Grazia incredibile

Grazia incredibile

Grazia incredibile

by Toni Weisz/Abuse Recovery
Ephesians 4:29-32 and Numbers 6:24-26

Ephesians 4:29-32
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ forgave you.

In the Moody Handbook of Theology, Paul Enns defines God’s grace as the unmerited or undeserving favor of God to those who are under condemnation. I did not grow up in a home where grace was displayed instead of harsh punishment. Come un bambino, this caused me to be fearful and to hide.

I went to a church that was big and dark inside, and they spoke in a foreign language. The school associated with this church was very much the same. Students were hit with rulers when they disobeyed. Because I did not see grace and love in these formative places, I believed God was harsh and angry and ready to hit me when I got out of line. I began to believe that my faith in God was based upon my good works, per esempio., If I am good, I will be loved and accepted, but if I disobey, I will be severely punished. Maybe that’s one of the reasons why I didn’t run to God when I was 21, unmarried, and pregnant. I was fearful that He too would judge me harshly and punish me severely.

During my adult life, I once again encountered a harsh church environment. My husband and I and our family started attending a legalistic church for several years where it was all about following the rules with no room for grace. The Holy Spirit in me was so grieved that I could barely feel or sense His presence.

At first, I didn’t recognize it, but I was experiencing spiritual abuse. Even so, I wanted to serve Jesus. If that meant wearing dresses 24/7 and obeying ridiculous rules, then that’s what I would do. This spiritual oppression greatly affected my soul, and I felt like I was slowly dying inside. Unfortunately, i miei figli (who were in high school at the time) were also subjected to this spiritual abuse. I was so grateful when we finally got away from that toxic environment.

Similarly, I have experienced harsh treatment from another ministry leader as well. I felt like I could never do anything right and was always under a microscope. Every little thing I did was magnified and made into a public example. I was so embarrassed and felt discouraged. But God called me to the abortion recovery ministry, and I was not going to stop until God told me to.

Then one day, God brought a leader into my life who was kind and gentle. She gave me permission to just be me and fostered a safe environment in which I could open up and share about the emotional and spiritual abuse I was experiencing. I trusted her, and she truly encouraged me. It was so refreshing to have a leader that was sweet and kind, just like Jesus.

In our ministry, we want each woman to feel safe and know that she can share her story without judgement. We encourage her to use her voice, perhaps for the first time in her life. We want her to see the love of Jesus in our words and our actions. God wants our words to speak hope and life into the lives of the women He brings to our ministry, and that is what we will always try to do.

God has given us His heart for these courageous women. We are honored to walk alongside them on their healing journeys. You too are welcome here, courageous woman. Come as you are; we are waiting for you.

Closing Thoughts
What is grace? Grace is a gift from God; it cannot be earned.

Grace is overlooking someone else’s faults and loving them where they are.

I am so grateful for God’s overwhelming love and grace in my life. This grace compels me to love others, to extend mercy, and to be kind to all people. This grace humbles me when I think about what Jesus did for me on the cross…a gift I can never repay.

Number 6:24-26
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.”

 

Reflection Questions:

  1. Do you judge yourself or others harshly?
  2. Do others treat you harshly?
  3. Have you received God’s grace?
  4. Are you able to extend God’s grace to others?
  5. Come possiamo pregare per te?

Per favore contattaci se hai bisogno di parlare. You can email me at: toni@myashestobeauty.com.

Sei amato,
Toni

 

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Il coraggio di Maria

Il coraggio di Maria

Il coraggio di Maria

By Toni Weisz/Spiritual Disciplines

Scritture: Luca 1:26-38, 1 John 1:9. Deuteronomy 22:20-21, and Romans 8:28

In the book of Luke, we read about an incredibly brave teenager named Mary. Mary was a common name back then; it meant bitter. The people were bitter because the prophets were silent for 400 anni. There was no revelation at all between the Old Testament and the New Testament for all this time. They felt bitter because they thought God had forgotten them and His promise of their Messiah.

