Arrêtez de vous efforcer

Arrêtez de vous efforcer

Arrêtez de vous efforcer

January 2024
By Toni Weisz/Spiritual Disciplines

Scripture Verses:
Psaume 27:14, Isaïe 40:31a and Psalm 103:13-14

Psaume 27:14
Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart; wait, I say, on the Lord.

Isaïe 40:31a
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.

Psaume 103:13-14
As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers we are dust.

In my journaling this week, I was struggling with feelings of rejection, which caused me to be emotionally drained and physically weak. After a few days, I finally sat down with the Lord and poured out my heart to Him. I have a big family reunion coming up, and that always, for some reason, still causes me to become anxious. Those old wounds can be easily reopened, and those old tapes start playing over and over again in my mind.

I have witnessed to all of them over the years, even my nieces and nephews. Not a one has responded to the gospel. I know that is not my responsibility; it’s Gods. I know the enemy is trying to gain entrance into my thought life because he wants me to be anxious and ineffective for God. Non, that’s not happening. I am aware of his plot, and I am equipping myself with the armor of God and His word to protect my mind and my heart from his lies.

Also, I am saddened by my son’s illness and the fact that he and his wife will be missing from our family reunion. Sometimes I need to take time to feel what I am feeling instead of just brushing it off or stuffing it. It’s OK to be sad, frustrated and disappointed. Alors, I allowed myself to go there too, and afterwards, I felt refreshed.

The enemy is trying to get me to strive for approval in the area of my tennis. Instead of enjoying the gift of being able to play, I am trying too hard to win matches and the approval of others. I am striving too much, and I am physically tired. Instead, I need to rest in the Lord. He is the one who will renew my strength (Isaïe 40:31a). He is the one that will give me favor with others. He is the one who opens hearts to hear the word of God and receive it. I am just a vessel that He uses for His purposes. I need to go back to the basics, enjoy the gift of tennis, and stop trying so hard to be perfect.

I also have four events this month where I will be sharing my testimony and our ministry information, and the enemy is not happy about that. Each week, we get one or two new women who come to our ministry. I need to stay close to the Lord and keep my eyes on Him. He is the one that has opened these doors, and I need to trust Him. He is the one who will give me favor and the words to say. I trust Him completely.

God wants us to pour out our hearts to Him. He sees all of us, and He knows our struggles, our heartbreaks, and our frailty. He remembers that we are dust. He is the one who created us in the first place. In Psalm 103:13-14, nous lisons, “As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers we are dust.”

I realized that I need to surrender my will and my heart to God and trust Him with all the outcomes. I cannot control those things, but I can control how I respond to things. I can have victory in all these areas if I let God use me the way He wants to and stop trying so hard.

Questions to take to heart:

  1. What area are you still striving in?
  2. Why are you trying so hard?
  3. Have you been able to surrender all to God? Sinon, why?
  4. Comment pouvons-nous prier pour vous?

I pray this topic has been helpful for you. If you need to talk you can email me at: toni@myashestobeauty.com.

Tu es aimé,
Toni

 

 

 

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Nos rêves anéantis

Nos rêves anéantis

Nos rêves anéantis
par Toni Weisz/Disciplines spirituelles

 

Scripture References

Jérémie 29:11 (NKJV)
Car je connais les pensées que je pense à toi, dit le Seigneur, pensées de paix et non de mal, pour te donner un avenir et un espoir.

Isaïe 61:7 (ESV)
Au lieu de ta honte il y aura une double portion; au lieu de déshonneur ils se réjouiront de leur sort; donc, in their land they shall possess a double portion; ils auront une joie éternelle.

Je n'aurais jamais imaginé avorter mon premier enfant. J'ai grandi dans une grande famille italienne. (My mom was one of ten children.) At our family get-togethers, there were always children running around. I was the oldest granddaughter, so it was my job to look after the younger ones so the adults could talk without interruptions.

I loved children, and I even thought about getting a teaching degree. Qu'est-il arrivé à mes rêves d'enfant? Comment suis-je allé si loin du chemin que je pensais être ma vie?

Le péché a détruit mes rêves. I decided that being the “good, quiet one” wasn’t working for me anymore. I wasn’t getting the love and attention I needed, so I decided to take matters into my own hands—une vraie recette pour le désastre.

À 12 ans, I started experimenting with alcohol and began sneaking shots of Scotch whiskey while my parents were at my brother’s football practices. My sister and I were left at home to do the dishes for a short while, but that’s all the devil needed—a little bit of time to get me alone and wanting.

