Treena Salthouse Treena Salthouse

Let God Transform You

As I sit here spending time with God..........

I see a flower bud, tightly bounded together and think how we start out as a bud, bound by our past, bounded by how we see ourselves, like shackles around our ankles. But as we let God transform us, bit by bit we emerge out, transformed, as God created us to be, bright, bold, and beautiful.


Like a flower bud, there is so much to offer inside. And yet we can become impatient and tell ourselves that we should be able to produce something extraordinary instantly. But that’s not how it works. Instead, we have to see the potential, go through the process, be patient and understand God’s timing is always perfect. Just as God created a flower to go through transformation from bud to flower, we also go through transformation.

As I continue to gaze at the flower bud I see small imperfections and think how perfectionism is about outward appearances and how perfectionism and being afraid to fail can stunt our growth.

And I think how.....

  • Growth is about what happens on the inside

  • Growth is about who we are becoming

  • And how when we try to be perfect it can hinder our growth

  • Failures are a part of life.

  • If you don't fail you don't learn

  • If you don't learn,

  • you will never grow

Let God transform you - press in - grow - thrive - flourish

But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:16-18 NIV


Treena Salthouse ❤️

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Treena Salthouse Treena Salthouse

Strength

I have been pondering a lot about strength and what it means to be strong. Thinking about what is true strength, what does it mean to be strong - is it a good thing or not so good ! And I’ve come to the realization that I have had some things backwards and inside out. I am seeing more and more clearly what real strength is...

  • true strength lies in surrender - being able to let go and let God

  • being vulnerable - letting others in, dropping the brave face and reaching out

  • being humble - it is the strong who admit their failure, who get on their knees and seek wisdom.

When the storms of life hit God gives us the ultimate gift of unconditional love and his strength... from this stems the hope we need to weather those storms.

His power is made perfect in our weakness...

My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

He never intended for me to navigate life on my own strength. His power rests on me when I say, “God, I am worn out. I am a mess. Please give me the strength I lack.”

And remember to immerse yourself in His word…

POL (Proclaim out loud) | Bible Verses about Strength in the Lord

1 Chronicles 16:11

Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.

Deuteronomy 31:6

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord you God goes with you: he will never leave you nor forsake you.

Exodus 15:2

The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.

Psalm 18:32

It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.

Isaiah 41:10

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Joshua 1:9

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.

John 16:33

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

1 Corinthians 10:13

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so you can stand up under it.

2 Timothy 4:7

But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth.

1 Peter 4:11

If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Philippians 4:13

I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Ephesians 6:10

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

Don't worry about what the future holds...

"Meet today’s problems with today’s strength. Don’t start tackling tomorrow’s problems until tomorrow. You do not have tomorrow’s strength yet. You simply have enough for today," Max Lucado

Take hold of what God has for you, step out - have faith in the Lord’s strength - your strength comes from Him and Him alone.

Treena Salthouse ❤️

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David Hollis David Hollis

Be Strong and Do Not Give Up

"But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded." (2 Chronicles 15:7, NIV)

Standing under a tree enjoying the cool shade and light breeze, I noticed just in front of me, a flying insect. It was about 2 cm’s long, facing away from me with its tiny wings a blur. But it was not going anywhere. Despite its efforts, the light breeze was enough to prevent it making any forward progress.

When the breeze increased, the insect was pushed backwards and would then struggle to regain its former spot. No matter what it did though it could not seem to make any progress past the initial position where I first noticed it. I watched this pattern of backwards and forwards being repeated for several minutes until suddenly the wind eased a fraction. The insect shot forward and was gone.

As I walked away, I thought how much like life that is. Sometimes no matter what we do, how hard we work, or how much we try to change or accomplish something, we seem to get nowhere. And sometimes we find ourselves a step or two backwards.

At those times when we are mentally or physically drained and not seeing the results we want, it’s easy to give up. It's frustrating to work day in and day out and not see any progress.

But those things holding you back will not remain forever. Whatever is blocking your progress will pass. The wind will ease, often when least expected, and you will spring forward.

And what you often find, is that the effort and tenacity you exerted to keep at it, to persevere day in and day out, will supply the strength you need for the next part of the journey. The effort will not be wasted. It can all be redeemed.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9, NIV)

P.S. And if things did get too hard and you gave up somewhere along the way, nothing says you can't get back up and try again.

(David Hollis)

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