Oh, the excitement of Christmas! There is so much going on! Decorating the tree, baking cookies, sending Christmas cards and sweet sentiments to friends and family, and plenty of shopping. Yes, shopping. Shopping. Shopping. Shopping! Did I mention, shopping? It permeates the Christmas season. There is a definite hustle and bustle in the air, as we hum to our favorite Christmas song while seeking to find the ideal present for the ones we love. But, what is that perfect gift?

Well, it actually does not require any shopping at all. What a relief! There is no cost to us, and it is entirely free. Furthermore, it is available to everyone. It will never be out of stock or expire. That perfect gift is Jesus Christ. He is the gift of salvation and eternal life, because of His sacrifice on the cross, for each and every one of us. John 3:16 tells us, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” 2 Corinthians 9:15 exclaims, “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!”

When we get a gift for Christmas that we love, we are excited and we want to tell everyone about it. We enjoy it and want to share it with others. So it should be with the gift of our salvation! Romans 6:23 tells us, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Let that truth resonate within you. That is intensely powerful! Ephesians 2:8 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.” Jesus is the ultimate gift. Excitement, joy, and telling others about Him should be as natural as sharing about our favorite Christmas gift. 

Christmas is a most thrilling time! It is all because a baby was born into the world. Isaiah 9:6 tells us: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. The gift of Jesus Christ is like no other gift. Through Him we have the gift of salvation and eternal life! Oh, the excitement of Christmas!

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” 2 Corinthians 9:15

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Thank you for reading my blog. All rights reserved by copyright. Thank you. Blessings!🕊️🎄♥️

Joy to the World! The Lord has come! These lyrics to a popular Christmas carol ring true. The biblical definition of joy is a feeling of good pleasure and happiness that is dependent on who Jesus is rather than on who we are or what is happening around us. Joy comes from the Holy Spirit, abiding in God’s presence, and from hope in His word.

The Christian life is about walking in surrender to our Lord and Savior. We belong to Him. Being filled with the Holy Spirit and abiding in Him equips us for the purposes He sets before us. He provides us with strength, peace, and fullness of joy. 

When we are able to walk in such a manner, the Bible says in Phil. 4:7, “The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” We can have fullness of joy in the midst of life situations that are hard, confusing, or even painful. The Lord provides us with strength and stamina even when we feel our tank has gone dry. He renews us and fills us up! He is so Faithful. 

As we enter into this Christmas season, as the word JOY reminds us, let us keep a right perspective. Our true joy and happiness is found in a relationship with our Lord and Savior. In Him is the fullness of joy our heart desires. So let us remember, as the song rings out, joy to the world, the Lord has come. Let Him be your joy!

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7

Thank you for reading my blog. All rights reserved by copyright. Thank you. Blessings!♥️🎄🕊️

So you wake up in the morning with this great master plan for the day, but things shift, appointments cancel, a friend calls, your car won’t start, or a kiddo gets sick. These can been seen as hindrances or they can been seen as the Lord changing your day up!😉

As Christians who are seeking the Lord and desiring to walk in surrender, it is important that we allow for the Lord to guide us in new directions, even when we’re not expecting it. SURPRISE!😅

When He suddenly has us take an unexpected turn in our day, embrace the change. Often times it is His protection. Or maybe He is sending you in a new direction so you can be in the appropriate place for Him to use you to help someone, or simply pray.

So when your day goes sideways, instead of being frustrated or upset, peacefully roll with it! God may be doing something! See the beauty of the path He is sending you on. Give Him praise in your day and enjoy the adventure! Thank Him for all the good things in your life.🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

Let’s be grateful and honor the Lord. He has good plans for us! His ways are BEST, and if we’re willing, He will use us in the lives that we touch to encourage their hearts!

Annette💛🌻

Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.”

Thank you for reading my blog. All rights reserved by copyright. Thank you!🧡🌻

Whenever we go through something hard, the Lord is ALWAYS trying to REACH US and TEACH US. During such times I like to ask, “Lord, what are you wanting me to learn from You?”

On a recent trail run with my dog, I took a fall.😳 Broke a finger!😔 It was swollen and my hand turned not so pretty shades of purple and yellow. Even though it looked ugly, I felt the Lord telling me that it wasn’t as bad as it seemed.

But before even getting my X-ray results, I received a referral to an orthopedic surgeon. Seriously?!! I was like, SAY WHAT?!! Surgery?!!! All the while crying out to God, I thought You were telling me it was not as bad as it looked!!!😭

Later that day, I was told it was displaced and was sent off to the ER to get it realigned. Are you kidding me?!! What does that even mean?!!!😳 Do I have to?!!!🥺

And all that time, I kept thinking about what I felt the Lord was speaking to my spirit. It’s not that bad…

Turns out my finger did not need surgery or even the realignment. His promise to me rang true !!! 🙌🏻♥️🙌🏻♥️

Because of my broken finger, every time I looked at it all swollen and bandaged, with my hand so ugly and discolored, it proved to be a constant reminder of God’s promise to me. This carried over into other areas of my life where God was asking me to trust Him.🙌🏻♥️🙌🏻♥️

If God says it, choose to BELIEVE IT!!! HE IS ALWAYS FAITHFUL!!!

When things look bad, yet you hear God speaking to you, choose to trust in His promises above EVERYTHING else. And, thank Him for what He is doing and how He is moving!!! Hebrews 11:1 tells us, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

If you hear the whisper of God’s voice, hang on to what He is telling you. John 14:27 says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Blessings!

