FreeLoader or Loaded with Faith ?

Posted on June 29, 2015 by darla05

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Growing up being in a family that went to church every time the doors were open and my Grandfather being a Pentecostal preacher for 55 years, I have seen and heard a lot. I have seen the REAL and the FAKE . I have seen the best and worst in people and it truly gave me a jaded view of church.

My Mother always joked and said that “they” must teach how to be a “FREELOADER” in church or seminary school somewhere and we just missed it. So many go to church to see what they can get instead of what they can give. For me, the times I have been hurt the worst are from people that wear the Church Card wherever they go. Every time they are in church they have to let people know. Be seen.  Announce it on Facebook.  Talk about about all they are doing for the church. I cannot help but think of the stories of the Pharisees when they wanted to be seen and say their prayers loud for all to hear how spiritual they were. Do I know their hearts, no I don’t. But , as the word says we know people by their fruit. Also, it says we are to hold the body of Christ accountable for their actions.This do not judge statement has totally been taking out of reference. Read and study it again for yourself.

We have had so called friends cry with tears and all of how hard of a time they are having and we give because we cared and loved them and were deeply moved only to see the next week they go buy something extravagant when we did without for giving to them.  I call it the  “God card.” God told me this or God told me that and what is amazing it goes against every characteristic listed  of God according to his word. Love the story of a man coming to the church to ask for help with his utility bill and putting food on the table for his children. The church gave and gave until they finally learn the man smokes 3 packs of cigarettes a day, is tanning at the tanning salon and went on a vacation.  When the Preacher finally mentioned these facts and maybe he should quit these things to provide for his children, he quit coming to church. The stories are endless.

How about a story where a young couples car quits working and another couple sacrificed and let this couple borrow their car for a week or so until this couple could find another car. 6 months later, they still had this couples car. This giving couple was paying a car note every month while the other couple was clearly taking advantage of them. They were afraid to say anything to them because this couple was studying to be in the ministry.  When they finally got called out on it, they had the nerve to say, “God is providing for them.”  YEP, you cannot make this kind of stuff up.

I see people treat others so vile. Lying and manipulating to get what they want, using others every step of the way and yet they have their hands up in the air and praising God in church and saying God has provided for them. No, you are using people, plain and simple.

To me, being a Christian is what you stand for when you are not in church on Sunday. To me being a person of faith is doing the right thing when no one is around.  

Being a person of integrity and faith means when someone shares a prayer request with you and trust you that you hold their request sacred and you earnestly pray. It is not something to gossip about and announce to others saying, “We need to remember such in such in prayer because _________.” You have just violated someones trust and have tarnished the name of the God we serve.

I have heard by some that hey, we need to be ” unoffendable.” We need to grow thicker skin, maybe so.  But, maybe we need to ACT like the Faith believing disciples that we claim to be. We need to hold others accountable. We need to treat others the way we wanted to be treated. We need to try our best to live out what our words say on Facebook. It is really easy to post a scripture on Facebook. Say I am praying for you but are we really? If we say we are going to do something and we don’t do it, well we have lost credibility. Our word should be our bond.  When we make a mistake, we own it. When we say we are going to do something we do it long after the feeling is over.

The word of God is not as complicated as we make it seem. We want to twist it and turn it to fit our lifestyle. The word of God does not adjust the robe to fit the man or woman, it adjust the man or woman to fit the righteous robe. We have to have a willing heart. We have to obey and not just listen. We have to stand for what we believe for we were not made to fit in but stand out. We are called to be difference makers for Christ. Think about this, how many times have you heard, “If that is a Christian, I don’t want any part of it?” How about someone you know turn their backs on Christ or the church because of what a “Christian” did to them? I think of the scripture,Psalm 31:3, Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me. Researching this morning there are 21 scriptures about his name sake. What are we doing? We need to get back to the basics. The basics of life which is and will ALWAYS be the word of God.  Our God reigns ~ He holds the ultimate Supreme Court !

For all the ones that go to church to see what they can get, maybe we need to grasp the famous scripture of John 3:16 once again, For God so loved the world that HE GAVE….

