RUN IN SUCH A WAY

RUN IN SUCH A WAY

We sometimes get disappointed when things do not go our way and we tend to quit.

But what we do not realize is that maybe we did not do things the right way to begin with. Or maybe for whatever reason, we were not 100% committed to that dream, to that goal.

 And what I mean by committed, it is having your mind in total connection with that dream. We could desire, want something, but are our thoughts and words agreeing with what we really want to obtain?

IT MIND OVER MATTER

We might want to achieve that goal but we could be unconsciously pushing it away by doubting ourselves or even doubting that dream would ever come true. Our thoughts and our words are so powerful!

 capable of making miracles in our lives, but also misfortunes if misused.

For example, I dream about completing this book project I have been taking on with God for the past year. I dream about going out and speaking while enjoying the presence of  Gods people while stirring up wisdom and dreams in the hearts of thousands under one roof together!
 I want to fly from state to state and travel city to city and speak!
 that is my dream!
I declare this book will be the next generations "Purpose Drive Life" book!
 I believe this today.

Daily I have to keep my dream in check, how about you?

What is your DREAMS and DESIRES, I challenge you to comment me back and really put it out there! I cant wait to hear from you!

Everything you desire is a DREAM!

Todays word of the day comes from

 PROVERBS 4:23 
BE VERY CAREFUL ABOUT WHAT YOU THINK. YOUR THOUGHTS RUN YOUR LIFE

Blessings,

 
 

A CALLING

WHAT IS THIS CALLING?

Being free from our past lives and becoming a servant of Jesus Christ in whatever capacity God begins to shape. Not a perfect servant but a servant in progress. 

Every dead area of your life make available for further review for God's life-changing power.

Maybe a relationship in your life has fell apart
Maybe you lost your job
Maybe you made a terrible mistake
Maybe you are stuck in sin
Maybe you are struggling with grief
Maybe you counted your marriage a loss


Everything looks dead and over, But it's not over! God is CALLING YOU!

Most of us give up on things way to soon and never consider hearing God's calling in the mess.
The mess is your MESSAGE

WITHOUT GOD IN YOUR LIFE NOTHING CAN RESUME HOPE.

So let us be clear, all of God's people partake of the one calling, a calling to holiness, hope, eternal life and the kingdom of God. And having accepted that call we then get down to the business of obeying the Word of God which includes working with our hands in whatever way possible so that we are not a burden on others and so that we will have something to share with those in need.

 You Were Made By God's Design To Serve Him In A Special and Unique Way Within The Church or Within The World, But Not Of The World.


God’s saving call is a call to a particular people -you.

Those whom God calls,  are nobodies, from the world’s viewpoint.
They are not wise, nor mighty, nor of noble parentage and birth; rather, they are foolish, weak, and lowly in the sight of men.
 Those who are called know themselves to be sinners, unworthy of God’s grace, deserving of His everlasting wrath. Yet God knows them as those whom He chose from eternity to be His people; those for whom Christ died and arose; those in whom the Spirit implants the new life of Christ; those made saints, and brought into the church of Christ. Every human being is called but not all respond.


When God calls us, He speaks to us.

 He does so, as we stand by nature in the world of sin and unbelief and ungodliness; loving the lie; and hating the law. And to us He says: “Come out of such ungodliness and unbelief. Stop having ungodly ambitions. Don’t strive after worldly greatness. Stop having fellowship with unbelievers. And come into the knowledge of the truth; walk in the light; and enjoy the saving fellowship of Jesus Christ, your Lord.”

This speech of God by which He calls is really nothing else than the voice of Jesus Christ.
Christ emphasizes this in John 10:3, calling Himself the Good Shepherd. 
Just as the earthly shepherd goes to the pen in which the sheep and goats of many different masters have spent the night, and calls his own by name to follow him, so does Jesus Christ call His own sheep, with His own voice, and they come.

This call comes to us through the preaching of the gospel, as the Spirit works by that preaching to save the elect. The first four chapters of I Corinthians explain this point.

 God is growing us into the mysteries of God. 

Are you hearing the preaching of God's word in some fashion?
This is very important


Today God reminded me personally to remain in my same calling. God has been preparing me and I tend to get sloppy with my life and calling. I need to remain faithful and strong as God is preparing me.

1 Corinthians 7:20 " Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called."
Stay FAITHFUL and put time into your calling and gifts! 

I pray today God spoke to you personally and positions you to go possess what He has called you to do! 

DREAMS

God gives us hopes and dreams to prepare us for the... "ON PURPOSE "things to happen in our lives! 

 He doesn't usually allow us to see the exact timing of His plan.

Although frustrating, not knowing the exact timing is often what keeps us in the program. There are times when we might give up if we knew how long it was going to take, but when we accept God's timing, we can learn to live in hope and enjoy our lives while God is working out the final destination . We know that God's plan for our lives is good, and when we entrust ourselves to Him, we can experience total peace and happiness.

