Faith Exercise is Time Well Spent

Exercising Your Faith 

I recently heard about a young woman in our community who is expecting triplets. She was photographed working out at a local gym on a stair stepper. Not just an ordinary stair stepper but some type of monster machine. My first thought was “look at that machine”. After reading some of the posts and realizing she was expecting triplets I thought again. I was worried. Should she be exercising so strongly? Shouldn’t she be more careful – maybe not exercise at all? 

I shared my thoughts with a friend and she told me that doctors told the pregnant woman to continue her routine. Since she has been exercising like this for years she will be fine. If she hadn’t done this type of exercise and just started up they would not want her to do it. In the photo you could tell she was thoroughly enjoying her strength and the benefits it brought to her for endurance as she prepares to mother three babies. 

We face exercises of the faith all the time. And often we are pregnant with hope and vision for the life of that faith. We know that we want to fulfill everything God has for us. We may even have been given a view of what God has in store for us. We exercise our faith by living every day in the Word and prayer. Then a threat of some type comes along and we’re unsure what to do. Keep going? Keep working out our faith? Our friends see our situation and they want to comfort us. They might even look at us and pronounce doom over us – can she make it through this? Can he keep going on? Will they survive? 

Truth is, we need to be exercising our faith to prepare for the road ahead that we can’t even see. We don’t know what tomorrow will bring but the more we prepare our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, the stronger we will be to face the challenges and make it to the finish line. He has opened up a spiritual gym full of equipment that will give us muscles of strength beyond our natural abilities. We cannot rely on our own flesh to get us through or to keep us going. But we can rely on God’s Word to strengthen us, fit us and prepare us for whatever comes our way. We can’t afford to wait until the big situation hits our lives to prepare. We must make spiritual exercise a part of our daily routine. 

Oh beloved, God wants you to know that He understands the trial of faith you are facing. He understands too that you just want to sit down and quit. The demands of it all are almost too much to bear. You thought you were prepared for anything, but you are in a high endurance situation with almost all your strength used up. He speaks to your heart that now is not the time to give up. This is the time, right in the hardest moment, to find your second wind from Heaven itself. God has given you everything you need to exercise your spiritual muscles not just for endurance, but for winning! You can endure the pain of this present task you are faced with and walk on to the victory circle. In heaven the photograph of your faith walk is being rejoiced over as the Lord Himself roots you on to the end of this hard spot. You are victorious, valiant, achieving, enduring, and winning!

You are victorious in God! You are full of His power and wisdom and courage. He has given you everything you need to keep the faith, stay on course and follow through to victory. God loves you and He’s for you and because of this great and precious promise you can know that the things you are facing are momentary but the finish line you are heading for is given to you by Christ Himself!

James 1:2-4 Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations. Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience. 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. AMP

Psalm 62:7 On God my salvation and my glory rest; The rock of my strength, my refuge is in God.

Romans 8:37 Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him Who loved us. AMP

2 Corinthians 5:7 for we walk by faith, not by sight.

God's Love is Your Hedge of Protection

God’s Love is Your Hedge of Protection 

by rebekahbeene

I saw a news report on a new threat that may soon be growing in our yards. It is called the giant hogweed. It is listed as an invasive species of concern in Arkansas and many other states. The agriculture specialist speaking about the plant said that a slight touch combined with sweat or any other form of water will give huge blisters. Contact with the eyes can cause temporary and sometimes permanent blindness. An ordinary looking plant with pretty white flowers and huge green leaves can prove a terrible nuisance and danger. 

Most research indicates that five years of intensive management is required to attempt to eradicate it. Five years! Much work must be done to remove the threat of the plant by digging, mowing, cutting, and herbicide application. The person eradicating the plant must wear protective clothing and gloves as well as facial protection. This is a seriously dangerous plant that is highly invasive.

Life can be like an invasive plant at times. Things that normally wouldn’t bother us cause whelps of pain if it comes via the hand of one you thought was a friend. There are also areas of our life that we feel should have no problems –our families, our ministries, our jobs and our homes. Yet all our territory is subject to the invasion of the enemy of our souls. Without proper eradication methods, we are hopelessly embroiled in his dangerous tactics which leave us wounded, blinded and without hope.

Life in Christ however, will make things wonderful. Even when we’ve had contact with noxious things of the world we can be healed. We don’t have to live injured by the things that come our way. We are protected by divine right by God Himself. The King of Kings is our antidote for all of life’s poisons. 

God wants you to know that He is your protector from the noxious weeds of life. The closer you get to Him, through His Word, prayer and fellowship, the less affected you will be by the things around you. He protects your life, your heart, your mind and your faith. Poisons from enemy territory can’t touch you as long as you know what God says about things. His peace passes all understanding – what you know about the world, what you feel about the problems and what you perceive as truth. As you begin to dig into the Word, it will uproot the enemy’s thoughts, poisonous weeds of doubt and fear will have to flee! Application of the Word over all the lies and half-truths will cause them to shrivel away.

Oh beloved, how loved you are! Someone may have sowed seeds of untruth into your life – that you are unworthy, unlovely or unneeded. God says the opposite – Christ has said you are valuable to Him, you are beautiful in His sight and you are useful and have great potential for the Kingdom of God. It’s time to eradicate the untruths and replant God’s truth! Everything you are in Christ is perfection. Every Word you speak with the Father is heard. Every hope you have is being turned toward God so that He will give you the very desires of your heart! You walk in blessings, you stand in faith, you kneel in prayer and you step forward in victory – because the noxious things of life cannot overtake you.

