Not gonna lie. I have experienced some spiritual warfare! The last thing you want to do when you are facing spiritual warfare is to lay down and die. While I have some AMAZING family members and an awesome, supportive husband, they can't fight my fight. I have to sharpen that sword of the spirit and prepare for battle. And as I'm sharpening and memorizing and reciting, the Lord reminds me that the battle is not mine-it's His!
Yesterday I went to have my eyes examined which consisted of several tests. The girl said "Keep your eyes on me and tell me when you first see this pen coming from the right." Of course my instinct was to turn to the right to make sure the pen was indeed coming. She reminded me to keep my eyes on her. When the pen didn't get to my peripheral vision quick enough, I had a tendency to turn.
That's just like us right? Okay maybe it's just like me. I tell God I'll wait and trust you but then when it doesn't happen quick enough I unconsciously "take my eyes off of him." I have to admit this time has been easier. I turn on my worship music and focus only on him. That is difficult to do since we don't like uncertainty.
God's word tells us Do not turn to the right or to the left. Keep your feet from evil [Proverbs4:27]. Do we seriously think our spiritual warfare is greater than God? Even Job who experienced some of the greatest challenges in life was able to say "I have stayed on God's path. I have followed his ways and not turned aside" [Job 23:11].
When I think of all the heroes that God brought through it erases my doubt. But they all kept their eyes on Him. So, if I want to walk through this warfare, I have to keep my eyes focused on him. God only asks for you to trust him. He says "Keep your eyes on ME."
Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. Hebrews 12:2
When your battle is over, don't forget to give praise!
Friday, July 24, 2015
Sunday, July 19, 2015
You Lost?
Last night after a particularly stressful day I finally slept. I dreamed that my youngest was son was a child and we were going on a church field trip. It was a very large group with children from all over our city.
We met at a mall and many people took advantage of a t-shirt shop located in the square. Moms waited patiently until the store opened. They were purchasing color coded t-shirts for their children with their names ironed on the back of the shirt.
In my dream, I joined the line of concerned mothers. I also awaited for the doors to open when I could join the frenzy looking for the t shirt color that identified his group. I had to find just the right blue and white t-shirt and have his name ironed on it.
When I finally paid for the shirt and gave it to my son he asked why he had to wear it. I explained that I didn't want him to get lost but if he did, at least someone would know what group he was in and his name.
When I woke up, I remembered my dream and imagined God knowing my name. He doesn't want me to be lost either. The good news is that he knows everybody's name. He knows that some of us will wander off in our own direction apart from Him. He knows that in wandering off, we may get lost.
I was concerned about my son getting lost in a church group but God oversees the entire world and He knows your name. You will never have to ask "Does God really know where I am?" There's never a question as to whether God will forgive you, or what your past sin is, or even what your burdens are.
God sent His Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for each of us that were sinners and without hope. He took on our sins so that we would live a full abundant life. Unfortunately, some choose to travel through life with no guide when we are lost. Jesus is the best guide.
So the only thing left to ask is "Are you lost?"
For the Son of Man has come to seek and save the lost. Luke 19:10
We met at a mall and many people took advantage of a t-shirt shop located in the square. Moms waited patiently until the store opened. They were purchasing color coded t-shirts for their children with their names ironed on the back of the shirt.
In my dream, I joined the line of concerned mothers. I also awaited for the doors to open when I could join the frenzy looking for the t shirt color that identified his group. I had to find just the right blue and white t-shirt and have his name ironed on it.
When I finally paid for the shirt and gave it to my son he asked why he had to wear it. I explained that I didn't want him to get lost but if he did, at least someone would know what group he was in and his name.
When I woke up, I remembered my dream and imagined God knowing my name. He doesn't want me to be lost either. The good news is that he knows everybody's name. He knows that some of us will wander off in our own direction apart from Him. He knows that in wandering off, we may get lost.
I was concerned about my son getting lost in a church group but God oversees the entire world and He knows your name. You will never have to ask "Does God really know where I am?" There's never a question as to whether God will forgive you, or what your past sin is, or even what your burdens are.
God sent His Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for each of us that were sinners and without hope. He took on our sins so that we would live a full abundant life. Unfortunately, some choose to travel through life with no guide when we are lost. Jesus is the best guide.
So the only thing left to ask is "Are you lost?"
For the Son of Man has come to seek and save the lost. Luke 19:10
Tuesday, July 7, 2015
If you start it....finish it.
I realize that it has been quite a while since I last posted however, I have taken on a new venture. I am currently enrolled in the Doctoral (EdD) program at Abilene Christian University and it can be overwhelming. I pray God allows me to complete this goal and honor Him through it.
Prior to class beginning, I went for a short run. I aimed for two miles since I am just beginning. I got to one mile and was winded, weak and ready to quit. In my mind, I could literally hear my dad saying "If you start it, finish it" something I have heard all my life. You can imagine the excuses but the voice that steered me was much louder than the excuses.
Sometimes we begin something and we choose not to finish it. Some chose to make the decision to accept Christ as their Savior and stop there. God's Word calls us to change our life, to follow Him, to represent Him. We make excuses and claim "it's too difficult" or too time consuming. God doesn't have huge expectations. He doesn't expect you to become a preacher or missionary. He just expects you to finish the race and finish it well.
When running I made every excuse I could think of until this thought came to mind, "What if Christ had quit?
He was born with a mission. God had a plan for Him and it began at birth. God was being prepared for thirty years until his ministry broke through in adulthood. The last few years of his ministry were full of accusation, criticism, finger pointing and questioning. Jesus continued his ministry. He ran the race knowing it was a race he had to finish....not for HIM but for us!
Did God have to tell Christ "If you start it, finish it?" I don't think so. Although Christ fell to His knees and asked for God's will, he was still willing to continue the race. He endured the threats, flogging, criticism and ridicule and he took it all for us.
So when you decide to follow Christ, run the race with assurance of what awaits you. Don't veer off to the left or to the right, don't become distracted, don't give up. If you start the race....finish it!
Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said "It is finished" and he bowed his head and gave up His Spirit. John 19:30
Prior to class beginning, I went for a short run. I aimed for two miles since I am just beginning. I got to one mile and was winded, weak and ready to quit. In my mind, I could literally hear my dad saying "If you start it, finish it" something I have heard all my life. You can imagine the excuses but the voice that steered me was much louder than the excuses.
Sometimes we begin something and we choose not to finish it. Some chose to make the decision to accept Christ as their Savior and stop there. God's Word calls us to change our life, to follow Him, to represent Him. We make excuses and claim "it's too difficult" or too time consuming. God doesn't have huge expectations. He doesn't expect you to become a preacher or missionary. He just expects you to finish the race and finish it well.
When running I made every excuse I could think of until this thought came to mind, "What if Christ had quit?
He was born with a mission. God had a plan for Him and it began at birth. God was being prepared for thirty years until his ministry broke through in adulthood. The last few years of his ministry were full of accusation, criticism, finger pointing and questioning. Jesus continued his ministry. He ran the race knowing it was a race he had to finish....not for HIM but for us!
Did God have to tell Christ "If you start it, finish it?" I don't think so. Although Christ fell to His knees and asked for God's will, he was still willing to continue the race. He endured the threats, flogging, criticism and ridicule and he took it all for us.
So when you decide to follow Christ, run the race with assurance of what awaits you. Don't veer off to the left or to the right, don't become distracted, don't give up. If you start the race....finish it!
Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said "It is finished" and he bowed his head and gave up His Spirit. John 19:30
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