God wants us to live by discernment—revelation knowledge, not head knowledge.
It's difficult to exercise discernment if you're always trying to figure everything out in the flesh.

. But when you're willing to say, "God, I can't figure this out, so I'm going to trust You to give me revelation that will set me free," then you can be comfortable in spite of not knowing.

Trusting God often requires a comfort in not knowing how God is going to accomplish what needs to be done.
We often say God is never late, but generally He isn't early either. Why? Because He uses times of waiting to stretch our faith in Him and to bring about change and growth in our lives.

I love this scripture... Habakkuk 1:5
"For I am going to do something in your days
that you would not believe,
even if you were told"

WOW, That is so powerful!
God has a plan to work a work in our lives. Something so amazing.

What I am learning is while God is working His work we need to...WAIT WATCH and LISTEN.

We spend a lot of time waiting because change is a process.
Many people want change, but they don't want to go through the waiting process or the change and testing of character.

If we decide to wait God's way, we will learn to become patient and embrace the place. It takes practice, but as we let God help us in each situation, we develop patience, which is one of the most important Christian virtues. Patience is a fruit of the Spirit (see Galatians 5:22). It's developed only under trial, so we must not run from difficult situations. But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing (James 1:4).

The book of Genesis tells the story of Joseph, who waited many years for the fulfillment of the dream God had given him.

He was falsely accused and imprisoned before the time came for him to do what God had shown him he was to do. Exodus 13:17-18 tells us that God led the Israelites the longer, harder way on their journey to the Promised Land because He knew they were not yet ready to go in. There had to be time for their training, and they had to go through some very trying situations.
They wasted a lot of time wondering about God's timing, but God never failed to take care of them and show them what He wanted them to do.

The same is true in our lives. It has been many years after I received my call from God in June 2000 before I began to see bits and pieces of talent and gifts line up with His plans. Still today I am dreaming bigger yet waiting on HIS timing for the bigger plans.

look at the waiting as God's training period!

This time requires us to do what He tells us to do when He tells us to do it...without questioning or trying to figure everything out.

Proverbs 16:9 says, A man's mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure.

Proverbs 20:24 Man's steps are ordered by the Lord. How then can a man understand his way?

When God directs our paths, He sometimes leads us in ways that don't make sense, we're not always going to understand everything.

If we try to reason out everything, we will experience struggle, confusion and misery.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.

When Dreams develop the desires of your heart begin to manifest— you see your bigger dreams.

Are you frustrated, crying out, "When, God, when?" Then you need to understand that God's timing is often a mystery.
He doesn't do things on our timetable.

His Word promises that He will not be late, not one single day.

"But these things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day" (Habakkuk 2:3 )


I just love that scripture!

God causes things to happen at exactly the right time!
Your job is not to figure things out but to keep your mind focused that you won't give up until you cross the finish line.
You will then line up with the radical, outrageous blessings of God!

Trusting God brings life

Believing brings rest

OBEDIENCE is the key to keeping the momentum. When God is silent, He is really working in those secret places! 

NO BARNYARD LIVING FOR ME!

WE HAVE ONE LIFE AND WE NEED TO LIVE IT RIGHT!

I CHALLENGE YOU TO ASK YOURSELF SOME QUESTIONS TODAY.

DO YOU FEEL STRONG, ADVENTUROUS, WISE, EXERCISING YOUR BEST VISION WHILE FLYING HIGHER AND STRONGER WITH THE STORMS THAT LIFE PRESENTS?

 

OR

 

DO YOU LIVE A COOPED UP LIFE. SCURRY FROM ONE PROBLEM TO ANOTHER, FEELING CONFINED, PREDICTABLE AND CAKED WITH BARNYARD MUD?

 

 

 

 

 

GOD CREATED US FRIENDS TO LIVE LIKE EAGLES!

 

WE WERE BORN FOR THE SKY!

 

 

THE LORD HAS CALLED US TO LIVE IN HEIGHTS, YET TO MANY OF US HUDDLE TOGETHER IN THE BARNYARD OF LIFE'S CIRCUMSTANCES CONTENTEDLY SCURRYING FOR THE SAFETY OF FAMILIES, OUR FINANCES AND OUR CAREERS. WE AT TIMES SETTLE FOR COMFORTABLE CRUMBS OF FAITH!

 

DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND...YOU WEREN'T MADE TO LIVE LIKE A CHICKEN

 The eagle loved his "chicken"  home and family but it seemed his spirit cried out for more.
One day, the eagle looked to the skies above and noticed a group of mighty eagles soaring. ”Oh,” the eagle cried, “I wish I could soar like those birds.”
The chickens roared with laughter, “You cannot soar like those. You are a chicken and chickens do not soar.” The eagle continued staring at his real family up above, dreaming that he could be like them.

 

 

Each time the eagle talked about his dreams, he was told it couldn’t be done.

