Is It Time To Get Out Of GOD'S Way?

Have you ever had a situation arise where you found yourself upset and wanting things to be different? Well I had that happen on my Birthday. An unexpected issue arose before we were set to leave for my Birthday dream trip which had me very stressed. I almost didn't want to go. In the middle of it all I found myself alone in my car...I broke down. I began to sob and pray. I asked The LORD, (well more like begged and pleaded with HIM) to fix and completely heal the situation. 

I left on my trip and continued to pray about it. I read my Scriptures on the plane and wrote in my journal, trying to come to terms with what to do. Then JESUS filled me with Peace to just leave it alone and enjoy my trip. There was truly nothing I could do except give it to GOD. When we arrived home very late last night, I had a change of heart. This morning, after reading my Scriptures and Praying, I asked The LORD, "Please give me YOUR Words, Wisdom and Guidance on what to say and how to handle what YOU'VE placed in front of me...all of YOU and none of me. In JESUS' Name, Amen. I went downstairs and was flooded with words, tears, stories of my past mistakes and GOD'S Mercy, Love, Forgiveness, Grace, and Healing. So I continued to share how JESUS made the impossible possible. I listened. I prayed. I hugged. I allowed JESUS to show up and move hearts. 

Friends, I always talk about "no coincidences", but I need to remember that it also applies to areas that may not be ideal. There are lessons to learn, things to lay down, situations that The LORD is teaching to trust in HIM, call on HIM; allowing JESUS to move mountains of impossible. I may need to get out of HIS way, remembering that GOD is bigger than anything I face. 

So let me ask you, are you struggling with something? Are difficulties showing up out of no where? Join me in asking The LORD, "What do you want me to learn and how do you want to use me in this situation? Give me YOUR Wisdom to see, say and act the way YOU want me to, in JESUS' Name, Amen. I'm thankful for this bigger picture. I can often shrink GOD's plans down to my minimal understanding of what HE'S trying to do!

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,

Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. 

For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

So are My ways higher than your ways,

And My thoughts than your thoughts."~Isaiah 55:8-9

Jump on the #ThankfulTrain...what are you thankful for?

HOW DEEP ARE YOUR SCARS?

I focused on the cracks in the wood floor; the deep scrapes and scarring. They've been there every single time I've sat close to stretch, but today I noticed. They seemed more obvious...battle wounds; class after class, weight bearing down. It's old and worn now. It's taken much. As I continue to stare, my battle wounds come to light. A struggle in the waiting currently engulfs me. 

Is that why I noticed?

Is it cancer? How bad? What am I going to have to face?

Old scars from the last time I went down this road a year ago...re-opening, tearing deep.

But I received a miracle. It was gone and I required no further treatment. 

Scars leave a mark. A reminder left behind.

Jesus shared His scars of sacrifice with a doubting Thomas~(John 20:24-27). A reminder of the truth of His love, words and actions. The scars remained but the truth prevailed. Hope to the hopeless. Love for the unloved. Forgiveness to the lost. Healing's for the sick. Resurrection from death. Promises of a new way of life, above all we face; above all we're dealing with.

Jesus Christ bears the truth and love. As we look to Him in the middle of a crises...we are healed.

As I focus on Jesus in the waiting, my worry gives way to peace. My fear gives way to trust. 

We are all scarred. We all have a choice. Are you...am I...going to continue to look at the scars too long? Or are we going to focus on the Healer, Jesus Christ? It's a moment by moment, minute by minute choice. What are you choosing? Today I choose healing. My Lord and Savior meets me as I seek Him. Today Lift your eyes up...your Savior, Jesus Christ is holding out His love scarred hands toward you. Grab Hold. Be healed.

Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.”

So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”

And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.”

Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Return to Me,” says the Lord of hosts, “and I will return to you,” says the Lord of hosts.~Zechariah 1:3

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”~John 8:12

At Least I'm Not Like Them!

Have you ever found yourself saying, "Wow, what's wrong with them?" Do you ever sit in judgement of others? We all fall short in this area, often times using this to lift ourselves up..."at least I'm not like them!" 

Sin is sin - you can try to justify it any way you want. The truth is none of us are perfect. We're all battling something...some sin may just be more outwardly apparent than others. Don't ever forget where you've come from and what you've been forgiven of. Your story will become your ministry. You have the ability to reach others who may be struggling with the same challenges you've overcome through the love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ. 

You have a story to share. You have a life to touch. Instead of wasting your time judging others, spend time loving them. Share your story of redemption, freedom, peace and love through your relationship with Jesus Christ. You have  been given a great purpose; to help set the captives free. Go out in unconditional love today, reaching out to a lost, hurt and broken people.

“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven;" Luke 6:37

"Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?" James 4:11-12

"For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him." John 3:17

"Therefore said he unto them, The harvest is great, but the laborers are few: Pray you therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth laborers into his harvest." Luke 10:2

You're A Rare Bloom

"Wow...come check this out!" my husband shouted from the backyard. I walked outside to find out what had grabbed his attention. He stood looking intently at the bright, fluorescent, beautiful single pink bloom that had appeared on a cactus. It was a rare occasion...this particular cactus only blooms once a year. I'm sure we've missed it in years past because the bloom only lasts for a few days.

