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I Know Who I Am

Like the little engine that could, I chug along with confidence and boldness.

 

I Know Who I Am.

 

I Know Who I Am.

 

I Know Who I Am.

 

A child of the King.

 

A daughter of the Most High God.

 

An heir to the throne of grace.

 

Then as I keep chugging through life, and come to new terrain: a new opportunity, a new experience, a new challenge, a new situation, a change of plans, or a detour, my I Know Who I Am gets diverted.

 

I think I know who I am. Self-doubt creeps in. I question my abilities. Negative self-talk and self-defeating thoughts begin to crowd out TRUTH. Then, do I still know who I am?

 

When I allow the enemy to flood my mind with lies and deceit do I know who I am?

 

Thoughts like:

~What makes you think this is a good idea

~Do you even believe this will work

~Maybe you’re too late

 

 

[bctt tweet=”That’s the plan of the enemy, to plant little seeds of doubt which have the potential to grow into trees of fear.”] Trees that immobilize forward progress, whose roots choke out everything growing around it.

 

He hates you. He hates me and he’s hell bent on convincing us that we are someone and something other than who God created us to be. He knows if he can dissuade, distract, and discourage us, we’ll feel hopeless and powerless. And when stripped of hope and power we are rendered defenseless. And when we are defenseless, we can be easily overtaken.

 

BUT GOD!

 

Having taught us to store His word in our hearts, He calls the word forth so that we are reminded of who He says we are.

 

First and foremost, from a time before our birth, He knew us. He knew who our parents would be, what economic situation we’d be born into, what race we’d be and on.

 

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you;

Before you were born I sanctified you;

I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5

 

From time long ago He knew the skills and abilities He placed in each of us. He knew how He would utilize these skills and abilities to further His kingdom building agenda. But do we adopt the lies and allow ourselves to be derailed? In minimizing God’s capabilities, do we allow ourselves to be a pawn in impeding the kingdom building agenda?

 

NO!

 

We will not suffer from a case of mistaken identity. We will not be victims of identity theft. We will stay immersed in the truth of who we are. We know who we are based on who our Creator says we are. The designer of a product knows its intended use. The designer knows its intricacies, its components and its full capabilities. Then the product goes from the designer to the user. Sometimes the user manual isn’t read. Sometimes it’s discarded. Sometimes it’s lost. Have you ever tried to put together something from Ikea without using the instructions? It’s a recipe for disaster.

 

But you have the manual right at your fingertips. His Word clearly affirms who we are, how special we are and how useful we are.

 

He declares:

 

~We were created in His own image

~We have been called by name

~We are His workmanship

~We are a chosen generation

~We are holy and blameless

~We are His children

~We are His friend

~We were created for good works

 

Sweet friends, I share this truth because it is a constant reminder that I need. Oh I celebrate the day when I can consistently walk in the boldness and confidence in which I was created. Let’s have a word of pray.

 

Creative, Holy, Loving, Merciful God, I thank you. By your hand I was uniquely formed and fashioned. By your Word I was established. And by your power I am a reality. I am a breathing, walking, talking, living miracle. I am a manifestation of your grace and beauty. Lord forgive me for when I have denied the greatness of my heritage. Lord, by your power I renew my thoughts and transform my thinking so that it aligns with your Truth. I fully embrace the fearfully wonderfully made creation that I am. I will walk worthy of my calling. I renounce every lie that the enemy tries to get me to accept as truth. I take those thoughts captive and the blood of Jesus extinguishes them. And by the authority You’ve vested in me, I stand boldly on the truth that I am your beloved, that I’ve been clothed in fine linen and silk, that you’ve placed a crown on my head, that I am a royal priesthood that I am the apple of your eye, that I am your friend, that I am your workmanship, that I am a good success, that I am seen, that I am loved! Hallelujah! I thank you for Lord that I am who you say I am. In You I find my identity. In You I Know Who I Am. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

 

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

 

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P.S. Israel Houghton sings two songs that minister this truth to my heart, Identity & I Know Who I Am. Take a listen and celebrate the truth.

Happy to connect with others sharing the Good News Cheerleaders of Faith, Grace & Truth

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I Have Faith Issues

Thank you for joining me this week as I celebrate 1 year of blogging.  The journey has been an interesting ride.  I thought I’d just be writing, an easy task since writing’s all I’ve every done consistently since childhood.  But it’s been so much more than that.  It’s been about me connecting hearts and mind with my readers.  It’s been about me growing in my relationship with Christ.  It’s been about me learning how to truly be authentic, transparent and vulnerable.  Before those were merely buzz words, now they are personal.

