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Would You Dare?

“I triple dog dare ya!”

 

A saying children would make to taunt you, to incite you to take the dare.  Well as a child I didn’t take the dare and as an adult I’m not much of a risk taker still.  No big bold claims, no risky financial investments, no bungie jumping or parasailing. NOPE. I like to keep my feet firmly on the ground with some semblance of control.

 

But what is control? Just an illusion, really. A false sense of security.  The risk taker is willing to surrender control, throwing caution to the wind, thus creating space to catch the current and take flight.  Yesterday I watched a majestic bird in flight.  This bird sailed, dove, rose again and swooped down and up again he went, gracefully catching a current and riding it.  He would have expended much more energy flapping his wings to set about his course.  But the bird knows he can take a risk, catch a current and allow the current to carry him as opposed to fighting against it.

 

Last night I was given a challenge, a dare of sorts. I was asked to write down the ONE thing I needed God to do for me this week.  I was asked to take a risk and take God at His word. I was asked to BELIEVE God for just ONE thing and to write it down.

 

But would I dare. An immediate panic hit my heart. I dare not utter the THING that I really wanted Him to do this week. Let me play it safe. I’ll tuck away the thing I really need to believe Him for in order to choose the safe thing.  I’d rather pick the safe thing because if the true thing that I want to offer up isn’t fulfilled but this other thing is then I won’t be disappointed.  If I pick this other thing then I won’t be let down.  Yeah, let me pick the safe thing.

 

But the Father, in His loving kindness is always close at hand and close in our hearts.  He gently tapped me and asked, “Daughter why do you doubt? More than you know I want to help you. I see the situation and I’m ready to work a miracle.”

 

Even in light of that truth, I backpedaled even further, layer reasoning on top of what the Father already uttered. So off to sleep I went, not writing down that ONE thing. But when I awoke as I do every morning a song played in my heart.  And the song this morning says, “You’re a great God. You are great. Yes you’re a great God. You are great!” As that refrain repeated over and over, my mind began to catch up with what my Spirit already knows. Indeed He is a great God and wants to move mightily in my life and in yours.  But have we tied His hands?

 

Have you, by way of your thinking, restricted God’s mobility? Do you have the Father in a straight jacket?  Have you put the Holy Spirit under house arrest? He wants to lead you, to guide you, to walk you into the fulfillment of His will for your life but are you hampering the process with your hesitation to take a risk?

 

If you’re going to taste and see….it requires you to take a bite.

If you’re going to try Me now in this…it requires you to exercise your faith.

If you’re going to walk in paths of righteousness…it requires you to take a step.

 

I don’t think I’m much of a risk taker. But when I look back over my life I see that I’ve taken many risks. As a child I went all over the city on public transportation by myself. RISK. I left all that was known and familiar to attend college. RISK. I took rides with strangers. RISK. I quit my job to become a homemaker. RISK. I surrendered my womb and as a result have bore 6 children. RISK. I allow Him to lead me daily not knowing where my life is headed. RISK.

 

So I guess I am a risk taker after all.  I challenge you. I double dog dare YOU. Take a risk. Take God at His word.

 

What is ONE thing you need Him to do for you this week? As my sister challenged me, tag, you’re it. I now challenge you. WRITE IT DOWN. Believe. And watch God work a miracle. Would you type that ONE thing in the comments so I can pray with you? I know He’s able to bring it to pass.

 

As always, it is my prayer that you’ve been Inspired To Live Fully!

 

Happy to connect with these friends sharing the Good News Mommy Moments, Purposeful Faith, Chasing Community, Grace & Truth

 

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A Breadcrumb of Faith

FAITH

 

The substance of things hoped for.

 

FAITH

 

The evidence of things not seen.

 

FAITH

 

All is takes is a crumb. This size of a mustard seed is enough.

 

By faith God can perform miracles!

 

Join me over at Breadcrumbs of Faith where I’m sharing my faith story. Be inspired to activate and increase your faith.

