The Victor

Exodus 14:14
Good morning!

Since I have written the last blog – there have been a few challenges that have attacked specific parts of the armor. So I thought today would be a good day to start looking at some individual pieces.

Some of our greatest battles are in our mind. Do you ever arrive at work in a total bad mood because of what you had been thinking all morning?

Do you set up scenarios with people in your mind, where they do something you don’t like and you are telling them what you think? Do they happen to be people who rub you wrong? This can be family, coworkers, and potential co-workers, specific friends you work out with, or go to church with? The enemy has many strategies to play us against each other. Disunity is a huge detriment to the church. The longer we are mad at each other and don’t trust each other, the less we do for Christ.

I read a blog from the book of Nehemiah about using our position to fight for those who can’t fight for themselves. We take stands when we see injustice, but do we cause injustice ourselves?

I think it’s easy as women to be intimidated by other women, and some voices of authority. We cave, we think of ourselves as weak. We tip toe around not to upset anybody. It’s time to claim our ground back.

We are daughters / and children of the King. We are heirs to a throne. We have the power at work within us – that very power that raised Christ from the dead. Do we tap into that power, and how do we do it?

First – I think we have to get a little mad. I am tired of letting thoughts control me, my attitude, and my emotion. That thought can be fear, anger, misunderstanding, etc. Our minds are the battle field.

Second – since I am over being controlled, I realized that Scripture is in fact alive and active. Sharper than any two edge sword. The offensive weapon in the armor we talked about last week (Ephesians 6:10-17) is the Sword of the Spirit – which is the word of God. God has given us His word, and I think we are too surrounded by circumstances and distractions to hear what He is saying. Not only that – I don’t think we believe in the power of His word.

We have the Lord God at our disposal – and we watch TV instead. I do this. I let social media take over my night – or reality TV. The way to win the battle is to know. We need to know that there is a battle every day. As we draw closer to the Lord’s return – the battle increases. If we – as Christians – are handicapped, or distracted – we do not have a divine impact on this time. Some people are ok with that. Some can live their lives going to church once a week – and then living their life as normal for the rest. There are a spare few though – that want to become what they are made to be in Christ – and it begins with knowing Him and His word.

So how do we do this?

1.       Dive deeper.

a.       Get involved with a Bible Study. I know the Lord has greatly used Bible studies by Beth Moore, Priscilla Shirer, Kay Arthur, Kelly Minter, Jen Hatmaker, and Jennie Allen. Find a book to read – most of these ladies I just mentioned have also written books.

b.      Find an area where you struggle and work on it. If something isn’t blessing you, put it aside and find another book.

Here are a few books that pertain to certain areas.

                                                               i.      The ‘Circle Maker by Mark Batterson is an incredible book on prayer.

                                                             ii.      ‘Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire’ by Jim Cymbala is an amazing book on Faith.

                                                            iii.       Been hurt? ‘Breakthrough prayer’ also by Jim Cymbala is an incredible healing agent.

                                                           iv.      Feeling insecure – ‘So Long Insecurity by Beth Moore is away to defeat those crippling behaviors of insecurity.

Don’t settle where you are. There is so much to learn out there. God is so big, it is impossible to grasp – but I want to hear what He is saying to me!

2.       Set aside a specific time to spend with God and pour out your heart to Him. Tell Him where you are, what you are feeling, where you fail, and where you hurt. Be open and honest with him. Just talk to Him. He’s waiting to hear from you. Pick a time where you are uninterrupted.

3.       Read His word. Bible Studies will get you into His word. But I love to read the Psalms as well.

a.       When you seek Him – He will start opening up scriptures that relate to your day, your circumstances, and your life.

b.      Write those scriptures down. I use a notecard, and record every scripture that jumps off the page – one of my favorite: Matthew 7:7 ‘Ask and it will be given you, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened unto you.”

c.       Keep a journal with you. I keep a journal and the notecards with me everywhere I go. I pray in the journal. It’s perfect to have at the Doctor’s office, dentist, long lines somewhere – or maybe a place that I get to and have some time on my hands. Stay connected to the Father.

