Discouragement Happens! Champions Step It Up!

Good Monday Morning! There are a bunch of us who have joined the cause: "Step It Up" found at www.facebook.com Today, I wrote this with all of us in mind who are in the process of becoming Champions IN Christ! Step It Up!

 

Today I wanted to say something about discouragement and how it hits you through many different avenues when you are training to be "Champions In Christ".

 

I really believe in eating right, I think our eating habits affect our cause to Step It Up! To take that thought further, I am thinking today along these lines: in our training to be found in Jesus, to Step It Up and become His Champions In Christ, we have to work out the disciplines of body, soul, spirit, will, mind and balance these as we run our race. I imagine this by looking at my own hand. God has balanced my/your hand with five fingers and if you hurt one of those fingers, the function of your hand is just way off balance.

I said all the above to say this: since we started in this Step It Up Cause, I have been working out all these (body, soul, spirit, will, mind) fingers! The one finger that has been a real struggle in discipline for me is the body, which I will call my "pinky" finger! My pinky wants to do its own thing! I have struggled in my eating habits my whole life and a few years ago, I decided that the only way to nip it in the bud was to make a "lifestyle change" in some of my eating habits. In my life, diets just came and went and came and went!! But a Lifestyle Change has seemed to work for me and I have changed these things in my lifestyle over a period of the last 7 or so years:

• I do not eat fried foods.
• I do not drink soda.
• I do not eat ice cream.
• I limit my intake of red meat.
• I do not eat donuts or pastries.
• I do not drink milk, I drink soy milk.
• I drink about 6-8 glasses of water a day.
• I drink at least two cups of green tea a day.
• I do not eat sweets, except on the weekends.
• I eat fresh fruit at least three servings a day.
• I eat raw vegetables or steamed vegetables daily.
• I take natural supplements daily from Arbonne.
• I do not eat anything with food coloring in it, or if it is made with synthetics.
• I do not eat out of a box, or prepackaged food unless it is Organic. I make my food from real food.
• I eat small portions six times a day: balance of protein, vegetables, fruits, good carbs and dairy

 

All these things I have found work for my body, for my physical make up and following this lifestyle diet really helps me to feel better all around and be the best Champion In Christ that I can be. I guess that is what every Champion In Christ has to find out for themselves what Life Style changes benefit them, because God has made us so different. I encourage you to experiment with a life-style diet for yourself; it will make you a better Champion in Christ.

I took it a Step Up when I realized I needed something I could live with, so that I wasn't continually failing in my attempt to eat right, so I have adopted a lifestyle rule called 80/20. This has really helped me to be able to stay faithful to my lifestyle diet change, because it gives me some down time to also enjoy some of the things I really love… ie… ice cream!!! I am very disciplined with my "Life-Style Diet" Monday through Friday and Saturday and Sunday I might enjoy an occasional sweet.

I have done well with this life-style discipline except for DISCOURAGEMENT. Discouragement always lends to a flood of tempting thoughts of: Why should I bother! I should just eat what I want! Everyone else does! What difference does it make? No matter how hard I try, I am not losing weight! I got myself in one of those downward spirals this past week when I got discouraged with my weight. I had been dieting for two weeks, and I got on the scale and I gained weight!!!! IMMEDIATE DISCOURAGMENT HIT THE FAN!!!! I have to confess, I did not deal with it well. I just gave in to the temptation to be like everyone else and eat whatever I wanted and I have to tell, you I had every opportunity to do so… I wonder who provided me that!!

 

Ezekiel 3:13-15

I heard the noise of the wings of the living creatures as they touched and joined each one the other [its sister wing], and I heard the noise of the wheels beside them and the noise of a great rushing. 14So the Spirit lifted me up and took me away [in the vision], and I went in bitterness [of discouragement] in the heat of my spirit; and the hand of the Lord was strong upon me.

Amplified Bible (AMP) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation

 

We sometimes forget that discouragement, causes bitterness in our spirit and we can go forward in our lives bearing that heat in our spirit, yet… as with Ezekiel the hand of the Lord is still strong upon us, He wants to see us succeed as His Champions, He is totally for us in our run for the ultimate prize! He is our Advocate!

Have you ever been impulsive, and done things bitterly out of the heat of your spirit because of a discouragement? I know I have. I realize that it doesn't do much for you, except push you down further into the despair of discouragement. Today, I don't feel well physically because my "pinky" ate whatever it wanted to in response to the heat of my spirit, therefore the rest of my hand is way, way out of functional balance today!! I slept in instead of getting up at my normal time. I felt sluggish in my spirit this morning, my will felt beat up by the struggle this past week, my mind is not clear but filled with temptation to eat things I don't need to eat and my soul is discouraged and caused me to opt out of my exercise today. But… because the Lord's hand is strong upon me, because He has a plan, purpose and vision for my life… and because He knows I have a heart after Him, He is still right there with me in my struggle with my "pinkie" and working towards getting my hand fully balanced and functional!!

God and I have talked this morning and I shared with Him my frustrations and He taught me some good wisdom. I need to stay off the scales!! My weight will fluctuate being a female in the season of life I am in! I need to be faithful to the Life-Style that He has called me to and leave the rest to Him! I repented and I asked for forgiveness for my "pinky flesh fit" and I realize that Today Is A New Day! I fell down, but I can get up and I still can compete as a Champion In Christ today. God has offered His Mighty Right Hand and my will is bent toward obedience, so today I take His awesome hand of reconciliation and pull myself up and out of that pit of discouragement! I know the consequences of my "bitter binge" will be with me for a few days, but I also know that God is with me! It Is A New Day and I am still actively pursuing Him, desiring to being His Champion IN Christ!

 

Dig Deeper…. Dig Deeper….Dig Deeper….Dig Deeper….Just Do It!!!!!

Equip Devotional by: Dr. John Maxwell: The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership

Heart of a Champion

Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore, I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air.  No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:25-27 (NIV)

 

There is an old saying: Champions don't become champions in the ring - they are merely recognized there. Boxing is a good analogy for leadership development because it is all about daily preparation. Even if a person has natural talent, he has to prepare and train to become successful. One of the most famous quotes of President Theodore Roosevelt uses a boxing analogy: "It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause."

 

"Bitterness is a habit that can seriously hinder our spiritual journey. When life becomes difficult, when it doesn't seem as if God is providing for our needs, when we're not getting what we want when we want it, we have a decision to make. We can hold onto our faith and trust that God has an answer in mind, or we can gripe and moan and complain and let our souls become embittered. Expecting an oasis, but finding a bitter stream? Don't lose sight of the grace of God. - (Beside A Quiet Stream)"
Quote By: Penelope J. Stokes

 

No Blame! Be-Better, BE NOT LAME!

John 4:41 His Servant Warriors! Intersection 4:41

John 4:41Then many more believed in and adhered to and relied on

Him because of His personal message [what He Himself said].

John 4:41 Our Hope-Our Prayer-Our Purpose!

 

Psalm 69:8-14

My brothers shun me like a bum off the street; My family treats me like an unwanted guest. 9 I love you more than I can say. Because I'm madly in love with you, they blame me for everything they dislike about you.

