by Elizabeth Burgard Fulgaro (c) 2011 www.holyspiritpress.org www.eaglesnestfoundation.org
Be patient with yourself. God loves you. He knows you are not perfect, nor will you ever be. He is calling you and longs to draw you closer to Himself even now. He knows in Him all that you don’t like about yourself is washed clean. It doesn’t matter how “dirty” you are. Before you were even born, He died for you and already payed the price for everything offensive you will ever do before God.
He knows. There is nothing hidden from Him. He loves you with an everlasting love which knows no bounds. He made you and knows all your thoughts. He surrounds you with spiritual arms of love and acceptance if you will turn to Him and accept it from Him.
He longs for you to realize all that is needed is for you to tell Him you know you have done wrong and can’t be perfect enough, that you need His power (and the gift of His death on the cross) to save you from your imperfections (which keep you distant from God). And then He offers you more. He offers you not only eternal life, but beckons you to recognize He will lead you in the way you are to go if you will bow to Him as Lord, setting aside your will as Jesus did and submitting to His. (Because if He is God and has the plan then certainly His will must be better than your own.)
It may seem like a high price to give up your own will, yet it is not. Because He is God, all good, has the plan and the supernatural, incomprehensible power to accomplish whatever He wants, in His will are surprises which delight! In His will is freedom from the world’s criticism and freedom from fear. You don’t have to take to heart what others say and you don’t have to fear because you know you are in the will of God.
He is waiting for you to realize He is the answer to all that ails you. He is waiting to fill you with overwhelming acceptance to replace rejection, love which defeats condemnation, forgiveness which is infinite, washes clean and forgets forever, and with freedom from fear because you are choosing to follow supreme, almighty God. He never looks for perfection, but considers only the heart. Is your intent to please Him? Is your intent to follow? Then it is enough. He will take care of the rest. Thus to those who will receive the promise, His perfect care awaits.
His gift is salvation from death, life everlasting with Him, purpose now and inexplicable, ongoing peace and joy in all circumstances. The choice is yours. Will you accept the gift?
EPH 3:14-21 (NIV)
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Selah! [Pause, and calmly think of that!]
END
PLEASE view the new music video for “RESTORE” (with choir) on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piQYnPY1vIA&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL (Made by upcoming, Holy Spirit-filled film director, Olivia Mowry.)
Elizabeth Fulgaro is a wife, mother, writer, inspirational speaker, worship leader, composer, singer & recording artist. She is also a Certified Financial Planner and Accredited Financial Counselor with a heart for helping Christians understand and steward their finances God’s way.
For books, worship cds, Bible studies and teachings written by Elizabeth Fulgaro or to schedule her to come speak to your group please visit www.holyspiritpress.org Worship music audio clips can be found at www.cdbaby.com/Artist/ElizabethFulgaro For information on her work for the military and their families please visit www.eaglesnestfoundation.org Eagles Nest Foundation is a 501(c)3 corporation. Contributions are tax-deductible.