Annette🌻♥️

Thank you for reading my blog. All rights reserved by copyright. Thank you!🌻

What is that THING you absolutely cannot ACCOMPLISH or OVERCOME without the strength of the Lord? If we are honest with ourselves, we all have something. God’s Word says in John 15:5, “Apart from me you can DO NOTHING,” and then in Philippians 4:13, we can do ALL THINGS through Christ. The Bible teaches us to do the HARD. It takes obedience, discipline, and a commitment to God.

When we seek the Lord in our life, He will most definitely present us with challenges that are well beyond our own capabilities. There is great purpose wrapped around the difficulties we face. The Lord wants us to press into Him and give our all, and that takes OBEDIENCE. He wants us to succeed at what He has for us. Ephesians 3:20-21 tells us, “Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever!” Our victory through Christ will ultimately bring God glory!

To be obedient requires DISCIPLINE. Obedience and discipline go hand-in-hand. Discipline serves as a tool to cultivate obedience. 2 Corinthians 9:27 says, “But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” When we desire to do the Lord’s will in our life, breaking things down into small steps and ideas can help. Instead of looking at the whole situation, try focusing on just following Christ’s leading for that day, or moment in time, by taking things step by step and setting very small achievable goals to reach all along the way. THAT FIRST STEP can be as simple as receiving from the Lord what He wants you to do. Accepting and embracing God’s ways, and laying down our own, will make us STRONG IN HIM. The world cannot grasp God’s perfect ways. But we, who know the Lord, can choose to believe in God’s promises and TRUST IN HIS TRUTH. God honors our childlike faith.

To be obedient and disciplined takes COMMITMENT. That means don’t give up on God, or yourself. Luke 18:1 says, “…that men always ought to pray and not lose heart.” If you feel you are coming up short, try to walk in His perfect grace by giving yourself the grace that is found through a relationship with our Lord and Savior. We can be hard on ourselves. Thankfully, He is so patient with us. He only gives us what He knows we can deal with, even when we think it is way too much. We do not need to be qualified for the plans and purposes He has for us. Trust in the Lord! Luke 18:27 tells us, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” God’s ways are ALWAYS best!

Often times, it takes stepping out in FAITH to that first stepping stone, so to speak, that the Lord has put on our heart and mind, to show Him that our trust is in Him. God doesn’t always reveal the whole plan in a given situation. He may give us partial instructions to see if we trust Him, even though we do not know the entire plan. When we step into it, at that point, He might reveal a little more to us. He knows what we are capable of and what we can handle. He knows what we need. He knows what is going to encourage us and He also knows the amount of faith He wants to grow in us.

Maybe we’re doubting. But if we are clearly hearing the voice of God, trusting Him, seeking to live in surrender, and desiring His best for our life, then when He says step again, even though we don’t know what that means or where it is going, He is there to meet us, guide us, fill us, and bless us. If we can lay it down, meaning not our way but His way, then the steps of doing the HARD will come much easier for us. When pleasing the Lord is our highest priority, we CAN DO THE HARD! 1 Peter 5:10 says, “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”

If we lay it down, keep the Lord first in our lives, and faithfully do the HARD unto the Lord, Luke 19:17 tells us, one day we can look forward to Him saying, “Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities.” What a reward awaits us in heaven!🥰♥️🙌🏻

Thank you for reading my blog. All rights reserved by copyright. Thank you!🌻♥️

“Now the mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace.” Romans 8:6

To be spiritually minded is the exact opposite of how our human nature is wired. We want what we see, what we desire, what someone else has. We compare, we sulk, we want to be seen, we focus on getting more of something or getting ahead in life, or, maybe we just want to take matters into our own hands and help God out. 😳

But if we can just be SPIRITUALLY MINDED. Oh how that changes everything. Our perspective can be corrected. If only we can see life through the eyes of Christ!🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

When we are spiritually minded we are thinking about the unseen things in the world such as pleasing Christ, sharing the gospel, or helping those around us. It is taking our eyes OFF SELF. It flips everything over and causes us to look not at the immediate or the temporal, but to go way deeper with the Lord and allow for the implementation of His plans for us. Phil. 2:3-4 says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests, but each of you to the interests of the others.”

Being spiritually minded takes the pressure off of us, as we are trusting the Lord for His very best in our life. It involves waiting upon Him for the unseen and the unknown. Phil. 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 2:13 says, “For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” So we can be confident that we are exactly where He would have us, even if it isn’t what we thought we wanted.

