No, you cannot do this on your own...

"But God..."

CAN!

Give it all to God ~ He'll take care of it!

The eyes of God

 

"What do we gain if we slay our brother and conceal his blood?" (Gen 7:26)

If you are carrying resentment, anger, hostility, evil will;  involving yourself in gossip of an individual behind their back; or anything in the realm of sin towards yourself or another, then it is time to STOP! NOW!! No ifs, ands, or buts about it! You cannot move forward into the healing love of God if you don't STOP.  Even if you think that no one knows what you are doing you are dead wrong!!  There is always someone watching, someone who knows, your every move ~ His name is Jesus, and you can never hide from Him. Please stop allowing this ill will to be part of who you are. Confess what you are doing to the Lord and let Him guide you as to what you need to do to reconcile, to heal,and  to find freedom from this darkness. Friends, you cannot fool the Lord, so why even try? There is no gain, there is only another step deeper into the pit of darkness and defeat. 

Please begin to think about your actions. If you are in a situation where you aren't sure what to do, ask yourself, "Is this something I'm proud of doing in front of the Lord?", if your answer is "No" then please choose to change your action. You can do it! God will give you the guidance and strength to make the right decision.

God always answers!

"God answered me on the day of my distress and was with me wherever I went" (Gen 35:3)

Good, amazing morning to you. How great to awake with a new day filled with God's amazing grace for each and every one of us. Will you join me in taking time out throughout the day, focus on all the things you are thankful for, and thank God for each and every one of them?I truly believe that if we do this every single day we will start realizing how blessed we are.  We will start living a bit differently, our spirits will start to shine and a renewed life of Light will begin to flow through us.Yes, I know some of us are so deep in hurt, struggle, pain, addiction, control, etc., etc., but I believe that if we learn to acknowledge every blessing in our lives God has already given us already, then He will add more and more until our cup of life overflows.  

Sometimes when we spend so much time focusing on the pain we lose sight of all the blessings that our surrounding us.  Eventually, God is pushed so far away that we think He isn't there. No, just the opposite, God is always there! God is ALWAYS HERE for each and every one of us!  Take time to thank Him for what is going on in your life now, what He has blessed you with in the past, and what He is going to bless you with in the future. I know that some of you may have to think for quite a while, but  soon you won't be able to deny that He has never ever left you The more you commit to practicing this in your life, then I believe:

 a new breath will flow into you, a new sense of assurance will lift you up, and you will have no doubt that God IS guiding you, answering you, healing you, and saving you, just like He always has.

This is a new day - LIVE IT! It is yours for the taking!

Love and prayers to all.  God bless.

This too will come to pass!

"...but the God of my father has been with me." (Gen 31:5)

Is there currently something, one thing in particular, that is ailing you (either mentally, or physically)?Something that is so bothersome and whatever you try to do to correct it, it won't go away? Examples such as: a skin concern; body disorder; food frustration; relational issue that isn't going right; lethargy; depression; family issues; spiritual issue; the past, the present, the future worries; and the list can go on for a million miles.  Maybe you don't have anything distressing you at the moment and I pray nothing comes your way, but if you do then this blog is for you today. Oh, and don't worry, whatever your ailment it is only between you, the Lord, and whomever else you have chose to share with. 

Now, moving on to the point of this question; if you are dealing with something right now, know that God is still with you, although you may question why your situation hasn't been fixed yet.  He is going to heal whatever you are facing, and turn it into a wonderful, amazing, blessing. He wants you to give it to Him to fix by His will and in His timing.  Isaiah 14:24 reads something along the lines of, "this to shall pass", and it will!! It is in the Word, God's Word.  It is a promise to you. 

There is another part to this, and this is your part that you are to do in order to work through this and break-through into His amazing blessing awaiting you: 

you must, "Be joyful always; pray continually; give  thanks [for your situation (ailment)]; for [it] is God's will for you." (1 Thess 5:16). 

Yes, you read correctly. You are to be joyful, prayerful, and thankful ALWAYS! 

Whatever it is you are facing will not only become a blessing to you, but will enable you to help bless someone else who may face this same issue one day.  The longer you go through something, the more of a blessing you become to someone else.  Remember though, for a blessed outcome, we must follow God's Word and keep the attitude He wants us to have. 

I know you are in a difficultly right now, but you can make it through, you will be healed in the name of Jesus! You are a child of the most High, and He will get you through any battle that you face right now and forevermore - TRUST HIM!!!! 

I pray this to you in the sweet name of Jesus, AMEN!!

God will always remember your prayers.

"Then God remembered Rachel and remembered her pleading and made it possible..." (Gen 30:22)

When I first read this verse this morning, my first thought was, "Oh my goodness, does this mean that God forgets us sometimes?". My heart dropped, and it made me question the Lord.  I felt a sense of disappointment and hurt and I wanted Him to explain to me what this verse meant, and if I was interpreting right.  Let me ask, when you read this verse what is your first thought?  After a few moments of asking Him and praying about it, He explained it to me, and this is what He spoke to my heart:

 "I will never ever forget you, your prayers, nor your hopes and dreams. No, I never forget, Jen. Sadly though, you do.  It is you who prays, prays, and prays until you get tired of waiting on Me and My timing ~ that is when you try to take matters into your own hands. You find ways to make it happen faster, putting Me further and further into the back corner of your mind.  Eventually though, you wear yourself down and realize your plan isn't working at all. You figure that your prayer is not My will and you bury it deep within you.  Finally, when you surrender, when you return your life back over to me, is when I can begin to work miracles into your life again. I take your buried dreams and prayers and ignite the life back into them, which, in turn, ignites My Spirit, My Life, within you ever so brightly.  I love you, Jen, and I will never, no not ever, forget you.  I promise!"

