Herramientas que utiliza el enemigo para mantenernos en esclavitud (Parte 1-3)

Herramientas que utiliza el enemigo para mantenernos en esclavitud (Parte 1-3)

Herramientas que utiliza el enemigo para mantenernos en esclavitud (Parte 1): Miedo

by Toni Weisz/ Recovery Tools

 

Referencias de las Escrituras

2 Timothy 1:7
For God has not given me the Spirit of fear, but of power and of love and a sound mind.

1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.

 

Question: What is preventing me from recognizing I have a problem?

 

Fear is a tool the enemy uses to keep me in my dysfunction: the fear of change, the fear of the unknown, and fear that if I do change, I will lose a relationship.

What are your fears? Make a list of them all.

What is preventing you from truly looking at your life and asking God to help you change?

When I truly ask and seek the truth, God shows me my wounds and the lies I believe about Him, myself, y otros. Once He shows me those areas, I accept them and seek His wisdom to change the things I can.

My areas of woundedness were once fear of rejection and abandonment, and believing the lie that if I was perfect, I would be loved. These fears caused me to become a people-pleaser and made me think I had to earn love from others and God.

I believed God would not forgive my sin of abortion, that my sin was too great. Now I know that was a lie from the enemy to keep me in bondage. I also believed I deserved to be emotionally abused because of my sins.

All this unhealthy thinking kept me in emotionally abusive relationships, isolation, depression, and hopelessness. But God in His mercy and grace filled my heart with His unfailing love, giving me the courage to step out of the darkness into His beautiful transforming light.

He helped me recognize the root causes of these lies and how to shred those lies to pieces using the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God.

 

Cómo podemos orar por ti?

I pray this topic has helped you to discover and conquer the fears and the root causes in your own life. Please reach out if you need prayer or a word of encouragement. Email: toni@myashestobeauty.com.

Eres amado,
Toni

Herramientas que utiliza el enemigo para mantenernos en esclavitud (Parte 2): Ocupación

por Toni Weisz/Herramientas de recuperación

 

Referencias de las Escrituras:

Salmo 46:10
Be still and know that I am God.

Efesios 2:8–9
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works lest anyone should boast.

Romanos 8:15–16a
For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.

Romanos 8:38–39
For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

I was always busy with so many things that I didn’t have time to think about the toxic relationships I had with some close family members. I was so involved in my children’s school and after school activities, teaching and serving at church, and raising my family that I did not have time to look at myself and recognize that I was enabling unhealthy behavior.

It was Fall of 2001, and I was pushing myself hard physically so I could compete against 24-year-olds in tennis at the age of 42. I would be exhausted, but I forced myself to work out anyway.

We attended a church where obeying the rules was the most important thing. It was all a show, y in the meantime, my spirit was so grieved I could barely feel the Spirit of God in me.

Then came September 11, and my husband was flying that day from Philly to CA. For many hours, I did not know where he was or how he was. When I watched planes crash into the Twin Towers, I just remember going into shock. John’s family was calling, and I had no information on his waquíabouts.

Shortly after that in October, I fell on the tennis court and hurt myself so badly that I had a huge bulge in my right hip area. As time passed, it got worse, and I could not walk after a while because the pain shot through my entire body. From Thanksgiving through New Years, I was confined to laying on the couch because I was unable to stand or walk for long periods of time.

I couldn’t do anything for several months. For the first time, I had to allow others to do things for me. It was very humbling. I had a complete mental, physical, emotional and spiritual breakdown. My children were in high school at that time, and they would sit at my feet on the couch and do their homework. I thank God for that special memory.

It was during the time of my confinement that God whispered to my heart, “I love you regardless of whether you serve me on all these committees at Church or you lay on the couch for the rest of your life. I love you the same. My love for you never changes. My love for you is not based upon your good works or being worthy to be loved; My love is based upon My Son’s death on the cross for your sins.”

God knew I was working for acceptance from others and Him. I was raised in a works-based religion, and I felt because of the sins from my past—all the drugs, alcohol, sex outside of marriage and my abortion—that I needed to make an atonement for my sins somehow. I didn’t understand that there was nothing I could do to earn salvation; it was a gift from God (ReF. Efesios 2:8–9).