 

As always, it is my prayer that you’ve been Inspired to Live Fully!

 

Happy to connect with friends sharing the Good News Mommy Moments, Purposeful Faith, Chasing Community, Grace & Truth

 

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How’s Your Prayer Life?

How’s Your Prayer Life?

 

I mean really….How’s your prayer life?

 

I recall being asked a question by my uncle-in-law before my husband and I got married. He said, “You know what you’re doing, don’t ya?” By this, he was asking did we know what we were getting ourselves into by getting married. I recall diving head first into a monologue about love and wedding details. You see, I completely missed the point. The question was one that need to be mined in order to uncover its treasures.

 

So I ask you again, “How’s your prayer life?”

 

Yes I’m sure you pray.

 

Yes I bet you even get specific in your prayers.

 

Hey you may even talk to God using His very WORD.

 

Yup, I don’t doubt your taking time to talk to God in prayer.

 

But are you really PRAYING?

 

Or are you merely informing God?

 

I consider myself a woman of prayer. Very early in my Christian walk I learned several models of prayer. I learned to pray the Lord’s Prayer. I learned to pray using the ACTS method (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication). Then there’s listening prayer and contemplative prayer and Matthew Henry’s method. Yup, most days I would say I’m REALLY praying. But then again…

 

I’ve heard it said that prayer is just talking to God. Be that as it may, there is an essential component that gives prayer its power. And that is FAITH. If we are praying the most heartfelt, scripture laden prayers but lack faith are we doing any more than just talking?

 

Last October, Charne Pretorius spoke at a Women’s Conference held at my church. There were many speakers on the lineup and many enticing topics to choose from. I was already in the room she was scheduled to speak in and didn’t really feel like going anywhere so I stayed and boy am I glad I did. She spoke simply yet so profoundly on prayer. And I was very much convicted.

 

Yes I had been praying.

 

Yes I had been specific in my prayers.

 

Yes I was even praying according to God’s will.

 

But even in that my prayers were lacking.

 

They were lacking a bit of faith. The kind of faith that SEES angels being dispatched to move on behalf of my prayers. The kind of faith that can let go of whatever I’ve prayed for because I can rest in knowing God has heard and is faithful to answer. The kind of faith that knows my prayers live on for ages, continuing to minister from heaven even to my children’s children. The kind of faith that knows that I know that I KNOW my God will do what He said He will do. Bold faith. Radical faith. Undaunted faith.

 

My friend you are a HOUSE OF PRAYER. Just as Jesus said, “My house shall be called a house of prayer” (Matthew 21:13), because you are a temple that houses the Holy Spirit, you are a house of prayer. Your prayers coupled with your faith create an atmosphere conducive for DUNAMIS – miraculous power, strength, might.

 

And just as JESUS drew strength directly from heaven through prayer, you are strengthen, emboldened and bring heaven to earth when you pray. When you pray, you take a direct, first-class journey to heaven. As a citizen of heaven (Philippians 3:20), prayer is your Visa, granting you access to travel back and forth from heaven to earth.

 

When you pray in faith, heaven touches earth.

 

When you pray in faith, God hears.

 

When you pray in faith, God moves.

 

When you pray in faith, things change.

 

When you pray in faith, hearts are mended.

 

When you pray in faith, bodies are healed.

 

When you pray in faith, minds are transformed.

 

So set your heart on having a prayer life that is fervent, vibrant and active. Get before the Father, still yourself and seek His heart. When you do that, you will tap into the heartbeat of heaven. He will pour His heart out into yours. You will be two hearts beating together in synchronicity. Faith is the metronome allowing you to keep time with the heartbeat of heaven.

 

So how’s your prayer life? I’m praying even now that you’ve been inspired to BELIEVE in what you are asking God for. I mean really believe. I pray you SEE God moving on your behalf. Yes, you’ve got to SEE it before you get to see it. And I’m praying your faith is activated. Your prayer life is literally causing heaven to touch earth. Yes, you’ve got that kind of power.

