Christ is my strength for every situation

This year my husband and I have the opportunity to coach our 5^th grade granddaughter’s volleyball team.  Curt is the head coach and I am his assistant.  It is wonderful to see these girls learning to play volleyball and how to work together as a team. 

The hard part for me is; I see them growing and increasing in their skills, and yet they are not winning games.  The mom in me, as well as the competitor in me, wants to see them win some games.  I want them to feel the success of winning, as well as being good sports when they lose.

I woke up this morning, thinking about last night’s game, and the realization came to me that Christ is as much in the losing, as the winning.  The scripture came to my mind, “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me. “

The apostle Paul said in his letter to the believers in Philippi:

“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.  I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound.  In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.  I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:11-13

 Paul learned the secret of contentment in his time of need and lack, as well as his time of abundance; it was to depend on Christ to give him strength, in every situation.  I realized that I needed to learn this, as well as the girl’s on our volleyball team. 

It is easy to feel contentment when we succeed and are doing well in life.  It is when the struggles come that we learn whether our contentment is based on our situation, or is it based on our faith in Christ?  Do we trust that God is in all of our circumstances? Do we perceive the difficulties we face as opportunities to spiritually mature and grow in faith, or do we feel like giving up?

If you are in the midst of trials; ask the Lord to give you strength to face them, as well as to teach you contentment in Him.  Allow the Lord to build your spiritual endurance and a heart of gratitude.  If you feel that all is going well today; praise God and ask Him to give you the strength to gracefully receive and enjoy it. 

(Lord Jesus, whatever our situation, easy or tough; give us strength to accept them gracefully and teach us how to be grateful and content in you.  Amen)

Triss Curtis copyright September 2015

The Wounded Place

Recently, someone unwittingly said and did something that brought me back to the “Wounded Place”.   The place that I thought was healed and untouchable; yet here I am again, a child, feeling unwanted and unlovable. An old wound is opened and starts to fester. There is still some infected tissue that needs to be removed, so I can experience more healing.

As I struggle through the feelings of rejection, a battle is waged in my soul.  The Adult in me is fighting for the truth and who I am in Christ, while the child within is struggling with anger and sorrow.  The adult wants to understand and be gracious; the child wants to attack back and protect herself.  In the midst of this all the enemy of my soul is throwing the old lies in my face, saying, “See, you are not important or lovable, maybe if you were a different person then someone would want you.” 

At the same time Jesus is calling through the fog of pain and self-pity, saying,

“You are my beloved; don’t allow your mind to be twisted by the lies of the enemy. He wants to kill, steal and bring destruction to your life.  Instead of looking at the circumstances and others, look at me; I will clear your mind and give you a true and pure perspective.  I will cleanse your heart and set you free.  I love you with an Everlasting love and no one can snatch you out of my hand.  Every trial you experience is sifted through my hands of grace.  Instead of allowing your circumstances and other’s actions to control your thoughts and feelings, allow me to mature and change you more into my image.  When you focus on me, I am able to bring more healing into your life, as well as my peace and joy.  I am the one that gives you the ability to look away from yourself and onto the needs of others.  Allow my love to unclog your wounded heart so it may flow like a river into the lives of those around you. ”

We all have “wounded places” in our hearts, and Satan wants to dredge them up to continue to sow  anger, discontent, bitterness, self-pity, low self-esteem, etc… in our lives. These attitudes steal our peace and joy and the light of Christ is dimmed in our lives.

Instead of staying in the "wounded place", listen to Jesus; He beckons us to come unto Him for healing and acceptance.  He wants to remove the poison of the "wounds" from our lives; for if they fester, they become sin and keep us from experiencing His peace, love and joy.  If you are having a struggle in this area of your life, turn your eyes back to the life giver, who will change your perspective and allow you to receive His love and abundant life today.

Hebrews 12:1-2

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

John 10:10

“The thief comes only to seal and kill and destroy.  I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

Psalm 13:5

“But I trust in your unfailing love; my   heart rejoices in your salvation.”

Lord, give us a deeper awareness of your love for us and bring healing to the wounded places in our hearts, so that we may love others, as you have loved us.   Amen

(Triss Curtis May 30, 2013)

"The Biggest Loser"

“The Biggest Loser”

Romans 12:1-2

“I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”

The other night my daughter and I were watching part of the show called “The Biggest Loser”.  The people on the show were extremely overweight and most of them were discouraged and had a negative perspective of themselves. 

