Category: growth

Less is MORE

He must increase, but I must decrease (John 3:30)

I chose this photo today because as you can see there isn’t much in this room. There really isn’t anything here to distract you from focusing on one particular thing. Which is the object lesson in decreasing our self and allowing more of God in our life. We have to get rid of things that are in our way, distracting us from having clarity, 20/20 vision and excellent hearing. We need to be resting in Him, not allowing our minds to wander focusing on everything around us. We should be wanting to go deeper in our relationship with God and allowing Him to go deeper within us. Ridding us from the things that don’t serve a purpose in our life and that are keeping us from receiving all that He would have for us. I think about when I’m out on the trails hiking or riding my 4-wheeler and I come across a leaf or a flower, my focus is not on the tree or the larger group of flowers clustered together, instead I look exclusively at the individual leaf or flower and I am able to see much deeper. Looking at the leaf I can see intricate little lines, sometimes small particles of fuzz on them, the actual shape of the leaf and the lighter verse’s darker parts of it. When looking at the flower I may feel a softness in the peddle or a little insect looking for some nectar and like the leaf the colors seem more vibrant when looking up close versus afar off. That is how it is when we get rid of the clutter in our minds and sight we are able to see and hear the much deeper things of God. His voice becomes clear and our vision is no longer clouded. Sometimes it’s as if we are shouting things at God as if He can’t hear us when in reality we are trying to speak to him over all the chaos. Once we let go of some things we can quiet ourselves and come to God in a calmer quieter voice, just as the Holy Spirit is a gentleman He does not yell, He has a still quiet voice and we can too. There are other areas of less is more in our lives we need to be aware of. Things like allowing materialistic things to overtake us …more, more, MORE. We never seem to be satisfied with what we have and that’s because stuff is not what satisfies us, our relationship with Jesus is. Pride; we are some of the most prideful people, let that go! Self-sufficiency; how about more of trusting God instead of ourselves? That’s where we will find peace, when we depend on Him. He knows everything we need before we ever need it. If we will just decrease in ourselves and allow God to increase in us we will be making more room for God’s grace and power in our lives. Better is a little with the Lord than great treasure and turmoil with it (Proverbs 15:16).

What are you willing to let go of in this world to allow for gaining more with God?

Closed Doors

And those that entered, male and female of all flesh, went in as God commanded him. And the Lord shut him in. (Genesis 7:16)

The closed door was for Noah’s protection. In Acts; Paul and his companions were forbidden by the Holy Spirit from entering certain areas, as an example that closed doors can be divine redirection. The ten virgins in the book of Matthew, “the door was shut,” meaning end of opportunity for salvation. We are also instructed in the book of Matthew to go into our inner room, shut the door, and pray to our Father that is an example of intimacy; private prayer.

Every closed door serves a purpose and not every closed door is shut permanently, such as Noah’s. It was reopened once the storm was over, once God had accomplished what He set out to do. God opens and shuts doors. When God closes a door, no human effort can open, that’s His Sovereignty. There are times we need redirecting, change up our focus, head down a different path, so God will close that door rather than rejecting us and what we are about to enter into. Close doors can also mean, it’s just not time, but we don’t lose confidence in God’s plan during times of closed doors. His ways are not our ways nor is His timing like our timing, His is PERFECT. Instead of forcing a door, we need to trust that God is steering us toward something better. God never rejects His children, sometimes He tells us “no” to protect us. Those “no’s” have protected me a few times in life, quite a few actually. When I have allowed God to redirect me, it has always been for my good. I have learned things I would not have if I kept going through the door I was walking through. It has taken some faith and trust to get to the point where I knew God was really just setting me up for something better. Not every door is meant for us to walk through and if we are not praying and asking for God to lead us, direct our path we can find ourselves in some rooms we never wanted to be. At the same time a door that is open to us and we aren’t willing to walk through it we just may miss out on the biggest blessing ever. Something else I have discovered in my life is that there are multiple doors in life and at times I have been confused as to which one was for me, again that is the real necessity in praying, seeking God’s wisdom, He will open just the right one for you “if” you will listen carefully. I recently closed a door that was stealing my peace, I felt the attack of the enemy and it was keeping me from my growth in Him and my calling. The finality of the closed doors to me is ask, seek, knock and then you will find.

