IS YOUR FRONT LOAD WASHER A BURDEN?

December 6th Reading

                                     

I have to honestly admit that in my college years I was scared to move forward in a deeper relationship with Christ. It meant that life would no longer be "FUN."

The world tempts us to believe that obeying God's commands is not as satisfying as disobeying them and we tend to agree with the world, at least I did! When I thought about God and His ways I felt that it pushed hard against my flesh, following Christ seemed very hard. However, my life for several years was so unstable it reminded me of my LARGE FRONT LOAD WASHER.

The pretty, red, large, front load washers come with so many great features that the average women is dreaming of what life would be like with a Bright Cherry washer! However, the reality is you do not spend that much money for an unstable washer that runs away all the time and better yet when  it's on the spin cycle it so powerful it sounds like a train is going through your house.

For the past year I have struggled and complained about this washer I dreamed of having and never experienced most of the great features. My husband and I have tried everything in our own wisdom and might to balance this washer so it would spin strong and firmly. I desired so bad for this washer to stand still and firm allowing nothing to move it!

Today was the day for change friends! Me and the pretty, red washer had a little chat this morning...
I also had a light bulb moment and decided to read and study the owners manual. This is why my blog is posted later today, I needed to take focus and take action.

This washer is beautiful and it was costly but the burden of an unstable, extremely loud washer was more then I could handle. After a year of dealing with the same situation day after day it just blew up this morning!

Taking the time to read a manual and study all the great features seemed like to much work for me, it was a real BURDEN. I would  just push the "normal wash" cycle button and let it run its course. I would always choose the low spin cycle thinking this would help with the spin cycle. It never did, the washer would run across my floor!
Today... I found something TUCKED in the owners manual that read "Hold the "stain sensor" button for 3 seconds before the wash cycle begins and it will allow for less vibration during the spin cycle."
 WOW, who would have thought that the stain feature was going to help my spin sensor to activate? A little hidden piece of information tucked into the manual has made my reality so much better today. I have washed 2 loads and seem to be on to something good. I also found many other secrets tucked in this manual that will help me to have a balanced washer!

This whole stressful situation reminded me of something today after I did my morning reading...
 1 John 5: 3 " For this is the Love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not BURDENSOME."


Like I stated earlier, following Christ and His manual seemed burdensome to me at the moment But if you look at things from His perspective you'll see how much He loves you and desires for you to experience His joy.

 God wants us to stand firm and for nothing to move us.

 However the realities that we all face in our daily lives can be very hard. The real burden is  the consequences we face when our sinful deeds and pride takes over and we do not look to His commands to lead, guide and direct us.

It took me a year before I decided to sit down and  read the owners manual for this washer. How often do I rush around burdened with the realities of my life and not look to the Perfect manual for direction. Gods word is full of secrets that will help bring our life into a balance before it spins out of control! 
I remember a specific point in my life when everything was spinning out of control and I had no balance. It was then I decided to take an honest look at the owners manual.

Gods word seemed difficult at times and it would push against my flesh but through Christ I could joyfully do what He asked through  His strength.

 Christ did not pay the ultimate price to give us an unbalanced life.

 God never intended us to be stuck spinning out of control.

 Jesus came to bring us eternal life to keep our life running smooth.

When the Angel of the Lord came to Mary, he reminded her that "Nothing would be impossible with God."
 Christ came to bring possibility into our reality.

 I am thankful that God's word has not become a burden but a Joy. Christ has supernaturally strengthened me and taught me what to activate in the owners manual to help my present day reality.

I had to make a choice to READ the Owners manual.

Do you ever feel like your life is spinning out of control?
Does the Christmas season leave you feeling more unbalanced and hurt?
Do you feel like Gods word is more burdensome then joyful?

I want to promise you today that God has JOY and POSSIBILITY for your current REALITY.

 He taught me through my unstable crazy washer that we just need to take the time and allow Gods truth to activate new perspectives and show us how to push new buttons. I promise His word (the owners manual) will settle your life to a place of firmness and joy, nothing will move you my friend.

Pull out the owners manual today!

Merry Christmas,

Are YOU on trial?

December 3rd Reading

Ladies, the daily reading today is quite profound!  I urge you to take the time to read it.