God loves you and He’s for you – that is a hedge of protection against which no enemy can encroach! Rejoice as you live loved and walk in His blessings all the days of your life. 

Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart.

Psalm 10:17 O LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will strengthen their heart, You will incline Your ear

Ephesians 4:24 and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

2 Peter 1:3 seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.

Psalm 3:3 But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. KJV

Jude 12 May mercy and peace and love be multiplied to you.

Psalm 91:4 He will cover you with His feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.

You're an Overcomer

Isn’t it funny how memories show up in the mind at the oddest moments? I was thinking of our trip out west several years ago. We went across Arizona to the Grand Canyon and on to New Mexico with a group of biker friends. It was one of the hardest trips I’ve ever been on. But the scenery was out of this world. I would take nothing for the time we spent, even after Danny and I traveled across Oklahoma by ourselves coming home. Each and every sight and sound is built up in my memory bank. The high altitudes and the magnificent curves, while enjoyable for everyone along, actually made for some unbelievable hardship for me personally. Even so, there were great times along the way and I would go again in a heartbeat. 

That trip came on the heels of a wonderful service Danny and I attended where the speaker came to me and spoke over my life, “You are an overcomer. You may not quite know it yet…” 

As I was thinking about that trip just yesterday, God spoke to my heart. We think that being an overcomer means that we just simply enjoy life and aren’t affected by anything. We don’t get fearful, we don’t wonder if we can make it, we don’t regret the trip we have to take. Almost like taking the easy road. But really an overcomer is one who has gone through the worst, kept going, even at times crawling but making it all the way through. Anyone can start, anyone can enjoy a good time. But an overcomer keeps the course no matter what.

We in Arkansas are overcoming people. We are seeing this by the things that our state has gone through in the recent horrific weather. When hard roads come of any kind, whatever it brings, God’s people keep going. Devastation may hit the child of God but they are not of this world. Troubles may stay on the ground for long hours but God’s people are always, always, always with Him, no matter what. 

Oh beloved, God knows the devastation you are involved in. He knows that you’ve been trying to stay the course and keep keeping on. He wants you to know that you don’t have to have the strength on your own. You are not the keeper of your life, your home, your family, your business, or your ministry. God is. He ordained you to be an overcomer, to survive great odds, to overcome disasters of your faith that seek to sideline you. You may be feeling that you just want to quit, but now is not the time. You may be looking for a safer path, an easier ride or a chance to stop altogether. But God is calling you to continue with Him. You may continue alone but you can keep going. You may feel ostracized, immobilized or terrorized. But God says you are blessed, favored and strong in the power of His might. The road itself may be hard, but the destination will bring peace and rest. 

God loves you always and forever. And He is for you, coaching you, waving you on, picking you up and carrying you through it when you can’t get up on your own. Rejoice in His loving care and trust His providence and look for the enjoyable moments of life. You are indeed an overcomer. You will see this more and more as you go through your life.

2 Corinthians 4:8 We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.

2 Corinthians 6:4 In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind.

John 16:33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.

Romans 8:37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

May You Walk in More Light

May You Walk in More Light

We had another houseful of grandchildren this week. It’s always fun and chaotic. As I went downstairs before daylight, I noticed that the grandsons, who were sleeping on pallets, had turned all the lights off but the one small light over my keyboard at the computer. It was dark everywhere but there. I made my way to the desk and began to type. Soon I had to run back upstairs to get something. As I left the computer area I realized it was much darker just a few steps away. I could hardly see the four steps to the upper area of our home. I also noticed that when I was going back downstairs, headed toward the light of the computer area I could see much better, even the steps had light on them.

God spoke to my heart: When you are in the light you have enough to see clearly for where you are. But when you walk away from the light you will find it even harder to see. Only in coming toward the light can you have your steps illuminated. I AM the Light of the whole world. And you are My child, so you are an inheritor of the Light. Always keep close to Me. Walk towards Me, grow in Me, brighten your life in My illumination. Every time you step away from My Light, things will only grow darker. Your circumstances of disaster, discouragement, and ultimately disbelief have to flee in the light. The enemy of your soul wants you to believe that I AM not enough, that I AM not the way, and that I AM not able to give you light for the present time. He is a liar and the Father of all lies. Yes, you may be experiencing problems that look impossible, but don’t walk away from Me now. Yes, you may have been left alone, cast out or forsaken by someone you trusted, but I will never leave you to grope in the dark for comfort. I AM your comfort. My light dispels all darkness.  Your perception of your gloom will only change as you look at Me. My light is always present. I will make the darkness light before you as you come closer to Me.

Oh beloved, are you walking in fear, disbelief or worry? Are you living in the dark? It’s time to turn around and walk in the light! Your view will clear up and your heart will strengthen as you determine to believe God in spite of whatever is going on. His plans for you are outrageously wonderful. A life lived for Christ is blessed with every spiritual blessing – not one is kept from you. Quit stumbling and quit mumbling and start praising Him. Things may “look” dark but He is always lighting your way for He is the Light. He will dispel the darkness and His light cannot be extinguished. Turn around and look for His light is beckoning you to come back to Him.