WOW! How wrong I was when I first read this verse!! I was thinking with my selfish mind, but once I got over myself, I gave it over to the Lord knowing that He would explain it  to me. Boy did He ever!! Praise Him.

Everyone, God loves us so much.  He will never leave us nor forsake us nor forget us.  He never forgets ~ EVER!  It is our own doing that causes us to shove prayers and dreams for our lives into a dark dark dark corner because we give up on waiting for the Lord.  Our prayers, hopes, and dreams will come to pass if we just keep our faith in Jesus.  Yes, it may take so much longer than we would like, but it will happen and when it does it will be one of our most miraculous adventures ever!!!!  I promise.  

NEVER, ever, think that God has forgotten you, He never will.  Maybe you think He has because you are in such a place of hurt, pain, bondage, darkness, etc., but like yesterdays posting says, we need to step outside of ourselves sometimes. 

Today, again, step outside of yourself, continue to pray without ceasing, and let God re-ignite His LIFE and LOVE deep within you ~ He will do it if you let Him.

God Bless!

Step outside

"Surely the Lord is in this place and I was not aware." (Gen 28:16)

There are times in our lives when it feels like all we see, hear, and feel are darkness, hurt, pain, anger, resentment, struggle, fear, and this can go on and on. Maybe it feels like God is so far away from you right now, you are lost and falling deeper into the darkness of whatever is drowning the life out of you. I, myself, have been in that terrible darkness; desperate struggle, and it is so lonely, scary, and depressing.

It is times like these, periods of not feeling the presence of God in our lives,that one word can sum up, and it is a harsh word: Selfishness. Yes, when we are not feeling the presence of God it means that we are so focus internally on ourselves and our struggles that we've blocked Him from our lives. We've spiraled ourselves into a hole of self pity, self destruction, self loathing; selfishness. I know some of you will think that there is no way that you are selfish, but if you aren't experiencing the presence of God then it means that you are focused on you and your life and the way that you want to feel. The truth can hurt sometimes, but like the Lord says, "...it will set you free."

Now is where we have to do something different, something bold, something that requires 100% faith ~ we need to take a huge step outside of ourselves.  I know some of us are hurting in ways that do not compare to most, but that's when faith counts the most, and where we need to  declare the Word of God in our life and let Jesus us with His spirit. One thing that is certain: God is always here ~ ALWAYS; He NEVER leaves us nor forsakes us!!

Step outside of yourself, even for a brief moment, and expose yourself to the God's Light, your surroundings, your memories, conversations, activity...open your heart and take a few seconds to become vulnerable. God is there. Talk to Him, ask Him, seek Him, feel Him, and know that the more you begin to look for Him again, the more powerful His Light will come in and lift you, giving you a renewed inner spark that will thrust you right out of the deep hole you've fallen into.

Oh how God loves loves loves you!! He loves each and every one of us. It's just that periods in our lives we can let ourselves get so used to darkness that we lose sight of Him. But, with tiny steps of faith and determination, (and if you allow Him), His Light will fulfill you like never ever before!!

Stay where you are.

"...Stay in this land for a while, and I will be with you and will bless you." (Gen 26:3)

As I'm sure with most of us, there are days in my life when my 'to-do' list feels like three pages long. Things like: doctor appointments; scheduling car service; running errands for family; doing this, doing that; and the list can go on and on.  Oh, and that list doesn't include our regular daily activities that need to be done as well. Whew...it gets overwhelming sometimes, huh!?!

I believe that the devil himself will come in and taunt us during periods of stressful times.  He tries to wear us down, and I know he's gotten the best of me a time or two. I am guilty of trying to make personal changes when my world around me is on overload as it is.  As you know, personal changes mean getting out of our comfort zones. So, not only do I have an overloaded list of to-do's, now I have the anxieties about being out of my comfort zone -- yikes.  These have been the times in my life when fear, anxiety, control, hurts, anger, pain, and the like start ruling my life.  I begin to take a journey on on out-of-control emotional roller coaster.

It's taken years for me to learn, but the Lord has made something perfectly clear: it is most important to not do any personal-type changes during hectic times.  Things like: trying a new diet, joining a new book club, volunteering at the church five days a week, joining a new gym, finding a new job,  etc., etc. When the world around us becomes so busy, we need to stabilize ourselves; keep doing what we are comfortable, familiar with; nothing new, nothing exciting, nothing drastic - just remain. God will make sure that personal changes happen in His timing, and if we wait on Him the changes will be simple for us to make, not stressful.

If you life seems out of control right now then make sure to stand firmly on the foundation of the Lord, and to, "...stay in this land [your normal routing], for a while, and [God} will be with you and [He] will bless you."

God Bless everyone!!!!

Your dreams are calling...ANSWER THEM!!!

"This is from the Lord; we can say nothing to you one way or the other." (Gen 24:50)

Think back and find a moment in your life when the Lord spoke to your heart, a thought or vision that never seems to go away, something that ignites a spark deep within you. A lot of us tend to play this particular thought or vision as something made up in our head, but isn't it odd how the same thing will continually come into your heart and mind throughout the years? 