The Message (MSG) Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson

 

 

Hello Intersection 4:41 Servant Warriors! God Bless Your Day With His Purpose, Provision, Protection and Peace!

In praying for us today, God spoke this exhortation to my heart this morning:

 

No Blame! Be-Better, BE NOT LAME!

Blame puts you in a cycle of pain where the purpose of God is never wholly gained until He breaks you free! I don't doubt He can break anyone free, because of what I have seen and as I remind myself about Calvary; but He won't breach your will and blame really engages it full force. One of the greatest servants of the Old Testament left us a living legacy of life wisdom to learn from when it comes to not being a person who blames:

Jeremiah 17:9-10

"The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked.

Who really knows how bad it is? 10 But I, the Lord, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve."

Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers.

 

Take the Blame, You have so much good to gain.

Lay It At The Feet Of Jesus, DON'T BE-LAME!

Deal with Christ in your own heart, never be the same!

Be-Better, BE NOT LAME!

 

Grow in Christ, this being your central aim,

Never allow yourself to fall and BE-LAME,

Don't play into satan's deceptive blame game!

Be-Better, BE NOT LAME!

 

The human heart is wicked, when filled with shame!

A broken foundation is the life of the Be-Lame!

A circle of life where pain stays the same!

Be-Better, BE NOT LAME!

 

Be-Lame and wear bitterness and inner shame,

setting a course of woundedness as your internal frame,

positioning your soul in dark passion, for a Be- Lame maim!

Be-Better, BE NOT LAME!

 

The wounded heart, lame in Blame, strikes out in the same!

Offended in heart, wounding becomes your fame.

Turn Your Heart To Jesus, Don't Be-Lame

His Heart, Being Your Heart, ONE IN THE SAME!

Be-Better, BE NOT LAME!

 

Written by Kimberlymac

September 16, 2008

 

Blame is true blindness to God! It is Being-Lame In Your Spiritual Sight!

John 9:2-5 True Blindness

Walking down the street, Jesus saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked, "Rabbi, who sinned: this man or his parents, causing him to be born blind?" 3-5Jesus said, "You're asking the wrong question. You're looking for someone to blame. There is no such cause-effect here. Look instead for what God can do. We need to be energetically at work for the One who sent me here, working while the sun shines. When night falls, the workday is over. For as long as I am in the world, there is plenty of light. I am the world's Light."

God has a purpose for everything that touches your life and in this purpose, we are positioned! Yes even when things look bad, worse as can be, His goodness will eventually thrive if we keep our hearts before Him instead of strewn out on the path of the spiritually blind blame.

It is so easy to blame someone else for your problems; it is the broad way of life. When things are always someone else fault, we never look at our own hearts and we never experience the joy in the fulfillment of the purpose of God in that situation.

Be-Lame…Blame is a pit that the enemy would like every servant to fall in because it binds you up in bitterness and wounds your soul; instead of being a servant unto Kingdom Purpose you become a wounded warrior unto the dictates of your soul, therefore become a injured person who hurts others instead of helping them. Isn't that the goal of our enemy? Guard Your Hearts Servant Warriors! Blame puts you in a cycle of pain where the purpose of God is never wholly gained, until with your bent will He breaks you free! I don't doubt He can break anyone free because of what I have seen and also as I remind myself about Calvary; but He won't breach your will and blame really engages it full force. One of the greatest servants of the Old Testament left us a living legacy of life wisdom to learn from when it comes to blame:

 

Genesis 45:3-8

Joseph spoke to his brothers: "I am Joseph. Is my father really still alive?" But his brothers couldn't say a word. They were speechless—they couldn't believe what they were hearing and seeing. 4-8 "Come closer to me," Joseph said to his brothers. They came closer. "I am Joseph your brother whom you sold into Egypt. But don't feel badly, don't blame yourselves for selling me. God was behind it. God sent me here ahead of you to save lives. There has been a famine in the land now for two years; the famine will continue for five more years—neither plowing nor harvesting. God sent me on ahead to pave the way and make sure there was a remnant in the land, to save your lives in an amazing act of deliverance. So you see, it wasn't you who sent me here but God. He set me in place as a father to Pharaoh, put me in charge of his personal affairs, and made me ruler of all Egypt.

The Message (MSG) Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson

 

Joseph was a great example of a person who lived his life not blaming others or God for the extremely hard season of life God had him in. Joseph realized the true promises of God, because He did not assume through blame that his brothers were the cause of his situation. He grew in whatever situation God allowed in His life and he restored unity to his family; in fact he saved his family because he refused to blame them, he rejected blame and was not Lame even though his situation was awful. He went from a pit to the palace because he didn't stay in the ditch and decorate it with blame, bitterness and woundedness. He fell in the pit and He brought the Presence of God in it with him. He did not blame, nor was He lame, even though he was in prison for a very long time in this pit not of his making. He walked in the purposes of God and realized the provision of God for his whole family; and for a whole nation because he kept his heart free from blame. Blame did not usher in woundedness in Joseph's situation it was the opposite! He was dependent upon God and the purposes of God were fulfilled not the strategy of the blame game that satan hoped would.

When we get into the blame game, we become Lame, we become wounded; the wounded looking for someone to wound instead of the Promised fulfilling the purposes of God. Blaming others causes us to stalk their souls with the bitterness of ours and look for ways to hurt them the way we feel or assume we have been hurt by them. Blame is an independence of dysfunction that stirs up our soul and we begin to impulsively serve it, leaving God's purposes behind.

Bitterness becomes another scene of the play called BE LAME and is acted out by the characterization of vindication from a heart that is desperately wicked, looking for someone to blame and maim. Be Lame… I pray today that we Servant Warriors are not, that we look to God and keep His Purposes as our center focus and as His servants do, remembering to guard our hearts and stay positioned in His grace at all times.

Beware and be careful Servant Warriors of God! Blame is being Lame… staying wounded in your spirit and it leads to wounding others. You take the focus off your own heart, your own walk with God and you hurt others as you continue to BE LAME! Blame hurts everyone and it always escalates into the person who is Being Lame, looking to take vengeance out on someone else and causing a lot of havoc in the lives all around!

 

1 Samuel 22:21-23

Only one son of Ahimelech son of Ahitub escaped: Abiathar. He got away and joined up with David. Abiathar reported to David that Saul had murdered the priests of God. 22-23 David said to Abiathar, "I knew it—that day I saw Doeg the Edomite there, I knew he'd tell Saul. I'm to blame for the death of everyone in your father's family. Stay here with me. Don't be afraid. The one out to kill you is out to kill me, too. Stick with me. I'll protect you."

The Message (MSG) Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson

 

Job 1:20-23

Job got to his feet, ripped his robe, shaved his head, then fell to the ground and worshiped: 21 Naked I came from my mother's womb, naked I'll return to the womb of the earth. God gives, God takes. God's name be ever blessed. 22 Not once through all this did Job sin; not once did he blame God.