God loves you and He is surely for you so you can trust His light to dispel any misconceptions, miscommunication or misinformation as you live in the Light of His Word. He sheds His Light on everything so you can see clearly and walk fearlessly.

Colossians 1:12  always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to His people, who live in the light.

Psalm 112:4 Light arises in the darkness for the upright, gracious, compassionate, and just [who are in right standing with God] Amplified

I John 1:5  This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in Him at all.

Psalm 119:105 Your Word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.

John 8:12 Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the Light of the world. If you follow Me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the Light that leads to life.”

Change Your Perspective and Look to the Son

As I was driving to work yesterday morning I noticed the beautiful clouds, dark and light, that covered the horizon. The sun was obscured but I could see the white light of it behind one of the clouds. As I drove along I saw bits of blue sky here and there among the clouds. And as I got closer to work I saw a line of blue as though it was a window in the wall of clouds, having both dark and light clouds beneath and above it. It was beautiful. To think that we can see the shining sun and the breathtaking blue of the sky just beyond the clouds makes for a masterpiece of wonder.

God spoke to my heart: Life has many opportunities that look like storm clouds. They threaten, they obscure, they try to define you. The swirling of the winds within the clouds and the ominous potential will hold you captive if you allow them. Yes, storms come into everyone’s life. Cloudy days are part of living;  but as your focus changes your perspective changes as well.  Instead of looking intently at the storm you are in, look beyond the cloudiness and see Me. The blue sky and sun rays are a herald of My Spirit giving you hope for today and purpose for the future. No matter who put the clouds in your sky, precious one, I AM preparing for you sunny days and plenty of blue skies. If you will hold onto My truth, in spite of the weather, you will see it all work out.  I AM the Lord who heals you, gives you new purpose, fresh insight and new dreams and hopes. Today may be cloudy but My forecast for you is abundance of the Son.  You cannot see it now, but your day is clearing and your life is gaining strength to live in the Light of My Word.  I AM speaking My Word over your life and heart and mind right now. Run to My Word and see what I AM saying about you, about the situation and about your future. That is your truth – not the storms, not the clouds, not the obscurity  – but the sun and the blue sky of your outcome for My glory.

Oh beloved, I know things can be oh so hard. The feelings you have about the situation you are presently in are understandable. I’ve been there. I can say that there were times I knew the sun would never shine again and yet it has! I know because I experienced it and God’s Word says it. God wants you to know that not only will your days ahead clear up, you will be absolutely amazed at how good and precious those new days will be. He loves you. Not buddy love or goose bumps love, but real love – the kind that sent Christ to the Cross. Abiding, genuine, enduring and faithful love. God is also for you – this means that no matter what you are going through, no matter whose fault it is, no matter the tangled turmoil of clouds swirling above your head – He will see you through it all. He will carry you beyond it as well. Better days full of joy and love and peace are coming, beloved, they are just beyond the clouds. Don’t give up now. Don’t give in to despair. Don’t languish in the depths of sorrow. Let God’s Word lift you up, build you up and carry you over to the other side.

Rest in His faithfulness. Focus on His promises. Pray for His Truth to become your reality. Watch as He does what only He can do. Your stormy days are about to end and your cloudy view is being overcome by the Son.  Break forth into joy and write and record for yourself how you feel today, how it looks tomorrow and how He honors His Word in your life for the days to come. Yes, your life has changed. It is changing for the better because you are learning to abide in Truth and rest in God and live for Jesus and that’s all that really matters.

II Peter 1:5a In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises…

Psalm 36:5 Your unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds.

Psalm 143:11 For the glory of Your name, O Lord, preserve my life. Because of Your faithfulness, bring me out of this distress.

2 Corinthians 4:17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!

Psalm 34:5 They looked to Him and were radiant, And their faces will never be ashamed. NAS

Are You Ready to Get Some Real Rest?

                                                                          When traveling late in the evening I usually get very sleepy. As always, as I get sleepier I start dozing off. When I start dozing off I jump awake and ask Danny if he’s sleepy. I’m always concerned that he will nod off as well. Every single time I ask him he always says the same thing, “No but you are”. It’s hard to relax because my drowsiness makes me think he’s surely going to be drowsy too. But in reality how I am feeling has nothing to do with how he’s feeling. His wakefulness is not thwarted by my lethargy. He is alert and watchful even when I am completely asleep. He’s never scared me or had a wreck while I was asleep yet I keep asking every time we travel. Finally when I am overcome with sleep and can’t keep myself awake I just have to let it go and trust him. He’s never failed me. I know I’m safe as soon as I let myself rest.

I think we may tend to treat God the same way. We find ourselves in a state of commotion – we are worried. So we wonder if God is with us. We’re fearful. So we wonder if God will protect us. We’re in the dark about a situation and we wonder if God sees us. We forget everything we already know. We forget to remember how He’s seen us through other crises in the past. We get drowsy spiritually under the load of present circumstances and we think God might fall asleep – He might miss this one.

