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A Royal Genealogy

February 5, 2014 by pattiburris

i am a child of God

 

I have always loved researching genealogy. I have always had this need to find out where I “came from”, What parts of my ancestors make me who I am. I know that I am not alone in this need to find out who I am. I believe we all have this need to know where we came from, to connect with some group or family, to belong. God has placed this yearning to belong in our hearts, so that we will seek Him and His family of believers. Unfortunately, most of us run around chasing our tails, trying to fill this empty hole in our hearts with gang memberships, in bars and taverns, in wrong relationships, in groups and with people who will be our “family” as long as it suits their purpose.  As soon as the winds shift and they realize that they aren’t getting what they want from the relationship they leave, leaving behind the rubble of a broken relationship and reinforcing that hole in our hearts. As humans, we can be a bit hard headed (believe me, I’m at the top of the list!) and we run ourselves ragged chasing that one relationship, that one group, that one family that will fill that hole, that will fill that empty place in our spirits. When we don’t find that “one thing” that will fill the empty place, we sink deeper into despair, depression, and loneliness. I’m here to tell you, as a loving friend, that the empty place will never be filled by a human relationship. There isn’t a group on the earth that can fill the void. There is only ONE THING that can fill the empty hollows of our hearts and His is name is Jesus!

God loves us and wants us to seek Him and Him alone. When we seek fulfillment in earthly relationships we will never find that joy that He longs to give us. God showed me today that my earthly genealogy doesn’t matter. My earthly genealogy doesn’t make me who I am. Who my ancestors were or weren’t doesn’t make one bit of difference in the grand scheme of things. Sure, it’s nice to know who are earthly ancestors were, but the most important thing to know is that we are Abraham’s seed! David, the giant killer is my ancestor! Ruth, the loyal daughter-in-law is my ancestor! Joseph, the dreamer is my ancestor! Esther, the Jewish queen is my ancestor! Deborah, the only woman judge in the Bible is my ancestor! The list goes on and on! This is exciting! This is the line of people I come from, that you come from!
God has adopted us into His family:
John 1: 12-13
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
Galatians 4:7
So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.
Ephesians 1:5
He predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will-
He adopted us in accordance with His pleasure and will! He pleasures in us! We are heirs! We are part of God’s family! This is who I am…this is who you are…a member of God’s family. We are the members of a royal genealogy. This should encourage us all! This should give us ALL hope! We don’t have to seek earthly fulfillment through earthly relationships, we have already been adopted into a royal family by the King of Kings and Lord of Lords! Seek God! Dig into the word and find out who you truly are! God’s word is truth. It does not lie. It does not contradict itself. Before you seek another family tie that leaves you feeling worthless, SEEK GOD!

Posted in From My Heart | Tagged , , | 2 Comments »

Day 11: In His Likeness

February 5, 2014 by pattiburris

in God's image

Genesis 1:27

27 So God created mankind in his own image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.

There have been times when I have struggled with this concept. How can we have been made in God’s likeness when we are saturated in sin? How can we possibly be anything like God?

God is spirit. He does not have a body like you and I do, so how can we be anything like God? God created us with a spirit, He also created us with the same characteristics that He embodies.

God created to love as He loves, to be gentle in our interactions with others, to share ourselves with others, to live with passion and joy, and to love peace. We have all the goodness of God within us.

In His goodness, He also gave us the freedom to choose how we want to live. Adam and Eve had the freedom to choose and through their choice, they brought sin into the world.

I know there are times when we blow it big time. We will always make mistakes, we will always sin. Don’t let that discourage you. We were made to be like God!

Psalm 145:17

17 The Lord is righteous in all his ways
and faithful in all he does.

We should aspire to be righteous in all our ways and faithful in all we do. We can live our lives in the spirit of God.

Don’t beat yourself up when you sin, ask forgiveness and move on. God doesn’t hold on to our sin.

I am challenging you to search the Bible and find out who God is. Write down all the characteristics of God that you find and hang the list up where you will see it every day. Use this as affirmation of YOUR true character.