Shifting our focus from having an attitude, to GRATITUDE is huge. Don’t get to have something right now? Praise God! It’s for our best! He is protecting us. He knows what we can handle and when. Feel you’re not where you should be in life? Keep that focus on the Lord. God’s growing you! Remember, Jesus was about 30 years old, before even starting His ministry. God’s timing is everything. Feeling impatient, like you have waited long enough on God and maybe He needs some help? Don’t forget how in Genesis 16:1-6 we see Abraham and Sarah trying to make God’s promise happen in their own timing. A good reminder for us not to meddle, but to hold steady and wait for God’s BEST.💯♥️🙏🏻

How do we walk in peace when life can be such a rollercoaster? We need to fully trust in the Lord, laying down our plans and trusting in His. Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” If we are earnestly and wholeheartedly seeking Jesus first in our lives, He is going to orchestrate our lives and provide for all our needs. The key is aligning our heart with His and being able to trust that He knows what is needed, or not, for us. Romans 12:2 tells us, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

I don’t know about you, but I definitely want the mind of the Spirit, which is life and peace! 🙏🏻🙌🏻💯♥️ I find such comfort in knowing that no matter what, God has us when we are trusting in Him and not ourselves, or the ways of the world. His ways can be unconventional or maybe not even make sense to us. BUT GOD. HE is always Faithful. And, when we trust in Him by putting all our hope in Him, HE WILL DO AMAZING THINGS, more that we could have ever hoped for because, GOD’S WAYS ARE THE BEST!!! “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” Ecc. 3:11 🙏🏻💯♥️🙌🏻

Blessings!

Annette🌻♥️

Thank you for reading my blog. All rights reserved by copyright. Thank you!♥️

Everyone deals with pain and hurt caused by others at some point in their lives. But if the heaviness of unresolved emotional wounds are piling up, they need to be dealt with. Emotional wounds do not resolve themselves with the passage of time. If left unresolved, time can actually deepen these wounds, making an already hurtful situation feel unbearable, tearing you up and causing you mental anguish. This can be very destructive and emotionally damaging.

Just as a body part can sustain a wound, and, if left untreated, can result in an infection, so can the human heart, metaphorically speaking. A physical wound that has become infected must be cared for, to heal up. In that same likeness, the emotions of the heart must be freed of hurts and emotional pain to be healthy and whole. Contrary to popular belief, a conversation with the offender is not necessary for you to receive healing. Prayer, talk therapy, and healthy boundaries are steps that can be taken to promote the healing in your life.

If you desire to be released of your pain, bring whatever has happened to you to the Lord. Be open with Him about your hurts, disappointment, anger, confusion, and pain. Psalm 34:17-18 says, “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” He is Jehovah Rapha, our Healer, and He can restore your damaged emotions. He can make you whole, but it will require work on your part. You have to want it. That means facing the YUCK that is in you and letting it out. The healing process can be a hard and messy season of life, but totally worth it for wholeness and peace, in place of brokenness and pain. 2 Corinthians 3:17, tells us, “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” Yes! HE sets us FREE!!!🙌🏻🎉🙌🏻🎉🙌🏻🎉🙌🏻🎉

If you can find someone to be transparent with, such as a counselor or trustworthy friend, speaking out your troubled heart is extremely therapeutic. Talk therapy is a huge release. It is taking that hurt that is buried deep within you that is so ugly, painful, or shameful and bringing it out into the light. Having someone validate your feelings is powerful. Once something has been uprooted and you are able to be transparent about it, that burden of pain begins to lift. Having a listener who is empathetic helps you process the hurt. That, added with the power of prayer, and your soul will surely be lifted.💔🙏🏻🙌🏻

The mind and heart work together. To heal the heart also requires renewal of the mind. If you have negative thought patterns related to hurt that ruminate in your head or memories that just won’t stop, you can use visualization therapy along with prayer, to release your mind from the pain that is feeding upon itself. An example would be to pray about IT, asking the Lord to take IT away and free you of IT. Then, picture WHATEVER IT IS, being put into a bag or box, seal it up tightly, and then visualize it being destroyed by tossing IT to the bottom of the sea forever or burning IT right up. Poof! IT is then over, done with, GONE!!! Treat it as such. It is a release, and it works. Through Christ, we can be fully healed and restored. “To be spiritually minded is life and peace.” Romans 8:6.

Our brains can be rewired, but you have to want it. You need to make a choice to let go of the painful thoughts and memories that have been tearing you down. They must be replaced with healthy, happy, hopeful, truthful, thought patterns. Listening to sermon podcasts, specifically addressing what you are overcoming can be very helpful in reprogramming your mind. Filling the mind with God’s Truth is the best prescription for peace and good health! Posting scripture references in places you frequent throughout the day will also help with refocusing and reformatting your mind. Affirmations are very powerful. Speaking the truth out loud to yourself helps reprogram your brain. Romans 12:2 tells us, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. The Bible says, this is the key to transformation.

Another very important tool to implement healing is to establish healthy boundaries. Boundaries protect you from physical, emotional, and spiritual harm. These are like gates that protect you. The gates can be opened and closed, as needed, in order to protect yourself from situations and relationships that can harm you. Harm from others, be it intentional or not, is still something that needs to be dealt with. If someone is triggering you, that is a red flag warning to you. The body does warn us when we are being threatened, by way of our emotions. Learn to recognize your feelings and step back and take a look at why you are feeling sad, angry, threatened, or hurt. It is up to you to take charge of your life and how you manage your relationships. If you want to receive healing and transformation from brokenness to wholeness, you are the one who needs to be proactive. You cannot change the behavior of others, but you are responsible for yours and how you allow others to treat you.

Do you want to walk in wholeness and freedom from hurt and pain? Then I esteem you to bring it all before the Lord. He knows you inside and out. He knows what you have been through. He alone knows the road you have walked. There is no one else in this world who can understand you fully and completely outside of THE CREATOR OF ALL THINGS!!! You are His child, and He loves you and does not want you hurting any longer. So, choose healing my friend. You will be glad you did! “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1

Blessings!

