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Perspective is Everything

Mar23

What situation do you find yourself in right now? Is everything going well or is everything falling apart?

If you’re like most of us, life seems to be falling apart as we are in the battle for our lives. No matter where you look, it appears evil is winning. Right seems wrong and wrong seems right.

Wilderness seasons are as tough as they can get. It’s a season where sickness and disease are prevalent, we don’t have enough, we wonder if things will ever get better, people walk out of our lives, we can feel lonely and depressed or worse, we can feel so alone that we consider suicide. It’s moments like these you wonder what is your purpose in life and if people would miss you when you are gone. These types of seasons are filled with hurt, pain and lack. And if you let it, a lot of complaining.

It’s a crazy world we live in but have no fear. There are many benefits to our wilderness seasons and if we can change our perspective, it can change everything.

If you look in the Bible when John baptized Jesus, what was the very next thing that happened? The Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness. It was a place of nothing, a place of loneliness, a place of temptation and a place of hunger. (Matthew 4)

God wants us to lean on Him in good times and bad times. He wants us to invite Him into our lives to take our lack and multiply it to meet, not just our needs, but the needs of others too. Sometimes the only way for us to learn how to lean on Him for ALL things is by going through a very rough and dry spell. It’s during these times we seek Him above all else. We read the Bible more, we commune with God more, we ask questions, we seek His answers and we learn to not lean on our understanding or on our ways of doing things because no matter what we try, nothing works.

During these difficult times, God wants us to grow. He wants to test us, transform us, purify us, prove us and prepare us for great things. He wants to walk with us and teach us that He is with us no matter how good or bad the situations are in life. He wants us to depend on Him when fear is trying to get a hold of us. He wants us to look towards Him when we don’t see a way. He wants us to see Him as our provider, our restorer, our healer, our first love.

The wilderness is sometimes the best way for God to clean out the junk in our hearts. We may think we are in alignment with God, only to find out we are holding onto grudges, unforgiveness, pain and brokenness. This is when God can do amazing things. When we can humble ourselves in the midst of the battle to say “God I need you”.

When we are feeling lost, scared and alone that’s when God can bring out the best in us and prepare us for the road ahead. He wants us to always remember “give us this day our daily bread”. We need to change our perspectives and see God moving in the midst of our battles. He has a way when we don’t see one. He knows what we need and when we need it. Begin to rely on HIM for EVERYTHING and you will quickly become ready for your “promised land”.

Boast in your battle, your distress and your persecutions. (2 Cor. 12:9, Hebrews 11:34) Depend on God! You’re strong if you’re holding on. Don’t let go. God is transforming you into a mighty warrior in the midst of your battle. His resources are unlimited and dependable. Let Him do His mighty work in you so your are prepared for His incredible plan for your life.

Realize that temptations will also be in the “promised land”. It’s easy to get comfortable and feel secure when things are going great. It’s easy to forget that God provided the blessings and abundance. We need to be prepared for the greatness He has in store for us while still relying on Him even when everything is going well.

Remember…Faith, Dependence, Trust, being Humble, Provision, Healing and Protection is needed in the wilderness and in abundance. It takes courage and strength to embrace the difficult learning seasons; but God is calling you out and wants to hold your hand. Will you trust Him enough to let go, learn what you need to learn, let Him transform you and prepare you while depending on Him every step of the way? And will you remember Him and give Him the praise when everything turns into your favor?

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Anger and The Art of Forgiveness

Mar22

AngerHave you ever found yourself so angry that you began to shake violently or you want to hit or throw something? Anger can be violent and very disruptive to your life, as well as, those around you.

For when we hold built up anger against others or ourselves, it lingers and tends to grow into a full-blown pity party and you seem to fly off the handle at the little things in life.

Let’s see what scripture has to say:

  • Ephesians 4:31 “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice”.
  • Proverbs 15:1 “A soft answer turns away wrath but a harsh word stirs up anger”.
  • Proverbs 16:32 “Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty…”.

Let those scriptures sink in. Repeat them. They sure say a lot, don’t they? But why would it be so important for God to tell us these things within the Bible?

Sing Out Loud

Because, He knows that this is not a simple task for us. Our human nature tends to hold onto grudges. We like to think that if we treat the individual differently, they will feel our pain or if they can sense our anger towards them, they’ll get the point. However, nothing could be further from the truth.

When we have a quick temper or say something that we shouldn’t, then it tends to fester as guilt and becomes a vicious cycle. When we hold onto pain, anger and unforgiveness; all it does is cause sickness and unhappiness within our own lives. We are clearly told in Colossians 3:13, that we should “Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you so you must forgive others.”

Now, we all know that we are not perfect and we certainly make mistakes. There was only one perfect person that ever existed and that was Jesus. So, the best thing we can do is learn how to control anger and learn the art of forgiveness, His way. It is imperative that we make HIM a big part of the equation. It is completely for our benefit, not for anyone else.

