Tag: Love

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

The Heart Series

The Heart Series: My Prayer for the heart

Gina Aggrey
my prayer for the heart
Ezekiel 11:19 ‘….. I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh’. 

Since the beginning of the year, my heart has been going through a ‘processing season’. I’ve had to come to terms with the Holy Spirit telling me about myself (not fun but very necessary). This last month, I have discovered that I am selfish, I do not love like Christ, I still hurt over things in my past and that I do not deal with issues effectively… Ouch. Conviction has been very real. I’ve been fighting within myself about the next few posts, let me be real honest. However, I would be doing an injustice if I wanted to come across all ‘put together’. I’m as broken as the next.

This is what I will call an introduction to the ‘Heart Series’.

Seasons of refinement are so necessary for the heart. They are so necessary for you to grow and develop into the person God needs you to be. How did Father let me know I needed to work on these things? Through the time I spent with Him.
One morning, in my quiet time, I asked Father: ‘So what should a heart be like… since mine is so messy at the moment?’
I grabbed a pen and paper and I wrote this prayer down….

I pray we realise how much we are LOVED.
I pray you realise the outpouring of love over you; coupled with grace and favour.
I pray your heart rejoices in the fact that He has given you all that you need in this time. He has prepared you for such a time as this and He is preparing you for a time to come.
Know that, He is a faithful God and that His mercy endures forever (Psalm 136:1).
I pray you experience His love through the community He has provided for you and moves you to a place of fellowship to know a level of love you have never known before.
I pray that your heart heals. I pray you come to a place of liberation. Know that, He wants, and will deal with all that is within your heart. He search the heart and examine our minds (Jeremiah 17:10).
I pray that today, if you hear his voice, you do not harden your hearts (Hebrews 3:15). May your heart be open to allow God to go deep within, and may you be willing to receive the deep revelations He will show you and I pray you know that you love because He first loved you (1 John 4:19).
I pray you choose love that endures as Christ paid the ultimate sacrifice for you. You are precious, God PURSUES YOU! I pray you seek peace and pursue it (Psalm 34:14). Know that you are blessed, strong and protected under the shadow of the Almighty (Psalm 91:1)

I pray your heart is broken, that all the pain, hurt that has built up is exposed. A  broken spirit;  a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise (Psalm 51:17) – that He puts a new heart and a new spirit in you, pouring in His perfect love which casts out fear (Ezekiel 11:19, 1 John 4:18). For you have not been given the spirit of fear but of power, love and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1: 7). In your hearts set apart Christ as Lord (1 Peter 3: 15). You are more than a conqueror, (Romans 8:37,) who can deal with anything because you can do everything through Christ who strengthens you. (Philippians 4: 13).
I pray you come to know that God doesn’t do seasonal wins, He only does total victory; for ALL of you – Body, Soul and Spirit. That he has won the victory through the epitome of love embodied in the bearings of the cross. 

I pray you realise this is His will for your heart – start living in His will! He who has started a good work in you will continue until completion,  until the day of Christ ( Philippians 1: 6); have hope in that! He never fails and will uphold you with His right hand (Isaiah 41: 10).
I pray you become man after God’s heart such as David, I pray you have a blessed assurance that God is your friend as Abraham. (1 Samuel 13:14, James 2:23).
I pray your journey is spirit-led as Moses, recognising that He leads you step by step and He clears the path for your coming. Be strong and courageous (Joshua 1:9).

For all the glory and honour is yours Almighty Father,

Through Christ our Lord who lives and reigns forever and ever,

Amen.

Image: https://www.pinterest.com/explore/cross-heart-tattoos/
Believer's Battles

Victory Speech

Gina Aggrey

First Monday of the Year, Ladies and Gentlemen! Happy Monday indeed! 🙂

This year, I have a lot of things on my heart to do. A new year brings a lot of new plans for people. It’s so easy to be motivated and excited; to put new incentives in place now. If the Lord has placed it on your heart to do something, pursue the purpose.
Here’s a Word the Lord gave me back in September, that is so timely for us with plans:

Pray over your plans. For God has designed the prosperity path but it’s not all milk and honey from the Promised land. Whatever plans you still or have in place for the rest of the year and into the next, I urge you to stand on the Word of God to encourage, develop and establish the manifestation of them all. For He has blessed the work of your hands (Deuteronomy 28) and whatever you do [whatever your task may be], work from the soul [that is, put in your very best effort], as [something done] for the Lord and not for men. (Colossians 3:23)

However, today’s message is not on the content of your plans. It is on how to maintain motivation  and energy for your plans and in general life.
Here’s the ‘secret’ : declarations.

