Category: Believer’s Battles

Believer's Battles

Nature Vs. Nurture

Gina Aggrey

Happy Monday Ladies and Gents!

I’ve been thinking a lot about growth, identity, purpose… seems to be the theme for a while…Been on the book of Ephesians for a bit….enjoy!

You know what’s so great?

Psalm 39.

O Lord, you have examined my heart
    and know everything about me.
2 You know when I sit down or stand up.
    You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
3 You see me when I travel
    and when I rest at home.
    You know everything I do.
4 You know what I am going to say
    even before I say it, Lord.
5 You go before me and follow me.
    You place your hand of blessing on my head.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
    too great for me to understand!

7 I can never escape from your Spirit!
    I can never get away from your presence!
8 If I go up to heaven, you are there;
    if I go down to the grave, you are there.
9 If I ride the wings of the morning,
    if I dwell by the farthest oceans,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
    and your strength will support me.
11 I could ask the darkness to hide me
    and the light around me to become night—
12     but even in darkness I cannot hide from you.
To you the night shines as bright as day.
    Darkness and light are the same to you.

13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
    and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
    Your workmanship is marvellous—how well I know it.
15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
    as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
16 You saw me before I was born.
    Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
    before a single day had passed.

17 How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.
    They cannot be numbered!
18 I can’t even count them;
    they outnumber the grains of sand!
And when I wake up,
    you are still with me!

19 O God, if only you would destroy the wicked!
    Get out of my life, you murderers!
20 They blaspheme you;
    your enemies misuse your name.
21 O Lord, shouldn’t I hate those who hate you?
    Shouldn’t I despise those who oppose you?
22 Yes, I hate them with total hatred,
    for your enemies are my enemies.

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
    test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 Point out anything in me that offends you,
    and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

 

It’s so beautiful to know that we have a Father who will never be surprised by the way we do certain things because He made us. Self-discovery is interesting because we find out what He has placed in us. God can only do fantastic (minus our flaws) so go ahead and get finding…

How do we know though?

In a conversation with a friend, he said: ‘ It’s hard to find out your purpose because it involves things that come so naturally’.
I had to ponder on that and agree. We are all build with reason and purpose right, with our uniqueness so inbuilt that it is hard to differentiate between ‘this stands out’ and this doesn’t.
For example… in my house, I’m called to organise things in the fridge (there is a point to this don’t worry). If my mum and brother try to pack everything in there, it will be chaotic and not everything will fit. However, my dad and I seem to ‘have a knack’ for arranging things.
Could something as trivial as packing away shopping be directly linked to my purpose? We don’t know yet, only God does, but it is not the act of packing that makes it worthwhile it is the processing and the way in which my dad and I think that enables us to pack the fridge. So do my dad and I have the same purpose? No, we have the same skill but used them differently. Even though we both end up with an organised fridge, my dad may put the milk, egg, bread etc in different places to me.

What point am I trying to make? It’s easy to spot who is completely different to you, but what about those similar?

I feel like a lot of aspiring leaders with bright ideas end up unfulfilled because they have gone: ‘That person has done something similar already…. and it’s better than mine..’ This is not because the other person’s idea had more financial help or had more publicity, it’s mainly because the other person did it in a different way, using the same skills.
Amplified disparity between you and ‘the-standard’ you set as the other person.

I hope I’m making some sense here….

A lost idea isn’t lost in one instance. It is a build up.
A friend of mine sums this up well, such negativity does not come from just within, give it a read; Taking every thought captive

Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart’s desires Psalm 37:4

God places desires on our hearts and gives us ideas in order to fulfil those desires (Psalm 37:4). Then you ponder and think about it and you can get excited, plan it out, looks like it is going to happen…Then after some moments: doubt, fear, questions….
How convenient….

Jehovah-Jireh knows when, where, why, how… (all the W’s and H’s ) about the reasons behind an idea.

So what should we do? Use our weapons

  1. The Word – The Truth declared and spoken into, over around (and all other directions) will bring a life and energy to you that will enable you to work for that plan with more enthusiasm. You will be grounded with the truth, your defence mechanism against anything that is not from God.
  2. Prayer – Communicate with God about it.Write out the conversation. Use His Word in prayer, commit your plans to the Lord and they will succeed. (Proverbs 16:3).
  3.  Praise Him! Focus on who He is, your Father, who made you as He wanted and doing what He predestined and planned  for you to do. That is amazing. I love the way the NLT puts this;‘For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago’.
    Ephesians 2:10

At the end of the day, when we carry out what is on our hearts, we impact, we shine as the lights we are called to be.
Ephesians 3:7
I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power.

At the end of the day, when we carry out what is on our hearts, we impact, we shine as the lights we are called to be and we encourage the pursuant to keep running towards Our Father.

So why Nature Vs. Nurture?

Your nature is nurtured by the path of life to propel you into the path of promises for your purpose.

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20 

Blossom Into,

Nurtured Believers

Gina x

 

Believer's Battles

The Importance Of Self-reflection…

Gina Aggrey

Well it has been quite a while Ladies and Gents. Amongst the uni exams, holidays, working all hours and generally doing life, I have really felt uneasy because I haven’t posted in so long!