4.       Memorize His word.

There are key scriptures that will counter act an attack. Research what those are – and memorize them.

Here are a few.

Fear:         

Psalm 56:3 ‘What time I am afraid I will trust in thee.’

            Psalm 34:4 ‘I prayed to the Lord and He answered me – he freed me from all my fears.

           

 Anxiety:

            Philippians 4:6 ‘Be anxious for nothing, but pray about everything.’

           

Crazy thought life:

2 Corinthians 10:5 ‘We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.’

          

 Temptation:

1 Corinthians 10:13 ‘No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.’

        

 Anger:

           Proverbs 15:1 ‘A soft answer turneth away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger.’

If there are more you are thinking of, google ‘scriptures about _______________________’

God gives us ways to overcome in His word.

5.       Stand on His word. If He has given you a specific word, stand on it, believe it! Why would He give it to us, if it wasn’t for us to believe in?

One of my favorite scriptures is “God’s faithful promises are our armor of protection.’ When a mind battle comes – of doubt, or worthlessness – you call out the words God has given you. Say – God’s word says I am chosen and adopted. God’s word says – that when I call to Him He will answer me and free me from my fears.

Give the battle to God. He’s our victor… How do I know?

Nehemiah 4:20 ‘Our God will fight for us.’

Exodus 14:14 ‘The Lord God will fight this battle, and you? Keep your mouth shut.’

2 Chronicles 20:15 ‘This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s…’

Go get your victory. Talk to victor.

The Armor

Ephesians 6:10-18

Do you ever wake up in a funk? You’re down, sorrowful, depressed – for no good reason, then little things pop into your head and you sink lower and feel like you are a nothing?

That is a run-on sentence, but I am making a point. Why do we live like this? We sink low, and then believe every thought that pops into our head. We see future our life not measuring up. We see the wrong skill set being used. We see a dark, gray, cloudy reality, that is not truth – and we remain in it.

I was feeling that way today. I started praying about it, asking about it, eating icing… and then I came upon a verse:

Romans 12:2 ‘Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.’

I realized this is a pattern of the world, to sink low into a pit. To stay in an area where you don’t fit, and to be down and discouraged. None of that feeling has anything to do with the Lord. Today is a new day – filled with hope and expectancy.

My questions is – how did you start off the day? To be honest, my sleep pattern has been different lately, so I sleep longer, and don’t want to get up… therefore I wake up late, struggle to get ready on time, and whatever thoughts are floating around in my head stay there, and I give in to them. By the time work starts, I do my tasks, misread what people say and suddenly it’s 11:00 and I am in a huge funk.

Where did I take the wrong turn?

It’s 2-fold. We are in a battle. The longer we sit around depressed and reading Facebook, the less we do for the kingdom of God. The more we pay attention to tweets, Instagram and social media, the more we obsess over things that aren’t necessarily reality.

We have a savior waiting for us to come to Him. He is willing to intercede on our behalves – we just have to choose to go to Him and ask Him. I learned a valuable practice years ago, and I could kick myself for not keeping the habit…

  1.       Put on the full Armor of God. Ephesians 6:10-18 explicitly explains the battle we are in, and what we need to do to fight. I believe if we all got up, greeted the morning with God, and asked for His help, put on His armor – then we would be ahead of the game. Choosing Him as a shield instead of our human emotion… Maybe it could look something like this: wake up – say – Good morning Lord – I am coming to you to rest in the shadow of your wings. I am asking for protection from you. Your word tells us to put on your armor, so by faith I am putting on the…

a.       The belt of truth – (wouldn’t it be better to believe who we are in God instead of the lies we tell ourselves everyday, ie. Not good enough, won’t measure up, they are better at it…)

b.      Breastplate of righteousness or body armor – (someone described this as discernment, so I prayed to discern/understand the voice of God, the will of God, the way of God.)

