DON'T GIVE UP

February 28th Reading

Do you ever feel like your straining at rowing a boat because the hard winds are against you?

DO you struggle in your marriage, with one of your children, a present job situation, finances or with details of a personal dream?

Straining=Tire, Exert, Effort, Tension, Tense, Uptight or Forced.

This weekend at Northridge Church  we had a GREAT worldwide known speaker, Tim Elmore, did an amazing message on the 3 Buckets in our lives.

The Buckets represented the 3 ways we respond to the SUBJECT TO CHANGE moments in our lives.

Things in life will and can CHANGE and if we do not respond appropriately we will be STRAINING against the winds of life.

Many things in life are OUT OF OUR CONTROL. For example an older child that is causing tension in the family, an unsaved spouse, loss of job, sickness, car accident and so on.

Other  things are in our area of INFLUENCE or IN OUR CONTROL.

The way we respond with our emotions, attitudes and wisdom are within our control. If we are struggling with the tension of an unsaved family member or an unexpected bad thing that happened to us the past week, we must remember that only God can cease those winds of frustration in our lives. Are you struggling with a loss of job due to a lay off?  remember that only God can cease those winds of stress and anxiety.

Our job is to manage what we can control and that is our response! When we spend time with God, He is able to help us ROW upstream even when the rowing gets tough. He is able to control our emotions and attitudes when we experience a "SUBJECT TO CHANGE" situation in our lives. Most importantly, He is able to give wisdom for what is ahead. WE may be straining against the worries and tensions of the days winds BUT God is working upstream on your behalf. I love that He comes to us when we are straining in the boats of life and says "BE OF GOOD CHEER, IT IS I, DO NOT BE AFRAID."

God wants us to be GREATLY AMAZED at His power, that is why we experience a subject to change type day!

When God can take our STRESS and TENSION and allow us to be amazed beyond measure while marveling at HIS power, then our bad situation has become an ILLUSTRATION of His greatness!

Remember with me friends that it's all in the way we respond and  the way we CONTROL our responses!  I need to remember that for this week. It is only MONDAY and things are SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

WE all have 3 buckets in our lives. Things in our control, out of our control or within our influence!

You may no longer be able to control your 31 year old child but remember that God is in control and your child is still within your influence.

Prioritize and manage your buckets this week and the rowing may become easier as Gods word ceases the winds in our life! Visit Northridge online for this GREAT message by Tim Elmore.

Happy Rowing friends!

Heather

COME PASSED = COMPASSION

February 25th Reading

Have you ever COME PASSED an experience  that lead you to a healing in the areas of emotional or spiritual brokenness?

I most certainly have COME PASSED some things in my life. I stand today healthy and involved in Godly relationships and bigger dreams because of the GREAT THINGS the Lord has done!

Today in Mark 5:18  it states "Go home to your friends, and TELL THEM what GREAT THINGS the Lord has done for you, and how He has had COMPASSION on you."

COMPASSION is easier given when you have COME PASSED certain things in your life!

I am honored to speak this Sunday at the Huron Valley Women's Prison. Gods has put an energy in me to go and TELL THEM the GREAT THINGS of the Lord. I am excited to fill them with Gods compassion and Mercy.  I may not have COME PASSED the exact same things, however I have experienced Gods compassion for the wrong things done in my life.

 I have been healed emotionally and spiritually from my once broken state.

God is about to RESTORE lives this weekend!
I would like to invite my blog friends to PRAY for God to speak through me in a way that will convince them of  the GREAT THINGS of the lord!

God has COMPASSION to hand out this Sunday in the Huron Valley Correctional facility! Let us pray together that each women is ready to RECEIVE the GREAT THINGS of God!

Thanks friends and I know each women will be blessed to know that they have been prayed for.

If you have not experienced the GREAT THINGS that I am talking about and feel you are still in a personal prison, I urge you to let God COME PASSED your life. He desires to  cover you in His COMPASSION and Mercy. He has GREAT THINGS for you my friend. Please open your life to Him.

If you have experienced Gods Compassion then pray for God to use you in GREAT WAYS because others need to COME PASSED His compassion.  May God use you today....

Blessings,

A SECRET REVEALED

February 24th Reading

Do you love to figure out a secret? A couple weeks ago my daughter came home from school with a pretty silver box. She told me that it was on her desk when she arrived to school. During her bathroom break she opened the box to discover a cute heart necklace with no note.

She came home and told me that she had a SECRET ADMIRER!

The secret.... was causing her to seek out the mystery. She wanted to KNOW who gave her the necklace.
The suspicion kept her waiting for evidence to be revealed. She explained that it feels good to be given a special treasure from a secret admirer.
Today I LOVED WHAT I READ IN Gods word. I can barely contain myself folks!
I love the SECRET language God uses in His word.

Mark 4::22-25 "For nothing is hidden, except to be revealed; nor has anything been SECRET, but that it would come to light. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear." 

God never intended for us to feel like we where living in the dark. He wishes to lure us to press forward to know HIM. God loves playing hide and seek. We get to seek out the treasure He has hidden for us! He loves this journey of hooking us with revelation with the purpose of actually reeling us into HIS very heart!

This is RELATIONSHIP not RELIGION!

God has so many secrets and great dreams for us packaged up in pretty silver box. The silver box is a picture of Gods destiny perfectly packaged to become our reality.