I wonder how many of us are on trial, I think we all are.  My grandmother used to always say to me, if you were on trial for being a Christian, would you be found guilty?  Sadly, most of us would not be.  Do we act one way around some people and then act another way around others?  Sadly, some of us do.  What we do here on earth is supposed to represent what God has done for us.  What He continues to do for us.  Us, those that are undeserving of His goodness, grace, mercy and love.

How much of our daily lives is doing something uplifting or encouraging or even nice? 
Do we have an unapproachable nature about us? 
Do we walk around with a nasty look on our face? 
Do we say hi to people that maybe get under our skin, or do we avoid them?
Do we walk around smiling or scouring?

You may wonder how any of that matters.  It does!!!
If we walk around grumpy, then how is anyone seeing God at work in our lives?
If we walk around quiet, then His joy must be overflowing in us?
If we walk around never speaking to people, we must not want to share His goodness with others.
If we walk around all frowned up, then His grace and mercy in our lives must not be good enough.

Those very things are things I myself had to wake up and deal with.  I am shy to a certain extent and I wasn't opening up and being a friendly approachable person.  It wasn't or isn't, that I didn't want to be involved, I felt that I didn't belong.  I really have received God's mercy, love and joy in my life.  However, my life's choices made me embarrassed to express how God was able to show me all of that.  I am still not proud of some of my choices, but I am not ashamed to talk about it and share how God has taken care of me.  I don't go around broadcasting my story, but I am not ever ashamed to sit or stand and tell others how God transformed me and showed some much grace.  Which ironically enough, my Grandma's real name is Grace.  My Grandma is gone now, she died last year in November, but she was an intricate part of my faith.  She did whatever she could for others, she truly wanted to be a servant to God and I hope that I can do half as much as she did. 

When you are feeling inadequate or nervous, whisper to God and say, "I really want to ____________, but I am feeling ___________."  He will nudge you and if you take that step and don't be ashamed of Him, He will be with you each step of your new journey.  Life is exciting when you are full of His peace, love, and joy.  I feel renewed, and ready to conquer things for Him.  Our life is not our own, it is not about what others want or what we want, it is about making sure that we are on the right path and living and serving Him. 

Are you ready to take on things with a new light in front of you, it will be exciting, if nothing else!

Do you have peace like a river?













Do you have joy like a fountain?














Do you have love like an ocean?













If not, it is time to get it my friends!!!  When you have that, it is so easy to serve the Lord.

Much love,
Kari

CAN YOU HEAR, SEE and TOUCH JOY?

December 1st Reading

Something was made so clear to me this morning.
 If I have personally heard from God, been touched by Him in my life and Seen Him with my own eyes working things for the good then my Joy should be FULL!

I have seen the word JOY everywhere the past month with the Christmas season in the air. We sing about being joyful and proclaim we have joy. But the reality is...some live in a personal darkness that is stealing the Joy from their lives. Christmas can become the most stressful season. I heard on the news today that Christmas Stress is causing CHRONIC PAIN in so many lives. Doctor visits and medication increases by 80% during the Holiday season.

This makes my heart so sad....

Jesus Christ came to us Christmas morning to DECLARE LIFE and manifest himself to us is real ways. He wants to personally touch our lives and hurts. Christ came that our JOY would increase and be full.
CHRIST came to bring us CHRISTMAS.

 I ponder the song that was sang in the Grinch movie called...Where are you Christmas?
the little girl goes on to say "Why can't I find you?"   "Why have you gone away?",   "Why can't I hear you?".  Her world is changing and rearranging she wonders if that means Christmas changes.

Our life is always going to change and rearrange but  "Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever!" Hebrews 13:8

In today's reading 1John 1-4 it tells us that fellowship with God expresses the most intimate kind of relationship. Joy would increase and our lives would be touched if we only knew Him better. He wants to be included in every activity, every conversation, every problem, and every thought. A very merry and joyful Christmas is built by sharing your life with God. A Joyful Christmas does not just show up on Christmas morning.

God wants to show up and bring you Christmas all year round. Today's reading declares that we can hear, see and be touched by Christ! Don't allow the realities of this world to rob your JOY. Press into Christ this Christmas and He will make your Joy full.

