Category: faith

Consistency

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever (Heb.13:8)

Does your life ever feel like this weather report? One extreme to another? No consistency? My life has and still does at times. I can get to many irons in the fire and suddenly feel like I’m going from 90-nothing in seconds flat. I have moments of feeling like wonder woman and then find out her powers were not even real. Or, I get stuck in a rut of allowing my emotions to dictate my day vs allowing my helper; the Holy Spirit to direct me. I go from bad to worse until I look to God, then my life comes back into a constant sense of peace. The only way I can stay constant in my life is to rely on Him. God promises me that through consistent effort, particularly in obedience to Him, it will lead to fruitful results. Galatians 6:9: Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up”. If we will find ourselves imitating Jesus as in the scripture above; stay the same, how much more fruit might we bear? I don’t want to be like the wind, changing directions day to day. I think about the character of Jesus how trustworthy He is: yesterday; active in creation, today; offering salvation, and forever; reigning in heaven. I put my trust in Him fully and if I want others to trust me it’s important that I be consistent, that they may know what to expect from me at any given time. I think about my husband and all the times he has left for work not knowing who he was going to come back home to. Like I mentioned before I have allowed my emotions to be inconsistent, not a good thing. The fruit that was being produced was not even good enough to throw out to the wild animals. Don’t mistake consistency as we are never meant to change anything in our life or in ourself. There are times in life when we are waiting for change, yet we need to remain consistent in what we are doing in order to ensure the results we are aiming for, despite temporary setbacks. I am going through a situation right now that is requiring me to remain the same until the Lord shows me otherwise; I do not change. I am learning self-discipline through the waiting, not allowing my thoughts and my emotions and my timing to interfere with Gods. I am hoping the outcome of my reputation in this and the fact that I can be relied upon will be good fruit that I and all involved will glean from. I also, pray that through all of this that it will help strengthen me to be more consistent in other areas of my life, forming a new habit, making it easier to overcome obstacles in my life compared to being so sporadic. So when I think of change, this would be a good area to practice change. I’m not trying anymore to be perfect, I found that developing consistency is much more effective than perfection and it’s doable. My words will be enough when others see the consistency in them, they will know what to expect from me, (that’s just a note to self). I am tired of being tired mentally. I have found when I make consistency a part of my daily routine it allows me to stay focused on my goal and it reduces the stress. Last thing I have to say regarding this new habit of consistency is, follow through! Stay committed to your belief in your capability to achieve your goal, build that confidence that you can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens you (Philippians 4:13). He is our divine support, we can face any challenge and find contentment in all circumstances, and overcome any obstacle. The power comes from Christ, not from within ourselves.

Smoking

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness and into His marvelous light; ( 1 Peter 2:9)

HE CHOSE US and WE MATTER!

Yesterday was the second annual fundraiser for my dear friends Non-Profit organization, which I have had the opportunity to help host both years. I also, am given the opportunity to sit in on these amazing guest speakers Break-Outs throughout the day. This conference is an emotional health conference for professionals. To help equip them to better serve their employees, co-workers, patients whatever field of work that might be. And more importantly learning how to better care for themselves so that they can be the best version of themselves doing what they do without the feeling of they are not enough, they do not matter or all to often …burnout. I tell you that to also say, I’m NOT a professional of any kind, but I MATTER. And because I matter and so do all the volunteers that come to help out in the conference we are ALL given the opportunity to sit in on any topic we feel might help us to be the best version of ourself. This picture of the chimney was from one of the Guest Speakers and I am sure she would not mind if I shared her name and or even a little bit about her. Lynette Thrower; her topic was on “The Matters of Mattering” which is also the name of her book she authored. “The Matters of Mattering: I, You, We Matter,” regarding belonging, validation, and emotional authenticity. Her teaching challenges us to reflect on how we assign our value, especially in relation to our performance, productivity, and personal worth. If you look her up on Instagram you can see how she defines herself; Lover of YHWH. Prayer warrior. Peaceful poet. She realizes her life matters and so does ours. The chimney was an illustration from a Highlight magazine back in the day. I didn’t get a picture of the first clip, but it was a large chimney telling the small chimney that he was to small to smoke. This was suppose to be a riddle in the magazine, but there was so much more to be taken from that photo than a riddle. Here was this happy little chimney doing what he knew he was suppose to do and then being told, your to little to smoke. The little chimney became afraid of his purpose so then refuses to smoke. And as you may already know, a chimney must smoke in order to keep the house from backing up with smoke, and from the air becoming toxic and people getting harmed. So there is purpose in a smoking chimney. If the chimney/we allow what others say to us we can find ourself withdrawing from our purpose, preoccupied with the criticism, and then our vision of ourself becomes distorted. We begin to feel insignificant, invisible or unimportant to others. We are then no longer doing what God created us for or our God-given gift or talent. When that kind of fear takes hold of us, we begin to distort how we see ourselves and our place in this world. We begin having false beliefs about the role we were designed to fulfill. I recently felt all of that in my blog writing. I called it writers remorse when telling my husband about it. As Lynette says, “Our lives are meant to be a beautiful symphony of purpose and belonging, but fear introduces a dissonance that can overwhelm our sense of mattering.” I’m not going to go into the complete teaching on this, but I wanted to share from the beginning because we do have purpose and we do matter and that “WE” is EVERYBODY. God says we are: Chosen (John 15:16), Loved (Jeremiah 31:3), Forgiven (1 John 1:9), Precious (Is. 43:4), Strong (Is. 40:31), Unique (Ps. 39:13), Important (1 Peter 2:9), Protected (Ps. 121:3), Enough (2 Cor. 12:9). So we are able to say, I am____________, you fill in the blank. Be that little chimney and SMOKE with your calling, gift or talent.