They were placing their hopes in the physical trainers to get them into shape, so they could experience joy and a healthy life.  Even though they knew the training would be tough; most of them didn’t realize how tough the regime would be to get them to place of health and wholeness.

The trainers would encourage them, sometimes yell at them, and do whatever they could to motivate the people to work hard to lose the weight. The trainers pushed the people to their limits and most of them broke down sometime or another, whining, crying or stomping off in anger, saying, “I can’t do it”, or, “it’s just too tough!”

Finally weigh in day came and they all lost some weight, some surprised themselves and lost several pounds!  As the weeks of training continued, I could see that the overweight people’s perspective of themselves changed.  They realized, if they listened to the trainer, focused on the goal and worked hard, they saw results.   Their negative thoughts about themselves changed and they replaced their bad habits with good habits.  As their inner thoughts and attitudes changed, their habits changed, as well as their outward appearance.

God’s word, says to be transformed, by the renewing of our minds and His word says that we are being changed from glory to glory.

An outward transformation of our lifestyles must always start with and inward transformation of our thoughts and heart attitudes; for our thoughts will guide our hearts and our hearts will direct our actions. 

If we really want a change in our lives, we must have renewed minds with thoughts that are true, pure, lovely and praiseworthy.  That can only be accomplished with God’s word and through us encouraging one another in the truth. 

Jesus is our trainer; encouraging us and building up our spiritual muscles.  He knows how to motivate us and he knows the kind of “workout” we need to make us spiritually healthy people.

He is has the “truth”, He is the truth and He promises to set us free!

My prayer is that we will all be “The Biggest Loser”, getting rid of the heavy weight of negative thinking and sinful habits, through renewing our minds with the truth in God’s word, as well as encouraging each other to follow our trainer, Christ Jesus our Lord.

triss

 

 

 

 

 

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving

There are many bodily functions that we take for granted in our lives; breathing, walking, talking, sleeping and eating.  We also have an expectation to have plenty of food, clothing and shelter.  When we experience troubles that are connected to   our basic needs; we learn to not take for granted our everyday needs, but to appreciate them and to be thankful even for the simple things in life.

Yesterday I begin meditating on a time in my life when I was not able to sleep.  Every time I would start to drift off, my body would have a jerk reaction and wake me up.  That was a dark and confusing time in my life and I cannot think about it without becoming emotional, but Praise the Lord, He brought me out of the pit and set my feet upon the Rock!

 Last night I had 6 to 7 hours of sleep! Thank you, God, for the gift of sleep.

I enjoy hiking and walking outdoors. Several years ago I fell while skating and hurt my knee badly, so I needed to wear a knee brace to keep it stable.  I can still see my daughter holding my arm, as I limped slowly up a hill near our home.

Yesterday I was able to take a hike in the mountains with my husband.  Lord, Thank you, for the ability to walk.

When my oldest two were teenagers, my husband and I took them white water rafting.  After the trip was over, a few people were floating in the cold water, allowing the current to take them a short way downstream.  I decided to join the fun, but it looked a little tame for me, so I swam out farther in the river, where the current was stronger.  As I was floating along; I was suddenly sucked underwater.  I was trying to swim toward the surface but the current was strong and held me under. In my mind, I cried out to the Lord, “God I don’t want to die”, and immediately I popped to the surface and swam to shore.

Thank you Lord for breathe and life!

  If we think about it, we have many things that we can thank God for.  On this Thanksgiving Day, I encourage you to stop and think about all that the Lord has done for you.  Thank Him for the ways He has provided for you, as well as for the people He has put in your life.

Lord thank you for providing for our needs and for bring us through our troubles.  We praise You because you are a faithful God, and you will continue faithfully to bring us through our trials to the “other side”.  Please continue to remind us of all You have done in our lives so far, and Lord may our hearts be filled with gratitude and praise unto You.  Amen

 

My gratitude list                                                                      Your gratitude list

Life in Christ

My family

Husband, children

Good friends

Brothers and Sisters

Job for my husband

Godly influences in my life

The ability to love others

The ability to forgive as

I have been forgiven

My home

A time to rest

Fellowship

Being able to see the mountains everyday

My health

The fresh air

Food

Clean, cool water to drink

God’s blessings and love!

Psalm 9:1-2

“I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.”

 

 

On the Road

2 Cor. 5:7

 “for we walk by faith and not by sight.”

As we walk down life’s highway we can only see so far in the distance.  We cannot see what is outside of our eyesight or what is around the bend, and often that causes us to become anxious or fearful.