Within such a busy time in my life, I have realised that I have run around so much and have not processed events that have happened. Sometimes you can be too busy for your own good:

‘In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for he grants sleep to those he loves.’
Psalm 127:2

I needed to sit down and really think about the past few months. Process and self-reflect. I realised there is difference between the two.

Processing to me would mean you sit down and think about what you’re going through currently or what you went through and the effects. How an external effects the internal. A lot like David did when he cried out to God in the moments of his down fall.

Self-reflection however is when we look at experiences, events or a time period and assess the internal.
it is defined as serious thought about one’s character and actions.
We usually ask ourselves a lot of questions in self-reflection, however in process you usually go through a timeline of events and consider what has happened. Paul is a fantastic example of someone who self-reflected.

Let’s speak in real terms.

I went to get a cheeky Nandos with some good friends of mine a couple of weeks ago. It was lovely to see them all again whilst enjoying my extra hot chicken with extra hot sauce (cannot get anything less!)
To add to the silence created by the munching of very hungry people;  I posed a question that required some self-reflection:
‘ Guys, what would you say would be the biggest change in you this year?’

A lot of people do not self-reflect. This worries me; why?

In a world that is moving so fast and time is running away, how do we measure true change?
In a world that puts you in boxes, how do you identify your uniqueness?
In a world where we are told to conform how do you stand out?

Delve into self.

As believers in the perfect example ever of how to conduct ourselves; we have a standard to uphold. People are not far off when they say: ‘ What would Jesus do?’
If we asked ourselves that after every interaction with people we would realise how we don’t naturally do what is best. However there are always steps to rectify situations that get a bit OTT.

Another personal anecdote (it’s been a long week lol)…

I recently had a disagreement with a friend over something quite silly. It was an over-the-top reaction to a minor issue. We talked it out and it was put to bed.
However I did a self-reflect within my JesusTime that night and I had to ask these questions:
What made you react that way?
Are there any underlining issues?
What else going on within you contributed to the situation?

These questions brought up more than the situation and I know the steps to take in order to promote healing to both parties now. Especially when there is a disagreement, self-reflection is needed. It would save the destruction of great relationships. It is not always the person in the wrong who did the wrong.

‘..within my JesusTime that night’

Where do you allow Holy Spirit to speak to you about these things?
Holy Spirit comes to reveal truth to us.
If we are not having consistent regular time with the Trinity; we can miss these very important moments in our walks. Keeping to time has always been an issue, God honours a person who will avail themselves to the process of change.

Self-reflection enables the practical application of the Christian principles. It is important so that we can gauge where we are and what the necessary steps are to become more like Jesus, in order to please Our Father.

‘Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith..’

Let us examine and probe our ways, And let us return to the LORD.

(2 Corinthians 13:5; Lamentations 3:40)

Have you ever had a moment where you have to stop and hear yourself talk because you don’t sound like you? You sound mature and grown up? I find that to sit down and think about yourself as a person, I end up coming into such a time of thankfulness to Our Father. How He changes your heart!
God is always working on the inside. Through the sanctified work of the Holy Spirit, your insides are being ‘jumbled-up’ and ordered again.

I thank God knowing that He knows what changes need to happen and where within me I need to think on. Our journeys as believers is measured by the degree to which we become more Christ-like.

Process is from the outside in; self-reflection is from the inside out.

In all your ways acknowledge Him! (Proverbs 3:6).

 

Blossom Into,

Reflectors & Changers.

Gina x

Believer's Battles

The Heart Series: Conviction Vs Condemnation

Gina Aggrey

 

no-condemnation
Romans 8: 1 – 2: ‘Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus that law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death’.

 

Within my uni fellowship we have been studying Holy Spirit. It has been a joy to discuss and learn within my beautiful community.

As believers of the Most High, we are called to reflect Christ in all we do. So that involves change.

Have you ever thought about the difference between conviction and condemnation?

What precedes change? Conviction and correction.

Conviction comes when we do things not of Christ and God wants to change within us. The fact that Holy Spirit dwells in us means we will be convicted of our sin and a strong desire to change will be placed on our hearts to seek God’s counsel in order to obey.
We have been given the knowledge of right and wrong. Our conscience is are our innate conviction system.

Analogy time: So (confession), sleeping in lectures is a real problem for me. When I’m warm and comfy and hearing a monotonous voice, it’s really deep, no matter where in the room I sit (imagine had a 4 – 6pm , I had just had a big late lunch…hmmm).  It was so bad in first year, I’ve improved now. These sleeping tendencies made me realise how conviction works. So here’s how I liken Holy Spirit’s action to this setting.

