"I'm so Thirsty" – letting go to share the Gospel

 "This is My command: Love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, that someone would lay down his life for his friends" ~ John 15:12-13

Standing at the check out in the grocery store, I heard the cashier say, "I'm so thirsty..." She was not talking to me but I felt as though she was. I got that nudge from the Holy Spirit to buy her a water and tell her about the living water that would quench her thirst – Eternal life through Jesus Christ. As I was waiting for my turn in line, I had lots of thoughts producing in my mind: "I only have a few minutes until I need to pick up my kids; I need to return the Red Box movie before they charge me for another day; No, I can't, I don't have time!" When I approached the cashier I was quiet...

I departed the store convicted and had to ask God for forgiveness. Later, I found out my kids were not ready to be picked up and my husband had already returned the movie. Regardless, I had time! God had it all laid out ahead of time. I had to sit back and ask myself... why? Why is it so hard to share the gospel sometimes? Is it that I am scared or just disobedient? Maybe it's both. While praying through these questions, I realized it's the matter of my heart. Do I love the lost like Jesus does? Would I lay down my life for them just as Jesus did? I didn't like my answer to those heart piercing realities.

Jesus commands us to love like He loves – selfless. 

If only I could have seen the cashier through the eyes of Jesus, then I would have let go of all my selfish thoughts and had compassion on her. I would have conquered my fear and obeyed. She wasn't a real friend of mine but she certainly was not an enemy either. She might have been a believer that just needed to be reminded about the truth or she might have been searching for the truth. Nevertheless, it all comes down to whether I care.

Do you love others as Jesus loves? It is possible or He would not have commanded it. He will give you and I the ability to love, if we are willing to obey and remain in His love. Ask God for the love of Jesus. Pray that you will be obedient to act upon that love when the Holy spirit prompts you to share about the living water, that is Christ Jesus. 

"Lord, your love is never-ending. Thank you for your perfect love. Please help me to let go and have your selfless love for others to be a true witness for you." 

© Carol Outhous Jones 2014

  

"Oh My Goodness" – letting go of worry

"Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." ~ Philippians 4:6-7 (HCSB)

"Oh my goodness; Oh my goodness" – If you have seen the musical "Annie," you would recognize this quote. As Annie would begin to look like she was getting into trouble, one of the worried little orphan girls would chime in with those words. I remember laughing every time because it was said with such exaggeration. Of course, it was not funny to her; she couldn't conceive what was going to happen next. Worry can consume our minds to the point we have no choice in how we feel – so we think.

A couple of weeks ago, I was checking in my suitcase at the airport and they told me it was thirteen pounds over the weight limit. If I let them take it as it was, it would cost me $75!  "Oh my goodness; Oh my goodness!" Well, I was not going to pay so, I began to frantically take out items and stuff them in our carry-ons. Can you imagine watching a lady in the airport open up her suitcase exposing (for all in line to see) her personals; taking them out and stuffing them in her purse and such? It probably looked quite funny, but not from my perspective. Not only was I thinking about how stupid it was to try to stuff everyone's things in one suitcase in the first place, but was I going to be able to accomplish the task of making the suitcase the proper weight limit AND make the plane in time? I was worried, to say the least! I don't even think I stopped to say a prayer immediately. I bet if I did, I would not have carried on the extreme anxious feeling that I had for as long as I did. After I was headed to the gate with all my back-breaking carry-ons, I had a choice to make. Would I continue to let this anxiousness overtake my mind throughout my travels that day, or would I stop to pray and let it go to the Lord? Once I took the choice to let it go, I immediately received God's peace. He guarded my mind the rest of the day even though I had to keep carrying those heavy bags as a reminder.  

God says, "Don't worry about anything." It is understandable to stop and pray when we are desperate, but how about when we think we are in control. Often, when we don't take the moment to pray over the little interruptions of life and try to handle them on our own, our ways can lead down miserable paths. We can miss the blessings God has for us. In that moment when I was worried how things would work out in the airport that day, I didn't know that we would find a carry-on suitcase at a Salvation Army store on our trip for $12!  We weren't even there to look for one. God is good! 