God speaks to my heart: You cannot call the shots on your life. As well as you plan things are going to happen. It’s time to let go the desire to control things and learn to rest in My presence. My Word is your book of rest. Inside its pages are the truths that I breathe out over your life. You don’t have to question Me. You don’t have to worry about what I will do. You don’t have to think that just because you are in a dark place that My light won’t shine this time. Your fear doesn’t lesson My protection. But it will lessen your faith in Me. Your constant worry is not prayer. But your prayers are always received by Me. I miss not one tear, not one loss, not one problem. I AM the Lord who protects, guides, watches over and keeps you safe even when you are sleeping. Even when you are thinking I might not come through this time I AM already working out the plans for your life. It’s time to trust Me and let yourself rest. Rest in My promises. Rest in your circumstances. The rest I give rejuvenates your faith, revives your spiritual senses and redeems your times. Trust and rest go together. Prayer and faith gives you purpose. I will never leave you or forsake you. When have I ever done that? Quit wondering if I will be with you now, for I have said I will be with you always, even to the ends of the earth.

Oh beloved, time to wake up from the spiritual lethargy of worry, fear, regret, control. Time to let God breathe His Truth into your mind and let it go all the way to your heart. Settle things with Him now. Repent of disbelief and let Him drive. He has never forsaken His own and if you are His you are His own you can be assured by His Word that He is in charge of the trips of your life. Nothing is too difficult for Him. He has never missed a problem, been surprised by the ordeals you go through or been caught napping in your troubles. The things you are encountering in your life are not going to ruin you. Rather they are going to build up your faith in God.  If you’re having problems resting in His presence get out the Word of God and recite it over your life. Let His Word dwell richly in you. Don’t scrimp when things are hard. It costs nothing to go to the Word and it wields great dividends to the one who lives in the light of His mercy and grace.  Remember His promises and rehearse the truth about Him. You will find that when you let Him lead and rest in Him you will always feel renewed. Things may look worse, but God is making it better.

He loves you and He’s for you and that’s worth trusting Him to take care of it all and letting yourself rest in Him.

Isaiah 43:11-12 I, even I, am the Lord, and there is no savior besides Me.  “It is I who have declared and saved and proclaimed, and there was no strange god among you; so you are My witnesses,” declares the Lord, “And I am God.”

Isaiah 44:8 “Do not tremble and do not be afraid; Have I not long since announced it to you and declared it? And you are My witnesses. Is there any God besides Me, or is there any other Rock? I know of none.”

2 Samuel 7:28 For you are God, O Sovereign LORD. Your words are truth, and you have promised these good things to your servant. NLT

Hebrews 6:18 So God has given both His promise and His oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to Him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us.

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Psalm 4:8  In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for You, Lord, alone make me dwell in safety and confident trust. Amplified

Need A Specialist? You Have the Lord!

He called my office looking for information about pecan trees. No one was in the office except me so I tried to find the information for him about a particular variety of tree. Without having any luck online I got his number and called an agent in another county who is known for his incredible knowledge of pecan trees. As I asked a couple of questions, the agent began giving me information. It was apparent that he knew his stuff. I found out things I never knew about pecan trees as well as the information that my client wanted. I hung up the phone amazed at what that agent knew.

The agent’s reputation preceded him but now I had experienced it for myself. My experience plus his reputation made for certainty. Had I called a cattle specialist with the information I needed I would have come up empty handed. They might have known about pecans but they wouldn’t have the detailed specific information I needed. It’s not their specialty.

I also noted that this agent who had all the information about pecan trees wasn’t just a knowledge base. He loved pecan trees. He enjoyed studying them and sharing his information with whoever called. It was educational to talk with him but it was a delight also. His incredible knowledge was only trumped by his obvious love of the subject. He enjoyed talking about pecan trees with anybody who asked.
It’s obvious when we are in need that what we need is a specialist. We need someone who knows more than we do about the need. But we want more than mere intellectual information. We need more than mere head knowledge. I can find information, but I want heart and soul mixed in. I want someone who loves their subject and is willing to share it with me whenever I need.

God speaks to my heart: Our specialist is God Himself. He has all knowledge. He has information for any situation we may find ourselves in. But He’s not just full of knowledge, He loves us. He loves to share all of His truth with us. He has a knowledge base of all we could ever need to know in the Bible. But He didn’t just send us a book of facts. He sent us a Savior, who went to the cross to give us new life. But more than that. He sent us a Helper, Holy Spirit, to reveal God’s truth to us in wisdom, power and love. God could have just had holy men of God write His Words and put them in a book. But His love compelled Him to want relationship with us. Because of His great love we have fellowship with the One Who knows all. Aren’t we blessed?

Oh beloved, this same Specialist, who knows all, knows all about you as well. This knowledge seems to wonderful to you, I understand. Too good to be true but it is! He will meet all your needs. Every question you have, every desire of your heart is met in Him. Every mistake you want to leave behind and every worry, fear and concern you have is known by Him. And He loves you, so that when you have a need you can go right into His presence and ask anything, knowing that because He is God and He is your Savior and He is your Comforter, He will answer you. Nothing is too hard for Him. He wants to share His amazing information with you. He wants to fellowship with you. He loves you so much that He shares His truth in love. Others may have given you their version of the truth and it may have left you feeling rejected, despised, alone or fearful. Someone may have given you some worldly advice but it did nothing for your heart and soul. God will always give you His perfect Truth. He will tell you the Truth about yourself and that truth is full of His love and grace and mercy. He will not put you down, kick you out or leave you alone. He will also give you peace in the midst of the storm, joy in the midst of the suffering and strength when you are at your weakest.