Annette🌻♥️

Thank you for reading my blog. All rights reserved by copyright. Thank you!♥️

There is a powerful scene in The Chosen, a Christian TV series about the life of Jesus Christ, where Jesus and His disciples walk past Matthew, the tax collector, who is working in his booth. Jesus stops and turns to face Matthew and firmly says, “FOLLOW ME.” Matthew, in that precise moment, chooses to immediately walk away from his prominent position and wealth, to follow Jesus. It is a powerful testimony of being obedient to the call of Christ.

Jesus still says, FOLLOW ME, and we are still called to lay down our lives. Matthew 16:24-25 says, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”

Matthew chose to follow Jesus in spite of being considered a most horrible person by those who knew of him. They judged him not good enough, not worthy. BUT GOD. Jesus made it VERY CLEAR that HE did not hold that against him. Jesus rescues and redeems!🙌🏻♥️🙌🏻 Colossians 1:13-14 says, “For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”  

In Luke 9:60 Jesus said, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” The word dead is used to explain that something no longer has influence over you, or that you are indifferent towards a thing. Also, the law and sin do not control you, denying worldly pursuits you instead seek the Lord above all things, in order to serve Him, and do His work for the Kingdom of God. Romans 7:4 says, “So, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.” In Romans 6:11 we are told, “… count yourselves dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.”

In Matthew 4:19 Jesus said, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” The metaphor is that of the world being the sea, the souls of men being the fish, and the net being the church, the Christ followers. Isaiah 57:20 says, “But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt.”

In Matthew 19:21 Jesus said, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” The meaning of the word perfect in this command is referring to being mature, complete, and whole. This word is also used in the Sermon on the Mount to describe the heart of the true disciple, the ones who are like their heavenly Father. In this passage Jesus was speaking to a rich man and the purpose of this comment was to expose the blindness of this wealthy young man, and his ultimate lack of sincerity.

In Luke 9:1-3, Jesus sent his twelve disciples out into the far away lands to preach the gospel message, to heal the sick and cast out demons. He told them not to bring a money bag, food, or even a change of clothes. He told them to stay where people welcomed them. When the disciples questioned Him, He told them to completely rely on the provision of The Father in their lives.

Does Jesus still call us to follow Him today? YES! He does!

All of the above scriptures still ring true. It’s about the attitude of the heart. The Lord looks at our availability, willingness, and our trust in Him. God’s Word tells us to lay down our lives, leave our past behind, deny the temptations and securities found in the world, share the gospel, and to trust in Him for our provision. We are given a promise in Matthew 6:33! “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you!”

Praise God!🙌🏻♥️🙌🏻

Thank you for reading my blog. If you enjoyed this post, please use the share buttons at the bottom of the page instead of doing a copy and paste. All rights reserved by copyright. Thank you!♥️

Is there something that you want to be doing, or don’t want to be doing? A thing that nags at you, guilts you, or frustrates you because you aren’t handling it right?

It isn’t easy to turn that ship around, but with Christ we can! HE gives us the strength we need to change things up. Creating new habits and setting boundaries for ourselves can be challenging. Philippians 4:13 tells us, “With Christ we can do all things.”

BE AWARE. Identify what is off in your life that is causing you frustration or poor choices. 1 Peter 5:8 tells us, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”

MAKE A NEW CHOICE. To see change, choose differently. Make a new plan. If we don’t do something different, we will have the same outcome. New ways and choices equal new outcomes. Romans 12:2 says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

PRAY. How do we fight our battles? PRAYER. But God! HE is our HELP. Whatever your challenge, whatever you want to change up, tell Him. Philippians 4:6 tells us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” HE will help you OVERCOME and make the needed changes for a healthier way of life.

AVOID TEMPTATION. Is something specific causing you to stumble? That food? An app? Unhealthy relationship? Do yourself a favor, try not to put yourself in situations or places that will set you up for failure. Matthew 26:41 tells us, “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

FOCUS. Instead of focusing on your short comings, failures, or the thing you are trying to overcome or change up, turn your eyes to Jesus. Focus on Jesus. HE rescues, restores, redeems, and renews. He strengthens, empowers, encourages, and can help you be victorious! Hebrews 12:2 says, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”🙏🏻🙌🏻♥️

GIVE YOURSELF GRACE. Change takes time. After all, we tend to be creatures of habit. It will take time to undue current ways and establish new choices and routines. Think of it like laying a new track for you to travel on, setting one piece in place at a time. With daily repetition, you will get where you want to go! If you blow it and fall back into your old pattern, don’t beat yourself up. Instead, ask the Lord for help. 2 Corinthians 12:9 says, “My grace is all you need, for my power is the greatest when you are weak.”

KEEP ON KEEPING ON. If you miss a day, come up short, forget, get distracted, give in to temptation, feel beaten or just feel like giving up, DON’T throw in the towel. Keep trying. Show up. Take steps that head you in the right direction. If you are struggling, taking a baby step towards your goal is considered a win! Psalm 55:22 says, “Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.”

PRAISE GOD FOR YOUR PROGRESS. Thank the Lord for how He is moving in your life. How He is helping you, strengthening you, leading and guiding you, providing for you, and making a new way for you. Psalm 100:4-5 exhorts, “For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” God is GREAT.🙌🏻♥️🙌🏻♥️

REWARD YOURSELF. Be kind to you. Think of something nice to do for yourself for a job well done. Positive reinforcement for your commitment to make changes for the better deserves celebration. Decide what that special something is, then don’t hold back once you’ve achieved a set goal. Enjoy and spoil yourself a bit. You’ve worked hard.

