Today in my time of devotion I read Deuteronomy 11:8-15. God reminded me about the blessings that come when we are being obedient. I would love to pat myself on the back and say I am good at being obedient, but the truth is I have some work to do. The level of obedience for where I am going and what God wants for me, is not up to the standards it should be. I think a lot of us can say the same. 

As I began writing this post the word solidarity just seemed to keep ringing in my head. Even though I know what it means I like to look up words I feel God is focusing my attention to. It helps me get more insight and meaning, and I get a better picture of what God may be trying to tell me. The definition I found was, “unity or agreement of feeling or action, especially among individuals with a common interest; mutual support within a group.” The words that jumped out at me were, “unity or agreement of action, common interest, support within a group.” I heard God saying obedience is unity and agreement with my word, the action we take is to follow what it says and when we do that we are sharing God’s interest for our lives which gives us the support of The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit in everything we do. When I am obedient, I find myself more and more in a position of solidarity with the word of God.

It is easy to stop and get excited about verses 8-9 in Deuteronomy chapter 11 and run and give a shout because we are ready for the rewards of obedience. However, obedience can be a hard thing to execute. In fact, I find myself in more of a lonely place as I fight to live out the word of God. I realize, less people are in full agreement with living out what God says. The more I read and apply the word, the truer Matthew 22:14 becomes, “for many are called, but few are chosen” (NLT). Many mix religiosities with Bible, others simply piece together the verses they want to apply to their lives and some use what they want to manipulate others. It has become an a la carte gospel. When in fact every part of the Bible has value in all areas of life and every part is to be followed. 

When I look at the state of the world and our nation today, I see a lack of obedience. I see the need to open up the word of God and apply the principles that have been layed out for success in life.  So many are looking for a plan when there are already plans on how to treat others, how to run governments, how to have a successful business and more.  We need to read the word daily to renew our minds and apply it to our lives. Obedience costs something. Sometimes it may cost more than we want to give, but the rewards are far greater. Matthew 19:29 comes to mind. It says, “And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for my sake, will receive a hundred times as much in return and will inherit eternal life” (NLT). You may have to give up some things or some people, but God promises we will receive greater. Obedience is better than sacrifice. I want to challenge you to take some time to read the Bible every day. Renew your mind, change your thinking and restructure your actions. If you do, success will surely follow. 

In my time of devotion I been studying the book of Jeremiah. As read and focused on chapter 2 I couldn’t help but hear God’s cry to His people. Throughout the chapter God asked so much. It became an I eye opener for the state of the world today. It made me wonder and think. As I prayed the Holy Spirit opened my eyes to see more. To see the grieving heart of the Father. This is not my normal jolly post, but in reality the things of life aren’t always jolly. However, regardless of what happens in life, God is sovereign and good and worthy of all praise, glory and honor. Even in this time He has not left us nor will he forsake us.

The chapter begins with God reminding his children how they had great devotion to him during the time of the desert and when they had no land. Then it quickly goes to God stirring up something in his people asking them why now, when they have been brought out to something good, have they forgotten him. God asked, what faults did they, their ancestors, the people before find in him that they strayed so far from him and his word (Jeremiah 2:5). God said they exchanged their glory for worthless idols (2:11). God went on to say that the people brought it on themselves by forsaking his ways (2:17) and still saying they have not sinned (2:35). He told them they will leave with hands on their heads rejected by those they trusted without getting the help they need (2:36-37).

I cant help but feel a repenting spirit. A need to do some self reflection and ask God to open my eyes and show me where I need to grow. Because that is what this is, a time to grow. God does not harm his children. He is in complete control of the world He created. The enemy may prowl around to steal, kill and destroy, but he is only allowed to do what God lets him do. God allows things as a way to grow his people. I kept hearing the word proofing. So I looked it up. Proofing is a word used in cooking. It is a step in the preparation of yeast bread and other baked goods where the dough is allowed to rest and rise a final time before baking. It is also known as proving. It makes me think about what I will be proving to God about me, my character, who I am in him during this time. What will you be proving to him? During our time of online church on Sunday I was watching a message and that was the tone of the message. Without the church building and the assembling in the house of God, can you and are you still serving him? Did your worship stop because you aren’t in the building to act in front of the people you see? Is your house a house of worship? Does God live there? I guess the proof will be in the bread that rises out of the trial.