Deuteronomy 16:17- Every man shall GIVE as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God which He has given you.

Proverbs 21:26- the righteous GIVES and does not hold back.

Proverbs 28:27-He who GIVES to the poor will never want, but he who shuts his eyes will have many curses.

To end this, Boundaries are a good thing. The Lord himself has boundaries. There is a difference between giving and being used. It has taking me a long time to understand this and obviously, I still need to brush up on this concept from time to time. Standing up for yourself is a good thing. Amazing to me when people draw the line and say no more, that they are the ones portrayed as the bad person. Please do us all a favor, take off your rose colored glasses and take a hard look at the man/woman in the mirror. If we want change in this world it truly begins with US ~ Living, walking, breathing and believing what we claim to be, CHRISTians. Christ Followers. Read the book. His word is everlasting. It is faithful and it is true.  It is the ruler in which we measure our actions !!!  THE END !

Posted in Daily Devotion, Determination, Faith, God | 5 Comments

Wait For It…..

Posted on June 5, 2015 by darla05

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“For the vision is yet for an appointed time…though it tarries, wait for it”

God has an appointed time to fulfill the dreams, visions, and passions in your heart. Just because it has taken a long time ( five years for me)  or because you have tried on your on accord and failed does NOT mean it is not going to happen.

God loves the process. We learn patience, our character is becoming more like him, in the process. Less of me and more of him does not just happen. It takes time. It takes mountains and valleys to condition us to fulfill the journey and plan he has for each one of us. Don’t give up on those dreams! Don’t be complacent about pursuing what God has placed in your heart. Our God is a faithful God.

TWO PRAYERS-  I have been praying for five years   and it is happening ~ I got a bracelet made at the beginning of the year that reminded me #LIVEFEARLESS2015# Half way thru the year and I am in awe and humbled. COUNT your MANY blessings, name them one by one.

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Our life is too short not to love the story God has for each one of us ~ FIND what gives you joy and GO THERE !!!!

Posted on May 29, 2015 by darla05

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Character Building Days

Posted on May 27, 2015 by darla05

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Revelation 3:8 I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.

A new door cannot open until we have the courage to close the one behind. Sometimes, it could also be procrastination that keeps us from closing the door. Maybe it is we don’t like change so we keep it open. For me, it is all the above at one time or another. So many times the Lord has shut the door and shut it hard for me to move on.He knows I will not move forward unless I am forced to do so. Sometimes, I still find myself looking at the shut door so long that I fail to see the door that  HE has opened.

We tend to want to control our lives thinking we know the best direction. However we serve a God who sees the future.  His ways are higher than our ways. His thoughts are higher than our thoughts. When our lives don’t work out the way we planned it, trust it is because God knows best. God shuts a door and forces us to take a different road. Instead of being bitter or upset, let us be thankful we serve the living God.  His  plans for our lives far supersede anything we could ever ask for or imagine!

Every day, it is a process. Every day is a GIFT, not a GIVEN. What are we going to do today that is going to have a lasting impact on others, for heavenly rewards and for our character to grow?

I find myself many mornings saying, I hope this is not a character building day. HA But, joking aside, each day should be character building days. Even the days when we get it terrible wrong, we learn from it.

Over and over the last couple of weeks, I keep repeating the words of Garth Brooks famous song, Unanswered Prayers. ” Remember when your talking to the man upstairs, just because he doesn’t answer doesn’t mean he don’t care. Some of God’s greatest gifts…. are unanswered prayers.

Truly thankful for the prayers that were unanswered for he knew best. Thankful for the doors that have been shut hard. For the ones that have shut that I don’t know why yet, trust that HE KNOWS. Lift my eyes to the one that KNOWS.

There is a quote that says,  “Shut the door until the noise of the world is gone. In prayer and silence shall your strength be. And in a gentle whisper, you will hear the voice of God. “

We have to do our part . YES, the Lord shuts doors many days but sometimes,  he says you have to step up and  put your faith into action also.There are times we know we should jump up and shut the door, keep out the devil as the old church song says.  He will guide us and be with us each step of the way.

