Even though I know I have been forgiven and freed from my past, there are those times when the devil comes to whisper (more like shout) in my ear with a voice of condemnation that says, "Do you really think God would forgive you for all those things that you have done?"
During these times, I have a choice to make. I can give into his lies and begin to doubt God's love for me, or I can take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, stand firm and fight! I choose to fight.
If you find yourself in this place today, I pray with all of my heart that you will take a moment and do the same.
Free from the past:
"Count yourself lucky, how happy you must be-you get a fresh start, you're slates wiped clean. Count yourself lucky-God holds nothing against you and you're holding nothing back from him. When I kept it all inside, my bones turned to powder, my words became daylong groans. The pressure never let up; all the juices of my life dried up. Then I let it all out; I said, "I'll make a clean breast of things to GOD." Suddenly the pressure was gone-my guilt dissolved, my sin disappeared. Psalm 32:1-5 (The message)
"For if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 ( NKJV)
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away. Behold, all things become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)
"There is therefore, now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made us free from the law of sin and death." Romans 8:1-2 (NKJV)
"...For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more." Jeremiah 31:34 (NKJV)
"But let all those rejoice who trust in You; let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them. Let those also who love Your name be joyful in You. For You, oh Lord, will bless the righteous; with favor You will surround him with a shield." Psalm 5:11-12 (NKJV)
Heavenly Father,
You have promised us freedom from
guilt and shame.
From the moment we come to you
and confess, you choose to
forget our sin. We can't thank you enough.
Father, help us to recognize the voice
of the enemy so that we are not
brought to a place of doubt.
Teach us to fight as we put Your word
into our hearts so that we would believe
that we are free from our past.
In the name of Jesus, Amen
(C) 2008 Teresa Ortiz
Jan 24, 2008
My Son's 250 KTM: Is this why I am Awake?
It's 3:45 a.m. and I can't sleep.
(Itch - itch, scratch - scratch.)
I can't help but think about my son's endurance race set to begin at 10:00 a.m. this morning.
(An endurance race is one that is won by consistency. The riders have an hour and a half to complete as many laps as possible. It is a three-mile course through wooded areas, flat land, whoop-d-doops, and small rock climbing.)
I watched him prepare last night; he checked his gear, packed his water, and he went to the garage to double check his dirt bike. I noticed how he stood a little taller as he talked about the race. "I'm so jazzed! I can't wait!" The smile across his face made me smile.
"'J', I'm so proud of you! You are going to do great!" "Mom, will you rub out my shoulder and my back?" "Sure, no problem."
I had to keep my mouth shut as I thought about a few practices back when he took a crash landing coming off of his 12-foot jump! Hence, the need for the shoulder massage before every race.
(Itch - itch, scratch - scratch.)
I arrived late for practice that day, Justin was already on the track. I'll never forget the look on my husband's face as I walked up to him. "Don't freak out, but 'J' took a bad tumble."
(Note to fathers: You do not say this to a mother when her child is nowhere in sight!)
"WHERE IS HE!" "Relax, he's riding," "What? Where?" "Out there!" he says, pointing to the track.. You can imagine how the rest of the conversation went.
Tick -Tock... After 15 long minutes he comes riding in. My heart skips a beat as I wait for him to remove his helmet... and then he does. He has a black eye and a big cut along the side of his nose and a big smile on his face!
"Mom, you should have seen me, I was 12 feet in the air! "And then I landed wrong and tumbled down the side of the hill, it was awesome!" I am staring at him in shock as he continues to point out the other issues: ripped pants exposing the scrapes and blood on his leg, and his ripped shirt exposing his chopped up flesh mixed with mud. "I am going to have the coolest scars." (Again, he smiles -- as if he had just won a race.)
"What were you doing riding after you got hurt?" "Mom, chill, I had to get back on my bike right away and ride or else I would have been afraid to do it later, and don't even think about telling me I can't ride anymore. If I want to get better I'm gonna have to take some tumbles."
By this time I'm staring at my husband with a look that says, "If I could ride this thing, I'd run you over right now, how dare you let my son go back out on the track!"
(Itch - itch, scratch - scratch.)