You cannot be JOYFUL until He makes your JOY FULL!

Point to Ponder: God is real, no matter how I feel

Question to Consider: How can I press into Christ and focus on His presence this Christmas?

Verse: 1 John 1:4 "Truly our fellowship is with is with the father and with His son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your JOY MAY BE FULL."

I will be speaking in Waterford, Michigan area on December 11th at Fatih Baptist Church. I would love to see my friends that are in that area. Please visit http://www.hisfaith.net/ and order you inexpensive tickets! I will be speaking on JOY! Hope to see you

May your Joy be Full,

Dry Bones

November 30th Reading

I will admit that I read the first part of our reading today several times (Ezekiel 37: 1-14). I read straight through, then went back and read it again. Then, I read along with the notes in my study Bible the third time. I realize that God is talking about his people who have fallen and He is giving the good news that He is going to restore Israel. Each time I read though, I had an image in my mind of myself and the people I know.

The hand of the LORD was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the LORD and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?”

  

I said, “Sovereign LORD, you alone know.”

At one time, I was the dry and lifeless bones laying in the valley. Before I gave myself completely to Jesus, my life was a skeleton of what it could be. I worked very hard on my own trying to achieve joy, happiness and success. But, there seemed to be more struggle than ease, more failure than triumph.

Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD.’”

I was working on my own and then I found God. He promised me life and a better way.  I didn’t have to do things through my own strength, I could rely on Him.

So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them.

I wasn’t completely reliant on Him. There were struggles I tried to face on my own. I didn’t seek Him first, my dependence upon Him was more of an afterthought. But He wasn’t done with me yet. He was still piecing me together bit by bit.

Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Come, breath, from the four winds and breathe into these slain, that they may live.’” So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army.

I began to rely on the Holy Spirit. It had been there all along, I just didn’t know the power that was within me. As I became more confident in Him and His character, my life started to align with His plan.

I am not a complete person yet. I am a work in progress. He has given me exactly what I need for right now, but I know there is more ahead.

Where do you see yourself? Are you the pile of bones? The skeleton? The body? The life ready for living?

What about the people you know? Where do they fit into this evolving structure?

I know a few people that would fit into each of the categories. It is okay to be at different stages. No matter where you are, you can help others around you. You can tell them about Jesus and how your life has changed since you met Him. You can live a life that is a good example for others. You can read and learn and pass on your knowledge. You can pray for all of them.

He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?”

  

I said, “Sovereign LORD, you alone know.”

Thank you Lord, for picking me out of the valley of bones and for forming me and giving me life. I am nothing without you. I’m sorry for the times that I try to do things out of my own strength. Thank you for your forgiveness and for your persistence in teaching me your way. Please open my ears to the voice of the Holy Spirit, so that I can learn more and so that I can lead others to Jesus. Amen.

Hugs,

Lynnette

Change Your Oil

November 29th Reading

                                                                              
The wonderful, long beautiful Thanksgiving week has come to an end and I  feel a little tired from the cooking, traveling, cleaning and endless eating. I am sure you feel the same... I am running on empty

Lets start a new, fresh week together,  God has surprises and new memories tucked within each day for you and me. But we must be ready to receive.

Lets talk cars and oil changes for a few minutes.... so out of my category!
As you know, it is important to change the oil in your car regularly---so important that most auto manufacturers recommend changing oil every three to five thousand miles to get the maximum benefit! Otherwise in addition to getting dirty, the oil gets thin and discolored and can harm rather then protect the engine.

On the other hand your anointing oil can wear thin under the heat of pressure and spiritual warfare. That is why we must give attention daily and be diligent so we can make fruitful progress and not get over heated in this world.

2 Peter 1:10 "Therefore, brethren be even more diligent to make your call and election sure. For if you do these things you will never stumble."

The holidays can wear us thin sometimes if we are not careful.
 Oil evaporates if it is not replenished regularly. If you put oil in a vessel for a long time and let it sit without no attention you will find that the vessel that held the oil is empty and dry.

