And all of us, as with unveiled face, [because we] continued to behold [in the Word of God] as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very own image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; [for this comes] from the Lord [Who is] the Spirit. ~ 2 Corinithians 3:18 AMP
Wow, I can't believe today is the last day of 2012!
As we take time to reflect on this year, what were some really good moments that you experienced? How about those not-so-good moments? Can you see how much you've grown since 2011? Are there some things you would like to change?
The awesome thing about God is that He is so patient with us! We sometimes lose patience with ourselves, but He understands that we are in the process of growing. This scripture in 2 Corinthians tells us that we are "constantly being transfigured into His very own image"! How exciting is that?! Just think about that for a minute...
In spite of all our failures and weaknesses...in spite of all our strengths and successes...God's desire is to make us more like Him! Every day we are growing! We are maturing! We are becoming more like our Father! We look at God and think, "I could never be like Him. He is so perfect and so holy." But every day we become a little more like Him. As we walk with Him, we begin to take on His character. We start doing things the way He would do them. We start thinking like Him. Our actions start being motivated by love instead of selfishness.
If things didn't go so well this year, don't be discouraged. God is still working on us! We are a work in progress! Don't lay down and stop trying because you had a bad day and did or said something that you shouldn't have. Pick yourself up and keep going! He's not afraid of our failures. He's not ashamed of our weaknesses. He likes to show off by taking someone that the world thinks can't become anything and He transforms them into a mighty warrior for His kingdom! As I said the other day, God doesn't expect perfection, only obedience. Keep listening to His voice. Obey what He tells you. If you mess up, don't beat yourself up. Babies fall down countless times before they learn to walk. God knows you won't get it right all the time. However He does expect you to keep trying. The only way we can fail is if we stop trying. You are not a quitter! You were born to win! Keep your head held high and keep marching forward with Him!! You are His prize possession and He wants to reveal Himself in and through you!
Monday, December 31, 2012
Sunday, December 30, 2012
How To Live in Victory
“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock." ~ Matthew 7:24-25
I am so thankful that God has given us everything we need to live a victorious Christian life! He has already made a way for us. Now it's up to us to do our part.
So what is our part?
First of all, we need to know the Word. It gives us instructions for life. It tells us how to live, how to act, how to treat people. It helps us with relationships. It teaches us what God expects from us. It reminds us of how valuable we are to Him. It contains promises that are ours and equips us for the battles in our lives. It is impossible to truly experience the abundant life that God has for us without knowing the Word.
However, it's not enough to just know the Word. We have to obey the Word! We have to apply it to our lives. We are instructed in James 1:22 to be "doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." If we know the Word but fail to put it into practice, we are not promised victory or success.
Probably every single one of us have been hurt by someone during our lifetime. We can choose to walk in unforgiveness and hold on to all the bitterness and anger. If we do that, we are not obeying the Word. The Word clearly tells us we must forgive others. Instead of going around talking about them or trying to cause them pain, the Word tells us we are to love them, bless them, do good to them, and pray for them (Matthew 5:44). Wow, that can be hard, can't it?
If we're facing problems and we become worried and fearful, we're not trusting in the Word. Philippians 4:7 says, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
If we look back at our scripture in Matthew 7:24-25, it clearly tells us that storms will come. However, it also tells us that if we hear the Word and DO what it says, those storms will not destroy us! We will be able to stand strong in the midst of whatever comes our way! We are not left defenseless against the trials that come into our lives. The key to living in victory is knowing the Word and walking in obedience to it.
If you don't study the Word on a daily basis, I encourage you to make it part of your daily life. It will transform your life more than you could ever imagine! You will gain strength and wisdom and things that come into your life will be easier to face. God wants you to live in victory every day of your life. He has given you what you need. His Word contains the answers to every test that you will have to take during this life. Go into this new year with a new determination to make the Word a priority in your life!
I am so thankful that God has given us everything we need to live a victorious Christian life! He has already made a way for us. Now it's up to us to do our part.
So what is our part?
First of all, we need to know the Word. It gives us instructions for life. It tells us how to live, how to act, how to treat people. It helps us with relationships. It teaches us what God expects from us. It reminds us of how valuable we are to Him. It contains promises that are ours and equips us for the battles in our lives. It is impossible to truly experience the abundant life that God has for us without knowing the Word.
However, it's not enough to just know the Word. We have to obey the Word! We have to apply it to our lives. We are instructed in James 1:22 to be "doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." If we know the Word but fail to put it into practice, we are not promised victory or success.
Probably every single one of us have been hurt by someone during our lifetime. We can choose to walk in unforgiveness and hold on to all the bitterness and anger. If we do that, we are not obeying the Word. The Word clearly tells us we must forgive others. Instead of going around talking about them or trying to cause them pain, the Word tells us we are to love them, bless them, do good to them, and pray for them (Matthew 5:44). Wow, that can be hard, can't it?
If we're facing problems and we become worried and fearful, we're not trusting in the Word. Philippians 4:7 says, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
If we look back at our scripture in Matthew 7:24-25, it clearly tells us that storms will come. However, it also tells us that if we hear the Word and DO what it says, those storms will not destroy us! We will be able to stand strong in the midst of whatever comes our way! We are not left defenseless against the trials that come into our lives. The key to living in victory is knowing the Word and walking in obedience to it.
If you don't study the Word on a daily basis, I encourage you to make it part of your daily life. It will transform your life more than you could ever imagine! You will gain strength and wisdom and things that come into your life will be easier to face. God wants you to live in victory every day of your life. He has given you what you need. His Word contains the answers to every test that you will have to take during this life. Go into this new year with a new determination to make the Word a priority in your life!
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Change Begins With ME
Do not judge and criticize and condemn others, so that you may not be judged and criticized and condemned yourselves. ~ Matthew 7:1 AMP
As we go through life, it's easy to point out what we think is wrong with everyone else. It's easy to see someone else's faults or weaknesses. A lot of our stuff is hidden deep inside of us and we may not be able to see our issues as easily. After all, we're with ourselves every day! We should know ourselves better than anyone else, right? While we may know a lot about ourselves, often we are dealing with deep rooted issues that are a result of things in our past. These things may not be as visible as someone else's issues. Therefore we overlook our own problems and spend most of our time trying to fix what's wrong with everyone else.
The Lord taught me a very important lesson many years ago. Instead of going to Him complaining about what someone else was doing and asking Him to change them, He wanted to change ME. It kind of startled me at first because after all, I was doing my best to live like He wanted me to. I was trying to live this good Christian life. I loved people and did my best to show His love. Why was He wanting ME to change??
God has a great sense of humor! The way He does things is so different than the way we would do them! When we start living for Him, we are responsible for our lives. What we do, or don't do, is between us and Him. We have to answer for our actions and our words. We are accountable for the way we treat others. When we stand before Him one day when this life on earth is over, He's not going to ask us about anyone else. We will give an account of the life WE lived.
Each person is responsible for their own lives. We have enough to be concerned about with just ourselves. We don't need the added pressure of trying to fix everyone else too! We must leave that to God and focus on what He's telling us.
If you look back over your life, you may notice a pattern just like I did with my life. You find yourself in relationships or situations and it becomes a cycle that just keeps repeating itself. While the other people involved may have been wrong and may have hurt you deeply, you can't place all the blame on them. If we find ourselves in a cycle and the same thing keeps happening over and over, we have some issues that need to be dealt with. It's time to stop playing the "blame game" and take ownership of our own lives. We must take a deep look within and ask God to show us what's really going on. Why are we in this cycle? Why do we find ourselves repeating unhealthy relationships? Why does all this negativity seem to be attracted to us?
Only when we decide to be honest with ourselves and with God will we find the answers we are seeking. We must be willing to allow Him to expose those things that are locked deep inside. As He begins to reveal them to us, we must be willing to deal with them. He will help us and we will find such freedom when we allow Him to do surgery on us and clean out those things that are poisoning us. They may be a result of things way back in our past and they may have been beyond our control, but once we deal with it, we will no longer have to live in this bondage!
