Appropriating Scriptures

During my stay in TN my Uncle Bert invited me to spend some time in prayer and conversation with a co-worker, John. John is very well rehearsed in spiritual warfare among other things. I want to share part of our discussion. I will also share our greatest possession that God has left with us—scripture. Abundant life flows from me, because the Word is inside of me. Thank you, John, for reminding me of this.

For years I have read and memorized scripture—as a little girl for a sticker, as I grew older for some cool prize, in college for recognition, as a young woman, for use at a later time. And now is one of those times, where I must take those scriptures and promises that I have learned to know and love, and appropriate them. To appropriate scripture means to take it for oneself, to take possession of, to use for a specific purpose.

• Unlike some people, I am wired to have an answer for everything--hence I love math and teaching HS math so much! Not having an answer has proven to be quite wearisome and difficult during this time in my life, where I have gone undiagnosed.
• I am very methodical, step by step in my actions, and in the way I like things to be done...thus, John pointed out Proverbs 3:5-6.
• ^{Proverbs 3:5-6}Trust in the LORD with all your heart
  And do not lean on your own understanding.
  In all your ways acknowledge Him,
  And He will make your paths straight.
• Step 1: Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart
• Step 2: Do NOT lean on your own understanding
• Step 3: Acknowledge Him in everything
• Answer: Your path will be straight!
• I like all of this, but I am struggling with the trusting and not leaning on my own understanding part. Yay for the Holy Spirit to help me work through these struggles in my faith.
• I am struggling with not being in Ukraine, this has been something I have been working towards for five years now, and I feel called to be there. I do not know why God has allowed me to spend two weeks, with two fabulous roommates, and many other amazing people, just to come stateside again. Why didn’t he miraculously heal me when I was in Ukraine? John pointed out Jeremiah 29:11.
• ^{Jeremiah 29:11}'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.
• God knows his plans for me, and they are for hope and a good future. So…lets go back to the steps.
• Step 1: Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart—this should be easier now, knowing that God has a good future in His plan for my life.
• Step 2: Do NOT lean on your own understanding—God has a plan, and I do not know it, going back to Step 1, I must trust!
• Step 3: Acknowledge Him in everything—God gave me the time in Ukraine, He is giving me the time here in America. Thank you Jesus for allowing me to spend the holidays with my family.
• Answer: Your path will be straight!—I will have a good future filled with hope!
• I have found myself in a place of darkness (a lack of understanding), but God is there in the darkest spots too. My Mom pointed out to me that just as the moon reflects the light, we too are to reflect Gods light, even in these dark times.
• ^{Genesis 1:2}The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters.
• True faith in God is a relationship of obedience, rooted in love, to Godhead—God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
• What does a relationship of obedience look like?
• I think it includes trusting God when I cannot see what is next and leaning not on my own understanding.
• I’ve been told not to be afraid of the darkness, God is there too—it is in these places that Christ will grow and deepen my relationship with Him.
• These past few months have been filled with stress, worry, and fear. I have thrown away some of Gods promises. John reminded me that I can pick them back up again.
• ^{Hebrews 10:35}Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.
• God I want confidence in your Word and confidence that you will do as promised back, I want to believe again, help me with my unbelief. I am taking them back, to use for your glory Jesus!
• John also reminded me that it is my job to believe through steps one through three, it is Gods job to create the answer.
• I continue to struggle with the question of “Will God do this for me?” I’ve seen His miraculous healing powers, I’ve seen His amazing love, I’ve seen people change in incredible ways…but will God fulfill His promises for me? John once again, pointed me to scripture.
• ^{Psalm 126:1-3}When the LORD brought back the captive ones of Zion,
  We were like those who dream.
  Then our mouth was filled with laughter
  And our tongue with joyful shouting;
  Then they said among the nations,
  "The LORD has done great things for them."
  The LORD has done great things for us;
  We are glad.
• And going back to hope…
• ^{Isaiah 49:23}"Kings will be your guardians,
  And their princesses your nurses
  They will bow down to you with their faces to the earth
  And lick the dust of your feet;
  And you will know that I am the LORD;
  Those who hopefully wait for Me will not be put to shame.
• In placing my hope and trust in God, I will not be disappointed, nor will I regret the decision.

God is good, all the time. And all the time, God is good. (Even if I do not understand!)