Take time to self reflect. That is self care. Practice self care and make sure that if this was the end and Jesus came back today that you go back home. Reflect, repent and restore your relationship with God. Blessing to you all and keep praying and lifting one another up. This to shall pass because God is in control.

It has been a long time since I have made a post. Although my heart has been here, life as been happening and so many changes have occurred. Changes aren’t always a bad thing. My changes started out as something that looked bad in the natural, but in the spiritual God was breaking off some things that didn’t need to be there and revealing plans and purpose and rebuilding me. A process that is still taking place. I am reminded of Genesis 50:20, “you intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people” (NLT). It is all part of the process and it doesn’t always feel great but. The results are always amazing, because God is amazing.

 

I decided I would have my “comeback” post be one of praise to the Lord for healing me of an unknown illness of over 15 years. Since I was in my mid-twenties, every physical I have been on a physical with finds an odd or off test result. At around age 26, maybe 27 a doctor told me I needed to return to his office for more testing because he was positive I had some sort of autoimmune disease but he wasn’t sure what. He threw out names like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, etc. Then told me he couldn’t be sure until he did more testing. Honestly, I was young and had just been married for about 3 years and I was not trying to hear any of that. So I did what any young Christian on fire for the Lord would do, rebuke the devil and I never went back. Shortly after my husband I decided to move to another state. After my move I never really thought about it again. After a year or so of getting established in the new state I went back to getting regular physicals. Once again, the abnormal numbers showed up in my tests and another doctor started to question what was happening. Without having any background information on me and I wasn’t complaining of anything, he told me about them and told me to come back if I was having any issues. I was so thankful he didn’t mention the same things and I just went along living life as normal. 

 

Normal is a funny word. What was my normal, was not really normal. Over the years I was experiencing changes in my appetite, mood swings, irregular heart beats, trouble sleeping, excessively tired, heat intolerance, some major insomnia, shortness of breath and weight gain, etc. To me, those were a cause for bad eating habits, its hot down south and the heat is for real, I was in school doing my graduate degree so who can sleep, I had my kids during this time, etc. You name it I had excuses why I need to get my act together and take care of myself. Because when you have a busy life like that, these are things that should be happening. Most days I slept maybe 2 to 2 1/2 hours a night and then after about 4 to 5 days I would crash. I remember hearing my mom speak under her breath, but she doesn’t really eat anything bad I so I don’t understand why she put on all that weight. Then she would look at me and tell me you need to sleep. Sleep is essential. However, for me, that was my normal. If I slept 4 hours for the night I was doing good. 

 

Time to fast forward to the life happenings of this year. God has been breaking chains, tearing down strongholds in my life and doing only what He can do. Part of my reveal as He rebuilds me, was to show me what the doctor years ago saw. During the shift we shifted everything, and I mean everything. One was my doctor. I finally went on a comprehensive physical and the doctor told me she was going to check my thyroid as part of my routine testing. Right now as I type this, I am laughing, that was such a God whisper in her ear. One test, one new test, and found what could not be found for over 15 years. In the course of 2 weeks what was hiding was found, diagnosed and put on medication.  It has been about 2 months and I have a new normal. I finally realize what it is like to sleep for the night. I think that has been the most profound thing for me. Yes, all the other things are getting better too. The difference in when I get up in the morning is amazing. 

  

I know you were thinking this was a healing story that told of how I had something and it is now gone. Wiped away clean. For me it is. The best part of this autoimmune disease, if I take care of myself and stay consistent with my medication, it will go into remission and I wont have to take medication at all. My friends I am healed. Healed by the blood of Jesus. I am being rebuilt. My new season has come and it has started beautifully. With every experience and every moment God is right there with us.  He is teaching us, guiding us and bringing us to and through it all. Deuteronomy 31:6 tells us to be strong and courageous for God never leaves us or forsakes us. He is the friend, guide, counselor, parent, love and everything we need. All praise glory and honor to the one who created me to be unapologetically me for His kingdom!