 

So how’s your prayer life?

 

DYNAMITE!

 

And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. 1 John 5:14-15

 

As always, it is my prayer that you’ve been Inspired To Live Fully!

 

Happy to connect with these friends sharing the Good News Mommy Moments, Purposeful Faith, Grace and Truth

 

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A Fear Fighting START

It was 5:13am and I already felt defeated. My sweet baby was waking up yet again for another feeding.

 

I’m never going get enough sleep.

 

I’m never going to be an author and a speaker because I can’t get enough sleep to even work on the vision.

 

How will I ever manage to live the dream God has given me if I can’t even manage the little affairs of the home?

 

How will I ever serve a thousand when I can’t even get through one basket of laundry?

 

Never mind then just forget the whole thing!

 

You see fear has a way of doing that. Fear has a way of convincing you that your God dream is too big and your abilities too small. Fear has a way of putting 3D glasses on you and playing the reel as failure after failures comes whizzing past your face. And fear attempts to preserve itself at all costs.

 

Fear will have you convinced there are NO other options.

 

Fear is determined to win.

 

But TRUTH arises.

 

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. John 16:13a

 

As TRUTH stood tall in me, I couldn’t help but to square my shoulders. Moments ago they had been hanging low. My posture was more Hunchback of Notre Dame than Daughter of the Most High God.  But today is my start. Kelly Balarie, in her new book, Fear Fighting says, “We don’t need to tell ourselves stop because the Spirit says Start.”

 

So what’s my “Start?”

 

Today I start with a YES.

 

I say yes to the Spirit.

 

I say yes to me.

 

The Spirit says, “Start believing in yourself. Because you believe in Me, you can believe in you. I created you.”

 

fear-fighting-book

 

Thank you God. I’m going to believe in me.

 

I give myself permission to show up just as I am.

 

I give myself permission to be here for me.

 

I give myself permission to embrace my greatness. After all, I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

 

I’m not going to stay in this same place when God has given me a glimpse of my greatness. I do my God a disservice when I minimizing the person He created me to be. I won’t do Him an injustice my living smaller than who He created me to be. Christ gave Himself that I might LIVE…..not that I might merely survive life.

 

 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20

 

Standing on chubby bowed legs, an 11 month old hangs securely to the side of the couch. Not far away mama stands with her arms outstretched. Mama’s face radiates love. Mama’s face reflects trust, security and confidence. Mama’s face and outstretched arms relay a powerful message to the baby; so powerful that baby willingly releases the comfort and security of clinging to the couch, to totter precariously over to mama. One measured step, after another, then another. All the while mama’s face reassuringly communicates, not only are you safe, but I believe in you. You can do it. And when baby makes it all the way to mama they both rejoice. You did it baby. I knew you could. You did it.

 

Jesus says the same to us. Let go of the side of the couch. I’m waiting with my arms outstretched. Press beyond your fear. Activate your faith. Come to me. You are safe. I believe in you.

 

START.

 

[bctt tweet=”With active faith, fear doesn’t stand a chance.” username=”inspiredfully”]

 

So what is your START? Whatever it is, take the step. Tell me in the comments how I can pray for you.

 

Join the #fearfightingbook movement. Pick up your copy of Fear Fighting today!

 

As always, it is my prayer that you’ve been Inspired To Live Fully.

 

Happy to connect with friends sharing Good News Purposeful Faith, Grace & Truth

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Is God Really Able?

There are days when you just know that you know GOD IS ABLE.

 

You know those days when money is plentiful, your job is secure, the cupboards are overflowing, relationships are effortless, children are obedient, and your self worth is high.

 

Then the other days come. Such is life right? The days that have you questioning the One who said He would provide. The days when the One who said He’d never leave nor forsake you seems to be playing a game of hot peas and butter but you don’t seem to be getting closer, only colder, colder, and colder still.