That was what the eagle learned to believe. After time, the eagle stopped dreaming and continued to live his life as a chicken.
Finally, after a long life as a chicken, the eagle passed away.

Moral: You become what you believe you are. If you ever dream to become an eagle, follow your dreams, not the words of chickens

Do not let today's situation determine your self worth!

Dream big and be Determined to sore like an Eagle!

                                  Chicken

                                      or


                                   Eagle

                             

 

 

 

 

 

7 KEYS TO RAISING GODLY CHILDREN IN TODAYS WORLD

KEY VERSE:

Proverbs 22:6
New King James Version (NKJV)
6 Train up a child in the way he should go,
And when he is old he will not depart from it.

7 KEYS To Godly Parenting

1) Develop a Passionate Relationship with God and then Talk to your child about Experiencing  God in and through  life.
In Deuteronomy 6:5-6, God instructs parents:

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.

*Talk about your personal stories when you need God showed up

*Allow your kids to see living faith through you

*Talk about it under the roof of your home

　

　

2) Make the Word of God Your Standard
We are living in a day that offers as many views on parenting as there are parents. It has been my experience that many Christians parent based on tradition (how they were reared by parents or grandparents), books written by a children’s psychologist, or advice from pediatricians. Unfortunately, many fail to consult the book authored by the One who created the family unit. God’s Word is full of instruction about training children.

*I personally have a verse for everything! Ask my kids:)
*Put a chalkboard up and put Gods word in a visible place(Example of a picture I have with the board during Easter season)

　


3) Parents Must Be on the Same Page
One common source of marital strife is disagreements concerning child rearing. To successfully parent their children a mom and dad must be on the same page. As previously stated, that page needs to be the Word of God. In Amos 3:3, God asks, “Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction?” The obvious answer is – No! Parents must make a commitment to search the Scriptures and read biblical based books that direct them to be in harmony. If parents are not in agreement, their children will skillfully manipulate to get their way.

*I screen shot my hubby a lot of text conversations with the Kids so dad can always be on TOP of things and take charge, but mom duty is to keep him up to pace when he is at work!


4) Protect Your Children
In a culture that is infiltrated with immoral thought, sexual immorality, ungodly media, and false teachers, to name but a few, it is absolutely essential that parents take responsibility for their children’s well being.

A major part of protection is to teach children truth so they will recognize lies that are seeking to take root in their hearts. Parents must have a fresh realization that it is not primarily the church’s responsibility to protect the mind or to train their child. It is their God ordained duty!


SOCIAL MEDIA : A HUGE issue today in middle school, many apps on phones that our young teens cannot handle! Find out about them... ASK.FM is by far the most harmful, found through an instagram account and usually has the link in the BIO of person on instagram.
Parents must shield their children by monitoring television, installing filters on Internet, regulating and overseeing the use of cell phones, and reviewing books and materials that are used at school.

GATHER CELL PHONES AT NIGHT AND PUT IN BASKET OR ON COUNTER
AND PARENTS YOU SHOULD KNOW PASS CODE TO YOUR CHILD'S PHONE!  THAT IS A MUST IN OUR HOME

5) Bless Your Children
, I remind parents that Jesus blessed these children in three important ways that they should also emulate:
Jesus took time for the children.
Jesus tenderly touched the children and offered loving affirmation.
Jesus used a tempered tongue with the children.
To bless your child is to speak a message that attaches high value and pictures a special future for them with an active commitment as a parent to help them fulfill it.

Moms, ask the Lord for Wisdom and discernment for that child.

Make sure you take time to regularly bless each of your children, tell the what you see in them and cast a blessed vision over them!



6)Influencers.

The old African proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child” is true. Other adults in a child’s extended family, church, and school are influential. The support, advice, love, and help they offer are important ingredients in a child’s faith development. The more godly adults children have in their lives, the more likely they will become devoted Christ-followers.

Church small groups are very important! I suggest you plug your children in to one during the week


7)Prayer
Prayer opens the way for God, Himself, to do His work in us and through us. Let our chief work as God’s messengers be intercession; in it we secure the presence and power of God to go with us. The more they see prayer modeled at home and church, the more they become connected and committed to God.

*pray over the rooms! Go to this Blog and READ on how I pray through a child's room :


　PRAYING THROUGH A CHILDS ROOM



HAVE A FABULOUS DAY FRIENDS!

 

PUSH ME TODAY TOWARD THAT PLAN GOD

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

If we set a plan we will get the history we deserve and the accomplishment and celebration!

 Jesus taught this in 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 determining " 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 gifts 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 that matters.

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 that I know. Another runner may be fit and in shape with a great runners body and abundant motivation and determination..
 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.

 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, sin,  lack of faith and lack of resources but then I would allow 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 so get moving!

.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 but maybe you have gotten off track with life?

 Have you failed to show up due to rebellion, fear, sin, 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 and today I am grateful for that!