 

With that in mind, I’m reposting the TOP VIEWED post in my year of blogging.  I never imagined before I began that I’d let readers into such a raw space but given the views of this post, readers can identify with honesty.  While my faith has increased since the post, I’m still a work in progress.  Coming up this weekend I’m supposed to take another faith move but right now I’m quaking in my boots trying to find an escape route.

Lawd, help me!

 

Thank you for walking alongside me on the journey.  Be blessed.

 

Bold Faith? Nope.

Radical Faith? Uh-uh.

Mustard Seed Faith? Some days.

 

Ok, so I’ve got faith issues. Twice last week God gave me a vision of what He thinks I’m capable of. And twice last week I threw blankets of doubt over the visions, smoldering them with my limited thinking and lack of belief. I know I have faith issues.

 

I was watch a teaching and the man stated, “If you say things like ‘I just don’t see how’ or ‘I just can’t see that happening’, you have a faith issue. Yup, that’s me. I often rehearse statements like that in my head. But again God in his faithfulness led me right to His word to shed light. I opened my bible to read about His willingness to heal the lepers. Then He drew my eyes a couple verses over. He tells Simon to let down his nets. And Simon responds just as I would have done, with doubt and disbelief. “Lord, I don’t see how that’s gonna work”. I know I have faith issues.

 

This year my One Word 365 is courage. I am believing God to give me bold faith and the courage to move beyond fears so that I can carry out all He’s called me to do, uninhibited. A few weeks ago I was cleaning out a purse and found some notes from a Sunday service in October of 2014 where we had a visiting pastor. His message was from 1 Samuel 17 and was entitled “I Am A Giant Slayer”. Finding these notes was so timely as I have been engaged in spiritual warfare. It also confirmed for me my word for this year on having courage.   Then that Sunday my Pastor began a multipart teaching from the SAME text entitled Facing Your Giant! Our God is so loving and so timely that he uses others to be His mouthpiece to declare His truths so that we can be free!

 

God knows I believe but I’m scared. Scared of being let down. Scared of being hurt. Scared of being rejected. Scared of disappointment. But He is so faithful and loves me so much that He is confirming His word to me time and time again. And He loves you too and will communication His truth to you. Just have an open heart and an open mind to receive. Yes, I have faith issues, but He’s increasing my faith.

 

Jesus please don’t scold me as you did those standing around when you healed the mute boy. “Oh you faithless generation” you exclaimed. My cry Jesus is that of the boy’s father, “I believe but help my unbelief”.

 

The question is not IF GOD CAN, as the boy’s father asks. Jesus clarifies that for us in giving the man’s question back to him “If I can”. So I’ve shifted. I know you CAN God, but are you willing to do it for me?

 

And He’s already answered that for me too. He is willing. Just as He told the lepers in Luke 5:12-13, “I Am Willing”, [bctt tweet=”He’s assuring us, not only is He ABLE but He is also WILLING.”]

 

I thank God that He doesn’t leave us where we are but loves us so much that He sheds His light on every crevice, recess and crack in our hearts to expose them to His truth.

 

Oh God strengthen my microscopic faith. Magnify it Oh God. Have compassion on me. Take my mustard seed faith, plant it in nutrient rich soil and water it Lord so that it may grow radically.

 

Yes I have faith issues, but He’s strengthening my faith.

 

One commentary I read said if your faith could lay hold of His Omnipotence all is done. So Lord my faith lays hold of your limitless power. I believe you are able. I know that you love me. And I know that you are willing thus it is so.

 

Do I have issues with faith? Yes. But I am being transformed.

 

Mustard seed faith? Yup.

Bold faith? Walking toward it.

Radical faith? Right on the horizon.

 

I stretch forth, break forth and move forward in faith.

 

A few points to ponder:

 

Do you struggle with faith?

 

How have you increased your faith?

 

How had God been faithful to you?

 

For additional reading:

Matthew 9:28-29

Mark 9:14-29

Luke 5:4-11

Luke 5:12-13

Hebrews 11

 

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

 

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Great Expectations

My big thinking gets roped in by pragmatism.

 

My expectation gets corralled by practicality.

 

My self-doubt squeezes the life out of hope.

 

I know this about myself and I can admit it. I know when and how that seed took root, germinated and grew. Over the years its been fed and watered. A child filled with expectation that wasn’t met, led to an adult who closely guarded herself; shielding herself from the disappointment of being let down yet again. So no expectation became the baseline as a means of self-preservation, albeit a false sense of security.

