May You Never

May you never find contentment in this place, rather find the forgiveness of Christ that will set you free from a place that has sought to kill and enslave you.

Cleaning Out the Excess Junk In Our Bodies-Part 2

The second way to honor God with our bodies, express self-control and discipline and clean out the excess junk is by…

2. The Word of God. (Never let food or anything else become a replacement for God’s Word.)

        -This is the GREATEST tool and most important one to have. 

        -The Lord says, in Matthew 4:4-"People need more than bread for their life; they must feed on every word of God." 

        -When we make this verse apart of us, meaning when we actually chew on this, swallow it and let the Holy Spirit break it down within us, we will begin to realize how much more fulfilling God is rather than the following.

a.    Food

b.    Materialistic items

c.    Money

d.    Appearance

e.    Fleshly Desires

      -Food is a natural desire for us. Food is a good thing, when used in the right way and for the right reason. Let me ask you a few questions.

•   Do you eat just to eat?

•   Do eat when you are stressed?

•   Do you eat when you’re sad?

•   Do you binge eat?

•   Do you eat to fulfill a void?

If you answered yes to any of these, what is your motive and reason behind doing what you do?

Your best results will come from getting to the root of why you do what you do. This is something you will need to visit with the Lord about. He is the only One that can show you the true reason you are do what you do. Your greatest benefit will come when you are honest before the Lord.

If food has become an idol, tell Jesus. Ask Him to help you remove the foods that have taken the place where He and His Word should be.

Ask Him to help you understand the role He created food for, which is to nourish you and supply energy. Not to become an addiction or misused gift.

One perfect example of many, is the daily supply of manna, God gave the Israelites. God provided JUST what they needed, nothing more nothing less.  But what did they do, they complained. They had tasted great food in Egypt, and longed for that, all while missing the most important point God was making. True obedience and trust that God would provide.

“Oh, that we were back in Egypt, they moaned. It would have been better if the Lord had killed us there! At least there we had plenty to eat. But now you have brought us into this desert to starve us to death. Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Look, I’m going to rain down food from heaven for you. The people can go out each day and pick up as much food as they need for that day. I will test them in this to see whether they will follow my instructions. Tell them to pick up twice as much as usual on the sixth day of each week...And the Lord said to Moses, I have heard the people’s complaints. Now tell them, in the evening you will have meat to eat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God. That evening vast numbers of quail arrived and covered the camp. The next morning the desert all around the camp was wet with dew. When the dew disappeared later in the morning, thin flakes, white like frost, covered the ground. The Israelites were puzzled whey they saw it. What is it? They asked. And Moses told them, it is the food the Lord has given you. The Lord says that each household should gather as much as it needs. Pick up two quarts for each person. So the people of Israel went out and gathered this food-some getting more, and some getting less. By gathering two quarts for each person, everyone had just enough. Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over, and those who gathered only a little had enough. Each family had just what it needed.” Exodus 16:3-5; 11-18 (To know more-re-read all of 16 in its entirety.)

What is the point of all this?

1.   God always provides our daily needs, especially when it comes to food.
2.   We must be obedient with how and what we eat.
3.   We should not over-indulge ourselves.
4.   We need to pay attention to the details of His Word when it comes to food.
5.   We need to be thankful for our daily bread, and remember that all these extras, they are luxuries that are not to be misused. (I.E. Candy, cheesecake, ice-cream, fast-food, etc.)
6.   Remember you are a reflection of Christ.
7.   God should be your go-to for comfort not food or anything else for that matter.
8.   Resist the temptation to eat unhealthy when stressed, in a hurry, to tired to cook, etc.
9.   Just as God gave the Israelites specific amounts to eat, He also gives us those same specific guidelines.

   10.   Remember this, “Yes, I am the bread of life! Your ancestors ate manna in the wilderness, but they all died. However, the bread from heaven gives eternal life to everyone who eats it. I am the living bread that came down out of heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever; this bread is my flesh, offered so the world may live.” John 6:48-51-Jesus is your daily bread. He is fulfilling and satisfying. Seek Him first.

Altar Sunday

Do you need to fuel the fire God started in you?

If so, the altar is the perfect place to re-fuel.

Reflecting on the Last 5 Years

Where does the time go? It flies by so fast, that when you finally slow down and look up you realize your babies are bigger, older, and becoming little men.

It's the night before his 5th birthday and my heart can't help but to wonder how we have gotten here so fast.

It hasn't been the easiest 5 years of his life. Sickness has been such a huge part of it, and though small improvements have been made, there is still battles to fight.

Oh, yes it could be so much worse. How well we know that. We are thankful. We are grateful in the greatest sense.

As I look back on these last 5 years, I have seen the hand of God upon him, us, and the lessons we have learned and are still learning.

He has been given the sweetest heart. One that is rare when you battle sickness. He has more energy than the energizer bunny. There is not a place or a person that he does not leave an impression on.

He is smarter and wiser beyond his years, all of which I pray for daily.

He makes us laugh, he melts our hearts, he surprises us with his wittiness and he keeps us on our toes.

Just this week, Dax and I were having a picnic outside, when out of nowhere he said, "This is such a blessing. It's the best day ever, mama. Jesus loves us so much."

It's in those moments that I savor, I love, I cherish. To hear your baby give Jesus praise is the greatest blessing and gift G and I could ever ask for.

