It’s important what we focus on each day! Do we focus on everything that we think is “wrong” in our life? Or do we focus on what is good? One choice brings anxiety, fear and helplessness. And one brings joy, peace, and strength. Everyday is a new day! What do you choose to focus on today?
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians 4:8 NIV
God can heal your past traumas! He is with you NOW to bring you through any and all challenges in your life! He is in your future! He knows what awaits and prepares us and strengthens us for what is coming. He is all we have ever needed and all we will ever need! HE IS!!
Dearest ones, rest secure in that knowledge. I speak peace, strength, healing, joy, and wisdom over you and within you in the mighty name of Jesus! You are loved!! ❤️❤️❤️
Years ago, I had done/said something that I regretted. The circumstances around it have faded in my memory. But, I still remember the regret and condemnation I was feeling at the time.
I went to the Lord in prayer and asked for His forgiveness. A few days after that I again felt myself in the throes of regret and condemnation. I again went to the Lord in repentance begging for His forgiveness. This went on a few more times…and then I heard the Lord lovingly say to me:
“Tina, I forgave you the first time you came to me…now you need to forgive yourself!”
Dearest Brothers & Sisters, I believe there is someone who is reading this post that is living in the same place that I was…living under the spirit of condemnation. If you haven’t repented of your action to the Lord and asked His forgiveness…I encourage you to do that today! Also, if it is involving a person, I would encourage you to go to the person and ask their forgiveness.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
God has given us a sound mind…the mind of Christ! (1 Corinthians 2:16). We need to get our thoughts aligned with His thoughts…with His truth. We need to “…take every thought captive to obey Christ…”. (2 Corinthians 10:5)
Beloved of God, DO NOT let the enemy weave a stronghold of condemnation, fear, shame, and doubt within you! Stand strong…stand on the promises of God…stand on the truth of God! Take up the SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, which is the Word of God, and wield that sword against anything the enemy throws at you!
Tear down the strongholds of the enemy and let the LORD be your stronghold! He [Jesus] is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken. (Psalms 62:2)
RISE UP, MIGHTY ARMY OF THE MOST HIGH GOD! PUT ON THE ARMOR OF GOD! PICK UP THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT AND BE STRONG IN THE POWER OF HIS MIGHT!! THE TIME IS NOW!! HALLELUJAH!!
Lord, help me to not focus on my weaknesses, but on Your ability to show Your strength in and through them. May Your power be made perfect (finished, accomplished, fulfilled) in and through me!!
“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” 1 John 5:4 NASB1995
As I have been pressing into the Lord concerning this new year, I was led to this photo. Then I was led to the scripture in 1 John concerning FAITH.
I feel the call of the Lord to be ready to take a LEAP OF FAITH in the coming year. There have been plenty of circumstances that have tried to stop you in your walk forward.
Looking at our circumstances and listening to voices of criticism and negativity in our lives have caused a “break” in our walk with the Lord. He is calling us to look at HIM…trust in HIM… and soar like an eagle over all those things that have caused you fear and doubt.
Get ready to take that LEAP OF FAITH and see all that God has waiting for you on the other side!
We feed our bodies to stay strong and healthy. Don’t forget to feed our spirits with the Word of God! And as we do, we will discover that our bodies, emotions, and minds will all be strengthened along with our spirits. HALLELUJAH!! ❤️💥💥❤️
I am preparing to begin the second month of preaching as the Lord continues to bring complete healing to the Pastor that I am filling in for. I have to say that as I have been walking through preparation for bringing God’s Word every Sunday – it has given me a new appreciation of the process!
I hope that you continually support your pastor in prayer each week. If not, begin TODAY!
I think the photo below gives an excellent visual of what the preparation looks like. Above the water is what is seen and heard from the pastor on Sunday morning. But, the important part is what is below the surface …the hidden time with the Lord.
Preparation time includes research, reading Scripture, and writing. BUT! The most important time in preparation is the time set apart to be with the Lord…speaking with Him…listening for His guidance.
I love 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 and have based a prayer using that scripture that I have written in front of my Bible. I have prayed this many times before giving a message:
“Lord, may my message and my preaching not be in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that the faith of Your people would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God. In Jesus’ Name, AMEN!!”
I don’t want to spend time writing a “good sermon” that only involves our emotions and intellect. I don’t want to have people be “impressed” by me…I want to invite people to have an ENCOUNTER with the King of kings and Lord of lords. I desire that the faith of my Brothers and Sisters will be increased and strengthened by that encounter.
Beloved of God, do you have an EXPECTATION of encountering the love and power of God tomorrow morning in your church? Are you preparing your heart and mind and spirit for that to happen?
I would say that the photo below should be what our time with the Lord should look like – whether it’s Bible Study or church or simply our journey with the Lord in life. What is seen above the water is what people see as we go about our daily activities. But, what is below the surface is the life we have that is hidden in Christ Jesus.
Today, I pray for myself and you, dear ones, that there is much undergirding and strength and intimate time with the Lord in our life journey. And as you see from the photo, that which is below the surface is connected to what is seen above the surface. Our daily live’s are directly affected by how much time we spend with the Lord!
I pray that all of those that come into our sphere of influence are impacted by what we bring with us…all of that which is unseen below the surface…the very presence and power of God!! HALLELUJAH!!!❤️💥💥❤️
Well! This post has been transformed to be more than what I planned on it to be. May the Lord speak to you in and through it! AMEN!!
A week ago, I was praying for my upcoming Adult Sunday School Class. I was trying to figure out how I could stay “on schedule” with my self-imposed timeline for our study.
I’m not very good at staying on a schedule…mainly because I let the Lord take over and I find myself talking about things I had not planned to talk about. And hearing the praises and prayer needs of the group and taking time to pray.
I had been praying about this for a few days and I found myself continuing to pray on the way to church. I was almost at church and I heard the Lord say, “My Word is not fast food!”
I immediately had a vision of grabbing something to eat on the way out of the door…instead of sitting down at the table and having my attention on what I was eating.
It is very difficult to digest food on the run. Meat especially needs to be chewed and digested fully. Brothers and Sisters, if we want the “meat” of the Word, we need to take the time to chew thoroughly and let it digest!
Oh Lord, I don’t want to grab your Word on the run! I want to take time to meditate on it; to hear what You desire me to hear; to allow the Holy Spirit to reveal greater understanding so I may walk in Your Word! Help me, Lord, to not rush ahead or lag behind in my teaching of Your Word. I desire to be in step with You! Thank You, Lord, for Your Word! May we never take it for granted, but treasure the truths contained within it. Your Word is a feast that will fill us and strengthen us and guide us in the days ahead. Help us to move on from milk to partaking of solid food. (Hebrews 5:13). Amen!
Reflection of Glory! 