Blessings love you friends!
Heather Baxter

BEAT OUR BODIES INTO SUBMISSION

I love to be an encourager, reminding people that God loves them and has a plan for their lives. But it wouldn’t be very loving of me if all I ever  told you was God loves you and has a big dream for you!
To grow in the Lord, you need balance.
Not just comfort and encouragement, but also clear instruction on what you must do to grow in your faith.
Remember from my last post STRONG is the new SKINNY!

Well discipline and self-control are not my favorite type of instructions!  Yet, without discipline and self-control, you’ll never achieve the dreams and goals God has planted in your heart, let alone live a life that glorifies Him.I have a whole chapter in my upcoming book that shares how we
"beat our bodies into submission" that even sounds scary!  I did not make that up its found in 1 Corinthians ch 9:24-27!

If you’re going to persevere and be the person God wants you to be, you must learn to practice discipline and self-control.We need to learn to beat our bodies into Gods plan for our life! I dont know about you but that does not sound easy! In todays world we think we can enjoy everything with no self control or discipline. Well I dont think thats the way God created us!

Hebrews 12:11 says, “No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it's painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way” (NLT).

There is nothing more wonderful or comfortable than having grown in God to a place where you are at peace with Him in every area of your life. Learning to live with discipline and self-control brings beauty and peace which exceeds the short-term thrill of living without boundaries or accountability but thinking that's the fun life!

There is nothing worse than waking up with a guilty conscience, knowing there’s something unsettled between you and God.
Boy I dislike that feeling but then again its a reminder that the spirit is alive and well in my heart! 
 The only way to settle things with Him is by learning to say “no” to the things that poison your life, and sticking with people and situations that contribute to your spiritual well being.

 Understand that God has put those people and situations in your life to polish you and mold you into the image of Christ.
 
I struggle with learning self-control because my willpower is poor!  However in  John 15:5 it says we can’t do anything apart from God. willpower happens only when God is in the middle.

If God is dealing with you about your behavior and attitudes, instead of brooding because you can no longer get away with the things you once got away with, you should rejoice. That’s the Holy Spirit coming alive inside you.


STAY COMMITTED

 
Here are 3 training tips to ponder today to help you become the runner God has intended you to be!

Align with God’s Will

God has planted a seed in your heart and it’s growing. Believe that God is working in your heart to make you want more of what He has for your life than just getting your own way. You can water that seed by seeking Him with your whole heart. The more you pray, study and read the Word, the more you will see the positive results of doing the right thing, which will make you want to do even more right things.
You have everything you need, in Christ, to be what you need to be. Commit to bringing your life under God’s discipline and authority. Ask Him to help you live a life aligned with His will. It may be hard at first, but stick with it and I promise you will experience deeper peace than you ever knew when you were living only for yourself


GIVE THE BROKEN TOES TO GOD

God never said to quit! We need to take the pain and discover a new muscle that God is strengthening! I worked out really hard the last two days and some of my body parts are in pain! I feel the pain in muscles I have not targeted in awhile. When we go through broken toe areas in our life it does not mean we run away and leave things broken. We hand what is BENT over to God and He fixes what we claim is BROKEN! Christ came to heal everything that appears broken!
Now to hang on to this thought in an angry situation takes self control and discipline! lets look at number 3.

MAKE A GOAL A VISION
I find it much easier to exercise self control and discipline if I have a log. I write down what could and should be according to the ways of God. I may be far away from reality but when I jot a goal for the day I am moving forward in alignment to Gods will. I will have a whole chapter coming in the new book about how to make a goal a vision and how we press on to the mark! Again stay connected to the blog this summer and I will be sharing bits and pieces of this book!


Have a Blessed day!

STRONG IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU RUN OUT OF WEAK

HELLO FRIENDS! 

I know its been a long time since I blogged. I have been diligently working on a book project s due out by fall/winter.While writing, I am still playing taxi, chef, maid, wife, mom and dogs best friend! I am not complaining, I  love every bit of it but writing placed in the mix of things can make for some crazy days! 
I  plan to blog again full time by mid summer. I am very excited to share this book/study with everyone very soon  The book is called " Run In Such A Way" we will break down 1 corinthians 9:24-27 which states...

²⁴ Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. ²⁵ Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. ²⁶ Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. ²⁷ No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

This fall I will offer the study online for those interested. Be on the look out for some great things. I just wanted to touch base and share the visions of things to come.
I will also be running my second marathon in October 2013 so I am sure you will hear about those training runs in the months to come!

Lets do a quick little devotion together!

Think about this verse with me:
" let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus."
Hebrews 12:1-2

In the race of life, the joy of knowing Jesus is what its all about!

Life's tests are worth the sweat, tears, training, and straining. Even when you think the next breath just might be your last due to the difficulty, mentally picture yourself  pulling your head up, and keeping your eyes on the prize.

