Mental Battles

Proverbs 4:25

Let your eyes look straight in front of you, and keep looking at what is in front of you. 26 Watch the path of your feet, and all your ways will be sure.

Romans 12:2New Life Version (NLV)

2 Do not act like the sinful people of the world. Let God change your life. First of all, let Him give you a new mind. Then you will know what God wants you to do. And the things you do will be good and pleasing and perfect.

2 Samuel 22:40New Life Version (NLV)

40 For You have dressed me with strength for battle. You have put under me those who came against me.

Today I had a conversation with my mom about being more for others.  What does that mean to you?  To me, it is doing and being all that I can for the people in my life.  Sometimes being more for others is planned, but most of the time it is random.   This weekend my family and I took our annual Mother’s Day weekend vacation.  I took a well needed “brain break”.  In the midst of that, I was in the moment with my kids and created memories.  Memories that they will hold onto for a long time.  However, as I stepped back into the daily routine on Tuesday, my brain started thinking about all the opportunities I had missed or how I didn’t keep track of something I should have been on top of.  I literally became my own enemy, fighting the battle of negativity in my own head.  This is a battle I have to prepare for daily.  

“Plant beauty, grow beauty.  Plant thorns, grow thorns.  Time will allow for either.”  

(Lysa TerKeurst, Uninvited) 

Putting on my “armor of God” is where that all changes.  In that moment, of course after fighting my thoughts for a few minutes, I realized that I didn’t miss out on those opportunities or loose track of myself.  Why?  Because I was soaking up the moments with my family.  I gave God those thoughts of negativity.  I thanked Him that no one else could see the battles that go on inside me.  I thanked Him for his grace and strength.  Today was a new day.  I took a step forward and began my day with the attitude that I will do what I can in the moments sitting right in front of me.  I’m going to plant as much beauty with my words and actions.  Why?  Because this reflects His love and that is my purpose.  If I plant those negative thoughts and dwell in them, I’m planting thorns that will continue to take over like weeds.  So, today, whatever your mental battle is, give those “thorns” to Him and let Him plant a beautiful garden of thoughts for you.

Be Blessed

Leap of Faith

Hebrews 11:1-2The Message (MSG)

Faith in What We Don’t See

11 1-2 The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd.

James 4:14-15Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

14 You don’t even know what tomorrow will bring—what your life will be! For you are like smoke that appears for a little while, then vanishes.

15 Instead, you should say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.

Jumping and not knowing what is on the other side is scary.  It is a large leap of faith.  ”It’s putting your belief and trust in something or somebody outside of yourself, and then acting on that belief.”(http://getmorestrength.org/daily/leap-of-faith/)

This mountain goat could choose to stay on the side that he is comfortable and familiar with.  He does not need to jump to the other side, but he is curious.  Curious if the other side has more to offer.  Curious if the other side has richer soil which provides more vegetation.  Curious to know…  So with a running start and without a thought, he takes a large leap into the air and focuses on what is directly in front of him.  Not on what is below him.  He trusts that this leap will carry him to the other side.  He isn’t for sure what is on the other side, but his natural instinct, gut feeling, is telling him that it is necessary to take that leap of faith.  

We get so comfortable in life at times.  So comfortable, that we become still and stagnant.  We are not doing justice to ourselves or others in those stagnant “seasons”.  We even ignore the tugs that are pulling us into a different direction, an unfamiliar direction.  Why not take a leap of faith?  Get uncomfortable.  The quote, “If it doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you” has popped up multiple times in the last week for me.  Being uncomfortable, scared, anxious, builds up the momentum for you to do something great.  You are going to grow, stretch, and mold into a new chapter in your life.  Little leaps of faith pop up and interrupt our lives frequently.  Large leaps of faith pop up less frequently, but still occur.  Whether it is large or small, take courage, pray, and take the step HE is wanting you to take.  Because if our focus is on Him on the other side of the cliff, we will land firm, on our feet, on the other side.  

The fear of being alone..

Proverbs 18:24New Life Version (NLV)

24 A man who has friends must be a friend, but there is a friend who stays nearer than a brother.

Isaiah 41:10New Life Version (NLV)

10 Do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will give you strength, and for sure I will help you. Yes, I will hold you up with My right hand that is right and good.

Isaiah 46:4New Life Version (NLV)

4 Even when you are old I will be the same. And even when your hair turns white, I will help you. I will take care of what I have made. I will carry you, and will save you.

1 Corinthians 12:27-28

You are all a part of the body of Christ. 28 God has chosen different ones in the church to do His work. First, there are missionaries. Second, there are preachers or those who speak for God. And third, there are teachers. He has also chosen those who do powerful works and those who have the gifts of healing. And He has chosen those who help others who are in need and those who are able to lead others in work and those who speak in special sounds.

