thinking God's thoughts about yourself

Hebrews 12:1&2 says, "....let us throw off everything that hinders us and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector (love that) of our faith...." In this weeks study of God's thoughts we are to throw off the things that weigh us down. These things that weigh us down may not be necessarily sin but we need to throw them off and fix our eyes on Jesus. Our race is our day to day walk. It's not the times of special occations but in the everyday race of life.

Charity address 3 weights that beset women:

1)Weight of Defienciency: we get caught up in the things we can't do
Ex 3:7-22 - 4:1-17 talks about how God wanted Moses to go to Pharoah and bring His people the Israelites out of Egypt. But Moses had his doubts all through chapter 3 and 4 saying, "Who am I, that I should go to Egypt." But God told him, "I will be with you." Then Moses said, What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, "The Lord did not appear to you." Then in chapter 4:10 Moses says, "O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to you servant. I am slow of speech and tongue." Then in verse 12 Moses was begging God (like God had made a mistake in the one he had chosen) to send someone else to do it. But God sent Aaron his brother to be Moses mouth and it was going to be like Moses was speaking and as if Moses was God to him. Moses was stuck in his insufficiency when he should have been focusing on God's sufficiency. Moses truly thought God did not have the right man - I can't do this, what if this, I have not been able to talk - you must send someone else you have the wrong guy. But in all this God knows us and he knew Moses better than he knew himself.
Colossians 2:10 says in one tranlation says,..."we are complete in Him..." The Lord fills in the gaps of our weaknesses.
In Ps. 68:4-6 says that God will be a father to the fatherless. God is our source and our sufficiency.

2)Weight of Discontentment
Phil. 4:11 says, "...for I have learned to be content whatever circumstances."

Contententment = Satisfaction
Discontentment brings nagging and complaining

This brings us to Joseph who was sold into slavery by his brothers and was then put into prison. Joseph was content in whatever situation he found himself in - even in prison ( I know I would have been complaining but Joseph was content.) No, Joseph didn't want to be there but he knew the Lord was with him and would take care of him. The Lord knows where you are at and what you need in EVERY situation.
Learn to be happy with what you have, be content and learn to work with and make the best of what you have.
Be thankful and faithful with what you have (spiritual principle) Luke 19:17

3) Weight of Distraction
We need to prioritize things. Charity read an article about Martha Stewart and what extremes Martha goes through when she has guests over. Basically the whole visit of her friends is cooking them the best meal, having extra shoes and tennis rackets if needed, always having her high dollar coffee machine ready at any moment for her guest. The whole "jist" was that "things" are not priority - they are distracting - FAMILY is priority!

Focusing on someone elses "race" is NOT what we are suppose to do.
- Oscer Wile
God has equipped us with all the tools to run your race that He has set before you.
Phil. 2:13 says,"...you are to do HIS good pleasure."
We focus on other peoples race when we don't know what we are suppose to do.

Sometimes we belittle our gifts - DON'T DO IT! - God gave it to you!

Focus on doing your giftings with the BEST of your ability!

WHAT IS OUR GOAL?

I have fought the good fight of faith, I have finished my race...so that I can have the crown of righteousness and hear, WELL DONE!

Ask the Lord to reveal any weights to you that you need to throw off so that you may do His good pleasure.