 

How do we eradicate the spirit of doubt and activate our faith? How do we hold fast to the truth that God is able? We do it with a simple two-step: Prayer and Praise. Put on your garment of praise and shirk off the spirit of heaviness. Shod your feet in your gospel of peace shoes and get your praise on.

 

By prayer Peter was released from prison (Acts 12:5-17)

 

Through prayer and praise, Paul and Silas were delivered from prison (Acts 16:25-40)

 

[bctt tweet=”Even in the solitary spaces, God is able.” username=”inspiredfully”]

 

PRAY

 

God is able to do exceedingly abundantly for me

God is able to make all grace abound toward me

God is able to give me peace that surpasses all understanding

God is able to supply all my needs according to His riches in glory

God is able to make my enemies my footstool

 

PRAISE

 

My soul magnifies you Lord

My soul boasts in you Lord

My soul blesses you Lord

My soul delights in your Word

All my inmost being praises you Lord

 

With prayer and praise move the TRUTH from your head to your heart…

 

GOD IS ABLE!

 

As always, it is my prayer that you’ve been Inspired To Live Fully!

 

Happy to connect with these friends sharing the Good News Purposeful Faith, Mommy Moments, Grace & Truth

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Room For A Miracle

Realistic

Practical

Pragmatic

Sensible

 

This is the way my brain thinks. This is the way I’m wired….or so I think.

 

But the bible tells us:

 

For, “Who can know the LORD’s thoughts? Who knows enough to teach him?” But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:16

 

It also tells us:

 

 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:5

 

I’m an in the box kinda person. I like structure and parameters. I like a clearly defined set of expectations. I like check lists. I make a good employee because I can follow the rules. I am realistic, practical, pragmatic and sensible. Yup that’s who I am. And while those may be some good attributes, they do not lend themselves to creating an environment ripe and ready to receive a miracle.

 

In Andy Andrews book, The Traveler’s Gift, I read these profound words that stopped me dead in my tracks.

 

“Reason never makes room for miracles; faith releases miracles. Faith is a sounder guide than reason. Reason can only be stretched so far, but faith has no limits.”

 

These words were oh so timely for me. For 2 weeks now, I’m been beseeching the Lord for a miracle. I’ve been telling the Lord plainly, “I NEED A MIRACLE!” But these words from Andrews cut me so deeply. [bctt tweet=”Though I claimed I was participating in my miracle, my pragmatic thinking and realistic reasoning was working against my miracle.” username=”inspiredfully”] Was I actually hindering my miracle from manifesting?

 

What about you? Are you an active participant in your miracle? Are you a free flowing, faithful, believing conduit? Or are you the sensible person for who reason is your compass and guide? Will you leave room for a miracle?

 

I invite you to join me in aligning our thinking with that of The Most High and expect and believe that not only is He able but He is willing to deliver that which you seek in alignment with His will.

 

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21

 

Let us pray…

Most gracious and merciful Father, it is with an open heart, an open mind and a willing spirit that we come to you. We thank you for being an all loving, all knowing and all powerful God. Oh Eternal One, the same who created the heavens and the earth, you are indeed the same one who loves and sees us even at this very moment. God we ask forgiveness for when we have gone astray. We ask for forgiveness for when we have doubted you or tied your hands with our lack of belief. But Lord we come boldly, asking like Jabez that you would bless us indeed, that you would enlarge our territory, that you would keep your hand on us and keep us from harm. Lord let it be to us, that the word you have spoken for us will not be prolonged but the word, which you have spoken, shall be done. Let it break forth speedily Lord. You said you have well seen and will hasten your word to perform it. We reject any spirit of doubt, disbelief or discouragement. Every adversary working to delay our miracle is disbanded in Jesus’ name. Lord we count it a privilege to not only witness but to partake of your wonder working power. You at work in and through us advances your kingdom. We thank you for working through us and we thank you for the manifestation of miracles. To You and You alone be all glory, majesty, dominion and power now and forever. Amen!