I’m a true extrovert.  I love being around others.  I love entertaining.  I love filling my time with close friends and new friends.  In fact, many of you know that I don’t like closed invitations.  When I invite, I invite anyone and everyone.  

I do like down time.  I like sitting and enjoying a good book.  I love quiet family nights at home.  Curling up to watch a good movie.  However, those times happen in spurts.  

So when I see someone who is hurting and feeling alone, my heart aches for them.  When they are screaming out for help, but don’t know how to help themselves, it takes a lot out of me emotionally.  When someone is sinking in anger, depression, anxiousness, etc, I want to truly reach out and shake those emotions out of them.  I want them to know that they are not alone.  God doesn’t intend us to be alone.  

God intends for us to be HIS hands and feet daily.  We are chosen to do His work.  It doesn’t matter what our “status” is, but it does matter what His mission is for us.  Many people that surround us daily don’t know or understand the love that God has for us.  We can’t shake God’s goodness in them.  They will notice God’s goodness through our actions.  That person may not be effected immediately, but over time, if they keep being surrounded by other’s that have Godly actions, their heart will be softened.  Their loneliness will be shaken from them.  

Do I have a fear of being alone?  Or fighting a battle in life without His love and grace?  We all need reminders that we are not alone and that we are a “tribe” who are fighting those battles together.  

Enjoy Matthew Wes:  All the People Said Amen

Be Blessed!

Godly Wisdom

James 1:5New Life Version (NLV)

5 If you do not have wisdom, ask God for it. He is always ready to give it to you and will never say you are wrong for asking.

James 3:17New Life Version (NLV)

17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure. Then it gives peace. It is gentle and willing to obey. It is full of loving-kindness and of doing good. It has no doubts and does not pretend to be something it is not.

James 3:13New Life Version (NLV)

Wisdom from Above

13 Who among you is wise and understands? Let that one show from a good life by the things he does that he is wise and gentle.

Proverbs 16:16New Life Version (NLV)

16 To get wisdom is much better than getting gold. To get understanding should be chosen instead of silver.

We are currently studying James in our small group.  This week I have been pondering the word wisdom a little more.  What does wisdom mean to you?  Below is the definition of wisdom:

Wisdom - the soundness of an action or decision with regard to the application of experience, knowledge, and good judgment.

What is Godly wisdom?  I brainstormed what that meant to me and these were the characteristics that came to mind:  

-willing to obey God

-comes from above

-wise in my actions and words

-seeing the needs around me

-gentle hearted

-humble 

-not doubting what God is telling me

Reading James 3:17 the characteristics of wisdom that are being pure, giving peace, being gentle, willing to obey, demonstrating loving-kindness, doing good, and not doubting.  

“wisdom is seeing things from God's perspective -- how does God see this -- and then responding to that according to biblical principles. That is, how am I to respond to this situation from God's viewpoint. That keeps me in the center of God's will, doing what God wants me to do, and enabling me to become the person that God wants me to be.” (http://www1.cbn.com/dr-charles-stanley-learning-walk-wisely)

God also wants us to be meek.  He doesn’t want us to protest what He is telling us.  He wants us to tame our tongues and actions.  We need to have patience and be strong.  

So how can we apply this to our lives today.  We should be a noticer.   We need to be people who take in their surroundings, listens, one who is quick to listen and slow to respond, soak in what God is wanting us to act on and say, and then navigate through life in a way that honors Him.  We all have gifts and are all wise in our own ways.  But God put us here to weave our gifts and His Godly wisdom into our daily walk with HIm.  

Be Blessed!

Hit the LOVE Button

Luke 24:16, 29

16 Something kept their eyes from seeing Who He was.

29 But they said to Him, “Stay with us. It will soon be evening. The day is about over.” He went in to stay with them. 30 As He sat at the table with them, He took the bread and gave thanks and broke it. Then He gave it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened and they knew Him. Then He left them and could not be seen. 

Isaiah 55:6New Life Version (NLV)

6 Look for the Lord while He may be found. Call upon Him while He is near.

Hebrews 11:1New Life Version (NLV)

Faith

11 Now faith is being sure we will get what we hope for. It is being sure of what we cannot see.

“Just because they knew about Jesus does not mean they knew Him. Just because they could see Him does not mean they could see who He was. Many people today know who Jesus is. They have heard about Him, read about Him, use His name, and many even claim to know Him. They would not recognized Him if they saw Him. Their eyes have not been opened. Knowing about Him and knowing Him are two different things.” (http://www.lifeway.com/Article/sermon-jesus-opens-our-eyes-luke-24)

Social media is a hot topic in our world today.  In fact, we can create what we see in social media.  Has there ever been someone who you have “blocked” or “unfollowed” due to their feed or status’?  I’ll be the first to admit that I have done it a few times.  Why?  Because my eyes were just tired of seeing the negative.  I am not saying that doing this is ‘right’ or ‘wrong’, but we do the same with our walk with HIM.  