After Jesus death and resurrection, He met up with two of his disciples on the road to Emmaus.  The two disciples were overwrought and were discussing what had happened to Christ and were focused on his death; not realizing that He had really risen from the dead, just as he promised.   They did not recognize that it was Jesus who was walking with them, and while they walked together, He revealed the word to them and spoke truth into their lives.

When they stopped for the evening, the two disciples encouraged him to stay with them and as he broke the bread and blessed it, their eyes were opened to see that that the man who was revealing the Scriptures to them was Jesus himself.

Often in our own discouragement and fear, we do not recognize that our Savior is walking the road with us, until we arrive at our destination, and then our eyes are opened to see how He was with us, all along the way; speaking truth into our lives.

The Lord has promised that He will never leave or forsake us.  So no matter where you are on the road of life, remember we do walk by faith and not by sight. Even if you don’t recognize his presence; Jesus is walking that road with you; just as he walked the road with His disciples on the way to Emmaus.

Lord, as you opened the disciples understanding to your word and their eyes to your presence, please open up our hearts and minds to understand your word and to know that you are our ever presence God in times of trouble and always.  Amen

Luke 24:13-35

The Tattered Quilt

When my children were young I made them all small quilts to be their “special blankets”.  As the years passed by my children grew up and the quilts grew old and worn.

One of my sons continued to keep his “special blanket” on his bed, even though it was too short for him, as well as faded and ripped. The batting was exposed and you could hardly call it a blanket anymore and yet it still held a special place in his heart.

When I would walk by his bedroom I would see it lying on his bed tattered and torn.  I finally told him it was time to get rid of it and I would even make him a new quilt to replace it.  He reluctantly got rid of it, and that Christmas he recieved a beautiful new homemade quilt that was just the right size for him, which he really enjoyed.

Sometimes as Christians we live like we are carrying around an old "worn out and tattered quilt ".  The old sin nature can be easy to slip into and when we fail; we can pick up the old "quilt" and remain dispondent in our sin and forget who we truly are.

God's word says "We are new creations in Christ Jesus" and we are to clothe ourselves in Christ and his righteousness.  We are to throw off the old man and to walk in the new man, who is "created for good works in Christ Jesus our Lord."

So dear friends, when you sin, don't grab that "tattered quilt" and remain focusing on your old inadequate covering , instead, quickly repent and accept the covering of God's grace and righteousness and you will experience His joy in your heart. 

Lord Jesus, help us everyday to remember that we are clothed in You and Your righteousness.  Keep us from falling into temptation and when we do, Lord, may we quickly run back to You for forgiveness, so that we do not sit in the place of sin, but instead walk forward in your grace and holiness.  Amen

Isaiah 61:10 

"I will rejoice greatly in the Lord, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels."

Ephesians 4: 22-24

"...that in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the  likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth."

 

Holding Daddy's Hand

As I was praying today, an image of a little girl walking down the street, holding her Daddy’s hand, popped into my mind, and it brought me such comfort,as well as reminded me that the Lord is with me, wherever I go. 

 Dear friends,  I don’t know all the trials you are experiencing, but I do know that your Heavenly Father wants to walk  you through each one, with your hand wrapped in His.  He wants you to know that He is by your side, taking care of you, as you walk down the path with Him.

 We have a tendency to let go of our Heavenly Daddy’s hand and try and rush ahead of Him down the path .  Sometimes it is because we are excited at what we see ahead; then when we get closer to what seemed  exciting, the magnitude of the challenge before us, becomes overwhelming and we are not sure what to do. Then, there are other times, when what we are walking towards, seems to loom ominously in front of us, and we are frightened and can become frozen in our tracks, or run off the path.
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In either case, all we need to do is to turn around, run back to our Daddy and grab ahold of His hand.  He is bigger than anything we may face; “in His presence is fullness of joy.”  When we walk hand in hand with the Lord, everything shrinks in comparison to His strength and grace.
 

My children you have enough to do today, don't worry about tomorrow;  Let me walk you through each trial along the way. Don’t jump ahead of me, but hold my hand and stay by my side. In the comfort of my wings you may hide and find solace and strength every day.

Walking hand in hand with Jesus, allowing Him to lead the way; knowing that whatever obstacles we must face; He is there and able to help us through the trial, each and every day.

I pray that we walk through this day, holding on to Jesus; not worrying about what may happen tomorrow, but  remembering that nothing is impossible for God and He is bigger than whatever will come our way.