Never give up aspiring to be like God. This should be our passion in life. When life gets tough and you need some help pursuing God’s likeness, just ask Him to help you. He is here with us. He will never leave us nor forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6, Hebrews 13:5).

God’s character lives within us. There is no one else I’d rather be like. How about you?

Posted in Identity: A 12 Day Devotional | Tagged , | Leave a Comment »

Day 10: Strength In Christ

January 28, 2014 by pattiburris

all things in Christ

Philippians 4:13

13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Since childhood, I have beaten myself over the head with negative self-talk. I have had a myriad of excuses why I wouldn’t be able to accomplish something:

I am not talented enough

I am not pretty enough

I am not smart enough

I don’t have enough money

I am to socially awkward

I can give a long list of why something won’t work, but rarely will I list reasons why something could work. Can you relate?

My 14 year old, Talon loves this verse. Any time, he hears someone say why something won’t work out, he quotes this scripture.

It is a great reminder. On our own, we can do nothing. With Jesus as our partner, we can do all things.

Is your dream to be a medical missionary? What’s stopping you?

Is your dream to become an auto mechanic? What do you need to do to make it work?

Is your dream to make a living as a writer? Then start writing.

Instead of listing why something WON’T work, make a list of why something WILL work.

Make a list of the steps that you will need to take to make your dream a reality.

What step can you take right now to push you in that direction?

Take 15 minutes every day to take some action to propel you forward in achieving your dreams.

Repeat to yourself: I can do ALL things through Christ who gives me strength!

Negative self-talk is a tactic of Satan to get us to doubt ourselves and God. When we doubt, we don’t move forward in God’s will. When we live our lives in doubt, we will never get anywhere. Don’t allow yourself to live like this. Don’t let Satan win. Have faith!

You CAN do ALL things!

Posted in Identity: A 12 Day Devotional | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments »

Day 9: Approaching God

January 28, 2014 by pattiburris

approaching God

 

 

Ephesians 3:12

In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

There are people in the world that feel that they are to “bad” to become a christian. They feel that God would never listen to them because of the sins they have committed.

Friend, if this is how you feel, let me tell you something about God. According to Ephesians 3:12, we may approach God with freedom and confidence. The stipulation is, that we need to be IN Jesus and have faith in Jesus.

There are many times in scripture, when God will make promises, but He expects certain things from us in return. This is one of those times. Remember, that God gave us His Son Jesus as a free gift. It is up to us to accept that gift. If we choose to accept Jesus into our lives and we have faith in Him, then God’s promise to us, is that we may approach His throne with freedom and confidence.

God does not say, “if you are without sin you can talk to me” or “when you become perfect you may approach me.” Our Abba Father wouldn’t place such unrealistic expectations on us. He only wants us to accept the free gift of His Son. His door is always open to us. Day or night. Happy or angry. He is here to listen to us and help us as He sees fit.

We will NEVER be perfect. We will NEVER be without sin. God is waiting for you. His door is open. Don’t be afraid to approach the throne of God. He loves you and always will.

Don’t let this day end without letting God know what’s going on in your life. There is never a bad time to tell God how you feel.

Posted in Identity: A 12 Day Devotional | Tagged , , , | Leave a Comment »

Day 8: More Than A Conqueror

January 26, 2014 by pattiburris

conquerers through Christ

 

Romans 8:37

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Let me start by saying that there are wise Christians, who really are looking out for our best interests and simply want us to make sure that we are doing God’s will. That said, there are many more people who want to poo poo on our dreams and passions simply because they are mean spirited.

In this day and age, we are bombarded with criticism and reasons why we can’t do something. We are surrounded by negative “thinkers” and pessimistic people who like to rain on our parade with their negative words.

If you have a God-given dream or passion, then step out in faith and make that dream a reality. If it is truly God’s will, then God will make it happen.

Look at Noah. I bet his neighbors called him crazy and thought he needed to be locked up in a padded cell, but Noah listened to God, built the ark and the rest is history. Noah didn’t care what the rest of the world thought. God’s opinion was the only one that mattered. Noah stepped out in faith and God blessed him abundantly.

Don’t listen to the naysayers. If you have a God-given dream, then trust God and build your ark. You are more than a conqueror in Christ.