I found this so amazing...this bud sat for months upon months, slowly growing, hidden and protected inside the confines of a thorny cactus. A normal cactus, taking in nourishment from the sun and soil while the bloom waited patiently inside for the perfect moment to break out and show it's true colors to the world. 

Did you know that you are like this rare bloom? You may have a thorny outside layer, built up from years of trying to protect yourself from pain. You hide your beautiful, vibrant bloom deep inside; often forgetting to nourish it. Fear takes hold, you sink deeper inside as the enemy tries to feed you with the poison of lies. But God is calling out to you, wanting to nourish your soul in His Word and Prayer. He wants you to be filled up with truth and knowledge; the same way a cactus gains nourishment from the sun and soil. As God's Word supply's the necessary nutrients for your soul, you begin to become strengthened in the love of Jesus Christ as it springs up and begins to bloom deep within you. Your unconditional love for yourself and others begins to vibrantly form within your heart. You are beginning to take shape. You are getting closer to allowing your bloom to spring forth for the world to see.

Can I make something perfectly clear to you today, the enemy cannot fight Love. Are you able to show love to others, including your enemies? Remember, it's the sin in peoples lives that display hurt, anger and ugliness. It causes people to wither away as they soak in the lies of the enemy. Have you allowed Christ to be formed in you enough to truly care for others, even those who've hurt you? These are some tough questions, but they are truthful questions. In order to have your rare bloom come forth, you need to overcome the lies of the enemy in your life through Christ's Transforming, Restoring Love and Truth. Allow Him to fill you up with who you truly are and all that He has planned for you. Your true purpose will spring forth as you nourish your soul daily. You will be transformed into His Image...A RARE BLOOM, in and through Jesus Christ!

 "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world." 1 John 4:4

"Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots." Luke 23:34

"But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you," Matthew 5:44

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14:6

That Annoying Person

While driving to work, I found myself stuck behind several cars. I was late as usual and in a hurry. I was finally able to get around an old, beat up, small, gray pickup truck. I reached the stop sign before him but to my surprise, he decided not to stop, he completely blew through it just to get in front of me again. "What the heck?" I thought and then said out loud, "WHAT A JERK!" I sped up trying and get around him, but he seemed determined for some unknown reason, to make sure I stayed behind him.

Now, I have to tell you before I go any further with my story, I'm truly so much better than I used to be with my road issues (I purposely left out rage, not wanting to expose to much of my previous short comings!) This guy however came out of nowhere and seemed to be doing everything he could to push me over the edge. But luckily for him and me, I had my Christian music playing. I was suddenly reminded to calm down and pray for the guy. I said a quick prayer, "Heavenly Father, I pray the blood of Jesus over him. Please bring Christ into his life and remove the lies of the enemy. Please help me to stay calm, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen." Whew, I felt much better!

As I got on the freeway, he did too. He crossed several lanes, cutting people off to get into the fast lane. I figured I was done with him. I continued on in the slow lane waiting for the 73 freeway exit which veered off to the right. I was feeling quite proud of myself I might add! As I went to change lanes, there he was again; he'd cut across four lanes and was now blocking me. "Ugh...what's this guys problem!" I shouted in my car. He sped up and got right next to me. As I turned to give him a "crusty" (aka-a dirty look,) I was reminded to pray for him again. So I did! As I was praying, he pulled in front of me as we both exited the freeway. I stayed behind him continuing to pray; the Lord was reminding me of something very important, and I needed to pay attention. When God highlights someone in my path, it's for a reason!  I have no idea what's going on in his life. I don't know if he knows Jesus Christ. I don't know if anyone is praying for him. But what I do know is that this seemingly "annoying" guy was brought directly into my path. I had a purpose and it wasn't to get angry. I needed to pray and stand in the gap. I may be the only person praying for this man to accept Christ into his life.

So now I'm going to remind each one of you; when that "annoying" person (family, friend, enemy, co-worker, other drivers, etc) are brought to your attention, remember, it's ALWAYS for a reason. You have a purpose and God is highlighting them for you. Prayer is powerful! Shower people with prayer and stand in the gap, ask the Lord to remove the strongholds and lies of the enemy in their lives. 

Who's being highlighted in your life today? It's time to step up and be a prayer warrior! Jesus commanded us to love one another. Make a difference today...recognize the Lord's promptings and pray for people!

"Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?" Mark 4:11-12 (NIV)

"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." John 13:34-35   

"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;" Ephesians 6:18

What's Your New Year's Resolution

Changes don’t happen because you make a New Year’s resolution at the beginning of the year. Changes take place because of daily choices, an undeterred resolve to make the tough decisions every second, minute and hour of the day. A complete and total steadfastness to seek the Lord daily to help you with the tough choices and decisions, allowing the Holy Spirit to fill you with truth.

So today as you see the hope of a new year begin, seek to make changes in you, not others. Pray for others, but know that the only person you can change is you, with the Lord’s loving help and guidance. Remember you are not alone. You have a new beginning each morning; a fresh new day to make the right decisions; to be more loving, patient, kind, forgiving, and caring. Ask the Lord to show you and help you in the areas you need change. Start each morning in prayer and scripture study, feed your soul first thing, it is the most important decision you will make each day.  As you begin to see changes happening within you, the Lord reveals His truth about who you truly are in and through Him.

Happy New Year and remember, you are a new creation in Jesus Christ!