In the passage above the Lord is speaking about a secret which is hidden except to those who have a heart and soul to search it out. The scriptural truth gives evidence that things are HIDDEN FOR DIVINE PURPOSE; THE PURPOSE OF BEING REVEALED!

This is very important to grasp. We all have things happening in our life that we might not understand fully. As you journey and GROPE more after God you receive more of the spirits wisdom and revelation.

Part of finding out the SECRET is cultivating the skill of listening. In the passage today Gods word says "If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear" and "Take care of what you listen to." Understand that God has DREAMS for you. Take time to learn and listen to God. Pause and ponder the private places that Gods presence and word seeks to invade your life.

Don't doubt in the darkness what you have seen or heard. God wants you to seek what HE wants to reveal to you in your time of need.

Don't make this complicated friends! Hold out your hand and take hold of HIS.

Move toward knowing Him.

I sit today and ponder how many friends and family will never discover the secrets and treasures that God wants to reveal to them. We experience so much pain that God never had planned, If only we would seek Him out.

It will take an act of our own will to CHOOSE God's plan for POSSESSING our inheritance!

Be a dream catcher today!

HOW IS YOUR TEAM CULTIVATING, HARVESTING and PLANTING?

February 23rd Reading

Today's Blog is spacific to the area of leadership!
We are all leaders in some way, shape or form.
I strongly encourage ministry leaders to soak in today's devotional.
 Whether you are in women's ministry, a speaking ministry, writter, worship team, prayer team or teacher/facilitator of studies you are a person of INFLUENCE in the church.

In Mark chapter 4 of todays reading... I want to ask you,  WHO WAS THE SOWER IN JESUS' PARABLE?
The sower is the person of influence, a leader, anyone who declares Gods word.
 The sower scatters a lot of seed, and later determines the chracter of the soil. I would like to share some principles the I believe ALL LEADERS need to know about sowing seed! Maybe this will be a great resource in your next prayer team or leadership meeting. After you read the 7 principles, I will apply how this may look in your church ministry.

1. A lot of SEED must be scattered to produce a crop

2. Not all soils produce, but we cannot reap if we do not sow

3. We must continue sowing because one day we will reap a harvest

4. The soil that produces will mulitply, we will always reap more then we sow

5. WE CANNOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT LAST YEARS HARVEST, BUT WE CAN ABOUT THIS YEARS HARVEST

6. We must BELIEVE in the seed we sow, knowing that some will produce fruit

7. Once we see fruit, all our effort through Christ seems worthwhile

In ministry it is important to stay filled up with faith and Believe in what God has called you to do. Even on a cold snowy day in which only a few ladies may have shown up for your bible class, PLEASE coninue to BELEIVE in the seed God has given you for that day.
 If you are leading worship and it seems like the same song but differant day, remember the words of the song are SEEDS that you must believe in that day.

 A SEED is an area of ministry in which God is or may be calling you forward to. God observes the land (the church and all the ministries and activities) and produces visions and ideas in the heart of men and women to prepare a particular seed that will cultivate and produce fruit for that land in its season.

A ministry team is always cultivating, planting and harvesting in the season and or cycle of What God is doing in that church.

God surely knows the needs of  His people at each particular time in their existence.
It is important to share your particular passion in serving because it may be an area of growth the church needs.
I also encourage your ministry team to take inventory and study the land at your church for the needs of the people. God will give your team wisdom.

 Different SEEDS produce differant crops.

Cultivate a place for all to BELIEVE , BELONG and BECOME


MINISTRY IS VITAL and TEAM WORK IS HUGE, if you are in ministry now, thank God for the opportunity and the SEED He has given you to sow. If you are not in a place of ministry but feel a calling deep inside seek a leader out in your church and share what God is doing in your life. A good ministry team is ALREADY at work praying for you to step forward with your SEED!

How are you CULTIVATING, PLANTING and HARVESTING in your church today?

Blessings as you scatter seed,

What is on His to do list?

February 22nd Reading

In Numbers 3-4, we read about God giving the Israelite's a to-do list. God is getting ready to move them towards Canaan. As a Mom, I can only imagine what it would be like to move 2 million people, all of their belongings and animals as well. I am a list maker! That list would need to be written in a book!

We get a sense of who God is by this passage of scripture. He likes order. If He were to move the Israelites without giving specific instructions on how to move and who is responsible for each part, there would be chaos.

This peek into God’s character is comforting to me. We have already seen how much God loves His people. He delivered them from slavery in Egypt. He has cared for them in the desert, meeting all of their needs. The Israelites have become totally dependent upon Him. He has a plan and a purpose for everything that has happened so far. The next part of His plan is to get His children ready for the abundant gifts He wants to give them. God is asking them to serve Him now with their hands and feet by moving the tabernacle.

The comforting part to me, is that God is not asking His children to do something without giving them the knowledge, manpower and ability to do it. God had them count the able hands that are available to serve. God gave them specific instructions and responsibilities to accomplish the task and He is there leading and guiding them along the way.

What is God asking you to do?

Where is He leading you?

Hebrews 13:8 tells us that God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. How great is that? Whatever He has planned for you, He is going to provide the knowledge, manpower and ability that you need to accomplish the task. Beth Moore once said, “God is responsible for the how, we are responsible for the what”.

The important thing to remember, however, is that we need to stay in relationship and communication with Him, so that we know the plan. It will be impossible for us to partner with Him if we don’t know our part. It is imperative to be in prayer and in the Word on a regular basis.