The absolute best thing you can do when you find yourself angry or unwilling to forgive is to STOP YOUR THOUGHTS AND HOLD YOUR TONGUE. Immediately, ask God to help you overcome the situation, release it to Him for transformation and ask for Him to fill you with peace that surpasses all understanding. It is also best to hold your tongue rather than to regret your words later. For it is written that the power of the tongue brings life or death.(Proverbs 18:21)

Word of Caution…the more you attempt to release things to God, the more negative thoughts you will encounter.  Do not allow yourself to relive the situation over and over again. Just keep stopping the thoughts, ask God to take them off your shoulders and to be filled with His indescribable peace.

Forgiveness

Stand against your opposition by giving it to God and filling your mouth with praises for Him! You will notice that the burdens begin to lift and your anger, pain and frustration will subside. Things will begin to roll off your back and you won’t sweat the small stuff either.

God is bigger than any problem you face, that I can guarantee you!

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Grab Hold Of Your Future

Mar21

Let Go (2014_03_10 01_21_18 UTC)Life has a funny way of constantly reminding you of the things you’ve done wrong. You can be in the middle of a fantastic day, when out of nowhere, a reminder of your past comes along. As soon as it pops into your head, you have a choice to make. You can either mull it over and relive it, or you can ask for God’s forgiveness and release it to Him.

No matter who you are, where you came from, or what you’ve done…IT DOES NOT DEFINE YOU NOW! Your past is just that…your past. When you repented and accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, your past no longer exists and He sees your sins no more. (Hebrews 10:17) You don’t have to live in shame, guilt, anger, or regret. Thanks to Jesus’s finished work, you are a new creature in Christ and only the best days are ahead of you.

So the next time a little reminder comes along, stop it in its path. Release whatever it is to God and let Jesus’ rest come upon you. He will never leave you, nor forsake you. Let Him fill you with unspeakable peace that only He can provide. Accept His loving mercy and kindness today.

REPEAT AFTER ME:

Lord Jesus, thank you for loving me so much. Thank you for forgiving me of my sins and making me a new creature. Today, I release all of my past hurts, anger, guilt, shame, and pain. Fill me with your amazing peace as I begin to step forward into the incredible life you have for me. Today, I will walk boldly and confidently knowing that my past is forgiven. Thank you for your mercy, grace, love and kindness. In Jesus’ mighty name, I pray. Amen.

Now…

THANK GOD FOR HIS GOODNESS AND HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY!

Be Thankful (2014_03_10 01_21_18 UTC)

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Be A Doubt Buster Today

Mar15

Breaking ChainesEver find yourself saying “I doubt that could happen” or “my circumstances will never change” or “it’s just the way it is”?

We all go through long periods in our lives when nothing seems to be going right. Whether you got a bad report from the doctor or you can’t pay your bills. Maybe your family is in strife or you can’t find a job. Maybe your body is being attacked.

Whatever you find yourself going through, it’s easy to think on the problem and complain about it constantly. Worse yet, if it’s been a long time with the same problem or many problems all at once, you can find yourself saying I guess I just need to get used to it and you accept defeat.

No! There are two ways to live our lives. One in the “doubting Thomas” mindset or one in the “all things are possible to those who believe” mindset. When we doubt, we are being double minded. God said he gave us the power to choose life or death; therefore choose life. (Deuteronomy 30:19-20) He also has made it quite clear that when we doubt, we are setting ourselves up for failure.

James 1:6-7: “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord.”

God makes it quite clear that if we doubt than we should not expect anything from Him. Basically when we doubt, we are telling God that our problems are larger than He is. How do you think that must make God feel when He created everything thing in the world, including us?

So you must be wondering, now what can I do? We must become more childlike where we stop analyzing everything to death. Every time a doubting thought comes into your mind, immediately replace it with God’s word!

  • When you have a thought that the pain will never go away…say “by His stripes I am healed!
  • When you think my circumstances will never change…say “I am more than a conqueror through Christ!”
  • When your finances dry up and you have no way to pay the bills…say “My God shall supply all my needs according to His riches and glory!”

Feed Your Faith

No matter what you see or feel, God knows every single piece of hair on your head. He counts your tears. There is absolutely nothing too hard for Him.

It may be taking longer than you would like and you are finding yourself frustrated; it’s okay…God completely understands. Ask Him for His forgiveness. AND FROM THIS DAY FORWARD…choose life and life more abundantly over every doubt, over every fear, over every pain. For God can not lie and all His promises will come to pass in your life if you will hold on tight and push the doubt away.

Let’s all become Doubt Busters today! You are not staying where you are right now…you have a tremendous life ahead of you and nothing, and I do mean nothing, can hold God’s promises back from being completed in your life! Stay in faith and know that everything will be alright!

VICTORY IS YOURS ~ JUST BELIEVE!

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