Lord, teach me to praise you for the doors you have opened as well as the doors you have closed~Amen ~

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Hold The Vision, Trust The Process

Posted on May 14, 2015 by darla05

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Hold the vision, trust the process. God loves the process. I want the destination. But, it is in the process where he is forming our character to what He wants it to be. Equipping us now for the journey that He is guiding before us.

This is a  busy season of life right now. Juggling so many things and wearing so many hats. I feel like I have been burning both ends of the candle for awhile. I won’t bore you with the details, but let’s just say that I have very few spare moments in my day.

How about you? Perhaps you’re winding down the school year , planning graduations,  Maybe you’re juggling the extracurriculars of multiple kids.  Serving  in your  church. Are you bearing a heavy load at work? Or caring for aging parents? Trying to help your adult children? Caring for a sick friend or family member and trying to take care of your own family?

We all experience crazy seasons in life. They say, (whoever they is) that three of the most stressful things in life are moving, empty nester syndrome and a new job. Well, I am experiencing all three at the moment and add in an additional move of my horses and equipment.  In these seasons,  sometimes it means we have taken on more than God wants us to but  other times it means that we are  right where He wants us.

Today is a special day that is about to unfold for me. I am sitting here preparing myself for it. For we have searched for our own farm to bring my horses home instead of being in a show barn or leasing a barn for over  five years. We close in a month on our new place. But, we are moving are horses over early today. The dream is happening. The door has opened and it is really happening. They will be on the land where we plan on them having their forever home. Ours too. So many tears have been shed. So much planning has been done, all for this journey that starts with the first steps today.

So what do I do? The best thing we can do in our seasons of busyness is to look for more of Him. I am reminded of a couple of verses lately. 1 Corinthians 14:33, “For God is not a God of disorder but of peace. James 4:7, Draw closer to him and he will draw closer to you. If I am not feeling his presence as much lately, who has moved? Push closer, dig deeper because I need his strength now more than ever. I am guilty of putting my prayer life on the back burner when things gets busy. I need in, to be front and center and the flame turned up high.

His grace really is enough. In 2 Corinthians 12:9, But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

This is a well-known verse and it has come across my path many times in the last few months but when is the last time you had a chance to actually test it and prove its truth? During busy times or hard times, My workaholic personality trait comes out. I brace myself, put my head down and try to plough/push  through it. But what would happen if we looked up instead?

Maybe we need  to view these time times in our lives as opportunities to experience a profoundly amazing promise from God. Maybe it is where we really understand the less of me and more of him concept. Because, there is less of me to go around these days and I need more of him. More grace…. much more grace.

And, well…that changes everything, doesn’t it?  I have the promise that I don’t have to  wake  up worrying about how I’m going to accomplish everything today , I can wake up with a new anticipation because his mercies are new every morning.

God has allowed me to be front and center to watch his faithfulness over the past few months. Sometimes He provides by allowing me to accomplish more in a day than I thought was possible.  Other times He gives me more energy than I could possibly expect on so little sleep. He has prompted  someone to offer help in a very practical way. Call with an encouraging word and ordained people to pray over me. What a honor that really is to me. I truly understand in the last three months what iron sharpening iron really means. God is so faithful to place in my life Godly friends. What an answer to prayer for me they have been.

Our lives, my life is meant to make much of Him. IN all our task, whatever they might be, we represent him. For his name sake, lead me and guide me.  I’m talking about doing what He asks you to do, and then making sure everyone knows there’s no way you could do it without Him. Im talking about during the frustrated times. During the I don’t understand times. In ALL times bring it back to him for he is the center of it all.  We all know that we’re all-too-willing to take credit when we’re feeling strong and capable and self-sufficient , I know I can be so guilty of this.