When you find yourself quoting the words from the worried little orphan girl, "Oh my goodness; Oh my goodness," what are you going to choose: feeling miserable or peace? It's your choice. I strongly recommend choosing God! Stop; pray about what your worried about; thank God for His good plan; and trust Him!

" Gracious Lord, thank you for your peace that surpasses all my thoughts. I let go of my little worries of life to you. Help me to choose to stop and pray before I try to take control."  

© Carol Outhous Jones 2014

The Experiment – letting go with out boundaries

This past week I conducted an experiment of how many times I heard the phrase: "let it go." I counted, at least, 8 times! It is a common phrase. I discovered, whether it's used to instruct or to examine one's situation, it's always in reference to a release of control, and it's important as to whom you release it. Today's society encourages the mentality to let go and do whatever feels good - to you. This encourages a loss of control with no boundaries. If you have ever surrendered something or in the need to, heed this warning: Remember who you released it to! You may be easily tricked into letting go to the point you stop caring all together. How does this happen?

It's difficult to let go; specifically when you have been hurt. The easy way to get over the pain is to block emotion. Like having a mask on, when underneath you look different. You live life any way it pleases you in order to hide your true identity. This is when the enemy can tempt you into thinking you have no need to let go of anything. Do you understand? You must be aware that when this happens, you will be going around in circles. It's a false happiness that will only lead to the realization you really are not at peace or, you have gone right back to where you have started - having to let go again. Tired yet? Try taking your mask off and face the truth with God. Be real! He loves you and wants to give you rest. This is why good boundaries are necessary. Like; telling a child to not touch the hot stove. It's for your protection. Scripture is your guide: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths." ~ Proverbs 3:5-6 (HCSB)

One way to accomplish the right boundaries is to start serving! It may be challenging at first but if you have the perspective that you are serving the Lord, you can do it. Pray for His strength. In His strength you can do anything. Serve so they see Christ's love through you. When you do, you will remember who you released your control to in the first place and you can continue to be used by God. You won't stop caring! It will be an out pouring of being genuine with God. Scripture says, in Colossians 3:17, "...whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him (HCSB)."

In my experiment, I think half the "let it go" statements I heard were directed towards me! I have a lot still to learn about letting go but the key is, I'm still learning. Therefore, I am always reminded who I serve and this keeps me within the right boundaries. I have spent a long time in prayer while writing this blog. Some people reading this may be under so much turmoil, that they may need time to heal, forgive, or seek council before they are able to serve. There is nothing wrong with this and I strongly encourage it. In my life, when I was finally able to let go and serve others, it brought about the forgiveness and healing, in time. I concluded, unfortunately, there is always someone else in a much worse situation than me.

This week, listen out for the "let it go" phrase - discover what you can learn. Ask yourself if you have the right boundaries in place. Have you let go so far that you have stopped caring?

"Heavenly Father, please help me to stay within your boundaries. I let go to serve in your name, Jesus Christ. Please give me a servants heart toward others. Help me in the process to be real to you, myself, and others."

 © Carol Outhous Jones 2014                 

A Song In The Silence – letting go of the silence

Music – Where would I be without it? Many times the song on my lips will bring a skip to my step and brightened my mood. I love music. In my household, there is music playing or being sung on a regular basis. I know when it's silent for a long period of time, either everyone's asleep or something of great concern has transpired. There is a peace in my home when music is in the air. Put praising God to music... doesn't get any better than that! So, why is it that sometimes we stop singing; stop praising God in the midst of our struggles?