I sigh as I'm brought back to the evening at hand. As I think about my son's response to his tumble, I gleam with pride in the fact that he chose to focus on his accomplishment rather than his crash landing. It amazes me how my 17-year son has learned so much about life (he just doesn't know it yet).
After rubbing out his shoulder, he eats three bananas, and does 60 push-ups. "Well parents, I'm off to bed, I have to be prepared for my race."
(Itch - itch, scratch - scratch.)
It's now 4:10 a.m. I know I am rambling. Maybe you can see a lesson in this story, and maybe not. All I know, is I had to do something to relax my mind as I think about the race.
(Itch - itch, scratch - scratch.) Although, there could be one other reason why I cannot sleep; no, it couldn't be this rash on my arms?
(Itch - itch, scratch - scratch.)
(C) Teresa Ortiz
(Itch - itch, scratch - scratch.)
I can't help but think about my son's endurance race set to begin at 10:00 a.m. this morning.
(An endurance race is one that is won by consistency. The riders have an hour and a half to complete as many laps as possible. It is a three-mile course through wooded areas, flat land, whoop-d-doops, and small rock climbing.)
I watched him prepare last night; he checked his gear, packed his water, and he went to the garage to double check his dirt bike. I noticed how he stood a little taller as he talked about the race. "I'm so jazzed! I can't wait!" The smile across his face made me smile.
"'J', I'm so proud of you! You are going to do great!" "Mom, will you rub out my shoulder and my back?" "Sure, no problem."
I had to keep my mouth shut as I thought about a few practices back when he took a crash landing coming off of his 12-foot jump! Hence, the need for the shoulder massage before every race.
(Itch - itch, scratch - scratch.)
I arrived late for practice that day, Justin was already on the track. I'll never forget the look on my husband's face as I walked up to him. "Don't freak out, but 'J' took a bad tumble."
(Note to fathers: You do not say this to a mother when her child is nowhere in sight!)
"WHERE IS HE!" "Relax, he's riding," "What? Where?" "Out there!" he says, pointing to the track.. You can imagine how the rest of the conversation went.
Tick -Tock... After 15 long minutes he comes riding in. My heart skips a beat as I wait for him to remove his helmet... and then he does. He has a black eye and a big cut along the side of his nose and a big smile on his face!
"Mom, you should have seen me, I was 12 feet in the air! "And then I landed wrong and tumbled down the side of the hill, it was awesome!" I am staring at him in shock as he continues to point out the other issues: ripped pants exposing the scrapes and blood on his leg, and his ripped shirt exposing his chopped up flesh mixed with mud. "I am going to have the coolest scars." (Again, he smiles -- as if he had just won a race.)
"What were you doing riding after you got hurt?" "Mom, chill, I had to get back on my bike right away and ride or else I would have been afraid to do it later, and don't even think about telling me I can't ride anymore. If I want to get better I'm gonna have to take some tumbles."
By this time I'm staring at my husband with a look that says, "If I could ride this thing, I'd run you over right now, how dare you let my son go back out on the track!"
(Itch - itch, scratch - scratch.)
I sigh as I'm brought back to the evening at hand. As I think about my son's response to his tumble, I gleam with pride in the fact that he chose to focus on his accomplishment rather than his crash landing. It amazes me how my 17-year son has learned so much about life (he just doesn't know it yet).
After rubbing out his shoulder, he eats three bananas, and does 60 push-ups. "Well parents, I'm off to bed, I have to be prepared for my race."
(Itch - itch, scratch - scratch.)
It's now 4:10 a.m. I know I am rambling. Maybe you can see a lesson in this story, and maybe not. All I know, is I had to do something to relax my mind as I think about the race.
(Itch - itch, scratch - scratch.) Although, there could be one other reason why I cannot sleep; no, it couldn't be this rash on my arms?
(Itch - itch, scratch - scratch.)
(C) Teresa Ortiz
Jan 21, 2008
Footsteps of Love: Encouragement for the Soul
As I went about my morning routine, I thought about a list of Scriptures I compiled for times of encouragement. There are times on my journey of faith when I need a spiritual boost; a reminder of the One who has His eyes on me - it brings me comfort and strength to rise above my circumstances and live a life of victory. It is my prayer that all those who read this article will be renewed, refreshed and strengthened in their spirit.Walk in the strength of the Lord today, you will be blessed for having done so.