It took 10 years for that truth to finally make its way to my heart. But once it did, it changed my whole world forever. I finally felt loved and accepted by God. I didn’t have to be good enough or check a box to be loved and accepted. I realized I needed to believe God’s Word. I can now say with confidence that I have been adopted by God, I am His child, and nothing can separate me from His love (Ref. Romanos 8:15–16a, 38–39).

 

Questions to Take to Heart:

  1. What are you doing to keep yourself so busy that you are not dealing with your stuff?
  2. What are you running away from?
  3. How can/did you stop the busyness in your life?
  4. Cómo podemos orar por ti?

I pray this topic has been helpful for you. Please reach out if you need prayer or a word of encouragement. Email: toni@myahsestobeauty.com.

Eres amado,
Toni

 

 

Herramientas que utiliza el enemigo para mantenernos en esclavitud (Parte 3): Puntos ciegos

por Toni Weisz/Herramientas de recuperación

 

Referencias de las Escrituras:

Salmo 119:18
“Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things out of Your Law.”

John 8:31–32
“Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word, you will be my disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’”

 

Blind spots are areas in my life in which I have been wounded and where I cannot see my character defects, sins, and unhealthy coping mechanisms.

My life was filled with destructive choices, all of which contributed to my woundedness and blind spots. Only God could show me these blind spots and help me to see what areas in my life I needed to work through and change.

In the past, a blind spot for me was being overly protective of my children. When I was a young mom and not a believer yet, I was fearful that God would punish me for my past abortion and take one of my children. I remember when my children hit tres years of age, Pensé, “Oh good, I don’t have to worry about that."

But I still parented out of fear because I didn’t want my children to make the same mistakes. They were not permitted to participate in many activities their public school friends participated in because of the church we were attending at the time.

God’s Word shined light in these dark areas that were hidden for so many years. This light set me free from my fears, helping me to trust Him to release my children into His capable hands and allow them to make their own choices.

Later on, I had to apologize to my children for not allowing them to do certain things but also for being way too protective of them. They knew my heart, and they forgave me.

Another area eso I had a huge blind spot was in my relationships with others. I did not see how I was allowing others to take advantage of me by manipulating and controlling me. I never developed a voice because I was fearful of rejection and abandonment, which caused me to accept this unacceptable behavior.

I felt I deserved to be abused because of my past sins, which was a lie from the devil. I hated myself and did not respect myself. So, how could I expect others to love and respect me? I allowed others to control and manipulate me because I put their opinions above God’s in my life.

Mi gente–pleasing was out of control, and I could never say no because I didn’t want to disappoint others. Entonces, I ran around like an idiot, exhausted physically and emotionally drained and all along feeling very empty and unloved inside.

Why was I doing these things? Oh, yes, so others will see value in me and love me.

Bien, that never worked. The only one who ever saw value and worth in me was God.

Over time, God was removing the blindness, and I started seeing my unhealthy thinking. As I was seeking Him more and the truth about my past, He started revealing things to me that I did not see before.

I am so thankful for the day when God filled me with His love so completely that I finally stopped looking to humans to approve of me or love me. I was content solely in my relationship with the Lord. He was the only one I needed. This perspective changed my life forever. I am so grateful for God showing me my blind spots so I could know the truth, confess my sins, repent and be set free.

Ask God to show you what your blind spots are.

Preguntas:

What areas has God revealed to you that were blind spots?

Can you share them with the group?

Cómo podemos orar por ti?

I pray this topic has helped you to discover blind spots in your own life. Please reach out if you need prayer or a word of encouragement. Email: toni@myashestobeauty.com.

 

En su amor y servicio,

—Toni

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Pensamiento apestoso: Mi visión distorsionada de mí mismo

Pensamiento apestoso: Mi visión distorsionada de mí mismo

Pensamiento apestoso: Mi visión distorsionada de mí mismo

por Toni Weisz/Pensamiento apestoso

Carolina del SurReferencias de rotura: Isaías 43:18–19 y Salmo 62:18–19

Stinking Thinking se refiere a los pensamientos negativos que nos atormentan. (especialmente cuando estamos DETENER (hinfeliz, Aenojado, lsolo o tenojado) o perturbador pensamientos, como una visión distorsionada de Dios, nosotros mismos, u otras personas. Aprenderemos a discernir la verdad de las mentiras que hemos creído toda nuestra vida.. Nuestro objetivo es equiparte para que puedas tener la victoria en cada área de tu vida..

