How We Perceive Ourselves Romans 8:16 & 17

HOW WE PERCEIVE OURSELVESRomans 8:16, 17 By Charles Swindol

The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ.

Lydia is a middle-aged woman who was dealt a bad hand in liferight from the beginning. Memories of sexual abuse that she suffered as a young child have haunted her continually throughout her life. Her damagedself-image seemed beyond repair. As she told her story, Lydia displayed little emotion, but her words reflected total despair. When she concluded, I asked, "Who are you, Lydia? How do youperceive yourself?"
"I'm evil," she answered stoically. "I'm just no good for anybody. People tell me I'm evil and all I do is bring trouble."
"You're not evil," I argued. "How can a child of God be evil? Is that how you perceive yourself?" Lydia nodded.
It is never pleasant to see the evil one express his ugly personality through a victim like Lydia. But realizing that she is primarily the product of the work of Christ on the Cross instead of the victim of her past, she was able to throw off the chains of spiritual bondage and begin living according to her true identity as a child of God.

Nothing is more foundational to your freedom from Satan's bondage than understanding and affirming what God has done for you in Christ and who you are as a result. We all live in accordance with our perceived identity. In fact, we cannot consistently behave in a way that is inconsistent with how we perceive ourselves. Your attitudes, actions, responses and reactions to life's circumstances are often determined by your conscious and subconsciousself-perception. If you see yourself as the helpless victim of Satan and his schemes, you will live like his victim and be in bondage to his lies. But if you see yourself as the dearly loved and accepted child of God that you really are, you will more likely live like a child of God.

Prayer: Thank You, Jesus, that You have made me more than a conqueror.Because of Your love and power, I can live as a victor instead of avictim today.

We are on day 9 of the novena for Kenny

Click on it in the links at the side ------>

Picture of Jesus sitting with "Josi"

Prayer for Josi: Thank you, Jesus, for being with Josi.
(Please publish your prayers for Josi in the comments)

You Say, God Says, Bible Verses:

YOU SAY

GOD SAYS

BIBLE VERSES

You say: "It's impossible"
God Says: All things are possible
(Luke 18:27)

You say: "I'm too tired"
God says: I will give you rest
(Matthew 11:28-30)

You say: "Nobody really loves me"!
God says: I love you
(John 3:1 6 & John 3:34 )

You say: "I can't go on"
God says: My grace is sufficient
(II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)

You say: "I can't figure things out"
God says: I will direct your steps
(Proverbs 3:5- 6)

You say: "I can't do it"
God says: You can do all things
(Philippians 4:13)

You say: "I'm not able"
God says: I am able
(II Corinthians 9:8)

You say: "It's not worth it"
God says: It will be worth it
(Romans 8:28 )

You say: "I can't forgive myself"
God says: I Forgive you
(I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)

You say: "I can't manage"
God says: I will supply all your needs
(Philippians 4:19)

You say: "I'm afraid"
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear
(II Timothy 1:7)

You say: "I'm always worried and frustrated"
God says: Cast all your cares on ME
(I Peter 5:7)

You say: "I'm not smart enough"
God says: I give you wisdom
(I Corinthians 1:30)

You say: "I feel all alone"
God says: I will never leave you or forsake you
(Hebrews 13:5)

Answered prayers for Josi!

I talked to Mary Ellen today. She had some hope for Josi in the news. She said that when she went to see Josi in the hospital at Craig in Denver, she turned her head to the left (or right, I don't remember which for sure) by herself. She never turned her head, let alone ever had it turned in that direction! And when Mary Ellen took the covers off her to see how she was doing for comfort and all, she felt her feet and they were warm! She said they hadn't been warm since the accident. The nurses or the doctors didn't understand why these things were happening. I do! God is answering prayers! Her 2 brain surgeries went well. She has been through so much, but needs so much more. Her joints were so stiff and growing wrong now. They were looking like they would poke through her skin! That will take a LOT of work to undo and a lot painful therapy to get better. So now we need to pray for her continued recovery. She will be there for a few months now. She has a wonderful room. Mary Ellen said that first they had her in the old part of the building in a ward and it was really awful, but now she's in the new part in a private room. There's even another room right off hers with a couch and chairs, fridge and microwave and Tv for Deb (her mom) and Bob (step dad) or Joe or siblings to stay in while she is there. That way someone can be with her all the time. God is good! He answers prayer above and beyond what we can even imagine!

