Archives

Perspective is Everything

Sep20

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?

Please disregard any advertisement you may encounter under this posting as the author does not endorse them. Thank you.

Be A Doubt Buster Today

Sep13

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!

NOTE: Please disregard any advertisements found under this posting as the author does not endorse them. Thank you.

Feelin’ Squeezed

Sep6

Sour Lemon FaceIs life throwing you lots of lemons right now? Does it feel like the weight of the world is upon your shoulders? Do you feel squeezed from every direction?

Job, David, Apostle Paul…they all went through a lot of squeezing in life. Between losing everything they owned, losing family, friends turning their backs on them and being put in jail. It didn’t look like there was any way out of the mess. They couldn’t break the chains of bondage. They didn’t deserve what happened. They had no clue they would have to go through so much pain and sorrow. The only thing they could do was stand on their faith, believing God had a plan that they couldn’t see.

BUT THEN…God moved in their lives, restoring what was lost, giving them health and the strength to go on. God has a way when you don’t see one. Stand up and dig in church! You might be squeezed from every angle of life. You might be crushed and heartbroken. But our heavenly father collects all those tears. He will help you every step of the way even when you feel all alone and no movement of God.

  • Psalm 30:2 “O LORD my God, I cried to You for help, and You healed me.”
  • Psalm 34:2 “I will boast only in the LORD; let all who are helpless take heart.”
  • Psalm 34:4 “I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.”
  • Psalm 107:4-6 “They wandered in the wilderness in a desert region; They did not find a way to an inhabited city. They were hungry and thirsty; Their soul fainted within them. Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble; He delivered them out of their distresses.”
  • Psalm 118:5 “Out of my distress I called on the LORD; the LORD answered me and set me free.”

Dig your heels in and keep standing in faith. Your God is bigger, stronger, lovelier, and is unlimited in ways we simply don’t understand. Today I ask you all, let God help you turn those sour lemons into your very own sweet-tasting lemonade. He won’t let you down nor will He forget your struggles while standing in faith. One small faith a size of a mustard seed is all it takes.Tasty Lemonade

He promises to take all your hurt, pain, sickness, disease, poverty, failed opportunities and relationships AND TURN THEM AROUND into your favor! Get ready to have an amazing testimony for when He squeezes so tight and everything falls apart, you can bet that He has something so amazing in store for you!

So today, let that squeeze come upon you. Rejoice in the midst of your pain and sorrow. For God is up to something in your life and your best days are just ahead! Stand firm and know that God can make the most heavenly lemonade there is! Dig in church! Dig in for that sweet taste of victory that’s coming your way today!

Note: Please disregard any advertisement you may encounter under this website posting as the author does not endorse them. Thank you.

Good Deeds or Distractions?

Jul5

pie-in-the-skyThere’s so much to be said about “destiny”. So many people think it’s “pie in the sky” or just “hopeful thinking”. But in truth…it’s so much more.

God doesn’t call everyone to be a preacher or have a huge congregation. No, God calls some to be a plumber, an electrician, a writer, a singer, a songwriter, a classroom teacher, an accountant, a construction worker and on, and on, and on.

When you truly know what God calls you to do, you quickly realize that even if it’s a small part in the big scheme of things, it brings you so much joy that it’s undeniable that you are where you are meant to be. Now at the time, you might not realize how many people you have impacted by your daily work. However, your love, smiles and joy could be the very thing that impacted them the most. You might not have ever spoken a single “Biblical” word but your impact was far greater than if you did.

I see so many Christians these days running every which direction, being so stressed out, thinking that they are doing good by participating in everything. But in all reality, they are missing their true calling. Now don’t get me wrong, we are all supposed to be loving, helpful and making a difference. But if you have over committed in too many places or in too many activities than your joy will be diminished and not as effective.

What’s worse is seeing Christians compare themselves to others. I’ve seen pastors wonder what in the world is wrong with them when their congregation only has 100 people while someone else has 5,000 each Sunday. First and foremost, never compare. God works in all of us differently and it doesn’t matter if you have one person or 10,000…it’s God who makes the difference and you might have impacted that one person far greater than the other pastor did with the 10,000.

See, when you become stressed because you’re doing “good deeds” every night of the week, how can you possibly be taking time for a deep-committed relationship with Jesus? The answer is…you can’t. You’ll be too busy thinking about all the things that need to be done in order to be here or there. You’ll be wondering how in the world you’ll get it all accomplished. You’ll wonder how you’re going to get your own laundry done or go to the grocery store. At this point, these are no longer “good deeds” but have become “distractions”.

Being overly committed is not God’s design. He wants us living balanced lives, not chaotic ones. When you are so committed to all the external works, you will not have time to work on your own “true destiny”. Your true destiny comes in many forms as outlined before. God may ask you to help out in a specific church function or become a choir singer or participate in a charity event. And that’s okay. If God leads you to participate then by all means, walk out in faith and follow God’s guidance. However, the sole purpose of this writing is to say…walk in your destiny not in “good deeds”. There is a huge difference.

If you are overly committed, the real question is why? Are you truly walking out your calling or are you trying to fill a void that only God can fill?

Christian illustrations for the whole family“The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever”

(Isaiah 32:17)

Your destiny has a real sense of purpose. It’s not just to be busy or being a good person or doing good things. Start questioning the true motives of all your “good deeds”. Take a real hard look at why you are filling your day with so many activities. Begin to listen to your still small voice and then make your decisions. As you start listening to the deep peace within, you’ll begin to declutter your life and things will become more balanced.

God wants you to be successful and walking into your destiny. Let God guide you every step of the way. Learn to say “No” to the distractions and say “YES” to God! For when you do, you will know you’re on His right path and you’ll accomplish much more than you ever dreamed possible.

Note: Please disregard any advertisement you may encounter under this posting as the author does not endorse them. Thank you.