 

As always, it is my prayer that you’ve been Inspired To Live Fully!

 

Always my pleasure to connect with these friends sharing the Good News

Mommy Moments, #MeCoffeeAndJesus, Purposeful Faith, Grace & Truth

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Don’t Lose Hope

Forever.

 

That’s how long it seems like I’ve been waiting.

 

Prayer. Supplication. Petition. Request. Beg. Plead. Negotiate. Pray some more.

 

God, I know you’re able.

 

God, I believe you’re willing.

 

God it’s been a long time. I’ve been diligent. I’ve been faithful. What I’m requesting is in alignment

with your will.

 

When will you answer my prayer?

 

Have you ever felt like this?

 

Have you made a request of the Lord and not had it answered?

 

You’ve waited patiently…One year. 3 years. 10 years and still no forward movement? In fact, you may feel that you’ve moved even farther away from seeing the prayer realized.

 

Let me encourage you friend to not give up on God. Keep believing.

 

Don’t lose hope!

 

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.

1 Corinthians 16:13

 

I was ready to give up, to say forget it. Ready to sit down right with the end zone in sight and just hand over the game.

 

In the midst of a meltdown, my friend asked, “Don’t you see how close you are? Do you not see the end zone right in front of you?”

 

Yeah, I see it and I’m trying to keep the faith but my legs have given out and won’t carry me any farther. The lactic acid in my muscles has caused me to falter and my prayer has no push.

 

“That’s ok,” my friend says. She gives me permission to use a time out but encourages me to continue praying and believing in anticipation of the answered prayer.

 

Even when it seems you’ve been waiting forever…..keep the faith. I know you think it’s been a long time. I know you feel like its been forever. I know you want your miracle and you want it yesterday.

 

But what is man’s time to the Lord anyway?

 

But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 2 Peter 3:8

 

Since my God is not slack concerning His promises, this is what I’m going to do while waiting. I invite you to join me.

 

PRAY

Yes, I will continue to pray. When I feel like I can’t pray anymore, I will call up the Word that’s been stored in the recesses of my heart. I will pray and give thanks for what HE has released that’s on its way. I will pray for those He will work through to bring the promise to pass. I will pray against any demonic activity trying to withhold, subdue or delay my answer. I will pray that my heart is ready to receive. Yes, I’ll keep praying and giving thanks.

 

 

PRAISE

Hallelujah, He is worthy to be praise! Regardless of how I FEEL about it, He is worthy. He is righteous. He is holy. He is loving. He is gracious. He is merciful. He is kind. He is a friend. So for this, for all He is, for all He does, for all He doesn’t do, He is worthy to be praised! My mouth is set. I gotta put praise on it!

 

 

PROFESS

I will profess that my God is great. I will profess that my God hears and answers prayers. I will profess the truth of His word. I will profess the promises He’s said are mine. I will profess the visions. I will profess that my God is able, willing and it’s only a matter of time….

 

Sitting…Waiting….Strategizing….Praying. [bctt tweet=”Its 4th & 10. I’m not going for the punt. I’m going to BELIEVE God.” username=”inspiredfully”] I’m going to go for it because He is faithful to deliver.

 

As always, it is my prayer that you’ve been Inspired To Live Fully!

 

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Happy to connect with these friends sharing the Good News Mommy Moments, #LifeGivingLinkup, Purposeful Faith

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I Still Believe

A fourth of the way into the year and I’m assessing my state of belief. Like the State of the Union address, I’m reporting in with myself on my current health, vitality and concerns regarding my state of belief.

 

For the last few years, I’ve adopted one word that has served as my compass for the year. This year my word is BELIEVE. Go back and read that post when you get a chance by CLICKING HERE.

 

To gauge where I am in my believing, I began by asking myself a few questions.