Maybe we need to approach this little sparks a bit differently. Maybe it is time that we begin to focus on these little sparks within us more often. Don't you think that these little dreams and visions are a whole lot better than focusing most of your time on your flaws, hurts, the past, the 'what-ifs', the darkness, or whatever plagues you? I do!! My goodness, God has the most amazing life planned for us!! Start focusing on your dreams, hopes, and desires.  Start praying about them more and more, asking God if it is His will. No more wasted time in fear and anxiety, life is way too short! Today, is your day; your God-Given day ~~ LIVE IT.

I don't know about you, but I am going to take my own advice and start seeing it, believing it, receiving, and living it - God is calling me.  He's calling you too. Join me! Begin to focus on your hidden dream, let God lead you.  I believe - no, I KNOW - that if you turn your focus to your inner-spark, (Jesus), the most amazing things are going to begin to happen to you right away. 

Your dreams are calling...ANSWER THEM!!!

Looking back is not an option.

"But Lot's wife looked back and she became a pillar of salt." (Gen 19:26)

There comes a point in life where turning back isn't an option. If you do, then you are choosing to stay in bondage, stay in darkness, miss out on the blessed life that the Good Lord wants to give you. 

Over eight years ago I had to finally make one of two choices: choosing God; or choosing to stay in the deep, (very deep), dark hole that I had let myself fall into.  I was in so much bondage; filled with fear, anger, hurt, loss of control, loneliness, and a harsh sense of rejection (especially from myself).  Well, I decided to take a hold of God's hand and I have never let go. Every day I hold on tighter and tighter.  Boy how much life has changed, getting more amazing everyday.  I am so blessed.  A part of me shivers when I think of the other choice I could of made as I would not be here today; I would not be here to enjoy my amazing life.  I have been renewed, and everyday I become closer and closer to the perfect will of God's.  

Moving forward is scary, it takes guts to break out of whatever is holding you back, but it is time for a decision: move forward, breaking free from all that pulls us down; or stay behind and miss the fulness of LIFE that the Lord has planned for you.  Unfortunately, there is no middle ground, and no baggage is aloud to go with you.

Let's all choose GOD today (not tomorrow, or next week, but TODAY), right this second. Yes, it's one step at a time, but soon you will look back and be amazed.  Every step forward needs to be counted as a miracle, because it is! Eventually your past will turn into an amazing story for someone in darkness; your story will become someones HOPE.  

So, grab your favorite pair of walking shoes, put your sun glasses on, and take hold of God's hand. Nope, there is nothing behind you that you need to grab because God will make sure you have everything you need and then some!  

Start walking my friend, an amazing life is waiting just for YOU!

God is all you need!

“Is anything too hard for the Lord?” (Gen 18:14).

Do you ever find days where all you can do is focus on finding a solution for something ailing you and your sick of putting up with it? As the day progresses you begin to get tunnel vision looking for ways to fix it, heal it, get rid of it, etc., etc.  By days end you are cross-eyed from finding remedies from the computer, the phone, people, yourself, and/or anything and everything in between.  I guess what I’m trying to ask is, are there days when you turn your thoughts and attention on 'you' and how 'you' are going to fix it?  Well, there are days when I do that too, although not near as many as I used too (praise God), and sadly it becomes precious time wasted.  There is only one word that pinpoints these kind of days: selfishness, (concerned excessively or exclusively with oneself :  seeking or concentrating on one's own advantage, pleasure, or well-being); idolotry. All we are doing is letting God know that we think we can figure it out quicker, and better, than He can.

It is time to realize that there is only ONE who can heal us, Jesus Christ. There is too much life to be lived to spend any of it wasted selfishly.  Living selfishly isn't living at all. Instead of running to outside sources to fix our ailments, let’s start running to the only ONE that can; let’s start running to God.  

We all want to be fixed, to be cured, to receive a miracle, but only God has the final say on it. When we wake up in ‘tunnel vision’ mode, let’s do something different, let's say 'NO!' to ourselves and yes to God Almighty.  He is the one that will lead us to the right people, the right info, the right source; He will show us the way to healing, health, miracles, and everlasting life.  Give your ailments all to the Lord, let Him work it out for your good.

Stay focused on Christ and live the amazing life that He has specifically designed just for YOU :-)...YES, YOU YOU YOU!!!

God Bless

Do you see you like God sees you?

“You are the God who sees me,…I have now seen the One who sees me!”. (Gen 16:13)

Do you see yourself the way that God sees you?  When I read this verse today I asked, “Jesus, how do you see me?". Like the Good Book says, He told me he sees the true me, a beautiful me, the part that is hidden away because of e of hurt, pain, fear  low self-esteem, anger, etc., etc. God sees me as His beautiful child; God sees YOU as his beautiful child.  

So, now I think a more important question to ask is, “How do I see myself? Do I see myself the way God does?”.  How do you see yourself? If our answers are not lining up with God’s Word, then our answers are wrong – plain and simple!!! God’s Word is 100% true, and when Jesus was crucified on the cross, He took our ugliness, fear, hurt, anger, pain, etc., with Him.

 It is so important for us to start seeing ourselves as God sees us.  Stop believing the darkness, start believing the LIGHT. Start fully living – it is time to fight the good fight. 

Now, put on your shield of faith, your helmet of salvation, your belt of truth, and start moving forward without ever looking back!

You are amazing! You are beautiful! You are healed! You are free from darkness!  

Yes, YOU ARE A CHILD OF THE ONE AND ONLY LIVING GOD!

Let's take a new route.