Change always begins with us. When we start allowing God to do a work in us, we will find peace that passes all understanding. We will discover that things that used to bother us no longer send us into a fit of rage. Our relationships with people start to flourish and we are more pleasant to be around. Everyone benefits when we become sincere about letting God do a complete and thorough work in our lives. As we change, we will notice that some of the people around us start changing. We take the pressure off of them to become what "we" want them to be and then God is free to start working in their lives. There is no greater feeling than to know that God is doing a deep work inside of you and making you more like Him! That is what He wants for each of us! All we have to do is give Him permission and be open to His gentle correction. Everything He does is motivated by love and He wants us to be everything He created us to be! He wants us to reach our destiny and to impact this world for Him!
As we go through life, it's easy to point out what we think is wrong with everyone else. It's easy to see someone else's faults or weaknesses. A lot of our stuff is hidden deep inside of us and we may not be able to see our issues as easily. After all, we're with ourselves every day! We should know ourselves better than anyone else, right? While we may know a lot about ourselves, often we are dealing with deep rooted issues that are a result of things in our past. These things may not be as visible as someone else's issues. Therefore we overlook our own problems and spend most of our time trying to fix what's wrong with everyone else.
The Lord taught me a very important lesson many years ago. Instead of going to Him complaining about what someone else was doing and asking Him to change them, He wanted to change ME. It kind of startled me at first because after all, I was doing my best to live like He wanted me to. I was trying to live this good Christian life. I loved people and did my best to show His love. Why was He wanting ME to change??
God has a great sense of humor! The way He does things is so different than the way we would do them! When we start living for Him, we are responsible for our lives. What we do, or don't do, is between us and Him. We have to answer for our actions and our words. We are accountable for the way we treat others. When we stand before Him one day when this life on earth is over, He's not going to ask us about anyone else. We will give an account of the life WE lived.
Each person is responsible for their own lives. We have enough to be concerned about with just ourselves. We don't need the added pressure of trying to fix everyone else too! We must leave that to God and focus on what He's telling us.
If you look back over your life, you may notice a pattern just like I did with my life. You find yourself in relationships or situations and it becomes a cycle that just keeps repeating itself. While the other people involved may have been wrong and may have hurt you deeply, you can't place all the blame on them. If we find ourselves in a cycle and the same thing keeps happening over and over, we have some issues that need to be dealt with. It's time to stop playing the "blame game" and take ownership of our own lives. We must take a deep look within and ask God to show us what's really going on. Why are we in this cycle? Why do we find ourselves repeating unhealthy relationships? Why does all this negativity seem to be attracted to us?
Only when we decide to be honest with ourselves and with God will we find the answers we are seeking. We must be willing to allow Him to expose those things that are locked deep inside. As He begins to reveal them to us, we must be willing to deal with them. He will help us and we will find such freedom when we allow Him to do surgery on us and clean out those things that are poisoning us. They may be a result of things way back in our past and they may have been beyond our control, but once we deal with it, we will no longer have to live in this bondage!
Change always begins with us. When we start allowing God to do a work in us, we will find peace that passes all understanding. We will discover that things that used to bother us no longer send us into a fit of rage. Our relationships with people start to flourish and we are more pleasant to be around. Everyone benefits when we become sincere about letting God do a complete and thorough work in our lives. As we change, we will notice that some of the people around us start changing. We take the pressure off of them to become what "we" want them to be and then God is free to start working in their lives. There is no greater feeling than to know that God is doing a deep work inside of you and making you more like Him! That is what He wants for each of us! All we have to do is give Him permission and be open to His gentle correction. Everything He does is motivated by love and He wants us to be everything He created us to be! He wants us to reach our destiny and to impact this world for Him!
Friday, December 28, 2012
God's Not Through With You Yet!
Can you believe we are about to step into 2013? Where has this year gone??
I love when the new year comes. It's a fresh, new start! Even though we're just transitioning from one year to the next, it seems that we are starting with a clean slate and everything is brand new!
Maybe 2012 has been a difficult year for you. So many people have gone through so many hardships and painful situations. I would never try to minimize what you have been going through! Pain is real and it can hurt deeply. But I want to encourage you. You are still here. You still have a purpose. My prayer for you is that 2013 will be the best year you have ever had! May He give you beauty for ashes. May he bring healing to your heart and peace to your mind! May He show you that it is not over. You still have work to do and may all the pain you've experienced help you reach the destiny that you've been called to.
Sometimes when we go through difficult times, God prepares us to help others along the way. You can be sure that at some time you will cross paths with someone who is experiencing what you have went through. Do you realize what an encouragement you can be to them? The fact that you made it will give them hope that they can make it too. They will find relief in knowing that someone truly understands what they are facing.
Sometimes hard times help us get to know our Father better. If we've never had a sickness that we needed to be healed from, how will we ever truly know Him as our Healer? If we've always had everything we needed and never had to struggle, will we ever really know Him as our Provider? Trials and tribulations sometimes position us to become acquainted with a side of God that we never really knew before. We learn His character. We go from just hearing about it from someone else to truly knowing it from experience! I wouldn't trade all the struggles that I've gone through for anything because they have helped me to know Him on a deeper and more intimate level and the relationship I have with Him means everything to me!
Whatever life has thrown your way during 2012, know this...the best is yet to come! God is not through with you yet! There is still so much that is awaiting you! Don't let past experiences or failures keep you from embracing all that He has for you! Step out in faith! Walk in obedience when He tells you to do something! If you never step out, you will never know what's truly inside of you! Remember, before He formed you in the womb, He knew you! He placed greatness on the inside of you! He called you to do something great for His kingdom! Don't let anything steal that from you! Get to know Him! Know who you are in Christ! See yourself through His eyes and be determined to fulfill your God-given purpose! May 2013 be the year of new beginnings and the year that you see things that you never dreamed were possible! I believe in you and know that God has called you for such a time as this! May your light shine brighter than ever before and may you be a living testimony of His grace, His mercy, His love, and His forgiveness! May your life point others to Him and may everyone you come in contact with know that there is always hope! Point the way and let them know they can do all things through Christ who strengthens them!
I love when the new year comes. It's a fresh, new start! Even though we're just transitioning from one year to the next, it seems that we are starting with a clean slate and everything is brand new!
Maybe 2012 has been a difficult year for you. So many people have gone through so many hardships and painful situations. I would never try to minimize what you have been going through! Pain is real and it can hurt deeply. But I want to encourage you. You are still here. You still have a purpose. My prayer for you is that 2013 will be the best year you have ever had! May He give you beauty for ashes. May he bring healing to your heart and peace to your mind! May He show you that it is not over. You still have work to do and may all the pain you've experienced help you reach the destiny that you've been called to.
Sometimes when we go through difficult times, God prepares us to help others along the way. You can be sure that at some time you will cross paths with someone who is experiencing what you have went through. Do you realize what an encouragement you can be to them? The fact that you made it will give them hope that they can make it too. They will find relief in knowing that someone truly understands what they are facing.
Sometimes hard times help us get to know our Father better. If we've never had a sickness that we needed to be healed from, how will we ever truly know Him as our Healer? If we've always had everything we needed and never had to struggle, will we ever really know Him as our Provider? Trials and tribulations sometimes position us to become acquainted with a side of God that we never really knew before. We learn His character. We go from just hearing about it from someone else to truly knowing it from experience! I wouldn't trade all the struggles that I've gone through for anything because they have helped me to know Him on a deeper and more intimate level and the relationship I have with Him means everything to me!
Whatever life has thrown your way during 2012, know this...the best is yet to come! God is not through with you yet! There is still so much that is awaiting you! Don't let past experiences or failures keep you from embracing all that He has for you! Step out in faith! Walk in obedience when He tells you to do something! If you never step out, you will never know what's truly inside of you! Remember, before He formed you in the womb, He knew you! He placed greatness on the inside of you! He called you to do something great for His kingdom! Don't let anything steal that from you! Get to know Him! Know who you are in Christ! See yourself through His eyes and be determined to fulfill your God-given purpose! May 2013 be the year of new beginnings and the year that you see things that you never dreamed were possible! I believe in you and know that God has called you for such a time as this! May your light shine brighter than ever before and may you be a living testimony of His grace, His mercy, His love, and His forgiveness! May your life point others to Him and may everyone you come in contact with know that there is always hope! Point the way and let them know they can do all things through Christ who strengthens them!