Change is not easy. It takes time. But, it is possible. Be aware, make a new choice, pray, avoid temptation, focus, give yourself grace, keep on keeping on, praise God for your progress, and reward yourself for moving forward in the right direction. Turn that ship around! “If God is for you, who can be against you?!” Romans 8:31🥳🎉🙌🏻♥️

Thank you for reading my blog. If you enjoyed this post, please use the share buttons at the bottom of the page instead of doing a copy and paste. All rights reserved by copyright. Thank you!♥️

We are probably all familiar with the cliche phrase, Let Go and Let God. It is often seen on the bumper of the vehicle in front of us, while driving down the highway or sitting at a red light.😅 What in the world does that mean though?

When we try to force something, or we just want our way, it’s never the best for us. When we hold on too tight, we essentially interfere with the moving of the Holy Spirit. We have to be willing to trust the Lord, that He is doing the right thing. When we can do that, it allows the moving of God, the moving of the Holy Spirit, to work in the life of the believer. In Proverbs 3:5-6 it tells us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Thank you Jesus, and amen!!!🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

It is a powerful thing when we trust the Lord and walk in surrender to Him, His plans, and His purposes. It involves taking a risk. It’s stepping out of the boat so to speak, trusting the Lord to take care of a situation, and walking in faith, even when we can’t foresee the outcome. When we let go, and we are operating off faith, we can really see God move! “Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.” Jeremiah 17:7

Letting go and letting God opens the door for His faithfulness in your life. There is nothing that can compare to God’s best! “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 Praise the Lord!!! HE is so GOOD AND FAITHFUL!!!🙌🏻♥️🙌🏻♥️

Thank you for reading my blog. If you enjoyed this post, please use the share buttons at the bottom of the page instead of doing a copy and paste. All rights reserved by copyright. Thank you!♥️

Do you ever feel under qualified to do what the Lord is calling you to do? Are you unsure about stepping out in faith? Are you struggling with where He is leading you and what comes next?!

But God!🙏🏻♥️🙌🏻

When we feel we are coming up short it allows Him to step in and do what we deem the impossible! It is then, that He shows Himself Faithful! Matthew 19:26 says, “With man this is impossible, but with God ALL THINGS are possible.”

God often chooses the humble to do His work. God’s answer to the lack of qualifications is always the same. “… I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

God’s qualifications run off a completely different kind of system, that may not make sense to us. His ways and economy are completely different than our worldly ones. Judges 6:12 says, “The Lord is with you, mighty man of valor!” God prizes and values you!

If we look at the Bible, we see that God doesn’t just use people who have it all together. Take a look at this list. Such a great reminder!

Elijah was depressed. Gideon was insecure. Miriam gossiped. Samson was a womanizer. Rehab was a prostitute. Noah got drunk. Jacob was a cheater. David had an affair. Jonah ran from God. Peter had a temper. Martha was a worrier. Thomas was a doubter. Sarah was impatient. Paul was a murderer. Everyone struggles with sin. We are all imperfect people who are in need of a savior.

Your weakness, whatever it may be, is the key to God’s strength in your life. Whatever your uncertainties may be, they can be overcome by Christ. HE is the WAYMAKER for you! Do not believe the lies of the enemy. “You can do all things through Christ who gives you strength.” Philippians 4:13

That thing in your life that scares you, overwhelms you, intimidates you, that thing that you feel under qualified for, that job, person, situation, and calling on your life, are all THERE to cause you to PRESS INTO JESUS CHRIST. With Him, you can overcome! He has you.

Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Trust in Him to strengthen you and use you for His best plans and purposes.

Step out. Walk in faith. Whatever the Lord is calling you to do, He will equip you. Trust in Him. Your weakness is the key to His strength. So, pray up and show up! May He be glorified in your life today! God is so Good!🙌🏻🎉🙌🏻🎉

Thank you for reading my blog. If you enjoyed this post, please use the share buttons at the bottom of the page instead of doing a copy and paste. All rights reserved by copyright. Thank you!♥️

When life gets hard and the pressure hits, what is your go to? If you are thinking… the Lord, that is IT!!! Ding! Ding! Ding! We have a winner! Praise God!!!🙌🏻🎉🙌🏻🎉 ME TOO!!!

Going to the Lord first is ALWAYS BEST. But, in addition to seeking the Lord, if needed, sharing your pain, worry, or frustration with another believer can be helpful. Prayer and an encouraging word from another Christian can definitely reinforce and confirm the HOPE we have in trusting the Lord for our situation. Having someone stand with you in prayer can be a real game changer! Praise God!!!🙌🏻🤩🎉

The following is an exert from the book of Exodus:

Exodus 17:8-13 tells us, “Now Amalek came and fought with Israel in Rephidim. And Moses said to Joshua, “Choose us some men and go out, fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand.” So Joshua did as Moses said to him, and fought with Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And so it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands became heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. So Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.”

Here we see Moses being obedient to what the Lord has called him to do. But, eventually he tired under the pressure of continually holding up his hands. When Aaron and Hur came alongside and supported him, he was able to stay strong and continue on with what the Lord had him doing. Moses was being used by God to gain victory over the Amalek’s.