I have learned how drained I really  can get physically. People can simply drain you also. When we are pouring out to others but not taking the time to nourish our own souls, we realize quickly how weak our bodies can become. My quiet time with my Savior needs to be protected, guarded, planned and I need to show up. I need this quiet time in the morning. In the stillness, he shows up. He is a living, caring, active, hands on God who actually works on behalf of His children. What an honor and a privilege. We can call on the name of the Lord at anytime. Draw closer to him…. He will draw closer to me.

Thank you Lord for these reminders. Thank you for this new day. Each day is really a gift from your hand, this is why it is called the present. May we untie the ribbons and wait in eager anticipation for the joys that will unfold today.

How will we measure this day?

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What Is The Wise Thing To Do?

Posted on May 7, 2015 by darla05

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“The moment you feel like you have to prove your worth to someone is the moment to absolutely and utterly walk away” –

A lot of truth to this. Sometimes, we have to walk away because this relationship is not a positive influence on us. Sometimes, we have to let go because the Lord has bigger plans that we just do not see in the moment. The situation that you find yourself in may not be about you at all. It could be a lesson for someone else that you are a part of in the big plan.

The last few weeks, I describe our life as burning the candle at both ends. So much to do and so many time frames. Feeling the pressure for sure.  I was reminded yesterday to be still and know that he is God. A scripture was spoken in a Ladies Bible study that I went to and I have heard it so many times. The Lord himself goes BEFORE you and will be WITH you, he will NEVER leave you nor forsake you. Do NOT be afraid , do not be discouraged. Deut. 31:8.

No matter where we are in our walk , there are days that we need reminders. I re-read recently some notes from a sermon I watched from Andy Stanley over a year ago. A great truth worth meditating on again.  In the big scheme of life, if we ask ourselves this one question, it can bring clarity to us. In view of my past, what is the wise thing to do? In view of  my present goals, what is the wise thing to do? In view of my future hopes and dreams, what is the wise thing to do?

What is the wise thing to do? It can save a lot of tears. It can transform our relationships, our business and our finances. You owe it to yourself to ask yourself this question. Ask with every relationship, every decision, every invitation, every purchase, it brings tremendous clarity.

Most people do not plan to screw up their life, they just don’t plan not to. This is how you plan not to. You owe it to yourself. If you do not have your best interest at heart, who does? We know God does ~ He gives us wisdom if we truly seek it. We submit to God and he will give us spiritual gifts abundantly. He is a faithful God forever.

Don’t sweat the small stuff. Because most of what we deal with is real small stuff.  May we live simply. Love generously. Speak truthfully. Work diligently. Then let go and let what’s meant to be, BE. Letting go is often a step forward. Sometimes you have to walk away from what you thought you wanted to find what you truly need and deserve.  Sometimes you just have to forget what is  gone and appreciate what remains, do the best you can, and look forward to what is coming next.

Remember…  there will be days that we simply have to say, His ways are not our ways, and his thoughts are not our thoughts but simply understand that God’s way is better ~ Always and forever. He covers us with an everlasting love. There is nothing that can keep us from his love.  LET FAITH ARISE ~~~

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UnJustly Accused and How to Rise Above ~

Posted on April 16, 2015 by darla05

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A Godly prayer warrior friend of mine and I do mean PRAYER WARRIOR has sent me several things to read lately. What a blessing it is when God puts Godly friends in your life and  they give you life giving words to build you up, help you grow. What beautiful seeds she is planting and her harvest will abound from the Lord.

I am going to share one of several steps in this article  she sent of how we can battle false accusations or darts from the enemy when they come are way. Know that the enemy can still use  people,  sometimes that includes family, friends and sometimes people that are in the body of Christ. All we can do is pray that that the truth be revealed and it will be, it is always.

So what do you do in the midst of a trial? Isn’t it one thing when someone in business or the world says something, but what if it was your inner circle? Whom you considered a friend? What do you do in that situation?  Forgive….Forgive….Forgive??? There are times that it is hard. Especially when you know the truth, others have witnessed the truth and yet the accusations and snide remarks continue. The Lord tells us to pray for your enemies. If we are honest, sometimes it feels impossible. I know I want to say, Lord, did you see this? Did you hear that? Lord, you know my heart and you know , YOU KNOW.” Oh, how Jesus can come in and comfort. He can say, Yes, I have seen my child. Yes, I have heard. Yes, I know. For you see, all that is happening to you has happened to me. I have walked that walk when I was in the world. But, take heart, I have overcome the world. I am greater than your circumstance. I am greater than your greatest need. Trust in me. I know best. This is going to strengthen you for my plans. The plans for you that is coming. BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD!!!!