The sermon at church this week was taken from Luke 24:13-35.  The men walking were being accompanied by Jesus, Himself.  They did not see that it was Him.  Their eyes were so shielded from the crucifixion.  Their minds were still set on the death of Christ.  They believed in Him, but yet they couldn’t see what was walking right beside them.  They had “blocked” Him from their vision.  

So how does this apply to our lives and our walk.  If our vision and/or thoughts are being blocked by the events in our lives, look to Him and see the true light.  He sees what we can’t see.  He has planned what is unexpected.  Don’t block Him from your news feed.  ‘Love’ His status’ ALWAYS!

Enjoy David Dunn - Today Is Beautiful 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdj_w3MxQXo&list=RDqdj_w3MxQXo

The Broken

Psalm 147:3New Life Version (NLV)

3 He heals those who have a broken heart. He heals their sorrows.

Psalm 34:18New Life Version (NLV)

18 The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart. And He saves those who are broken in spirit.

Romans 8:38New Life Version (NLV)

38 For I know that nothing can keep us from the love of God. Death cannot! Life cannot! Angels cannot! Leaders cannot! Any other power cannot! Hard things now or in the future cannot!

This world is a broken world.  God’s plan is not one that we can begin to understand, but it is always for HIS good.  However, when in the midst of situations it is really hard to pull our minds out of the dark trenches and focus on Him.  

I will be completely transparent in saying that I do not keep up with the news.  I do hear of the happenings and ripples in the world, but I tend to disconnect myself from them to a certain degree.  I don’t know why I do this, but I do.  I think it truly stems from 9/11.   We all watched the news unfold.  We all felt the devastation of our nation.  Some of us felt the devastation first hand by loosing a friend or family member.  It was an event in history no one will ever forget.  I became scared of what was going on in the world.  I started to retreat into my little comfortable life and close out the world around me.  God has a plan and I, selfishly, have been focusing on His plan in my life.  

This week a sweet friend was hit with the devastation in Egypt.  The church was the St. George Church in the Nile Delta town of Tanta.  She grew up in that church.  She has very fond memories of that church.  In fact, her mother, brother, and his young family where sitting in the pews the moment the bomb went off.  To see the devastation is one thing, but to hear her explain it and the terror she went through trying to get a hold of her mother, unbelievable.  My heart sank when I thought about how, that very morning, I was sitting, very comfortably, in an auditorium.  I was very freely worshipping and hearing what God had to tell ME.  I did not have a fear of what was going on around me or whether or not my family would be in danger.  

How naive of me to take the broken world and not truly pray for it?!?!?!  All week, my heart has been stirring for this sweet friend and her family.  Today she spoke of how members of that church gathered around the church in prayer.  God is not defined by a building, but by the presence of 2 or more people gathered praising His name.  In that moment, evil cringed.  To know that something so ugly, as the devastation of a bomb, can bring a community together to pray, is a beautiful thing.  God surrounds the broken hearted.  Nothing can keep us from the love of God.  

For me, I am now really praying for God to break my heart for people.  Break it and bring me to my knees.  I may not be in that situation, but I am called to be a Prayer Warrior for them.  I ask of you to pray for the broken world around us and that we can be a light in that dark world.  

Be Blessed!

Bring IT!!!

Galatians 5:22-23Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith,[a] 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.

These are strong qualities that we all want to possess.  When walking into a conversation, a room, or any public place, one of these qualities is missing, if not more. God gave us these fruits so that we can weave them into our lives.  When weaving them into our lives, we begin to make a difference around us.  

Why is it such a struggle to display these fruits?   Have I completely let the Spirit work in me?  Key word is COMPLETELY.  Do I completely surrender to HIS works on a daily basis?  At times, yes.  However, there are other times it is truly difficulty because I let the world around me guide my thoughts and actions.  

What would it look like if we stopped to take notice each time we entered a room, observed the environment, and found the fruits that were missing?  Then what if we took those missing fruits and put them into action.  God would be able to do HIS works through us.  He wants to give us fullness and reflect that unto others.  We need to bring these fruits into whatever situation we find ourselves in on a daily basis.  God wants us to BRING IT!  Bring the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control.  It is our job to BRING IT.  We are working for only 1 true BOSS, GOD.  He created us to do something…

Enjoy Matthew West - Do Something

Be Blessed!