My cloest friends know I am a big promoter of life-giving language. If you can’t speak life over it, don’t speak at all. I’m the friend who will tell you the correct sentence to say, instead of the negativity that potentially was about to come out your mouth.
A defeatist  attitude is a my daily struggle for me. Hence why I have declarations. I used to wake up with no hope for the day, plagued by such negative and fearful thoughts. I would see the day as a wasted day because I had such a dark cloud over my head. We thank God for His saving grace, for He revealed my heavy heart and broke the bondage I was under. He has placed joy and gratitude in my heart and as soon as I wake up, I make sure I state: ‘Praise Be to God!’

If I could urge you to do anything in 2016, it would be to change the way you speak.

A declaration is ‘the formal announcement of the beginning of a state or condition’.


I’m currently in the process of writing declarations in the areas in which I struggle to maintain faith. For example, after I was saved, my mind was attacked with the thought of  “Are you actually saved though?”. Now, Jesus knew my heart was sincere and I was so assured of my salvation afterwards. However, a few weeks in and opposition arose.
I didn’t even know my mind was under attack, until on the Bible App there was a reading plan: ‘ Satan Lies,God’s Replies’. ( a highly recommended read). It revealed to me a lot of things I had to work on. Thank you Holy Spirit. It is so vital that we realise how important our speech is.

Proverbs 18: 21 –
Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
And those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words.

There are consequences for the way we speak. Tell someone they are beautiful enough times, they will believe to be truth. Speaking life over each other is the best gift we can give one another. Speak into there future and you are prophetically proclaming beauty. I want to be that friend! We were called to do for and to each other.  Ephesians says so:

Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord. (Ephesians 5:19).

I find it so beautiful when words are spoken from a genuine loving heart. Having recently celebrated my birthday, I had tears of joy flowing from the life spoken over me, I praised God for putting such people in my life. Words have an impact!

So then “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). Read scripture out loud, confirming and establishing your faith. State your declarations and pray over them, asking Father to open your heart to be fully convinced of the power of the Word.
A few days ago, the topic of declaration was in my mind and just yesterday morning, Father confirmed it for me. I was watching a sermon which focused on the following scripture:

“The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life”. (John 6:63).

You can have a declaration over anything. Currently, I’m working on a declaration of faith, assurance of salvation and confirmation of my identity in Christ. All the declarations are founded on the Word of God. They are all scripture filled and they are life, because they are the Words from our Father.

As striving-for-Christ Christians, we need to be able to change our language from doubters to the language of our Father which is victory-speech. If only we could realise who we are and what we can do, (which is everything! Philippians 4:13), we will never limit ourselves.
So that exam you have? Instead of saying: “Oh I’m going to fail”, how about “Jesus hasn’t bought me to uni to fail, I’m more than a conqueror”. (Romans 8:37).

Have you ever noticed though that society promotes defeatism? It is not the social norm to speak highly of yourself and to be confident in yourself. Society does negativity in even the simplest and smallest of things,such as: “The weather is so horrible”. No, it isn’t. It’s” the day the Lord had made and I will rejoice and be glad in it”.(Psalm 118:24).
It’s that real. I’ve come from a place of such pessimism that I’m consistently and continually focusing on my victory speech –  because being in the place I was, was not healthy. With every word spoken, I am renewing my mind (Romans 12:1-2). It is a struggle, but my Father didn’t create a limited life for me. No, Sir.

Let’s deliever God-given Victory-Speech. Using the scriptures to uplift, elevate, motivate, edify and encourage you in day to day life and definitely over any working projects and weak areas in your life.

Your a child of God, you can do it.

Blossom Into,

Victory-speakers.

Gina.