We see this incredible dialogue between Mary and the angel Gabriel. He said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women! Do not be afraid, Maria, for you have found favor with God.” He proceeded to tell her she would conceive and bear a Son and shall call His name Jesus. God used this young woman mightily to bring forth the promised Messiah, Emmanuel—God with us. Instead of running from her situation or panicking, she prayed and sought the Lord’s leading. Why didn’t we trust God when we found ourselves with an unplanned pregnancy? If you have confessed this sin to Him, He has forgiven you. 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Mary could have been stoned for being pregnant outside of marriage because that was the law back then. Deuteronomy 22:20–21 speaks about the laws pertaining to sexual sins. Not only could Mary have been stoned, but Joseph, her espoused husband, could have walked away from the relationship by writing a bill of divorcement because they were legally betrothed to one another. But God protected Mary from both of these consequences because she had not sinned. She was supernaturally impregnated by the Holy Spirit of God. She was so courageous and brave. She risked her own life and reputation to obey God. What a beautiful testimony we see in her life.

This week will be 44 years since I aborted my son, Joseph, on December 10, 1980. I wish I had the courage like Mary to have my baby, but I allowed the fear of man to push me to abort my baby. I cannot change my past, but I can learn from my mistakes.

God used my abortion to bring me into a relationship with Jesus. Adesso, I have the distinct honor of walking with all of you on your healing journeys. God has certainly taken my ashes, my horrible sins, and turned them into something beautiful for my good and His glory, and you are all a part of that. I believe that God makes all things work together for good to those who love Him, to those who are the called according to His purpose (Ref. romani 8:28). Dio, through the work of the Holy Spirit, is continually sanctifying us and conforming us to the image of Jesus. You all are so precious to Him; I hope you know that.

Domande da prendere a cuore:

  1. How long has it been since your past abortion(S)?
  2. Are you still holding onto your secret of abortion(S)?
  3. Have you allowed God access to all your broken places so that He can heal you? If not, trust Him today. He wants you healed and whole so that you can become the woman He created you to be.
  4. Come possiamo pregare per te?

I pray this topic has been helpful for you. Please reach out if you need to talk or need prayer: toni@myashestobeauty.com. I wish you a very blessed Christmas. God is still performing miracles today.

Sei amato,
Toni

 

Audio of "The Courage of Mary" blog post

Mary, Did You Know video

"Maria, Lo sapevate?"

(Con Chandler Moore & Lizzy Morgan)

Maverick Città Musica

 

Clicca qui per il video musicale
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Paura di arrendersi

Paura di arrendersi

Paura di arrendersi

novembre 13, 2021

Paura: Volo di panico, causa di paura, terrore (Il greco di Strong)

Resa: Dato fuori o finito, arreso, consegnato (Il greco di Strong)

Scritture

2 Timoteo 1:7

“Poiché Dio non ci ha dato uno spirito di timore, ma di potere e di amore e di una mente sana.

Salmo 25:20

“Custodisci la mia anima, e liberami; non farmi vergognare, poiché ho riposto la mia fiducia in te”.

Salmo 27:1-14

“1 Il Signore è mia luce e mia salvezza; di chi dovrò aver paura?

Il Signore è la forza della mia vita; di chi avrò paura?

2 Quando i malvagi sono venuti contro di me per divorare la mia carne,

i miei nemici e nemici

Inciamparono e caddero.

3 Anche se un esercito può accamparsi contro di me,

il mio cuore non temerà;

anche se la guerra può sorgere contro di me,

in questo sarò fiducioso,

4 Una cosa ho desiderato dal Signore,

quello cercherò:

Che io possa abitare nella Casa del Signore

Tutti i giorni della mia vita,

Per contemplare la bellezza del Signore,

e per indagare nel suo tempio.

5 Perché nel tempo dei guai

mi nasconderà nel suo padiglione;

Nel luogo segreto del suo Tabernacolo

mi nasconderà;

mi metterà in alto sopra una roccia.