God has things for you to do today.

Have you asked Him what is on His to do list?

Lord, I give you authority over my time today. What is on your list that I need to accomplish? How can I help you today and further your Kingdom? Thank you Lord, that you will never ask me to do something without providing the means to do it. Thank you for giving me the Holy Spirit to guide me throughout today. I love you and I want to be your hands and feet today. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

STRETCH IT OUT!

February 21st Reading

LIFE HAPPENS, Life is not always kind or fun. Life can wither up your hand of faith or even wither up your expectations.

Click the reading above and discover how God touched a WITHERED mans life and restored Him to WHOLE.

MARK Chapter 3

Have you ever experienced a WITHERED circumstance?

A WITHERED situation can bring on a WITHERED life.

Frustration, disappointment and broken dreams will leave you feeling WITHERED.

I want to remind you today that the Lord is always present in the place of hurting and He'll always move toward the STRETCHED out hand.

Jesus said in Mark 3:5 "STRETCH out your Hand." and he STRETCHED out his hand and was restored as whole as the other.

A man in this passage of scripture was suffering and frustrated. God told Him to STEP FORWARD and STRETCH out that which was withered!

It can be hard to STRETCH and STEP FORWARD. It takes effort to push past the pain and the past. BUT GOD, will take over if we stretch out toward Him.

Many times for me part of stretching meant SEPARATING from the crowd of others and the crowd of personal thoughts.

Do not allow the gravity of certain crowds pull you down. God did not create us to live a withered life, He is able to push us past our withered situations. However, we have to STRETCH to get it.

God is not holding back, He just requires us to STRETCH.

Stretch out your circumstances to GOD. Do not allow that situation to pull you down and cause your life to WITHER away. God is moving toward the STRETCHED out life.

I was feeling very withered last year in the area of my personal dreams. I was frustrated, drained and empty. I stretched out my withered dreams to GOD and He RESTORED in the most amazing ways!

If you are feeling WITHERED today, STRETCH IT OUT AND SEND IT FORTH!

God is waiting on the other end my friend....

Blessings,

TELL YOUR STORY

February 17th Reading

I woke up at 4am full of energy and excitement. Yet, I did not know why....as my husband was getting up for work I told him I felt like it was an early morning in which we had to catch a plane to go on vacation!
But the reality is NO VACATION.

I have a few more hours of sleeps, yet I am ready to go and do something! Well, I guess it will be a good day for a LONG run and I like that it will be 51 today in Michigan! I can pretend I am on vacation.

Last night was an amazing night and a spiritual marker in my life story.

When elders and pastors lay hands on you, pray for Gods anointing in the dreams and plans ahead followed by oil placed on your EAR, THUMB and BIG TOE  it does not get much better then that! If you want to know more about that EAR, THUMB and BIG TOE visit my post THE ORDINARY ordained to do the extra ordinary!

NO WONDER I woke up ready to go someplace!

I am so excited for the plans of God in my life and I trust this NEW season is the beginning of many great things! I am ready to go, SEND me Lord!

What does God stand ready to do through you? You have a story!

When you come into a relationship with God, He does God-sized things in your ordinary life. If you pursue and GROPE after Him I promise He will shake your life into one profound story!

Your story is how others see God. I have the opportunity to SPEAK on a regular basis and telling my story is always a blessing but I believe others watching your life unfold with Gods touch is more powerful then putting it in words! You have a story being told when your lips are not moving.

Our story is not a formula, or 5 step process or even a 7 point plan. It's the favor, love and grace of God mixed with our audacious faith and the desire to know HIM.

Whether your an ordained minister, a retiree, college student, mother, doctor, janitor or teacher.  You can change the world!

Take Responsibility and live a life worth telling.

Today in Matthew 28 It speaks about The Great Commission which states "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always even till the end."

An effective story will impact you or your life. Allow God to take effect in you life today and fulfill the Great commission.

You do not have to be GREAT just let the GREAT GOD do a GREAT work and the GREAT commission will be accomplished!

Blessings,
Heather

Your Love Story

February 15th Reading

I like love stories! If there is a good love story, it doesn’t take long for me to get caught up in it. I have never been a true action/adventure type of person. If there is a decent  story behind it, I will put up with the action, but it is not my first choice.

It is not easy for me to read the events that took place the day of the crucifixion in Matthew 27. I have trouble reading about the way that the guards treated Jesus. I don’t like the beatings and the mocking and the cruelty.

As I was reading today, however, I began to think about God’s character and how the events of that day are tied together with the rest of His Word.

God said that we are all sinners. Sin is what keeps us from being in relationship with God. Jesus was perfect. He did not sin. The treatment that Christ received that day was what we, as sinners, actually deserve. The punishment was meant for us.

God has a purpose and a plan for everything He does. God dearly loves us as His chosen children. He calls us to be with Him, but we are not capable of getting to Him on our own. God knew this and He prepared a way for us.

Christ had to suffer to save us from death. At any point, God could have stopped the cruelty that Jesus received that day. But, if He had stopped it, His plan would not have been fulfilled. I have often tried to imagine what God must have been feeling and thinking during those awful hours. It must have pained God to watch His son hurting and not be able to stop it. But, He knew that the best part of the story was yet to come. God knew that Jesus would be raised from the dead.