Isaías 43:18–19
“No os acordéis de las cosas pasadas, ni considerar las cosas de antaño. Mirad, haré algo nuevo, ahora brotará; ¿No lo sabrás?? Incluso haré camino en el desierto y ríos en el desierto”.

Salmo 62: 6–8
“Él sólo es mi roca y mi salvación; el es mi defensa; Preferiría que no me movieran. En Dios está mi salvación y mi gloria.; La roca de mi fuerza, y mi refugio, esta en dios. Confía en Él en todo momento, Tu gente; derrama tu corazón delante de él; Dios es un refugio para nosotros."

yo era el mayor de tres y provenía de una estricta segunda generación, Italo-americano Famili. mi padre y su dos hermanos y hermana dirigían una empresa familiar Cconstrucción CEmpresa iniciada por mi abuelo..

Mi abuelo tenía un problema con la bebida. AY mi papá actuó como un alcohólico a pesar de que no bebía.. Me refiero a su comportamiento como un "adicto a la ira".."Trabajaba muchas horas y estaba lidiando con mucho estrés y drama familiar.. No podía comunicarse de manera saludable sin enfadarse y alzar la voz.. hTeníamos una mecha muy corta.. Entonces, cuando estaba en casa, Literalmente quisiera correr y esconderme..

tuve un exceso–sentido de responsabilidad desarrollado, y me avergoncé muy rápido de niño. Mi papá Era muy impredecible y aterrador a veces.. Como resultado de esto, Me escondí detrás de mi pared para protegerme. fingí ser el bueno, una tranquila, para protegerme y diferenciarme de mi hermana (quien fue 15 meses mi menor) y mi hermano (quién nació tres años después de ella).

¿Cómo se suponía que iba a conseguir el amor y la atención que necesitaba?? Después del “bueno, una tranquila" persona ya no estaba trabajando, Empecé a tomar whisky a escondidas. wsu llave del gabinete de licores de mis padres. Como dije, mi papa no bebía, así que él no sabía que estaba diluyendo su licor hasta que escuché a mi tío comentarlo un día mientras tomaba una copa.. Pensé, "Oh, no, Estoy en problemas ahora”. Pero nada salió de eso.

Ahora realmente me estaba escondiendo debido a todos los pecados que estaba acumulando mientras mantenía la fachada del bien., una tranquila. Por 13, Me estaba drogando y consumiendo otras drogas.. En 16, Era teniendo sexo. y en 21, estaba embarazada y soltera. Mi vida era una receta para el desastre..

Me sentí muy inseguro porque comencé a ganar mucho peso debido a todas las calorías adicionales del licor y a los atracones después de drogarme.. me sentí feo, gordo, no amado, solo, y deprimido. Nunca desarrollé mi voz tampoco, Así que todo el relleno que había estado haciendo durante mi vida estaba a punto de salir de lado., y no podría controlarlo. Me volvería como mi padre, un "adicto a la ira".

Después de muchos años de decisiones destructivas, Mecanismos de copia nocivos y adicciones., Mi autodesprecio estaba en su punto más alto. METROMi depresión me impedía funcionar normalmente y todo el dolor que había estado guardando toda mi vida estaba saliendo de lado.. no tenia control sobre eso. Yo era como un volcán andante. Literalmente solo quería poner fin a este desastre de vida y detener el tormento que estaba experimentando..

Sentí que no era digno de ser amado. De hecho, Pensé que merecía que otros abusaran emocionalmente de mí debido a mi aborto.. No me veía como una persona valiosa para nadie., ni siquiera a dios. Este patrón destructivo continuaría hasta que yo fuera 34, cuando por la gracia de Dios, Escuché el evangelio y dentro 4 semanas fui salvo y le pedí a Jesús que perdonara mis pecados y fuera mi Señor y Salvador. El día más hermoso y memorable de mi vida es febrero. 6, 1994, cuando nací de nuevo.

