In His Likeness w/ AntTBri

“And the Lord said, Simon, Simon behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that He may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brother” (Luke 22:31-32 KJV)

The emphasis of life and love is not discovered  in what we feel or even say about our relationship with Jesus Christ. It is discovered or realized in the aftermath of failing or being sifted. It is through the failing and sifting of life and love that we learn to value the gift of the Holy Spirit.  He is the keeper of God’s Word! He is our keeper!

Jesus told Peter ” when you have turned back strengthen your brothers”.  It wasn’t a discussion of if but a declaration of when. Peter, Sabrina, (insert your name)… you will turn away from what’s been said BUT I’ve prayed that your faith may not fail. What a covering!  How comforting!

Like Peter our self confidence, conceit and the contradiction of our mind wrestles our faith (vs.33). There are times as we live and love that we say and feel strong in the Lord.  So strong, secure and satisfied in our relationship that we miss the mark.  We stop relying on the Holy Spirit to lead and guide and we take the wheel.  We feel like I got this, I can keep life and love in perspective.  It seems like we got it then the sifting starts. Time begins to dissipate and productivity comes to a screeching halt.  You, like Peter, like me will look up and realize cuss word  I’m living and loving like I don’t have or  know the WORD.  It hits fast and hard.  Mines came through the taunting of family members and friends in “Medea’s voice…girl God be taking too long” ” I thought you said God this, God that” and the ever so fimilair “God helps those who help themselves”.  Each time I saw or heard the disappountment in their voices something in me shifted…rationalizing  a meantime response to life and love. ” GIRL you need to be doing something, God knows you got needs (sift, sift). The grains of my faith  began to dwindle. I believe God completely became I believe God but I need “this now”.  Well today, my this told me it needed to be in my top three list of priorities. I heard, the grains sifting…dropping on the floor of what is my foundation.  I cannot promise more energy, effort, and enthusiasm to this because like Peter I remember (vs.61) I am remorseful and I have repented for failing to trust God to continue to supply all my needs and grant me what His heart desires for my life and love.

The sifting process causes us to forget what’s been said before the testing, trouble and temptations of life and love.  Today I remembered I have a Word, a God given Word over my life and love.  Today I remembered nothing about the blessing God provides will be attributed to who I am or what I have outside of the work of the Holy Spirit.  I remember God’s promise and my promise to stand, stick with it and stay. Today the actual Word spoken came to mind and this I readily recalled.

Thank God for the Holy Spirit who safeguards…keeps God’s Word.  MOMENTS OF DENIAL with the mouth (vs. 57,58,60) I.e. our actions does not constitute failure in the heart (vs. 34, 61). I Remember No one or nothing can pluck me out of God’s hand.  Turning back to my first love. God help me remember what you say so I can strengthen my brother’s and sisters.

God grant you strength to remember God’s plan does not lack His provision~AntTBri