c.       Shoes of peace – (know his peace, and know the gospel – that is why we are saved – Jesus – and we are safe and secure under his blood and protection. Also have it on your lips to tell others about His grace.)

d.      Shield of faith (hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.)We have protection – put it on in faith and extinguish those lies and attacks coming at you. For we battle not against flesh and blood, but principalities and darkness of the air. Pray for those who attack, and against the unseen forces.

e.      Helmet of salvation (once again, we are covered head to toe by the blood of the Lamb – live under that protection with confidence!)

f.        Sword of the spirit (the Word of God.) Our weapon of defense is the word of God. Here’s how it works…

                                                               i.      Lie -‘not good enough’: Truth- Jeremiah 1:5 ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart;’ 1 Corinthians 6:20 ‘For you were bought with a price.’ 

                                                             ii.      Lie: ‘God doesn’t want you / care about you’: Truth- Psalm 139:16 ’Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. John 3:16 ‘For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whosoever believeth on Him shall be saved.’

                                                            iii.      Lie – you are going to fail in the future: Truth – Jeremiah 29:13 ‘for I know the plans I have for you. Plans to prosper, not to harm’

                                                           iv.      Lie – God will never fulfill this promise he gave you: Truth – Joshua 21:45 ‘Not one of all the LORD's good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.’  Psalm 91:4b ‘His faithful promises are your armor of protection.’

2.       Believe Him - God has given you His word. It is time to act like you believe it. It is time to stand on it – and if you don’t know what it is, then it is time to get in His word.

The rest of the verse He gave me today?  ‘Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will.’

Moral of the story:

If we choose to meet our day with the Lord, hide in the shelter of His wings, and put on His armor, then we will no longer conform to the pattern of this world.  At the moment our minds are renewed, we think differently. We are confident, we are assured of who we belong to. We are ready to walk toward a calling, and we hear what He has to say. Then – when we are trudging through trying to live, we can actually test and approve what His will is for us.

Doesn’t that reassure you? You are loved. You are cherished. You are bought with a price. It’s time to live with the one who paid for you J

Fall is in the air.

Joshua 1:1-9

Fall is in the air.

Do you ever wake up, and feel the crispness and know… fall is coming? It’s time for the changing of the seasons.

Sometimes you want it and sometimes you don’t. This year, I wanted summer to carry on a little longer. We are in a season we have never been in – expecting a baby. This season has come through years, and years, and years of prayer. There has been some laughter at the requirements of infertility, but a lot of this journey has been heartache. There are certain roads that leave you feeling dry and uncertain. To have a want for so long, to receive so many no’s – time seems to drag on. Then poof – an answer comes, and here we are – it’s almost mid-August and I am entering my 3^rd trimester. Where the heck did time go?

As I leave the ‘honeymoon’ phase of pregnancy (2^nd trimester) I am realizing more and more that time is about to change. I know that some of you seasoned moms may be chuckling at the fact that I don’t know how much it will change… J

But I realize I have had a life that God has filled with adventure. Joe and I have lived as independent adults for soon to be 15 years of marriage. We have traveled, we lived 3 incredible years in NYC, and we have seen movements of God I don’t think we would have seen had this child graced our presence before now.

Thankfully, he has allowed my heart to enjoy a lot of those times. I know when we live in anticipation of a request not answered, it is so easy to get lost in the moment and think we are living a life less than perfect because we don’t have that answer. I am now realizing that life is about to end. I am a little worried about this adjustment… I was not one of the baby sitters club members… I may have read the books, but I spent summers at camps-not babysitting. So this is a whole new world… and I’m pretty sure Joe has never changed a diaper.

So here we go, a few months left before this change. I want to enjoy it. Even if I am starting to walk like a duck.

But I am about to enter a lifelong dream. This baby boy is coming, and how I’ve longed for him. Isn’t it just like us to want something so bad, then start being a little fearful when it comes? I like to think of myself as an adventurer – but there is always a tiny bit of reservation right before the plunge. It’s the moment where we eat our words as we tell others to go out and be brave.