Reflection of Yesterday

So, teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. (Ps.90:12)

In this Psalm, number of days: This is more than just having mortality; it means valuing the time we do have by using it for eternal purposes. Our life is but a vapor. (James 4:14) “whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” The Bible consistently describes life on Earth as temporary, short, and fleeting, comparing it to a passing breath, shadow, or mist to emphasize the need for eternal perspective. (Psalm 39:4-5): “Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered-how fleeting, my life is. You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath.” This life here is not our permanent home. We have a temporary assignment here and it would be wise to find out what that is. I have spent half my life living like tomorrow would never come, wasting the days away. When suddenly, I realized how many were gone. I now have more days behind me than in front of me. It makes for an urgency to do what I am here for. I need to use what time I have left wisely, serving God, and focusing on eternity. The little girl is now old and gray. My husband and I were just talking about this very thing today. What we would like for our last years here to look like. What would bring fulfillment to each of us and as a couple. Yes, our focus should be on serving God, witnessing to those who do not know where they are going to spend their eternity, but it also means enjoying life with your family and friends, playing, working and resting. Balance. We don’t neglect our duties or our hearts desires, whatever they may be. Spend some time ruminating on your days. What does that look like to you?

Don’t Look Back

Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old. Behold I do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert. (Is. 43:18-19)

Looking back is often associated with turning back to sin, as in the photo above; Lot’s wife turning into a pillar of salt (Gen. 19:26) There was a time when I would look back at my early years in life and say, “those were the good ‘ole days.” A lot of those memories were full of carnal behaviors and my sinful nature. I may have been a bit like Lot’s wife; reluctant to leave. Oh, how I thank you Father for mercy & grace. I can see now, those really weren’t the good ‘ole days. My flesh was being fed, but my spirit man wasn’t. God had way better days in store for me. In (Isaiah 43:18) the Lord commanded the people not to remember the past, it would be of no significance, He was establishing something new. Just as we should no longer look back at our regrets, it can be dangerous in keeping us from our ability to follow Christ. Condemnation is not of God, conviction is. If God is convicting you about something from your past it is likely you simply need to fall to your knees and repent, so that you can receive freedom from that. Don’t keep going back and revisiting that past sin, habit or hurt. Allow God to forgive you, heal you and move on. (Be sure to forgive yourself to.) Paul expresses the need to let go of the past failures and move forward toward the goals in Christ (Philippians 3:13-14) (paraphrased) not to dwell on the past because God is doing a new work in us. If we spend too much time looking back, we can become discouraged and find ourselves right back in that sin or carnal thinking, etc. (2 Cor. 5:17) says, [Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new.”] We as believers are being transformed into the likeness of Christ. Don’t go back digging up dirt, that old man is buried. I know at times I speak of things in my past that are not pretty. They are not pleasant for me to have to remember, but when I do it is only to give glory to God, because He saved me from those things, He set my feet upon the Rock and turned my life around. GLORY to Him! This is Productive Remembering: While negative dwelling is discouraged, the Bible advocates for looking back to remember God’s faithfulness and deeds, which encourages current trust (Psalm 136). Leave the past with God and walk forward in faith. Don’t Look Back!