From the beginning, God had planned the ending. God knew that, and from the creation of the earth, he planned for his son to come as a perfect human man to take on our sins, so that we, His other beloved children, would not die. God sent Jesus to lead us home to our Father.

Upon further reflection, this is the ultimate love story! It may not be the typical Hollywood love story, but it is my story and it can be your story too. A Father loves his children so much he knowingly makes the biggest sacrifice imaginable. Love doesn’t get much greater than that!

Father God, thank you for your love. Thank you for your grace, your mercy and your blessings. In a world that loves based on performance, I am so grateful that you love me in spite of my imperfections. Father, please teach me to accept others just as they are. Help me not try to change them, but love them unconditionally, just the way you made them. In Jesus precious name, Amen.

Hugs,

Lynnette

HAPPY LOVE DAY!

February 14th Reading

"GREATER LOVE HAS NO ONE THAN THIS, THAN TO LAY DOWN ONE'S LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS" JOHN 15:13

Jesus is the sweetest gift this valentines day!

I am still internalizing the message I heard yesterday at my church. It was so good and I am very grateful that I can ask God to sculpt in me a LOVE that is not my own.

When we have personally experienced the LOVE of God in our lives we know and have tasted His sweetness during our hurting moments and the times we have really messed up our lives.

God will always love us personally and up close. He knows all of our weaknesses and every crack of imperfection and still loves us.

God loves us permanently, His love is not performance based.

God loves without partiality, His love does not show favoritism.

In today's world it's so hard to experience a love from others that is personal, permanent and without favoritism.  A love that is WHOLE and TRUE all of the time. To top it all off, God's LOVE is transforming! 

How is that box of chocolate?

Have you experienced Gods love in a way that made you whole?

Have you chosen Gods Love and forgiveness?

When Gods LOVE and FORGIVENESS comes inside of us then a sweet LOVE in which we tasted will become our natural expression and then others will experience this same LOVE!

Valentines Day then becomes part of our everyday natural expression!

God enables us to love the hurting people, He strengthens us to love the people that are different then us and most importantly God helps us SEEK to LOVE the people that have messed up their lives!

Oh and guess what else? WE ALL ARE MESS UPS and God still CHOSE to call us friends!

It is not easy to LOVE those who have hurt you or those that are different.

Today we will give or receive a box of chocolate, roses and or a card to or from those whom we LOVE.
How can we extend Christs love to those hurting, those that have hurt us or those that are just plain DIFFERENT? That presents a challenge to the day of LOVING!

Sometimes loving those that have hurt us, just means we need to forgive and let go.  Send the hurt away, let God take the emotion and deal with it for you. Hand the pain and hurt over to God my friend. This could in return be the BEST valentines day ever for you!

Allow Gods love to make you WHOLE! 

When we have experienced this transformation it drives us to love the hurting, the different and the ones that have messed up.

Christs LOVE will enable you to LOVE the ones that have hurt you personally. I have experienced this transformation and I know that's why I have a heart to love others that hurt due to betrayal.

BETRAYAL HURTS and FORGIVENESS does not come easy.

Gods love is powerful and covers a multitude of sins. Allow God to COVER you with His love and then show you how to COVER the sins of others with a DIVINE LOVE.

Have a great Valentines day friends and I pray you experience Gods LOVE personally, permanently and without partiality!

Like I said it's the BEST box of chocolate and the sweetest you'll ever taste!

"TASTE AND SEE THAT THE LORD IS GOOD..."  Psalm 34:8

Happy Love Day,
Heather

The nerve of some people...

February 11th Reading

This has been a really crazy week.  If it could go wrong, it has, the devil has been rebuked several times in my life.  The harder I try the stronger he comes.  Jesus is on my side, but man alive the devil is no joke!  So many times this week it appeared that it would be a lovely peaceful day and then the devil rared his ugly face.  Do you ever have weeks, or days maybe, of just plain chaos?

Are some people in your life just under handed, rude, manipulative, or just plain jerks?  I have had my fair share of jerks lately.  Valuable lessons were learned this week, lessons that probably should have already been apparent to me, but being hard headed is often my biggest fault. 

Going to the pharmacy should be a fairly simple thing, but it just wasn't today!  All decency had left me standing at that counter and quite honestly, I wanted to snatch that woman across the counter and do rather unkind things to her if she spoke one more word out of line to me.  I realize that those are not the actions of a saved person, or even the thoughts of a good kind person.  Well I guess I am a jerk too!  I was only trying to do some shopping for my sons for a small valentines gift for them.  I did not intend on her chastising me over the intercom of the store, nor did I expect for the pharmacist to tell me to learn how to read, nor did I expect them to lose my CVS card.  It was the devil in full force, and I don't care what you say!  I have had a rough few days and my mind was made up that the devil would be rebuked and God was going to give me victory today.  Apparently the devil decided otherwise and my God had to remind him that He is in charge of my life.  

I KNOW the man that got out of his car as I was coming out to mine thought I was completely crazy.  I stood there with tears rolling down my cheeks rebuking the devil and that if he didn't stop messing with me it was going to be a problem.  I prayed loud enough for the Kroger customers to hear me that I really didn't want to go to jail for assault today nor did I want to act like a butt wipe with them in there at CVS, but seriously I needed a little slack.  I kid you not, I felt a feeling a peacefulness immediately, my tears dried up and I was calmed.  The joy of the Lord became my strength.  That man just stood there looking at me, I think he wanted to ask if I was okay, but there is a distinct possibility that my appearances mocked those of a homicidal maniac at that moment.  He just nodded and walked on into the store. 