“…let’s not have any quarreling…let’s part company.  If you go to the left, I’ll go to the right; if you go to the right, I’ll go to the left.” (Gen 13:8-9)

So many of us are struggling with internal mindsets that are always fighting each other.  There is one voice that KNOWS what is true, (every single one of us has it); and then are another voice that argues, “These rules won’t work for you; you have a different situation that anyone else; one day of bad eating means that you are a failure; those types of food are ‘off limits’ to you – they stick to your thighs immediately…”, and the list can go on and on. What types of battles go on in your head?

You know, with all the battles going on in this world of ours, should we allow the internal battles to continue?  Is it worth it, really?  There is an internal voice of guidance, joy, and direction, no getting around it ~ His name is Jesus. He is there, yes, He may be drowned out by the dark voices that we have accepted as ‘real’ within us, but He is still there waiting patiently for us to listen to Him.  Deep within us each of us know the wrongdoings we do to ourselves, or allow others and/or outward situations do to us.  Today is the day when we must stop letting the darkness control us. 

Whatever hurting, struggling-type thoughts that may be plaguing you, we can be free!!  For today take one battle in your mind and do the exact opposite.  If your mind is telling that you ‘must’ do this, eat that, think this, act like that, etc., then do the opposite.  Start with the smallest battle in your mind and conquer it today. Tomorrow work on a slightly bigger battle.  Every day you shut the dark voices out, you will begin to hear God louder and louder.  Soon, dark voices will be a thing of the past~ I promise!!  God’s voice is our lifeline ~ we have to hold on to Him or we won’t make it. 

It is time to turn in a new direction; go the opposite way.  Some of us have been a road that ended a long time ago.  So, back it on up, turn it on around, step on the gas, and start driving again…God will  be your vehicle, seatbelt, lights, radio, and map, … just GO!!!

Put your Life-Jacket on !!

“…and the floodgates of Heaven were opened…” (Gen. 7:11)

What hindrances, or personal situations (issues), are you trying to control?  Better yet, what personal situations or issues are trying to control you?  Why do we try so hard to control situations, things, people, hindrances, etc., etc., when God has already got them figured out?  Hmmm??? Well, the only answer I could think of was because we get impatient waiting on the good Lord and we begin to ‘help’ Him out and do it a bit quicker.  Boy, what a disaster it can become!

Waiting on God can be gut wrenching at times, but I don’t think nearly as gut wrenching as we what happens when we try to do the ‘un-doable’ ourselves.  A lot of us try to control; try to figure things out on our own.  There comes a point when we truly need to find the strength to hold to God in tough issues, situations, hurts, pains…challenges and see it through to the glory that Christ has waiting for us.

If you are ready to see something through then let’s give God ALL of who we are, along with the baggage we’ve created for ourselves, and see what happens.  Let’s DO IT.  It is time to stay on track, see His will through.  I’m ready to hold on, and I’m not letting go!  What about you?

Today, take one scary step: eat something that is on your, ‘no-no’, list; take a day off from exercising; put your calorie calculator down for the day; throw away the labels to everything you decide to eat; and/or whatever is taking away your joy of living.  We won’t worry until tomorrow this time, we are going to focus on today.  Yes, Satan will put dark thoughts, people, voices, etc., in your path (or in your head) but remember it is only because we are so used to following him right now…IGNORE him. Each time we ignore Satan and take a step forward toward Christ then, little by little – from glory to glory, we will hear Him louder and louder.  Soon, we will be deaf to Satan and his helpers.  Taking steps toward God will only make us come out stronger, more alive, more confident, than ever before.

We can do this.  We can push through the darkness, because soon, “…the floodgates of Heaven”, in our personal lives will be opened!! Yes!!  Praise God. Oh, and don’t forget  ~~ put your lifejacket on :-)

You won't be healed, you ARE healed!

"...by His wounds you have been healed." 

(1 Peter 2:24)

The Word of God clearly states that we have been healed by His wounds. The Word does not say we will be healed ~ NO, it says we already are.  Re-read the verse...two words, so powerful - have been. We are healed, we are whole, so we don't have to spend so much precious time trying to fix something that isn't even broken.

Why is it that we spend so much time trying to figure ourselves out? Boy, I wish I could answer that question.  I know I have spent countless hours, days, years, trying to improve something that God has already made perfect.  My goodness, it is so amazing that we are already made in the likeness of Him! Since the Word is the truth, then this means there is nothing about us needing to be fixed. God has us preciously made and woven each and every one of us in His beautiful image! So, it is perfectly clear: our only role is to follow His Word, His guidance, His whispers, His promptings.

Life is so precious. Let's stop wasting time.  Know that you, and I, are healed from all of our 'issues'.  We are whole and complete. No matter what others say, no matter what dark fears enter our minds, let's start remembering Jesus and how He died just for you and I. Jesus has paid our price; let's stop trying to re-do something that cannot be re-done.  We are here to LIVE in freedom, and bring joy and glory to God.  

SO....LET'S DO IT!!

God is so good.  He loves you. He knows you, and He only has the best planned for you - TRUST HIM.

God specifically designed you to be YOU, so lift your chin and SHINE in His amazing image.

"God created mankind in His own image, int he image of God." (Gen 1:27)

Are there issues that seem so frustrating in your life, yet you continually try to do them? Things such as: dressing a certain way to fit in; eating certain foods to be thin; working out vigoriously to burn a few extra calories you ate the night before;  trying to impress someone who truly has no interest in you, but only what they will get out of you; etc., etc. Take a few minutes to ask yourself this question. What are your answers?