What an awesome God! To think that we can have fellowship with Him, the one who set the stars in orbit and created the heavens and the earth. Beloved, run to Him first for your needs. He will guide you, direct you and keep you as well as work things out for your good and His glory. He will send you help in due season, friends who know Him well enough to be trusted and give you the ability to stand amidst it all. God loves you and He’s for you and that’s all that really matters as you seek His face and live in the light of His Word.

Deuteronomy 10:17 For the Lord your God is the God of gods and Lord of lords. He is the great God, the mighty and awesome God, who shows no partiality and cannot be bribed.

James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. NIV

John 14:26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.

Acts 17:25 and human hands can’t serve His needs—for He has no needs. He himself gives life and breath to everything, and He satisfies every need.

Psalm 139: 1,5-6 O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You go before me and follow me. You place Your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!

What Have you Been Hearing?

“So then Faith comes by hearing…and hearing by the Word of God” Romans 10:17

My husband gets tickled at me as he watches me grab bits and pieces of conversations all around the room. Problem is I just get bits and pieces. I may hear two or three words, but then if I don’t hear the whole thing I may perceive a whole different story than was actually spoken. Later I might ask him about the $90,000 house to find out that particular conversation revolved around 90 people not $90,000!

There is much to listen to in this world. Even the weather channel no longer deals strictly with weather. You can find politics and other stories if you watch for very long. And when it comes to reporters, even those who are considered conservative will wander over into views that aren’t really that conservative. So much information, only two ears and throw in muffled talk and muted voices and you could make up your own version of most any story.

When it comes to faith, though, we don’t have to take other peoples’ word for the truth. They may be speaking the truth, but for us faith comes by hearing and that hearing should be coming straight from the Word of God. Our best quality of information gathering comes when we go straight to the Word of God for our information.  There are many “channels” of faith talk, but we must always sort through the Word of God for ourselves – straight to the source – to make sure we’ve heard things right.

What have you heard?  Maybe you heard that you are useless, castoff, done for. You may have been given a piece of information that said you don’t fit in, you don’t have the right criteria, you are less than. You may have thought you were hearing correctly when the sentence of judgment came past your ears. Those things don’t feed your faith because they don’t line up with the Word of God. Unless you go straight to the source and find out the truth for yourself, you will be destined to live in the darkness of untruth and half-truth.  Partial information hinders your walk, maims your life and keeps you fettered on the sidelines, unable to break the chains and run free.  

Oh beloved, faith comes by hearing! Hearing the Word of God! Hearing the truth about you! You are not less than, you are more than. You are not beaten down, you are an overcomer.  You can dance free from any chains that seek to bind you by others’ words because you are free in Christ! It doesn’t matter what others say, because it’s not about them. Keep your ears attuned to God’s Word and watch as your faith grows and grows. And when your faith grows your fears subside.  It doesn’t matter what the enemy says, for you don’t have to listen to a word he speaks. He is a liar and the father of all lies. Get that  - the father of, the originator of – all lies. Anything that is spoken about you or over you that doesn’t line up with the Word of God is not a word of faith. You may need to repeat the Word out loud over the lies that come your way or the half-truths that threaten to derail your faith, but lies cannot stand in the presence of Truth.

Every Word of God holds true. The more you hear the truth, the stronger your faith will be. The stronger your faith is, the better your hearing becomes. Eventually you will begin to cast out the things you hear in the background as you discern the difference. God loves you and that’s the truth, backed by the Word of God, and He’s for you – which is another truth backed by the Word, so that you can live with clear hearing and strong faith and that’s what God has for you all the days of your life.

Luke 11:28 Jesus replied, “But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.

Matthew 4:4 But He replied, It has been written, Man shall not live and be upheld and sustained by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.

Psalm 119:89 Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven.

John 17:17 Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.

Psalm 119:38 Establish Your word to Your servant, As that which produces reverence for You.

Psalm 138:2 I will bow down toward Your holy temple And give thanks to Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your word according to all Your name.

Faith Trumps Circumstances Every Single Time

When I was little, my father worked off shore in the gulf. He would be gone for months at a time. Then he’d return and be off for about 30 days. Each time he left I knew he’d be back. I never once thought he’d never return to us. Sometimes we would really miss him and mother would pull out a letter he had written and we’d read it together. We found comfort in those messages of love. Even when there was a hurricane and he and his crew weren’t heard from during the storm, I just expected he’d return. He always came back and generally he was bearing gifts. I still have many of those presents to this day.

Have you ever gone through a time when it felt like your heavenly father was absent? You might not hear directly from Him and you might not see evidence of his presence for a long period of time. You may have even experienced a storm in your life when you felt that God was nowhere to be seen. You may feel that He has left you in the storm to go it alone.

Maybe you are going through such a quiet time right now. You know God. You’ve experienced His presence. You’ve trusted in His Word and you’ve walked in His precepts. But now you’re going through hard times and He appears silent. Will He return to save you? Will He come and intervene or will He stay gone until it’s all over? You may feel you have to do something for yourself or you have to take matters into your own hands. Is He gone and will He return? Does He care about our everyday troubles and situations? Is He simply an aloof God who leaves us to do our own plans and make our own decisions?