THEN...

I got home and got a random email from a family member that after five months decides to speak to me again to tell me I am a jerk.  I am like really, seriously???  I said okay devil apparently you are not listening to me, you ARE rebuked in the name of Jesus Christ!!!!!!  You have no spot here and you are not welcomed, leave now!  Again I felt a sense of calmness, and since then life is okay.  I do not know what will come about this afternoon or evening but I do know that my God is powerful and has got my back.  I know that He is my comforter, supporter, friend, my all and He will never ever forsake me. 

I am so glad to have someone like that on my side, someone that never leaves, just picks me up and carries me in the bad patches.  I read the reading for today and saw that it spoke about Judas taking a few measly pieces of silver to turn Jesus over to the soldiers.  How sad!  Jesus couldn't even get a break so why do I think I am entitled to one?  I am no better than Jesus, so if He couldn't get a break then I don't need one either.  I just need my God and my ever praying friends to get me through.  I am so blessed to have people that care enough to pray for me and I am even more blessed to have a God that sees all, does all, provides all and protects all! 

I pray that you have a great weekend, but even if it gets off to a bad start, pray for God to protect you and to be there with you for every step of the way.  Pray for some mercy and love from Him.  He is the only thing that will ever get us through!  I am still smiling and still finding humor in the whole thing, have a great weekend!

Much love,
Kari

THE ORDINARY ORDAINED TO DO THE EXTRA-ORDINARY!

February 10th Reading

Today's Blog is personal but amazing in how Gods living Word confirms the activities in ones life.
 God is doing great NEW things in my life and I will share.
 I  blog daily on the scheduled reading which can be found above. I then offer a brief devotion about that a certain passage of scripture! My devotions are always in tune with what God is teaching in my personal circumstances. Well, I almost fell off my chair when I did today's reading  already knowing what was going to take place in my life in just 1 week.

God is perfect and His word is always confirming your situations and circumstances.

Bright and early this morning I sat in my sun room and opened the word. Leviticus chapters 8-10. This passage of scripture describes the ORDINATION of Aaron and his sons. This was the first time God performed an ordination ceremony for ministry in the Old Testament.
It contains such rich lessons for us today and confirms a spiritual marker that will take place in my life.

LEVITICUS 8:22-24 "He then presented the other ram, the ram for ordination, and Aaron and his sons laid their hands on its head. Moses slaughtered the ram and took some of its blood and put it on the lobe of Aaron's right ear, on the thumb of his right hand and the big toe of his right foot. Moses also brought Aaron's son forward and put some of the blood on the lobes of their right ears, on the thumbs of their right hands and on their big toes of their right feet. Then he sprinkled blood against the alter on all sides." 

Ok stay with me friends....Remember I said this provides rich lessons for today, I promise it will apply to your life to!
All the animal sacrifices done in the Old Testament are prophetic, foreshadowing the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. God included all these different sacrifices at the first ordination service because each one illustrates a different facet or aspect of Jesus' work, the salvation we have through His blood.

The New Testament now proclaims "But you are a CHOSEN people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him WHO CALLED YOU OUT of darkness and into His wonderful light." (1 Peter 2:9).

The ORDINATION that took place here in scripture was for a very specific purpose. To consecrate and SET APART Aaron for His priestly service. Moses took the blood of the offering and placed it on three parts of Aaron's body, his EAR, his right THUMB, and his big TOE.

The ear speaks of hearing and revelation. We must come attentive to the Holy Spirit. We cannot serve God without hearing revelation. The BLOOD OF JESUS friends enables us to receive revelations and gifts.
 The thumb or hand speaks of work or service to the Lord; there is much work for us to do. The blood of Jesus enables us to be productive persons in God's work.
The big toe or foot speaks of our walk, how we live our daily lives. As we live our daily lives through the blood of Jesus, God directs our steps, leading us into opportunities to share faith or receive blessings, even when we had not planned it.

Aaron's ear (which hears truth), the foot (which walks along the way) and the hand (Which accomplishes the things that define a man's life) are consecrated during this ceremony through the blood  so that He may know the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE in his experiences.

God has a calling on your life friend. He first wants to be in a relationship with you, then will direct  and define your life. Allow Him to touch your EAR, THUMB and TOE today!

A touch from God alters your senses!

This is my personal story....God has called me to ministry long ago. I have been searching, actively serving while learning about this calling for many years.
Just recently God has lined up my experiences with people and pastors  in which He placed in my life long ago when I first responded to the RELATIONSHIP with Jesus.
 Now I am responding to the calling that has been defined through the relationship.
The FREEDOM to respond to this calling has been a huge blessing this year. I am grateful to the chosen few that God has placed in my life to help move me along in this calling. God has opened a new effective door this year that will lead me to grow more in my calling and the call upon my life.

FEBRUARY 16th 2011, I will be dedicating myself to God as He Ordains and sets me apart for His service. Just like Aaron was ordained before his ministry took off, I will be gathering with an entire church assembly and standing with God in awe of the glory to come. I cannot thank my friends and family enough for supporting Gods activity in my life. I am also grateful for Bay Valley Christian Church and the partnership they will have with me!
Ministry is all over friends and I am so glad to be in many NEW great places this year!