The spirit of God does not evaporate, but you may think He has if you neglect Him that way. You must constantly allow the oil of the spirit to flow over your life, refreshing your spiritual life. The oil stays fresh when you remain in fellowship with the Lord. When you spend time in His presence, the rich oil of the Holy Spirit will flow over your life, refreshing and renewing your spirit.

Another interesting thing about oil is that it leaks if there is a hole in the vessel. The hole may be so tiny, or even undetectable to the naked eye, but if there is any blemish the oil will find the and leak out.

The devil wants us to stumble so bad! He will creep in your life and put holes of bitterness, unforgiveness, self pity and discouragement in our vessels.  Allowing the precious oil of the spirit to drain out. It is so important that we guard with diligence against the holes and concentrate on keeping our oil fresh.

Only FRESH oil has the the proper density and thickness to serve the car engine well. The thickness gives the oil the ability to withstand heat and pressure and to reduce friction and stress. Ok, yes I was reading about car oil in a book recently, I did not know all this car stuff girls! LOL!
Anyway...I was sounding pretty intelligent huh?
 The point I hope to make is that the Christmas season can be stressful for many, creating pressure points to heat us up and break our engines down.

If it is so important to change the oil in our cars regularly to protect the engines, How much more important is it for us to give attention to our oil and engines?

How fresh is your oil? Are you constantly adding fresh oil, or are you OPERATING with an old anointing?
Is God's touch on your life stale?
Is it beginning to evaporate?    Is your vessel cracked?
Does it leak?

When your oil is fresh, it has a beautiful fragrant aroma. You become bold and strong, your mind is clear and your spirit sensitive and alive! Does this sound like the real Christmas Spirit to you?
Remember friends, you cannot operate on past glory, trying to survive on yesterdays oil. Gods reservoir never runs dry. So do not become stagnant or complacent. Invite the "oil" of the Holy Spirit to pour over you, renewing and refreshing you.

Lets end with this Christmas thought....In Hebrew the word anoint means meahach, which means "to rub in." and the Greek word means chrism and that means "to smear."
 Isn't that great? I pray you smear the Christmas spirit all over yourselves today. Not just on you but in you!

Invite Him in my friends....

Holy Spirt, help me to empty myself of me so I can be filled with you. Fill me with your presence that I may know your power in my family, work place, children, marriage and more. I want to experience your glory....I want to know the precious anointing of your spirit.

When you learn to know His presence, His person and His glory as He fills your being, then His power will fill your life! This is the JOY we celebrate during Christmas!

Blessings,

Pray

November 23rd Reading

In my journey with God, I can look back through my journals and see different seasons that I have lived through. At times, I could not get enough of the Bible. The only thing I wanted to read was the actual word of God. At other times, I wanted to read and do Bible studies. I couldn’t get enough knowledge about Christianity or various topics. At other times, I seemed more focused on worship. Right now, I seem to be moving into a time of concentrated prayer.

I used to think I needed to do it all really well. That I shouldn’t focus on one thing and let other aspects take a back seat for awhile. I felt guilty for not sticking to a routine that included the same amount of worship, study, scripture and prayer everyday. I’m not so sure that my ideas were correct. Thinking about it now, it seems very legalistic. I know we should not take that approach when we are building a relationship with anyone, let alone a relationship with God.

Looking back over those times more closely, I think that God was leading me to different books, scripture or music. He knew exactly what I was going to need for that portion of my journey. He was always there ahead of me waiting to fulfill the need before I even knew it existed. I think that it is important to follow our instincts when we feel a need in our spirit.

A friend in my Bible Study group is a professional organizer. Recently, she used a term that got our attention. Zig-Zag organizing is basically when you move from one thing to the next without completing a task. It is not really effective or efficient. Since she mentioned it, I have been very aware of my habits. I must be a zig-zag thinker! Almost everything I do, involves zigging and zagging and very little completing.

This morning, I started thinking about how I can make my prayer life more effective and efficient to overcome the dreaded zig-zag syndrome. I have several prayer request lists and books (by Stormie Omartian) that I would like to read daily. I decided that I would make my own book that would combine all of these lists and prayer guides into one. Each day of the month I will pray specifically for my husband, my kids and myself along with prayer requests I may receive.