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Choose Joy!
A happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones. ~ Proverbs 17:22 AMP
As we approach the end of 2012, my heart is so full of joy! I'm thankful for this year and excited about the year to come! 2012 has had it's share of good and bad, but regardless of the things that didn't go my way, I still choose to have joy. I refuse to overlook all the good while focusing on the things that were uncomfortable.
Every single person has good and bad experiences. However, we all have a choice to make. Will we maintain peace, happiness, and joy no matter what we face in this life? We can't get stuck in a bad experience and refuse to move beyond that moment. We can't let a failure define who we are. Mountains and valleys are part of life and they help make us who we are. We have to learn from those bad times and let it make us a better person.
If we choose to be defined by a bad experience, we may forfeit the abundant life that God has for us. We have to keep going and refuse to quit. We can't become bitter and resentful. We can't be angry with ourselves, other people, or God for the difficulties that life has brought our way. We have to let it go and keep walking toward our destiny.
The joy of the Lord is our strength! Choose to walk in that joy no matter what life throws your way. Remember, whatever you are facing, this too shall pass. Don't get stuck in that bad moment. Also, don't get stuck in a good moment. We have to keep moving forward. The best thing that God has done in our lives so far doesn't even compare with what is still ahead of us! The best is yet to come! Keep looking up! Keep your eyes on Jesus and be determined to fulfill the purpose that you were created for!
As we approach the end of 2012, my heart is so full of joy! I'm thankful for this year and excited about the year to come! 2012 has had it's share of good and bad, but regardless of the things that didn't go my way, I still choose to have joy. I refuse to overlook all the good while focusing on the things that were uncomfortable.
Every single person has good and bad experiences. However, we all have a choice to make. Will we maintain peace, happiness, and joy no matter what we face in this life? We can't get stuck in a bad experience and refuse to move beyond that moment. We can't let a failure define who we are. Mountains and valleys are part of life and they help make us who we are. We have to learn from those bad times and let it make us a better person.
If we choose to be defined by a bad experience, we may forfeit the abundant life that God has for us. We have to keep going and refuse to quit. We can't become bitter and resentful. We can't be angry with ourselves, other people, or God for the difficulties that life has brought our way. We have to let it go and keep walking toward our destiny.
The joy of the Lord is our strength! Choose to walk in that joy no matter what life throws your way. Remember, whatever you are facing, this too shall pass. Don't get stuck in that bad moment. Also, don't get stuck in a good moment. We have to keep moving forward. The best thing that God has done in our lives so far doesn't even compare with what is still ahead of us! The best is yet to come! Keep looking up! Keep your eyes on Jesus and be determined to fulfill the purpose that you were created for!
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
God Wants You To Prosper in All Things
Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. ~ 3 John 1:2
What an encouragement to know that my Father cares about everything that goes on in my life! So many people feel that the only time they can go to God is when they have a "big" need in their life. That is so far from the truth. He cares about the tiniest details of our lives and He wants to be a part of those details. He wants us to seek Him in ALL things! He wants to give us the best in life and bring to pass His perfect will for us.
His perfect will does not just include us walking with Him on a daily basis. Yes, that is a huge part of it because as we walk with Him, we get to know Him better. We start growing. We learn His character. We begin to discern His will for our lives. As we grow and prosper spiritually, He wants us to prosper in every area of our lives! It is His will for every single need to be met in our lives! It is His will for us to walk in health and wholeness! It is His will for us to walk in wisdom! Every provision has been made for every need in our lives!
As we begin to understand His will, we no longer just "hope" for the best to happen. By FAITH we receive His Word and we KNOW that it is a reality, even if we can't see it at the present time. When you KNOW something, nothing or no one can convince you otherwise! You stop speaking contrary to the Word and are careful with your words. You understand that your words have power so you stop declaring defeat but start declaring what you know by faith! You know that at any given moment you will be holding your promise and walking in all the fullness of what God has for you!
We must understand that God wants the very best for us! He doesn't always do things the way we think He should but we can know without a doubt that He always has our best interest in mind and everything He does is motivated by love! Stop trying to make sense of everything and just know that He has a perfect plan for you. Trust in His character. Rest in His peace. Strengthen your relationship with Him and hold on to every promise He has given you. Don't allow anything or anyone to convince you that He is not working on your behalf. He is an on-time God and at just the right moment, everything He has promised you will come to pass!
What an encouragement to know that my Father cares about everything that goes on in my life! So many people feel that the only time they can go to God is when they have a "big" need in their life. That is so far from the truth. He cares about the tiniest details of our lives and He wants to be a part of those details. He wants us to seek Him in ALL things! He wants to give us the best in life and bring to pass His perfect will for us.
His perfect will does not just include us walking with Him on a daily basis. Yes, that is a huge part of it because as we walk with Him, we get to know Him better. We start growing. We learn His character. We begin to discern His will for our lives. As we grow and prosper spiritually, He wants us to prosper in every area of our lives! It is His will for every single need to be met in our lives! It is His will for us to walk in health and wholeness! It is His will for us to walk in wisdom! Every provision has been made for every need in our lives!
As we begin to understand His will, we no longer just "hope" for the best to happen. By FAITH we receive His Word and we KNOW that it is a reality, even if we can't see it at the present time. When you KNOW something, nothing or no one can convince you otherwise! You stop speaking contrary to the Word and are careful with your words. You understand that your words have power so you stop declaring defeat but start declaring what you know by faith! You know that at any given moment you will be holding your promise and walking in all the fullness of what God has for you!
We must understand that God wants the very best for us! He doesn't always do things the way we think He should but we can know without a doubt that He always has our best interest in mind and everything He does is motivated by love! Stop trying to make sense of everything and just know that He has a perfect plan for you. Trust in His character. Rest in His peace. Strengthen your relationship with Him and hold on to every promise He has given you. Don't allow anything or anyone to convince you that He is not working on your behalf. He is an on-time God and at just the right moment, everything He has promised you will come to pass!
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
A Thankful Heart
Wow, I can't believe today is Christmas Day! It seems like we just celebrated Christmas. Time is going by so fast and if you're not paying attention, you may miss something!
As I sit here reflecting on this year, I am so very thankful! I am thankful for the relationship I have with my heavenly Father! He is always there and He has always made a way where there seemed to be no way! He sent Jesus as a sacrifice for my sins! He paid the price for my sickness and by His stripes, I am healed! He has given me peace that passes all understanding! He has filled me with hope and promised me an abundant life! He loved me when I didn't deserve to be loved! He forgave me when it would have been just as easy to let me die in my sins! He always sees the best in me and gives me wisdom for my daily life! He doesn't judge me by past mistakes but keeps encouraging me to press forward and become all that He created me to be! He protects me when the enemy seeks to destroy me! He surrounds me with wonderful people that help me on my journey! He has made every provision for me life and all I have to do is simply trust Him and walk where He tells me to walk. He has it all figured out and I don't need to worry about anything!
I am thankful for the most wonderful family in the world!! God has blessed me with the most amazing husband!! His unconditional love and acceptance means the world to me! He has blessed me with the most beautiful children! He has brought precious little Gracie into our lives and we have a grandbaby on the way! I am so thankful for my wonderful parents who always did their best to raise me right and who mean so very much to me! Most people have issues with their in-laws, but mine are the greatest! I am blessed to have so many amazing brothers and sisters who help make my life complete!
I could go on and on expressing my gratitude! There is no end to the thankfulness that is in my heart! Some may say, "We are supposed to talk about all we're thankful for as Thanksgiving approaches." That is what so many people do. The whole month of November, they find something to be thankful for each day. But what about the other 11 months? We can't just be thankful one month out of the year and spend the rest of the year complaining about everything or not showing value to the people in our lives.