~ Trust….Trust…. Trust….

So, in the midst when it is hard to pray fro your enemies, what do you do? You pray. I pray. The Lord knows it is hard for us. He will give us HIS strength to do so until we can do it on our own. He will carry us . He will carry us when we cannot walk just like we do with  our own beloved children. We carry them until they are able to walk on their own. Then they run and as you know, run they do ~

So take heart, Take on the heart of our Savior. Lord, create in me a new heart. Give me a steadfast spirit. Renew and give me your strength Lord. With you all things are new. All things are possible. I am yours Lord. Take me, guide me and help me continue to grow into the woman you have created me to be in all my ways. Help me to guard my thoughts, guard my heart, for it is possible with you.

1 Peter 3:16-17 (AMP) And see to it that] your conscience is entirely clear, so that, when you are falsely accused as evildoers, those who threaten you abusively and revile your right behavior in Christ may come to be ashamed [of slandering your good lives]. For [it is] better to suffer [unjustly] for doing right, if that should be God’s will, than to suffer [justly] for doing wrong.

My hope is this first point in this article speaks to your heart as loudly as it spoke to mine. Enjoy !

Guard your heart.

“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life” (Proverbs 4:23). We desperately need that reminder when we are under attack. Let’s face it. Unless we guard our own heart, we will soon be down in the gutter with our opponents. We’ll be tempted to answer in kind, to attack them as they have attacked us, to vilify them, to smear their reputation, and in general to do whatever we have to do to get even with them.

It’s frightening how quickly we can fall into the attack mode when we are angry and hurt.

Remember this. You can’t control what people do to you or what they say about you. In the Internet age, anyone with a computer can make any sort of ugly attack, post it on the Internet and hide behind a cloak of anonymity. Technology has made it too easy to say whatever we want and then post it on Facebook or YouTube or a discussion board. So our challenge must be to guard our own heart when we are under attack.

You can’t control what people do to you or what they say about you.
How do we do that? Here are a few suggestions . . .

Stay in the Word.
Repeat the promises of God.
Listen to Christian music.
Sing a lot–out loud.
Hang out with positive people.
Ask your friends to hold you accountable for how you respond.
Pray that Christ might be magnified in your life.
Keep an eye out for “God sightings.”

Ask your friends to hold you accountable for how you respond.
Stay busy serving others.
Practice daily repentance.
Give thanks that God is working in ways you can’t imagine through these attacks.
Pray for those who have unfairly accused you.

Posted in Christian Inspiration, Daily Devotion, Determination, Discipline | 5 Comments

My Prayer for Godly Friends

Posted on April 13, 2015 by darla05

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I know that I  am saved by the grace of God and live for Him. He is my rock and my salvation. He is who I run to  for everything. In order to go through the day I must first seek Jesus, pray and ask Him to protect my family, friends and myself.  How I thank Him for doing so. I ask Him to show me how to live for him so others will want what I have. What glorifies Jesus? This is my question and this is my quest.

Yes, there are days that I have been laid out on the ground from the enemy. Times, that he has won the battle but I know that he will not win the war. My God is faithful and there is victory with him on my side. The trials that come, they grow deep roots. A deep foundation and a true reliance on Him.  They also teach me  that it’s not about me – it’s all about Him…

I am so humbled this rainy morning. Gifts are being poured out.  My God is so faithful. He has heard my prayers and he has answered them. How I have petitioned the mercy seat of heaven and have asked for Godly friends. TRUE friends. Ones that prayer for you. Ones that lift you up. Ones that we encourager each other and love each other. Ones that I love to cheer on in their gifts and see them succeed and they do the same.  God has put the most beautiful women in my life. Some for many years and some are new.  Godly women with a purpose and a caring heart. So, to my beautiful friends, know I love you. Know that I am so incrediable blessed to have you in my life. Know that it is not a gift I take for granted. You are a prayer that has been answered.

