should do - if anything - and cast the care of our relationship onto Him.  

It's my desire to have relationship with you in His love.  

Peace.

I love this life!

Copyright 2012   Leah Lambert Smith