I believe that the answers to questions like these are all because we have come to personally believe that we lack the qualities that we think we should have to be like other people, or what someone may want you to be, or what you want you to be. It is our own rules and guidelines that have made us think we lack something (or a bunch of somethings). Well, maybe it is time to look at our, so-called, flaws as something completely different. Maybe it is time to look at our, so-called, lack or inadequacies as features and gifts made to be used for God's glory. God does not create lacking, inadequate, frustrated, or hurting people ~ NO, God creates perfection.

It is time to stop trying to change who we are.  It is time to embrace ourselves exactly as we are.  God doesn't want us living life changing what He made, because when we do we only end up in constant darkness. So, stand up and declare who you are in Christ.  Receive His healing and begin anew.  It is a new day, a new dawn, a new chapter. 

And on one final, glorious thought to focus on is, when you begin to embrace yourself, and your so-callled flaws then, ...

"...[God's] light will break forth like the dawn and your healing shall spring up speedily, your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard." (Isaiah 58:8)

PRAISE GOD

GOD BLESS

CHOICES...CHOOSING LIFE = FREEDOM

"Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!

Deauteronomy 30:19

CHOICES...CHOOSING LIFE = FREEDOM from strongholds that paralyze us

 

Freedom in The Word of God: Open the eyes to your heart ~ God is there waiting...

Freedom in The Word of God: Open the eyes to your heart ~ God is there waiting...: If you start looking for God, He will make sure you find Him

 Open the eyes to your heart ~ God is there waiting for you to see Him.
"Then Solomen said, "The Lord has said that He would dwell in a dark cloud;..."
1Kings 8:11-12

Open the eyes to your heart ~ God is there waiting for you to see Him

If you start looking for God, He will make sure you find Him

God WILL ...

God will...LET Him

Freedom in The Word of God: God knows, God heals, God restores!!

Freedom in The Word of God: God knows, God heals, God restores!!: "I have seen their ways, but I will heal them; I will guide them and restore [them]..." Isaiah 57:18-19 NIV Oh the days of ...

God knows, God heals, God restores!!

"I have seen their ways, but I will heal them; I will guide them and restore [them]..."

Isaiah 57:18-19 NIV

Oh the days of obsessing over a calorie consumed, a calorie burned...why? What will it prove, what will it do for us?  Maybe a bit of a personal victory, but I'm learning more and more that it is only until we take another bite of food. So, it really doesn't last as long as we like huh?!?!

There are still days when I find myself in obsessions mode.  I use to fight with my own way of thinking, but I am finding myself stronger and stronger with the Word of God.  His Word is healing me so powerfully.  There are still days of setbacks, but they are not anything like they used to be. My obsessed mind would take over my life, and no one would have fun around me, especially my own self.  

Well, I am new in Christ everyday, and today I decide to kick my own way of thinking to the curb.  It really does nothing for me but gives me anxiety and wastes my time.  Does your way of thinking and obsessing ever really help you?  

Join me today in giving our minds to Christ and letting HIM heal us, restore us, and guide us.  What is the hurt of giving it a try? I've learned to listen to God rather than listening to myself; I find He makes it all come out victoriously, I don't.  Let God prove His love and mercy and grace to you (and I) today. All we have to do is give our thoughts and obsessions to Him and let Him change them.  I'm up for that!! Personally, I can get really annoyed with my own way of thinking anyway ~ it never seems to help anyway.

Everyday is a new day. Everyday is a chance to be the man or woman that God wants us to be.  Lift your chin, stick your shoulders back, and KNOW that today you are one step closer to victory!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

YOU ARE VICTORIOUS IN CHRIST!  HE LOVES YOU AND HE WILL HEAL YOU!!

Why keep punishing ourselves? We are already made PERFECT.

"There is no fear in love. But PERFECT love drives out all fear, because fear has to do with punishment..."

1john 4:18 NIV version

 

This is one of my favorite verses in the Bible yet it is taking years to get it to sink in.  I wonder why. Why do I keep fighting these emotional battles within me, when I don't need to? Even though I am already made perfect in Christ, I keep trying to fight battles; invisible battles...kinda odd, huh?!?!  Boy, I think I have a bit too much time on my hands.  Do you? Well, I believe It is time for a change of thought here.  

 

Join me today opening our hearts and minds up to the possibility that we really are wasting precious time when we fret over our (personal) imperfections. Yes, personal! God doesn't make imperfection, our own minds do! Today, choose something new to fight for.  What will it be for you? I think I will choose to fight for the Lord: loving others, patience, kindness, goodness, mercy, prayer, and joy.  When I start obsessing over my invisible, useless, battles then that is when I am going to let the mind of Christ take over ~ wanna join me?

 

Replace one, two, three, ... of your thoughts with a Godly thought, He has so many great ones to think on.  Whatever invisible battle you are fighting today, join me in replacing a small portion of it with a battle worth fighting for.  If you can only do 1 minute, then that is the first step into victory.  I know that if we do this together - EVERYDAY - then our invisible battles will surely dissappear.  Our lives are on the road to recovering in amazing VICTORY, I just know it.  Hallelujah.

 

You are so amazing. You are victorious. You are beautiful. You ARE a child of God ~ WOW! How awesome our lives are. God loves us so much, so let's choose to live in that love...LET'S CHOOSE LIFE!!!  

 

 

 

Give Jesus the keys to your life: Buckle up and hold on!!

"He/[she] asked you for life and you gave it to him/[her]."