Over the past few weeks I have felt like everything that could go wrong has.  If there was ever a time when life was turned upside down, it was now.  When a storm hits it can bring confusion.  During this storm I have taken many blows. I felt like a boxer in the ring taking blow after blow. The more blows I get to the head the more confusing it got.  I felt like David all throughout the Psalms when he went from praising the Lord to crying out to God wondering if He was listening.

Recently, I had a breakdown and spent time literally bawling my eyes out to God asking where was He and just why, why am I feeling these punches.  After my time on my face I felt a peace come over me.  Then right after it was like God said, are you finished getting it all out, now let me show you how my hand has never left you.  He showed me His protection had never left, His purpose had never left and His plan was still in motion.  After that time with the Lord I felt like I needed to ask for God’s forgiveness because what I saw was the work of the enemy, who blinded me from what God was doing, using the distractions of the day to confuse me. I heard God say, “know your enemy.”

KNOW YOUR ENEMY!  How profound right.  The Bible says, “the thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10a – NLT).  Steal, kill and destroy are some very strong words.  Let that sink in for a minute.  That means with every effort the goal is to wipe us out. So everything that gets thrown at us is to make us lose focus on God and to look the other way so we can feel overwhelmed and powerless.  News Flash…the enemy only has the power we give.  Through Jesus we have authority over the enemy.  With Christ in us, the Bible says, “look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you” (Luke 10:19 – NLT).  God said, NOTHING.  Through Christ Jesus we start our fight from the winners circle.  My struggle could be summed up by a quote said by Canelo Alvarez regarding sports, “if you don’t take an opponent seriously, they surprise you.”  For a moment I didn’t take into consideration the seriousness of the goal of the enemy, and I certainly didn’t consider the power of my team, team Jesus.

The thing to remember is that “we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against authorities, against the world-rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual matters of wickedness in the heavenlies” (Ephesians 6:12 – TS2009).  What we see in the natural is not what it is.  It is an attack from the enemy.  Nicola Adams said, “boxing is like chess. You encourage your opponent to make mistakes so you can capitalize on it. People think you get in the ring and see the red mist, but it’s not about aggression. Avoiding getting knocked out is tactical.”  The tactical approach we use comes from reading the Word of God, praying, fasting, listening and being obedient to the instructions God gives. The Bible says, “yet in all these things we are more than conquerors and gain overwhelming victory through Him who loved us [so much that He died for us]” (Romans 8:37 – AMP).  Overwhelming victory, not fear.  We must know our enemy to be strategic in our thoughts and actions, reminding the enemy we are not fragile but warriors for Christ.

I want to leave you with this last thought.  A quote made by Mr. T says, “when I am ready to fight, my opponent has a better chance of surviving a forest fire wearing gasoline drawers.”  The quote left me laughing but I love what it says.  The enemy doesn’t have a chance against the power of God so why fear.  We walk with the power of the Holy Spirit and nothing can stand against it.  So in essence the quote is right, the enemy “has a better chance of surviving a forest fire wearing gasoline drawers,” because WE WIN. The End. Nothing beats the power of God.

I woke up this morning and God reminded me He has me on an assignment.  In this human body we get tired; physically, emotionally and mentally.  We get tired of being taken advantage of, tired of being disrespected, tired of giving to takers that never give back and just plain old frustrated with God that His promises have not manifested yet and you are still sitting in a holding pattern.  It FEELS like all hope is lost and that we will never move.  Just as I felt like I cannot take it anymore, God sends some encouragement through His word and through a simple photo.  

 

As I did my devotions two verses stood out to me.  They were Galatians 6:9 and Isaiah 41:13.  Galatians 6:9 says, “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” (NLT).  God reminded me that my assignment is not done and I must not get tired of being obedient and doing what He called me to do in this season of my life.  Right after reading that I began to tell God how hard it was to keep pushing when it seems like I am going no where. Then He answered.  Why is it that the big things you are waiting on takes so long to answer and then those things you really don’t want an answer to because you want to see results, God answers right away.  Isaiah 41:13 was my answer.  Isaiah 41:13 says, “For I hold you by your right hand— I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.” (NLT).  That’s right, just like that the answer.  God said, I know you feel like you are in a holding pattern and that you feel like you are going no where and are all alone, but I am here holding your hand.  He never left me.  He has been here helping me through the entire assignment.  The entire season.  Now that is something to shout about! 

