Issues

I have issues! :) I am actually taking a break from the internet starting today until next Friday, except for writing on the blog and doing email. (If you need to email me, my address is michelle@thekarrfamily.net)

God has shown me just how ugly I look to Him sometimes. OUCH! It isn't pretty, obviously. I am thankful that He doesn't do this all the time, but I am thankful that He cares enough for me to show me who I really am. There are times when we begin to think that we are really like the person that we portray ourselves to be. Not that everyone does this, but most do at some time or another. When I am faced with what my problem really is it makes me mad. Why? Because I don't want to face that truth about myself. I don't want someone else to tell me what I am really like. How dare they not see the good points about me!?! :) When I see something in someone else really strong, then I automatically look at myself to see if there is a 2X4 sticking out of my own eye! Most often what bothers me the most in someone else is exactly what bothers me about me. Yikes!!

This morning I decided to look back at some notes I did last April as I studied the person Joshua in the Bible. It was amazing to me! God was completely and totally in charge and knew exactly what I would be facing. He trully does prepare us for the journey ahead. God prepared Joshua as well. He allowed Joshua to follow Moses and see all that God did through him. God has placed many ladies in my life that I have been able to watch God work through. He gives us examples to live by, not only in the Bible but in our lives.

Joshua 1:2 Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them -the children of Israel.

After Moses died, then it was time for the Isralites to enter the Land. Moses was the last one standing in the way of the Promises Land. There are things in my life that have stood in my way of going to my Promise Land. Whatever does not encourage or support my walk with God must go.

God said "arise, go". Getting to my promise land takes faith, active faith. I have to act. God doesn't hand it to me on a silver platter.

"go over this Jordan"-- just deciding to take that step and enter the promise land takes faith. So many just stand on the other side of the river looking and wondering what it is like, but seeing the challenges, they don't want to risk losing anything.

God was "giving" them this land, but they were going to have to conquer it. What kind of fights am I going to have to fight in order to conquer my promise land? What must die before I can cross over?

That question is exactly as I wrote it on April 18, 2009. Can you say, WOW!?! What was it going to take to make me decide the challenges were worth fighting? Through Janie Beth's journey I have faced things that I feared facing for a long time. I have looked at myself with truth and realized that this fight is worth fighting. These issues that I have are battles that I am fighting in order to conquer my promise land. God brought me through my Jordan that day at the cemetary when He dried up the line going through the heart on her headstone. Now, that we, He and I, have crossed over the real work begins. There will be battles for the rest of my life. The Israelites are still battling. There will be no peace until Jesus comes. God's good work in me will not be completed until I meet Him in heaven.

I am in the first battles in my promise land. These are the hardest because I am new to this. I am learning how to use the weapons that God has given me. He has been preparing me and teaching me, but it is different when you have to use it and put it into practice. It will take practice, endurance, and perseverance. But, God goes with me and before me! Psalm 18:39, He has armed me with strength for the battle. Psalm 57:2, God performs all things for me. 2 Corinthians 10:4, the weapons of my warfare are not cranal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds. With God I will fight to bring down the strongholds in my life that are in my promise land.

Over this next week, God and I are beginning to conquer the first strongholds, my issues. I am excited. But, I know it will not be easy. Since I have decided to do this, Satan will make it his mission to make it hard enough that I want to give up. But, He who is in me is greater than he who is in the world!!!!!! (1 John 4:4)

I would appreciate your prayers as I enter the first battles of my promise land. I pray that you will begin to conquer your promise land too. God has one for each of us!!! Rise, go, cross the Jordan, and take what God has given you. It is there waiting. He is waiting to go with you. He is mighty to save!!!!

Abba, thank You for bringing me to my promise land. Will You continue to be with me and go before me as we conquer it? Thank You that You have put Your armor on me. Please teach me to use it. Thank You that I already have the victory in Jesus!! That through You I will gain the victory and You will trample down my enemies. Even if I am sometimes my own enemy! Thank You for loving me enough to do all of this for me! I love You! May You bless this week of fasting from most things internet. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.