 

What would my life be like if I truly believed I could do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me?

 

Do I believe Christ can do ALL things?

 

Do I believe He’s willing to do ALL things for me?

 

Do I believe I am worthy to receive ALL the things He wants to do in my life?

 

Am I prepared to receive the things I believe Him for?

 

Are the things I believe Him for in line with His Will and His Way?

 

So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. Mark 11:22-24

 

Man…these questions will really get you thinking. I pray you spend some quiet time with the Lord, asking yourself these questions, listening to your heart’s response then listening for what God has to say about it.

 

Even though I’ve been a writer all my life, I’ve been hesitant to call myself a writer. Since I was a very little girl, writing was my way of escape. When I was in elementary school, a reading teacher introduced me to the wonderful world of journaling, and it’s something I’ve done ever since. I’ve written in journals and diaries. I’ve written short stories and poetry. I’ve written for school newspapers, city publications and for a Fortune Top Twenty company. I’ve got a degree in journalism. And I have the pleasure of writing in this sacred space on the web. Suffice it to say…. I’m a writer.

 

Almost 20 years ago the Lord has told me I would be a published author (and I wasn’t even saved then). I’ve got many notebooks over here filled with writing, layout, cover ideas and more for several books.

 

One day while having a waking vision, I saw my book cover unfolding before my eyes. My eyes went from the top of the cover and began to scroll down. I could see color, typeset, the title and as I came to the end, where the author’s name would be, where I would read my OWN name, I abruptly stopped the vision. I aborted the vision God was writing right before my eyes. I allowed fear to keep me from SEEING what the Lord has in store for me.

 

NOT ANY MORE!

 

[bctt tweet=”I will no longer abort the vision, I will abort the lies and BELIEVE.”]

 

My husband and I were in a conversation recently and he was encouraging me to get a new laptop if I really wanted to be a writer. I quickly cleared that up, telling him I AM indeed a writer. And I agree in making the investment in myself so I will soon get a new laptop as the one I currently have has a cracked screen and 1/3 of the screen is one big blotch through which I cannot see. The computer is also slow and has little memory. Yes I will invest and believe in what I’ve been called to do.

 

I AM A WRITER.

I AM A SPEAKER.

 

Not only is it the way God wired me, He’s given me a double anointing in wiring me for writing and speaking and upon salvation giving me the gifts of exhortation and teaching. No way to escape it, I’ve been called to encourage, exhort and challenge His people and the medium for that is writing and speaking.

 

So what now?

 

My believing is in alignment with His and I’m aborting lies.

 

Now what am I to do?

 

Here’s the prescription:

 

~Assess Your Believing

~Align Your Believing with His will

~Act on what you believe

 

ASSESS. ALIGN. ACT.

 

I will stand my watch

And set myself on the rampart,

And watch to see what He will say to me,

And what I will answer when I am corrected.

Then the Lord answered me and said:

“Write the vision

And make it plain on tablets,

That he may run who reads it.

For the vision is yet for an appointed time;

But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.

Though it tarries, wait for it;

Because it will surely come,

It will not tarry. Habakkuk 2:1-3

 

We see in these versus, he stood watch, assessing. He aligned by watching to see what the Lord would say and how he would answer once the Lord had corrected him. Then he went on to act by following the Lord’s instructions.

 

ASSESS. ALIGN. ACT.

 

If I am a writer, I must be disciplined and diligent in writing. Not only that, I have to write the words HE’S calling me to write at this season. While I want to write about wellness (an area I feel very comfortable with), He’s calling me to write about parenting (insert sigh. Really God?! This area is an ever moving target). But that’s what He said so I must move forward in obedience.

 

So what are you believing God for?

 

I’m praying with you friends as you dare to believe God to do exceedingly and abundantly above what you can ask or think.