 

You ever get that good word and then right after your mind says, that was a good word but look around because your scenery has not changed.  Your season still looks the same.  It’s like the weather we are having.  The calendar says we are into the Fall season but the temperature says Summer isn’t leaving.  It’s like Summer is hanging on for dear life.  Kind of like the season I am in.  God as prophesied over me that my season has changed, just as on the calendar the season changed.  However, much like the weather, my old seasons is holding on for dear life.  It is not trying to let go at all.  Just as I was battling the thoughts in my head I came across a picture with a quote.  Once again God was giving me an immediate answer to my thoughts to calm me down.  The quote said, “your worst battle is between what you know and what you feel” -Unknown.  So God said, you know it’s Fall even though it feels like Summer.  So prepare for Fall because the change of weather is coming and you don’t want to be caught of guard.  Basically God stepped right in my head and told me look at what you know.  He told me my season has changed so I need to move and operate like my season has changed.  I don’t want to be caught off guard when suddenly the temperature is different and I am still dressed for Summer.  

 

I challenge you today to stand on what you know.  Press in to what God has told you.  Continue your assignment, be obedient.  Do not get weary because that suddenly is coming.  Believe what God has promised you and go forward in His plan.  Know that He is standing right there with you giving His help.  We are not in this alone.  God said He will never leave us or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6).  Believe Him.  I know without a doubt He has not left me even when I run from Him.  That is the beauty of His unconditional love.  Enjoy the journey just as much as you plan to enjoy the breakthrough.  

Fear is defined in the dictionary as “an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat.”  Some synonyms of fear are alarm, panic, distress, fright or dread.  None of which we were ever to carry.  I learn a lot about God’s love for us by my love for my children.  The other day God blessed us with an opportunity to get away for a few days to the beach.  I love the beach because it reminds me of the vastness of God and how his love never ends.  As you look over the horizon at the sea it seems to go on forever.  I love to get in the water and feel the waves move you and just enjoy God’s great creation.  While at the beach I called my children to get in the water with my husband and I. As they came my oldest son stopped and said he wasn’t coming in.  After telling him to come to me several times he began to panic and tell me he is not coming because he is scared.  I told him again to come to me and I will hold him up and nothing would harm him. That wasn’t good enough.  He was too focused on the waves, the fact he can’t swim and the thought he had that the waves would carry him out to sea never to come back again.  So he screamed and screamed.  I was trying to calm him down while his mind had taken him out to sea in the rushing waves while he was only standing on the shore with his life jacket on. 

 

Then the Holy Spirit spoke to me.  He said this is how you are when trouble comes.  You panic, become fearful.  Your focus is wrong.  When trouble comes we focus on the problem.  We see the waves coming one after another, non-stop and we think oh God this trouble is going to pull me under.  It is going to take me out, way out to sea where no one can get me.  You remember the definition of fear?  There is a huge part no one notices, the word “belief.”  Meaning all our fear is in our mind.  So in my son’s mind he had already ended what hadn’t even began yet.  As I was trying to convince him he wasn’t even focused on me. His eyes were out at sea looking in terror at the waves and repeating, mommy please don’t take me out there I am scared.  Just like we do, screaming to God please don’t take me out there I am scared.  In the mean time God is saying trust me. Look I even gave you a life jacket and most importantly you are coming out here with me.  

 

In this experience God showed me a few things.  First, fear is in our minds.  He never even left the shore before he started freaking out about what was to come.  Don’t we do that? Next, I learned what God means when he says we were never to carry the weight of the stress.  As sat and looked at my son, all I could think about was to calm him down or his little body is going to have a heart attack.  His heart was racing in fear.  It was unnatural.  God said for us to be still.  Be at peace in him because he can calm the sea.  Last, I saw God’s love again as I pressed in determined to calm my son not stopping until he was calm.  I never left him.  Just as God never leaves us.  He never stops trying to calm us and show us that he has it under his control.  Isn’t God great! And for those of you that were curious how it ended, he got in the water with me.  He enjoyed riding through the waves on my back and he conquered his fear and I taught him about all the Holy Spirit taught me.  Then my son taught me one last lesson.  He is very observant and he noticed the waves were bringing us back to shore as they rolled in.  So I laughed as the Holy Spirit said, see God brings you out to free you so he can move you back to shore.  All with a new freedom in him.  Now that out to make you want to shout! God is so good to us. 

