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“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV)
Jesus is the ultimate reinvention expert.
No matter who you are, where you come from, who you have been, what you have done, or what your life has looked like, you have hope.
If you are not happy with yourself at any point in time, you can successfully choose to change.
You can change your career, your lifestyle, your looks, and your mind and thinking. In fact, you can even change your personality. You can go from depressed and unhappy to become the happiest person you know.
Even if you are in the most extreme set of circumstances, you can reinvent yourself and make a difference.
Joni Erickson Tada was a swimmer who had an accident and became a paraplegic, but she did not quit. She reinvented herself and became one of the most well-known authors, singers, and speakers.
Elon Mask came from a divorced, abusive family background. But he is now one of the most intelligent, influential, famous, and wealthiest men in the world.
I’ve gone through an extreme lifestyle change this past year.
I’ve gone from traveling and ministering by myself all over the country 52,000 to 72,000 miles per year and living by myself and taking care of myself for 30 years.
Then suddenly last year became homebound and much of the time hospitalized or bedbound at home most of the past year and even on oxygen 24/7 a lot of the year, living in a room in my daughter’s home.
I love my daughter and her family, but it is a big drastic change to live in a house with a lot of people as compared to being by myself. They have their own schedules and rules. I’m sure it is hard on them as well. I’m doing my best to be self-sufficient but I know and can tell I get on their nerves at times too.
In the early part of this year, I wasn’t sure I was going to make it to my 70th birthday in November.
I had almost given into that. But one day I just set up in bed after everyone had gone to work and school, and I screamed to the top of my lungs,”HELL NO!” to the enemy and to the spirit of death, and illness, and everything else I felt was trying to overcome me. It’s time to fight back and say “NO!” to Hell’s discouragement and lies!
It hasn’t been easy, but I began to fight every day to get myself out of my condition. Sometimes I would do too much and then end up in too much pain to barely move again for a couple days. Sometimes I had issues that put me back in the hospital again.
But the Lord had given me the phrase years ago, “If you let anything start stopping you, it will never stop stopping you.” So I fought harder. Sometimes screaming scripture and declarations out loud when no one was around. But always repeatedly declaring and praying every day and night by myself in my room.
It is frustrating to have to ask for help but sometimes I have had to. I’d drop my phone or the tv remote and it would go under my bed where I couldn’t reach it. Or maybe I’d hurt so bad I’d have to ask someone to let my dog out. I’ve felt like a huge bother to everyone so have tried to be sure I didn’t ask for help with anything that would take over one to three minutes.
I’ve come a long way. But I’m standing on Gods Word and choosing to do like David in the Bible and encourage myself in the Lord.
"But David encouraged himself in the Lord his God." (1 Samuel 30:6)
I did what I could to make my one room as organized and pretty as I could. And I began to fix myself up and wear makeup even if I wasn’t going anywhere. I felt better about myself when I looked around at nicer looking surroundings and when I’d see myself looking better when I’d catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror.
Then I realized I felt better when I was doing what I’m called to do. So since I can’t travel yet, I began doing ministry podcasts and Zoom meetings on line.
I no longer use oxygen 24/7 and no longer use a wheelchair. I also have actually driven myself to a couple doctors appointments.
I actually made it alive to my 70th birthday on November 3rd! Yay God!
I’m so thankful for those of you who have prayed for and supported me through this difficult journey. You have helped me get through it all.
I’m still praying and fighting. I have an appointment next Monday for an MRI on a kidney tumor. Then the kidney doctor on Tuesday.
Still fighting the butt wound. As well as CKD and type 2 diabetes.
But I’m determined to live and not die to proclaim the works of the Lord (Psalms 118:17), by the power invested in me through the name and blood of Jesus Christ, my Savior and Lord!
Asking Jesus to help me reinvent myself in ways that I can still be a blessing and not a burden.
Is it easy? No. I battle through everyday stuff just like everyone else.
But I CHOOSE to be ABLE and to learn new ways to make myself feel better, look better, act better, do better, and be a happier and better person.
I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)
I’m the head and not the tail! Above and not beneath. (Deuteronomy 28:13)
Faith without works is dead. (James 2:14-26)
So I’ll show my faith by my works. (James 2:17-20)
I’ll PRESS towards the mark of my calling. (Philippians 3:14)
"Press": This signifies a determined pursuit, like a runner striving to reach the finish line.
"Mark": Represents the specific goal or purpose God has called you to achieve.
"High calling": Refers to the elevated purpose and destiny God has set for believers in Christ
I’ll be a doer, not just a hearer. Like in the Lion King movie, I tell myself, “Remember who you are!”
22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. (James 1:22-25)
I won’t look at the past and quit on my future. I’ll keep PRAYING and PRESSING FORWARD.
Philippians 3:13
"Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead"
Philippians 3:14
"I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus"
Along with the help of my reinvention expert, Jesus, I’m reinventing myself. I’m in Him, and I’m a new creation every day. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
I’m writing my books and articles, doing my podcasts and Zoom meetings, and doing my best to change myself into who and what God has for me in THIS season.
I’m not going to LET the enemy get me down. I CHOOSE to become new in Jesus and to be ABLE and HAPPY.
How about you?
PRAYER
Father God, we come to you together, in Jesus name. We thank You for our life and for Your Son. Please help us to make our time on earth worth while. For ourselves, our loved ones, and those we are called upon to help. Thank You that You are a God of redemption. We are grateful and blessed to be the REDEEMED. We pray by the power You’ve invested in us through the name and blood of Your Son and Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Blessings!🙏
Joni Ames
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