life

FOCUS!

Tina K. Roach Uncategorized , , , , , ,

I am not a photographer.  And most of the time I forget to take pictures of life events because I just am not thinking about taking photos.  I am enjoying the moment…but later realize I missed the opportunity to hold on to that moment through a visual record.

So!  As I have been more proactive about taking photos, I have begun to realize they are not really that good – I just point and click.  I have begun to look online to see how to take better quality iPhone photos.

There are many links that share how to improve my photo-taking ability.  I have noticed that one “help” is to pay attention to what I want to focus on.  As I frame my photo, I am to tap on the part of the photo I want to be in focus.  Then I lock it in so it will not change as I continue in my capturing the moment.  It appears that the “auto-focus” isn’t always our friend.

I couldn’t help but see the spiritual application to all of this!  Brothers and Sisters, it is so important to be conscious of what we focus on as we journey through life.  There are so many things that are in our line of vision…so many things that are happening around us.

Do we just go through life with the “auto-focus” on…letting life events choose where we place our attention?  Or do we allow God to help us fine tune our focus to those things that we need to see with clarity and precision.

Lord, may You be the one who “taps” on what needs to be in focus in my life. May I allow You to be my vision, my direction, my guide.  May the things that are trying to get my attention away from the main thing become blurry and peripheral to what You are calling me to.  May my mind and focus be fully and intently and clearly on YOU in all things!  GLORY!

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. (Romans 8:5 ESV)

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.  (Colossians 3:2  ESV)

img_2456

 

 

YOUR FUTURE IS NOW!

Tina K. Roach Uncategorized , , , , , , ,

Our past experiences help to make us who we are today. Those experiences that we look upon as “good” and those experiences that we label as “bad” all work together to bring us into the place we find ourselves today.

It is so comforting to know that no matter what experiences we have had, God can use all of them for our good.

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”       ‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:28‬ ‭ESV‬‬

We all learn from the good times we have had and from the bad. It is easy to look back with regret…wishing we had done things differently…but, we can’t allow the enemy to trap us in that place of regret.  God can use even our regrets to change our future.

It is easy to look at things that we consider the “high points” of our lives and want to drag them into our today and dwell in that place of good feeling and accomplishment.  But, God wants to open up new “high points” for us!  We mustn’t allow our past accomplishments to take the place of all that God wants to do in and through us NOW!

Beloved of God, we learn from our past but we don’t live there.  God has so much MORE that He has planned for you!  Glance back…but keep your focus and attention firmly ahead!!

Your future is manifesting in the present – don’t miss it!

LIVE UP TO GOD’S TRUTH!

Tina K. Roach Uncategorized , , , , ,

“…we should live up to whatever truth we have attained.” Philippians‬ ‭3:16‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

As I read this today, I couldn’t help but ask myself, “Am I living up to…am I walking in the truth that I have received?”

I know that Jesus has redeemed me. I know that He says that I can do ALL things through Him. I know that He says I am MORE than a conqueror. I know He says I can do greater things than He did while He walked this earth in human form.
So! I have to look at my life and judge as to whether my life is an example of the truth I believe. When people see me, do they see what I believe displayed in my actions? Do they hear what I believe in my words? Am I truly living up to the truth I believe…or am I living below that truth?

Ahhh Lord! Help me to live up to Your truth! Faith by itself, if not accompanied by action, is dead. (James 2:17). I desire to LIVE Your truth – not just speak it – not just believe it – but to ACT upon it!! May my life be raised up to meet Your truth! Amen!

RUNNERS OF LIFE

Tina K. Roach Uncategorized , ,

It’s the time of year when new life is bursting forth!  I have found myself buying new plants and repotting them for my porch and patio and also repotting old plants to give them a new place to expand their growth.  I also have been noticing many brown patches in my acre yard where the grass is suffering because of lack of water.

We don’t have in ground water sprinklers…so we either have to hook up the sprinkler every day and let it run…or I pick up the hose and water it myself.  I have to admit that I truly enjoy standing in my yard, with the hose in hand, intentionally watering those spots that need it.  As I am watering, I either am listening to worship music through my earphones or I am quietly reflecting on different things that come to my mind.

Most of the time, my thoughts go to the Lord and I talk to Him or position myself to listen to Him – position myself spiritually – intentionally turning my mind and thoughts and spirit towards Him.

A few days ago, as I was standing watering one of the bare spots in my yard, I found my eyes looking at the grass runners that were slowly beginning to reach out across the spot that needed the grass covering.

I began to get a spiritual application from the Lord.  This is a frequent occurrence in my life – God revealing spiritual connections to me through physical things.  [Thank You, Lord!]

We have “bare places” in our lives that need watering…that need the living water of the Holy Spirit to drench and soak so that new life can spring forth.  As we position ourselves to receive the life-giving water from the Lord, “spiritual runners” will begin to not only fill-in the bare places in our own lives…but these “runners” will begin to reach out and connect with others!

The Lord is actively moving in our circumstances and lives to cover our places of lack and need with His abundant grace and provision!  Hallelujah!  We will begin to see these “runner connections” as we are divinely connected with others…one-on-one and corporately within our own churches and from church-to-church. 

Now is the time to seek the Lord and to let Him fill our emptiness; cover our bareness; and release the “runners” of spiritual and physical growth in our lives!

The one who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, will have streams of living water flow from deep within him.  John 7:38

And He said to me, It is done!  I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.  I will give water as a gift to the thirsty from the spring of life.  Revelation 21:6

He turns a desert into a pool of water, dry land into springs of water.  Psalms 107:35

 

 

 

LEAVE THE VALLEY BEHIND!

Tina K. Roach Uncategorized , , , , , ,

“God does not further our spiritual Life in spite of our circumstances, but in and by our circumstances.”   ~Oswald Chambers

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”      Romans‬ ‭8:28‬ ‭NASB‬‬

It is comforting to me to realize that no matter what happens in my life, God can use it to mold and shape me into a better person.  He can use circumstances to give me a greater understanding; a deeper revelation; and a deeper love for those that have gone through the same thing.

He uses circumstances that could devastate and destroy us as tools to draw us closer to Him.  He uses these times to exhibit His strength as we are at our weakest.

Beloved, are you in a valley right now?  Do you feel the darkness around you and believe there is no way out?  Do not fear!! God is with you!  HE HAS A PLAN!!

His plan is to guide you through the darkness into the Light!  His plan is to release His peace and strength within you so you can climb out of the valley with Him.  And as you look back on this “valley time” you will see how God used this time to raise you to greater heights!

Look up!!  Do you see the Lord’s hand reaching out to you?  Grab it and leave the valley behind!!

 

A SAVED PEOPLE

Tina K. Roach Uncategorized , ,

“I would believe in their salvation if they looked more like people who have been saved.”    [German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche ~ about Christians of his day]

Oh Beloved!  Do we look like people who have been given a gift beyond any other gift – the gift of eternal life with our God?

When people look upon us – what do they see?  Do they see JOY, PEACE, and LOVE…or do they see sadness, worry, and a countenance full of judgement?

When people overhear us – what do they hear?  Do they hear words of LIFE, ENCOURAGEMENT, and LOVE…or do they hear words that tear down and criticize?

May we be a people who cause those around us to be drawn to the Love of God!  May we truly be a people that SHINE with the Light of Christ in word and in deed!!

“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.”      ‭(Colossians‬ ‭3:12-15‬ ‭NASB‬‬)