6 E ora la mia testa sarà sollevata sopra i miei nemici tutt'intorno a me;

Perciò offrirò sacrifici di gioia al suo Tabernacolo;

io canterò, SÌ, Canterò lodi al Signore.

7 Ascoltare, Signore, quando piango con la mia voce!

Abbi pietà anche di me, e rispondimi.

8 quando hai detto, “Cerca il mio volto,”

Il mio cuore ti ha detto, "La tua faccia, Signore, cercherò"

9 Non nascondermi il tuo volto;

Non respingere con ira il tuo servo;

Sei stato il mio aiuto;

Non lasciarmi né abbandonarmi.

Oh Dio della mia salvezza.

10 quando mio padre e mia madre mi abbandoneranno,

Allora il Signore si prenderà cura di me.

11 Insegnami la tua strada, Signore,

E guidami su un sentiero agevole, a causa dei miei nemici.

12 Non consegnarmi alla volontà dei miei avversari;

perché falsi testimoni sono insorti contro di me,

E come espirare violenza

13 mi sarei perso d'animo, a meno che non avessi creduto

Che avrei visto la bontà del Signore nella terra dei viventi.

14 Aspetta il Signore;

Sii di buon coraggio,

Ed Egli rafforzerà il tuo cuore;

Aspettare, dico, sul Signore!

Quando dico “paura di arrendersi,“Non sto parlando della nostra salvezza. Sto parlando delle cose a cui ci aggrappiamo ancora che ci impediscono di abbandonare completamente la nostra vita e la nostra volontà a Gesù.

Perché cerco ancora di controllare la mia vita, circostanze, e relazioni? Perché mi affido a me stesso invece che a Dio?

La paura della resa dice che credo che la mia via sia migliore di quella di Dio e che mi fido più di me stesso che del Signore per proteggermi, provvedere a me, e decidere cosa è meglio per me. Dice che sono il mio dio.

Quando sono concentrato sulle ferite del mio passato, Non sto guardando a Cristo o alla libertà in cui ora vivo come sua figlia.

Galati 5:1 dice: “State saldi dunque nella libertà con la quale Cristo ci ha resi liberi, e non essere di nuovo avvinto da un giogo di schiavitù”.

Arrendersi è una scelta quotidiana. Invece di arrendersi a Gesù, sto correndo verso attività o comportamenti che mi danneggeranno e mi tratterranno dalla libertà in Lui? Se è così, cosa sono quelle cose?

Corro verso punti vendita dannosi inclusi o simili ai seguenti?

  • Eccesso di cibo, mangiare poco, o controllare ossessivamente ciò che mangio
  • Relazioni che alimentano la mia negatività
  • Pettegolezzo
  • Giudizio degli altri e spirito critico, che mi impediscono di riconoscere i miei difetti e di lavorare su me stesso
  • Controllo delle persone e del mio ambiente (per esempio., essere una madre hover, comandare intorno a coniugi o amici)
  • Non fidarsi di Dio per gestire una situazione e il risultato per un amico o una persona cara
  • Pulizia e/o organizzazione ossessiva
  • Abuso di sostanze (per esempio., di alcol e/o droghe)
  • Shopping compulsivo
  • Non riuscire a prendermi cura di me stesso
  • Esercizio eccessivo
  • Occupazione in nome di Dio
  • Lavorare troppo o essere eccessivamente orientati alla carriera
  • Piacere alle persone invece che piacere a Dio

La paura di arrendersi è uno spirito demoniaco a cui diamo l'opportunità di entrare nella nostra vita non rimanendo fermi nei nostri cammini con Dio, non rimanendo nella Parola e rinnovando le nostre menti, correre verso il peccato, e non tenere gli occhi su Gesù.

Domande

  1. A quali cose o vecchie abitudini corri ancora che ti impediscono di vivere pienamente una vita arresa a Cristo oggi?
  2. Cosa fai per proteggere la tua mente e rimanere concentrato sulla libertà che Cristo ti ha dato?
  3. Scegli un versetto che puoi memorizzare e pronunciare ad alta voce quando stai lottando per abbandonare una situazione specifica a Dio o porre fine a una vecchia abitudine. Si prega di condividerlo con il gruppo.
  4. Quale cosa specifica possiamo pregare affinché tu sia liberato da oggi?