The Message (MSG) Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson

Job showed us some really good wisdom about blame. Blame is sin. It separates us from the fellowship and Presence of God, therefore it is a very bad pit we can fall into! Blame is an assumption, that becomes spoken as half-truth, presuming on the purpose of God and spoken into our reality as illegitimate truth. The truth is that God is working in the unseen for our good, we are in a Holy Alliance with Him and everything that touches our lives cannot be someone else's blame. God's purposes undergird all of our ways and don't always come into harmony with our understanding. Job did not blame God for his situation, he did not blame anyone, therefore He fulfilled the promise and purpose of God through his trial and God blessed him tremendously in the end.

JOB SAYS IT ALL: DON'T BE LAME! LOOK AT YOUR OWN HEART! SEE GOD AND BE ONE IN THE SAME!

Job 19: 21-22

"Oh, friends, dear friends, take pity on me. God has come down hard on me! Do you have to be hard on me, too? Don't you ever tire of abusing me? 23-27 "If only my words were written in a book— better yet, chiseled in stone! Still, I know that God lives—the One who gives me back my life— and eventually he'll take his stand on earth. And I'll see him—even though I get skinned alive!— see God myself, with my very own eyes. Oh, how I long for that day! 28-29 "If you're thinking, 'How can we get through to him, get him to see that his trouble is all his own fault?'Forget it. Start worrying about yourselves. Worry about your own sins and God's coming judgment, for judgment is most certainly on the way."

 

BE DEPENDENT UPON ME, DON'T LEAN ON WHAT YOU KNOW, THAT IS BEING LAME! GOD SAYS DON'T BE-LAME, TURN TO ME…. THERE IS NO ONE TO BLAME, IT IS MY PURPOSE, THE NAME OF THIS GAME!

God's Second Set of Questions I Want Straight Answers

JOB 40: 6-14

God addressed Job next from the eye of the storm, and this is what he said: "I have some more questions for you, and I want straight answers. 8-14 "Do you presume to tell me what I'm doing wrong? Are you calling me a sinner so you can be a saint? Do you have an arm like my arm? Can you shout in thunder the way I can? Go ahead, show your stuff. Let's see what you're made of, what you can do. Unleash your outrage. Target the arrogant and lay them flat. Target the arrogant and bring them to their knees. Stop the wicked in their tracks—make mincemeat of them! Dig a mass grave and dump them in it— faceless corpses in an unmarked grave. I'll gladly step aside and hand things over to you— you can surely save yourself with no help from me!

The Message (MSG) Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson

 

BE HEALTHY, BE WHOLE, DON'T BLAME, IT IS NOT GOOD FOR YOUR SOUL! MAKE DEPENDENCE UPON GOD YOUR ONLY GOAL! DON'T BE LAME, BE A LIVING LEGACY JUST LIKE JOB AND SERVE THIS WORLD WHOLE AND WITH GOD'S NAME AND YOUR LIFE LIKE JOB'S WILL END IN THE FULFILLED PROVISION, PURPOSE AND PROMISE OF GOD.

JOB 42:9-17

They did it. Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite did what God commanded. And God accepted Job's prayer. 10-11 After Job had interceded for his friends, God restored his fortune—and then doubled it! All his brothers and sisters and friends came to his house and celebrated. They told him how sorry they were, and consoled him for all the trouble God had brought him. Each of them brought generous housewarming gifts. 12-15 God blessed Job's later life even more than his earlier life. He ended up with fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, one thousand teams of oxen, and one thousand donkeys. He also had seven sons and three daughters. He named the first daughter Dove, the second, Cinnamon, and the third, Darkeyes. There was not a woman in that country as beautiful as Job's daughters. Their father treated them as equals with their brothers, providing the same inheritance. 16-17 Job lived on another 140 years, living to see his children and grandchildren—four generations of them! Then he died—an old man, a full life.

The Message (MSG) Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson

 

Dig Deeper…. Dig Deeper….Dig Deeper….Just Do It!!

Hosea 10:11(MSG)….it's time to dig in with God, Until He arrives with righteousness ripe for harvest!

 

Lamentations 3:38-40

Troubles and good things alike come to people because the Most High God has commanded them to come. 39 A man who is still alive shouldn't blame God when God punishes him for his sins. 40 Let's take a good look at the way we're living. Let's return to the Lord.

New International Reader's Version (NIRV) Copyright © 1996, 1998 by International Bible Society

Jonah 1:6-8

The captain went down to him and said, "How can you sleep? Get up and call out to your god for help! Maybe he'll pay attention to what's happening to us. Then we won't die." 7 The sailors said to one another, "Come. Let's cast lots to find out who is to blame for getting us into all of this trouble." So they did. And Jonah was picked. 8 They asked him, "What terrible thing have you done to bring all of this trouble on us? Tell us. What do you do for a living? Where do you come from? What is your country? What people do you belong to?"

New International Reader's Version (NIRV) Copyright © 1996, 1998 by International Bible Society

Hosea 4:3-5

That is why your land is in mourning, and everyone is wasting away. Even the wild animals, the birds of the sky, and the fish of the sea are disappearing. 4 "Don't point your finger at someone else and try to pass the blame! My complaint, you priests, is with you.[a]

New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers.

Lamentations 3:38-40

Troubles and good things alike come to people because the Most High God has commanded them to come. 39 A man who is still alive shouldn't blame God when God punishes him for his sins. 40 Let's take a good look at the way we're living. Let's return to the Lord.

(New International Reader's Version)Copyright © 1996, 1998 by International Bible Society

Proverbs 19:1-3

It is better to be poor and to live without blame than to be foolish and to twist words around. 2 It isn't good to get all stirred up without knowledge. And it isn't good to be in a hurry and miss the way. 3 A man's own foolish acts destroy his life. But his heart is angry with the Lord.

New International Reader's Version (NIRV) Copyright © 1996, 1998 by International Bible Society

Psalm 101:1-3 Psalm 101 A psalm of David.

I will sing about your love and fairness. Lord, I will sing praise to you. 2 I will be careful to lead a life that is without blame. When will you come and help me? I will lead a life that is without blame in my house. 3 I won't look at anything that is evil. I hate the acts of people who aren't faithful to you. I don't even want people like that around me.

(New International Reader's Version) (NIRV) Copyright © 1996, 1998 by International Bible Society

Psalm 69:8-14

My brothers shun me like a bum off the street; My family treats me like an unwanted guest. 9 I love you more than I can say. Because I'm madly in love with you, They blame me for everything they dislike about you.

The Message (MSG) Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson

Psalm 26:1-3

Lord, when you hand down your sentence, let it be in my favor. I have lived without blame. I have trusted in the Lord. I have never doubted him. 2 Lord, test me. Try me out. Look deep down into my heart and mind. 3 Your love is always with me. I have always lived by your truth.

New International Reader's Version (NIRV) Copyright © 1996, 1998 by International Bible Society

Psalm 15:2-4

"Walk straight, act right, tell the truth. 3-4 "Don't hurt your friend, don't blame your neighbor;

despise the despicable.

Job 12:4

I'm ridiculed by my friends: 'So that's the man who had conversations with God!' Ridiculed without mercy: 'Look at the man who never did wrong!' It's easy for the well-to-do to point their fingers in blame, for the well-fixed to pour scorn on the strugglers. Crooks reside safely in high-security houses, insolent blasphemers live in luxury; they've bought and paid for a god who'll protect them.