Prayer is such an important aspect of our walk with God. Sometimes though, I over-complicate it. God doesn’t care if I use big words. He isn’t impressed by a well thought out eloquent prayer. He just wants to hear from His child.

James 5: 13-16

The Prayer of Faith

Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

Lord, I thank you for your son, Jesus. Without him, I would not be able to come to your feet in prayer. I love your guidance and the wisdom that you have given me in your perfect timing. Teach me to be an effective prayer warrior. I want to be your partner in changing the world on earth as it is in heaven. Amen. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS VS MERRY REALITY

November 23rd Reading

Good Morning friends! The days are getting closer to the holiday season. My mind is starting to get excited as I plan dinners, family events, Christmas shopping for all, decorations and more. However,
my husband and I seem  to war and fight more over the Christmas holiday than any other time of the year.

In today reading JAMES 4:1-2
"Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they come from your DESIRES for pleasure that war in your members? Do you lust and do not have?

This verse provided a solution to my problems.

Last night before bed I examined our total amount in savings and then jotted a Christmas plan together....

The reality of everything I desired to buy came to a crashing halt this morning when my husband added more realities under my lists of desires. He ended his note by saying "MERRY CHRISTMAS VS MERRY REALITY"

I want you to know my husband is 100 percent right! He always is!
He is able to take Godly wisdom and compare to worldly wisdom. He then reasons, shares results and gives remedy's for the problems. In this case the solution lies with all my desires vs reality.

Like I said, last night I scribbled out a plan on paper. This morning I noticed my husband notes along side my plans and desires. He wanted to remind me of  some things......the Orthodontist bill for my sons braces, the bathroom and bedroom project we are completing in the basement, the tile and grout cleaning I desire for the kitchen and lastly the money we need to budget for our week long Boyne trip the day after Christmas.

WOW reality is what I needed this morning along my wish list.

My husband and I always get together and discuss our Christmas budget yearly and it never fails year after year we tend to have little wars and fights.
Nothing major friends, I love him to death and we are happily married so don't get scared when I say wars and fights! LOL every good marriage has them also.

My family  knows why we celebrate Christmas and my whole family truly wraps their hearts around the Birth of Jesus Christ. Its not about all the presents, decorations and food BUT sometimes I struggle with the reality of the worldly ways and they do tend to war against my members. I love buying things and giving them away!

Today I will ponder as I go do a little Christmas shopping with my mom the words my husband wrote....
MERRY CHRISTMAS VS MERRY REALITY.

I will make wiser choices today . God can give you great wisdom if you ask. Sometimes I need a reality check. Seriously friends, I laugh this morning when I think of all my wants and needs and then look at the reality of our savings. I am very selfish and self-centered at times. But God is growing me and I am not afraid to be real and admit my struggles.

I am thankful for a gentle and generous husband that speaks truth in love to me. He is always so organized and reasonable. Remember in today's reading it states that humility brings both peace and solutions.
If we submit to God ans resist the temptations the Lord will lift us up to see from His perspective. I need to be lifted high on His shoulders on certain days so I can see the REALITY of life.

We can find true JOY in Christmas. We all have different ares of struggles or problems. The key is the perspective. God allows for trials in such a way that we lack nothing in the end. But if we lack wisdom in a situation ask God, He always renews and creates and steadfast spirit.

I am asking God to help me to be wise this Holiday season

Merry Christmas vs Merry Reality,  what are your thoughts today?

Blessings,

Follow the leader...or not!

November 19th Reading

James 1:23-24 "Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like."

There are far too many of us focused on what the world expects from our lives, rather then what God and His word expects from our lives.  All too often we are caught looking at what others are doing and try to mock them and think that is the thing to do.  It is not, we must find the path that God has for our own life.
 There are so many blessings in store for us when we find our own path.  If you continue to follow down other peoples paths because they are your friend or because it seems like the cool thing to do, you will miss the adventure and blessings that God has for you.


James 1:2-3 "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance."

