La volontà "perfetta" di Dio

La volontà "perfetta" di Dio

La volontà "perfetta" di Dio

by Luci Boudreaux/Spiritual Insights
Giugno 4, 2023
Scritture: John 14:23 and Colossians 1:9b–12

 

John 14:23 (NKJV)
“Jesus answered him, ‘If anyone loves me, he will keep my word; and my Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.’”

Col 1:9b–12 (NIV)
“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.”

 

Before I met Jesus at 25, I had lived a hard life. I carried a lot of baggage because of others who had harmed me, both physically and emotionally. And because of my damaged self-image, I made a lot of poor choices. I abused alcohol and drugs and became promiscuous after being raped at age 12. As a single woman at 24, I got pregnant. Then I added injury to the pain and confusion by aborting my precious child.

As Jesus entered my life, He began to open my eyes and show me a love that I had never experienced. There was acceptance and a desire to know and be known, without fear of rejection. I knew I was safe, and this is when I began to open up to receive God’s will for my life.

Early on in my faith, I thought that God was in the business of answering “reasonable” prayers just because I prayed them. After all, I was His beloved daughter, and I knew He wanted to bless me. I strongly desired a godly husband and children, a smooth path to a vibrant ministry where I could share my faith and help other women who had been wounded, and to have no conflict with other members in the church.

I didn’t marry until I was 43, have no living biological children, didn’t establish a “vibrant” ministry (not how I imagined) and have had conflict with other members of the body of Christ. God hasn’t answered my prayers the way I desired. He did so much more! He answered them according to His perfect wisdom. Così, I was able to grow closer to Him, and He has been glorified in my life.

As I grow in my faith, I am coming to understand that God’s perfect will is not always Him answering prayers according to my desires and my limited perspective. I am learning that His perfect will comes about when, in humility, I surrender. It’s key to a fulfilling relationship with Him. I had to come to the place where I wanted to fully surrender to God and be in an intimate relationship with Him, more than having any of my prayers answered, whatever that looks like.

 

Domande:

 

  1. Have you surrendered your will to God? Se non, why? What are you afraid of?
  1. Are you in God’s will right now? Se è così, what does that look like?
  1. How do you respond to detours and unanswered prayers?
  1. Come possiamo pregare per te?

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Sono ancora responsabile delle mie azioni

Sono ancora responsabile delle mie azioni

I am Still Responsible for my Actions
by Toni Weisz/Recovery Tools

romani 3:23, John 16:8, Filippesi 4:13, Matteo 7:7-8, e Salmo 147:3

Siamo tutti cresciuti in famiglie disfunzionali perché siamo tutti nati nel peccato e abbiamo una natura peccaminosa. The Bible says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (romani 3:23). Some of us have experienced extreme neglect, abuso, abandonment, and rejection. This has caused a deep wound in our souls and a distorted perception of love. Because of this trauma, we don’t trust others and are fearful of them coming too close; we don’t want to be hurt again. For this reason, it is hard to trust that God is not going to hurt us either. Many women struggle developing an intimate relationship with God, our Heavenly Father, because they did not have a good relationship with their earthly father.

Regardless of what we have experienced in our lives, we are still responsible to make good, healthy, godly decisions. It’s the Holy Spirit inside us that leads us to walk in the truth and convicts us of sin, righteousness, and judgement (Read John 16:8). We have the ability through the help of the Holy Spirit to stop the cycle of dysfunction stemming from our home of origin or the traumas we’ve experienced elsewhere.

We can make good choices. We do not have to react to things without pausing, praying, and thinking through them. We are in control of our thoughts and actions. In fact, it’s the only thing we have control over. We have to make a conscious decision not to perpetuate this dysfunction and pass it onto our children and future generations. The only way we can do that is by:

1. Having a relationship with Jesus.

2. Getting help either through Christian counselling and/or recovery meetings, and reading helpful books.

3. Having accountability—a safe person or community to help keep you working on yourself.

Domande:

  1. What areas did you have to work on as a result of past trauma?
    Toni:     Rejection was a huge wound for me. Also trusting others not to control, manipulate, and use me was another. I had to learn to use my voice and put-up healthy boundaries to protect myself. I had to learn self-control because I was a walking volcano, filled with rage. I learned why I was so angry and came to terms with that. God has healed me in all these areas because I was willing to let Him in and heal me.
  2. What are some areas you still need to work on?
    Toni: I have been struggling with codependency, so I started reading the book, Codependency No More, by Suellen McDolly. It has been very helpful for me to stop and check my motivation for doing the things I was doing. I always want to be willing to work on myself. When I am triggered by something, I ask God to show me what’s really going on. I usually journal when this happens because I need to hear from Him in a place where/when I am ready to listen.