 

As always, it is my prayer that you’ve been Inspired To Live Fully!
Happy to connect with friends sharing the Good News Purposeful Faith, Grace & Truth

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BELIEVE: My #OneWord 2016

This image has been my phone’s screen saver for months.

 

Luke 1:45

 

I rarely look at it. When I first saw it, it resonated deeply within me because the Lord had been dealing with me on my ability to BELIEVE. So Believe is my One Word for 2016. Instead of making resolutions, for the last few years the Lord has led me to a word that is to be lived out for the year. And as much as I wanted to be done with this, as much as I want this to be a non-issue for me, I won’t run from it. I’ll embrace it knowing God is going to faithfully continue to walk me through this journey of limitless belief.

 

I don’t question MY God’s abilities. I KNOW beyond a shadow of a doubt that my God can do what he says he can do. I know my God can perform miracles. I know my God is able.

 

My question is, will He do it for me?

 

Lord will you protect my children?

Lord will you really supply all my needs?

Lord will you give me my heart’s desires?

Lord will my God dreams ever come to fruition?

 

Well, I’m still grappling with this.  While it’s been under construction for nearly six months now, the issue persists. And I’m okay with that. I’ve been learning over the past few months to not try to circumvent processes in life design for my growth and development. And the issue of believing for me is deep. Yet I thank the Lord that He’s willing to unearth whatever is hindering or hampering my ability to fully believe. He is excavating deep-rooted lies and casting on them the Light of Truth.

 

I want the kind of immovable faith and ability to BELIEVE like David when facing Goliath. In 1 Samuel 17, David made a BOLD declaration.

 

David just KNEW that Jehovah Sebaoth, The Lord of Host, would protect him and ensure the victory.

 

All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.

1 Samuel 17:47

 

Oh Lord that I would have David like belief.

 

One day God directly asked me, “Do you believe?” I answered, “I believe Lord but help my unbelief.” That belief that knows you’re able but is unsure if you are willing.

 

So I followed that up with a question for Him. “Lord, are you willing?”

 

And with a look of compassion in His eyes, He answered, “I am willing.”

 

While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him.

Luke 5:12-13

 

[bctt tweet=”No longer will I allow lack of belief to suffocate God’s desire to bless me.”]

When I doubt, it smothers my faith. It quenches that God can do and wants to do in my life. No longer will I take my own pillow so beautifully embroidered with the word BELIEVE and use it to asphyxiate God’s plans for my life.

 

If you have ever struggled with believing God, trusting God, or wavering faith, please join me in prayer.

 

Lord, the maker of all of heaven and earth, what a great and mighty God you are. You are Sovereign. You are King. It is an honor to love you, to serve you and to partner with you in building your kingdom here on earth. Lord I confess that sometimes my ability to believe is hampered. I repent for hampering your ability to do exceedingly and abundantly in my life through my lack of faith. But I thank you Lord that the prayers of the righteous availeth much. I add my faith to those reading with me now. May our prayers bombard and intercept heaven right now. I pray God that our ability to believe would not be smothered. I thank you for removing any obstacles and false beliefs that would interfere with believing your Truth. You Lord are the way, the truth and the life and when we follow and trust in you there in no need to doubt. Take our mustard seed faith, planted in your nutrient rich soil, watered by your word and make it grow into tall flourishing fruitful trees to bear witness to your glory. I thank you Lord for hearing and answering the petitions of your sons and daughters.

 

Do you have #OneWord for 2016? I’d love to hear about it and to pray for you. For more on the One Word concept, CLICK HERE.

 

 

As always, it is my prayer that you’ve been Inspired To Live Fully!
Happy to connect with friends at Purposeful Faith, Grace and Truth, Dance With Jesus

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Is God Good All The Time?

I got a text two days ago that said, “God is good all the time”.

 

What a trite, overused expression. We say it rote, without meaning, without really thinking about the statement. It’s just become a part of church lexicon. In fact, even non-believers say it.

 

So it got me to thinking, is God good all the time?