 

 

Scripture References:  2 Timothy 1:7, Isaiah 41:10, Psalm 46:10, Exodus 14:14, Psalm 107:29

As I sat in my quiet time today God showed me how he is truly my daddy.  As I was praying and seeking Him for the things we need, my time got interrupted.  I kept hearing my children calling me. At first I was trying to ignore them really because a lot of times when they call it is for not for what I think is important. But they kept calling, so I got up, opened the door and answered.  Sure enough it was as expected, another one of those “he’s hitting me, she yelled at me…etc.” situations. Definitely not worthy of the interruption of my quiet time with God. When I was getting up I felt the spirit leading me to go and check. So I did. When I went back to pray I started by telling the Lord I was sorry for that interruption. Then I was reminded how he already knew it was coming. So I told God, “well I guess you knew I was going to get up anyway because that is not the kind of parent you made me. If my children call you know I have to get up and answer their call. I can’t just ignore them.” 

 

 

Just as I said that God said, Exactly! I am your father and when you call me I cannot just sit and not answer your call. I have heard you calling my name and I have come to your rescue. I have come to answer you. All I could do was cry and give Him praise. What I thought was a bother or an inconvenience to get up and see what my babies were up to, was a lesson for me. It was for God to show me that He has not forgotten me. He heard my cry and he is answering me.

 

What are you crying out to God for today? What are you asking Him for? What do you need Him to move for you today? Rest assured He has heard your cry. He is such an awesome father that He does not delay. He comes just as we call. Our father loves us and He is waiting to give us our hearts desire. He wants to meet our need. Call Him today and He will answer.

 

 

The Bible says in 1 John 3:1, “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” He loves you and He loves me. He says, “[He] will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Jesus Christ” (Philippians 4:19). He says to, “delight yourself in [Him], and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4).  Desires that he placed there.  Ask Him. Cry out to our father, our daddy. Know that he WILL hear your cry.

A few weeks ago we had a huge storm. The storm was so strong and violent that when the thunder and lightening hit it shook house. The windows rattled and the siding shook. I was sure by morning I would find pieces of siding on the ground around the house. As I looked out the window the rain was falling in a crazy zig zag pattern and the wind was bending the trees with its force.  As I sat and watched it all I felt a calm. I was in amazement at the wonder of the power of God. I felt at peace because he was in control. 

 

I got up and walked around the house to check on the kids.  Just as I got in the boys’ room I heard a loud clap of thunder and then saw the bright strike of lightening.  Right then the power went off.  I sat on my son’s bed just in time to catch him as he jumped up in fright.  I was able to put my hand on him and pat him calm and tell him it was ok I was right there.  As he felt my presence with him he quietly went back to sleep.

 

I left their room and went back in my room and sat in the chair.  As I sat in the chair I felt God’s presence.  He reminded me that in the middle of the storm, He is there.  He will protect me from all harm and danger.  He said much like how I sat in my house in peace even though the storm rages outside; that is how my soul must be at peace when the mess of life tries to pull me down.  He reminded me of the tree I saw outside and told me that I will bend like that tree but just as the tree didn’t break. Neither will I.  I can stand up during my trials because I am rooted in Him; in His word, in His presence and they run deep.  

 

 

Just as I was getting up from the chair to return to bed the lights came back on.  God spoke one more time and said just as the lights were off for a moment, the darkness of my struggles are only for a moment.  All of a sudden the light will just come on and I will see again.  

 

I don’t know what suddenly you are waiting on, but don’t give up hope.  Never stop believing.  God says in Deuteronomy 31:6, “So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you” (NLT).  Whatever he has spoken over your life He has already made a way.  So don’t focus on the how and the when, but keep your eyes on the WHO.  He is able! Let your soul be at peace and rest in the calm of His presence.