It's easy to get caught up in the busyness of life and just go through the motions of living without taking the time to show the people in our lives how much they mean to us. It's easy to focus on the little things about them that get on our nerves but fail to remember all the wonderful things about them that cause us to love them so much.
The older I get, the more God reveals to me the importance of family, friends, and relationships. We can't afford to take relationships for granted. People are in our lives for a reason and we need to appreciate them. We need to show them love and let them know they are valuable. We need to give them room to be themselves and stop trying to conform them to what we want them to be. God created them differently than He created us. We can't place unreal expectations on people and demand that they live up to our standards. Take the pressure off of them and just let them be who God created them to be. Be thankful for who they are and celebrate your differences. We would be surprised how different some of our relationships would be if we simply enjoyed the people in our lives and stopped trying to change them. If any change needs to be made, we must be willing to start with ourselves.
Learn to appreciate the people in your life and be thankful for all that God has done for you. Have an attitude of gratitude each and every day. Things will come that will try to bring you down, but look for the good. When you make up your mind to be thankful regardless of circumstances, nothing will be able to steal your joy!
As I sit here reflecting on this year, I am so very thankful! I am thankful for the relationship I have with my heavenly Father! He is always there and He has always made a way where there seemed to be no way! He sent Jesus as a sacrifice for my sins! He paid the price for my sickness and by His stripes, I am healed! He has given me peace that passes all understanding! He has filled me with hope and promised me an abundant life! He loved me when I didn't deserve to be loved! He forgave me when it would have been just as easy to let me die in my sins! He always sees the best in me and gives me wisdom for my daily life! He doesn't judge me by past mistakes but keeps encouraging me to press forward and become all that He created me to be! He protects me when the enemy seeks to destroy me! He surrounds me with wonderful people that help me on my journey! He has made every provision for me life and all I have to do is simply trust Him and walk where He tells me to walk. He has it all figured out and I don't need to worry about anything!
I am thankful for the most wonderful family in the world!! God has blessed me with the most amazing husband!! His unconditional love and acceptance means the world to me! He has blessed me with the most beautiful children! He has brought precious little Gracie into our lives and we have a grandbaby on the way! I am so thankful for my wonderful parents who always did their best to raise me right and who mean so very much to me! Most people have issues with their in-laws, but mine are the greatest! I am blessed to have so many amazing brothers and sisters who help make my life complete!
I could go on and on expressing my gratitude! There is no end to the thankfulness that is in my heart! Some may say, "We are supposed to talk about all we're thankful for as Thanksgiving approaches." That is what so many people do. The whole month of November, they find something to be thankful for each day. But what about the other 11 months? We can't just be thankful one month out of the year and spend the rest of the year complaining about everything or not showing value to the people in our lives.
It's easy to get caught up in the busyness of life and just go through the motions of living without taking the time to show the people in our lives how much they mean to us. It's easy to focus on the little things about them that get on our nerves but fail to remember all the wonderful things about them that cause us to love them so much.
The older I get, the more God reveals to me the importance of family, friends, and relationships. We can't afford to take relationships for granted. People are in our lives for a reason and we need to appreciate them. We need to show them love and let them know they are valuable. We need to give them room to be themselves and stop trying to conform them to what we want them to be. God created them differently than He created us. We can't place unreal expectations on people and demand that they live up to our standards. Take the pressure off of them and just let them be who God created them to be. Be thankful for who they are and celebrate your differences. We would be surprised how different some of our relationships would be if we simply enjoyed the people in our lives and stopped trying to change them. If any change needs to be made, we must be willing to start with ourselves.
Learn to appreciate the people in your life and be thankful for all that God has done for you. Have an attitude of gratitude each and every day. Things will come that will try to bring you down, but look for the good. When you make up your mind to be thankful regardless of circumstances, nothing will be able to steal your joy!
Monday, December 24, 2012
By Faith
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. ~ Hebrews 11:8
As I sit here enjoying my cup of coffee this morning, I stand in awe of God! I look back over my life and see just how far He has brought me and it overwhelms me! Only God could do this! Only God could transform this life and bring me out of the mess I was in!
Not only did He bring me out of a mess, but I can also see how He has led me every step of the way as I've walked with Him. When I started this journey, I had no idea I would be right where I am today. I had my life all planned out but my plans completely faded. There were events that took place that changed the course of my life. Also, the closer I walk with Him, the more my desires disappear and I start desiring what HE wants for my life. Surrendering my life to Him has changed everything and I'm so glad because He always knows best! I am still on a daily journey and He is leading me every step that I take!
God is faithful to lead us if we will simply obey. There have been times in my life that I didn't obey. I thought I knew best or I let fear stop me and I went the way I wanted to go, the way that seemed the easiest. When we choose our own path, we can still get back on track but it takes longer. We may have to endure some unnecessary pain along the way. We cause things to come into our lives that we could have avoided if we had simply obeyed. Delayed obedience can cause us to miss out on so much. We have to be willing to obey at all costs. It doesn't matter how we feel or if it even makes sense. Trust that God knows best and He knows what He's doing!
When Abraham stepped out in faith, he had no idea where he was going. He simply trusted God and took Him at His word. He didn't require that God give Him all the answers or a detailed plan of where he was going. He took that first step and God met Him there.
That is what He desires for us. Stop demanding to have all the answers before you step out in obedience. It is not faith if you have it all figured out. God wants us to live such radical lives of obedience that when He says go, we go...no questions...no hesitation!
As I sit here enjoying my cup of coffee this morning, I stand in awe of God! I look back over my life and see just how far He has brought me and it overwhelms me! Only God could do this! Only God could transform this life and bring me out of the mess I was in!
Not only did He bring me out of a mess, but I can also see how He has led me every step of the way as I've walked with Him. When I started this journey, I had no idea I would be right where I am today. I had my life all planned out but my plans completely faded. There were events that took place that changed the course of my life. Also, the closer I walk with Him, the more my desires disappear and I start desiring what HE wants for my life. Surrendering my life to Him has changed everything and I'm so glad because He always knows best! I am still on a daily journey and He is leading me every step that I take!
God is faithful to lead us if we will simply obey. There have been times in my life that I didn't obey. I thought I knew best or I let fear stop me and I went the way I wanted to go, the way that seemed the easiest. When we choose our own path, we can still get back on track but it takes longer. We may have to endure some unnecessary pain along the way. We cause things to come into our lives that we could have avoided if we had simply obeyed. Delayed obedience can cause us to miss out on so much. We have to be willing to obey at all costs. It doesn't matter how we feel or if it even makes sense. Trust that God knows best and He knows what He's doing!
When Abraham stepped out in faith, he had no idea where he was going. He simply trusted God and took Him at His word. He didn't require that God give Him all the answers or a detailed plan of where he was going. He took that first step and God met Him there.
That is what He desires for us. Stop demanding to have all the answers before you step out in obedience. It is not faith if you have it all figured out. God wants us to live such radical lives of obedience that when He says go, we go...no questions...no hesitation!
Sunday, December 23, 2012
What Are You Afraid Of?
And David said to his son Solomon, “Be strong and of good courage, and do it; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord God—my God— will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord. ~ 1 Chronicles 28:20
What do you have a burning passion deep inside of you to do for God? What is it that He keeps tugging at your heart about and saying, "Now is the time. Step out in faith and trust Me!"
Because of the purpose that we were born with, we all have something inside of us that we know we are supposed to do for God. Some may be called to preach or to teach. Some may have a passion for children or teenagers. Others may enjoy cooking and can use that gift to bless others. Some love to encourage or just listen when someone needs to talk. Whatever you enjoy and are passionate about, use that for the Kingdom of God. That can be your ministry.
So, if you have a passion for something and you're not operating in it, what is stopping you? What are you afraid of? Are you afraid of failure? Rejection? Do you think what you have to offer the world is not important enough? Do you compare yourselves to others wishing you had their gifts or their ministry?