How often things can start to feel too heavy in our lives. It can be hard to keep holding steady in the midst of life’s pressures. There can come a point where you feel like… something just has to give! That is when you reach out to a listening ear and someone who can genuinely lift you up to the Lord in prayer. James 5:16 tells us, “… the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”

When you are transparent before another believer and honest before the Lord, things change! The Lord sees our struggles and situations, and provides the strength and perseverance to lift our spirit and fill us with hope. We don’t need to feel that we are weak when asking for help. Galatians 6:2 says, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Believers are supposed to be that prayer partner and covering for one another.

Next time you feel tempted to go at it alone, remember Moses and how even he needed the help and support of others to keep those hands raised high. People need people, so don’t be ashamed to reach out and get that support. Receive the strength you need to fulfill God’s purposes in your life. God is so Good and Faithful, ALWAYS!!!💯🎉🥳🙌🏻♥️

Thank you for reading my blog. If you enjoyed this post, please use the share buttons at the bottom of the page instead of doing a copy and paste. All rights reserved by copyright. Thank you!♥️

Do you ever feel heavy or burdened after praying about the problems of others? I used to have a real issue with not being able to LET GO of what others were going through. It was as if whatever problem they were experiencing, I would be going through it WITH THEM. It was like, I just couldn’t shake it, and that person and problem stayed with me ALWAYS, until there was a breakthrough, resolve, or end. And I’m telling you, the heaviness that I felt was just too much for me to handle!

We are not built to carry burdens of the heart. Not ours, or anyones! They are much too heavy. It is not healthy hanging onto them or carrying them around with us. Even though they are not tangible, problems are emotionally HEAVY and can be exhausting, if not handled in a healthy way. There has to be a RELEASE and a way to walk in FREEDOM, when acting as an intercessor in prayer.

That release is JESUS. How do we walk in freedom? We give it ALL TO HIM. Psalm 55:22 tells us, “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.” We are to be like a conduit. A conduit acts as a channel for conveying water or other fluid. Fluid flows through it, but doesn’t pool inside. It is ever flowing! THAT is how we are to be when it comes to intercessory prayer. The prayers flow through us and out of us, unto the Lord. We are to be a conduit to Christ. God holds it all. Exodus 14:14 says, “The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.”

We convey, meaning, we deliver prayers up to the Lord, but we don’t keep carrying them. We can lift people up, give them to God, and trust in Him completely for the outcome. Because of His all knowing ways, we can trust that His ways are the very best, even when we don’t understand, the why. Proverbs 3:5-6 confirms, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” He has plans and purposes we will never grasp, this side of heaven. Philippians 4:6-7 exhorts us to, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

The key to not being burdened after praying on behalf of others, is learning how to trust the Lord for the outcome, believing that HE KNOWS BEST. If we can trust the Lord and walk in faith for that situation, then we ourselves will not continue to carry the burden. We can give it to God and walk in peace, knowing that He is actively working on taking care of that situation. Psalm 46:1-2 tells us, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea…” Knowing that God, who created the entire universe, is in control of that prayer request is powerful and reassuring! Praise God!!! GOD is GREAT.💯🙌🏻🎉

Thank you for reading my blog. If you enjoyed this post, please use the share buttons at the bottom of the page instead of doing a copy and paste. All rights reserved by copyright. Thank you!♥️

Appointments, deadlines, finances, relationships, work, and even play all take a toll on our bodies. Emotional situations can be especially draining, zapping our physical strength and motivation. Like having a cup of coffee topped off, we also need to take time to fill our cup!

Everyone is different, but finding a way to implement healthy down time will be like a good investment that earns you additional interest. If you renew and refresh yourself, you will find it well worth the effort! You don’t need to feel guilty about slowing down and taking it easy. Relationships will be healthier and flow in better harmony when we aren’t frazzled or unraveling, under the stresses and pressures of life.

There are many ways we can recharge our batteries. Whether it’s a drive through the countryside, listening to the crashing waves at the beach, sitting in the yard, or curling up in a little ball on the sofa, finding THAT WAY to relax and renew our physical strength is so totally worth it. Exercise is good, but there is something about taking a mental break, where you savor the stillness and serenity of the moment.

As a Christian, for me, these times are inner-twined with seeking the presence and peace of the Lord. The ocean is therapeutic to listen to, but it is truly the Lord who renews my strength. Down time where we seek to get away from the distractions of daily life and are intentional about checking-out with the Lord, are especially healthy. Psalm 46:10 tells us, “Be still, and know that I am God…” There is something very beautiful about sitting before the Lord and basking in His goodness!

With the world screaming in our ears and pulling us in all different directions, getting alone with the Lord in a quiet place lends opportunity to really press into Him and receive what He has. Even Jesus went to be alone with The Father. Luke 6:12 tells us, “Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.” It was a very intentional decision He made for His own strength and edification. Seeking the Lord by yourself, in a quiet place, without distractions, will bring opportunity for personal growth between you and the Lord. Just like our friendships and family relationships require time and effort, being intentional to spend time with Jesus, our Lord and Savior, will draw us into closer relationship with Him.

Lay by the pool, sit at the river, slow down and savor the simplest moments of a sunset, a rose, or watching a hummingbird! God’s beautiful creation abounds all around us! Sit with our Creator, alone, and just soak in HIS GOODNESS! Matthew 6:6 says, “But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” Spend time with Him and let Him renew your strength. Be filled with His inspiration and let it permeate you from the inside out! Walk in His peace and fullness of joy.