Is there a door that needs shut in your life? How about one that needs opened? Are you in need of redirection? Are there to many to choose from?

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock; and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one that seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. (Matthew 7:7-8)

Mount up and SOAR

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)

The struggle. When looking back haunted by the ghosts of my past, bound up in all my failures, feeling the unworthiness of shame, stain and regrets. That is not at all who I am today. I am redeemed! I have hope. No more fighting the past because I am free at last. No shackles, No chains, just wings that lift me higher and higher. I am like an eagle …watch me soar, like a lion …hear me roar. I lift my head high because the one who redeemed me will never say goodbye. My story is a lot like the song, “Black Sheep.” I’ve been alone, lonely and scared, there have been times I’ve had a heart of stone, cried tears that no one has seen. I’ve kicked, screamed, broken down fences and ran through ditches swearing I didn’t fit in and maybe I didn’t. I’ve hated everything about me and at times thinking everyone would be better off without me. I have felt every bit of those lyrics at one time or another, yet in all of that I know …Jesus loves the black sheep. No matter how far I wander He’ll always come for me again, that’s Grace, Amen?! I no longer am who I once was, now I fly like an eagle and let the Spirit carry me, like an eagle to the sea, I am free. People and streets look different these days, I can see purpose in my ways. Now I am feeding those without enough to eat and putting shoes on their feet. I am free to be me.

Eagles are considered amongst the strongest birds. They can crush bones and lift heavy prey. Their talons are built for piercing and their beaks are tough enough to tear through meat. Their chest muscles are exceptionally strong for powerful flight and leg muscles to secure their prey when captured. They have a keen eye, they can spot prey from miles away. They maneuver their large body in ways demonstrating both strength and agility. But when they get old they have a choice. They can stay just as they are; comfortable and slowly lose their purpose or go through a painful process of renewal, but the eagle chooses the renewal, the hard path. I have the same choice as the eagle. I can remain the same “OLD” me, “OLD” ways, thoughts and habits, losing my strength and purpose for which I was created for or I can go through the process of renewal. Like the eagle I chose renewal. I chose to enter into the secret place of the Most High where He will cover me with His feathers, under His wings. I am allowing Him to renew my strength, grow me spiritually, mentally, emotionally. The process of getting to this place can and has been painful at times just like it is for the eagle. It requires shedding of my old flesh, breaking old habits just like how the eagles beak and claws are broken and feathers plucked for new growth, completely exposed and vulnerable. The eagle will then be renewed with new feathers, new beak, new claws, it is a slow process, but when complete the eagle arises with strength it did not have before. The eagle doesn’t just survive it flys stronger and higher than before. The hidden places in our life that feels like isolation are for preparation. We cannot soar like the eagles carrying what we were meant to shed. Like the eagle I am stronger than I have ever been before, I see myself going to levels higher than I’ve ever been, new boldness, better awareness when the storms of life are about to hit. I have a new confidence, the storm will not bury me, instead it will elevate me. I will Mount Up and SOAR like the eagle.

What do you need to shed that is keeping you from your purpose?

Mind Your Own Biscuits and Life will be Gravy

“…aspire to live quietly, and mind your own affairs, and work with your hands, as we instructed you.” (1 Thess. 4:11)