Incluso después de mi salvación, Sentí que tenía que trabajar por el amor de Dios y por la aprobación de los demás en el liderazgo de la Iglesia.. Mi gente–complacer estaba consumiendo mi vida, y Dios me mostró que esto es idolatría, que todo lo que pongo por encima de Dios es un ídolo.

Lentamente con el tiempo mientras Él derramaba Su amor y gracia sobre mí y con muchos años de recuperación, interior intensivo–trabajo de curación, y participación en altos–grupos de rendición de cuentas, Dios me mostró que su amor por mí no se basaba en mis buenas obras. y eso Fue sólo gracias a la muerte de Jesús en la cruz por mí que ahora era justo ante Dios..

Dejé de esforzarme por agradar a la gente y sólo vivo mi vida para agradar a Dios.. Como resultado de esta nueva mentalidad, Me he vuelto más dependiente de Dios y más audaz y valiente.. Estoy muy agradecido por la maravillosa aventura en la que el Señor y yo estamos ahora..

 

qPREGUNTAS PARA TOMAR EN SERIO:

  1. ¿Cómo tu visión distorsionada de ti mismo te ha abierto a todo tipo de abuso y pecado como una forma de tratar de afrontar todo el dolor??

 

  1. ¿Cómo ha cambiado tu visión distorsionada de ti mismo a lo largo de los años a medida que Dios te ha dado la conciencia y el coraje para cambiar??

 

Comuníquese si necesita oración o alguien con quien hablar.. Ypuedes enviarme un correo electrónico a: toni@myashestobeauty.com.

Eres amado,
Toni

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Misterios

Misterios

SECRETS

by Toni Weisz/Recovery Tools
Referencias de las Escrituras: John 8:31–32, 36

John 8:31–32, 36
Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

“Therefore, if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”

 

YOU’RE ONLY AS SICK AS YOUR SECRETS

You may have heard the familiar recovery term, “You’re only as sick as your secrets," and it is a true statement. Until we feel safe to share our secrets, we keep them locked up in a type of “Pandora’s Box,” where we keep all of our deepest and darkest secrets hidden, because we fear them coming out to expose the ugly truth.

For the post–abortion woman, it is the truth that we terminated the life of our child. This horrible secret was our child. For those of us who have been abused, our fears of retaliation, rejection and judgment keep us silent. Where can we go to share in a safe place?

God doesn’t want us operating in secrets because He knows how destructive isolation and secrets are. I started secrets when I was 12 años, hiding my drinking. then it was getting high at 13, then sex at 16, and the worst offense was my abortion at 21.

My secrets and sins were piling up, and it became harder and harder to keep them from coming out. I feared my parents’ reaction, punishment and disappointment in me. I knew all of this was wrong, but I kept those secrets until I was 50 años.

They had no idea about my destructive, pecaminoso, sorted past because I wore a great mask. It was not an easy conversation, but I wanted them to hear it from me because I was starting this ministry and I didn’t want them to find out from another source. It needed to come from me. I felt a great release when I was finally able to share this with my parents.

WHY ARE SECRETS DESTRUCTIVE?

Primero, secrets keep us isolated from God and others, and that’s exactly where the enemy wants us. He wants us isolated and hiding because then he can torment us over and over again, until we realize what’s going on. Secrets keep us from the very people that can help us.

Second, the dysfunction is perpetuated and will continue as long as we nurture this thing, and protect it, like it was some prized possession. The secret needs to be exposed and brought into the light.

Third, secrets can hinder or prevent healing in our lives. Because of the abuse many of us have experienced in our past, we are already fearful of exposure, y we think this secret is a way to keep us safe. But actually it is causing us to stay sick. God gives us the courage to step out of isolation and secrets so we can be healed.

Fourth, secrets are destructive because they distort our view of reality, and we feel like we are all alone. Secrets are usually combined with lies that we believe about ourselves, Dios, u otras personas. God’s Word and the Holy Spirit help us to know the truth so we can walk in it and so these secrets and lies can no longer hold us back from becoming the women God created us to be.

God wants us free from bondage. Secrets keep us in chains and in darkness.

Jesús Came to set the captives free.

