“Do not merely write about the word and so deceive* yourself, Gail. Do what it says.” James 1:22, my paraphrase
Most of what I write for Bible Love Notes comes from my own joys, victories, needs, brokenness, sins and sorrows.
Recently, I’ve been stressed with worry and discouragement, and high levels of stress do strange things to me—my hair falls out, for one thing. And watching my hair fall out creates more stress!
So I study and write about God’s answers for worry and discouragement because His answers are the only ones that matter...the only ones that help long term.
But that doesn’t mean I apply what I write. And when I fail to apply it I become deceived.*
Will you pray for me as I commit to apply God’s Word more fully to my life? And if you're struggling to apply God’s principles to your life, let me know and I’ll pray for you too.
Good morning, Gail. I will pray for you as you write today. I write out of my experience too. How else can we help others?! Even Jesus experienced what we experience or how would we know He understands our every worry and trouble?! I will pray that you will be able to lean on the Lord.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Judith. I really appreciate your prayers and the frequent encouragement you give me and others. Bless you,
DeleteGail
I am with you, Gail! I often say to my husband, "why is it so much easier to know the truth than to apply it?" I am continually playing give and take with Him. "Here, Lord, take this situation that is causing my stress" and then I take it back. How sad He must feel for me sometimes! But, I know His word says that He loves me and is planning the best for me - I just need to believe it and wait on Him! We will pray for each other that we will not be deceived! Love you, my friend!
ReplyDeleteYes, Brenda, I am very good at "taking back" what I've given to Him. I will pray for you, my friend, and thank you so much for your prayers for me. Love you too, Gail
DeletePraying for you Gail...I think we've all suffered through these glimpses of self--the prayers of others really can help turn it around. On my knees.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Cyn. I really appreciate it. Bless you, Gail
DeleteBless your heart! I'll pray.
ReplyDeleteMary
Thanks so much, Mary. My readers' prayers are a special gift to me. Bless you, Gail
DeleteGail, Praying you put everything in Jesus' hands & leave it there.. I've been there-done that at taking it back..that is easy to do but leaving it there is much harder, especially since I was diagnosed with breast cancer this week. Praying for you, dear one.
ReplyDeleteDear Frances, I pray that you will feel an outpouring of God's peace during this difficult time in your life. Thank you so much for praying for me and thinking of me during this difficult time. I pray you will cast all of your cares on Christ and leave them there, just as I pray for myself.
DeleteBless you, Gail
Hmmmm, I was just thinking about you the other day! I'll keep you in my prayers, friend. I so get the hair situation. A chunk of mine was cut off at my scalp (for medical reasons) and I was in my early 30's. It's hard for us women to lose our hair being that it's part of our crown.
ReplyDeleteWhatever Christ is taking you thru or pruning in your life know that it will all turn out good. (Romans 8:28) Remain still in Him with the Truth that you know and give Him glory in your weakness, and hairless :) situation!
Thanks so much, Jolene. I really appreciate your advice and your prayers. Feel blessed that God brought me to your heart the other day. Gail
DeleteGail,
ReplyDeleteYes, I will pray for you. I would love if you would pray for me too. I do struggle. Every morning I sit down and have my first cup of coffee of the day with God. I read scripture, I journal, I pray, I promise I will follow His teachings all day. Then I go about my day and oh, so sadly, I forget to do what He asked of me and I promised that morning.
Thank you!
Terry
Dear Terry, I thank you for your prayers and I will pray for you as well. It's so great that you are already disciplined to know and understand God's Word, and I will pray that you (and I) will both apply what we know/learn to our lives more fully everyday. Bless you, Gail
DeleteI know what you mean Gail! Most of what I post about is something the Lord has spoken or challenged me concerning. Sometimes I pay attention quickly - other times, I go around the mountain (as Joyce Meyer puts it) and have to learn the lesson all over again!
ReplyDeleteI'm often reminded of the text in Numbers 22:28. God used a donkey to speak His Word to Balaam! This keeps me grounded and reminds me that God can use anyone to speak His Word - it's the obedience part that He's after.
Good points, Wendy : )
Deletethanks for your understanding and helpful comment. Bless you, Gail
Absolutely and I ask for your prayers as well because I too struggle with this. God bless!
ReplyDeleteI will pray for you, Diana, and I thank you for your prayers for me. Bless you, Gail
DeleteGail, I will be praying for you. I recently went through a period of high stress and anxiety and so understand. I will pray that you do apply God's word over your mind and heart.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Shanda. I appreciate your prayers. And I will pray for you and your headaches. Bless you, Gail
DeleteI see this is an older post, but I wanted to let you know you've been on my prayer list. I know you're under tremendous stress and, like many writers and people in ministry, you're probably overcommitted. Hope things are better than when you wrote this. God bless.
ReplyDeleteNo, Laura, this was actually recent, and I thank you for your prayers. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment. Bless you, Gail
DeleteGreetings from Oz Gail. You know, we all struggle with handing everything, and that means ALL, our cares to the Lord. Continually, we all need to practice handing over, and leaving our concerns with the ONE who loves and cares for us. Recently it occurred to me that doing this is a sacrifice.
ReplyDeleteWe need to lay our worries on the Altar, and then walk away, allowing God to deal with them. Doing this is called FAITH.... NOT GUILT, as this is what the devil lays upon us...
Look back say 5-10years ago when there was something that worried you a lot. I am sure that you will see whatever it was, worked itself out. Unbeknown to you, Gods angels are sent to take care of you, you are never alone.
Thanks, Crystal. Good thoughts and insights on casting our cares on the Lord. I appreciate you taking time to share them. Gail
DeleteBut I think that writing out what you believe is an important practice in your resistance to being deceived. I do it and it really helps me--not that I'm not deceived at times, but it really integrates God's truth in my mind and heart. Great topic and vulnerability, Gail!
ReplyDeleteI agree...writing what God's Word says about these things helps me keep focused and helps renew my mind...usually. : )
DeleteI don't want to stop doing it...I just want to be faithful to apply what I write. Thanks for your encouragement. Gail
Yes, I will pray for you and ask you to pray for me also.
ReplyDeleteBTW ... you are not as deceived as you assume: you are DOING 'the Word' N-O-W by asking for prayer :-)
By doing, we are blessed. "The Lord bless you - The Lord keep you - The Lord make His face to shine upon you and give you Shalom. Amen."
~Val
I ask God to help you in this area, Val, just as I am asking Him to help me. And thanks for this reminder that asking for prayer is a step of faith...I've been encouraged already by the prayers of others. Bless you, Gail
DeleteI will certainly pray that you will be blessed today with application of what you are writing. I know so much of my writing is born out of what I have experienced. I'll be praying I will apply my own writing to my heart. I never looked at it in this way before.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Pamela. I appreciate your prayers so much! Bless you, Gail
DeleteBoy, I certainly can relate to your issues with stress and worry...and it definitely is Satan's way of deceiving us into a life of misery. I'm a big worrier, too. Praying right now that God will give you peace and that He will guide your heart and mind! (By the way, are you still doing the B&BB blog hop or are you taking a break from it? I could not find this weeks.)
ReplyDeleteBlessings, friend! In His Love, Ann
Thanks, Ann, I appreciate the prayers, and I pray God will also relieve your stress and worry. Right now B&BB is on break, and I'm praying about whether to start it up again. I'll let you know when I do.
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