Our healing is a lifelong process, but if God is involved in it, we will be victorious. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Read Philippians 4:13). If you are just starting your healing journey, keep asking God to help you, keep seeking Him with your whole heart, and keep knocking on the door for more insight and godly wisdom (Read Matthew 7:7-8). God is faithful, and He wants to bind up your broken heart and heal your wounds (Read Psalm 147:3).

I pray this was helpful. Per favore, contattaci; we are here to help you and to pray for you.

Sei amato,
Toni

arwsg4u2@gmail.com

Leggi di più sui blog di Toni QUI.
La guerra spirituale negli studi biblici post-aborto

La guerra spirituale negli studi biblici post-aborto

Spiritual Warfare in the Post Abortion Bible Studies
By Toni Weisz/Spiritual Warfare (Blog di Toni)
Salmo 91:1-12

Why is spiritual warfare so intense when women decide to step out to be healed from a past abortion?

I have been in the post-abortion ministry since 2006, when I went through my first post-abortion recovery Bible study. Unfortunately, no one prepared me for what was going to be one of the most tragic and saddest times of my life. Satan came in and ripped my family to shreds. My husband and children stopped speaking to each other; my husband and I had a huge conflict; my son’s roommate stopped paying rent and stole from him; my daughter broke up with her boyfriend because of a porn addiction. All of this started two-and-a-half weeks into my first post-abortion recovery Bible study. I was in shock, and I was numb. Much of that time is still a blur to me.

To give you a better idea of how this all started, allow me to set the scene for you.

It was January 22, 2006, Sanctity of Human Life Sunday. I was sitting in my Sunday school class learning about the book of Jeremiah. More specifically, we were discussing how God called Jeremiah to be a prophet from the womb. Our teacher asked each of us, “What has God called you to do?”

For years I had asked God to reveal my calling to me. Up until that day, I thought it was just to be a godly wife and mother. But the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart and said, “I want you to help other women feel forgiven for their past abortions.”

Immediately, I raised my hand and told our group what God had just shared with me. I then shared with my Pastor after the service what God had said. I was so excited but had no idea what this would mean or how this would change my life forever.

Così, I told my husband, “God wants me to help other women heal from their past abortions.” His reaction was, “No, that’s not good for you; that will be too hard. You should be in children’s ministry. You will be happier there.”

To respect my husband, I did nothing. I just waited. During the third week of waiting, my Pastor preached on obedience. The Holy Spirit moved in me so strongly that I couldn’t let it go. I went to my husband again and said, “John, you don’t understand. God is calling me to this, and I have to obey.” Thus began my healing journey.

Over the years, I have learned so much from the things that have happened to me on this journey. It has shaped the way I think, speak, and treat others. Unfortunately, I was not treated with kindness during the early parts of my journey.

Invece, I received harsh, condemning feedback and was told it was my fault my marriage was not going well and that I was in sin. These painful words led me to accept unacceptable treatment from my husband. My facilitators and mentors did not have experience in any kind of recovery work or co-dependency issues. They did not recognize I was being bullied and emotionally abused.

I thank God for the equipping He has given me. He has given me patience, gentleness, and love toward women who have lost a child to abortion. I know from experience that many factors go into the decision to have an abortion. We don’t grow up as young girls thinking, “I want to abort my baby.” No. It’s not a natural thing for a woman to do.

I decided to write this blog post about the spiritual warfare surrounding post-abortion recovery because many of us will be involved in these healing Bible studies in some capacity. Whether you are a prayer partner, co-facilitator, or a participant, each of us will experience some kind of spiritual warfare.