Preguntas para tomar en serio:

  1. What secrets are you still holding onto?
  2. Why are you fearful to share them? Is it fear of retribution, fear of rejection, fear of hurting another person, fear of abandonment, or fear of judgment?
  3. When did you have the courage to share your secrets?
  4. How did you feel after you shared your secrets?
  5. Cómo podemos orar por ti?

Please be aware eso even in Church, there are some people who are emotionally unsafe to share secrets with. Make sure it is a person/group you trust.

I pray you have the courage to trust God and allow Him to show you the areas of your life that need healing. Trust Him with your secrets.

If you need help, please reach out to me. METROy email is: toni@myashestobeauty.com.

 

Eres amado,
Toni

 

 

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Oración por avivamiento

Oración por avivamiento

Oración por avivamiento
by Toni Weisz/Spiritual Discipline

Referencias de las Escrituras: Salmo 51:1–17, Salmo 139:23–24,
2 Timothy 2:21, James 5:16, and Ephesians 4:29–31

Leer Salmo 51:1–17

En February 1970, revival broke out at Asbury College in Wilmore, Kentucky.

On Wednesday, February 8, 2023 (53 años later almost to the day), revival again broke out on the campus at Ashbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky. After Chapel service, some students lingered for spontaneous worship, prayer, and confession. The revival continued for many days and spread to other universities, and many people traveled from all over the world to experience God in eso place.

PRAYER & SCRIPTURE

We are hungry for You, Caballero. Just like in 1970, there was much turmoil in the world, the Vietnam War, protests, bad economy, high gas prices, inflation, and chaos all around, not much different today in our world. People are hurting. they are confused y fearful about what the future will bring. But our hope is in You, Caballero. Only You know it all, see it all, and control it all.

We humble ourselves before you today and ask Your Holy Spirit to help us. We cry out as David did in the Psalms.

Salmo 139:23–24
Search us, O God, and know our hearts. Try us, and know our thoughts and see if there be any wicked way in us, and lead us in the way everlasting.

Lord God, remove any blindness that may be keeping us from repenting of sin in our lives.

2 Timothy 2:21
Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.

We want to be clean vessels sanctified and useful in your kingdom work. Purify us by the Word of God and the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Father God, we are expecting You to move mightily to heal the brokenhearted and to heal all our wounds. We are waiting for you to heal us and our families from disease and demonic oppression, in the name of Jesus, we pray.

We are praying for our family members, friends, and neighbors who do not know You yet, that Your Holy Spirit will break their hearts of stone and give them a heart of flesh. Have mercy upon them, O Lord. We are crying out to You for revival in our own hearts, our homes, our neighborhood, our state, our nation, and the world. Come, Holy Spirit, and have Your will and Your way in us today.

We are surrendering all to You today. We are asking, seeking, and knocking on the door. Let revival continue right here and right now in us.

In the powerful name of Jesus, we pray, amen.

James 5:16
Confess your faults one to another and pray one for another that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Efesios 4:29-31
Let no corrupt word 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 to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

 

Preparation for Revival:

  1. Is there someone who you are harboring unforgiveness toward for something they did or did not do?

Would you like to confess that right now?

 

  1. Are you willfully going against what you know is right?

Would you like to confess that now?

 

  1. Is there something that you are unknowingly doing that is not honoring to God? Ask the Lord to show you so you can repent.

Would you like to confess that now?

 

  1. Are you angry with God because you are really struggling with loneliness, depression, loss of job, health issues, a relationship, and God is not moving fast enough and you are really suffering?

Would you like to confess that now?

 

Please reach out if you need prayer or encouragement. Ypuedes enviarme un correo electrónico a: toni@myashestobeauty.com.

 

Eres amado,

Toni

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La voluntad “perfecta” de Dios

La voluntad “perfecta” de Dios

La voluntad “perfecta” de Dios

by Luci Boudreaux/Spiritual Insights
Junio 4, 2023
Scriptures: 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. Entonces, 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.

 

Preguntas:

 

  1. Have you surrendered your will to God? If not, why? What are you afraid of?
  1. Are you in God’s will right now? If so, what does that look like?
  1. How do you respond to detours and unanswered prayers?
  1. Cómo podemos orar por ti?

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