Oh beloved, you can be certain that God is always with you. Your circumstances might try to make you feel that He is gone from it all. Your feelings may cry out to you that you are totally alone and have to go through the waiting for help all by yourself. Faith trumps circumstances every single time. And by faith you know that God is an ever present help in time of need. You know by His Word that you have no reason to fear and no reason to doubt. You may think you have to make decisions on your own but God’s Word is His bond. He promises to see us through all our situations. He declares that your help is in the Name of the Lord. He vows His care and that those who dwell in His presence are guarded, protected and walked with through any situation. You only have to pull out His love letters in the Word of God and take them in as Truth for your heart to be steadied and your mind to be at rest. In the meantime you also have precious gifts He has given you such as peace, joy, comfort, faith, patience and perseverance. These gifts are meant to be enjoyed and used daily.

Unlike my father who really was gone at times, our Heavenly Father is never away. You can trust Him to see you through every single day of your life. Whether you feel His presence or not, you can know His presence is with you if you have put your trust in Christ. You may feel He is gone because you have done something wrong. That is when you confess your heart to Him knowing that He hears and forgives. Keep short accounts with Him and trust His mercy and grace. When He seems silent, your faith is growing because you do not trust the circumstances but you are learning to trust the Lord. Hang ever closer to God when things seem so quiet. Hold onto God’s Word when things seem so stormy. Trust in His Word, walk in His precepts and expect His help always. He loves you and He’s for you and that’s why you know He won’t abandon you or walk away for all of your life.

Psalm 37:3 Trust in the LORD and do good; Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.

Psalm 9:10 And those who know Your name will put their trust in You, For You, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.

Psalm 94:14 The LORD will not reject His people; He will not abandon His special possession. NLT

Psalm 91: 1-2 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord He is my refuge and my fortress. My God in whom I will trust!”

Psalm 119:14 You are my refuge and my shield; your word is my source of hope. NLT

Deuteronomy 31:8 The LORD is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.

Matthew 28:20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age

The Game of Life Increases Your Faith Level

People everywhere are playing games on the social media sites. Candy Crush is one of the favorites. Doctors, lawyers, bankers, stay at home moms, secretaries, teachers and athletes all play. I admit it, I play it as well.  I’m on level 125. I should say I’m stuck on level 125.  It’s ridiculous when I think I’ve had to play some of those levels 50 times before I could pass on to the next level.  Why would anyone spend so much time going over and over and over the same thing?  Everyone I know who plays the game keeps playing and playing and playing. 

I’m reminded of the game of life. We are bound at a level of rejection or indifference or heartbreak.  We want to go past it, move on, but we’re stuck. Sometimes we think it’s not worth the effort and we quit altogether. We’re ready to move on to something else.  Find another way to play.

Life is not really a game but we are participants.  We have to be serious about it to get through.  If we’re content to stay at level one we can do that.  But God is always encouraging us to step up, go up, move up.  There are great rewards at the higher levels with Him. 

We see the more difficult times of our lives as game ending events. But the Lord sees them as life enhancing events. As we go through it all our faith level is increased with every level.  God will give us the strength to go on when we lay that rejection at His feet, knowing that He was despised and rejected Himself. He knows how it feels and yet He went on to the cross, stepped into hell, rose again and is sitting at God’s right hand!

Sometimes the levels seem like a breeze, other times they are especially hard. But as long as we keep Jesus with us, helping us every step of the way, we will be victorious over the small things and eventually we will be victorious over it all.

Winners are not those who are better, have it all together or know the cheats. No, winners are those who know their limitations, see their inabilities clearly and call upon the One who knows how to navigate every degree of their lives.  Winners cannot be pointed out for their strength or their charisma or their talents. Real winners are those who have simply kept playing the game of life and never quit, always relying on the Lord Who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we can ask or think.

Oh beloved, if you decided it was easier to quit, God is lovingly calling you to get back in the game. It doesn’t matter what someone else has declared about you, you are destined to win. It doesn’t matter what kinds of obstacles to the next level you encounter, God has declared you an overcomer.  Nothing can keep you from winning because God loves you and He’s for you and that’s all you will ever need to be a winner in life.  

2 Kings 3:18 But this is only a simple thing for the Lord, for He will make you victorious over the army of Moab!

James 1:12 Blessed (happy, to be envied) is the man who is patient under trial and stands up under temptation, for when he has stood the test and been approved, he will receive [the victor’s] crown of life which God has promised to those who love Him. (Amplified)

I John 5:4 For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith.

Psalm 44:3 They did not conquer the land with their swords; it was not their own strong arm that gave them victory. It was Your right hand and strong arm and the blinding light from Your face that helped them, for You loved them.

1 Corinthians 15:57 but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Flames of Faith Overtake the Chill

It’s cold outside this morning. I mean really cold. This is the coldest day of the season so far. When I arrived home yesterday evening I was chilled to the bone. Just this small cold snap reminds me that I don’t like winter’s temps. I wondered if I’d ever feel warm again. But I’m warm inside my house. My hubby built a nice roaring fire in the fireplace yesterday afternoon and it is still full of embers that are still keeping the house warm.  I may have to go out in the cold momentarily but I know that when I return it will still be warm inside.