WHO is Jesus?

We studied the bell - "Who am I in Jesus?" Now I think it would be good to answer this question: "Who is Jesus?"

Read Luke Chapter 9, verses 18 through 20. Jesus asked his disciples "Who do you say I am?" Disciples are people who follow Jesus. So, we need to know who it is we follow! Who IS this Jesus? This is a great question to ponder during these days before Easter, Easter, and afterwards. Please share your insights into this very important question.

This is the final day of the Novena for Kenny

Let us start the novena over from day one and pray it for all of our people we want to pray it for (I am praying it for Josi, Patsy, Mike, Kenny, Cathy and Gran, Linda and Joshua) with the emphasis on Kenny (Kimmet) this time.

Let us give thanks to our God for His unending love and mercy. Thank you, Jesus, for the healings and peace that will come from these novenas.

Novena - day 9

Read Ephesians, chapter 3, verse 12

"In Christ and through faith in Him we can speak freely to God, drawing near to Him with CONFIDENCE". This is such a wonderful promise in the bible. Isn't it just amazing that we have a pathway to God, that leads us right into His presence. We can speak freely and without fear. We can do this through our faith in Jesus Christ. And we can be confident that He is always there and available to us when we seek Him out.

Read verse 13 of the same chapter

"So I ask you not to become discouraged because of Kenny's sufferings - don't be disheartened by the trials he endures - they are for your glory!" Just stay with him and with your prayers on his behalf. They ARE being answered in God's time and in God's way.

God loves him, and all of us so much! The promises of His love and forgiveness are as real, as sure, as positive as human words can make them. But, like describing the ocean, its total beauty cannot be understood until it is actually seen. It is the same with God's love. Until you actually accept it, until you actually experience it, until you actually posses true peace with God, no one can describe its wonders to you.

A prayer for Kenny and his family from Ephesians, chapter 3, verses 14 to 21

"So I bow in prayer before the Father from whom every family in heaven and on earth gets its true name. I ask the Father in his great glory to give you the power to be strong inwardly through his Spirit. I pray that Christ will live in your hearts by faith and that your life will be strong in love and be built on love. And I pray that you and all God's holy people will have the power to understand the greatness of Christ's love ---how wide and how long and how high and how deep that love is. Christ's love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love. Then you can be filled with the fullness of God.
With God's power working in us, God can do much, much more than anything we can ask or imagine. To Him be glory in Christ Jesus for all time, forever and ever. Amen."

Novena - day 8

Read the 16th chapter of psalms verses 9-11. This could be a prayer for Kenny.

His heart is glad and his soul rejoices, his body abides in confidence. Because, my Lord, you will not abandon him to the nether world, nor will his body undergo corruption in this life. God is showing him the path of life, the fullness of joys in God's presence, the delights at His hand - forever!

In verse 5 we read (and pray) The Lord is all I need. He takes care of me.

And in Psalms chapter 17 - verse 15b we read (and pray) When I wake up, I will see your likeness, Lord, and be satisfied.

God has the best for you, Kenny, take it all in!

Prayer:

Dear Jesus - you came so that Kenny could have life and have it more abundantly. (John 10:10) Please be with him in a mighty way - fill his heart with joy and confidence in your love for him, and help him see the promises you made to him. Thank you!

Novena - day 7

Read all of Hebrews, chapter 11

vs 1 - "Faith is confident assurance concerning what we hope for, and conviction about things we do not see."

vs 6 - "Without faith no one can please God. Anyone who comes to God must believe that He is real and that He rewards those who truly want to find Him."