God crowned this year with the book of Joshua. I love that story. It’s a story of second chances. Did you realize that? It’s also the story of waiting even though you think you’ve done everything you should…

The second chance is for the Israelites. Back in the book of Numbers (chapters 13 & 14), the Israelites had arrived at the Promised Land. They sent 12 spies in to scour the land and see what awaited them. This after all, was the land promised by God. Well, when the spies returned… 10 of them were scared and 2 were brave (one which happened to be Joshua). They brought back the bounty of what could be theirs, they saw a land flowing with milk and honey – but they let the thoughts of the giants stop them in their tracks. Only 2 believed they could overtake the giants because God was on their side. Needless to say, the 10 won out, they almost stoned Joshua and Caleb for wanting to go into the Promised Land. The people decided to keep wandering the dessert instead of taking their land. By the way, Joshua was Moses’s assistant.

40 years later, they come back to same spot. It begins in Joshua 1. The movement begins with the death of Moses. In verse 2 he says to Joshua – ‘“Moses my servant is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them.’

Boom – 2^nd chance. It is now time to enter the Promised Land. Did they take it? You bet. Can anyone guess what God told Joshua over and over? Yes – Be strong and courageous. He says it 3 times between verse 6 & 9. God had this in His hands. He knew no harm would befall them. Joshua had to trust and go. Joshua was prepared. He had been in training at the side of Moses for 40 years. In fact, the Lord was not only taking them into the Promised Land, he was giving Joshua the Land of everywhere he set foot. God was granting Joshua success. This is the other part of the deal – not only was He giving him the promise, He was giving him success. God wants you to be successful! I heard this at a conference this year. We don’t always understand the waiting, but it molds us into people of success in the Lord.

The more I find out about this walk – the more I see the purpose of attaining Christlikeness. Humility is key. Walking humbly by your Lord and learning is the way. We see it in the life of Joseph in Genesis, we see it the years in the desert with the Israelites. We even see it in our Lord. Jesus was 30 before he entered His ministry – and the years before were built with learning and knowing the scripture, and growing his craft as a carpenter.

We want to rush in and conquer. We want to assert our gifts and talents. We want to prove ourselves, our learning ability, our creativity. We want to be successful. God will let us do that – but that success comes at our own abilities, and our talent – and it will fail.

When we go it with the Lord, He opens doors no man can shut[1]. He creates a way where there seems to be no way. Nothing is impossible with Him[2]. He creates a way in the wilderness, a stream in the wasteland[3]. Shouldn’t we realize that we need to let Him build our success[4]? Let Him make the way? It is hard to wait. Believe me – I know. It is hard to stay in a place where you feel ‘least’ equipped – but I wonder if our warrior Joshua had a hard time staying at Moses side until his time came? I think we see an example of how to be. Wait on the Lord[5]. He will show you. He will open doors. He will create circumstances of unbelievable opportunity.

But here’s the kicker – make the choice to go when He opens that door… Who wants to wait around in the desert another 40 years?

I learned a lesson. I had to face surgery to walk through my baby door. This was one of my biggest fears. I kept wondering why we didn’t find out about endometriosis until years later… and I know now. I probably would not have agreed to surgery. I didn’t have a lot of symptoms, and the only way to find out was through exploratory surgery.  This scared me to death – and I had to go through years of waiting to realize God had this.

Once I had the surgery – it was a literal breeze, with a week-long recovery. And 2 weeks after surgery, I got pregnant. I realized, I had let many years of fear kept me in a desert.

Where are you right now? What doors may be opening? What is trying to keep you from walking through that door?

The season is changing. Go and get your Promised Land!

---

[1] Revelation 3:8

[2] Luke 1:37

[3] Isaiah 43:19

[4] Psalm 127:1

[5] Psalm 27:14

Get off your rump

Do you ever find yourself in moments where you want to hear from God. You sit, you listen, you read what other people say about God… and nothing is sticking. I was praying that this morning, when He said, ‘Do what I called you to do.’