Know this: the enemy does not want Christian women healed from a past abortion. He wants to keep us in bondage and chains, locked away in a dungeon to be tormented. This frightening truth inspired the name of our eBook, “Leading Them into His Light.” Long before the eBook, God gave me a vision of a dungeon and women sitting in darkness and in chains. Jesus held my hand as I went into the dungeons to grab the women out so they could be rescued from the enemy. It’s a beautiful picture of God’s love for us.

Our eBook is available on our website for a donation of any amount. In it, we share 17 women’s abortion stories (including my own) and how God turned our ashes into something beautiful for our good and His glory.

Right now, the enemy is trying to trip you up. I am experiencing it in my own home, and you might be also. The enemy will use those closest to you to take you down and discourage you. But do not waiver. God is greater and stronger than the enemy. Stay close to Him and He will protect you.

About six months ago I started reading Psalm 91 every day. I suggest you meditate upon it too. It will strengthen you for the inevitable battle ahead.

 

Domande & Closing Thoughts:

  1. What spiritual warfare have you experienced as a result of stepping out and wanting to be healed from a past abortion?

    2. What do you do to protect yourself from the enemy’s fiery darts?

    I am looking forward to an exciting year in which more women will be healed from the trauma of abortion. With the healing power of Jesus, we can reach even more women and stop this cycle of death in their families.

Sei amato,
Toni

Leggi di più sui blog di Toni QUI.
Il figliol prodigo

Il figliol prodigo

 

Il figliol prodigo
Di Toni Weisz/Abuso Recovery

Luca 15:11-24, Geremia 31:3a.C, Luca 15:10, II Corinzi 5:21un, Efesini 2:1B, Luca 15:10, Rivelazione 7:9, romani 8:15a.C, Rivelazione 19:9, e romani 8:35

Luca 15:11-24

Poi ha detto: “Un certo uomo aveva due figli. E il più giovane di loro ha detto a suo padre, 'Padre, Dammi la parte dei beni che mi cade. "Così ha diviso loro il suo sostentamento. E non molti giorni dopo, Il figlio minore si è riunito tutti insieme, viaggiato in un paese lontano, e ci sono state sprecate i suoi beni con prodigo (dispendioso) vita. Ma quando aveva trascorso tutto, Si è verificato una grave carestia in quella terra, e ha iniziato a essere in desiderata. Poi andò e si unì a un cittadino di quel paese, e lo mandò nei suoi campi per nutrire suini. E avrebbe volentieri riempiti gli stomaci con i baccelli che i suini mangiavano, E nessuno gli ha dato niente.

“Ma quando è venuto da solo, ha detto, 'Quanti dei servitori assunti di mio padre hanno abbastanza pane e da risparmiare, E perisco la fame! Mi sorgerò e andrò da mio padre, e gli dirò, "Padre, Ho peccato contro il paradiso e davanti a te, e non sono più degno di essere chiamato tuo figlio. Fammi come uno dei tuoi servitori. " '

“E si alzò e venne da suo padre. Ma quando era ancora molto lontano, Suo padre lo vide e aveva compassione, e corse e cadde sul collo e lo baciò. E il figlio gli disse, 'Padre, Ho peccato contro il paradiso e alla tua vista, e non sono più degno di essere chiamato tuo figlio. "

“Ma il padre ha detto ai suoi servitori, 'Tira fuori la veste migliore e mettilo su di lui, e mette un anello sulla mano e sandali in piedi. E porta qui il vitello grasso e uccidilo, E mangiamo e sii allegro; Per questo mio figlio era morto ed è di nuovo vivo; Era perso e si trova. "E iniziarono a essere allegri.”

Alcuni hanno chiamato questo, “Il padre in esecuzione,"Invece di, “Il figlio prodigo,"Perché sono le azioni del Padre in queste Scritture che danno uno sguardo al cuore di Dio, il nostro Padre celeste, verso di noi, I suoi figli. Posso immaginare il padre che guarda all'orizzonte ogni giorno per un assaggio di suo figlio che torna a casa. E ogni giorno, perdere la speranza che sarebbe tornato. Poi un giorno, Individua suo figlio ed è pieno di compassione per lui. Si aggira i suoi lombi (prende la sua veste da dietro tra le gambe e se la infila nella cintura) e corre da suo figlio. Durante i tempi biblici, Un uomo della sua statura nella comunità non farebbe una cosa del genere in pubblico, Ma non gli importava quello che pensavano gli altri. Ho letto che il figlio avrebbe potuto essere bandito dalla città o umiliato pubblicamente, Perché ha disonorato suo padre e la loro città con le sue azioni peccaminose. Questo era un altro possibile motivo per cui il padre corse da suo figlio; Voleva proteggerlo dall'umiliazione e dal giudizio degli altri.