Chapter 11 of Hebrews can encourage you by telling about peoples' faith. These examples should encourage you. Faith is the belief that God is real and that God is good . . . It is a CHOICE to believe that the one who made it all hasn't left it all and that He still responds when we have faith enough to ask. Faith is the belief that God will do what is right. His help is near and always available, but it is only given to those who seek it, those who come to Him and ask. Nothing results when we do nothing. Compared to God's part, our part is small, but necessary!

Prayer:

Lord, I am seeking you. I believe in you. I know you are with us and will make your presence known to Kenny and his family That is the greatest miracle of all. Thank You!

Novena - day 6

Read John chapter 5, verses 2-9 (do you see the words "Do you WANT to be healed"?)
Ephesians chapter 2, verses 4-6 (Do you see the words "God is rich in mercy because of His great love for us. By this
favor you were saved"?)
Hebrews chapter 10, verses 12 and 13 (Do see the words "When He forgives our sinfulness, our sins - they are forgiven
and forgotten by God"?)

In John the man had been sick for 38 years! He thought if he could just make it into the water in time, he could be healed. But, he never could get there in time. He had no one to help him. Jesus asked him if he WANTED to be healed. I suppose He already knew the answer. And Jesus healed him right there. Sometimes, when nothing works, maybe all we need is Jesus!

From Ephesians we read that God loves us so much! His mercy is never-ending because of this great love He has for us. By this favor (God's love), Kenny, your life was saved! God's mercy and love is beyond our comprehension!

In Hebrews we see that when we accept His sacrifice on the cross as our salvation, our sins die on that cross with Jesus. That's WHY God sent His dearly beloved only son - so that we could have life and have it more abundantly - to the fullest! Our sins are forgiven - and forgotten - when we come to the cross - ask forgiveness - accept Jesus as our savior - and repent. We can live in the rest of God, in the peace of God - because we have this faith in God, in Jesus, in the Holy Spirit. We KNOW He will answer our prayer, that He desires for Kenny to have life and have it to the fullest, and that He has begun a work in him. And whatever He does for him, we know it is the best!

We just keep praying, believing, asking, receiving. NEVER GIVE UP ! ! !

PRAYER:

Lord, Jesus - Be with Kenny as he comes for healing. Help us to never give up, believing you are working a miracle for Kenny - in your way and in your time. We know his life has a purpose. You love him so much, and your mercy never ends because of this love. So, Lord Jesus, have mercy and spare him and his family from a life of hardship and sorrow - and give them abundant blessings and joy!

A-MEN !

Novena - day 5

Read Matthew chapter 7, verses 7 - 11

"For the one who asks, receives, the one who seeks finds, the one who knocks enters. The Father will not give us what is bad for us, only what is good. He will give good things to anyone who asks!"

We need to ask God for what we need. We must seek Him and only Him - nothing else can work out God's plan better than God Himself - and we must be with Him, seek Him earnestly. Keep knocking, be persistent with your knocking. God will open the door and let you enter into His presence, there to grant what you are seeking and asking. If my child came knocking on my door, begging me for whatever they needed, there is no way I could say "no" and slam the door in their faces, and go back to what I was doing. No - I would have to invite them in, and give them what they ask - something good for them. But if they asked me for something that I knew would be bad I would not grant that to them. Only what I know would be good for them. That's what a parent does. And so, our heavenly Father will give good things to His children who ask Him!

I am asking, Lord, heal Kenny totally - as a witness of your presence in our lives, and to show that you do keep your promises, I ask this boldly - in Jesus' name. We are seeking YOU and YOUR will and purpose for Kenny and his family. We seek YOU, we want to know you more, we want to see you in Kenny's trials. Help us know you truly are present in our world, and with us! We are knocking, Lord. Let us enter into the secret place of communion with you. We ask for your mercy. Show us that you hear our prayer. We ask all this in the mighty name of Jesus, our Lord! A-men!