"When I see the vision God has for my life, even as I am mired in the mundane, I can keep running. When I see the tapestry of life, even as I live on the edge of a frayed thread, I can keep trying. "


But inevitably, my head gets heavy with the weight of the worries or problems. My head droops even as I "will it" to look forward.
When I run my legs get so tired and sore and full of weight that I just want to stop and quit... This is when I need to  tell myself, "Keep going, you can do it!"

My race friends cheer me on,  reminding me to keep my chin up. Yet my head drops, full of doubt and fear.

We all hit WALLS in life.
I will be spending a whole chapter in the book on our HUMPS in life.
Whether it be our marriages, family relationships, fiances or careers. We HIT those ugly humps!

You and I have so many opportunities to feel sad or discouraged leading to a bad attitude, but God wants us to stay strong in Him. Those who do this will eventually come out on top, because there’s no way the enemy can hold you  back if you will trust God and keep your hope in Him.

Train yourself to Trust Your Helper

Not only will God deliver you, but He will also sustain you while you’re waiting for your breakthrough. He keeps us strong while we’re waiting and keeps us from going under!

Even when we’re tempted to think, It’s not going to do me any good to pray after the way I’ve acted, we can’t let that stop us from asking for God’s help. Why is that? Because when we go to the Father in prayer, we don’t go in our name…we go in the name of Jesus.
When you’re hurting, in trouble, or WAITING IN A MUDDY MESS you need to believe that your help has been sent out from heaven and it is on the way. God may not come early, but He won’t be late.

No matter what your circumstances look like or what the world may say, hang in there. Because help is on the way!

During my long runs I will be praying for marriages and families, let me know if you need prayer for your humps! I need something to pray about while running all those long miles. Let me take your humps to Jesus my friends!

Again, the enemy wants us to HIT the wall and stay down.
I pray when we do HIT those walls, we get back up even stronger with Gods help.

 I know its hard and you just want to give up but tell yourself that...

YOU CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHOM STRENGTHENS YOU PHILIPPIANS 4:13


"strong is what happens when you RUN out of weak"N

STRONG IS THE NEW SKINNY!

Running with you my friends,
heather@hbministries.com

Love and blessings, 

OUR FAMILIES LENT PROJECT

OUR JOURNEY TO THE TREE...


Family Easter Tree

I ENCOURAGE YOU TO READ Ann Voskamps POST ON LENT.SHE HAS INSTRUCTIONS TO MAKE THIS TREE!  
WOW, SHE INSPIRED ME TO EMBARK ON NEXT 18 DEVOTIONS THAT WILL LEAD TO EASTER DAY!
ANN'S POST WILL INCLUDE EACH OF THE 18 DEVOTIONALS ALONG WITH A CUT OUT PICTURE FOR YOUR PERSONAL FAMILY EASTER TREE..

EACH PICTURE TAKES YOU ON A JOURNEY WITH JESUS TO THE TREE AND THEN THE FINAL VICTORY ON EASTER SUNDAY.

JESUS WANTS THIS JOURNEY TO BE ALIVE AND PERSONAL IN YOUR LIFE!

AS A FAMILY WE WILL TAKE EACH DEVOTION AND LISTEN TO HIS WORD AND LINGER OVER THAT WORD DURING DINNER. YES, OF COURSE WE HAVE A BUSY LIFE WITH EVERYONE'S SCHEDULE BUT WE WILL MAKE IT HAPPEN SOMETIME DURING THE WEEK!
MOM CREATES THAT MOMENT! LOL!  
WE THEN LIFT UP THAT SPECIFIC WORD IN PRAYER AND CHALLENGE EACH OTHER TO TAKE THE WORD AND THINK OF A WAY TO LIVE IT OUT THE NEXT DAY.

WE HAVE 18 DIFFERANT PICTURE SCENES THAT MATCH A VERSE OR PORTION OF SCRIPTURE FOR THE TITLE OF THAT DEVOTION. ONCE WE HAVE DISCUSSED THEM WE HANG THEM ON OUR EASTER TREE. LAST YEAR WE ONLY COVERED 9, SO THIS YEAR WE WILL FOCUS ON THE OTHER HALF!

I THEN WRITE THE VERSE AND THE TITLE ON OUR FAMILY CHALKBOARD IN THE KITCHEN SO WE CAN SEE THE "TRIAL TO THE TREE"

I WILL POST OUR LENT DEVOTIONS ON THIS BLOG DURING THIS SPECIAL SEASON WITH HOPES TO ENCOURAGE YOU ALL TO SEE GODS AMAZING GRACE, EXPERIENCE HIS PRESENCE AND ENCOURAGE YOU TO LIVE OUT HIS WORD AND FEEL FULLY ALIVE THIS EASTER!

I PRAY GOD SPEAKS TO YOU AND REVOLUTIONIZES YOU IN AMAZING WAYS!

TODAY I MADE ANOTHER ENTIRE COPY OF THIS 18 DAY EASTER DEVOTIONAL AND PLACED THE COPY IN MY GIRLS TREASURE BOXES SO THEY MAY DO THIS WITH THEIR FAMILIES SOMEDAY.