How many times do we let others take the lead in what God is saying to us? He has something to say to me, and He wants me finding that answer through doing what He called me to do. Write. Do you get what I’m saying? I tend to listen to others, or watch others do the very thing I was called to do – instead of me doing it. I know this sounds like I am belaboring the point, but maybe that is the point.

What are you called to do? God has so many things laid out for us. He has a clear walk that He wants us on, and sometimes we are too busy watching others do it, that we forget to do the very thing He put in our hearts.

Half of me is excited that He has a plan and calling for me, the other half has regrets for sitting on my lower half and letting others lead.

I feel like this goes back to insecurities… will I have the right words? Will I say the right thing? Does God really want me to do this?

The answer is Yes. If God has called and purposed it, then you are to do it. What’s lacking? Courage and confidence.

Here are some scriptures that God has given me about His callings and His promises:

2 Corinthians 1:20: ‘For all of God's promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding "Yes!" And through Christ, our "Amen" (which means "Yes") ascends to God for his glory.’(NLT)

Romans 11:29: ‘For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.’
2 Timothy 1:17 is powerful. ‘For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.’

Here is the catch with scripture. Do we believe it? Is it truth? Does it hold? Again, the answer is yes.

Romans 11:29 says ‘All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,’

I love the words ‘God-breathed.’ I looked up the Greek word for God-breathed and it is theopneustos. It means God-breathed, inspired by God, due to the inspiration of God. In other words. Scripture is from God. He ‘breathed’ it out. How powerful is it?

Let’s look at Genesis for this… Genesis 1:2 says ‘Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.” To put this into perspective, He spoke light into being. He spoke the earth into being. He spoke day and night into being. In the count of creation, I counted nine times the words “Then God said” being spoken. This didn’t included blessing and other words uttered out of His mouth during creation.

Elohim, one of the names of God is translated creator God. El is used in association with God as ‘mighty God.’ You see this in many of his names, like El Shaddai –which means all sufficient God.

If He can speak life into being, is He not mighty? Or sufficient? Would the words that were ‘God-breathed’ not be viewed in the same power?

The point? We have a great gift given to us in the Bible. It is ‘God-breathed.’ It is His word given to us to understand this life as Christians. Why do we not use it? Why do we not trust it? For goodness sake – why do we not read it? His word is impenetrable. If He has given you a word, then hold on to it as truth!

I have been studying the life of Joseph recently and God brought a little nugget to me today. (The story of Joseph is Genesis 37-50 and I encourage you to read it.) In brief, it’s the story of a man that God gave a dream (actually a few dreams) to – then He fulfilled it. The fulfilling came 15-17 years later. We see many encounters that Joseph went through to prepare him for the fulling of this dream. It hit me that Joseph could not walk into this fulfilling until he was ready. The Lord was preparing Joseph to be the great leader he was. What struck me as interesting was a Psalm that I came across today.

Psalm 105:19: ‘until what he had said came to pass, the word of the LORD tested him.’ (Read the full context in Psalm 105: 16-22.)

This entire story fits into plan of the Exodus of the children of Israel from Egypt to the Promised Land – but we are looking at the Joseph section of the story for a moment.

God had a plan (and still does) for His people. Everyone person that played a role was key... Abraham, Isaac, Jacob… Joseph. This led to the role of Moses, Aaron, Caleb and Joshua. What if any of these guys just stopped believing God? Was it hard? Yes. Were there moments of giving up and frustration? Yes! What did all of these guys do? Held on.

Is the promise of God worth holding onto? Is His word worth it?

Y.E.S.

God tested Joseph with the very word He had given him. There was day however, that the dream came true. The promise was fulfilled. The vision complete.

We have a life to live full of faith. We have promises to take hold of. We have a word for us. The question is…. Are you going to live life with God or are you going to sit and watch reruns?

What was He saying to me today? I have given you a word. I will complete it. Let’s get off your rump and do what I called you to do.