Novena - day 4

Read Romans chapter 4

Think of Abraham's impossible situation: He was 100 years old. Sarah was about 80 - well beyond child bearing years. But God had promised him his descendants would inherit the earth. Even though Abraham could not understand how he could possibly have descendants when he wasn't even having children, he beleieved anyway, he had faith in God's promise - in his impossible situation. His faith in God never became weak. He never doubted that God would keep His promise, and he never stopped believing. He, in fact, grew stronger in his faith and gave praise to God. Abraham felt sure that God was able to do what he had promised. So, "God accepted Abraham's faith". These words ("God accepted Abraham's faith") were written not only for Abraham, but also for us.

Read Romans chapter 5, verses 1-5

Through our Lord, Jesus Christ, we have gained access by faith to the grace in which we now stand, and we boast of our hope for the glory of God.

Prayer:

Dear Jesus - when we look on Kenny and his trouble he's in, we see an impossible situation. How could he ever be healed? How can he ever be healed of cancer and heart disease? Even though we do not understand, we just know that you can do anything. You can heal him. You know what he needs. You know the faith of his wife and his family! So, we just boast of that hope we have because of our faith in you. We all believe that you can do this miracle for Kenny. And we give you glory and praise for what you are about to do for him. In Jesus name we pray, AMEN!

Kenny is now cancer free! Thank you, Jesus! We just pray for continued health, for strength to return, and peace in his heart.

Novena for Kenny - day 3

Read 1Peter 5:7

Cast all your concerns on Him because He cares for you!

Nothing - absolutely nothing is impossible for (with) God!

Help us always to remember these words, Lord! Thank you for loving and caring for Kenny and his family. They CAN give you all the cares and concerns and worries they are trying to carry on their own. Lord, it is too heavy a burden for them to bear! So we do give you our concerns and worries, knowing and believing you will take them and carry them! We do know that nothing is impossible for you! So we come boldly before you and ask for your caring, loving, strong arm to hold Kenny close and comfort him, take away his pain and frustration. Give him the strength he will need to climb out of the place where he is - the darkness into the healing light of Christ. Thank you, Jesus!

Novena for Kenny - day 2

Read Zechariah chapter 9 verses 11 and 12

This is what the Lord is saying through these verses - "As for you, and for all who are praying this prayer in faith, for the belief you have in the blood convenant with God, I will bring Kenny from his dungeon, his place of darkness. I will return (give) you double what you ask for, because of your faith and hope, for what you are believing in your prayer for Kenny."

Prayer:

Oh Lord, we thank you for this promise. We, believe that you WILL bring Kenny out of where he is and into a better place. Help him to know YOU and to believe in the blood covenant with you. Bring him into your presence and minister your peace and love to him in a mighty way. Doubly bless him, and give him double what we are asking for him. Doubly bless his family, too. We do believe you can do infinitely more than we can ever imagine! We hold the blessed hope of your promises ever in our hearts, and we believe you WILL hear our prayer for Mike. Amen!

My version of a novena for Kenny

This novena can be prayed for Josi, Cathy, Gran, Kenney, and Pat, too! And anyone else you know who would benefit from it.

Day one:

Read all of 2 Samuel 9:13b +

Kenny always eats at the King's table (He is a child of the King of Kings - our God most high, and the King is wanting him to have ALL that He has for him.) He has Cancer (even so, he is blessed abundantly, beyond anything we can know or imagine)! Look at vs 7 of 2 Samuel 9 - "Fear not, I will surely be kind to you for the sake of your parents, Joan and Leo. . I will restore to you all the land (blessings) of your grandparents - Josephine and Adam, and you shall always eat at my table, says the Lord. (you will always be blessed abundantly.)

Prayer for day one:

Dear Jesus, guard Kenny. Help him to know he is your child. Bring all you have for him and open his arms and heart to receive YOU and what you have in store for him. Thank you, Lord, for his faith, and for the faith of his parents and grandparents. Bless him, and Patty, Jeff and Amanda, abundantly and forever! Do this for the sake of his family - that their faith would be strengthened and renewed - we pray for a miracle for Kenny.

Thank you, Jesus!