Posted in Identity: A 12 Day Devotional | Tagged , , , | Leave a Comment »

Day 7: A Spirit Of Courage

January 26, 2014 by pattiburris

courage

2 Timothy 1:7

7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

Fear is a powerful weapon that our enemy, Satan uses to keep us from doing God’s will. The majority of people who live today have been overcome by anxiety and worry at one time or another. Fear is not a new tactic of Satan’s though. Even in Bible times, he used fear to paralyze God’s people and keep them from obeying God. God tells His people not to fear over 365 times and in every book of the Bible. He knew the plan of Satan was to attack His people through fear, just as it is his plan today.

I know all about fear. I have suffered from intense social anxiety and generalized anxiety since childhood. I have suffered from intense panic attacks. I still suffer at times, but through the assurance of my heavenly Father, I am so much better today. I hang on to God and I know that those peace-filled words of Do Not Be Afraid are meant to reassure us today, as they were meant to reassure God’s people in Bible times.

God is in control, today and forever. He gives us a spirit of power, love and self-discipline. There is absolutely nothing in this world that we need to be afraid of. Feeling fearful is not a bad thing in itself, but allowing that fear to paralyze us and keep us from obeying God is where our fear can lead to sin.

If you are feeling fearful now or have on-going issues with worry or anxiety, know that God understands and is always beside you to guide you and even carry you through whatever it is you are fearful of.

When you are fearful, I encourage you to pray the prayer that David prayed, when he was seized by the Philistines:

Psalm 56:3-4

3 When I am afraid, I will trust in you. 4 In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?

What are you fearful of right now?

Surrender your fear to God.

Ask God what He wants you to do in this situation and no matter how hard it is, trust God to walk beside you every step of the way.

Step out in obedience to God. You may still feel the fear, but real courage is feeling the fear and stepping out in obedience anyways. You just have to trust in God and do it anyways. You have to take that risk. No matter what the consequences are, if God is telling you to move, then you need to move.

Start your own list of “fear not” scriptures to use at times when Satan attacks you with anxiety and worry.

I understand how debilitating fear can be. I have lived in that prison for far to long. I am slowly starting to tear down those walls and as scary as it is, it is also empowering.

I want to start a list on here of the “fear not” scriptures. I want to share my own testimony of how God and God alone is breaking down the walls of that self-made prison. I want to hear from you. I want to hear your testimony of how God delivered you from that prison of fear. I want to hear from you, if you are still suffering.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE IN THIS BATTLE!!!

Contact me and let me encourage you as you break free from fear.

As always, God loves you, friend and so do I!

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Day 6: You Were Chosen Before The Creation Of The World

January 23, 2014 by pattiburris

creation

Ephesians 1:4

4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.

Meditate on this passage for a moment. Even before Genesis 1, our God in heaven chose every one of us to abide in Him and to be holy and blameless in His sight. Our Father knew exactly what our personalities would be like, what sins we would commit, what we would look like, and how imperfect we would be long before any of us was created. He chose to create us any way. He chose to give us life, to give us that opportunity to be holy and blameless in His sight.

I am so grateful for this. God could have shook His head and said, “well, I don’t know about her, I don’t think she will be an effective part of my plan, so I’m not going to create her.”

Regardless of what you are facing in this time of your life, remember that God chose you to be His child before He created the universe.

He chose you to be holy and blameless in His sight. HE CHOSE YOU! Remember that when life seems to run you over like a Mack truck. Stop…meditate on the Word of God…and find that peace in knowing that no matter what the circumstances…God chose you.

Posted in Identity: A 12 Day Devotional | Tagged , | Leave a Comment »

Day 5: The Completion Of God’s Good Work

January 23, 2014 by pattiburris

sistine chapel

 

Philippians 1:6

6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

The remarkable painting on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel was painted by  Michelangelo between the years of 1508 and 1512. Central to the ceiling decoration are nine scenes from the book of Genesis. The painter designed the scaffold that he used and stood with his neck tilted backward as he painted. I can imagine the extreme discomfort that Michelangelo endured during those four years. It must have seemed at times that this project would never be done.