My child-brain started thinking of ways to get my needs met but in unhealthy ways. Ce chemin destructeur que l'ennemi m'a conduit était celui de la drogue, de l'alcool, nombreux partenaires sexuels, puis mon avortement à 21. Ce fut un voyage sombre et destructeur. Je me suis caché dans mes secrets et j'ai été tourmenté par le diable.

Comment suis-je arrivé ici? One bad choice after another after another; it happens that fast.

Je continuerais dans ce schéma autodestructeur pendant 22 années. Heureusement, Dieu m'a finalement sauvé à l'âge de 34 quand j'ai entendu l'évangile pour la première fois. Jésus est mort sur la croix pour MES PÉCHÉS. j'avais jamais entendu ça avant. J'avais désespérément besoin et je voulais que quelqu'un prenne tous mes péchés, la honte, et la culpabilité.

J'avais besoin d'un Sauveur—quelqu'un qui m'aime juste pour moi. J'ai trouvé toutes ces choses dans une relation avec Jésus. Je suis si reconnaissant pour l'amour, le pardon, et la paix que j'ai trouvé en Lui.

Dieu a transformé mon deuil en joie. Il m'a donné un nouveau nom, une nouvelle vie, et une nouvelle vocation.

Peu importe ce que vous avez fait dans votre passé, Dieu est capable de pardonner et de racheter ce que le diable a volé. Vous pouvez toujours avoir un merveilleux, épanouissant, God-glorifying life. It just may look a little different from your original plan. Mais rassurez-vous, Dieu est un bon Père et a un bon plan pour votre vie.

Lui permettrez-vous de vous aider à rêver de nouveaux rêves?

 

Des questions & Dernières pensées:

  1. Quels étaient certains de vos rêves d'enfance?
  2. Le diable a-t-il volé tes rêves d'avoir des enfants et une famille?
  3. Comment avez-vous pu passer à autre chose et rêver de nouveaux rêves?
  4. Comment pouvons-nous prier pour vous?

Je prie pour que le Seigneur s'occupe de votre cœur brisé et vous donne de nouveaux rêves. Please reach out if you need a listening ear or a word of encouragement. Email: toni@myashestobeauty.com.

Tu es aimé,
Toni

 

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Le courage de Marie

Le courage de Marie

Le courage de Marie

UNEavortement Rrécupération Wde présage Ssoutien ggroupe (ARWSG)

Luc1:26–38, 1 John 1:9, Deutéronome 22:20–21, et les romains 8:28

Dans le livre de Luc, nous lisons à propos d'une adolescente incroyablement courageuse nommée Mary. Mary était un nom commun à l'époque; cela signifiait amer. Le peuple était amer parce que les prophètes se sont tus pendant 400 années. Il n'y a pas eu de révélation du tout entre l'Ancien Testament et le Nouveau Testament pendant tout ce temps. Ils se sont sentis amers parce qu'ils pensaient que Dieu les avait oubliés et Sa promesse de leur Messie.

On voit cet incroyable dialogue entre Marie et l'ange Gabriel. Il lui a dit, "Réjouis-toi hautement favorisé, le seigneur est avec toi; bénie es-tu entre les femmes! N'ayez pas peur, Marie, car tu as trouvé grâce auprès de Dieu. Il se mit à lui dire qu'elle concevrait et enfanterait un fils et appellera son nom Jésus. Dieu a puissamment utilisé cette jeune femme pour enfanter le Messie promis, Emmanuel—Dieu avec nous. Au lieu de fuir sa situation ou de paniquer, elle a prié et recherché la conduite du Seigneur. Pourquoi n'avons-nous pas fait confiance à Dieu lorsque nous nous sommes retrouvés avec des grossesses non planifiées? Si vous Lui avez confessé ce péché, Il t'a pardonné. 1 John 1:9: « Si nous confessons nos péchés, Il est fidèle et juste pour nous pardonner notre péchés et pour nous purifier de toute iniquité ».

Mary aurait pu être lapidée parce qu'elle était enceinte hors mariage parce que c'était la loi à l'époque. Deutéronome 22:20–21 parle des lois relatives aux péchés sexuels. Non seulement Mary aurait pu être lapidée, mais Joseph, son mari, aurait pu abandonner la relation en rédigeant une lettre de divorce parce qu'ils étaient légalement fiancés l'un à l'autre. Mais Dieu a protégé Marie de ces deux conséquences parce qu'elle avait ne pas péché. Elle a été fécondée surnaturellement par le Saint-Esprit de Dieu. Elle était si courageuse et courageuse. Elle a risqué sa vie et sa réputation pour obéir à Dieu. Quel beau témoignage nous voyons dans sa vie.