God created each of us uniquely and it takes every single person being in their place to fulfill His purpose for this world. Don't think that your gift or your ministry is not important. He needs you to do what you do best so that lives will be changed!
Is He asking you to step out into something new that you know in your heart you're supposed to do? Is He calling you out of your comfort zone? If the answer is yes, you have to obey. The quicker you obey and stop making excuses, the sooner this world will be impacted. Fear will try to stop you. Fear of the unknown is natural and it's ok to be nervous about something you've never done before. That just shows that you know you can't do it alone and need His help. However, when fear comes, you can't let it stop you! You must step out in obedience, even in the midst of fear! I've heard someone say before, "Do it afraid." If you let that fear stop you, you will hinder the work of God in your life.
You may have failed before. That's ok. We all fall down when we're learning to walk and we will continue to make mistakes. God doesn't expect perfection, only obedience! We may have tried to make something happen before it was time and therefore it didn't work. Don't let that keep you from fulfilling your purpose. God will open the door and ask you to step through it. You will not be able to see how it's going to work until you step through the door. Once you step out in faith, He will be right there with every provision and resource you need! He will put the words in your mouth. He will position you with the right people. He will bring it all together perfectly but you will never see it unless you trust Him and make that first step in faith.
Now is the time to do something you've never done before. He is calling you. He is asking you to trust Him. Be determined not to let fear stop you. Take that leap of faith and watch what He will do as a result of your obedience!
What do you have a burning passion deep inside of you to do for God? What is it that He keeps tugging at your heart about and saying, "Now is the time. Step out in faith and trust Me!"
Because of the purpose that we were born with, we all have something inside of us that we know we are supposed to do for God. Some may be called to preach or to teach. Some may have a passion for children or teenagers. Others may enjoy cooking and can use that gift to bless others. Some love to encourage or just listen when someone needs to talk. Whatever you enjoy and are passionate about, use that for the Kingdom of God. That can be your ministry.
So, if you have a passion for something and you're not operating in it, what is stopping you? What are you afraid of? Are you afraid of failure? Rejection? Do you think what you have to offer the world is not important enough? Do you compare yourselves to others wishing you had their gifts or their ministry?
God created each of us uniquely and it takes every single person being in their place to fulfill His purpose for this world. Don't think that your gift or your ministry is not important. He needs you to do what you do best so that lives will be changed!
Is He asking you to step out into something new that you know in your heart you're supposed to do? Is He calling you out of your comfort zone? If the answer is yes, you have to obey. The quicker you obey and stop making excuses, the sooner this world will be impacted. Fear will try to stop you. Fear of the unknown is natural and it's ok to be nervous about something you've never done before. That just shows that you know you can't do it alone and need His help. However, when fear comes, you can't let it stop you! You must step out in obedience, even in the midst of fear! I've heard someone say before, "Do it afraid." If you let that fear stop you, you will hinder the work of God in your life.
You may have failed before. That's ok. We all fall down when we're learning to walk and we will continue to make mistakes. God doesn't expect perfection, only obedience! We may have tried to make something happen before it was time and therefore it didn't work. Don't let that keep you from fulfilling your purpose. God will open the door and ask you to step through it. You will not be able to see how it's going to work until you step through the door. Once you step out in faith, He will be right there with every provision and resource you need! He will put the words in your mouth. He will position you with the right people. He will bring it all together perfectly but you will never see it unless you trust Him and make that first step in faith.
Now is the time to do something you've never done before. He is calling you. He is asking you to trust Him. Be determined not to let fear stop you. Take that leap of faith and watch what He will do as a result of your obedience!
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Before He Formed You in the Womb, He Knew You!
Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you;
Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” ~ Jeremiah 1:4-5
We serve such an awesome God!
I love this scripture! BEFORE HE FORMED US IN THE WOMB, HE KNEW US! Not one single person on the face of this earth is here by accident. Some of our parents may not have planned us, but God did! We're not here just to take up space until we die and then it's over. No, God perfectly created each of us to fulfill a purpose while we're here on this earth.
Before we were ever born, we had a purpose. We were born into this world with a purpose planted inside of us. Some of us may have started following God as a child and stepped into our purpose at an early age. Others may have lived out in the world for many years before coming to God. Regardless of when we surrendered our lives to God, the fact still remains...we have a purpose!
For those who lived out in the world and made lots of bad choices, please understand something. The choices you made do not disqualify you from being used by God! He knew you before you ever did those things! He knew you would make mistakes and go the wrong direction. He knew all of those things but He still knows the purpose that is inside of you! As you start walking with God, the enemy will remind you of all that you've done wrong. He will tell you that you can't be used by God and that you're not good enough. The devil is a liar! While you're looking at all you've done wrong, God sees the best in you! He sees your potential! He sees all the gifts He has given you! He sees how all those wrong choices will actually equip you and make you even more genuine as you walk in your purpose! The experience you have gained while "living life" will help you to more effectively reach out to others. The path that you have walked is also a good indicator of how God will use you in ministry. We are all called to minister so you don't have to be in a pulpit to be in ministry. We minister to people in our daily lives whether it be at school, in our homes, on the job, etc. The experience that you have will help you reach those who are dealing with those same issues.
God wants us to stop making excuses. Our past is not a crutch that we use to disable us from moving forward. Instead, it is a powerful tool that propels us into the place God is carrying us. It's time to take the next step. Take a leap of faith. Get out of your comfort zone and know that once you take that step, God is right there waiting on you! He will meet you and show you every step you need to take. He has already equipped you! Everything you need is on the inside of you! By HIs Holy Spirit, you will walk in wisdom and have the strength to fully carry out His purpose for your life!
Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” ~ Jeremiah 1:4-5
We serve such an awesome God!
I love this scripture! BEFORE HE FORMED US IN THE WOMB, HE KNEW US! Not one single person on the face of this earth is here by accident. Some of our parents may not have planned us, but God did! We're not here just to take up space until we die and then it's over. No, God perfectly created each of us to fulfill a purpose while we're here on this earth.
Before we were ever born, we had a purpose. We were born into this world with a purpose planted inside of us. Some of us may have started following God as a child and stepped into our purpose at an early age. Others may have lived out in the world for many years before coming to God. Regardless of when we surrendered our lives to God, the fact still remains...we have a purpose!
For those who lived out in the world and made lots of bad choices, please understand something. The choices you made do not disqualify you from being used by God! He knew you before you ever did those things! He knew you would make mistakes and go the wrong direction. He knew all of those things but He still knows the purpose that is inside of you! As you start walking with God, the enemy will remind you of all that you've done wrong. He will tell you that you can't be used by God and that you're not good enough. The devil is a liar! While you're looking at all you've done wrong, God sees the best in you! He sees your potential! He sees all the gifts He has given you! He sees how all those wrong choices will actually equip you and make you even more genuine as you walk in your purpose! The experience you have gained while "living life" will help you to more effectively reach out to others. The path that you have walked is also a good indicator of how God will use you in ministry. We are all called to minister so you don't have to be in a pulpit to be in ministry. We minister to people in our daily lives whether it be at school, in our homes, on the job, etc. The experience that you have will help you reach those who are dealing with those same issues.
God wants us to stop making excuses. Our past is not a crutch that we use to disable us from moving forward. Instead, it is a powerful tool that propels us into the place God is carrying us. It's time to take the next step. Take a leap of faith. Get out of your comfort zone and know that once you take that step, God is right there waiting on you! He will meet you and show you every step you need to take. He has already equipped you! Everything you need is on the inside of you! By HIs Holy Spirit, you will walk in wisdom and have the strength to fully carry out His purpose for your life!
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Secure in His Love
For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. ~ Romans 8:38-39
There is nothing like the love of God! Just think how deeply you love you spouse, your children, your grandchildren, your parents, your family, your friends. As great as that love is, it does not compare to the love that God has for us!