God seen something in me....when I was lost, scared and empty.

Allow God to touch your life today. He wants you to be set apart in your families, parenting, schooling, careers, ministry and more.

I believe God is seeing something in you!

Blessings and Thank you, I will post pictures next week and share in this GREAT CELEBRATION!

HOW TO DILIGENTLY PURSUE A GOAL

February 9th Reading

The person with a PLAN is the person with the POWER.

If we plan we will get the history we deserve. Jesus taught this in today's reading about the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:1-29.

We need to prepare to meet our future. When we prepare it drives us to move toward a goal.

The first part of Moving toward a goal is DETERMING A STARTING POSITION. In today's passage it spoke about individuals and described their starting positions. For example One person had 5 talents, to another two, and to another one. Each was given something according to their ability.

God has given us all special goods and talents according to our ability and His purpose.

Some may be born in abundance others with less. But what we have does not matter, it's what we do with it!

Life is not fair, but our STARTING CONDITION is irrelevant to our STARTING POSITION. I have a great example for you all...

I am a runner, however my starting condition may not add up to the other runners I know. Another runner may be fit and in shape with a great runners body. Does that mean I should not pursue the goal of becoming a long distance runner?  We both have the same STARTING POSITIONS at  each race.
How we train and pursue goals is what determines a runners ability to finish their race. I am not a fast runner with a lean and trim body but my condition and shape does not determine my starting position. The goals I set help me pursue the ability to complete my personal race and drives me to the Starting position. A Goal will Drive us and motivate us.

God has entrusted talents to us all. We must determine our STARTING POSITIONS. I know God has entrusted me with the talents of writing and speaking because others in the body of Christ and in my sphere of influence has affirmed that talent in me. Now I can make a choice to BURY that talent due to fear, distrust, poor grammer, lack of faith and lack of resources.
 Then I allowed my starting condition to rob me of my starting position.
If I bury my talent I can push Gods predetermined destiny away from my life. If we do not start at the starting line we cannot run the race.
 We need to show up at the STARTING POSITION and push past our fears and shortcomings.

Have you seen the down hill skiers or snowboarders starting position on the X Games? The hill is steep and long, looking rather scary but the individual SHOWED UP to his STARTING POSITION prepared to meet his future.

Do not procrastinate with your life friends, God has given you talents and goods with an expected future in mind.God expects us to use what we have been given. If you do not know what God has given to you, I urge you to ask Him to show you the abilities and your starting position. Step up to the plate and watch God work in your life.

Do you already know your abilities/talents and remember the starting position in which God has called you to? Have you failed to show up due to rebellion, fear, distrust or hurt?
Ask God today to give you a push and jump start. God knows your hearts desire and if you feel bad that you have buried those talents in the past then Gods grace will dig them up and allow you to SHOW UP AND START AGAIN!

The GRACE of God is what we need.

May today be the start of a day in which God says "Well done Good and FAITHFUL servant"

Blessings,

Be Prepared

February 8th Reading

 

Aren’t you glad we don’t live with Moses in the wilderness. The thought of making a sin
offering with the blood and burning fat makes me a little nauseous.

God gave the Israelites a series of steps that the people had to perform in order to be
cleared of their sins. They had to select a perfect animal, the priest would lay hands on
the animal in an act of transferring the person’s sin to the animal and then, they would
sacrifice the animal. Sounds messy to me! According to Leviticus 5:6 the person would
then be purified and “right with the Lord”.

While our “sin offering” is less messy. It can still be a process and at times can take
work. Jesus made the ultimate blood sacrifice for us. He took all of our sins on himself
and died so that we can be forgiven. It is a good deal for us, but we have to do the work!

First, we have to accept Jesus as our Savior.

If you haven’t done this, here is a quick prayer for you: Lord, I confess that I am a
sinner. I am not good enough on my own, I need Jesus as my personal Savior. I believe
that he died on the cross to save me from my sins. I believe that Christ rose from the
dead and is seated at the right hand of God. I give you my life and I invite you into mine.

Second, we have to confess and repent of our sins.

This can be a difficult step. We need to ask the Holy Spirit to convict us and make us
aware of sins that we may be committing in our lives. We need to confess to God that
we have sinned against Him and ask for His forgiveness. Finally, we need to repent
of these sins and work hard to avoid them. The good news is that we are not alone.
We have the Holy Spirit working in us to help us be better every day. We also have
forgiveness! When we are faithful and truthful in confessing and repenting we are
forgiven every time. Praise God!

Why are all of these things so important? Why should we do them right now? Can’t it
wait until tomorrow?

The truth is, that we have no guarantee of tomorrow. In Matthew 24, Jesus promises
that He will be back. He gives signs that will precede his second coming. In verse 44,
Jesus says “You must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least
expected.” Once Jesus is here, it will be too late to accept him as Savior (Revelations
1:7 and Matthew 24:30 b)

It is so important that we are “right with the Lord”. Do not wait! God is listening. Talk to
Him.

Hugs,
Lynnette

Heavenly Father, I confess that I have sinned against you. I am not always the person
that you want me to be. Thank you for sending your Son, Jesus, to take away my sins.
Thank you for sending the Holy Spirit to guide me and teach me to be a better person.
I love you and I want to be ready when your Son returns. I want to be with you forever.
Amen

STAND READY TO MEET THE FUTURE!