Footsteps of Love
Blessed is the man who walks not in the council of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. Psalm 1:1-2
He makes my feet like the feet of deer, and sets me on my high places….You enlarged my path under me, so my feet did not slip. Psalm 18:33 & 36
Oh bless our God, you peoples! And make the voice of His praise to be heard, Who keeps our soul among the living, and does not allow our feet to be moved. Psalm 66:8-9
He shall guard the feet of His saints, But the wicked shall be silent in darkness. 1 Samuel 2:
I waited patiently for the LORD; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps. Psalm 40:1-2
I have restrained my feet from every evil way, that I may keep Your word… Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:101 & 105
Let your eyes look straight ahead, and your eyelids look right before you. Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established. Do not turn to the right or the left; remove your foot from evil. Proverbs 4:25-27
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, who brings glad tidings of good things, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, our God reigns! Isaiah 52:7
Through the tender mercy of our God, with which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; to give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. Luke 1:78-79
Therefore, be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling aroma. Ephesians 5:2
Footsteps of Love
The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, and He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the LORD upholds him with His hand. Psalm 37:23-24 NKJV
Blessed is the man who walks not in the council of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. Psalm 1:1-2
He makes my feet like the feet of deer, and sets me on my high places….You enlarged my path under me, so my feet did not slip. Psalm 18:33 & 36
Teach me, O LORD, the way of Your statues, and I shall keep it to the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law; indeed I shall observe it with my whole heart. Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, for I delight in them. Psalm 119:33-35
Oh bless our God, you peoples! And make the voice of His praise to be heard, Who keeps our soul among the living, and does not allow our feet to be moved. Psalm 66:8-9
He shall guard the feet of His saints, But the wicked shall be silent in darkness. 1 Samuel 2:
I waited patiently for the LORD; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps. Psalm 40:1-2
I have restrained my feet from every evil way, that I may keep Your word… Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:101 & 105
Let your eyes look straight ahead, and your eyelids look right before you. Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established. Do not turn to the right or the left; remove your foot from evil. Proverbs 4:25-27
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, who brings glad tidings of good things, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, our God reigns! Isaiah 52:7
Through the tender mercy of our God, with which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; to give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. Luke 1:78-79
Therefore, be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling aroma. Ephesians 5:2
Thank you Father for your faithfulness and for the promise that you will lead us in the way we should go as long as we choose to follow the footsteps of love. In the Name of Jesus, Amen
(C) Teresa Ortiz
Jan 5, 2008
Sing a Song of Praise
Each morning I wake with a song of praise on my lips for my Father; the Lord Jesus.
Many of us come from different backgrounds. We have Baptists, Pentecostals, Catholics, Methodists, Presbyterians - well, the list goes on and on.
This was not how it all started when Jesus founded the church, nor was it ever His intent. As we read the Bible, we can clearly see the "church" is the body of Christ. It is those who have been born again by the Spirit of God when they profess faith in Jesus Christ - and not just a name on a building.
Unfortunately, man is the one who started labeling themselves and causing divisions.
You know, I just can't imagine pews in heaven labeled "Reserved for Baptists" or "Reserved for Catholics" etc.
When I read the book of Revelation, I see all believers praising and worshiping God the Father and the Lamb who sits upon the throne - there are no distinctions.
I believe praise is universal. Regardless of our Christian denominations and man made doctrines, we all agree that our God is worthy of all honor and praise.
With this being said, I have been inspired to sing a song of praise. Won't you join me?
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." Colossians 3:16-17
Dedicated to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Cleanse our hearts, receive our praise, Lord Jesus, Amen.
Majesty
Majesty, worship His majesty unto Jesus be all glory, honor and praise
Majesty, kingdom authority flows from His throne, unto His own, His anthem raise.
So exalt, lift up on high the name of Jesus
Magnify, come glorify, Christ Jesus the king
Majesty, worship His majesty
Jesus who died, now glorified, King of all kings
(Jack Hayford)
Do you have a song of praise in your heart or a word of praise on your lips? How about a favorite Psalm or hymn? Shout it out today!
For now, we worship together via the Internet - when Christ returns for His church, we will worship side by side. I can't wait!
"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen." 2 Corinthians 13:14
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