I’m sure at times, he questioned his sanity and wondered why he ever took on a project this large. There may have been moments when he wanted to quit. He did not quit and the awe inspiring creation that resulted from his dedication remains to this day one of the greatest works of art of all time.

I can picture Michelangelo looking up at this masterpiece and praising God for sustaining him during those 4 years. I’m sure he gave God the glory for completing the work that He had begun in this faithful artist.

We aren’t any different than Michelangelo. We all have God-given skills and talents that God expects us to use to glorify His name. If we are faithful in doing our part to expand the kingdom of God, we can be certain that God will be faithful in completing the work that He started in us.

Even when we make a mess of things, God will still complete the work He started in us. He isn’t going to abandon His purpose because we mess up. There have been many times when He has taken my mistakes and still used them to perfect His purpose. He knows that we are imperfect and are guaranteed to stumble. He will never give up on us. What He started in us, He will complete.

If you ever feel that God can not complete the work He started in you, remember Moses and David. Moses was argumentative and disobedient, but God completed the work He had started in Him. David was a murderer, but was still called, “a man after God’s own heart.” God is not going to give up on you. If you surrender those mistakes to Him, He can and will use them for His good. God will always finish what He starts. He started something unique in you and He will finish what He started. Trust God to do what He says He will do.

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1 Year And 100 Posts

January 15, 2014 by pattiburris

100 posts

I have reached that milestone and celebrate 100 posts and my 1 year anniversary of the birth of this blog. I have always loved to write, but I never could have imagined the joy I would have from this journey. 

3 years ago, I left the church we had attended for 6 years. I had had some doctrinal issues with the leadership and there had been personal attacks made on my family. I have attended various churches these last 3 years, but have not found that church “home” yet. 

In these years, I have still remained close to my Father in heaven. I left the church, I have not left my God. This last year has been a growing experience for me. Through the writing of these posts, I have grown in my knowledge of God and have become a missionary to the online world.

This blog has gone through a metamorphosis in the last year and I now have something that I am proud of. This has become more than just another blog. It has become a ministry for me and I know that God will grow it in His timing, as I continue to be faithful in writing content that can be used to expand the kingdom of God. 

Writing these posts has been healing for me. It has allowed me to focus on God and those in the world who are desperately seeking God and using the internet as a search tool. 

My passion is for all people to know how much God loves them. I am not a Biblical scholar. I am not a well-known ministry leader. I am an ordinary, quiet, plain woman with a love for God. What I write is simple and from my heart. 

I am looking forward to this next year and to see where God will lead in the writing of the next 100 posts. I write for God and I write for you. I am always here for you. Contact me and let me know what is going on in your life and how I can pray for you. You are a miracle, my friend and I look forward to getting to know you. 

God loves you and so do I!

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Day 4: Never Separated From The Love Of God

January 15, 2014 by pattiburris

separated from His love

Romans 8:38-39

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

This is powerful! To know that there is NOTHING in heaven or on earth that can ever separate us from the love of God. Once we make that decision to follow Jesus, we are His for good!

When I first saw each of my children in the hospital, I immediately knew that there would be nothing they could ever do that would keep me from loving them unconditionally. Our loving Father feels the same way about each one of us. Believe it or not, He loves us even MORE than we could ever imagine loving our own children. Have you counted the hairs on your child’s head? Well, God has every hair counted on your head! He knows what your future holds and what mistakes you will make, He knows that most (99.9%) of us will commit some pretty big sins in our lives and He is saying that it doesn’t matter! Of course, He would rather us not sin, but since that’s not likely, He accepts us and loves us as we are.

Nothing in all of creation can keep us from His love! Romans 8:35 says that trouble or hardship or persecution or famine, or nakedness or danger or sword can’t keep us from the love of Christ.

I am overwhelmed with gratitude when I read these words. I have a daddy that will never turn me away because of sin. I am His child forever! So are you!

Meditate on this passage and when Satan tries to discourage you with His lies, keep telling yourself that absolutely nothing will ever separate you from God’s love. NOTHING!!! God’s love is unconditional and forever. It will never change. I feel the love of my heavenly Father. Do you?

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