Who’s up for a little adventure?

Jesus

Are you tiring at all of the voices screaming out right now to be heard? Are you unsure of sides to take and opinions you want to state?

I spent some time on facebook today and it wore me out. I got on there to see some cute posts, and I saw about 3 of 50. Most of the rest were hate storms. People jockeying for positions and violent words spoken on every side.

What started as a good mood landed me in depression – and it hit me. This was the intent.

My husband recently attended an incredible worship school, and came back with a life change. He brought a song back from Housefires, and I want to recount the words.

oh and I've seen many searching for answers far and wide
But I know we're all searching for answers only you can provide
'cause you know just what we need before we say a word

You’re a good good father, that’s who you, who you are, who you are,

And I’m loved by you, that’s who I am, who I am, who I am…

Perhaps if I had taken that time to get in the word of God instead of barreling through every post, I might have received sense of renewal, of peace, of confidence in our Creator – Elohim. Perhaps if I had taken time to pray over each situation instead of reading others opinions, I could rest in the fact that God sees (El Roi). I might remember that he is our Healer – (Jehovah Rapha) That He will provide – Jehovah Jireh. Do you know where that name is mentioned? In Genesis with the story of God providing the perfect sacrifice for Abraham… right before he was going to sacrifice his son Isaac. (Genesis 22:14)

God has provided a sacrifice. Perfect. Holy. Blameless. If a creator can form the earth with his mere words (Elohim,) if he sees and knows (El Roi,) then we can trust Him. I can’t explain why we see things going on… but I know that there is a concentrated effort on pushing Him and His word out of America. I see a country turning away from one of the core reasons America was founded – in God we trust. If we have stop trusting God, and start trusting ourselves… then I think we might be seeing the effect of that decision.

My prayer is that we get out of the hate storm and hit our knees. Our job – as Christ-followers – is to follow Him. To know Him. To do his good and pleasing will. The way to do that is to dive into the word he has given us. The Bible. It’s a love story about that perfect sacrifice sent for us. Is anyone thinking of that during this time?

Exodus 14:14 says: ‘The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.’

Take the fight to Him and let Him do His work. Your job is to know Who you are talking to. Find out His will, His dream for you, His way. You do this by studying His word – and talking to Him. That may sound cliché – but that’s what Jesus modeled for us to do. He knew the scripture. He quoted his Father’s words. He took time away to pray. And he served. He stood on the word – and he died for us anyway. He died for every person I saw being talked about today. Love is hard. The word ‘Love’ is misunderstood and thrown around to achieve self-serving purposes.  Yes – Jesus loves all and died for all – we need to get to know Him. I may be pitied, and seen as a fundamental who is stuck in my beliefs I was taught from early on. I make mistakes. I say and think things I shouldn’t. I am not perfect. I did, however, choose to get to know Him. And in this journey, I have learned from going to him directly – not from others words. I have been challenged in tradition verses truth. I have clung to the One who created me. I speak now on what I have been learning as I attempt this walk with Him.

I am believing Him. I am working on Trusting Him. I am attempting to go to Him to find out what He wants to say to me.

Here are a few things I believe are truth from His word.

‘In the beginning was the Word. And the word was with God and the word was God.’ (John 1:1)

‘I am the way the truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’ (John 14:6)

These are referring to Jesus. God’s one and only son.

Call on Him. That name is greater than any there is.

‘at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:10-11

Jesus.

Let’s use that name as a prayer- instead of a curse. Let’s go to knees and talk to Him.

‘If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.’ (2 Chronicles 7:14)

I believe in the power of prayer. I believe in hitting our knees. I believe that He answers when we call as His word says: ‘I prayed to the LORD, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears.’ (Psalm 34:4)

I believe He will protect when we ask Him.

‘Ask and it shall be given you.

Seek and ye shall find.

Knock and the door will be opened unto you.’ (Matthew 7:7)

Why?