Paul was writing to the Thessalonians to encourage them to live quietly and work hard, partly to avoid meddling and to set a good example for nonbelievers. I have been in the oven on this one for awhile. You know that refining fire kind of oven, removing the dross, working on becoming pure. In the process of it all, I have learned to be quiet and listen very carefully to the Holy Spirit regarding many things. One of those things was to quit allowing myself to be in the midst of another person’s affairs. Sometimes that can be hard if you find yourself there because some else put you there, thergo; free will comes into play. You have the option how you will react or respond to any given situation, in this particular case I chose silence. The old rule of thumb, silence is golden. Like pure gold once refined. Dross-free that is what I want to be. Silence is not the only thing I have taken away from the intense heat of the fire. I realize that it is my responsibility to search my own heart. I have been delving deep into my innermost being, allowing God to bring out the impure thoughts, feelings, things that do not edify or glorify Him, or others for that matter, but mainly Him. Rummaging through my heart and mind, investigating my thoughts and reasonings. Asking the Lord to reveal anything and everything so that I may be able to learn better habits in order to set better examples. It is going to take a whole LOT of “God’s gravy.” I’m the biscuit and God is the gravy. What I have found by doing this, God will pour extra blessings, joy and spiritual nourishment on me, the “GOOD STUFF.” This is called divine grace. It is an abundance of “God’s Great lake of Gravy,” salvation and love that covers all, “total gift” freely poured out. Most days it is little reminders of God’s love for me, extra little things to be joyous about. Just going along minding my biscuits, I mean business, while He pours the gravy, I mean grace, and love over me. Are you in need of some gravy for your biscuits? Go on and get’cha some, a BIG heaping helping, it’s free for the asking.

Romans 10:9-13

Let’s Get Real

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

Believers are NOT to be anxious, instead we are to entrust ourselves and concerns into the hands of our loving heavenly Father. He is the God of peace and it is His peace that guards us in Christ Jesus. Because God is sovereign and in control we Christians can trust Him with ALL of our difficulties. He rules over ALL creation and He is wise and loving in all of His ways. So that we can have an inward peace, along with a heart of thanksgiving.

I spent a lot of my early years as a Christian, worrying and fretting over darn near everything. I’d close my eyes and pray, sometimes with tears running down my face and then open my eyes and my mouth and cancel out everything I just turned over to him in prayer. I was taking it all back with my words of worry. I felt defeated. I felt as though I just wasted His time and mine. Have you ever been there? I wanted so bad to believe but for some reason the struggle was real. I believe I found the answer to the struggle. God tells us in scripture, “if any lacks wisdom, let him ask and He will give liberally”, so I did. I asked, “why can’t I believe for what I am asking for?” The answer was pretty simple. I had created a habit of worrying, and complaining about things, people, the past, etc. I needed to create a new habit. So everytime anxiety or worry would return, I would pray again. Consistency started paying off. Little by little I began leaving things there with God in prayer, I quit taking them back, and if I spoke anything of that thing it was the Word of God over it. I was now creating a new habit, one that clearly was to my benefit. If you can worry, you can pray. It’s a process of trading one for the other. Anxiety for Peace, the kind that surpasses all understanding. We are told to meditate on things that are pure and lovely and of good report. Worrying is meditating on the wrong things. I started giving my worries to God when I finally realized I couldn’t do anything about them, but He could. All I was told to do was what I could and what I couldn’t He would. Worry paralyzes, prayer activates faith. Faith and fear do not co-exist. Bottom line; why pray if your going to worry and fret?

In My Element

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it more abundantly. (John 10:10)

When you see a smile like that on my face, you know I’m living my best life right here, right now, in the moment. Jesus’ promise of abundant life, begins right here and now. He wants us to live a rich, full, joyful life, one overflowing with meaningful activities, in fellowship with his people, all the while having His personal favor upon us. What a satisfying life when we are living in the abundance. The abundance of His grace, mercy and love. God even encourages us in Ecclesiastes (3:12-13,7:14) to enjoy our food, drink, and work as a gift from God. When I am in my element/ nature, near the water, under the sun along with a few puffy clouds in the sky, gentle wind blowing through the trees, I feel so close to God. I can sense His presence everywhere, if you could see inside of me, my heart would be one BIG smile. There is just something about being in His presence that makes life good and brings a purposeful feeling to me. Even though as you can well see I’m not even doing anything purposeful, I’m laying on a rock. Oh my gosh! Revelation …He is the ROCK! Whenever I am leaning on Him; the Rock, that is where my peaceful easy feeling comes from. When I am sitting here typing God is speaking to me the entire time. If you know the Father intimately, you will understand what I’m saying, if not it may sound a little crazy to you, but I am being as real and honest as I can be. I’m not relying on materialist things to find my contentment instead I’m just resting in Him, now back to being in my element/nature. I begin thinking things like God created all of this for me. He created the sound of the water flowing downstream over the rocks just for me to hear. The clouds that I’m laying there watching move through the sky and using my imagination seeing a bear, or a rabbit, or whatever it may be, is all for me. In the silence of stillness, He reminds me that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. He loves me, and cares for me and blesses me more than I can even receive. My cup truly runneth over. I’m living in abundance. I don’t want to sound ungrateful when I say, “I don’t have these same feelings in other places like I do here.” I think maybe it could be the mountains, yes I live in the mountains and the water and wildlife, and all the beauty around me keeps me in a sense of awe reminding me of our Creator’s limitless power, His creativity, He is an artist! I admire the work of an artist. I love photography and I know a woman that is an amazing photographer, I am in absolute awe of her work. But that does not even compare to God’s artistry. He created such a peaceful space for me to feel His presence, away from everywhere else. ABUNDANCE! To Him Be ALL the glory!