 

Amato da Dio 1 John 3:2

 

Bondage familiare

Bondage familiare

I would rather go back to what is familiar, even if it is bondage…

Exodus 16:1-4a and John 3:16,

And they took their journey from Elim, and all the congregation of the children of Israel came unto the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departing out of Egypt. And the whole congregation of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness: And the children of Israel said to them, “Oh that we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat and when we ate bread to the full! For you have brought us out into the wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.” Then the Lord said to Moses, “Behold I will rain bread from heaven for you….”

When the trials of the children of Israel were too hard for them to bear, they wanted to go back to what was familiar: bondage in Egypt. They wanted to be in control; they felt safe knowing what to expect.

How many of us can relate to wanting to go back to the dysfunctional relationships or sins of our past because there is comfort in knowing what to expect? Change is hard because it’s unfamiliar, and there is no safety or comfort in it. But God doesn’t want us to stay in our dysfunction. He wants us healed. He came to set us free from our bondage to sin. He wants us to trust Him completely with every area of our lives.

God provided the children of Israel with bread that literally dropped out of the sky. He called it Manna, “Bread from Heaven.” If God did that for them, don’t you think He can help you too? I think the answer is Yes!!!

What is the spiritual factor to consider when I want to be in control, instead of God being in control?

I am saying to God, “I don’t trust You. I don’t believe You are good. I don’t believe You care about me.”

Così, what is the sin I am committing when I don’t trust God? The sin of unbelief.

Definition of faith in Hebrews 11:1 E 11:6: Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen. But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Permettimi di chiederti, what are you still trying to control and refuse to release into God’s hands?

I learned at a very young age to take control of every area of my life; that, unfortunately, was not a good thing. A 12-year-old is not mature enough to take on such a responsibility. I controlled my voice but I did not use it. I controlled how I performed in school, sports, and in anything I set my mind to do by practicing until I could do something perfectly. When I was older, I controlled my weight by taking speed and diet pills and exercising excessively. I controlled what others perceived about me by wearing a mask to hide my true feelings and identity. It wasn’t until I felt safe to let God in that I was able to relinquish control to Him. By spending time in His Word, I began to understand the heart of God and discovered how much He loves us and wants us to be set free from our pasts, so we can live the abundant lives He came to give us. It’s by relinquishing control to God that we are set free. There is beauty in surrender.

Why are you not trusting God to help you in this area? What are you afraid of?

Relinquishing control was not a comfortable thing for me because I didn’t trust others not to hurt me. I became very self-sufficient and proficient in all I did. I had a huge wall around my heart that no one was going to penetrate, not even God. I grew up with a distorted view of God. I thought He was angry with me and would punish me if I was out of line, which is what I heard and saw as a child. Church was dark; people there spoke in another language, and the atmosphere was not warm and welcoming. So I associated these attributes with God. I felt He was dark, harsh, and unloving, which could not be further from the truth. I was fearful about trusting God because I was afraid of being hurt again. I didn’t know God’s heart toward me. When I got saved in 1994 and came across this verse from John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life,” I started believing that God does love me. And once I received His love into my heart and believed that He died for me on the cross, I started trusting Him more with my heart. But it was a long process. I am so grateful today for His love. That truth changed my life forever.

I had everything under control, so I thought, until my life and health started spiraling out of control. I couldn’t afford stuff anymore and my health was failing, my marriage was on the brink of divorce, and I didn’t know what to do. I was plagued with suicidal thoughts because I just couldn’t deal with my depression and self-loathing anymore, due to the sins from my past. This was not a life; it was a prison. I was just surviving because I needed someone to take my pain away, someone I could trust to love and accept me for who I was. Did such a person exist?