I also want to encourage you and tell you, when God closes a door, it is for a reason. The what’s or who’s that are no longer in your life are for your good and His glory. He KNOWS. We have to trust when we do not know why. Ask for a little more faith to believe what we already know. So, the ones that have hurt you, give it to him. The ones that have betrayed your confidence, lay it down. He is faithful and he will vindicate any wrongs that have been done to us because we are his children. We must stay focused on him. Father, forgive me for the days that my focus have been on the circumstances. I lift my eyes to you. I KNOW where my help comes from.

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for the beautiful  woman reading this prayer right now. Thank you for her incrediable kind heart. May you bless her right now. Fill her with your lasting peace. Wrap her in your loving arms. May she feel confident and worthy for she is fearfully and wonderfully made.  I pray that she would grow closer to you every day. Fuel a desire deep within her to seek after you. I pray that she would lead a life by the example Christ set. May she be a difference maker for you in all that she does.  May she face everything with courage and may she walk in integrity. Help her with anything she is struggling with, surround her with encouragement, and give her your precious wisdom.  Thank you Lord for ordaining our paths to cross. Lord, may we all grow deep roots to be the Proverbs 31 woman in our own individual way. With the gifts that you have placed within each one of us. May we unite for you and be a force to be reckoned with in all we do.  Thank you for hearing my prayers. She is a blessing and may she experience joy today in Jesus name AMEN!

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We Could All Learn Life Lessons From Horses ~

Posted on April 11, 2015 by darla05

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Bits….Bits…Bits….  Which bit do I need?  “I”  the word of the day.

James speaks of horses and bridling our tongues in the Bible.  When you put a bridle on a horse for the first time, is he tame immediately? NO. It takes some time and taming the tongue takes time.

Let’s do an illustration before we go any further. Take your index finger and open your mouth and push your tongue down with some pressure on the center of your tongue. NOW, try and swallow. Hard right, the more pressure you put, it can almost be impossible to swallow.  Yet, this is what some bits do to horses. Not very nice to say the least.

But, once again the Lord can use a lesson in horses to teach us all a spiritual lesson. Because as I demonstrated this in our small group, I said for some of us, we should  choke on our words that we are wanting to say. Some of us can have a more gentle bit and some of us needs harsh ones. What kind of bit do you need? If life and death are in the power of the tongue and they are according to Proverbs 18:21, why do we speak so quickly? Why is it so hard to repent and say we are sorry to others when our words have created so much damage?

I listened to a sermon several times from Pastor Robert Morris is Dallas. He gave us three words to help with our words and our tongue.

Pause, Ponder and Pray

Pause before you speak. It is a temporary stop . Ponder is to consider something deeply, weigh carefully and Pray.  There are three kinds of people really. Those who think before they talk. Those that think while they talk and those who think AFTER they talk.

Pastor Robert has a friend who called him after his sermon on the tongue. He shared that the Lord was dealing with him about his mouth also. The Lord gave this friend a word also and it was the word WAIT. Pastor Robert said, wait, just like pause and ponder. The friend said no Robert, it was an acronym for me. IT stood for…

W- Why

A- Am

I – I

T- Talking

So funny, but so much truth.

Let me be the first to say, have I mastered this? Absolutely not. Am I getting better? Absolutely. One step forward. I am still in the stage of learning the great skill of being UN-offendable. Is it hard? The hardest thing I have ever done. Are there some days I am soaring like an eagle? YES, and there are other days that I am crawling like a caterpillar on the ground. It is impossible with man but divinely possible with our God.

We think in two places, our hearts and our minds. Jesus said, out of the abundance of the HEART the mouth speaks.

IF we would pause, ponder and pray, we would be better equipped to say, “From the bottom of my heart” I would like to tell you….. instead of from the top of my head or the tip of my tongue.