"...you will burn them (our fears) up in a blazing furnace"

Psalm 21:4, 9

In Psalms we read about David and how he made it though some major difficulties, triumphantly.  Like you and I David came through some serious hurts, fears, anger, shame, etc., because of his relationship with the Lord. 

God doesn't force us to hit rock bottom before we turn our hearts and lives to Him. No, He patiently waits until we are ready to let go of trying to control our circumstances and hand Him the keys to our lives. I always thought my circumstances, fears, hurts, etc., etc., were too much for God, and I just didn't want to be too much burden for Him...LOL! How funny we think sometimes.  I was always trying to use the wrong keys, and I shattered my own engine. 

It wasn't until I hit the bottom to realize that I am my own burden and God patiently, lovingly stayed on the side lines until I handed him over my keys.  Now, everyday, I stand a bit taller (in Christ) and my life is turning around in amazing ways, and I do mean amazing. Yes, I still have a few keys that I try to use and they aren't working, but I'm quickly realizing when to give them to the Lord and let Him open the door(s) with the right keys.

Today, join me in handing God another key to our lives. Let's see what happens together.  He will work in us in ways we may not know or understand, but one day (yes, one day) we will see His glory shine through in ways we never thought possible. 

So, it is time to get in, shut up and hold on---HERE WE GO! WE CAN DO THIS WITH GOD! THANK YOU  JESUS!!

BLESSING TO ALL. XO XO XO XO XO XO XO

Freedom in The Word of God: Pant size or GOD SIZE?

Freedom in The Word of God: Pant size or GOD SIZE?: "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think..."  King James Bible "Au...

Pant size or GOD SIZE?

"Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think..."
 King James Bible "Authorized Version", Cambridge Edition

The good Lord gave me this verse this morning.  Isn't it so funny how we let the way our clothes fit determine the rest of our day?  LOL.  I am getting the biggest kick out of myself right now.  I used to let the way my jeans fit determine my whole thought process for the day: my clothes determined my thoughts.! Sometimes, I find myself still doing it, but it is so rare that I had actually forgotten until my prayer time with God.  WOW!  You would not believe how far I have really come!  Praise God...He is changing me in ways that I never thought possible.

I know that those in the darkest part of their afflictions are having a terrible time. I also know that it seems to be UN-imaginable that it is possible to be free from these afflictions.  But, I am a living testimony of how God, prayer, His Word, and more prayer can change us.  Yes, slowly, sometimes very, very slowly, but He will do it.  I believe us so-called, slower, learners only come out stronger than ones who are cured overnight. 

If you happen to be one of the SLOWER-type learners, like myself, please know that God has so many plans for you.  If I can offer any advice: when I truly started changing was when I started taking the baby steps of actually doing what the good Lord was telling me to do.  I look back and I can see some things so clearly.  With over 30 years of struggling under my belt, I know how dark it seems! BUT, freedom from these afflictions are possible. God is our freedom.  Yes, I still have some dark days, but they are no match for God anymore.  They affect me very little, and that in itself is a MIRACLE (and I do mean, miracle!).

You are full of so much strength. I know you may not feel it sometimes (or ever) but it is there. God has such special plans for you.  Lift your chin, open your heart just a little bit more, and take a step toward Him today.  One step, that's all.  Maybe tomorrow it will be two steps, but if it isn't than the two steps will soon come.  I'm taking at least 3 a day now (LOL)---WOW :-).  Let's do this together and be life changers for someone else.  I love you all!

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

 

 

Whoa! Watch out Satan because here we come!

LOOK! "...and there before me was a door standing open in Heaven..."

LISTEN!! "...He will wipe every tear from

 their eyes...there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain..."

LIVE!!! Yes, LIVE!!! "...to the thirst I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of LIFE..."

verses taken from, The Story, pgs.,462-468

God's words prove over and over again that we are not supposed to be in a land of darkness, hurt, pain, anger, fear, bondage; mental and physical prison. God's words are just the opposite.  We can lift our chins, open our 'closed' doors to the Lord, step into His OPEN arms, and let His amazing light and love take over!!!  

Trying to be our own personal saviour is really really tiring.  Yes, we say and believe int he Lord, but are we letting Him really be the Lord of our lives, or are we trying to do it ourselves just in case He does it wrong?  Ha, I have to laugh at myself sometimes. Do I really think God can't do better than I have? 

Will you take another step with me today; into the land of GOD? Yes, it seems like we will be having blood come out of our pores because of the, "what-ifs", but isn't it worth a shot? I'm so ready. Everyday is such a new, amazing, life-changing day, so let's enjoy it!  God will hold our hands, but we cannot let go when the first feeling of fear starts taking over.  NO, just the opposite. We have to hold on tighter, pray even harder, believe even deeper, and kick the dust of our heels faster than ever.

God will never let us down, so jump in, put fear under your tires, and stomp it back to Satan and take the first step!  It's time; yes, it is time, to show off your inner & outer BEAUTY to the world.  

Whoa! Watch out Satan because here we come!

 

God is knocking! It is time to open the door!!

"...Here I am! I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in..."

The Story,  pg. 462

Guilt, fear, hurt, anger, suffering, and the like, all mean one thing: God is knocking on the door to our hears.  We know why He is knocking, yet we pretend we don't hear.  After 30+ years trying to deal with food, body, and control issues, I do believe I'm finally getting a clue. 

Why is that when we do feel dark emotions, we don't take the time to listen to what God wants us to do? It is because we think His way will cause us to let go of the control we think we have over ourselves, our lives. Well, one thing I have realized, I haven't ever been in control - not even a little bit. All I did to myself was ride on my out of control emotional roller coaster.  God definitely has a better, brighter way; healthy way; stable way; a life worth living way! My gosh I can be a slow learner sometimes (LOL).