Cette semaine sera 41 ans depuis que j'ai avorté mon fils, Joseph, en décembre 10, 1980. J'aimerais avoir le courage comme Mary d'avoir mon bébé, mais j'ai laissé la peur de l'homme me pousser à avorter mon bébé. Je ne peux pas changer mon passé, mais je peux apprendre de mes erreurs. Dieu a utilisé mon avortement pour me mettre dans une relation avec Jésus. À présent, J'ai l'insigne honneur de marcher avec vous tous dans vos voyages de guérison. Dieu a certainement pris mes cendres, mes horribles péchés, et les a transformés en quelque chose de beau pour mon bien et sa gloire, et vous en faites tous partie. Je crois que Dieu fait que toutes choses concourent au bien de ceux qui l'aiment, à ceux qui sont appelés selon son dessein (Romains 8:28). Dieu, par l'oeuvre du Saint-Esprit, nous sanctifie continuellement et nous conforme à l'image de Jésus. Vous êtes tous si précieux pour lui; J'espère que vous le savez.

 

Des questions

  1. Combien de temps s'est-il écoulé depuis votre dernier avortement ?(s)?
  2. T'accroches-tu toujours à ton secret de l'avortement(s)?
  3. Avez-vous permis à Dieu d'accéder à tous vos endroits brisés afin qu'il puisse vous guérir? Sinon, faites-lui confiance aujourd'hui. Il veut que tu sois guérie et entière afin que tu puisses devenir la femme qu'il a créée pour que tu sois.

Tu es aimé,
Toni

Audio of "The Courage of Mary" blog post

Mary, Did You Know video

"Marie, Le saviez-vous?"

(Featuring Chandler Moore & Lizzie Morgan)

Maverick City Music

 

Click here for the music video

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Comment Dieu a-t-il utilisé votre douleur?

Comment Dieu a-t-il utilisé votre douleur?

(2 Corinthiens 1:3-5)

Quand je suis venu à Christ à l'âge de 34, Je souffrais d'une grave dépression, douleur physique dans mes articulations et fatigue. J'ai demandé des réponses à plusieurs médecins, mais ils n'ont rien trouvé. Mes résultats de tests, Analyses CAT, MRIs and blood work all came back normal. I was perplexed. What is wrong with me? I now realize that my mental, emotional and health struggles were God’s way of getting my attention. Because of how poorly I felt, I couldn’t participate in my regular activities. It was during this time of suffering that God began drawing me to Himself.

How has God used suffering in your life to get your attention? In my case, God used my pain, weakness, fatigue and depression. God knows exactly how to reach all of us so that we turn to and focus on Him. God has always used my physical health issues to remind me to lean on Him. He uses suffering so that first, we will realize how much we need Him in our life and secondly, what kind of changes we need to make.

When I had the courage to trust God and finally wanted more than mere survival, God met me right where I was. God used my distress to bring me to Him. Even during my period of pain, God used me to help others. When I followed His lead by reaching out to those in need, I received even more healing for myself. Dans 2 Corinthiens 1:3-5, God’s Word says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted of God. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.” (ESV) God never wastes our suffering. It is all for a specific purpose. Some of you dear ones have suffered for a long time, and my heart goes out to you. It can seem very lonely at times, but God sees you. He loves you and has a purpose for your pain.

Christ suffered a horrific death on the cross for us. He also endured torture having been scourged, beaten, slapped, hit with rods and pierced in his skull with a crown of thorns. If anyone is acquainted with anguish and pain, it is Jesus. Come to Jesus just as you are, and He will give you comfort. Only He can carry you when you can’t take another step. He is the only one who will never leave you. He will not abuse you or take advantage of you. His love is pure, holy, just and life-affirming. His ways lead to true freedom and healing.

How has God used suffering in your life?

What is God showing you?

One day, beloved, we will be in glory in a place called Heaven where there is no more pain, sorrow or crying—a place where we will be embraced by the peace and love of Jesus.

