 You began. You were in the baby playground inside your mother’s womb. In the darkness you were snug and warm, growing healthy and strong. And God, your Creator, called you by name. Not only did He call you by name; He claimed you as His own. You are His. You belong to Him. God gave you to your parents. Now those parents could have been your biological parents, your adopted parents or even your Foster parents. But wherever you landed, you were still His. You belonged to Him. Hopefully, either in any biological or adopted family even a foster family, you were wanted and felt you belonged to your parents. As you grew, your sense of belonging to your parents secured, but you realized there were certain behaviors that were received more readily than others. And most of you behaved in the way that was best received. Later, the First Grade playground, you were vulnerable to the powers that be, the callers of the team picks. When all the kids lined up to be called for kickball teams, you ran to be picked for the best team. Do you relate? Hoping that your athletic abilities, or your smile, or your wit, or your smarts would get you on the team, you held your breath. When the dust settled and you were one of the ones left on the sidelines, you knew loneliness and rejection. Perhaps your first thought was, “I’ll get better next time.” You know the feeling? ‘Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming.’ Just keep trying hard enough to change this behavior or that behavior. But alas, it was always a question, never a certainty. And every day, you stood and waited as the callers of the team picks called one classmate after the other. You were not as tall, as swift, or as gutsy as the kids that were being called. You shrank. We all relate to this story. Not because we have all experienced it, but because somewhere in our lives, we have felt the ‘behavior’ comparison. It could have been work, church, school, a club, or even a charity organization we serve. You didn’t hold your napkin in the correct place. You stood instead of sat. You talked too much, laughed too loud, sang off pitch, fell when running to first base. Whatever behavior didn’t measure up it was noted. No one had to tell you, you could feel it. Your heart felt the eyes look, the heads turn, or the under surge of not fitting in. Not belonging. When we feel this way, we respond to life as less than. However, what we relate to and understand by owning and receiving this feeling is a lie. We feel a false fate. From the moment we are thrown into the world we are attempting to belong. And yet, God says very clearly, we already do. We belong. We don’t have to try, don’t have to think about it, and don’t have to wish it were so. We belong. Just like we breathe. We belong. Do you think about breathing? Not often, I’m sure. And yet you breathe. And without that breath in your lungs you would die. There are some real advantages of recognizing and practicing breathing techniques. But you don’t have to force yourself to breathe. It happens because it is how you were created. The same is true for belonging. It is a need. A need when not met leaves us vulnerable and frightened. When we recognize and practice God’s belonging exercises we grow in our understanding of the reality that we belong. And in understanding that we really belong to our Creator we rise with an inexplicable peace and rest. What are God’s belonging exercises? Speaking truth to ourselves instead of the lies Satan whispers in our ear. Truth? What truth? The Bible, the truth in the Word that He has given for us to practice and receive. Listening to a sermon or podcast, reading and journaling from the Bible, face-to-face contact with those who reflect Christ, even a bike ride into the beauty of His Creation can allow us to practice these truths. Reading the bible is like eating good food. It grows us up into women and men that are healthy and courageous. His Words solidify this fact. We belong to God. And God says: Thus, says the LORD, your Creator, “Fear Not, I have redeemed you, I have called you by name, you are Mine. Isaiah 43:1 Do you have that scripture seared on your heart? I’d encourage you to memorize this one. When God created you He called you. By Name! Psalm 100:3 “Know that the LORD Himself is God; It is He who has made you, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture.” 1 Corinthians 3:23 “And you belong to Christ; and Christ belongs to God.” And belonging to God can make all the difference. Please don’t live your life outside of that understanding. You belong to God. Enter into His presence knowing He has a place sat just for you. Be blessed in knowing you belong to the Creator of everything. Because He IS the I AM, i am, Robyn Rochelle Cox ©RR&BC,LLC 2020