Join me!!!! Those negative emotions are gentle knocks from God. He has all the answers, the directions, that we need to get those negative feelings to get the heck outta our lives...FOREVER!!  BUT, we have to do what He is telling us to do. God's way is a new way. Yes, we will be scared at times, but it is nothing compared to the fearful emotions we've tormented ourselves already. Trust Him. I know, without a doubt, our lives will only get better and more fulfilling that we could ever of dreamed, hoped, or imagined.

Yes, it is a new day! The real you is ready to shine, so...SHINE :-).  You are full of beauty and life; show it off!! Live, Live, Live and never ever look back. The time is NOW, and it is only the beginning of something glorious!  ---------------  Thank you Jesus !!!!!!!!!!

Love to all! God bless!!

 

"...Yet this is no cause for shame..."

This is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom [I] believe [in]..."

The Story, pg 457

I followed my own advice last night as I crawled into bed.  After I prayed my nightly prayers, I asked God to help me find the light in the midst of having, 'one of those days'; I asked Him to give me some encouragement about myself that I could smile about.  Well, unfortunately I felt nothing coming into my heart or mind :-(.  BUT, (yay for 'buts' :-), this morning I woke up with a new light within me.  I had a weight lifted off of my shoulders and I felt a new sense of self-confidence; God-confidence within me.  He did answer me :-), just not in the way I thought.  He answered me by lifting the darkness out of me as I slept last night and waking me with a new, refreshed attitude.

If, and/or when, you are having, 'one of those days', pray! Pray whole-hardheartedly and see how God will answer you.  He will.  Although you may not feel His answer, encouragement, or nudge right away, He will still come through.  God loves us.  He died for us.  He will lift us out of our darkness if we count on Him; call on Him; believe in Him; and receive HIM! 

 Yes, we will have more yuck-eeeee, (lol, one of my more mature words),days to come, but as they do and as we learn to pray to the Lord for His help and guidance, the yuck-eeee days won't seem so terribly bad.  He loves us so much and all He wants is for us to go to Him. Oh bless God...He is amazing.

Remember, you are YOU. God loves you! Call on Him in all your ways and watch how our steps forward get bigger and bolder and faster.

God Bless

Peace in the darkest parts of our personal storms

"... Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. 

But take heart, because I have overcome the world."

John 16:33 NLV

Unfortunately there are days when we wake up feeling dread, fear, a darkness in our hearts and minds, depressed, a sense of doom, a sense of 'ugliness'; days when we want to crawl back into a hold and hide. Maybe there is a different way to handle these days; maybe it is the way to finally conquer these days. 

Take this personal challenge with me: on our days when we simply dread our lives, our selves, our  circumstances, etc., why don't we try taking a few minutes at bedtime and be still in the the Lord's presence.  Let him minister to our hearts and minds...Let Him whisper some hope and encouragement within our hearts.  He's telling us something when we are in these periods of darkness.  Let's find it.  Let's listen to Him.  Let's make our darkest days become some of our brightest moments; turning points.

Today has been one of these dark days for me, but I refuse to let it stay with me through the night.  When I go to bed tonight, I am going to sleep in His light, in His arms.  He loves me, and I am so excited to hear what he has to say to me.

As these times come into your lives, please feel free to share with me what gets spoken into your life.  Tell me what He says and tell me if it doesn't make you feel better than you thought it would.  

God Bless to all!! 

Peace :-) 

Turning our struggles into our biggest strengths

"...keep up your COURAGE...do not be afraid...keep up your COURAGE..."

The Story, pg. 448

Yes, we have struggles there is no doubt, but it because we come from a broken world; a hurting world.  We can choose to let these struggles control us, or we can give them to God who is able to turn them into our biggest strengths. 

There is a light in every single one of our struggles.  It is there...FIND IT.  God is in the midst, but he is waiting for us to notice. Turn your hurts and fears, of food, your body, being perfect... into your strengths.  Yes, you are consumed by the darkness you may be in but I believe that you don't have to be.  Take one second, one minute, one hour, one day and reflect on the YOU that you really are. You ARE beautiful; you are an inspiration to someone; you have changed someones life although you may not know who it is; you have someone that loves you; you are full of love; you ARE!!  Find out who you are! Yes! Find out who YOU are!

These struggles we face are our choice to stand and become a brighter shining light for this dark world, or our choice to let them stomp us down into the deepest, darkest pit of destruction.  God wants us to LIVE.  He loves us.  

Stand up and join me. You may not feel it, you may not see it right away, but the more you declare who you are in Christ; the more you prayerfully accept who you are in Christ, then, the more the light will begin to shine through.  

Believe it! Receive it!  Declare it! Live it.!

Blessings and love to all. 

Praise God!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

TAKE COURAGE! IT HAS FREELY BEEN GIVEN TO YOU!

COURAGE:

BRAVE, BOLD, STRONG, TOUGH, UNAFRAID, SPIRITED

"HTTP://WWW.DICTIONARY.COM"

Today focus on one word: COURAGE - IT DESCRIBES THE NEW YOU! 

You, and I, have freely been given the gift of courage, but it is up to us to take it. All we have to do is accept it. How simple is that?  Join me in accepting this courage and use it as our gift from God.  

It is a new day, and know that YOU are beautiful! Yep, YOU YOU YOU!