A cup of coffee and time in God’s Word go well together. So, fill that cup and keep it topped off! One feeds your appetite and the other your soul!🥰😅

Thank you for reading my blog. If you enjoyed this post, please use the share buttons at the bottom of the page instead of doing a copy and paste. All rights reserved by copyright. Thank you!♥️

Life is wrought with comparisons, intentional or not. Comparison can be one of the best recipes for cooking up our own dissatisfaction. If you want to be discontent, let it simmer! There will always be that someone who seems to have it all together or maybe they have what you think you want in life.

If you are going to compare though, be sure and compare to those who have it harder than you, or have less than you too! It is a good reality check! A change in perspective can help put us back in our rightful place, having an attitude of gratitude.

In Philippians 4:11, the apostle Paul says, he has learned to be content in all things. So should we. Comparison will steal our joy. Instead, JUST BE present and thankful, even though life can be full of crazy imperfections. Your life is the way it is for a REASON. The Lord knows what is best for each of his children. That being you, and me!

What’s hard, when it comes to comparison, is how a person‘s life can APPEAR to be SO GREAT in a certain area that YOU JUST CAN’T SEEM TO ACHIEVE! And we may find ourselves asking, WHY?!

God knows our hearts. God knows our desires. God knows ALL that we struggle with. God knows our tendencies towards lust of the flesh, pride of life, idolatry, along with our inner most insecurities, fears, and unresolved pain. GOD SEES IT ALL. Those things we are struggling with is what He is going to work on. It’s the hard things in our life. We are all wired differently, and the Lord allows challenges in each of our lives, for our personal growth in Him.

The Lord wants us to be whole in Him, and part of that process is learning how to overcome our own hang ups. The Lord’s desire is that we walk in His perfect peace and surrender to Him. God wants the very best for us! Matthew 11:30 tells us, “His yoke is easy and His burden is light.” He is our strength. He is our healer. He is our counselor. He is our provider. He is our Abba Father. Whatever we NEED, He is it! He is our EVERYTHING!

Every believer has something in their life that is a challenge. We are all in good company! Have faith, trust, and allow the Lord to stretch you, grow you, and strengthen you. I encourage you to be at peace with where you are, RIGHT NOW. Refuse to carry that burden of comparison any longer. He has you!

All things are changing, nothing stays the same. There are seasons and there are GOD REASONS! Press into the Lord, trust in Him, and enjoy the freedom you will find in just being who God designed you to be! YOU! Beautiful YOU!!!

Thank you for reading my blog. If you enjoyed this post, please use the share buttons at the bottom of the page instead of doing a copy and paste. All rights reserved by copyright. Thank you!💛

Are you struggling to walk in faith, believing on the promises of God? Is there a THING that drags you down, frustrates you, or causes fear or worry to well up within you? How do we deal with these circumstances in a way that will bring glory to God?

The first step is TRUST. We must choose to trust the Lord with the cares and worries of our heart. Trust lends itself to FAITH. Trust and faith go hand-in-hand, and together they are very powerful in the life of the believer. When we step out in faith, it is like a key that turns a lock, opening a door and allowing the Lord to initiate the good plans He has, just for you! Faith allows the Lord to show us just how FAITHFUL He really is, as He leads us through various trials and challenges. Hebrew 11:16 tells us, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

Romans 4:3 tells us, Abraham, the father of all nations, believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. How was Abraham able to trust in God’s promises fully? In the NKJV, The Word For Today Bible, Chuck Smith sites four key points that activated Abraham’s faith:

(1) Abraham ignored the human impossibilities and trusted God to keep His promises.

(2) Abraham did not stagger at God’s promises.

(3) Abraham praised God before the evidence was there.

(4) Abraham believed God was able to do what He had said He would do.

In Romans 4:19-20 we are told, “Abraham did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.”

Praise God! Be encouraged! We, too, can be strengthened as we TRUST in the Lord and choose to step out in FAITH for the PROMISES of God in our lives!🙌🏻🎉🙌🏻🎉 God is so GOOD. All the time!💯🎉♥️

Thank you for reading my blog. If you enjoyed this post, please use the share buttons at the bottom of the page instead of doing a copy and paste. All rights reserved by copyright. Thank you!🤍

What should’ve been a ten minute stop, morphed into a six hour ordeal. The recipe was one rainy day, a set of keys locked inside a car, a pizza parlor, a store foyer, one tow truck driver, Starbucks, and a knight in shining armor.

Ever find yourself asking why something so simple went so sideways? It’s like, is this really the best use of my time?! When we are walking with the Lord and have committed our days to Him, we trust in what He is doing, even when it makes no good sense to us. In such times, I like to ask the Lord what He could possibly be teaching me!

During our afternoon stay in the shopping center, I experienced such peace, in spite of having my special needs daughter along for this little adventure. The Pizza Express we first dipped into was warm and cozy. We shared a sweet lunch deal and the gal threw in a free apple juice, along with a cheerful, “Happy Easter! It’s on us!”

Once the tow truck driver arrived to unlock my car, we took cover in the foyer of Michaels, since it was pouring down rain. There, we had a good visual from a dry vantage point. For the next hour, we watched the tow truck driver’s frustration levels rise, as he walked away from our car, throwing his hands up in the air. After nearly an hour, the employees of Michaels, noticing our situation, brought us chairs. We were like the welcoming committee, strategically located next to the shopping carts!