 

Years ago I heard a woman at church say, [bctt tweet=”“Never measure God’s unlimited power by your limited expectations.””] This simple yet profound statement resonates so deeply with me. Bit by bit God has been chipping away at my limited expectation. Inch by inch, layer by layer, I’m giving way to self to release the power of God at work in me to will and to do for His good pleasure.

 

Let God arise with GREAT EXPECTATIONS!

 

Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her.

Luke 1:45

 

In her book #BEMORE Author Sandi Krakowski says, “Expectation is something God wove into our very being. The power of expectation is a gift from God. It is hope, the promise, the faith He asked us to place in Him.”

 

My hope in Him believes that:

 

~He will answer my prayers that align with His will

~He will continue to reveal the mysteries of the Kingdom

~I will see and experience more of His glory

~Goodness, mercy and favor shall follow me all the days of my life

~Out of my obedience He will prosper me and I will be a good success

 

I’m daring to trust God in places where I’ve never been. I’m asking God to surprise me. I am filled with great expectations.

 

With great expectations:

 

~I see my children having grown in wisdom and in stature

~I see my husband and I walking hand in hand on the beach wearing white linen in our old age

~I see myself inspiring the hearts of women around the globe.

 

What are you waiting in expectation for?

 

Expect greatness.

 

Expect the unexpected.

 

Expect God to surprise you.

 

Expect God to blow your mind.

 

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

Breaking News!!!!!!

When God is trying to cement a truth in your heart, He will confirm His word. Sunday night after I wrote this post, right as I was about to fall asleep I opened the Book #BEMORE. I just happen to be on secret #40 which is LIVE BIG, DREAM BIG. She goes on to express what used to be my reality, “Too often we keep our lives smaller so we won’t be disappointed. We minimize our goals so we are less likely to fail.”
Yup, that was my old way of thinking but not any more.
Then this morning I rose to do my morning devotions and began a book called the 40-Day Surrender Fast by Dr. Celeste Owens. Wouldn’t you know, the title of Day 1 is Expect The Unexpected. 
I am in awe of God and eagerly anticipate with great expectation the wonderous works He’ll perform in my life.
Happy to connect with these friends sharing the Good News #LifeGivingLinkup Purposeful Faith

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What Dreams May Come

What Dreams May Come….

 

A movie featuring one of my favorite actors, Robin Williams. It’s also one of my favorite genres of film, fantasy. Sci-fi, post-apocalyptic, man I just love movies where imagination takes flight and other worlds become reality.

 

If…only I could dream those dreams.

 

If…I could give myself permission to dream an alternate reality and dare God to bring it to pass.

 

If…I could allow my dreams to unfold long enough to reach their fulfillment.

 

My dreams come but I smother them.

 

God gives the vision and I place it under a cloak of darkness.

 

I guess what I love about my favorite genres of film is that I believe those alternate realities can truly exist. I believe that one day we could actually live in a dystopian society. I believe that one day we might be able to connect with life forms that exist in space as illustrated in another one of my favorite movies, Contact.

 

But if I could only dare to believe what God says about me. If I could only allow the dreams God has shown me to completely unfurl and see them through to the credits rolling.

 

Well now is that time.

 

I’m daring to take God at His word. He said:

 

“Then you will know that I am in Israel,

that I am the Lord your God,

and that there is no other;

never again will my people be shamed.

And afterward,I will pour out my Spirit

on all people.Your sons and daughters will prophesy,

your old men will dream dreams,

your young men will see visions.”

Joel 2:27-28

 

I will stop getting up in the middle of my life’s movie and will sit through to see what the end will be.

 

I will stop playing it safe and will take the risk of trusting God. He certainly has a good track record with me.

 

I will take my hands off of my eyes and stop peeking through the cracks of my fingers and I will stand and watch to see the salvation of the Lord.

 

I have visions.

 

I have dreams.

 

What Dreams May Come? Not sure, but let them come.

 

Now I release them to unfold.

 

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

 

Happy to connect with #FiveMinuteFriday on this word #dream

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Stinking Thinking

“Get rid of your stinking thinking”, is a popular saying from by Pastor John K. Jenkins, the Senior Pastor at the First Baptist Church of Glenarden.

 

What a true and necessary statement. It’s #WellnessWednesday here at Inspired Life and most Wednesdays we talk about honoring the temple through proper nourishment, rest and exercise. A well-nourished person has a well-nourished mind. And depending your thought life you could be well nourished or have mental anorexia or mental bulimia.   Just as anorexia and bulimia are toxic to the physical body, stinking thinking is just as hazardous if not more for our mental health. The bible says as a man thinks so is he.