Mettiamoci nei panni del figlio prodigo. Non siamo scappati dalle case che Dio ci aveva dato in parte a causa della disfunzione, e/o volevamo esplorare il mondo e vivere le nostre vite? Nel frattempo, Il nostro Padre celeste sta guardando e sta cercando di tornare a casa da lui. Come deve aver spezzato il suo cuore vedere il distruttivo, scelte empie che abbiamo fatto. Eppure, Ci ama con un amore eterno; Lui desidera che torniamo a casa da lui (Geremia 31:3a.C). Gli angeli in cielo si rallegrano di un peccatore che si pente (Luca 15:10).

Dio ha mandato suo figlio a morire per noi in modo da poter essere liberati dal giudizio che meritavamo a causa di tutti i nostri peccati. Adoro la correlazione tra il padre del figlio prodigo e il nostro Padre celeste. Gesù è diventato peccato per noi (II Corinzi 5:21un) ed era nudo, fare finta, e crocifisso, ed è morto per noi. Era umiliato e torturato per me e per te. Quando penso a quello che Gesù ha fatto sulla croce per me, Sono sopraffatto dalla gratitudine perché so che non me lo merita, ma ricevo umilmente questo prezioso dono di salvezza che costa a Dio la cosa più preziosa che aveva, Suo figlio.

Infine, Anche noi eravamo morti nelle nostre trasgressioni e peccati contro Dio, (Efesini 2:1B) Ma quando abbiamo confessato i nostri peccati, Come il figlio prodigo, Siamo stati accolti nella famiglia di Dio. C'è stata una celebrazione in paradiso il giorno in cui hai ricevuto Cristo come tuo Salvatore (Luca 15:10). Dio ti ha vestito in una bellissima veste bianca (Rivelazione 7:9), Metti un anello sul dito, e ti ha adottato nella sua santa famiglia (romani 8:15a.C). Un giorno, Saremo tutti insieme per la grande festa in paradiso, la cena del matrimonio dell'agnello (Rivelazione 19:9). Alleluia! Grazie, Gesù!

Grazie, Padre, per il dono dell'adozione nella tua famiglia. Non sono più un orfano, uno sconosciuto, o un emarginato; Io sono tuo per sempre.

Nota: A voi preziosi che non avevano buoni padri terreni, È difficile pensare a Dio come a un buon Padre celeste. Per favore sappi che il cuore di Dio si è rotto quando ha visto l'abuso e trascura che hai sofferto per mano dei tuoi padri terreni. Dio non è come i tuoi padri terreni; È gentile, gentile, puro, santo, e fedele. Ti ama con un amore eterno. Niente può separarti dall'amore di Dio attraverso Cristo Gesù, nostro Signore (romani 8:35).

Domande:

Com'era la tua relazione con tuo padre terreno?

Vedi Dio come un padre buono e gentile? Se non, Si prega di spiegare.

Per favore, contatta se hai bisogno di parlare o hai bisogno di preghiera.

Sei amato,

Toni

Leggi di più sui blog di Toni QUI.

Lo scopo del mio bambino

Lo scopo del mio bambino

Luci’s blog

Genesi 50:20: “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.”

II Peter 3:9: “The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”

Growing up in my dysfunctional family, which included neglect and sexual, fisico, and verbal abuse, did not equip me to care for or respect myself as I grew in the way God intended for me. I spent many years allowing others, especially men, to use and take advantage of me for sexual purposes. By the time I was 15, I was deeply wounded and hurting. My way of coping was to act out in self-destructive ways. As I mentioned earlier, I allowed others to use me. I also drank daily and experimented with most drugs, including mind-altering substances.