(The Message (MSG) Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson

Job 5:1

[Don't Blame Fate When Things Go Wrong ] "Call for help, Job, if you think anyone will answer! To which of the holy angels will you turn? The hot temper of a fool eventually kills him, the jealous anger of a simpleton does her in. I've seen it myself—seen fools putting down roots, and then, suddenly, their houses are cursed. Their children out in the cold, abused and exploited, with no one to stick up for them. Hungry people off the street plunder their harvests, cleaning them out completely, taking thorns and all, insatiable for everything they have. Don't blame fate when things go wrong— trouble doesn't come from nowhere. It's human! Mortals are born and bred for trouble, as certainly as sparks fly upward

(The Message (MSG) Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson

 

Praying For All Of Us Warriors Who's Kingdom Trade Is Being A Servant Of The Living God!

No Blame! Be-Better, BE NOT LAME!

 

 

 

 

Life Groups… Being Found In Christ… Together!

 

1 Peter 1:18 Your Life Is A Journey You Must Travel With A Deep Consciousness Of God….

The Message Bible (MSG) Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson

 

I think sometimes that our generation deals with a great enemy and it is called: Isolation! We have separated ourselves from each other, living at the surface of our relationships. God lives in us, yet isolation keeps us from the heart of His Gospel… which is change. Maybe we could be the generation who is called to break free from this grip of isolation and begin TALKING IT UP! God's Voice, God's Truth, God's Promise, God's Hope, God's Life Is In Each Of Us! Let's stop being "human doers" isolated by the busyness of our generation and start using the tools of communication of our time: saying Hi to your neighbor, inviting people over to dinner, being a part of a small group, encouraging people every day by: Internet, Facebook, phones, Skype, online chats, blogs, cell phones and let's be the chatty generation who is known for breaking down the wall of isolation that holds back The Heart of The Gospel from being a point of change from person to person, heart to heart and spirit to spirit!

 

Psalm 34:2-3

I will honor the Lord. Let those who are hurting hear and be joyful. 3 Join me in giving glory to the Lord. Let us honor him together.

New International Reader's Version (NIRV) Copyright © 1996, 1998 by International Bible Society

 

A lot of churches have small group opportunities. Take those opportunities to TALK IT UP! My Covenant Community Church has them and I attend a Women's Small Group weekly. My Christ Fellowship Online Church has Life Groups, it is their way of connecting the Body of Christ, breaking down the wall of isolation and getting us to TALK IT UP… the life, truth and promise of Christ Jesus in us, so that we can grow together in God! What is really cool is that they have stepped it up a bit and they have Life Groups that are online and it totally meets the needs of those of us who are traveling through life and have not managed to stay put!! Which is a picture of my life married to a man who builds hotels, we move every 8 months or so to a new job site!!

 

So, I have the privilege of growing, changing together with my group of women when I am in town here and then consistently with my online Life Group at Christ Fellowship. I know you probably are saying: "How can that happen online… well.. here is my Life Group testimony of how the Heart of The Gospel is Change and how God even uses online Life Groups to connect people heart to heart!!!

 

My Life Group, We Are Being Found In Christ, For Each Other! Growing Together And Realizing The Reality That "The Heart Of The Gospel Is Change…. I Am A Life Changed By Being Found In Christ, In A Life Group!!

 

Written after my Life Group met Thursday Night! God Changed Me!

 

Have you ever picked up negative assumptions and made a run with them only to slam into a dead end brick wall!??? I have!!! Too many times!!

 

Last night was a good discussion for all of us! I think we all took something from it as we shared God's wisdom and our personal experiences with one another. I realized that assumption is my own fault. I can't blame the enemy. It is me. I know better. If it was my first time to be tricked by it then maybe I could blame the enemy, but God has taught me better!! I have been tossed to and fro by assumption for years and it makes me sooooo impulsive and I find that when I pick up assumption and run with it…. it usually leads to an impetuous run in the flesh to a dead end and it is not very pretty; it is usually me slamming into a brick wall that I did not even see!! OUCHY AND MESSY!

 

When things don't go my way, in fact when they go far from what I can even understand or wrap my mind around, I know I have a choice to make; either I will be listening to God's truth or listening to the enemies stinky mire! From God's truth I get promise and hope that helps me patiently wait for the heavenly hindsight that will come!! From the enemies taunts I pick up deceptive assumptions that grow into an impulsive anxiety, fear and doubt and cause me to lose my focus on Jesus, On His Truth, On His Promises and His way set before me.

 

At times, I have gotten so wrapped up in negative assumptions in my mind that I don't even see the brick wall ahead of me… until smack… there it is…. Ouchy… and then I have to deal with all the consequences that ensue from that collision course of my will and flesh in action!!! Right now in this season of my life, things are not going the way I thought they would in Bob and I's life. In his work there has been betrayal of a work owner and false accusations that could really hurt his reputation in the construction industry; a good reputation that he has earned over 35 years of hard work. We can't figure out the why or what is happening, no clue… it is like being in a fog that suddenly overwhelms your sight!

 

When all this hit the fan, I immediately began walking through this trial with God as my center focus; my hand in His Right Hand and I kept in step with Him at first! But as time went on and on and things did not get better and I could not see my way ahead, I began entertaining the pessimistic thoughts that were hitting me hard each day and I started picking up negative assumptions. I let go of God's hand, I wanted to try it on my own, try to see ahead more and try to figure it out quicker and fix it! My will began to lead my way and I began speaking impulsively and move quickly ahead of God into unchartered territory, which pretty much left me feeling very confused, discouraged and completely lost!

 

Thankfully I have you guys, my cfonline life group and we had a divine appointment last night where I could hear God's Voice, His wisdom and because of that, I did not hit that brick wall this time… (so sorry satan, your plan did not work this time!) I dropped the negative assumptions last night, got rid of them!! I got myself quickly repositioned back in God's grace and promise and I realized that even if this situation looks very awful, that doesn't mean it is automatically bad; it means that God is working in the unseen for our good for a great outcome and I have to wait on Him, trusting in Him and leaning not on what I can see but on His Promise for us.

 

Matthew 18:19-21

"Again, here is what I tell you. Suppose two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for. My Father in heaven will do it for you. 20 Where two or three people meet together in my name, I am there with them."

New International Reader's Version (NIRV) Copyright © 1996, 1998 by International Bible Society

 

 

Thanks special online friends… or should I say family… I am related to you by the Blood of Jesus Christ, so in essence you are my LIFE GROUP! I am a life changed because of Jesus online at Christ Fellowship!!! In our Life Group the heart of the Gospel is change and that is our reality!! Thankfully… I did not hit that dead end wall… and I plan to make that a permanent change in my status… no more slamming into walls… no more negative assumptions…. I can work on that… God's Presence has made that learned wisdom an upfront thing in my life now… God has said "enough" to my wall slamming and I am growing through this season of my life, together (which is a nice way to do it) with you guys and Jesus! Thank goodness!! Love ya all!!

PS: Looking forward to "Joshua" and growing and changing with you all!!

 

 

If you are interested in joining or hosting a Life Group you can find out how at: www.gochristfellowhship.org! You can also attend their online services Saturday at 6pm or Sunday at 9 or 11 am and join in on the Skype Chats that happen each week!