God's love is perfect! It is unconditional! God loved us before we were ever born! We did nothing to earn it! There is nothing we can do that will cause Him to love us more or love us less! Love is who God is! That is His very nature! No matter how many wrong choices we have made in our lives, His love remains the same! No matter how many good things we have done, it doesn't change His love! It is constant and will never change! NOTHING can separate us from His love!!
This is so important to understand because so many of us have made many bad decisions throughout our lives. We may have experienced lots of rejection. We enter into a relationship with God thinking that we have to have all the right behavior to make Him love us. As soon as we mess up, which we will, we expect Him to walk away and turn His back on us. When we do this, we put so much pressure on ourselves and create expectations that we can't live up to. We walk around in fear trying to make sure that we don't do anything wrong or say anything wrong because we don't want to disappoint Him. We spend our days trying to earn His love instead of accepting and enjoying His love. We aren't enjoying our walk with Him because we aren't secure in His love.
The greatest freedom I've ever experienced is when I finally became secure in His love! I cannot tell you what a huge load was lifted off my shoulders when I finally understood that God will not walk out of my life! He accepts me just as I am and He helps me every single day to become more like Him. My expectations for myself were a lot higher than His expectations for me. I was a lot harder on myself than He was. I expected perfection. He simply wants me to live. He gives me room to grow, room to make mistakes, and room to fall down every now and then. But He's always there to dust me off, take me by the hand, and continue to lead me in my daily walk!
When you understand His love for you and know that nothing will ever separate you from that love, your walk with Him will take on a whole new meaning! You will find freedom to be who He created you to be and you start to realize just how important you are to Him! It becomes a joy to wake up each morning knowing that He is there waiting to walk through your day with you!
There is nothing like the love of God! Just think how deeply you love you spouse, your children, your grandchildren, your parents, your family, your friends. As great as that love is, it does not compare to the love that God has for us!
God's love is perfect! It is unconditional! God loved us before we were ever born! We did nothing to earn it! There is nothing we can do that will cause Him to love us more or love us less! Love is who God is! That is His very nature! No matter how many wrong choices we have made in our lives, His love remains the same! No matter how many good things we have done, it doesn't change His love! It is constant and will never change! NOTHING can separate us from His love!!
This is so important to understand because so many of us have made many bad decisions throughout our lives. We may have experienced lots of rejection. We enter into a relationship with God thinking that we have to have all the right behavior to make Him love us. As soon as we mess up, which we will, we expect Him to walk away and turn His back on us. When we do this, we put so much pressure on ourselves and create expectations that we can't live up to. We walk around in fear trying to make sure that we don't do anything wrong or say anything wrong because we don't want to disappoint Him. We spend our days trying to earn His love instead of accepting and enjoying His love. We aren't enjoying our walk with Him because we aren't secure in His love.
The greatest freedom I've ever experienced is when I finally became secure in His love! I cannot tell you what a huge load was lifted off my shoulders when I finally understood that God will not walk out of my life! He accepts me just as I am and He helps me every single day to become more like Him. My expectations for myself were a lot higher than His expectations for me. I was a lot harder on myself than He was. I expected perfection. He simply wants me to live. He gives me room to grow, room to make mistakes, and room to fall down every now and then. But He's always there to dust me off, take me by the hand, and continue to lead me in my daily walk!
When you understand His love for you and know that nothing will ever separate you from that love, your walk with Him will take on a whole new meaning! You will find freedom to be who He created you to be and you start to realize just how important you are to Him! It becomes a joy to wake up each morning knowing that He is there waiting to walk through your day with you!
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
The Proverbs 31 Woman
Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. ~ 1 Peter 3:3-4
This is one of my favorite scriptures! I read this and I realize just how precious we are as daughters of God! We are all beautiful in His eyes! And reading this makes us understand that beauty is not just what you see on the outside...it's a matter of the heart. It is how we carry ourselves...how we present ourselves to others.
More of my favorite scripture is found in Proverbs 31:10-31. I love reading about the Proverbs 31 woman! I've heard a lot of women say that they feel very intimidated reading about her and they feel that becoming like her is so far out of reach. I feel quite the opposite! It excites me to read about all that she does! She is an amazing woman who knows her God and with His help and through His strength, she accomplishes so much! She doesn't have time to sit around and make excuses why she can't do the things that need to be done. She doesn't use the fact that she is a woman and the "weaker vessel" to make people feel sorry for her. No, she is a woman of great integrity and strength! She has great wisdom and uses her time wisely! She makes sure that her family is taken care of! She is careful with her words and chooses to be a blessing to others! Her mind is on those around her and because she has a servant's heart and blesses others, she is greatly blessed!
My heart's desire is to be like her! On days when I feel overwhelmed and think that life is too hard or I just can't accomplish everything that needs to be done, I remind myself of her. Her strength lies in her relationship with the Father. It reminds me that I need to rely on Him. I need to surrender everything to Him and let Him walk with me through my daily life. He never intended for me to try to do it on my own. When I devote time to Him on a daily basis and let Him have control of my day, everything goes so much smoother! I have peace that passes all understanding and He guides me in every step I take.
These scriptures encourage me in my walk with Him because He would never give us this example if it was impossible to attain. In our own strength and power it is impossible but through Him we can become everything He created us to be! We can be like this woman! We can live a life that chooses to bless others. We can be unselfish and light the way so that others may know Him. We can display integrity, moral excellence, and beauty that goes way beyond just our physical appearance. We can work with Him to take care of our physical body as well as growing spiritually.
I encourage you to study these verses in Proverbs. As you study, let God open your heart to see what an amazing creation you are! You were created for greatness and there is nothing you can't accomplish with His help! You are so much stronger than you realize and He's waiting on you to relinquish all control so that He can release everything that's on the inside of you!
This is one of my favorite scriptures! I read this and I realize just how precious we are as daughters of God! We are all beautiful in His eyes! And reading this makes us understand that beauty is not just what you see on the outside...it's a matter of the heart. It is how we carry ourselves...how we present ourselves to others.
More of my favorite scripture is found in Proverbs 31:10-31. I love reading about the Proverbs 31 woman! I've heard a lot of women say that they feel very intimidated reading about her and they feel that becoming like her is so far out of reach. I feel quite the opposite! It excites me to read about all that she does! She is an amazing woman who knows her God and with His help and through His strength, she accomplishes so much! She doesn't have time to sit around and make excuses why she can't do the things that need to be done. She doesn't use the fact that she is a woman and the "weaker vessel" to make people feel sorry for her. No, she is a woman of great integrity and strength! She has great wisdom and uses her time wisely! She makes sure that her family is taken care of! She is careful with her words and chooses to be a blessing to others! Her mind is on those around her and because she has a servant's heart and blesses others, she is greatly blessed!
My heart's desire is to be like her! On days when I feel overwhelmed and think that life is too hard or I just can't accomplish everything that needs to be done, I remind myself of her. Her strength lies in her relationship with the Father. It reminds me that I need to rely on Him. I need to surrender everything to Him and let Him walk with me through my daily life. He never intended for me to try to do it on my own. When I devote time to Him on a daily basis and let Him have control of my day, everything goes so much smoother! I have peace that passes all understanding and He guides me in every step I take.
These scriptures encourage me in my walk with Him because He would never give us this example if it was impossible to attain. In our own strength and power it is impossible but through Him we can become everything He created us to be! We can be like this woman! We can live a life that chooses to bless others. We can be unselfish and light the way so that others may know Him. We can display integrity, moral excellence, and beauty that goes way beyond just our physical appearance. We can work with Him to take care of our physical body as well as growing spiritually.
I encourage you to study these verses in Proverbs. As you study, let God open your heart to see what an amazing creation you are! You were created for greatness and there is nothing you can't accomplish with His help! You are so much stronger than you realize and He's waiting on you to relinquish all control so that He can release everything that's on the inside of you!
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Know Your Value
I have not always been a Christian. When I gave my heart to the Lord in 1997, He accepted me and all my baggage. I was a Christian with no self esteem. I was very negative, I didn't like who I was, and it took a while for my mind to be transformed to understand who I am in Him.