Mount Up

But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31)

To “wait” on God entails confident expectation and active hope in the Lord. Mount up …run …walk, depicts the spiritual transformation that faith brings to a person. The Lord gives power to those who trust in Him. Eagles: the eagle depicts the strength that comes from the Lord. The strength of people who are nourished by God is compared to the strength of the eagle. Sometimes we find ourselves weary, running on empty, no fight left in us, flat wore out. Maybe we have been trying to figure things out in our own mind/strength, to no prevail, feeling hopeless and exhausted. I recently was put into a battle that could have been all of those things. I have to say, the Holy Spirit has been such a great friend, that I have been able to lean into God, trusting just the right Words to stand on in faith. Even though I do not know the outcome of this particular situation that I’m currently in, that has no bearing on what I’m doing, I’m MOUNTING UP! It makes me think of the scripture in (Hosea 4:6) (My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.) Y’all, seriously learn your Bible, you need it more than you realize. It’s the infallible Word of Good. (2 Timothy 3:16-17) says, (All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.) This scripture verse in (Isaiah 40:31) promises if we will wait on the Lord we will be renewed in our strength and able to soar above the challenges we are being faced with. Divine empowerment! The Word requires us not to lean on our own strength, instead we are relying on God. That means we are trusting and hoping in Him. So, Mount Up! and SOAR.

Come A Little Closer

“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8)

When I have difficulty seeing something, I will often use my magnifying glass to get a closer look. Today I am getting a closer look at God and relationship with Him. In this scripture we have a biblical promise highlighting a reciprocal relationship: as believers move toward God through prayer, repentance, and obedience, He moves toward them. It is a two-way relationship. Have you ever tried being in a relationship with just yourself? What do you have to offer yourself? What can you receive from yourself? At any point in this one way relationship is there anything tangible? What are you building by yourself? When we align our lives with God, we can be assured of His presence, strength, and grace, which helps build character and faith. When we humble ourself before the Lord, He promises to lift us up. How good are you at lifting yourself up? I know I cannot bring about joy to myself, I cannot do anything in my own strength, it requires an act of God, literally, for things to come out right in my life. If you want to get closer to God it is going to require cultivating a deeper, more intentional relationship through daily spiritual disciplines. Some things you can put into practice are; studying scripture, persistent prayer and worship. Surrender is a Big one, give control of your life back to God, especially during the difficult times. Learn to understand the nature of God and the life of Jesus, His teachings and the miracles He did. Approach God with reverence, respect the Divine Holiness, recognizing Him as both a loving parent and a sovereign authority. God is always close, constant and unchanging, how close are you in relationship with yourself? I know at times I have even lied to myself. God is not man, therefore He cannot lie. How surefooted are you? do you ever change? Can you really count on yourself? Can you remove all fear from yourself? God can and will. Why do we pretend to have it all together and think we can do this life on our own? Truth is, we will never succeed at it without God’s help. According to the Bible, God created humans in His image to have intimate fellowship with Him. This relational purpose means humanity was designed to walk with God and with others, rather than to exist in isolation. So, draw near to Him, and He will draw near to you.

His Blood Runs Through My Veins

4) just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5) having predestined us to adoption as sons, by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6) to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. (Eph. 1:4-6)

I am no longer defined by my own humanity, but by the life, holiness, and victory of Jesus Christ. I have the adoption of divine nature, transformed by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The Greek word for this kind of love is: agape, which is by choice or one’s will, not just a sentimental feeling. Predestined us: this is not fate, but rather a loving choice on God’s part. The Beloved: Jesus Christ. Jesus is not simply one among others who God loves, He is the Beloved Son. And through Him we have redemption; I have been bought back into relationship with the Father through the blood of Jesus Christ. I am a child of God! Glory! Halleluiah! Praise be to the King of Kings! Amen. This spiritual adoption brings righteousness, inheritance, and a new relationship with God as Father. I love how God already chose to adopt me before the foundation of the world, out of love. I always dreamed of my life being a love story, well here it is. And for His pleasure; He wants to spend time with me, He doesn’t just love me, He finds me valuable enough to want to hang out with me. Okay y’all, I’m about to preach myself happy about now. This IS AMAZING LOVE! I now get to call God “Abba Father” through the Holy Spirit. I am ever so grateful to be set free from the debt of my old sinful nature most of all, and you can be to. Thank You Jesus! Come Be a Part of the Family, you are WELCOME here.