 

Whatever you do, be found in Christ and be together with someone of like heart, mind and will and grow together in Christ. Break the isolation in the Bride of Christ, lets come together and TALK IT UP! God Bless you Much! Like Jesus said… Come lets' reason together, letting His life change us more and more to be like Him!

 

Dig Deeper…. Dig Deeper….Dig Deeper….Just Do It!!

Isaiah 1:18-19

"Come. Let us talk some more about this matter," says the Lord. "Even though your sins are bright red, they will be as white as snow. Even though they are deep red, they will be white like wool. 19 But you have to be willing to change and obey me. If you are, you will eat the best food that grows on the land.

Jeremiah 24:6-8

My eyes will watch over them. I will be good to them. And I will bring them back to this land. I will build them up. I will not tear them down. I will plant them. I will not pull them up by the roots. 7 " 'I will change their hearts. Then they will know that I am the Lord. They will be my people. And I will be their God. They will return to me with all their heart.

Romans 12:1-3 Living for God

Brothers and sisters, God has shown you his mercy. So I am asking you to offer up your bodies to him while you are still alive. Your bodies are a holy sacrifice that is pleasing to God. When you offer your bodies to God, you are worshiping him. 2 Don't live any longer the way this world lives. Let your way of thinking be completely changed. Then you will be able to test what God wants for you. And you will agree that what he wants is right. His plan is good and pleasing and perfect.

New International Reader's Version (NIRV) Copyright © 1996, 1998 by International Bible Society

2 Corinthians 3:17-18

Now the Lord is the Holy Spirit. And where the Spirit of the Lord is, freedom is also there. 18 Our faces are not covered with a veil. We all display the Lord's glory. We are being changed to become more like him so that we have more and more glory. And the glory comes from the Lord, who is the Holy Spirit.

New International Reader's Version (NIRV) Copyright © 1996, 1998 by International Bible Society

Acts 2:41-47

Those who accepted his message were baptized. About 3,000 people joined the believers that day. The Believers Share Life Together 42 The believers studied what the apostles taught. They shared life together. They broke bread and ate together. And they prayed. 43 Everyone felt that God was near. The apostles did many wonders and miraculous signs. 45 They sold what they owned. They gave each other everything they needed. 46 Every day they met together in the temple courtyard. In their homes they broke bread and ate together. Their hearts were glad and honest and true. 47 They praised God. They were respected by all the people. Every day the Lord added to their group those who were being saved.

New International Reader's Version (NIRV) Copyright © 1996, 1998 by International Bible Society

Psalm 34:2-3

I will honor the Lord. Let those who are hurting hear and be joyful. 3 Join me in giving glory to the Lord. Let us honor him together.

New International Reader's Version (NIRV) Copyright © 1996, 1998 by International Bible Society

Matthew 18:19-21

"Again, here is what I tell you. Suppose two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for. My Father in heaven will do it for you. 20 Where two or three people meet together in my name, I am there with them."

New International Reader's Version (NIRV) Copyright © 1996, 1998 by International Bible Society

1 Corinthians 3:8-11

The one who plants and the one who waters have the same purpose. The Lord will give each of us a reward for our work. 9 We work together with God. You are like God's field. You are like his building. 10 God has given me the grace to lay a foundation as a master builder. Now someone else is building on it. But each one should build carefully. 11 No one can lay any other foundation than the one that has already been laid. That foundation is Jesus Christ.

New International Reader's Version (NIRV) Copyright © 1996, 1998 by International Bible Society

 

 

 

 

 

September 11th 2008! God Is Faithful!

September 11th 2001! 7 years ago! I still have not forgotten! I still treasure the freedom our military fights so hard to defend and preserve! I cling to the Future and Hope I have In Jesus Christ and I remember His Faithfulness!

 

A United States Marine Wrote This Poem On September 11th 2001; it was his response to a very overwhelming day! Today, it shows us some awesome "Heavenly Hindsight"! OUR GOD IS MIGHTY TO SAVE! OUR GOD IS FAITHFUL! REMEMBER HIM TODAY!

 

FREEDOM

One heart - one blood - one soul

Freedom is our ultimate goal!

 

Freedom from terror and fear

Freedom that we now

feel is not so near

 

Freedom from the

anguish and the grief

Freedom from that terrifying thief

 

We have all felt the terror

and shock that he brings

From the poor, to those rich as kings

 

This tragedy has touched

us all first hand,

there is sorrow and grieving

throughout the land

 

We must now fight

for the freedom we once had

We must bury the hatred

and take the good with the bad

 

This course in our life has been set

What took place that day

we will never forget

 

But don't be dismayed

for true freedom comes from within

It is a battle that we will always win

 

The broken hearts will eventually mend

And justice will prevail in the end

Be strong for our loved ones that are gone

And with our strength America will live on

9-17-01

 

Written By

Sergeant Christopher McCarthy USMC

Jesus, Send Out Your Light And Truth!

"Cowardice asks the question: is it safe? Expediency asks the question: is it political? Vanity asks the question: is it popular? But conscience asks the question: is it right? And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular - but one must take it simply because it is right."

Quote By Martin Luther King Jr.

 

Jesus send out Your Light And Truth! Father God I pray today for all of us under the sound of Your Magnificent Voice! I ask you Holy Spirit to send out Your LIGHT AND TRUTH that they might permeate all the hidden places of our hearts and bring forth the genuine character of Your Life, enlightening our paths in our all in all! May truth be the only place we find ourselves positioned! I pray that Your Word would be in complete charge of our lives! Keep us safe Father God from the untruths of this world we live in, keep them from hurting us and the ones we love!

Perusing The Psalms 12

Psalm 12:1-8

For the director of music. For sheminith. A psalm of David.

1 Help, Lord! Those who do what is right are gone. Those who are faithful have disappeared from the earth. 2 Everyone tells lies to his neighbors. With his lips he praises others, but he doesn't really mean it. 3 May the Lord cut off all lips that don't mean what they say. May he cut out every tongue that brags. 4 They say, "We will win the battle with our tongues. Our lips belong to us. No one else is in charge of us." 5 The Lord says, "The weak are beaten down. Those who are in need groan. So I will stand up to help them. I will keep them safe from those who tell lies about them." 6 The words of the Lord are perfect. They are like silver made pure in a clay furnace. They are like silver made pure seven times over. 7 Lord, you will keep us safe. You will always keep sinners from hurting us. 8 Proud and sinful people walk around openly when the evil they do is praised by others.

New International Reader's Version (NIRV) Copyright © 1996, 1998 by International Bible Society

 

P-Purpose-Truth

2 Everyone tells lies to his neighbors. With his lips he praises others, but he doesn't really mean it.

*My Prayer-HIS-THOUGHTS: KimberlyMac-Glowing In His Glory! Always-4Ever! Glow It!*

"He doesn't really mean it!! Oh Lord that hurts even to read it! How unfaithful we have become with our words, our lips have been irresponsible. Jesus forgive us! Lord, let truth prevail! This verse below is the honest picture of most of our politicians today, those who are leading this country right now. Help us Jesus. Turn our hearts in this country to You, the fullness of Truth! Let our lives reflect the Light Of Truth in our all in all, word by word, thought by thought and heart by heart! Jesus make it so! I know you must be sad that our lives are really unbalanced being all about what we say and nothing about being… doing… being faithful to the spoken word, honoring truth, honoring our commitments made."