February 7th Reading

TRUTH OR DARE....Today's reading reminds me of an important TRUTH.
 The end of age and the signs that will follow.
These are the days when the bible is its own best commentary. The events in EGYPT have already been predicted by the prophet Isaiah.

The fighting in Egypt is spreading from household to household and grows into a kingdom war.
 Today's verse in Matthew 24:6-8 "You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see it that you are not alarmed. Such things MUST HAPPEN but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginnings of birth pains."
Christ says these prophecies would come upon the world like birth pains, like a woman about to deliver a newborn baby. These events are foretold to come with increased frequency and intensity each building upon the other. Just like a contraction in childbirth.

Kingdom wars presently abound in the Middle East. Egypt and Saudi Arabia are preparing for a possible confrontation with Iran. January 2011 has seen prophecies about Egypt metastasizing into fulfillment. Read Isaiah chapter 19. Its all about the BURDEN in and against Egypt. Everyone will fight against brother and neighbor. City against city and kingdom against kingdom. It states that the heart of Egypt will MELT IN ITS MIDST.

As we listen to the news we see the heart of Egypt melting. The truth is someday we will see the prophecy of the Son of Man appearing in the sky coming on a cloud with great power and great glory!  Just as we know a new season is coming by the change of trees and leaves. Even so, when you see the signs today in Egypt let it be a reminder that a new season is near and right at the door. Therefore I DARE you to keep watch because you do not know the day your Lord will come but the Birth of something NEW is on its way my friends.

ARE YOU READY?

Just as we prepare for a new babies arrival, I pray we understand that God is giving us a huge HEADS UP in these verses. Christ is coming soon and the stage is set....We do not know what day or time however we gotta be ready now.

I pray you stick with Jesus and love Him with your whole life, till the very end.

Have you thought about the future what to expect?

Have you taken Gods truths seriously and mentally walked through His truths about the future?

God provides direction and Hope friends my ,prayer today  is that we become hungry to know God.
The woman with a plan is the woman with power!
We will receive the history we deserve.
 I pray we diligently pursue a goal and prepare to stand ready to meet the future. We do not want to stand and act surprised or scared on the final day. We the truth to give us power when its time to move!

Blessings,

Are you going to make it through?

February 4th Reading

Well it happens every year, a day that some can hardly wait for and a day that some dread!  What day am I speaking of...Super Bowl Sunday!


Personally I watch it because I like football, but also for the awesome commercials!  Betty White was great last year, hilarious...wouldn't you agree?

If you read today's scriptures, you will see that it was some pretty tough stuff to toss around in our little minds.  God is demanding that we do not have false idols or gods.  We are to do the work that He asks of us, using the skills that He gave us.

Obviously most of us reading this, if not all of us, are not professional football players!  What we are though, are mothers, wives, daughters, sisters and friends.  For the male audience reading this, you are fathers, husbands, sons, brothers and friends.  What does that have to do with the super bowl you ask?


Some wives, maybe some husbands, are going to have to sacrifice their home or at the very least their husband and maybe the television for the day on Sunday.  He is not, possibly she, going to want to be bothered, he is going to want to be fed, he is going to want to have everything hunky dory lovely so he can watch the game of the year undisturbed.  Can you see how this is a resemblance of God?  Now calm down, I am NOT comparing your spouse to God, I am saying the sacrifices that we make for a day of football, is quite similar to the sacrifices that we are asked to make for God.  The hard part is...God wants this very sacrifice for every day for Him.  He wants us to be ready to do His work at any given time He presents it to us.

He may ask us to take someone to the store that is sick or can't drive or doesn't have a car.

He may want us to go visit sick people in the hospital or at their home.

He may want us to go visit elderly in their home or the nursing homes.

He may want a seasoned mother to mentor a new young mother that struggles to get it all balanced.

He may want us to minister to those in jail/prison.

He may want us to write an encouraging note or card to a missionary.

He may want us to send a care package to a soldier.

He may want us to do a lot of things, however if we can not make sacrifices to make time for His work in our lives then guess what....we miss His totally awesome blessings that come from doing His work.  For instance, if you are a highly organized individual, He gave you that ability to do something for Him.  So, maybe some charity or ministry at your church home or even your friends church needs someone to help get their mission/agenda organized and then delegated out.  That is such a perfect opportunity to help to make sure that more people are being reached and God's grace and love is being shown to them.  If you don't step forward and offer your God given ability then maybe someone that really needed to be reached will slip through the cracks???

We must be willing to sacrifice our life to God and what His will is for our lives.  Just like some of us will have to sacrifice our home to a bunch of yelling men/woman to watch a game of a bunch of other yelling men run into each other and bash each other to the ground.  We may have to cook a bunch of food for them to enjoy, which is not much different then making a meal for a new mom, elderly person, recuperating person or whomever.  Honestly the needy person will probably enjoy your food more and be more appreciative, might even say thank you!

I say all of this to you, to say this, get your life in order as best as your abilities will allow you so that you can be ready and willing to do God's work when it is presented to you.  If you can do it for a bunch of overgrown children, you can do it for people that are deserving of God's grace, mercy and love, which actually means EVERYONE!!!

Have a great weekend and enjoy the game, or don't, whichever you prefer!

Much love,
Kari

WHAT KIND OF FUTURE ARE YOU PREPARING FOR?