It is imperative that you know that there will be trials and trouble through life, but if you depend on the one that is ALWAYS there for you, He will see you through.  The trials and troubles you face, the negativity you come in contact with, the adversity facing you, and all the other "bad" stuff is there for you to learn something that God has for you.
 You may be scolded for disobedience or it may be that God needs you to go through that particular situation so that you will be equipped to help someone else along.  Nothing we go through  happens to us  by chance. 
It is all a part of God's plan! 
A plan that was developed with YOU in mind.  YOU have a grand purpose in this world, and YOU are needed to do some sort of work for God.  You might be the quiet shy type, you may be the loud boisterous type, you might be a combination of both, but whatever you are, YOU are a part of a plan that God has.  If we fail to accept this and choose to live as we want, we will become shattered, like a mirror.


Everything we try to do will fail, we will become discouraged and frustrated. 
However, there is hope!!! 
We can choose to find God once again and start living for Him and commit our lives to serving Him.  It would be wonderful to look in the mirror and see the beauty that God sees in us.  It is never to late to accept your challenge from God.  Sometimes our biggest challenge is just being a Christian spouse, maybe your husband or wife is so far from God's word that you must be the living example of what God is to your spouse.  That can be very hard to accept, it can be devastating, but it shouldn't be, it should be so simple.  We all have our issues, we all have our problems, but God loves us still.  Pray and then be quiet and sit and watch to see where God is leading YOU!  As much as you might want to be a part of something, you might be more useful in another area.  Stepping out of your comfort box is hard, but when you do it is so amazing!
 I have personally done this just last week and I was so scared to get started, but yet it all is coming together.  A good friend told me I was doing exactly what I am supposed to be doing for my new class I will be teaching.  My confirmation for being obedient has been overflowing.  I am so excited to work with new people and do new things.  It is so awesome to be excited about doing God's work again.  I was in a valley not really knowing my path but I prayed and prayed and then prayed some more then reached out to the God fearing friends I have and God began to direct my paths!

I hope that all of you take some time and listen to what God really wants you to be doing and then take steps to do that.  Talk to ladies (or men if you are a man) in your area or church to see where you can be of help to others. God moves us to our next destiny through our service to Him. This is how he shapes us. Staying idle is dangerous.
  Don't follow a leader, follow THEE LEADER!!!

Much love,
Kari

The Marriage Bed

November 18th Reading

HEBREWS 13:4 "Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulators God will judge."

Undefiled means "not filthy"

Just this past week I had to complete a few classes for my biblical counseling credentials. The classes all pertained to marital life. One particular class was titled "Making your marriage a GREAT marriage." This class spoke on female sexuality and satisfaction.

God created sexuality as a gift with pleasures to be enjoyed by women as well as men. God wants our marriage bed to experience sexual fulfillment.

God created us to be sexual beings. We are designed to receive and transmit sexual feelings. This is honorable to God.

Why and how does the marriage bed become defiled?

I believe anger, shame and guilt have invaded the bedroom. Many times couples go to bed with a "barb wire" fence down the middle of their bed. Hurt and disappointed over an unmet expectation enters the bedroom.
 Marriage certainly brings some reality to our illusions of a blissful relationship with no problems, that doesn't mean we should give up! We need to learn to pursue the true, deep intimacy that God created us for. 
Challenges may be great and the odds against you may seem overpowering, but the good news is that it's never too late for a "NEW BEGINNING, " no matter what state of your marriage.

I am still learning how to cling to Gods precepts for marriage. God has given my husband and I a road to follow with specific directions to apply to every situation in life.
We both made a commitment to begin our journey over... when the odds against us seemed so overpowering.

I personally  needed to focus on the Lords plan and direction and not the PAIN and DISAPPOINTMENT that so easily distracted me.
 I was so discouraged and unhappy with my marriage, but was guided by a few significant Godly friends to "not give up." It was harder on certain days then others.

God had some great things to teach me during those times. I went on a journey toward forgiveness and wholeness. I believe through our marriage struggles and hurts,  I was open and exposed to a calling God had for my life.

My personal wounds became wisdom to Gods higher ways.

A marriage bed that is defiled can be made whole again.

 I have experienced the blessing of God's power and presence in my marriage.  I desire any woman reading today that is struggling, to consider approaching God with your issue and have a spirit of EXPECTATION.  God wants to drop in on your marriage and make it HONORABLE and PLEASING.

It does take an attitude that desires change and challenge. But remember that God will strengthen you and help you ENDURE.