God bless to all!!!!!! xoxoxoxoxoxooxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo 

NEVER EVER EVER GIVE UP

I am not my own...

"...you are not your own, you have been bought for a price; So glorify God with your body."

1 Cor 6:19-20

God spoke this verse clearly to my heart this morning. WoW, I lived so long trying to glorify my own selfish self. The last thing I ever wanted to be was selfish, but this morning the Lord made me realize that a good portion of the past 42 years has been spent pursing what I wanted: perfection, popularity, outer beauty, obtaining more money and materials, being the perfect wife and mother, and on and on. I haven't really lived at all now that I think about it. The stress I placed on myself is downright outrageous. As much as I know I love the Lord I sure have had a funny way of showing it - heck, I've been so consumed living to please myself, how could I ever have any time to really live for the living God?

The freedom that is opening up within me is showing me so much about myself. It makes me smile to know that I am stepping into the true meaning of God's life for me. I'm not a bit ashamed of my past, and I am blessed that I have the Lord to show me how my way just isn't worth it.  Bringing peace, joy, love, hope, encouragement and inspiration to others is the way to go: the way to God.

If your realizing that life seems to be more complicated by your own personal rules and regulations, then join me in letting it all go.  Be joyful knowing that God is in control, He knows the foods that will nourish us, the rest we need to pursue His will, and the amount of exercise our bodies can take to stay alert and energetic for His call. So, let's start listening to Him as He directs our steps, our actions, they will get easier and easier everyday. Then, one day we can all look back and be thankful for the lessons learned, but relieved to know that without His guidance and insight we would still be living in a dark hole of self-bondage.

Freedom is the way and God is that FREEDOM.

"...but we also GLORY in our sufferings..."! It is time to celebrate our personal struggles...

"...but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope..."

The Story, (p. 435)

This morning I woke up with so much thankfulness in my heart for the wonderful family time yesterday.  What a blessing to have all of us together.  Looking at photos from the day made me realize how much I have to be joyful, and thankful for.  As I read my book and enjoyed my alone time with the Lord, this verse stood out so strongly.  Then, I re-read a few paragraphs, and the verse a few paragraphs below the one above read:

 "I believe that our present sufferings [fears, phobias, self/body image disorders, etc.,] are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." (p.435).

Those of us that have been suffering for endless years with whatever struggle(s) consumes us, can be joyful for the struggle(s); embrace them and let them shine!  God's glory shines brighter and brighter in those that feel like they're in endless struggle, but never give up.  Oh how freeing this is.  I am joyful, thankful, and glad that I have (an am) going through these internal, sometimes almost debilitating, self/body-struggle. It means that I have more and more holes for God to shine through for ALL the world to see.

Embrace your hurts and pains.  Let's all glorify God together and let our weaknesses and struggles shine through!!  God will glorify us in His time, so let's live NOW and show satan that he has no more control over us.

Love to all--God bless and enjoy your new day in FREEDOM.

 

Happy Thanksgiving---Happy new day in Christ

What a wonderful day to start living in FREEDOM

 

"Stand firm then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."

The Story, pg. 431 

 

Have you ever sat yourself down and asked yourself, "What am I really afraid of? Why am I living in bondage (in legalism) over food, exercise, control...?"  I decided to pray about this question and here are the answers I came up with for myself:

     1. I might not get noticed by others about how 'disciplined' and 'fit' I am. (Funny, since being in this type of bondage is doing more damage than it is good.)

     2. I will feel ugly and won't feel 'superior' to those that won't exercise, or eat, like I do.

     3. I have nothing else to be in control of.

    4. I'll lose my, so-called, discipline.

     5. I'll become fat and flabby.

     6. I won't feel good about myself (funny, since I don't feel good about myself in the first place, otherwise I wouldn't do this damage to myself physically and mentally).

     

     I could go on with more and more, but it all leads to SELFISHNESS, and FEAR.  How terrible is that?  I feel like more of an idiot than I do anything else.

    Well, that was the purpose of my question to  myself.  When I realize my answers are so idiotic, I decide to write down what I will gain by letting go of the need to control my food, my calories, my exercise, etc.  Here is what I came up with:

     1. I can finally be the person I am truly meant to be

     2. People will be able to see me for my heart, my love, my selflessness; for the person I really want to be seen for.

     3. Those who love me unconditionally will shine through and I can remove those that want me in their lives if I live by their conditions.

    4. I will actually be: healthy, energetic, sexy, FREE!

     5. I'll learn to get to know me, and find joy in the real me.

     6. I won't put conditions on others.

     7. I will be able to love others in a new way.

     8. I'll finally be able to give up what others think about me...YAY YAY YAY!!

 

 WOW! My answers tell me one thing: I MIGHT ACTUALLY START LIVING!!! LIVING THE WAY GOD INTENDS ME TO LIVE...FREE

 

Today ask yourself the same question I asked myself.  Then, write down what could happen if you would just let go-let God.  After you are finished, close your journal (computer,  binder, notebook, phone...), and join me in being thankful for what is important in life, and feeling freer than you have felt in...forever!! It is time for us to do this.

 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE.  TAKE YOUR PERSONAL BEAUTY AND LET IT SHINE THROUGH YOU TODAY.  MAKE SOMEONE SMILE, AND KNOW THIS: YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL JUST THE WAY YOU ARE (ON THE INSIDE)!! LET THAT INSIDE LIGHT SHOW OTHERS WHAT GOD IS DOING THROUGH YOU.

 

LOVE TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY'S THIS THANKSGIVING DAY.