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 I've never known a time without God being central to my home. I lived my life involved with church, church members, and bible reading from my mother's womb into my teen world. Would I wish anything else for anyone else? No, absolutely not. It grounded me in knowledge, comfort and peace. Doesn't mean life was perfect, I just felt like it was. That said there came a time when it was not enough. I openly testify now to the deepening of my faith. It wasn't pretty. I was lacking something. For the first time in my adult married life we were financially 'safe.' But there was something missing. I didn't know why, but when I read the Bible it was empty, when I prayed I could see those prayers bouncing off of the ceiling and hitting me in my face. We had a four-bedroom house, three healthy children, a dog, a swimming pool with a diving board, and azaleas around the house, we even owned a Mercedes classic. My mother (my spiritual mentor) was in China doing mission work. And I was empty. I didn’t know where to turn. I called my Sunday School Leader. (The older version of small groups) I will never forget the conversation. Through sobs of an ugly cry I confessed, "Debbie, I'm afraid I've committed the unpardonable sin. There is nothing there, nothing. I have begged and cried out to God and nothing. Nothing!" I didn't really know what the unpardonable sin was, I just knew it was big and kept us from God. (Another story for another day) My friend and leader actually broke out in laughter. She laughed! Cracked up as a matter of fact. I was shocked. I had just poured out my heart and she laughed. Then she said, "Robyn? Do you really think if you had committed the unpardonable sin you would be crying about it?" I reeled back. "Well, I guess not." Debbie calmly led me through this amazing truth "God wants relationship with you. But God doesn't do fake. So where are you lying to God? Where is the place you haven't given him control? What are you holding onto? "Love the Lord God with all your heart, all your mind, and all your strength." So I went into my quiet midnight place and searched. I searched my heart for an idol, my mind for manipulation and impure motives, and my strength in my own power for works. As I found myself in my prayer closet, alone and stripped of anything but desire to know Him, my body fell on the floor. I was moved. I laid flat on my face and cried out that I just wanted to see His face and touch His hand. I would love to be able to tell you that life was hunky dory after this experience. It was not. But it was real, it was deep and it was fully given. I will never be the same. I gave Him everything I am. I knew nothing else would satisfy. I came out of that prayer closet seeing the world differently. I saw gratitude everywhere. Blessings that I had never taken notice of. God IS Good and I believed it to the very depths of my soul. Is there a time when it is wrong to pray? Is there a time when we are told not to ask? Please keep these words that I share with you now in the light of the knowledge of the Character of God. Remember, if you have accepted Jesus as your Savior, He has saved you (past), He is saving you (present), and He will save you (our heavenly future). This is the trajectory of the sanctifying life of believers. (Again, another story for another time.) We are admonished to pray unceasingly, we are encouraged to ask and receive. We are reminded repeatedly, reading the Bible is God talking to us, and prayer is us talking to him. This is relationship. And it is. However, there are deep caveats that we sometimes gloss over, why? They are uncomfortable. God is nothing if not Honest! Down to our guts. So if you're willing, join me in digging into the guts. There are a few places in the Word of God where God says: 'Stop praying!" Remember what I was dealing with in the confession above and see if you can relate. Let us look at that courageous character in the Word, Joshua. Go back with me to Joshua 7. Joshua Chapter 7. Joshua was a mighty warrior. The LORD was with Joshua and his reputation was impeccable. Until, an Israelite violated the instructions of the LORD. This Israelite named Achan stole some of the dedicated things that were to be kept for the LORD. And in the aftermath, things started to fall apart for the protected nation of Israel. Joshua sent his men to spy out the town of Ai to attack and overcome it. The spies came back and reported that it would be an easy win. “There’s no need for all of us to go up there.” Joshua sent 3,000 warriors; they were soundly defeated! This froze the Israelites in fear and the Bible says, “Their courage melted away.” Joshua and the elders were distraught in this turn of events. They tore their clothes and threw dust on their heads. (An act that in the past was a sure fire way to get God’s attention.) Joshua even cried out to God and questioned Him why they were led to this place only to be defeated? “But the LORD said to Joshua, “Get up!” Why are you lying on your face like this? Israel has sinned and broken my covenant! They have stolen some of the things that I commanded must be set apart for me. And they have not only stolen them but have lied about it and hidden the things among their own belongings. That is why the Israelites are running from their enemies in defeat. For now Israel itself has been set apart for destruction. I will not remain with you any longer unless you destroy the things among you that were set apart for destruction. Get up! Command the people to purify themselves in preparation for tomorrow. For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Hidden among you, O Israel, are things set apart for the LORD, You will never defeat your enemies until you remove these things from among you.” WHEW! Not an easy word to hear is it? “Stop Praying!” It was the same when I heard the words from my friend/teacher. It hit me in the gut. Where was I holding back? Where had I lied to the LORD? What were my intentions, my motives? Did I really believe? My Heavenly Father, and yours, says, “I want you. Just you. Love me with all your heart, and all your soul, and all your strength.” My story? My ex-husband told me three months