I will end with Isaiah 6. Isaiah was a prophet. Think about that, a prophet of God. In a vision he saw the Lord. Take time to read this chapter. What is the first thing Isaiah was convicted of when he saw the Lord? His mouth.  Selah ~

Conviction is not a bad thing, it is growing us and strengthening us for our journey ahead. May we pause, ponder and pray. May we be cleansed of our unrighteousness so that we like Isaiah can answer the Lord when he ask, Whom shall I send? We can answer, send us Lord, send us to the world.

Each day I am  striving to take one step FORWARD in this journey for Him. In this worldly, flesh body it is hard, I do not argue that. A friend said something a couple of days ago,  the only way we grow is through trials. These last 6 weeks or so, I am growing at a supernatural rate. Ha  But God, know… that he is faithful. He will finish what he started in you. His word is true and his promises, oh his promises are everlasting ~

Let’s pause, ponder and pray so that we can get to the place that we can ride without a bridle at all. Just like we have seen some of the Professionals do in the horse world. Did it take practice, oh yes, much practice and skill, we need Godly skill but the ride, that ride where we can feel like we are flying… true freedom…. Priceless ~

In His Love and Mine,

Darla

 

 

 

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Unless… You Believe In God

Posted on April 6, 2015 by darla05

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Praying the same prayer for years. Praying for that door to that dream to open. Have you been there? I think of the story of the persistent widow in the Bible.  Let’s read it again.

Luke 18:1-8 (NIV)

18 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2 He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’

4 “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’”

6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

 I read this quote, “Praying for rain is one thing, Taking your umbrella with you is another.” hum….

James says faith without works is dead. Believe when you do not see. Believe when the circumstance are bleak. JUST BELIEVE ~

Walking around with an umbrella during a drought. Isn’t that how we all feel at some point and time in our life? I think of Elijah and he prayed for it not to rain for three years and it didn’t. Then he prayed for it to rain and it did. James 5:17 once again shows up in my thoughts, Elijah was a man JUST LIKE US, He prayed earnestly ( with purpose, a sincere intent).

I think of Gideon, dumb to the majority of people  to take on an army spread out on the battlefield like  sand on the seashore… Not with 30,000, not with 10,000 but only 300 men.

Crazy. More like CRAY CRAY.

Unless…. UNLESS  YOU  believe God…

When you believe  in God, you will and can face your giants, whatever that is for you.

You can  take on that army in the darkest, deepest valley.

You do the impossible. Because greater is he that lives in you than he that lives in the world. I have to stop and remind myself of this on many occasions even though I have known God a long time. In this journey, sometimes our faith is stretched to what we feel is capacity. More like the old toy, Stretch Armstrong. BUT GOD, he knows what he is doing. The ultimate Physician knows right where to target and what to spiritually and at times physically surgically remove from our lives. For our good and His glory.

Sometimes people have to leave our lives to fulfill the calling he has for us to do. Sometimes the no to our prayers is really protecting us from what would be coming down the road. Sometimes, the dream is delayed because we spiritually are not ready for the dream just yet. We need more conditioning, Spiritual conditioning to be ready for when it all unfolds. The wait will all be worth it, just trust in the Master Plan. I hear many days the still small voice that says,  “Yes, Darla…. trust in me when you don’t know why.” Do I trust you Lord? Do I trust you?

God is who He says He is .  God will do what He says he will do. He is God before the foundations of the Earth were formed. He is God before and He will never change. The Alpha and Omega, beginning and end.

So …. This morning when you pray for your  children… your husband… family and friends.  When you whisper prayers to the Lord  for dreams to unfold,  for healing, for restoration,  for  wisdom and  strength to fulfill your purpose,  For boldness, grace and love for the only thing that really matters is faith working itself out in love.

Well, take your umbrella with you. The rain is coming ~  Time to dance in the rain !

 

 

 

Posted in Believe, Daily Devotion, Faith, Perseverence, Pray | Tagged , , | 6 Comments