Thick Skin

You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you, do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn him the other also. And if anyone sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. (Matt. 5:38-40)

Tough hide and a tender heart. True love is an essential component of thick skin. God guards our hearts and gives us the power to forgive those that have wronged us. I’ll just let you in on a little secret, it is going to take Jesus residing in your heart to be able to do this. This is a supernatural kind of love that comes from Him. It is our greatest defense against feeling overwhelmed when being criticised or having someone attack us personally. We need thick skin to not hold a grudge or try to retaliate. “Jesus said love your enemies and pray for those that persecute you.” (Matt. 5:44) You are developing thick skin and a soft heart all at the same time when you pray like that. Prayer doesn’t just change the situation, it changes us. I have prayed for people for long periods of time, years even, not feeling like it …sorry, but true. But then one day God replaced the grudge, animosity, with compassion. Regarding prayer; just keep doing it, the weaker our prayer life, the thinner our skin, and the harder our heart. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak (Matt. 26:41). Prayer will change the attitude of you heart if you don’t give up. I also am not saying that this anger will not creep back in at times, that’s why we have to learn to master this thing called prayer, temptations to fall back in our old ways are always there. Learn to leave a closed door closed. Here is a little prayer you can pray for yourself to help you walk with a spirit of humility and compassion.

Lord Jesus ….Forgive my hardness of heart and my selfishness. I am weak, but you are strong. Strengthen and protect me from my natural ways of responding to situations. Teach me how to walk in the Spirit rather than in the flesh. Grant me your peace, wisdom, love and compassion. Wash away my sins with the blood you shed for me by the Holy Spirit, make me more like Jesus every day. Please give me thick skin and a soft heart, especially when my natural impulses flare up under pressure. In your holy name I pray. Amen.

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. (Ps. 139:13-14)

It’s a beautiful day. I woke up well rested, fresh coffee, a smile and a kiss from my husband and a message of breakthrough on my phone from years spent praying for someone. This someone has had my whole heart all of their life, I am overflowing in joy today! Breakthroughs are something to be celebrated. If you have ever found yourself bound up inside your soul by something for so long to the point you begin to see yourself as that person instead of the person you actually were created to be, and then a “suddenly” happens and your FREE, it is time to celebrate! The world puts all these ideas out there like; what we should weigh, wear, speak, act, that there is a certain look we should have. When the truth is we have been intricately created by God, that’s where our confidence should lie. It took strength and a whole lot of courage for this person to be able to step out with that kind of confidence today. As for myself I believe until we are able to see ourselves as someone loved by God, who makes NO mistakes by the way, we will not have the confidence to be comfortable in our own skin. God advises us to put our trust in the Lord rather than man (Ps. 118:8). I believe today for the first time this person saw themself as the good work that the Lord had begun and now has the confidence to believe that God, the One that said, “I will also complete that good work as promised.” When God starts something, He finishes it. Also, know this is; “You can do all things through him who strengthens you-that’s divine strength.” God never intended for you to do anything alone, He is there to be your ever-present help. God gives a spirit of power, love and self-discipline, not fear. So, stop fearing what others think and be who you were created to be. Be You. Celebrate You.