So many of us enter into a relationship with Him not really liking who we are. We walk around under a load of condemnation because of past decisions that we've made. (Romans 8:1 ~
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit). We've disappointed ourselves as well as others so the thought of trying to make God happy can be very overwhelming! How can we possibly please a perfect and holy God? That must be impossible, right?
That is so far from the truth! A lot of times when we become a Christian, we see all these other wonderful people who are serving God and have been walking with Him for a while. We begin to observe them. Then we start thinking, "If I can be like them, God will be happy with me." The enemy will begin to play mind games with us and if we're not careful, we will begin seeking to be like man instead of like God. We will begin to imitate them thinking that if we do, God will be pleased.
This is one of the greatest tricks of the enemy! He doesn't mind you imitating someone else because that's not who God intended for you to be. The enemy will do everything he possibly can to keep you from discovering who you are in Christ! He doesn't want you to unlock your potential and become everything God created you to be! You have been created with a divine purpose! Each and every one of us have greatness on the inside of us! As we walk with God and cooperate with the Holy Spirit, He begins unfolding His plan and purpose for us! We begin to see our potential! We start recognizing the gifts that He has placed within us! Once we understand that we have value and that we were created to accomplish great things for His Kingdom, we become passionate about our calling! When we KNOW who we are and operate out of a heart of passion, NOTHING can stop us or hinder us! We WILL fulfill our purpose! That is why the enemy doesn't want us to discover who we are!
Keep seeking God. Give yourself time to grow and don't try to be like anyone else! God created YOU for a specific work and you are the only one that can fulfill YOUR purpose! Be confident in who He created you to be and know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you have great value!! You were created for such a time as this!!
1 Corinthians 12:4-6
There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.
So many of us enter into a relationship with Him not really liking who we are. We walk around under a load of condemnation because of past decisions that we've made. (Romans 8:1 ~
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit). We've disappointed ourselves as well as others so the thought of trying to make God happy can be very overwhelming! How can we possibly please a perfect and holy God? That must be impossible, right?
That is so far from the truth! A lot of times when we become a Christian, we see all these other wonderful people who are serving God and have been walking with Him for a while. We begin to observe them. Then we start thinking, "If I can be like them, God will be happy with me." The enemy will begin to play mind games with us and if we're not careful, we will begin seeking to be like man instead of like God. We will begin to imitate them thinking that if we do, God will be pleased.
This is one of the greatest tricks of the enemy! He doesn't mind you imitating someone else because that's not who God intended for you to be. The enemy will do everything he possibly can to keep you from discovering who you are in Christ! He doesn't want you to unlock your potential and become everything God created you to be! You have been created with a divine purpose! Each and every one of us have greatness on the inside of us! As we walk with God and cooperate with the Holy Spirit, He begins unfolding His plan and purpose for us! We begin to see our potential! We start recognizing the gifts that He has placed within us! Once we understand that we have value and that we were created to accomplish great things for His Kingdom, we become passionate about our calling! When we KNOW who we are and operate out of a heart of passion, NOTHING can stop us or hinder us! We WILL fulfill our purpose! That is why the enemy doesn't want us to discover who we are!
Keep seeking God. Give yourself time to grow and don't try to be like anyone else! God created YOU for a specific work and you are the only one that can fulfill YOUR purpose! Be confident in who He created you to be and know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you have great value!! You were created for such a time as this!!
1 Corinthians 12:4-6
There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.
Monday, December 17, 2012
There's a Purpose for the Seasons
As I sit here enjoying my cup of coffee on this cold, rainy morning I'm thinking about how much having a relationship with Jesus has changed my perspective on so many things. Years ago I would always struggle with depression during this time of year. I didn't like cold days and I didn't like rainy days. After months of enduring the dreary weather, it seemed to drain the life out of me. I couldn't wait for the warm, sunny weather to return! I would go through this season of the year dreading every moment and having no joy in my life.
I still prefer warm, sunny days but my whole outlook has changed! I enjoy ALL days now! God has given me the ability to see the beauty in each day. I now understand there's a purpose for each season. If we always had warm, sunny days, this earth would not be able to function the way God created it to.
During the fall, leaves begin to die and they fall from the trees. Flowers fade away. All the things that are living and beautiful seem to disappear and then we're left with winter that looks so dead and dreary. However, hidden beneath the surface, an exciting transformation is taking place! There are things happening that we can't see and at just the right time when spring begins to approach, all of a sudden new life will be exposed everywhere we look! Tiny little buds will appear on the trees! Flowers will begin to bloom again! The beauty of God's creation will once again be visible for all to see!
It is the same principle in our lives. We go through seasons spiritually. Things can't always be bright and sunny in our lives. If it was, we would never grow. It takes those dark seasons in order for some things to die in our lives that we need to get rid of. As we get rid of those things, it prepares us to bring forth new life! At just the right time, we will see the evidence of God's work in our lives! Little "buds" will appear! We will begin to bloom! We will discover things in ourselves that we didn't know existed! We will see how much we have grown and how God has brought forth gifts that we may not have known we had! Doors will be opened to use those gifts! Divine connections will be made! We will be positioned in the right place at the right time in order to fulfill God's purpose for our lives!
Don't despise the changing seasons! God has your best interest at heart and even if you must go through a painful season, remember...this too shall pass! The best is yet to come! Spring is just around the corner so just hang on! God is about to reveal new life in you!!
I still prefer warm, sunny days but my whole outlook has changed! I enjoy ALL days now! God has given me the ability to see the beauty in each day. I now understand there's a purpose for each season. If we always had warm, sunny days, this earth would not be able to function the way God created it to.
During the fall, leaves begin to die and they fall from the trees. Flowers fade away. All the things that are living and beautiful seem to disappear and then we're left with winter that looks so dead and dreary. However, hidden beneath the surface, an exciting transformation is taking place! There are things happening that we can't see and at just the right time when spring begins to approach, all of a sudden new life will be exposed everywhere we look! Tiny little buds will appear on the trees! Flowers will begin to bloom again! The beauty of God's creation will once again be visible for all to see!
It is the same principle in our lives. We go through seasons spiritually. Things can't always be bright and sunny in our lives. If it was, we would never grow. It takes those dark seasons in order for some things to die in our lives that we need to get rid of. As we get rid of those things, it prepares us to bring forth new life! At just the right time, we will see the evidence of God's work in our lives! Little "buds" will appear! We will begin to bloom! We will discover things in ourselves that we didn't know existed! We will see how much we have grown and how God has brought forth gifts that we may not have known we had! Doors will be opened to use those gifts! Divine connections will be made! We will be positioned in the right place at the right time in order to fulfill God's purpose for our lives!
Don't despise the changing seasons! God has your best interest at heart and even if you must go through a painful season, remember...this too shall pass! The best is yet to come! Spring is just around the corner so just hang on! God is about to reveal new life in you!!
Sunday, December 16, 2012
The Word - The Best Investment You Can Make!
I love the mornings! This is my time to get up early when the house is all quiet and there are no distractions. I grab my cup of coffee, sit at my desk, and let the Word of God speak to me!
I used to feel that I had to see how much I could read at one time, but that never worked for me. For some people that may be fine, but I never really comprehended what I was reading. I've learned that God doesn't just want us to read His Word...He wants us to have revelation of His Word. In James 1:22 we are instructed to be "doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." How can I do what the Word says if I don't know what it says?
I may read one scripture and God will begin to open my heart and speak to me through it. I may read several passages of scripture. The point is, God doesn't want our study of the Word to become just a ritual that we do when we feel like it just so we can say we've done it. It is His love letter to us! It is instructions on how to live life boldly and unafraid! It helps us overcome things from our past and prepares us for things we will face in the future! It gives us wisdom that we can share with others so they can walk in victory!
Please understand the importance of God's Word and look at it differently when you open it. It was never meant to be a form of religious bondage but instructions for every day life! God has given it to you to equip you so you can enjoy the abundant life that He has for you!