Tu es aimé,
Toni

 

 

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Un temps de prière et de repentir

Un temps de prière et de repentir

Un temps de prière et de repentir
de Toni Weisz / Disciplines Spirituelles

2 rois 24:14, Psaume 139:23-24, et 2 Corinthiens 7:10

Récemment, mon pasteur a prêché sur le prophète Jérémie et les raisons pour lesquelles Dieu a puni son propre peuple à cette époque. God allowed Nebuchadnezzar, a powerful and ruthless Babylonian king, to overtake Jerusalem. He plundered the temple and the royal palace, and carried away the King of Judah, his mighty men, et 10,000 captives including all the craftsmen and smiths. None remained except for the ‘poorest people of the land’ (2 rois 24:14). But why would God allow this to happen? Much like us, the children of Israel struggled greatly with idolatry, specifically child sacrifice. The Bible describes this act as passing children through the fire (2 rois 21:6). In ancient times, many Israelites sacrificed their children to the false gods of Baal and Molech. Nebuchadnezzar’s successful plundering and capturing of Jerusalem’s royalty and workforce was part of God’s divine punishment for these sins…

In a similar way, we have followed in the footsteps of the Israelites by terminating the lives of our children. We may not physically hand over our newborn babies to be sacrificed like our ancient Jewish counterparts, but we end the lives of our children while still in our wombs. As a nation, we have murdered over 63 million children, passing them through the fire in sacrifice to our own false god: ourselves. My heart breaks when I think of the multitude of families that are missing a child, a grandchild, a great grandchild, a brother, or a sister. Entire generations of our families are missing. We have played “god” (little “g” god) by deciding whether our children live or die. Alors, today I dedicate a special prayer to each woman in this ministry and for our nation to repent of its sins of abortion and self-idolatry. My hope is that God will save future generations from this death and destruction.

Forgive us, Seigneur, for putting ourselves on the throne of our hearts instead of You. Only You can give life and take life. Forgive us for our sin of abortion. We are so sorry that we robbed You of the precious lives that You gave us. Forgive us for having sex outside of marriage thinking we knew best. You only wanted to protect us from the harm it would cause us and our children. Forgive us for our sin of lust and fornication.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in Your way everlasting.” (Psaume 139: 23-24) Heavenly Father, in the powerful name of Jesus I pray. Come Holy Spirit and search each heart now, remove any blindness, help us to trust You and to surrender every part of our being to You. Bring into the light our evil thoughts and actions that have hurt You, others, and ourselves. Seigneur, forgive us for our selfish ways and our impure thoughts. Cleanse us from all our iniquity and cleanse us from our sins. We need You to renew our minds and purify our minds with the powerful Word of God. Bring down any unhealthy thinking or critical and unkind thoughts. Help us to be humble and teachable. Remove our sin of pride far from us. We want to walk in Your ways, Seigneur. We want to relinquish control to You, Seigneur. We want You to be first in our lives, Seigneur. We want You to be glorified through our lives, Seigneur. Be magnified in us today.

“For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.” (2 Corinthiens 7:10) Seigneur, we are totally broken over our sins. When we sin, let us think back to the Old Testament and picture the gruesome sacrifice of animals for a covering over our sins. In the New Testament, Jésus, the sinless Lamb of God, came and atoned for our sins and removed them from us. He was our substitute. He paid our sin-debt so we could be righteous before You. Without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins. You are Holy, Seigneur. Help us to be pure and holy. Help us to be separated from the world. We are foreigners here. This is not our home. Let us not be like Lot’s wife, who turned back to see the destruction of the world she came to love more than You, Seigneur. Par conséquent, God judged her, and she was turned into a pillar of salt (Genèse 19:26). Let me love Your ways, Seigneur, more than anything this world can offer me.

How long, Seigneur, will you hold back your hand of judgment upon America? Is the turmoil we are experiencing today a result of your church not standing up against all the evil in our world? How long will You tolerate our sins of pride, idolatry, and murder without bringing judgment upon us? Have mercy upon us, O Lord, and hold back Your hand of judgment upon us. Help us to acknowledge that our time is short. Help us to be about Your business in this world. Give us a new, fresh outpouring of your Holy Spirit to be bolder, more courageous, and more effective in the things we do in this ministry, in our churches, in our families, and in our workplaces. Set our hearts on fire with the power of Your Word. In the powerful name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Let’s take time now to allow the Holy Spirit to search our hearts. Merci, Lord for what You are doing in our lives.

Des questions

  1. What has God put on your heart to pray about today?
  2. Is there anything you want to confess?
  3. Is there a person in your family that you are especially praying for?

Please feel free to reach out for prayer, toni@myashestobeauty.com. God bless you.

Tu es aimé,
Toni

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