 

3 May the Lord cut off all lips that don't mean what they say. May he cut out every tongue that brags. 4 They say, "We will win the battle with our tongues. Our lips belong to us. No one else is in charge of us."

The Message (MSG) Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson

 

P-Promise

7 Lord, you will keep us safe. You will always keep sinners from hurting us.

Jesus will stand up for us! Thank You Lord! He will protect us from the lies of others! Father I stand on this promise as even this day, a project owner is telling blatant lies about my husband. Jesus You will protect Bob from the lies of others. Thank you Jesus that Your Holy Spirit, Your Truth will stand up for my husband's reputation, keeping it from being beaten down. Jesus! You will make a way where there seems to be no way. You will ALWAYS and FOREVER keep sinners from hurting us! Jesus I stand upon this promise, my faith is activated by Your promise of safety and protection from the lies of others! Jesus!

5 The Lord says, "The weak are beaten down. Those who are in need groan. So I will stand up to help them. I will keep them safe from those who tell lies about them."

P-Praise

6 The words of the Lord are perfect. They are like silver made pure in a clay furnace. They are like silver made pure seven times over.

 

*My Prayer-HIS-THOUGHTS: KimberlyMac-Glowing In His Glory! Always-4Ever! Glow It!*

 

"Ahhh Lord God, I praise You for Your perfect Word. I praise you that Your Word is pure, undefiled and strong. Thank you for the Word of God that is purified and strong seven times over!"

P-Prayer

1 Help, Lord! Those who do what is right are gone. Those who are faithful have disappeared from the earth.

1HELP, LORD! For principled and godly people are here no more; faithfulness and the faithful vanish from among the sons of men. 2To his neighbor each one speaks words without use or worth or truth; with flattering lips and double heart [deceitfully] they speak. 3May the Lord cut off all flattering lips and the tongues that speak proud boasting,

Amplified Bible (AMP) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation

 

1-2 Quick, God, I need your helping hand! The last decent person just went down, All the friends I depended on gone. Everyone talks in lie language; Lies slide off their oily lips. They doubletalk with forked tongues.

The Message (MSG) Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson

 

*My Prayer-HIS-THOUGHTS: KimberlyMac-Glowing In His Glory! Always-4Ever! Glow It!*

"Lord I say the same thing in my generation! Help us Lord! As I watched the political speeches and realized that most of them had words that held no worth, they came from a double heart from people whose inner motives were all about themselves. It is very sad to me how words mean nothing, they are just performed for the moment. Jesus help us I pray!"

P-BE….Just Do it

8 Proud and sinful people walk around openly when the evil they do is praised by others.

 

*My Prayer-HIS-THOUGHTS: KimberlyMac-Glowing In His Glory! Always-4Ever! Glow It!*

"Jesus I pray by Your Holy Spirit that I will be found in You and that I will have the wisdom and self control to never praise the evil that people openly do. I pray that I will be found standing on your promises, that I will be a faithful Champion In Christ Jesus and speak words of truth and truth alone. That what I speak is a reflection of my heart, the position of my spirit standing upon the Promises of God. Help me not to fear what man can do to us by lies against our reputation, but help me to stand on the Promise of Your Word!"

 

VS 7 Therefore, Lord, we know you will protect the oppressed, preserving them forever from this lying generation, 8 even though the wicked strut about, and evil is praised throughout the land.

New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers.

 

7You will keep them and preserve them, O Lord; You will guard and keep us from this [evil] generation forever. 8The wicked walk or prowl about on every side, as vileness is exalted [and baseness is rated high] among the sons of men.

Amplified Bible (AMP) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation

 

 

*My Prayer-HIS-THOUGHTS: KimberlyMac-Glowing In His Glory! Always-4Ever! Glow It!*

"Just BE!!! Jesus cause us to be found in Your Truth!!! Jesus guard our hearts for out of them flow the issues of Your truth. Help us Lord God to be people who do not rate baseness high, but with our thoughts, attitudes and actions raise up the Name of Jesus! The Name that is Higher than all names be exalted in our lives by the Truth of Jesus Christ alive in us! SO BE IT! Jesus make the spirit of our lives the throne of Your Truth! AMEN! AMEN!

 

Dig Deeper…. Dig Deeper….Dig Deeper….Just Do It!!

Song By Carl Cartee "We Lift Your Name!"

 

Psalm 41:4

I said, "Lord, show me your favor. Heal me. I have sinned against you."

New International Reader's Version (NIRV) Copyright © 1996, 1998 by International Bible Society

 

Psalm 43:1-4

God, when you hand down your decision, let it be in my favor. Stand up for me against an ungodly nation. Save me from those lying and sinful people. 2 You are God, my place of safety. Why have you turned your back on me? Why must I go around in sorrow? Why am I beaten down by my enemies? 3 Send out your light and your truth. Let them guide me. Let them bring me back to your holy mountain, to the place where you live. 4 Then I will go to the altar of God. I will go to God. He is my joy and my delight. God, you are my God. I will praise you by playing the harp.

New International Reader's Version (NIRV) Copyright © 1996, 1998 by International Bible Society

 

1 John 2:7-8

Dear friends, I'm not writing you a new command. Instead, I'm writing one you have heard before. You have had it since the beginning. 8 But I am writing what amounts to a new command. Its truth was shown in how Jesus lived. It is also shown in how you live. The darkness is passing away. The true light is already shining.

New International Reader's Version (NIRV) Copyright © 1996, 1998 by International Bible Society

 

Philippians 2:7-10

Instead, he gave up his divine privileges[a]; he took the humble position of a slave[b] and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form,[c] 8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal's death on a cross. 9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers.

 

Proverbs 4:20-24

"My son, pay attention to what I say. Listen closely to my words. 21 Don't let them out of your sight. Keep them in your heart. 22 They are life to those who find them. They are health to your whole body. 23 Above everything else, guard your heart. It is where your life comes from.

24 Don't speak with twisted words. Keep evil talk away from your lips."

New International Reader's Version (NIRV) Copyright © 1996, 1998 by International Bible Society

 

John 8:31-35 The Children of Abraham

Jesus spoke to the Jews who had believed him. "If you obey my teaching," he said, "you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth. And the truth will set you free."

33 They answered him, "We are Abraham's children. We have never been slaves of anyone. So how can you say that we will be set free?" 34 Jesus replied, "What I'm about to tell you is true. Everyone who sins is a slave of sin. 35 A slave has no lasting place in the family. But a son belongs to the family forever.

New International Reader's Version (NIRV) Copyright © 1996, 1998 by International Bible Society

 

"Jesus Christ Our Savior, Our Redeemer…. I Pray For The Light Of Your Truth To Illumine All Our Darkness, Shattering The Doubt That Looms Over Our Souls And Permeating Our Spirit In Hope And Belief In You! All Things Are Possible In You! May We Be Found In Your Presence, Hearing Your Voice As The Freedom Of Your Truth Rings Throughout All Of Our Situations! Jesus Always And Forever You Are With Us Creating Songs Of Deliverance Out Of Our Oppressive Times And Songs Of Praise Out Of Every Trial In This Life! Jesus! So Be It! May we lift up Your Name, Your Truth And Your Light In Our All IN All This Day, Now And Unto Forever! Jesus!"