Don't try to imitate someone else's study habits. Pray and ask God what will work best for YOU! We are all different. We have different personalities and we learn differently. This is your personal relationship with your heavenly Father and this is between you and Him! Find out what works for you and enjoy this time with Him each day! You will witness Him transform your life right before your very eyes! Studying the Word is the best investment you can make!!
I used to feel that I had to see how much I could read at one time, but that never worked for me. For some people that may be fine, but I never really comprehended what I was reading. I've learned that God doesn't just want us to read His Word...He wants us to have revelation of His Word. In James 1:22 we are instructed to be "doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." How can I do what the Word says if I don't know what it says?
I may read one scripture and God will begin to open my heart and speak to me through it. I may read several passages of scripture. The point is, God doesn't want our study of the Word to become just a ritual that we do when we feel like it just so we can say we've done it. It is His love letter to us! It is instructions on how to live life boldly and unafraid! It helps us overcome things from our past and prepares us for things we will face in the future! It gives us wisdom that we can share with others so they can walk in victory!
Please understand the importance of God's Word and look at it differently when you open it. It was never meant to be a form of religious bondage but instructions for every day life! God has given it to you to equip you so you can enjoy the abundant life that He has for you!
Don't try to imitate someone else's study habits. Pray and ask God what will work best for YOU! We are all different. We have different personalities and we learn differently. This is your personal relationship with your heavenly Father and this is between you and Him! Find out what works for you and enjoy this time with Him each day! You will witness Him transform your life right before your very eyes! Studying the Word is the best investment you can make!!
Friday, December 14, 2012
The God of All Comfort
In spite of all the tragedy that we face in our world, we have a God who is on our side and will comfort us through every heartache we face.
My heart is grieved for the families of those who lost loved ones today in CT. We will never understand what would cause someone to do something so horrific but we have to know that God is there with them. It is our responsibility to pray and lift these needs up to our Father. When one of us weeps, we are to weep with them. We have to stand together as the body of Christ. We may not can be there to wrap our arms around them and tell them everything is going to be ok, but we can stand in the gap for them and intercede. God will wrap His arms around them and comfort them by His sweet Holy Spirit.
None of us are promised tomorrow. We have to slow down and truly live our lives. We get so busy and often just go through the motions and we don't even pay attention to what we're doing. We overlook our family, friends, and others that God places in our path because we are so busy running around trying to keep others happy. Slow down and enjoy the simple moments in life. Spend time with your spouse and your kids. Cherish those little moments that can never be replaced. Once a moment is gone, you will never get it back. If we allow ourselves to stay on this path of busyness, before we know it months and years have passed by and we don't even know where it went. Our children will be grown and we will have missed out on the most important time of their lives. Give them your very best and make sure they're your first ministry. Make them a priority and always let them know how very much you love them. Never take them for granted. God has placed them in your life and they need your influence. Be the person that God wants you to be in their lives and encourage them to be everything they were created to be!
My heart is grieved for the families of those who lost loved ones today in CT. We will never understand what would cause someone to do something so horrific but we have to know that God is there with them. It is our responsibility to pray and lift these needs up to our Father. When one of us weeps, we are to weep with them. We have to stand together as the body of Christ. We may not can be there to wrap our arms around them and tell them everything is going to be ok, but we can stand in the gap for them and intercede. God will wrap His arms around them and comfort them by His sweet Holy Spirit.
None of us are promised tomorrow. We have to slow down and truly live our lives. We get so busy and often just go through the motions and we don't even pay attention to what we're doing. We overlook our family, friends, and others that God places in our path because we are so busy running around trying to keep others happy. Slow down and enjoy the simple moments in life. Spend time with your spouse and your kids. Cherish those little moments that can never be replaced. Once a moment is gone, you will never get it back. If we allow ourselves to stay on this path of busyness, before we know it months and years have passed by and we don't even know where it went. Our children will be grown and we will have missed out on the most important time of their lives. Give them your very best and make sure they're your first ministry. Make them a priority and always let them know how very much you love them. Never take them for granted. God has placed them in your life and they need your influence. Be the person that God wants you to be in their lives and encourage them to be everything they were created to be!
Childlike Faith
My husband and I are in an exciting time of our lives! We are expecting our first grandchild and we couldn't be happier!!
I was thinking about this precious little baby and how it totally relies on my daughter for food and all the nutrients it needs. Even after it is born, it will look to Josh and Kaleigh as the source of everything it needs. It will not be worried about whether or not it will be fed or whether it will have clothes to wear. Babies are born into this world fully trusting in their parents knowing that every need will be met. As they get older, they express their needs to their parents and fully expect them to meet that need. Oh how much we can learn from a child!
The Bible tell us, "Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat? ' or 'What shall we drink? ' or 'What shall we wear? ' For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (Matthew 6:31-33)
It is human nature to worry, but that's not God's will for us! He wants us totally dependent on Him, just as a child is dependent on its parents. He wants us to relinquish all control and trust Him to meet our needs. When a need arises, we need to bring it to Him, ask for Him to meet the need, and fully expect that He will take care of it!
A couple of years ago I was on my way to an appointment and I passed a school. All the children were outside for recess and they were playing and enjoying life. The Lord began to speak to me. He said, "Do you see these children? They don't have a care in the world. They are living life to the fullest and enjoying every moment of it. They aren't worried about anything because they know that their every need will be met and they don't expect anything different. This is how I want YOU to live life! I want YOU to LIVE LIFE to the FULLEST and ENJOY EVERY MOMENT! I want YOU to not be worried about ANYTHING KNOWING that EVERY NEED WILL BE MET! Stop expecting anything less than MY PERFECT WILL FOR YOUR LIFE! Surrender all control and TRUST ME just as these children trust in their parents."
WOW! What an eye opener! God desires that we are so secure in His love that we know beyond a shadow of a doubt that He ALWAYS has our best interest at heart! He may not always do things just like we want Him to, but we can be confident that He will bring to pass His perfect will in our lives and cause ALL things to work together for good! He sees the whole big picture and He knows exactly what it's going to take to help us reach our destiny and fulfill our purpose!
I am so thankful that I serve a God who knows me better than I know myself and is committed to helping me reach my full potential! He is committed to help you reach your potential as well! Don't be afraid to put your trust in Him! He will never fail you!
Thursday, December 13, 2012
True Beauty
In a world that focuses so much on appearance and all the externals, we sometimes get so caught up with all the things that don't really matter and we forget what is truly important. God is not as much concerned about our outward appearance as He is what's going on inside. Man looks at the outward appearance but He looks at the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7)
We need to make sure we have balance in our lives. If we spend more time taking care of our outer appearance and neglect to spend daily time in the Word, prayer, and time in worship, we will find ourselves out of balance. Our spirit man will become weak and we will not be able to represent the Lord in the way that He wants us to. We can be beautiful on the outside but if our attitude and character does not line up with the Word, people won't care how we look. The ugliness of our attitude will speak much louder than our physical appearance.
Let God do a complete makeover in your life. Spend quality time with Him each and every day. The more time you spend with Him, the more you begin to reflect His character. That is true beauty and people will know you for what's on the inside. There is nothing more beautiful than a woman who is confident in who she is in Christ and reflects Him in our daily life. Be the woman that God created you to be! You are His precious gem and He wants to show you off!
We need to make sure we have balance in our lives. If we spend more time taking care of our outer appearance and neglect to spend daily time in the Word, prayer, and time in worship, we will find ourselves out of balance. Our spirit man will become weak and we will not be able to represent the Lord in the way that He wants us to. We can be beautiful on the outside but if our attitude and character does not line up with the Word, people won't care how we look. The ugliness of our attitude will speak much louder than our physical appearance.
Let God do a complete makeover in your life. Spend quality time with Him each and every day. The more time you spend with Him, the more you begin to reflect His character. That is true beauty and people will know you for what's on the inside. There is nothing more beautiful than a woman who is confident in who she is in Christ and reflects Him in our daily life. Be the woman that God created you to be! You are His precious gem and He wants to show you off!
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