‘Because everyone who asks receives, everyone who seeks finds and everyone who knocks, the door will be opened unto you.’ (Matthew 7:8)

These words aren’t a free for all to get what you want… The point of this is a relationship with Him. He created us with freedom of choice. It’s a choice to Believe him, and walk with Him. He’s not forcing us.

God forgive us. Lord Take pity on us. Father guide us and show us your way.

A Time to Learn

“I have come that you may have life and have it more abundantly.” John 10:10. 

What a wild few months. Since the last blog was written… a lot has happened. I did write another blog, and it was lost in a computer crash – that took everything that was on my computer… I had 3 months of continual nauseousness… Which is something I have prayed for for years and here we are!

So how are you? What has God been doing with you? Take a moment to write down the work of God in your life.

I feel like I am back in teaching mode – but I also have to be in learning mode. God has answered one of my biggest lifelong prayers – a baby. You may never know why he chooses the time he does – but he has chosen this time. I am excited – and challenged. I now have new things to worry about. Do we ever stop worrying?

But God is using this time to work. I only have a few months before this baby comes – and I have a lot going on in my head – can anybody get what I’m saying? There are pressures mounting, bills mounting, baby items mounting – a lot mounting – therefore my stress is mounting. And in the middle of this, God comes to work.

What is holding me back from abundant life? I have prayed about that. Circumstances leave us wondering where God is, and He is wondering – why are you living like you are living? In defeat – under pressure, and depressed. I have one of the greatest blessings I could imagine coming to me – and I can’t enjoy it because I let life and people beat me down. I have people in my life that want to control me. I have people that want to hurl insults (in a joking way…) every time they see me. I have people ignoring me – and I let it get in my head.

The word of God says “I have come that you may have life and have it more abundantly.” John 10:10. When I went to look up this scripture reference – I saw the first part of this verse.

‘The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy.’  There are two parts of this verse – and hence – there is a battle. I want to live life abundantly – but I am choosing to listen to the first part of the verse. I have let people rob my dignity – due to their insecurity. Instead of ignoring them, and praying for them – I let it get in my head – make me miserable, and then ask God – where are you? Do any of you do this? I am choosing to listen to and believe the thief – not the creator. And it has cost me much. I have lost joy, satisfaction, identity, courage, confidence. 

I listened to an amazing simulcast that talked about being a blessed woman of God – because of belief. I started thinking - Who do I believe? Who do you believe? It hit me that it is easier for us as women to cave to insecurities, to words, to fears. It’s time to realign our Faith. My prayer is that you would also hear what the Father is saying to you – and to live for Him. Believe Him. You are a woman of God. He chose you. He created you. Why should you let anyone steal that from you? Woe to that theif when God arrives. And – while I’m on this – let us not be women that would try to steal from others. You are here for a purpose that God has ordained – and you are to carry out your purpose. Let others carry out their purpose. We have no need to be jealous. You are unique. Special – a child of God. Live like it – Believe like it. You are an heir to the throne when you take that step to align yourself with Christ. The one true son of God. Your belief in Jesus as God’s son – opens the door to your abundant life in Him. Your life God created for you- to live out a destiny full of adventure, joy and satisfaction. It’s time to regain our trust in Him.

Time to Succeed.

Book of Joshua

It’s been a while since I've written. Sometimes life comes at you, and you only have two hands to hold on.  I've had moments where I feel like a complete failure when I don’t get to do all my routines – but God puts before us, each day, what He wants for us, and that’s what we do.

Do you find yourselves like that? Moments that interrupt? Mine happened to be a procedure. One more thing in this journey of infertility. It was one of those things I did not want to do. Needless to say – God has brought me to the other side – and it was not as bad as I thought.

The last 4 weeks has definitely been a faith journey. I take a step, God takes a step. I wait… still waiting. It’s like a chess match. However, I lack the vast knowledge and skill set of the master. So this is training ground. Bigger steps of faith.

Where are you in your faith? I have this verse that keeps echoing in my head – Romans 4:20 (NLT) ‘Abraham never wavered in believing God's promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God.’

