In His Likeness w/ AntTBri

It is the eighth month, the month attributed to new beginnings and in all the excitement of new opportunities, possibilities, and chances to experience the newness of life and love Again,  I began to ponder that in attaining the new, one must forgo the old. Along with the celebration of new life, new love is the conclusion of the old life, the old love.  So how do we reconcile what we’ve grown accustomed to with what we must acclimate to?  When preparing for the new in the present one must end, stop, cease thoughts, feelings, actions that feed, nurture, and sustain them in the past.  They must come to the conclusion that my plan, my way does not equate the heart and purpose of God for my life.  One must surrender and submit to the sovereignty of God.” Thy will be done” takes on different meaning when coming into new beginnings, especially when what is reflects what you want and love ask David when he prayed and fasted that his son would not die.

Although, we say and feel “I’m ready and welcoming of what’s to come”, sometimes we fail to see the entire picture. Yes the canvas portrays a beautiful depiction of the focal point.  We love to glamorize the next level, the promise land, destiny…greater and we fail to gain appreciation of the artwork as a whole.  There are lines of demarcation, dark spots, shading, and background details that accentuate the beauty of the piece. We can not be afraid to see the entire spectrum when approaching and appropriating the Word of God to our lives.  It’s not all good, lovely, and easy, there is some hard work to faith (maintaining the right mindset and heart posture toward God, yourself, and others).  Active faith is rooted in the “work” of ones faith.  Are you preparing for your new beginning? Changing your mind, challenging your heart posture to come into alignment with the change God wants to bring about?  Or are you trusting that God will just usher you into the new without any effort being exerted by you?  We have to do the work of promise, possession, and purpose ask the children of Israel.

In essence our hearts have to disconnect from that that is  and attach itself to what God said would come, but we do not know but will see (eventually but assuredly).  Yikes, now that is not a pretty thought.  It doesn’t even feel doable or possible, now does it?  You got to feel some kind away about that reality.  We have to trust God for what we hear him saying about something we have not seen or experienced.  Wow, God wants us to be willing and obedient to go with him into the new.  He has a new beginning for us.  We have to leave what’s good, familiar, our foundational pillars, practices, and principles because He wants to expand our capacity, enlarge our capability to be and become the purposed you and me He designed. God wants to give us more of himself so that we can give more to others. Our new beginning will enable us to reciprocate love advantagously. Can God stretch you? Can you stand strong in faith or as T.D. Jakes wrote Can You Stand to be Blessed?  Abram had some kind of encounter with God that ultimately enriched his life.  He learned how to live and be loved by God.  He passed that type of love and lifestyle down to us.  What would he say if we asked him how he managed to leave the familiar, his foundation, and family and if it was effortless? I think we will agree and attest that although it is hard work, the outcome will be worth it.  God’s heart toward you awaits your agreement, your acceptance of the total portrait He is painting. There is a new beginning awaiting you~AntTBri