"A good woman is hard to find, and worth far more than diamond. Her husband trusts her without reserve, and never has reason to regret it. Never spiteful, she treats him generously all her life long." Proverbs 31:10-12

A good woman will love at all times. Her husband is won to the Lord through her generosity and trust.

This is so hard to understand and much wisdom and support is needed as a woman seeks God to heal her marriage bed. Sometimes God leads us down another path if the situation is dangerous for His daughter.
 However, most of the time we make the decision to leave and not EMBRACE what God has for us and our husband. My test in marriage was a living testimony of embracing the challenge and allowing God to restore the marriage. It was not easy but God seen the diamond in the rough.

Allow God to renew your perspective by choosing to cultivate a deeper level of intimacy with God.

Do not become so focused on the problem that you do not hear or see Gods new directions

Approach God today friend with a spirit of EXPECTATION. He will open new doors to your destiny. Make a decision today...

Blessings,

ENDURANCE DOES NOT "JUST HAPPEN"

November 17th Reading

After today's reading in Hebrew chapter 12, I was left with one word.... ENDURANCE.

 HEBREWS 12:1 "LET US RUN WITH ENDURANCE THE RACE THAT IS SET BEFORE US"

I could pull so many wonderful, rich things out of this whole passage of scripture but the one word I have respect for while training is the word "ENDURANCE." My husband and I went up north this past weekend and woke early one morning to run 6 miles. This course was packed with back country hills on a gravel road. I have been training the past few months so I was ready to attempt  a smooth run.
The amazing thing God wanted me to experience that morning was just what I desired a smooth, beautiful, peaceful run. I was able to keep pace with my husband and even talk or sing while running without feeling out of breath.

ENDURANCE= The ability to sustain at a level for long periods of time.

Endurance did not just happen that morning, it was taught through discipline and training. I was able to develop a sustainable pace without feeling burned out. However, I have much more training ahead so I can endure  for a longer period of time at a comfortable pace.
Only the FOOLISH attempt to run a marathon without any training.

My husband was even proud of my pace. I was able to keep up without complaining or falling behind! I even beat him up a hill!

 Our journey here on earth will bring us cramps and strains. We usually get this little voice in our heads that tempt us to stop running, or tell us "why bother"or "you can't do this."

It feels tough to keep running.... when you feel like stopping.

Physical running isn't just physical activity it is a MIND thing and what your mind does when you run can mean the difference between stopping and keepin on running!

ENDURANCE is essential for successful living. It allows us to pursue a goal and live out beliefs regardless of obstacles, strains and cramps. The pursuit of the "Christian life" is like a foot race. Persevering in the race of faith to attain our spiritual reward.

I have four things I would like you to consider today.

TRAINING  Remember I stated only the foolish attempt to run a marathon without preparation. Simple day-to-day disciplines such as prayer and studying the bible prepares one's faith to ENDURE and helps prevent those in the race from being disqualified.
(I am writing a bible study and book now called "RUN LIKE YOU MEAN IT") this will break down much more that was found in Hebrews chapter 12.

SUSTAINABLE PACE Christan's sometimes try to accomplish too much too quickly, relying on their own strength rather then God's timing. Those runners often find themselves burned out and tired. WAIT on God's timing, He will set an appropriate pace for you. Do not take on too much.

STAYING ON COURSE In the middle of long races, runners may "hit the wall," a point where they feel physically and emotionally spent. From their perspective, the finish line is really far away and quitting is a strong temptation. When Christians continue running, choosing obedience over emotions, they will eventually experience a "second wind" a renewal of God's strength to sustain them. (more to come in the book!)

STRONG FINISH  God uses the challenges of the faith race to develop people to mature and be complete in Him. He build endurance within us. Just as athletes are crowned with victory in the end, God rewards those who persevere to the end.

KEY LESSONS FOR ENDURANCE:

*Maintain spiritual discipline and follow God's pace.

*When we feel like giving up, Gods strength sustains us.

*God rewards those who persevere in the end

ENDURANCE   PATIENCE   TOLERANCE   COURAGE    PERSEVERANCE    STAMINA RESISTANCE    WILL POWER     BACKBONE    GUTS

Keep Running,