THE DEVOTION AND BOOKLET

BEFORE GETTING STARTED ON TODAY'S DEVOTION I ENCOURAGE YOU TO READ THIS UNIQUE BLOG WHICH I WROTE A COUPLE WEEKS AGO. THIS POST SHARES OUR FAMILIES VIEW AND IDEAS FOR A GREAT TIME OF FOCUS DURING LENT.


TODAY WE WILL READ: GENESIS 22:1-14

KEY POINT:"THE RAM IN THE THICKET"


TAKE MINUTE AND READ THE WORD ABOVE, A LINK HAS BEEN PROVIDED FOR YOUR CONVIENANCE
LISTEN TO THE WORD ABOUT THE "RAM IN THE THICKET" AND LINGER OVER WHAT GOD MAY WANT TO SPEAK TO YOU.

God's provision is always there.

The longer we live the Christian life, the more we tend to see His faithful answers in the midst of hard situations.

He will never fail the person who puts his whole trust in Him.
Romans 10:11 promises us, "Whoever believes on Him shall not be ashamed."Getting through difficult circumstances is almost always costly to our faith.
It often seems as though we are hanging on by our fingernails, and it is a very uncomfortable feeling!

Abraham must have felt like that.
Think about His fear and anxiety as he walked His son to the alter to sacrafice in obedience to God. God may call us to steep and difficult demands but He will always provide beyond our understanding!

But he chose to believe the promise God had spoken to him. Hebrews 11:17-19 says of him, "It was faith that made Abraham offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice when God put Abraham to the test. Abraham was the one to whom God had made the promise, yet he was ready to offer his only son as a sacrifice. God had said to him, 'It is through Isaac that you will have the descendants I promised.' Abraham reckoned that God was able to raise Isaac from death …."God came through for Abraham by providing a ram in the thicket.

What will He do for you?

Trust Him to "see to it," and He most assuredly will provide your answer, too.

GOD HAS A PLAN, STAY FAITHFUL AND OBEDIENT MY FRIEND. GOD SEES YOUR FEAR AND ANXIETY. CHOOSE TO LAY IT DOWN AND KEEP POSITIVE BECAUSE GOD WILL PROVIDE A RAM IN THE THICKET FOR YOUR SITUATION,

BLESSINGS,

DO NOT GIVE UP

STAY FOCUSED AND DON'T FALL OFF THE HORSE!

C O M M I T M E N T moves past the mind and emotions and goes stright to the will.

Life gets challenging for me and I have a hard time staying committed, if you feel the same then I promise you will be given great tools today to stay focused!

in the book of Acts we see STEPHENS commitment in his words and attitudes.
Stephen had the presence of God in his life, based his commitment on biblical foundation, he saw error in past thinking, spotted resistance, kept his eye on Jesus, the truth and maintained perspective!

I want to be more like Stephen because he was determined to experience the WILL of God for his life and displays an unwavering commitment no matter what!

The "WILL" of man is like a cart pulled by two horses. Their names are MIND and EMOTIONS. You must get both horses moving in the same direction to move the cart forward. COMMITMENT results when your mind and emotions move forward, whatever the cost!

I have been examining my commitment in certain areas the past few weeks. Let me share a few

Examining my commitment to running and exercise goals
Examining my commitment to marriage and my spouse no matter what!
Examining my commitment to ministry dreams
Examining my commitment to Godly parenting
Examining my commitment to a Godly lifestyle

I truly desire to understand and stay on the path of Gods plans for my life...
But often my mind and emotions can begin to go in many other directions.

Am I the only one?


I have several friends come to ask me all kinds of questions like...

What is Gods plans for me? How do I even get moving forward in the plans?

I wonder who God has for me as a mate and when I will find him?

What will I be when I get older?

What is going to happen with our finances?

My husband was just diagnosed with cancer what will the outcome be?

I hope to find the perfect job?

Our marriage is struggling and not sure that I can continue on

I lost my job

C O M M I T M E N T IS THE ANSWER
I believe our answers will come together when we focus on the mind and emotions, our two horses!
We have to train these horses my friends!
Now as we all know horses are very strong animals, yet very trainable.
So in the same way is our minds.
1 peter 1:13 it tells us to gird up our minds. We have to discipline our minds by taking all loosely flowing thoughts, speculations and opinions and train them to be in the same MIND which was in Christ Jesus.




Many times a HORSE must be harnessed with bit and bridle controlling the horse to move forward. It is used to put pressure points on specific areas of the horse so the direction of the horse can be controlled. The horse then moves in a forward direction as the rider pulls on the reigns!


I am so in need of the bit and bridle to train my mind!
One pressure point is in the mouth and it helps the horse to stay moving with control in a forward motion. The word of God to me is a huge pressure point to keep me moving forward.
I feel the reigns tugging at my heart and adjusting me accordingly, so I stay moving forward with HIS thoughts and plans. The bridle on my head, another pressure point helps me stay focused.
I am often lead in different directions from family, friends, old habits, attitudes, emotions and more.
Just as a horse can get SPOOKED so can we!