 

Stinking thinking is contrary to God’s Word.

 

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true,

whatever is noble, whatever is right,

whatever is pure, whatever is lovely,

whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent

or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Philippians 4:8

 

But thoughts have a way of taking root and taking over. Like weeds, they put down strong roots and choke out those things we are trying to grow. But today we take a stand against stinking thinking and will not allow the weeds to take root. We will pluck them out as soon as they make an appearance. Properly tending the garden of our minds will yield a thought life that blooms with vibrant flowers and good fruit.

weeds

Stinking thinking is sly and slick and can sneak up on you. Last week it crept stealthily upon me and dropped two little negative babies in my brain and they started to whine and cry. Take a glimpse in my mind:

 

~As I was about to fall asleep the Lord showed me a book cover. I saw the title of the book, an illustration and down below was my name. I saw my book! But after my name there was no comma, no initials, no credentials certifying me to be an authority on health and wellness. Then negative baby was born in my brain and came out shrieking, “You are not credentialed so you can’t write that book”.

 

~As I was watching one of the biggest Pastor in the world advertising for an upcoming national event he mentioned some of the sessions that were being offered, one of which was health and wellness. God spoke “I can place you on that platform”. Immediately came another negative baby screeching in my brain, “You can’t do that”. You’re not qualified”.

 

I could not feed these negative babies and allow them to grow into adult screamers taking over my head. NO! They had to go.

 

How do we abolish stinking thinking?

 

Heed The Word

When negative thought come up, arrest them on the spot. Capture those thoughts and cast them out. Negative thought are toxic thoughts that are contrary to God’s word.

 

We demolish arguments and every pretension

that sets itself up against the knowledge of God,

and we take captive every thought to make it

obedient to Christ.

2 Corinthians 10:5

 

Meditate On Truth

Once you capture the toxic thought, replace it with the Truth. So while I may not have letters behind my name making me an authority on health and wellness, I have been diligent and have studied to show myself approved. For 12 years I have been studying, reading, researching, and practicing wellness. The Most High has divinely guided me on the journey. He has been my teacher. And one day He will permit me to obtain some credentials but for now my certifications come from Him. He will not release me to pursue certification until it’s the right time for the right reasons. He’s clearly stated to me, your approval comes from me not from man. I know your heart.

 

Limit Outside Influence

The world’s cares can choke out God’s truth. The things we allow in our ear gates and eye gates influence who we are, what we do and what we believe. Images in the media can tell us that we ought to maintain a certain status: Have, Do, Be ALL THIS! Well meaning friends and family can suggest what we ought to Have, Do and Be. My caution is to quiet those voices so you can hear THE VOICE. He will lead you in paths of righteousness for His namesake. He will lead you in the way everlasting. Listen to Him, Trust Him and Follow Him.

 

For in depth support on managing your thought life, check out Dr. Caroline Leaf’s 21 Day Brain Detox. In this program Dr. Leaf gives a systematic approach for eliminating toxic thoughts.

 

The mind is truly a battlefield and we have to know the weapons of our warfare. I pray that you will meditate on that which is true and allow your mind to flourish.

 

landscaping 2

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

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It’s A Good Friday

What would you willing die for?

 

What you die for a cause you believe in?
Would you die for your children?
Would you die for your spouse?
Would you die for a friend?
Would you die for a co-worker?
How about dying for the person who abandoned you?
What about the person who physically violated you?
Are you willing to die for the one who betrayed you?

 

My heart cries thank you to The One who said YES and died for me. My heart is flooded with gratitude for the good and selfless act that has freed me to have life and have it more abundantly.

 

My heart’s meditation today is this chorus from Walter Hawkins’ song Marvelous,

 

“You gave that I might live.

You gave that I might be set free.

Exchanged Your life for mine,

What a marvelous thing You’ve done.”

 

It’s a Good Friday indeed. If you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, I invite you to take some time today and join me in spirit as we reflect on Jesus’ sacrifice for us. May you be saturated in the depth of His love for you. Because of His good and loving deed, good{ness} and mercy are now following you all the days of your life as you dwell in His house forever.

 

If you do not have a personal relationship with Jesus, I invite you to learn more about the depth of love Jesus has for you. I invite you to memorize this scripture and ask God to open your heart to its truth.

 

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16

 

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

 

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Happy to connect with friends @ Five Minute Friday

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