Overindulging

Be not among drunkards or among gluttonous eaters of meat, for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and slumber will clothe them with rags. (Proverbs 23:20-21)

Obviously this is not one of those feel good post, but think about it from a parents point of view. When you are teaching your children the right and good things of life, things that are going to bring about blessings and not harm to them, they usually are not the feel good talks. As adults we to need to remind ourselves of things that will potentially bring harm to us and veer away from it. When I saw this picture, there were so many things that came to mind. First let’s just think for a minute about the scripture under the picture, what that means. Eating and drinking to excess will impoverish people, to much food is gluttony, too much drink leads to intoxication. There is absolutely no self-control, just living in the moment. I have never had the overeating problem, but I certainly spent a minute in the overindulging times of drunkenness. For those of you reading my blog for the first time let me just tell you real quick, “I am not that perfect Christian,” “I am the one that knows, I am in need of a savior.” If you read some of my others I give a bit more insight into my life of; a sinner saved by grace. And you will also find out that I need Him just as much today as I did when I was lost. Back to overindulging. Like I mentioned in the beginning there is many things that comes to mind regarding this subject. Greed, comfort, pleasure, entertainment that controls us, rather than us controlling it. These are fleeting and harmful passions, there is nothing lasting. I recently got caught up on a T.V. series that really sucked me in, all along knowing and even telling myself this ain’t right, this is pretty raunchy the way they were talking and portraying themselves, I was even getting angry at a couple of the characters because of the character they were playing, yet I kept watching it. After the last episode and before the next series started the Lord began to deal with me about that. Needless to say, I never watched another episode of it. You might be saying about now, “well everything on television is like that.” No it’s not. What you lust after is what you will seek after. We need to have some self control and stop letting things control us. Temptation is a real thing, but we don’t have to give into it, that’s what leads us to sin. That scripture above says, if we give in, it will lead us to poverty, sloth, and moral decay. Yeah! Been there. So let me just try to lead you in another direction here. “If you have found honey, eat only enough for you,lest you have your fill of it and vomit it” (Proverbs 25:16). Unlike the worldly things that leave you feeling sick or empty, nourish yourself with God’s Word. Get you some “living water” (John 4:14). Check out the differences between the two: Worldly overindulgence: focuses on temporary, self-serving things which then leads to bondage and decay. The Bible says: moderation in worldly things-use them as if not dependent on them, instead immerse yourself in godly things that will lead you to peace and spiritual life. Life is full of choices and we get to decide, choose wisely.

Gonna Let it Shine

“You are the light of the world-like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.” (Matthew 5:14)

The Lord has been pouring oil in my lamp in preparation for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in others. I am being very intentional about having my lamp full of oil, so that the lamp will give light to everyone that comes near me. I spend a lot of time around people who are living in darkness, it is a scary, hopeless, desperate & desolate place to be. As a child I was extremely scared of the dark. I never wanted to be alone when it became dark and even in the daylight there were times I could just sense the darkness. I don’t have to fear the dark now because there is a light that burns continuously inside of me. Now that I have this light I’m gonna let it shine, shine for others to be able to see. My goal is to help others light their wick right off of mine. Sharing is caring, right? I want to share the good news of living in the light. I want to see the people blessed and living in their blessings. Have you ever had a gift for someone and you were just so excited about giving it to them because you knew it was just what they needed and you could hardly hold back? That’s how I feel about my light; Jesus. When they see me, or hear me talk, or watch me emulate Jesus I want to be able to hear them say, “Hey that light your wearing is so bright, I couldn’t see anything but the light, why is that? Where can I get a lamp like that? Be prepared to light the fire in their soul. They have been in the dark so long that they can barely see the light flickering at times when it passes by. The naked eye can detect light approximately 1.6 miles away. Yet there are things that can cloud that vision such as haze & air pollution. When people are going through things such as job loss, living on the street, addictions of any kind, relationships that are beyond repair, bad experiences even in the church, so many things I can’t possibly list them all. Everyone has their own story. Their vision gets clouded, blurred, in some cases close to blindness. It’s important that we who hold the candle make sure our wick is lit, our lamp is full of oil and ready to let our light dispel darkness. Scriptures calls us believers the “light of the world,” and urges us to shine as lights in the world of a crooked and twisted generation. All of this for the sole purpose to give glory to our Father in heaven. For at one time we were in darkness, but now we are the light in the Lord, so we should walk as children of light. So Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.” (Is. 60:1)