There are times in our lives when it’s just cold. The chill of adversity has us shivering. The plummeting temperatures of trails, hurts and pain has us wondering if we’ll ever be warm again.  Will we ever feel the warmth of true friendship when others seem to walk away so easily? Will we know the flame of true love when we can’t seem to hang onto it? Will adversity keep battering away its high winds on the walls of our hearts and minds? People may try to warm us, make us feel better or console us, but we must find our way out of the chill in our hearts ourselves, so that we can stay warm and secure no matter what.

Oh beloved, rejoice!  God has kept the home fires burning! He is the fire of your warmth for days and nights like this. He is beckoning you to come in out of the elements and warm up to His love and His truth. Regardless of the conditions that surround you, He is your shelter in the storm. You don’t have to remain at the mercy of the howling winds of circumstances, for you are covered by His loving care.   You are never alone, never left out in the cold and never forced to remain distant from the Lord. No matter what, God is with you. No matter what, He will take you in. No matter what, He will cause spring to come again to your heart and the chill of today’s trials will melt in the light of His glory and grace.

Quit rehearsing the problems and begin to rehearse God’s Word over your problems. The flames of faith will overtake the chill and you will find that, even in the midst of it all, God’s love will warm you, God’s word will cover you and His peace will blanket you all the days of your life.

Psalm 36:7 How precious is Your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of Your wings.

Psalm 31:20 You hide them in the shelter of Your presence, safe from those who conspire against them. You shelter them in Your presence, far from accusing tongues.

Isaiah 12:2 See, God has come to save me. I will trust in Him and not be afraid. The Lord God is my strength and my song; He has given me victory.

Psalm 23:6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Psalm 84:10a A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else!

2 Corinthians 1:3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort.

Is It Foggy Right Now?

It’s been foggy and rainy a lot lately. It’s just that kind of fall weather when staying inside seems the best choice. The leaves falling and the overcast skies hide the true colors of the leaves that are so brilliant in the sunshine.

The fog is so deceptive. It too hides things that are road hazards in your path. You get disoriented and it’s easy to miss the turns and bends in the road ahead. Try turning on your bright lights, which usually gives you a better view, and you find that the path is even more obscured.

Left to my own preference I’d just stay home until the dampness receded and the fog lifted. I prefer sunny days, especially in the fall. I don’t like to have to feel my way through the roads and hope that no deer suddenly appear in front of me.

We can’t choose the weather. We can’t tell the fog to burn off. We can’t make things happen just the way we want to. So we trust the weather and the effects of it to the One Who knows exactly what’s going on. We can’t see ahead many times for we are trapped in the heaviness of our situations. But we can trust that the One Who knows what is going on is also going to go before us and make the way passable.

Life often changes just like the weather. Sunny skies turn to darkened nights. This change makes us feel as though we are in a fog. We’re used to sailing through familiar pathways on to our comfortable lives. Then the fog rolls in. We’re caught without sight much further than right in front of us. It’s scary, it’s unnerving and we’re not sure if we’ll make it through. We’re not sure which way to turn so we have to slow down and proceed with caution.

God speaks to my heart: You don’t have to live in the fog. You just have to go through it. And you don’t have to go through this foggy season alone. I AM the light in the darkest night. I AM the beacon shining through the fog. You can’t trust the situation, you can’t trust people to help you, you can’t trust your own senses at times like this. But you can trust Me. This is the time you can grow in Me. Slow down and listen to My voice. I will direct you, I will counsel you, I will guide you through. While you see the foggy times as impossible situations, I will use them as times to teach you to trust Me more. I AM never going to leave you or forsake you. I will not allow this to be a time of destruction but of instruction. My love and power and mercy will get you through. Proceed with caution so that you can hear Me clearly for I AM always speaking protection, direction and care over you.  You may think the situation is so hurtful, wrong and unfair but when the fog lifts you will see that all things, even this, work together for your good.

Oh beloved, is it foggy where you are living right now?  Run to the Beacon of Love! Open your heart in prayer and your mind in trust! He’s not going to let you wreck, He’s not going to let you fall, He’s not going to let you live in the present situation. Don’t despair and don’t trust your senses. Trust God and sink your heart fully in His Word! At just the right time – His timing – He will bring you through the fog and into the sun again. It will lift and the beauty of a new day will be your reward. You will be stronger, more sure of your faith and ready to meet the road ahead with fresh determination. For what you learn in the foggy season, will be your message to others who need to know God’s abiding care.

God loves you and He’s for you so that you can proceed with Him through any weather as you let Him watch over you, guide you and keep you safe all the days of your life.

 2 Peter 1:19 So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts.

Psalm 19:8 The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.

Psalm 32:8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.

Psalm 56:3 When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You.

Hooked on the Truth or Feelings?

Ever find yourself humming an old song from your youth? I don’t know where they come from except they must be in the deep recesses of our memory.  Yesterday “Hooked on a Feeling” was playing in my mind and I found myself sure enough humming it.  It’s as though B J Thomas himself was in my office.

Although the song itself is a love song, the words speak to me about feelings. I often get hooked on feelings. I would bet you do too.   There are times when a phrase will come to my mind out of the blue trying to convince me that my feelings are the real truth.

We usually recognize the lies that are in direct proportion to our knowledge of God’s truth. Those are such thoughts as “God’s not real is He? “Did Jesus really die on the cross?”  “Was Jesus really resurrected?” “Is the Bible true?”  Even though we may know the truth, those doubt provoking words can change our feelings if we’re not careful. 