Kimberlymac Praying For Our Families!

 

 

 

Being Found In Him, As His Champion!

Jesus, I know you dream the dream of Me being Your Champion! It is my hope to be….

"Jesus, may all Your dreams for me come true. Help me not to get in the way or hinder You from fulfilling any of the plans You had for me when You dreamed me into being. Amen." Quote By Unknown Author

Today I woke up with the word "balance" on my spirit. I have had an amazing journey with God when it comes to the word "balance". I know without a doubt that the gift that God is perfecting in me and using me for "Kingdom Purposes" is exhortation. God uses this gift to kindle in His people's heart hope, truth and the way to Him. When the giftedness of God unites with a human being, there is always salvation to be worked out of the carnal nature. Sometimes, that does not look too perfect along my life path!!

Over the last 10 years I have been consistently led by God to be an exhorter. I encourage other by helping kindle a holy fire in the heart of a person that God divinely and timely connects me with. I exhort, being His Voice in a specific season of their life. I turn on a small light of hope and God's Holy Spirit continues to build an all consuming fire in their heart. God gives me an exhortation that shatters the darkness and begins to kindle a light of hope and truth for them to walk by.

I am a fire starter! I kindle the Light of Christ's hope and He continues in His way by His means to start an all consuming fire in them. Therefore, I am a starter by "Kingdom Trade", not a finisher. Every day, directed by God's Holy Spirit, I point the way to God and I encourage people, but I don't get to walk the journey with them. So, I am a starter, not a finisher!

Sometimes my giftedness that Jesus wired in me, makes it hard for me to be disciplined in my flesh! In fact as I tried to work out this gift from His anointing to my flesh, I became frustrated in my training as a Champion in Christ. Because I am so wired to be a starter, I was short circuited for years in my physical diet, exercise and in the area of steadfast study in the discipline of my spirit. I was way out of balance in my walk to being a Champion In Christ because outside of my giftedness, I was trying to work things out on my own! I had the short focus I needed for my gift of exhortation as God moved me among people and from person to person, as I shared His encouragement and exhortation and interceded for them, yet I did not have a steadfast balance in my own life. I struggled to "do" it, to do life! I struggled to do daily devotions, diets, exercises, studies because I knew if I did not take care of my body and my spirit that I would never make a good Champion of Christ Jesus.

1. I would start a diet, and fail very shortly thereafter and then beat myself up for weeks while eating more and more to help me "feel" better.
2. I would start an exercise routine and work through the sore muscles and then a distraction would come along and I would quit for a day, then another day that led into a week and then weeks of no exercise.
3. I would start a devotional book, hear the Lord speak but then before it was done, I would move on to the next "spiritual fad"… never finishing the first, second or third… therefore I had loads of unfinished books on my book shelf; great books yet they taunted me with discouragement as I continued to pile up more unreachable study ambitions.
4. I was famous for setting goals for myself that I never reached. Every Sunday night I sat down with my calendar and I set my "doer" into motion. Every single day was done up to the max. I scheduled the life out of myself!! Only to fail to keep it and by the end of the week being beat up by my procrastinations!

A very defeated "doer" I was! This is where the Lord found me about 10 years ago as a Champion want-a-be! I was feeling defeated, feeling that I would never be "good enough" and feeling that I can't do it… any of it!! I had a "to do" list as long as my life and a defeated attitude that blanketed my soul! I took my "can't do attitude" and spewed it out morning after morning by way of spiritual whining until the Lord said: "Enough"! It is time to grow up, time to balance your doing and tip the scales with "being"! He was about His business to finish what He started in me and I was ready to receive, ready to move my life from a focus on me and my doings to a "completely", a heart undivided being found steadfastly in Him!

Daniel 5:24-28

Then was the part of the hand sent from the presence of [the Most High God], and this writing was inscribed. 25And this is the [a]inscription that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN--numbered, numbered, weighed, divisions. 26This is the interpretation of the matter: MENE, God has numbered the days of your kingship and brought them to an end; 27TEKEL, You are weighed in the balances and are found wanting; 28[b]PERES, Your kingdom and your kingship are divided and given to the Medes and Persians. [Foretold in Isa. 21:2, 5, 9.]

Amplified Bible (AMP) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation

 

1. MENE God had numbered the days of my unbalanced heart, putting a hope for an undivided heart in my spirit… a completely! (Psalm 86:11)
2. TEKEL God put me on the Kingdom scales justified by His true life and found me unbalanced! I was a doer found to be unbalanced!(Gal 3:8-12; 2:16)
3. PERES God told me that my life, my rootedness would no longer be balanced between The Kingdom and This Earth. That He would uproot my dependence upon this earth and plant me in Kingdom Soil! I was on the road to a completed citizenship in His Kingdom! Wholly His! (Ephesians 3:16-18)

    

That morning, The Holy Spirit spoke to me this verse and it was with this verse that I began my change from a "doer" to "being"! That day I began a journey to "being" a Champion In Christ. Being found in Him in my all in all! I hope that for all of you striving to be His Champion in all areas of your life: Body, Soul, Spirit and Will!

Think on these things and be found in Him!

 

Philippians 3:8-9

Even more, I consider everything to be nothing compared to knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. To know him is the best thing of all. Because of him I have lost everything. But I consider all of it to be garbage so I can get to know Christ. 9 I want to be joined to him. For me, being right with God does not come from the law. It comes because I believe in Christ. It comes from God. It is received by faith.

New International Reader's Version (NIRV) Copyright © 1996, 1998 by International Bible Society

 

Philippians 3:8-9

Yes, furthermore, I count everything as loss compared to the possession of the priceless privilege (the overwhelming preciousness, the surpassing worth, and supreme advantage) of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord and of progressively becoming more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him [of perceiving and recognizing and understanding Him more fully and clearly]. For His sake I have lost everything and consider it all to be mere rubbish (refuse, dregs), in order that I may win (gain) Christ (the Anointed One), 9And that I may [actually] be found and known as in Him, not having any [self-achieved] righteousness that can be called my own, based on my obedience to the Law's demands (ritualistic uprightness and supposed right standing with God thus acquired), but possessing that [genuine righteousness] which comes through faith in Christ (the Anointed One), the [truly] right standing with God, which comes from God by [saving] faith.

Amplified Bible (AMP) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation

 

Philippians 3:8-9

Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ 9 and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ.[a] For God's way of making us right with himself depends on faith.

New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers.

 

Philippians 3:7-9

The very credentials these people are waving around as something special, I'm tearing up and throwing out with the trash—along with everything else I used to take credit for. And why? Because of Christ. Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life. Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant—dog dung. I've dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ and be embraced by him. I didn't want some petty, inferior brand of righteousness that comes from keeping a list of rules when I could get the robust kind that comes from trusting Christ—God's righteousness.

The Message (MSG) Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson

 

Philippians 3:8-9

What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ. 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ— the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.