Things come in our pathway daily that make us question life sometimes, we can have that fight and flight mentality too! BUT WITH GOD pulling on our reigns we regain control!
We need to trust the rider of our life.
A horse learns to gain trust in their rider . Just as we need to gain trust in the plans God has for us. Many just need to understand that God really has a great plan no matter how messed up life may be.


Stay COMMITTED and trust your rider! If we cannot begin to trust and grow in a relationship with Jesus our rider and owner, we will never move forward into the DREAMS God has for our lives!


Do you desire to move forward into Gods great purposes?

The questions on the pathway of life that we don't understand will SPOOK us but remember to train your minds to trust the owner!

Ephesians 4:23 "be renewed in the spirit of your mind and that you put on the NEW man which was created according to God."

Let me share 6 principles for developing commitment

1. Commitment starts in the heart
Look deep inside and examine where your heart is committed

2. Commitment is TESTED by action
Talk is cheap and action is expensive

3. Commitment opens the door for accomplishment
Once you commit yourself, all kinds of resources and help will come your way to help you succeed!

4. Commitment can be measured
Look over the day a see how you stayed committed

5. Commitment enables you to make decisions and SET BOUNDARIES
Gods word will help with decisions and boundaries.

6. Commitment flourishes with public accountability
Go public with your commitments, then you will have incentive to follow through.
Blessings

DISBELIEF IS LACK OF SUPPORT! "MOVE ON"

Have you ever experienced a time of struggle because of others disbelief?

Do you desire to be positioned in the best place possible in 2013 in order to possess all the promises God has purposed for your life?

Gods destiny for your life will be COMPLETE, PERFECT, SATISFYING AND FULL IN 2013!

However, a time will come in which God needs to reposition you so that he may COMPLETE and PERFECT your destiny.
God desires to keep you satisfied and full in your season, lacking nothing until He completes His perfect work.



A sign or symptom in your life that represents a possibility for the need to move or change is UNBELIEF from others.

We can have off seasons in our marriages, relationships, families, jobs and ministries. During those seasons God may want to reposition you amongst NEW FACES or NEW PLACES.
When I say reposition it does not necessarily mean He is taking you completely out or away from your circumstances (like your marriage for instance) but placing you in NEW environments that stretch you to see His promises from another view.

Many times we stay in the circumstance or situation and its surrounded by disbelief.


DISBELIEF is LACK OF SUPPORT and many times others will "not support" the faith we need to have.

Lets look at today's word: Matthew 13: 58


Jesus said "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and his own house, Now He did not do mighty works there because of their unbelief."



The people closest to Jesus in His hometown including family and friends did not believe in Him or His powers to heal and perform miracles. Jesus needed to move away from that environment.


Others disbelief and lack of support can and will distract us from allowing God to fullfill His calling in our life.

Disbelief is a STUBBORN refusal to believe, a REJECTION to believe God is up to something wonderful in which He placed in your heart.

When we are surrounded by people with disbelief it hinders the work of faith in your personal life.


In this passage of scripture the others lack of faith hindered Jesus and He did not perform because of their unbelief.

Did Jesus stay in that place of unbelief or did He leave and join God where He was at work?


If you look at Mark 6:6 it states that Jesus MARVELED at their unbelief and THEN... HE LEFT AND WENT ABOUT TO OTHER VILLAGES in a circuit of teaching!


WOW what a lesson we can learn!

Jesus did not let others disbelief keep Him while missing the miracles God wanted to perform through Him.
Jesus was sure of what He hoped for and certain of what He did not see.


Friends don't let allow your circumstances and the lack of others support dictate your destiny!

MOVE ON!


If you stay stuck in the ordinary it will be impossible to experience the extraordinary powers of God.

Disbelief of others will HOLD YOU BACK.


STEP AWAY and realize God has a grand plan. Trust Him and allow him to REPOSITION you.


Maybe God has a new group of friends for you this year?

How about a New church home?

Possibly a new small group instead of the same friends closest to all the details in your life?


When we move to NEW places God arranges NEW revelations that will SUPPORT what He has already planned.


Do you ever get with family or friends that have disbelief in what Christ is doing in your life?


Do you have others that experience fear around you because they are not comfortable with how God is working in your life?

Do others get jealous and push you away?


DO YOU MARVEL AT OTHER UNBELIEF YET KNOW GOD HAS PROMISED YOU SOMETHING SO SPECIAL?


Friends, please do not give up and doubt Gods powerful work in your lives. Allow Him to reposition you.


After REPOSITION comes more POSSESSION.


If you do not allow Him to transition you, it may be the difference between experiencing a DEAD END or a fulfilled DESTINY.


He has a plan for all your DREAMS!