after this spiritual awakening he wanted a divorce. He didn’t want a family, didn’t love me, and never really had. Not exactly what I would have thought turning my life 100% over to God would look like. I soon was a single mother of three children under 9 years old, living in a new town, on child support, working and going back to University. There were often times of no food in the fridge, siding falling off of the house, no money in the account after bills were paid. It was a scary life. But, GOD. Life was and continues to be an adventure. Granted, I have often had to be taken to the woodshed to fall in humility again. But since that first relinquishing of myself completely, I have never had a question as to what God is wanting from me, “GET REAL with me Robyn, I know everything, I see your heart, know your mind. Take time to shed off all of the idols you are holding onto, all the relationships you want to put first, all the Things you want to do for me instead of relinquishing yourself to me.” Word of Warning: If we encourage our friends and family to pray and only ask for us to get out of this mess called pandemic, without there being an exchange of heart for Him. We are in a dangerous place. Prayer in place of Repentance – God says, “Stop.” Please let us each remind ourselves to search our own hearts and confess in truth before the Great God Who IS. And let us walk as light for those whom we are discipling — to encourage them. Turn all our hearts toward You, Father God. Seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness. And everything else will come into place. Do I Really Believe? Find His blessings in the moments. Robyn Rochelle Cox ©RR&BC, LLC2020 i am robynrochelle cox
Robyn and Biff Cox pray that He becomes your ALL. RR&BC,LLC© all writings are protected by copyright laws please either give credit to this author or contact the author for any reference. Thank you to the God Who Sees - El Roi. Click If you want to join our free membership community, daily readings and commenting available: ©RR&BC, LLC Drop by and see us anytime: Website: www.readthebiblewithrobyncox.com Email: rrandbc@readthebiblewithrobyncox.com Hide His Words in your Heart  In times of suffering they will rise up to your mind and give you the peace you need. “If God is for us, who can ever be against us?” (Romans) Coronavirus. Does is it feel like God is not with us? When we have accepted Jesus as our Savior, he is. “Nothing can separate us from God’s Love.” (Romans) Nothing. Nothing. Nothing can separate us from God’s love. Stop and think about this wonderful true statement. If we are in God’s LOVE somehow we will be safe, we will be secure. We will be protected. True it is hard and takes faith to not know how it is going to happen? Yes, it is hard! But it is a true statement and we can trust God to hold us. “Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today or our worries about tomorrow — not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.”(Romans) There is a spiritual realm that we cannot comprehend. Just as there is God, there is Satan. But God is over Satan. And Jesus has conquered Satan. Satan was removed from God’s firmament because he wanted to be like God. Satan wanted to be in control. Satan wanted to be God. Satan has tainted everything that happens on the earth from the time God kicked Satan out of the heavenlies and gave Lucifer (Satan) power over earth. What does Satan want? Us. Why? God loves us. He loves us so much He gave His Son Jesus Christ for us. And Jesus’ Holy Blood washes over us and cleanses us into holiness and eternal relationship with God in heaven immediately when we confess our sins and claim Jesus Christ as our Savior. Satan’s goal is a desire to get us to follow him, not God. “No power in the sky above or in the earth below — indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:35-39 So, what does that mean? It means that once we have received Jesus as our Lord and Savior we are covered and protected and predestined to be HIS forever. Nothing is surprising to the God over all of Creation. This Coronavirus is not bigger than God. It cannot separate us from God. It is not the victor. We are God’s children and we have eternal life, eternally. Be encouraged we are His. “But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you. (Timothy) Timothy reminds us that we have a job to do here on this earth. Join God in the ministry He has given you. And what is that? Telling others of the Good News. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.” (Timothy) I want to join Timothy in this statement. I want to fight the good fight, finish the race, and remain faithful. Will you join Christ and know it is already done. Be blessed and encouraged by the Words hidden in your hearts from the Word of God. Spend time in His Word. Hiding them for such a time as this (Esther) He has fought the good fight Christ has won (the entire bible) Suffer well for the LORD Because He IS the I AM, i am robynrochelle cox Robyn and Biff Cox pray that He becomes your ALL. RR&BC,LLC© all writings are protected by copyright laws please either give credit to this author or contact the author for any reference. Thank you to the God Who Sees - El Roi. Click If you want to join our membership community, daily readings and commenting available: ©RR&BC, LLC Drop by and see us anytime: Website: www.readthebiblewithrobyncox.com Email: rrandbc@readthebiblewithrobyncox.com  |
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