Other times we are in a transition of some sort. Sometimes it’s after an encounter with change. Or fear. Or decision making. It can be what another has said about us in anger or rejection. Sometimes it’s because we’ve messed up – you know the phrase “I’m so stupid” or how about “I’m just a mess up”.  Other feelings come to mind as thoughts like, “God doesn’t love you”.  There are even self-talk thoughts that come to mind, “I hate myself”, “nobody loves me”, “I’m ugly” or well you can fill in the words.

If we’re not careful we will get “hooked on a feeling” and our life will spiral downward. We’ll take those wrong thoughts and dwell on them, take them in and begin to live them out. 

We have an enemy and he has a name and he is real. And he’s real good at putting his thoughts in our minds and replaying them over and over at just the right time.  He’s a user. He will use our thoughts of guilt, condemnation, fear, anxiety, worthlessness, hopelessness, and self-hatred against us.

God speaks to my heart: Oh precious child of mine. Did you hear those words? I said precious child.  And I speak the truth. Who are you listening to? What are you filling your mind with? Why are you listening to the father of lies? I AM your Real Father and My Words are Real Truth! I AM your protector, not just of your physical life, but of your emotional and spiritual life as well!  The more you take in My Truth and hearken to My Words, the more you will be able to dispel the lies of darkness.  And the more you let Me put My thoughts into your heart, the more you will be able to share My truth with others!

Oh beloved, God says you are indeed beloved. And His Word says you are beautiful, redeemed, blessed, fruitful…and much, much more. Run to His Word this morning and take it in, find it, read it, meditate on it and live it out. As you become more hooked on God’s truth you will be able to shut down the feelings that try to fill your mind. What God says about you is pure truth, because above all God loves you and He’s for you and that’s what really matters isn’t it?

 Romans 8:1 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

John 10:10 The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

Romans 8:34 Who then will condemn us? No one--for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and He is sitting in the place of honor at God's right hand, pleading for us.

Psalm 19:14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to You, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

Psalm 139:17 How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered!

Open the Gifts of God - Straight from the Father's Heart

At our grandson Blake’s birthday party Sunday, we all had a great time. There was a big crowd of family to friends.  Everyone had so much fun. Everything Blake got was something he really liked. As he was putting some of his toys on the kitchen cabinet before they went out to play he looked at me and asked if we had gotten him a certain gift. I replied yes that’s what Popaw and I got him.  He was tickled because as he said “I’ve always wanted one of those”.  

Later that afternoon he was over at our house with another gift, washable markers and an Iron Man spiral notebook to write and draw in. He looked at me and asked if that was from us too. I told him it was. He responded, “This too? I like it.”

Although he got many different gifts, he was appreciative of each one.  Not only that, he was amazed that his grandparents had gotten him more than one gift that he really liked!  

God speaks to my heart. Aren’t we like that?  We accept the gift of salvation and we’re so appreciative to God for His mercy and grace. It’s just the gift we all are asking for. We all want to be forgiven and have a new start. But there’s more! He doesn’t just give us the security of heaven. He gives us the security of every single day of our lives! Not one thing happens that God is unaware of or unprepared for. No matter how things look in the natural, in the spiritual realm you have the gift of full security in Him.

And there’s even more. He gives us grace to help in time of need. He tore the veil and gave us an open door to contact Him 24/7 in prayer. There’s the gift of strength for the weary, rest for the worried, peace for the storm tossed and hope for the hopeless. He gives each of us various gifts for the body of Christ, all of which are very important. Your gift is outstanding and just for you!  He gives us all a basket full, running over and over of fruit, so that our lives will be healthy in Kingdom living as we share His fruit with others. 

He even gives the right friends at the right time for the right help just when we need them. Each friend is also a gift from God.  He gives us a sound mind! So that we can rightly know what God is saying in His Word, every single one of us! He gives us peace - not the kind the world gives, which is false peace – but the kind that will guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus.

There are so many gifts that belong to the child of God that it’s like your birthday every day! You are His most favored child and as such He desires you to know Truth in the inner recesses of your heart so that you can call upon that Truth when things look bad, times turn rough or life hands you significant turmoil, trouble or pain.  

There’s more and more and more and each time you open another gift, you are blessed and surprised! This too, Lord? This surprise of blessings gives you a thankful heart and a mouth full of praise. And the gifts flow on from the Father to the Son to you His child and then on to others.

Oh beloved, reach into the Birthday bag of blessings, the Word of God! It’s all yours by reason of being Born Again! The promises to set you free, the promises to help you bless others and the promises to get you to heaven – are all there! Keep reaching in and pulling those gifts out. Keep showing them to others and sharing His bountiful ways with everyone you meet. 

Praise the Lord and thank Him this morning for He is Your Exceedingly Abundant God! He’s the Father of Lights who gives no shadows or mystery or doubt. His Faithfulness to you is Great! His Mercies are new to you each and every day!  Why? Because He loves you and He’s for you and that’s the greatest gift you’ll ever receive!

John 14:27 I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.

1 Corinthians 12:11 It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.

2 Corinthians 5:18 And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to Himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to Him.

1 Peter 4:10 God has given each of you a gift from His great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.

2 Peter 1:2-3 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord;  seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.