What’s Around the Corner?

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths (Proverbs 3:5-6)

So many times in my life I’ve wondered this question. I sense the Lord directing me somewhere, but not sure where I’m headed. What will this place look like, who will be there? Am I even sure this is a place I should be going. What is around that corner? Yet, I am always encouraged by His Word, “Trust.” He is going to guide me. I don’t have to understand and I certainly don’t need to try to rely on my understanding of things, because I can really think some crazy kinda ways at times, just say’n. Because I know Him so well it’s like going to a chair to sit down at the table and I don’t even think about it, I just pull the chair out and sit down. I never ever thought for one minute that that chair was not going to hold or support me once I sat in it. That’s the kind of trust I have in my Father God. I am relying on His character; who He is, His faithfulness and guidance. Sometimes I can get off course a bit, well maybe a lot, but when that happens if I will seek Him; He says, “I will be found by you, says the LORD, and I will bring you back from your captivity.” (Jer. 29:14) See, we don’t even have to worry if we have made a wrong turn along the way, He is always with us, watching and making a way for us to get to our final destination. (Joshua 1:9) says, “Do not be afraid or dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” I just want to encourage you today, if you sense God calling you somewhere and fear is keeping you from making that corner, my word for you would be, TRUST!

Am I, My Enemy?

No weapon formed against you shall prosper (Isaiah 54:17)

If you are allowing your tongue to speak words against yourself, you are becoming your own opposition. You are allowing possible attacks to arise that could destroy you or at the bare minimum keep you from prospering in what you are desiring. God is telling us in the written Word in Isaiah that He condemns the accusers, even as He has equipped His servant/us/all saints, Jews and gentiles, to do so. If God has given us the power in our tongue to come against opposition, challenges, or attacks, ultimately, we are destroying ourselves if we are speaking anything different from His Word. Further in that verse it’s telling us “…and every tongue which rises against you in judgement You shall condemn,” that’s indicating false accusations. You are speaking false things over yourself, STOP IT! Take those words out of your mouth right now and start speaking truth over your situation. Don’t let the father of lies deceive you into believing a lie over what the Lord is trying to do in your life or whatever it is your believing for. Just like writing this Blog. The minute my husband brought this up to me, that I should write again and do it in a Blog, I immediately said, “Oh, I can’t do that, I don’t have the background and training for that.” That’s when I had to stop myself and remember who was actually calling me to this and if He was calling me to it, He would also equip me for it (Is. 58:11) Where He guides, He provides! It is so easy to catch yourself believing for something or petitioning the Lord for something and at the same time speaking words of defeat. Wisdom flows from a thoughtful heart. Think about what you are saying before you say it. Use constructive words. Your words can be a tree of life or destructive. They can heal you or they can harm you. Choose what you speak! Remember, not every thought needs to be expressed; once said, words cannot be taken back.

OH! One of Those Days

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. Its the Lord Christ you are serving.” (Colossians 3:23-24)

Today is one of those days. I am having all kinds of computer issues, I feel like screaming. I told y’all I am NOT a techy kind of girl. What I am though is, INTENTIONAL! I may have mentioned a time or two regarding my word for this year …. “INTENTIONAL” Challenge ON! I am NOT going to let the enemy come in and steal my joy, or what the Lord has called me too. Just as in the Bible verse above, I am going to do this thing with all my heart as “working for the Lord” and not for humans. Because in all honesty, He is the reason I am Blogging in the first place. Learning this techy stuff is hard, for me that is. I am 63 years old, not a lot of computer experience, it’s not something I grew up with or even wanted to know for that matter. I mean I’m a little old fashion. Yeah, I can type (keyboarding) per my collaborator, but I still like to write with pen and paper, actually pencil so I can erase as often as needed. I even buy the little erasers to put on top of my pencils for when the original one wears out, per my collaborator (Husband) that is, he thought I should include the extra eraser part, I was going to let that little secret slide by. I still enjoy reading books the old fashion way, though I have three kindles, smart phone and a computer. It’s easy to get discouraged, but you know, God said in one of the first Bible verses about work in (Genesis 2:15), “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” This tells us that we are intended and built to work, and I’m going to be encouraged by that, because that just means God has given me a brain that can figure this out. Hard work and dedication yield results and I am putting everything I’ve got into being intentional in developing a better knowledge of this techy stuff so I can write these blogs as for the Lord. To end this “Mountain Moving Morning”, first let me encourage you with a Word. “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9).