I had no hope that anything in my life would improve but that it would just continue to get worse until I died. I was so angry at the way I had been treated by my father and brothers but didn’t understand how to break out of this pattern of destructive behavior.

At the age of 24, I slept with a man whom I hardly knew. In fact, I couldn’t even tell you his name. All I know was that he said all the right things that my heart longed to hear: that he cared for me, really wanted to be with me, and made me feel special, even if it was just for a brief time. He kept insisting that we have sex, and I resisted at first but then gave in when he said he had a vasectomy, since that meant he could not get me pregnant.

I was desperate for this man’s attention but certainly didn’t want to have a baby with him! But like most of the men I opened my life up to, he had lied to me and much to my dismay, I became pregnant. I was devastated and felt a sense of desperation as to how I would “fix” this predicament I was in. Of course, the guy who said he cared so much about me left the scene as soon as he got what he wanted.

I confided in a friend that had introduced me to him. I remember that she had a 9-year-old daughter and no husband, and it was clear that she resented her daughter greatly by the way she treated her. She told me to “Get rid of it; you don’t want a kid!” All I could think about was how I didn’t want to end up like this woman, mistreating my own child! Così, against my better judgement and my conscience that told me “NO, this is wrong,” I chose to abort the only child I would ever conceive.

I cried every night when no one was around to see my pain. I cried for myself because of how empty this act made me feel, but mostly for this innocent child whose life I had taken so violently. I cried unconsolably, every night for months. Not knowing my Lord Jesus Christ at that time, I had no one to turn to for forgiveness and healing. As I look back on this desperate act of selfishness, I realize this was the final self-destructive thing that drove me into the arms of God! I just couldn’t live with the emptiness and pain anymore. Nine months after my abortion, Ho ceduto la mia vita a Gesù, asked forgiveness for my sins, and began to walk in the newness of life that He offers to all who come to Him in humility.

I want to read a section of the letter to the baby I named Gabriella, which means “God is My Strength”:

Although your earthly life was so short, you impacted mine for eternity because precisely nine months after I allowed that abortion clinic to strip you away from my womb, Sono nato di nuovo! And on that amazing day, my heart, soul, and spirit were transformed from darkness and condemnation into the forgiving and precious light of Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirit! God took our pain and ashes and turned them into eternal beauty!

I am pouring much of my life into other women who have experienced the pain and grief of abortion by helping them to acknowledge and heal from this event. I love you with all my heart, my precious little one, and I will see you soon!

Your forgiven Mom

 

What purpose did your unborn child serve in your life?

 

Did it move you towards God or away from Him?

 

Additional portions of letters to the unborn:

Amato, God knows your life was not a mistake. Your life spurred me to a deeper faith and a passion for Christ. God showed me grace, love, and healing in ways that I can’t describe. He used all these things for good (Rom 8:28). Your life allowed me to defend the defenseless, to value life in the womb, and to have compassion for the hurting moms who fell into the same trap as I did. God numbers our days and although yours were few, they continue to fuel my passion.

I, your mother, hold you in my arms today in a way I could not 10 years ago because I feared to look into your eyes and to hear God’s voice speak through the gentle grasp of your fingers saying “choose life.” In the light of my mind, I now behold you, my first child—the first of three girls. Do you know that you have two sisters? Do you know that your life has given great meaning to their lives? Because of you, I cherish the very breath of life God has gifted me and those whom I hold close to my heart.

As I embrace you today and always, I let go of shame, colpa, humiliation, rejection, abandonment, pride, and pain. I reject the lies that once kept your memory hidden in darkness far from the light of truth. My love, my beautiful baby girl, you were never forgotten.

Heaven has documented each moment of your existence in the book of life. Adesso, it is time for me to write your page into the story of my life.

In the years to come, when we find ourselves reunited in the spirit, I will delight in the unfolding of your unique personality woven together with the experience of your brief, yet significant life. For now, sweetheart, I entrust your care and protection to the Father, whose plans for you are greater than either you or I can imagine.

I named you Joseph because what the enemy meant for evil, God turned around for my good and for His glory. He exchanged my ashes into something beautiful. Joseph, you inspired a ministry called My Ashes to Beauty to help other moms heal from their past abortions.

 

benedizioni,

Luci

 

 

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