Sometimes you have to walk several steps in a journey to understand this. Our infertility road has been long. Our first time with the infertility doctor led to some basic steps such as pills, timing, and small procedures. I felt like my faith was challenged, and I went a little crazy. Enter mom’s stroke, and infertility treatments, along with life was put on hold. 4 years later with failed plans to adopt, we are back at the infertility doctor. She’s picking up where she left off. We had the same procedures (artificial insemination) – again none resulted in pregnancy. She then tells me I need surgery.

Now everyone has things in their lives that they don’t want to do… comfort zones they don’t want to leave. These could entail moving, changing jobs, singing solos, public speaking, etc. One of mine happens to be needles, doctors – and surgery. When the words ‘surgery’ came out of her mouth I had the grace to listen and set up the surgery date. Once the conversation was over, I went inside, closed the door and fell apart. I asked ‘why?’ ‘Why can’t I just be normal, and have babies like normal people, why is this so hard?’ Once I came out of my funk, I realized – to get closer to having children, I have to have surgery to make sure there is nothing going on we don’t know about. So I started praying for strength, for peace, that it would be ok, that I wouldn't come awake during the surgery (I know, crazy. But that’s just what it is for me sometimes…)

Enter the Lord. To give you a set up for this, I have faced some big battles in my life. I have also lived in NYC, and that can help a girl become a little more independent, and ready to take risks. But this was a risk I didn't want to take. So God sent me to an incredible conference – in Austin, TX - a week before the surgery. I want to side step for a minute. If opportunities for you to go to a conference come about –then take them, and go with great expectation. God show up in many ways, and you should look for every way He shows up. But when you expect him to show up – then get ready for a great awakening.

The moment I entered the conference center, I was transformed into a farmhouse chic environment. There were plush white chairs on the stage, set against a wooden slat background and beautiful farm tables covered with flowers. I was in heaven. Vintage tables lined the outside walls with water for thirsty travelers. And… there was shopping, handbags, shoes, books, journals, jewelry. Paradise.

My friend, Susan and I grabbed our seats that held a special bag filled with gifts from the conference. The worship began, and we were brought to the throne of the Heavenly Father. Don’t we all need an oasis like that? Then the speaker begins. The theme was centered on Joshua, the Israelites and the fact they were finally entering Canaan. What I had forgotten about was their failed attempt to enter Canaan 40 years before (Numbers 13 &14.) Fear had kept them out of the Promised Land. Fear of giants, fear of the past, and the fear of the unknown stopped them just shy of the Jordan River.

What we were looking at was the difference in 40 years. The difference is perspective. Fear had held the Israelites in place, but now Joshua has a newer stronger faith. It was the same giants, same land, same unknown, but the Israelites' trust in God had changed. And 3 times in Chapter one of the book of Joshua, God tells Joshua to be 'strong and courageous' – for I (the Lord) am with you wherever you go.

Hmmm. Was God speaking to me???? 4 years ago, if the prospect of surgery had come up, I would have probably said no. This was not something I needed to have to live, it was exploratory – to see if something was blocking me. So now, 4 years later – I knew God was saying ‘Be strong and courageous, for I am with you wherever you go.’ I did not know what the outcome would be, but I had a Holy confidence to walk into the very thing I did not want to do.

And do you know what He did? He gave me some answers. Endometriosis. The doctor took it out and I healed in a few days.

I am still on this journey. I don’t know how it will end. I’m a little scared of asking. But I know that I overcame a huge hurdle of surgery – the Lord truly made a mountain a level plain before me. (Zechariah 4:7) And for the first time in a while it occurred to me that God wants me to succeed (thanks to wise words of a speaker at that conference.)

So my question is – what risk is before you? What unknown do you need to walk into? Maybe it’s time for a fresh encounter with the God of faith, and a fresh look at Joshua, or David, or Joseph, or Abraham. Maybe it’s time to realize God is for you.

Maybe it’s time to succeed.