Dear One,

I want you to know that there is such a person who loves and accepts you for who you are. His name is Jesus, and He is the only one who will love you right where you are. He will never hurt you or force you to do something against your will. He is kind, loving, dependable, faithful, merciful, and forgiving. Jesus is your Savior and friend. Why not relinquish control of your life to God? Onestamente, what do you have to lose at this point?

Sei amato,

Toni

 

What is the spiritual factor to consider when I want to be in control instead of God being in control?

I am saying to God, “I don’t trust You (Dio). I don’t believe You (He) are good. I don’t believe You care about me.” So, what is the sin I am committing when I don’t trust God? The sin of unbelief.

Definition of faith in Hebrews 11:1 E 11:6: Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen. But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

 

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La nostra percezione di Dio e perché è importante

La nostra percezione di Dio e perché è importante

Colossians 3:2
Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

romani 12:1-2
Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

I can’t remember where I got this quote from but it makes a lot of sense. “Science tells us that repetitive thoughts over time become physical ruts in the brain that effect reasoning, choices, and eventually our beliefs.”

What was your perception of God as a child?

Was He kind, loving, and approachable or cold, distant, and angry?
My perception of God as a child was that He was unapproachable angry and would punish me for the slightest offense, He was not a God of love but of wrath. I grew up in a church that I saw punishment for the slightest offense with rulers and scolding. The people there were very harsh and critical. And that God was all about following rules. Non ho visto l'amore di Dio lì.
You can read my Blog under stinking thinking: https://myashestobeauty.com/stinking-thinking-my-distorted-view-of-god/

How did that affect you growing up?
Because of my distorted view of God, when I found myself in bad situations, I decided to take matters into my own hands instead of asking God what I should do. I didn’t think He cared about me. I was in such darkness I could not see His light at all. Because of the unhealthy relationships I had with others closest to me which were quite manipulative and controlling, I didn’t think I was worth very much to God or others. Così, what does it matter what I do to my body, my baby, or others? But God was showing up ever now and then when I felt like He was there and He was interested in my life. But I would not come to know Him as my Lord and Savior until I was 34 Anni.

Ephesians 3:16-19
That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith, that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the width and length and depth and height – to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

How do you see God now?
I now have finally received the beautiful redeeming work of Christ in my life once I was able to receive His love into the inner most part of my being, that truth changed me forever. Even after I was saved, I allowed people to abuse me and use me because I had no boundaries, and because I didn’t love myself, others didn’t treat me with love and respect either. But once His love permeated my heart, I had courage to put up boundaries and I started taking care of myself and loving myself. It was the most freeing and beautiful thing I have experienced, to know the love of God for myself. To feel and know in my heart, that no matter what I have done in the past He loves me.

How does He see you?
I am grateful for the truth from God’s word that every person is created in His image and is given intrinsic value and is created with a purpose for His kingdom. I am no longer bound to Satan and sin instead I am adopted into the family of God; I am a daughter of the King of Glory. He loved me so much He died for me on the cross. His love is so deep, and wide, and high that I cannot comprehend it, but I believe in my heart I am cherished and loved by God. And I will be with Him forever in heaven for all eternity. In July of 2017 we were having my extended family in town, my sister and brother and their families. Di conseguenza, I started feeling anxious and started feeling rejected by all of them, because you see they do not know the Lord yet, so I am not apart of their family anymore. Rejection was a huge wound for me and I can go there very quickly if I am not grounded in the Word. To Combat my rejection wound God had me write out specific Biblical truths about, “Who I am in Christ,” it goes like this:

Who I am in Christ

I am worthy
I am loved
I belong
Sono accettato
I am adopted
I am confident and competent
I am a child of God
I have the Holy Spirit within me
I am victorious in Christ
I have a home in heaven
Nothing can separate me from the love of God in Christ Jesus my Lord
I will fear no evil

I am so proud of you for having the courage to step out and trust God to heal you.

You are safe her beloved sister.

Sei amato,
Toni

Salmo 147:3
Egli guarisce coloro che hanno il cuore spezzato e fascia le loro ferite. (NKJV)

Toni and the Team at myashestobeauty.com

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