Paul and Silas sang in jail!  
  "Then the mob joined in the attack against them, and the chief magistrates stripped off their clothes and ordered them to be beaten with rods. After they had inflicted many blows on them, they threw them in jail, ordering the jailer to keep them securely guarded. Receiving such an order, he put them into the inner prison and secured their feet in the stocks. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them." ~Acts 16:22-25 (HCSB)

The inner prison in biblical days were rooms dug deep in the ground. They were cold, dark, damp, smelly, and rat infested. Not a sing-song, skipping kind of day for Paul and Silas. Beaten, cold, and chained, they prayed and sang praises to the Lord anyway. Amazing! How did they do that? What made them let go of there situation and praise God? Well, as it's written in John 3:30, "He must increase, but I must decrease (HCSB).” Paul considered all he did for the sake of the gospel. Their perspective was not on themselves but on Jesus. If you read on in Acts 16, you will see God heard there prayers and praises. He caused the earth to quake and the jail to open up; the guard and his household were lead to Christ; they were free and in His peace.

When you are having a tough day, do you sing songs of praise to God? How about in front of others? I know this is not easy – Especially when you don't feel like it. As soon as you open your mouth to sing praise to him, just wait and see how God will transform your perspective. You may not be jumping up and down, happy, but you will have a peace that surpasses all understanding. God's peace! Do you think Paul and Silas were happy about their situation? Did they think they had beautiful voices for all the prisoners to hear? I doubt it. They knew in their hearts that praising God would be better than thinking about their writhing pain or the sounds of the rodents scratching.They believed God was worthy to be praised in the midst of it all - Do you?

Just try it – let go of your silence and sing! Don't focus on your surroundings or the quality of your voice. Just Sing! God will give you His peace and peace to those around you.This is what He does for me and my household everyday.

"Lord, you are worthy to be praised. Forgive me for my silence. Let there be music again in my soul. I will let go and sing praises to you!"

© Carol Outhous Jones 2014

"God Are You Done Yet?" – letting go of pain

 Pain has captured me emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually. I have felt trapped by circumstances of life; imprisoned by hurt and not able to let go of it. I know I'm not alone and many of you have gone through this or are currently.

Pain has controlled me emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually. I ran on my feelings. Whatever I was feeling I would respond accordingly (I thought). I felt the right to react because I was justified by my afflictions. Unfortunately this left me empty. Never did my feelings give me satisfaction for long. Oh, and my reactions...not proud of them.

Pain has consumed me emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually. Humanly I can not handle hurt. Immediately I become self focused. My thoughts conflict with what I know God says in His Word. Therefore, what I have learned is pushed aside and all I can think about is my situation - nothing else.

Thankfully pain has changed me emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually. Without suffering, I would never had realized I was in desperate need of Christ. Yes, circumstances started the hurt but my drive to try and control my life caused the most pain. Little did I realize this until my spirit broke into a million pieces.

 "God are you done yet?" I screamed at the top of my lungs – sobbing.

With that question lingering in my mind, I realized He would never be done with me. I am a sinner and Christ died for my sins. The suffering I go through is refining me - purifying me. My faith is being perfected. Only with this in my heart can I have a different perspective. My attitude changes to praise for my loving Father that this is only temporary - then the healing begins.

"Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to His great mercy, He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and into an inheritance that is imperishable, uncorrupted, and unfading, kept in heaven for you. You are being protected by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. You rejoice in this, though now for a short time you have had to struggle in various trials so that the genuineness of your faith—more valuable than gold, which perishes though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. You love Him, though you have not seen Him. And though not seeing Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy, because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your soul (1 Peter 1:3-9)."

 The hardest part is surrendering. You can stay captured, controlled, and consumed; emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually, by pain. Let me ask you, how's that going for you? Let it go and be changed. There is hope if you believe in Christ that this is only temporary. God is not done with you...yet.

"Father I believe that you are in control. Forgive me for my control. I let go of my pain to you. Please heal me, Heavenly Father. Thank you for refining me and giving me hope." 

© Carol Outhous Jones 2014