February 2nd Reading

What a beautiful morning here in Michigan! I love snow days because living in my PJ's all day is a wonderful thing girlfriends. The news has been forecasting this BIG BLIZZARD coming to town for the past several days. The stores have been packed with people rushing to grab milk, eggs, toilet paper, kitty litter and you name it just to PREPARE for the big storm. The bananas SOLD out yesterday in my local store. The gas station was backed up into the main road  as people PREPARED for the serious weather. 

I had so much fun the past few days watching everyone run around in a panic and talking about it at the stores. I loved stirring up those conversations! 

BUT a profound thought came over me yesterday on my way home from the store. WHAT WOULD IT BE LIKE IF WE KNEW JESUS WAS COMING LIKE THE BLIZZARD IN JUST A FEW DAYS? I would love to see everyone rushing around and preparing for this BIG DAY.

Just like the Blizzard of 2011, the day of Jesus' return will be captivating, not optional and it will STOP us all and DRIVE us to ACT. Its fulfillment will not rest on staying ahead and preparing but simply on obedience.


The final events of world history will take place and Jesus will return riding on the clouds from heaven. Every EYE will see Him that day.
The VISION of this day should DRIVE us to PREPARE like we would for a BLIZZARD.

VISION DRIVES EVERY GOOD LEADER

What kind of future are you PREPARING for? Jesus wants us to think and prepare for the days to come.

It is all about CHOICES and DECISIONS that count for now but also for eternity. CHOICES now will affect and shape our future on earth as well as the age to come.

Jesus simply tells us a story in today's reading MATTHEW 21: 28-32.

The story was about two sons that had been asked to do the will of their father.

The first son responded in rebellion with a quick "I WILL NOT" answer.
However, he later regretted his choice and went to do the work.

The second son answered "I GO, SIR,' but then he never went. Great lip service but never followed through with his choices.

Both disobeyed but one turned back and did the will of his father.

God desires so much for us to do His will. The Will of God is full of purpose and destiny. God has a plan for us here on earth and in eternity. Will we choose to PREPARE and make it as important as the Blizzard that hit us this day in Michigan?

Gods will is so amazing and filled with a vivid vision for your life. We will loose the treasure if we reject the grace of Gods will.

I am blessed that I prepared for this storm when I bought all my baking goods for today, yesterday. I have a plan and purpose that will bring about blessings for the Baxter family on this snowy day.

The choices we make TODAY will prepare us for TOMORROW.
The plans and purposes God has for us all are worth preparing for! He is baking up something good for your life and wants to reveal all the ingredients so you can stir it together. If you made some choice at the beginning of the new year and did not follow through like the second son in today's reading turn back and get on track with God. It is never to late, that is the GRACE of GOD for us in this season. However, a day will come when we will no longer have time to prepare, it will be to late.

Blessings sweet sisters,
Heather

You're Beautiful!

February 2nd Reading

I will admit that I find it difficult to read the directions for the tabernacle, the alter, the courtyard, the lighting and even the clothing for the priests. I caught myself wondering “how can I apply this to my life?” I had to take a step back. All scripture is God breathed. There must be a reason it is located in the Bible. There must be something here that I can learn. “Okay Holy Spirit, where is it?”

I love being around women. It has taken me a while to find true friends and to learn each of their special qualities. I have learned to appreciate each of them for their uniqueness. Loving people exactly as they are, is a gift from God and it takes practice. I am not always good at this, but I am learning. There is one thing, however, that still bothers me about women. I don’t like to hear anyone cutting themselves down.

“I’m too big (or fat).”

“I’m not pretty enough.”

“I can’t...”

“I’ll never be able to...”

God does not make mistakes (Numbers 23:19). He is perfect and does everything for His specific purpose and according to His plan.

We are His creation, made in His image (Genesis 1: 26-27). He knit us together (Psalm 139:19) exactly the way He wanted us. Why do we question God and His work?

Believing these lies keep us from fulfilling the plan that God has for us. These lies keep us captive and keep us stuck. These lies combat our faith. By holding on to these lies we are trusting in them rather than trusting in God.

So what does this have to do with the directions for the tabernacle? The tabernacle was a holy place. However, it was a tent, a structure where His spirit would be present. How much more does God care about you? If He put that much time into the planning and the specifics of a tent, how much more did He put into the planning of you? If He was that detailed and careful and creative about the clothing of the priest, how much thought did He put into you, a person that He loves totally and completely. He loves you, just as you are and He sent His son to die for you, just as you are (John 3:16). You are His temple (1 Corinthians 6:19) and He created you, knowing that His spirit would live in you. You are His child and He is well pleased.

What lies are you believing?

What lies are you holding on to?

“Beautiful” by Mercy Me

You’re beautiful, You’re beautiful

You are treasured, you are sacred, you are His

You’re beautiful

Praying that you have the heart to fight

Cuz you are more than what is hurting you tonight

For all the lies you’ve held inside so long

But they are nothing in the shadow of the cross

You’re beautiful, You’re beautiful

Hugs,

Lynnette

Father I know that You love me just as I am. I am sorry for speaking against and questioning Your masterpiece. Please show me the lies that I have been holding on to. Christ died to release me from everything that is holding me captive. I want to leave all of the lies behind me, but I am not strong enough to do it alone. I need You. Please help me to move ahead. Give me eyes to see me just as You see me. I love You and I love everything that You have created. Amen.