 

Lately, God and I have been having issues. Well, God doesn’t have issues, so let me restate that. Lately I’ve been having issues with God. I’ve had to dig deep and deal with the issue of God not keeping His promises. I’ve had Job-like rants. My flesh and my spirit have been at enmity with one another.

 

All the while, God has been nudging me, gently whispering, “In it all, give thanks”. He’s been speaking, “You may not feel it or see it, but truly I’m working it all together for your good and it’s all good”.

 

So what do we do when we don’t see the good?

 

How do we cope when we don’t feel good?

 

Is it indeed true that God IS good all the time, even when the FACTS present themselves quite the opposite?

 

 

To the oyster, having a foreign object such as a grain of sand lodged in its delicate tissue is NOT good. While the grain of sand may present discomfort, the oyster is able to protect itself by releasing a substance, which coats the irritant, and the result is a precious, valuable pearl. Likewise, in life we will encounter irritants, things that we feel are NOT good. But by the power of the Holy Spirit at work in us, we can release the authority and power residing within us to wrap around life’s irritants to create a valuable testimony. Our testimonies are precious and can help others overcome. And just as one may ooh and ahh over the precious jewels and gems you are wearing, like your pearls, your testimony shines to gives glory to God.

 

“You are good, and what you do is good; teach me your statutes.”

Psalm 119:68

 

Theodicy is the theological assertion that God IS indeed good despite the presence of evil in the world. It is human nature to want to understand WHY an all-loving, all-powerful, just God would allow suffering and evil. God IS absolute in His goodness and there is no evil in Him, yet we are victims or even perpetrators of evil as subjects of a fallen world. But out of His unfailing love and compassion for us, He ensures it all works together for our good. Perhaps the human mind cannot fully appreciate or understand the complexities of this. It even confounds me at times. But when I look back over my life and examine some of my most difficult trials, I can see how God loved me through it and how He caused the events to work for my good. I can see how the situations developed my character, caused me to become more compassionate, prepared me for future life challenges and equipped me assist others.

 

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Romans 8:28

 

Regularly I tell my children, “Look for dirt”. In this, I am telling them to train their eyes to ”SEE” mess, clutter, or dirt that they can clean or pick up instead of just passing by. I want their eyes open and their perception heightened to what is in their physical environment. I don’t want them to be one of those people that just see random items on the floor and walk past them. I want them to be good citizens who proactively take action on what needs to be done.

 

In the same manner, God wants us to attune our spiritual eyes to see. He wants our eyes so trained that we readily see and embrace His good at work in our lives. [bctt tweet=”God doesn’t skimp on doing good toward us.”] But we must have the right perspective in order to see His good. Like I tell my children to “Look for dirt”, He is urging us to “See the good”. And to see His good requires a shift in paradigm, away from seeing with natural eyes to seeing with spiritual eyes.

 

Is God good all the time?

 

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!

Psalm 107:1

 

Even though my flesh doesn’t always agree, my spirit bears witness that indeed He is good.

 

Not only is He inherently good, He wants good for you. And He is willing to do radical things to bring about His good in your life and in mine. He is intentional and purposeful with every single event that has ever occurred in our lives. . He is strategic in ordering events, people and circumstances so that they ultimately work in concert for our good. Seemingly random incidents are woven together in a tapestry that artfully displays the work of His sure and GOOD hand in our lives. And while the patchwork of cutting, stitching and mending can be laborious and sometimes painful, we are left with a beautifully wrought garment that showcases His glory. Hallelujah!

 

Yes, God is good all the time. Let your eyes be illuminated so that your WHOLE body will be full of light, full of the TRUTH that God is good. Yes He is.

 

God is good,

All the time.

And all the time,

God is good.

 

Not merely a trite overused statement, but a confession of truth.

 

As always, it is my prayer that you’ve been Inspired To Live Fully.
Happy to connect with these friends sharing the Good News Grace & Truth, Dance With Jesus

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