When your sleeping your obviously not doing the right thing in that moment. We are meant to be engaged and listening. When your about to fall asleep, you get the tell-tell signs right? For me it’s the way I sit. I sleep in a set position, the eyes droop, then my head……. It’s all over Jackie…
This has happened so often that now the squad clocks my movements and gives me warnings. When my sitting position changes, one of the girls just stares at me. I straighten up. If my eyes are shut and my head droops I receive a nudge to wake me up. I shake myself, grab some water then try to focus for the rest of the lecture. After the lecture, I receive correction.  My girls will go: ‘Nahh Gina, did you sleep last night? (I really didn’t). You need to stop sleeping you know (I know), start going to bed earlier (I will),  it’s not everyday sleep in lectures (**Sigh**).

Often we are sleeping when conviction comes. We are unaware to our ways. We don’t even recognise the tell-tell signs. Holy Spirit is our friend who nudges us! The nudge jolts us and makes us aware again so we focus on our actions and how they impact our environment. This can happen a lot of times and nudges can come often over the same issue. However, if you react to the nudge from that point on you can now recognise the tell-tell signs and put up strategies in order to stay alert. (I know munch and drink a lot of water throughout lectures).
My ‘((**Sigh**)’ is often how we get when correction comes. Let’s be honest it’s not fun but it’s very necessary. We can feel pressured, we can feel like we are really not the best person in the whole but hey, Our Father knows this:

‘He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding’. Proverbs 15: 32.

We are in danger of slipping into condemnation at this point in our lives. Condemnation brings a package a self-pity and guilt. Condemnation makes you feel worthless and makes you focus on all the negatives. It takes the wrong you did and magnifies it, making it seem so big we are not moved to make any changes but just sit in hopelessness.
Guilt is not from God.
That is the accuser of the brethen’s job. Guilt will hinder you from seeking God because you feel unworthy. I have been here! wow. I had a week where when I thought about praying, small small anxiety will rise up. Guilt comes from a fear of punishment but we are in a place where we have NO MORE CONDEMNATION! (Romans 8:1 – 2). We have been set free by the power of the Cross, our saviour Christ Jesus who had overcome for our sake.

Recognise this is not Our Father! This bridges and widens the gap even further than us and God. Satan loves it and will use every opportunity he gets. So what do you do when you start to feel like this? I literally fell on my knees and cried out to God. I know I wasn’t perfect but if I felt like this now, He can definitely fix me.

Also be practical about things. If for example, it is gossiping you are convicted over, recognise the people who gossip and swerve long conversation (note: long conversation – let’s be polite now). Why should people lead you to sin? Don’t give them the chance. We operate on high ground and don’t operate on the grounds of satan. We have been given the spirit of power, love and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1: 7).

Conviction brings correction. Correction is best done privately, however if we don’t heed to the correction we are at risk of becoming desensitised to the voice of God. We are at risk of doing this because we all instinctively become defensive when our correction comes. Imagine someone told you: ‘Nahh you need to change that’. My initial reaction is not to be like: ‘Father Lord I submit to change’ but rather justifying my character from all angles. That’s where the problem arises. We like to justify what and why we do things. If it can be explained it is logical and therefore okay… so we think.

Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth. If you need to be on a certain level and you’re not, you’re going to know about it. We have such a loving Father who knows how to communicate with us. He knows the best way to get our attention. We need to pray for the discernment, to be able to determine exactly what we are to do and say in these seasons. Part 1 of receiving uncomfortable conviction is the realisation of weaknesses. The whole point is that are to be like Jesus. God wants to remove everything within you that is not of Our Saviour and purify our hearts, so at the end of the day we can look back and see the process of inner sanctification we had undergone.
Everything God removes will be replaced with an edifying attribute in abundance, as long as we are persistent. We have to be intentional when we seek Him.

There may be a time where you feel like your not on top, when you don’t feel like your blessed and highly favoured. In these seasons don’t dwell on it, pray on it!

Holy Spirit comes to work the fruit within us out to the surface:

Galatians 5:22 – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Holy Spirit comes to reveal the mind of Christ. It is in God’s mind that we reflect His character. We are made in His image (Genesis 1: 27), so are worked on everyday, being re-moulded.

If at this point you’re not really going through conviction, have a rain check. We are not perfect so there  is always something we need to change. We don’t just need a prompting from the Holy Spirit to see faults. God has given us wisdom and common sense and the more the desire to please God arises the more we realise our flaws.

Remember. If it’s GUILT don’t allow it to take hold. Conviction brings correction. Correction is good. Correction and conviction purifies your heart, aids in cleansing your soul and builds and matures you spiritually. It teaches how to obey God and trains your ear to the voice of the Holy Spirit.
God loves you so much and hence wants to change you from inside out because He has come to give us life and life abundantly. (John 10:10).

‘For the time being no discipline bring joy, but seems grevious and painful; but afterwards it yields a peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it [a harvest of fruit which consists in righteousness – in conformity to God’s will in purpose, thought, and action, resulting in right living and right standing with God]’. Hebrews 12:11.

“I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.” Jeremiah 17:10.

Can’t leave without my fav scripture:

Ezekiel 11:19:  And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them a heart of flesh.

On our walks with Father, let’s be changed to be more Christ like.

 

Blossom Into,

Sanctified Individuals,

Gina 🙂