Friday, April 16, 2010

He Knows Our Name

For the past month, I have battled the flu, a sinus infection and an allergic reaction to two different types of medication. I don't remember ever feeling quite that sick in all of my nearly 50 years. I was sick enough that I couldn't do much of anything but I didn't even feel like doing my Bible study for several days because I was in the bed for the better part of two weeks.
Because I felt so bad, and because I was not immersed in the Word I allowed the enemy to just come on in and have a field day in my mind. And doesn't the enemy just love to kick us when we are down? He brought up my past, my fears, my failures and it was a dark and scary place. He wants to keep us in captivity, confined in a small place. But Psalm 18:19 and Psalm 31:8 tells us that God wants us to inhabit a spacious place.

Our Bible study group just completed a study on Ruth; Loss, Love and Legacy by Kelly Minter. As I felt better and was able to finish this wonderful study the following points stood out and I felt that God wanted me to share them with you. When Satan, the accuser tries to condemn you for your past history, remind yourself and the enemy of these points:

  1. Our history doesn't have to read like prophecy. God can redeem anything from our past. We are redeemed through Christ. Jesus was the ransom used to buy us back from the clutches of sin. He bought back the rights to our past and all its failures. He can turn all our failures into something useful for His Kingdom. With Him there is full redemption (Psalm 130:7). Praise God, our heritage is not a deal breaker for Christ.
  2. He has summoned us by name (Isaiah 43:1). He knows us in a personal loving way. While others may label, judge or condemn us because of our names or lineage, our names hold no negative associations for Jesus. Kelly Minter says, "Because I know as women we are plagued with insecurities and pasts that haunt us, I can't pass over this striking symbol of what Christ has done for each one of us and how He knows our full names." It doesn't matter what name the world calls us. God has a new name for us! (Rev. 2:17)
  3. God can use us regardless of our history or our circumstances. Look at Ruth, a Moabitess, a foreigner, who God used in a mighty way. Consider Rahab, a prostitute. She's listed in Hebrews 11 in the roll call of faith. And in Matthew 1 both women are listed in the genealogy of Jesus! Kelly says, "This should give us tremendous hope that God can delight in using us, no matter our culture or histories."



Life is Good,


Cindy

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Cindy!

Nice post! I love the story of Ruth, and the theme of redemption that flows through it. How Jesus redeems the past, the present and the future bespeaks of the timeless efficacy of the cross.

Thanks for sharing.

Ruth

Andrea said...

Cindy, what an awesome word!!! We all need to hear this! God is so good, so faithful, and yes, He calls us by name!

Isn't it awesome what His word does for us? When I miss my Bible study, I am just not strong! And, yes, the enemy's favorite game is rewind. He loves to bring up our past. But thank God for His mercy and love and deliverance!

Blessings to you. I wish I could have heard the choir you talked about on facebook! It must have been powerful!

Much love,

Andrea

Marilyn in Mississippi said...

So sorry that you have been so sick but very glad you are better now. So great that through it all you can still say "Life is Good"! :)

God bless!

Marilyn...in Mississippi

John J Sweeney said...

Great post. Thanks for writing.

Ginger said...

Glad you are feeling better. I love the story of Ruth, and the redemption stories of all the women in the lineage of Christ.

mariel said...

that is a great study. my bible study group finished it last month and loved every minute of it. now we are going through a study I wrote on the proverbs 31 woman...great follow up to Ruth since she was such a beautiful example of this!

Lora said...

Cindy,

I am so sorry that you have been under the weather. I am so glad you were feeling well enough to travel to SLI because meeting you was a highlight of my trip! You are a precious jewel! I'm so glad that the LORD allowed our paths to cross! He is soo good! You are just the cutest thing!

Kelly's study sounds really good. I am so thankful that God can redeem anything from our past. I really feel like I am living proof of that one. And so thankful that it was done in full.

Blessings to you dear one,
Lora

Yolanda said...

Cindy,

I am so glad that we were able to sit and break bread with one another this past weekend in Atlanta. You are so beautiful!! I did this study on my own, the minute it hit the "market" as I was in a small group of about 500 women that Kelly came and taught this to, for her very first time. I love the book of Ruth. Holds so much hope and promise.

Lovingly,
Yolanda

ps: do you know what you might start next for you studies?

Cindy said...

Yolanda, currently my husband and I are doing Beth Moore's Daniel study with a group of couples at Leah's home. Leah wrote a study on Legacy that our Bible study group of women is doing now. I have done part of it and it is a great study. I'm sure Leah would be glad to send you a copy. I am not doing it on Tuesday morning because I didn't think I could do it, Daniel and be in the middle of wedding planning all at the same time!

LisaShaw said...

I enjoyed reading your message but am sorry to hear you have not been well. I pray your on the mend.

Blessings!

Gran Jan said...

Cindy - I enjoyed meeting you so much last week with Leah! I love your blog.

Blessings to you, and may God bless you as you prepare for your daughter's wedding.

Jan
Isaiah 58:11

Caleb & Sol (www.calebandsol.com) said...

Thank you for the encouraging words. Praise God for adopting us and redeeming us!

-Sol