When the tow truck driver, cold and defeated, finally called us over and spoke out the words, “I’m sorry, this is the first Honda Civic I’ve never been able to break into,” my daughter, filled with disappointment, broke. Tears filled her eyes. Thankfully, in the near distance, was a Starbucks. There, her spirit was lifted with a chocolate chunk fudge brownie and carton of milk. That hot latte and scone also did me good!

Every stop had something special. We were so blessed at the pizza parlor. Good food, kindness, and generosity were found there. That gal did not know our situation, but her cheerful and sweet spirit was such a blessing. Standing in the foyer of the store was a bit humbling. We were wet from walking in the rain and my daughter stood wearing my jacket, which hung sloppily on her. We were quite the rumpled pair, purchase in hand, just watching, waiting, and welcoming those who entered, with our best hello and smile. Starbucks provided the sugar high we both needed to carry us through another hour wait. We both felt giddy when my son called to tell us he was on his way to pick us up!

The walk back towards our car was wet and uncomfortable. When I passed by a homeless woman who was planted on the cold sidewalk, indefinitely, my heart went out to her. Soon, we would be back in our warm house with all our comforts, none of which she had to look forward to.

Every place we dipped into seemed a refuge for us. The Lord was with us, every step, and His provision was evident. It was not how I had planned to spend the day, but the Lord had a different way. He showed me how we could just go with the flow, enjoy, and make the best out of each situation we were presented with. We were blessed by the people the Lord put in our path, and the kindness they had towards us. And, boy did I appreciate just being home that evening.

Enjoy the people you meet in your day. It’s not coincidence. Life is a journey and adventure with the Lord. There are reasons, purposes, and life lessons to be learned. And remember, He is in it even if you can’t make sense of it. BTW, that stop I made for a $3.00 purchase, totally worth it!😅😂😆

**********************************

Psalm 32:8 “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.”

Philippians 4:1, “… I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.”

Proverbs 16:9 “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”

Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your path.”

Isaiah 30:21 “And your ears will hear a word from behind you saying, this is the way, walk in it, when you turn to the right or turn to the left.”

Thank you for reading my blog. If you enjoyed this post, please use the share buttons at the bottom of the page instead of doing a copy and paste. All rights reserved by copyright. God bless you!💕

I once had a German teacher who, oddly enough, taught me about time management.

When I requested to withdraw from his class because I didn’t have the time, he sat me down and had me break down my days and time commitments. Funny thing was, we came up with an extra 15 unused hours per week that could’ve been used to study German. I just didn’t want to!

Truth be told, if given the opportunity, we spend our time on what is most important to us. Whatever your priorities are, time management is important if you want to succeed in fulfilling them. A well known pastor was quoted as saying, “Time is your most precious gift, because you only have a set amount of it.” Rick Warren

To best manage your time, figure out exactly what is most important to you. To do that, first pinpoint the why, which will be your core belief about something. Once you have that why, the how and what will follow with a strong sense of purpose. Then, figure in the time and effort needed to achieve them.

If you set goals for yourself, it will help push you in that desired direction and you can be intentional with your time and effort. Psalm 90:12 reminds us to, “Number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” And, in Ephesians 5:15-17 it says, “Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”

Within each of us are seeds of purpose, planted by the Lord. Are you taking the steps and making the time needed for them to sprout and blossom? If not, I encourage you to seek the Lord and ask what He would have you do. Proverbs 16:9 says, “The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.”

No matter where you are in life, each season holds within it a unique purpose designed by God. So remain steadfast in the Lord, seeking first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you! Matthew 6:33

Thank you for reading my blog. If you enjoyed this post, please use the share buttons at the bottom of the page instead of doing a copy and paste. All rights reserved by copyright. God bless you! 🤍

What do you like to do in your spare time? If the Lord asked you to give it up, would you? Could you?

The Bible tells us in 1 Corinthians 6:12, “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything.

If you want to experience His best in your life, submit to God. Trust that what He is asking of you is in your best interest. Press into Him, and He will give you the strength you need to persevere through that transition of laying things down before Him.  Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us to, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

LET GO and LET GOD!

Matthew 16:24-25 “Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.”

Thank you for reading my blog. If you enjoyed this post, please use the share buttons at the bottom of the page instead of doing a copy and paste. All rights reserved by copyright. God bless you!♥️

To socialize my pup I took her to the park on a daily basis. She was embraced by all. It was belly rubs in exchange for doggy kisses! It seemed to be going well, but as the months rolled by, it soon became all consuming to her. She had become completely focused on the people around her, and the positive attention, and forgotten all about me. Her Master!

Have you ever fallen into the trap of people pleasing? It is natural for us to want the approval of others. Being popular or over committing your calendar may seem the way, but is it worth it if we lose focus on what truly matters? Pleasing God! There is a freedom that comes with seeking to please the Lord, not men. When our heart is right before the Lord, we find peace and satisfaction in a job well done, not the accolades of others.

If you want a WIN, seek to please HIM. 

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” ~Colossians 3:23-24

Thank you for reading my blog. If you enjoyed this post, please use the share buttons at the bottom of the page instead of doing a copy and paste. All rights reserved by copyright. God bless you!♥️