More than a conqueror....

For three years I fought against the reality of my Bipolar Disorder diagnosis. I didn't want it. I wanted my "normal" life back. I wanted things to be the way they were before July of 2007. But that was not to be. Last Fall I began reading through and studying a book by Jerry Bridges called "Trusting God Even When Life Hurts." God used this book mightily in my life. I finally realized that I needed to stop kicking, screaming, and fighting against this diagnosis, and I did. I have now been praying and working toward getting on board with what God wants to do in and through me as I learn how to live with and manage Bipolar Disorder. I finally realized that all of my kicking and screaming against it wasn't making it go away, it was still there. I am learning how to manage it and asking God to help me see His hand at work through it. I want to walk this path well, and I know that God wants to teach me many glorious and wondrous things about Himself through this journey. I will trust Him in this because I know that He has His greatest glory and my best interest at heart. His ways are so much higher than mine, and I trust that He has a wonderful plan and purpose for this difficulty in my life.

"This I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassion's never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. I say to myself, 'The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.'" Lamentations 3:21-24 (NIV)


"And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified.
What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all---how will He not also along with Him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died---more than that, who was raised to life---is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: 'For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.'
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all of creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." ~Romans 8:28-39 (NIV)

Memory Verses for January 2011:

I am sure many of you have heard of Beth Moore. She is one of my favorite authors. God has used her writings and Bible Studies to impact and change my life on several occasions! I also follow her blog @ http://blog.lproof.org/ and have decided to participate in her Scripture memorization program for 2011. I thought I'd share the two verses I have selected for January.

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland." ~Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)


"...Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for His compassion's never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. I say to myself, 'The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.'" ~ Lamentations 3:21-24 (NIV)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBm5aSsp6o0

Help us LORD!

Oh God, my brother is in such pain and the Doctors keep on treating his symptoms as they cannot seem to find the source of his difficulties. Father, help us in Jesus' Name! Thank You that You have saved Peter and therefore hold him in the very palm of Your hand. Father thank You that You are all powerful and all knowing and that this is not a surprise to You! Please let Pete somehow sense Your constant, comforting presence with Him even in the midst of his great pain! LORD please help those of us who love Pete to trust You with all of our hearts. Keep our eyes focused on You and grant us peace, comfort, wisdom, and rest. We love You Jesus, and it's in your matchless Name I pray, Amen!

"Merciful and faithful Lord, because of Your great love I am not consumed, for Your compassion's never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. I say to myself, 'The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.' Lord, You are good to those whose hope is in You, to the one who seeks You." ~Prayer taken from Lamentations 3:22-25