Jesus moved passed the disbelief and God took Him into many NEW PLACES with NEW FACES.

Take a moment to journal your prayer, plan and praise from today's reading.

Blessings,

HOW TO MOVE FORWARD IN THE NEW YEAR AS A FAMILY

HAPPY NEW YEAR

 

 

 

 

BENJAMIN WRITING

 

 

BRITTNI BUSY WRITING

 

 

ALIVIA PEN AND PAPER IN HAND

 

 

ALIVIA'S GOALS/PLANS FOR 2013!

 

BRITTNI PONDERING HER GOALS

 

 

MY SUMMARY OF THE LAST FEW YEARS BEFORE I START THIS NEW YEAR!

 

 

2013

 

ONE DOOR CLOSES...ANOTHER OPENS!

 

I pray God leads the Baxter family to the edge of some cliffs this year. We need to learn to trust Him fully and let go!

 

I also pray the same for you!

 

I have always instilled into my family that the Lord has a huge plan for us as a family and for us individually.

 

God desires for us to DREAM= a desire in your heart for more of what God has for you!

 

God has a longing for each of us. When we just take the time to write goals and visions for the year we allow God to help us organize our thoughts... which are really His thoughts.

 

Then when the time is divine we can embrace and pursue the open doors through out the New Year.

 

God has placed within our hearts a perfectly-fit God sized dream and this is part of our life purpose. This purpose will lead to more joy, meaning and hope in our lives.

 

I tell my family that everyone has a GOD-SIZED dream. If you think you don't you just haven't discovered it yet.

 

I think its important to keep a log of goals and desires as a family. This allows us to communicate with one another and most importantly God.

 

Communication opens the doors to New opportunities.

 

This past weekend every family member had a chance to share some goals and visions they desire in certain areas of their life.

 

My husband and I still stand amazed at the opportunities and needs that became very clear after this vision meeting time!

 

The Lord showed us needs, desires and plans to grow more successfully into His will as a family and individually in 2013.

 

My son shared a desire to really know God more this year and not just go through the actions but to experience God in very real ways for himself. My husband  decided that night that they should start a weekly bible study together to help them grow together in this new season of desires for Ben.

 

I was able to share my personal goals of writing and publishing my first bookstudy for women by June 2013. I was also able to discuss more of my ministry visions to the family. Sometimes they only see mom doing the "mom things" but never understand what goes on with my own personal desires. I am excited for my kids to see more opportunities open for me as I travel and speak more in 2013 at my church and many other churches and or events.

It feels good to speak this to the family.

 Especially on days when I am writing silently all day for this book to come to pass! I am glad I shared the vision because the celebration will be that more exciting as a family.

 

My husband shared his desire for us to pursue the Financial Peace class as a family to learn to budget and handle our gifts of money better in all areas of our life. This class will start end of January!

 

My daughter Britt shared her desire to RUN more this year! I pushed her to run 3 miles with me this past weekend!

Oh of course when you share goals we then as a family can push each other toward a plan of action!

 

Alivia shared her favorite bible verses from 2012 and also many favorite memories and ended with her goals and challenges for 2013.

 

Lastly, we discussed how to LOVE better as a family! We tend to get a bit harsh with each other so we decided to try to relate and take a bigger part in each others lives this year and really care for that persons needs instead or our own.

 

My Pastor Brad Powell stated this:

 Without unity...marriages, families, businesses, communities, churches, nations...fall apart. Sound familiar? This seems to be the norm in our world today.

Unity requires unselfish commitment...the willingness to surrender self-interest for the good of others...for the good of the whole. No wonder most relationships in this world are falling apart. We're a world devoted to self-interest...not unity...devoted to getting for ourselves not sacrificing for others,

 

We need to take time to learn about each other this year as a family. How about you?

 

I love to see my children LEARN to write goals down.

The lord teaches us in Habakkuk chapter 2:2 to write down the visions (goals) make them plain on paper and then run with them in the year to come.

 

Writing things down allows God to send you revelations to match your desires. When you hear and discuss goals from everyone in the family then as a team you can help discern revelations for each other.

 

I feel as a mother this is very important in helping shape your children for their future.

 

This year will bring many victories along with many struggles. I pray that we can always reflect on our visions and goals throughout the whole year knowing God is working everything out for our Good.

 

I want to encourage you to have this time with your family. I handed each child a sheet a paper that was titled 2013 goals/plans. I gave them examples of areas to dream about.

Spiritual Goals

Physical Goals

Relational Goals

FAMILY GOALS

School Goals

Areas of their Gifting Goals

 

This really opened doors of opportunities and needs! Have fun and don't miss the opportunity to HEAR God in your family.

 

Lastly, I have a few worksheets below to step it up in your personal life.

I challenge you to DREAM LOUDER and BIGGER with God this year!

A more effective door will spring open if you take the time to focus, learn and listen.

 

Here is HOW TO: DREAM BIGGER:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dream Big Friends