New International Version - UK (NIVUK) Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society

 

I know I have kept my life in balance between "being" His and serving His Kingdom, when at the end of the day I have grown to know Him more and I have changed from better to His best!

I get up every day knowing what I need to "do". It seems to never escape me! I still have a full schedule because I am a "Martha Being Daily Transformed Into A Mary"! So therefore, I am learning not to be driven by my schedule and the change in me, the difference is "being"! My first daily priority is finding His Presence and my position in His Grace! It is through His Presence that I can have the strength to exercise my body, the will to say no to my flesh (to the things I should not eat that my body at times screams for) and the passion and desire to learn more of Him. My schedule is still pretty full of things I want to do, but I am easily overridden by the balance that "being His" has brought to my consciousness. I hear His Voice, I obey it! His Voice completely trumps my schedule, my wants and my way! I do everything unto Him and that strengthens my resolve from moment to moment to be His, undivided in heart and balanced in His life. I have learned to enjoy my life, being content with what Jesus brings into my day whether good, bad or hard! Jesus lived a balanced life, completely at the whim of His Father, He walked uprightly in all His ways when on this earth and He accomplished so much!! I model after Jesus and I put all my hopes and expectations in His Hands. (Psalm 62) I don't live by my extreme expectations anymore. I am happy with 80 percent of my week eating a good diet and I enjoy some fun food on the weekends. Jesus was the same way! I am thrilled when I exercise at least four days a week, yet I rest on Friday and enjoy a day off from exercise. I am not driven by my personal applied goals anymore; I am led by the Spirit of God, being found in Him. I have accomplished so much more than I could ever hope for or imagine as I am being found in Him! I am a starter and a finisher!! Yes life may be hard at times, but God is totally and completely good for me and in me always as a bright light of HOPE! I hope this for you as you travel down the path of learning to BE His CHAMPION… A CHAMPION IN CHRIST JESUS!

The heart of the gospel is change! These last ten years learning to "be found in Him" has been a great adventure and has changed me, making me into a Champion In Christ. Every day is a new day in this adventure and each day I get up, I set my feet on the floor and I am determined to know Him more, to experience Him most and to grow to be a servant more like Him. As this verse says, I therefore will be found as His Champion…

 

My Life Is A Journey….

I Must Travel With A Deep Consciousness Of God

The Message (MSG) Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson

 

Dig Deeper…. Dig Deeper….Dig Deeper….Just Do It!!

1 Peter 5:7-9

Casting the [a]whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, [b]once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you [c]watchfully. 8Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [[d]in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour. 9Withstand him; be firm in faith [against his onset--rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined], knowing that the same ([e]identical) sufferings are appointed to your brotherhood (the whole body of Christians) throughout the world.

Amplified Bible (AMP) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation

 

2 Timothy 1:6-8 (Amplified Bible)

That is why I would remind you to stir up (rekindle the embers of, fan the flame of, and keep burning) the [gracious] gift of God, [the inner fire] that is in you by means of the laying on of my hands [[a]with those of the elders at your ordination]. 7For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control. 8Do not blush or be ashamed then, to testify to and for our Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for His sake, but [[b]with me] take your share of the suffering [to which the preaching] of the Gospel [may expose you, and do it] in the power of God.

Amplified Bible (AMP) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enemy Cackle is Not For Me! No… Not!

I started a bible study yesterday with some of the women of Covenant Community Church and we are studying this book:

Life Principles From The Women Of The Bible Book One

Written By: Wayne Barber * Eddie Rasnake * Richard Shepherd

 

This thought from an excerpt of the book, really hit home, so I thought I would share the inspiration the Holy Spirit incited in me!

Excerpt From Week One: Eve Following God After Failure!

"Through attacking Eve's contentment, Satan was able to incite rebellion in mankind and sin entered into the world."

Wow… that is so true… I never thought of it in that way!

Yesterday I experienced this first hand, the enemy cackle! My enemy began working on my mind through the discontentment of a circumstance where I am diligently waiting for God's intervention! When you are persevering, enemy cackle can be so discouraging! Enemy cackle is the subtle, sneering laughter with attached speculations that are soaked in deceit! I listened to such enemy cackle yesterday and my emotions responded with a downward shift until I shook off the deception and spoke out the truth! Yes he tries… the enemy wants to attacks our contentment and if he is able to incite it… look out!! I have done so many stupid, impulsive things in my life time that I deeply regret because of this very same thing… listening to enemy cackle! I can relate to Eve! I am afraid, that I too have bit the apple served by enemy cackle!!

My contentment was a big thing for me and it played itself out through my feelings of needing security, wanting to feel stable and striving to keep everything on the status quo. Therefore, I was a "fixer" and I was easy prey for enemy cackle! I was always looking ahead to the contentment, the perfection that I wanted and thinking forward on how to make it happen, so much so that I never really learned to enjoy the day that God had provided at hand! I developed a really unbalance sense of contentment and the enemy egged it on using cackled assumptive thoughts, which when entertained by me had a really negative effect of charging up my impulsive carnal nature… right into overdrive or should I say over-kill since that is what my enemy's strategy provides!

Enemy cackle always led me to reckless behavior! I can remember so many willful decisions I made empowered by this impulsive side of my soul, choices I knew that were made by the light of my own fire and were very irresponsible! (Isaiah 50:11-12)

As I listened to more and more of the enemy cackle, my impulsive nature caused me a lot of grief in my life, especially as I faced the consequences of my inaccurate pursuit of slippery, personal contentment! I have learned and grown up through my life-lessons created by the compulsion for satisfaction! Yes, God uses all things in our lives and I got to know Jesus more and more as I searched less for satisfaction and personal contentment being found in Him! He is simply enough, My Jesus! Plus, the consequences of my impulsive nature are still around to remind me! "Heavenly Hindsight" that memorizes wisdom for my today!

Like Eve, I still get tempted in the area of contentment, and I know my mind will be a battlefield of personal expectations incited by intentional deception, the cackle of my enemy. It helps that my will is no longer as strong as it used to be and that I have learned to put all my expectations in a very safe place! (Psalm 62!) I don't diminish the temptations of enemy cackle, they are real and strong, yet I am blessed incredibly because my life is one of a daughter, whose Father God is continually and faithfully teaching by His Holy Spirit and Powerful Word!! AHH Lord God, Yes because of The Purposes of God, I daily find myself consumed by Jesus and less directed by my thoughts or driven by my emotions. Thank Goodness!!!

Today, in the face of the Eve-like temptations, I am learning to face life with a willessness that helps me run my race as a Champion In Christ. My impulsive pursuit for me, myself and I, has been changed ("the heart J of the Gospel J is change") by a diligent pursuit of Jesus Christ and His Kingdom. My life-plans have been altered by the surrender of what I want, my plans or my will and is all about being faithfully found In Him!

As a Champion In Christ, this is how I work out my salvation training: I changed my response to enemy cackle! I do not pursue my satisfaction or my contentment anymore! I do not entertain thoughts from my enemy that subject my personal contentment. I lay it down, my will and my plan of contentment for this day and I decisively with purpose, pick up the baton for The Kingdom of God and run as a Champion In Christ should race… with excellence and in pursuit of the ultimate prize, Jesus Christ!