Jesus thank You for these 5 precious years. Thank You for filling Dax with Your Holy Spirit, love, protection, healing, comfort, and joy. Thank You for finding favor in G and I and blessing us with this precious gift. May He always seek You, praise You, honor You, and reflect You. Fill him with wisdom beyond his years. Give him discernment and guidance as he grows. We are honored Jesus to be his parents. We thank You for every lesson, every trial. We know there is a purpose and none of it has ever been meaningless. Even in times our hearts break because we feel so helpless, our hearts also rejoice because of Your love and presence that is upon him daily. Thank You for his energy, his love and his sweetness. Thank You that he can walk, talk, run, laugh, hear, see, smell, taste, speak, learn and grow. Jesus we ask that in Your will, his day tomorrow will be filled with You, with joy and so much love. Amen

Be Wise

Complacency and foolishness with our bodies can destroy us.

Maybe not immediately, but later on down the road. Don't choose foolishness today, and say you will change later. 

There might not be a later. 

"Or don't you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Cleaning Out the Excess In Our Bodies-Part 1

I truly believe with all my heart, that if our thoughts and hearts are aligned with the Word of God, and our focus is on pleasing Him, then our bodies will be a reflection of that. I know that is a strong statement, and one that can cause a lot of controversy. But if we lack self-control and discipline in our relationship with Christ, we will more than likely lack it in our thoughts, hearts, homes, bodies, and finances. 

We are imperfect people. This will always be a battle we face until Christ takes us home. Now, don't misunderstand me. I understand some people battle health issues that attribute to things with their bodies. I am one of them. I struggle with tummy issues and have for the last 16 years. Thus, the comment my hubby and I had recently about our bodies. He said, "I don't mean this in a bad way babe, but if you didn't have so many stomach problems you would probably be a heavier person." I laughed and said, "Why do you say that?" He responded, "Because you love food so much." And I do, but my stomach doesn't. 

I laughed and said, "Though it’s a thorn in my flesh, it is also a blessing, because I have had to learn how to have self-control and be more disciplined in what I eat and drink."  

Now, I fail quiet often at this, and I pay for it, which in return leaves my hubby, and my parents saying, "You know better. You know that is going to upset your stomach, should you be eating that. Or we are not going to feel sorry for you when you are up sick." All to my lack of control at times and response, "Probably, but I really want it." 

Brethren, its hard when everyone else around you is eating the things you love and you know your body can't handle it. When the temptation is in your face it makes it really hard, doesn't it?

This happens on both sides of me, with my family and my husband's family. 

So, how do we honor God in these situations? How do we clean out the excess junk in our bodies, cabinets, fridges, and on the go, all while displaying self-control and discipline that honors God?

Let’s look at one of many today.

1.    Prayer. It is the greatest tool there is when it comes to taking care of our bodies. When we stay in constant communication with the Lord, asking Him for help, we can believe that He will do just that.

Though there are many amazing passages about prayer, three of my favorite and go to are…

1.    Philippians 4:6-7“Don’t worry about anything instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

a.   The more I focus on Him and what He does for me, the less I focus on the problem or the temptation of eating something I know I shouldn’t.

2.    Romans 8:26-27“And the Holy Spirit helps us in our distress. For we don’t even know what we should pray for, nor how we should pray. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groaning that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.”

a.   There is something so comforting in knowing that God gets us, even when we don’t get ourselves. When we struggle to find the words, the Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf and speaks the words our mortal minds can’t. Rather than turning immediately to another person, doctor, nutritionist, info commercial, or diet fad, turn to God in prayer first and let Him give you the guidance, help, and understanding you need. Then allow Him to place the right people in your life that will help you and encourage you. For me it’s my hubs, mom and dad. They are GREAT at keeping me in check. Partially because they are tired of being up all night with me, or taking me the ER.

b.   Sometimes our very own can enable us, lead us astray, only fix something temporarily, but it’s God that sticks with you to the end.

3.     This is a two-part. I LOVE this entire passage, but for reading sake I will pull out the main two and encourage you to read the entire passage on your own.

a.     Matthew 6:25-27; 31-33-“So I tell you, don’t worry about everyday life-whether you have enough food, drink, and clothes. Doesn’t life consist of more than food and clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t need to plant or harvest or put food in barns because your heavenly Father feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than they are.”

b.     Vs 31-33-“So don’t worry about having enough food or drink or clothing. Why be like the pagans who are so deeply concerned about these things? Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, and he will give you all you need from day to day if you life for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.”

My struggle is not with over indulging myself with food. Nor is it not eating enough food. My struggle is eating the right things that agree with my stomach. For a long time I would be worry and get scared to eat because of my fear of getting an upset stomach and vomiting. But when I combined these two passages with the other ones, it gave me a new outlook on my situation. I no longer have to fear food, or worry about throwing up, all though I still do at times. Especially when I am lying in the ER for the umpteenth time because I am so sick. Instead I can turn to the Lord, pray for wisdom and guidance and trust that He will help me make wiser choices and be able to discern what I need to eliminate in my diet.

I can’t tell you how many times in the last 16 years that I have cried out to the Lord asking for His presence to be with me, to help me, and to relieve me of this. And though I am 16 years into this and I have yet to be healed of it, I have learned a lot, am still learning a lot, and trusting in Him a lot more. Instead of getting angry, I praise Him because it could be SO much worse.

I have to stay in constant communication with Him. I have to rely heavily upon Him. I have to make the choice to either, listen and act on His Word, or to give in and pay the consequences.

Whether you are an over-eater, under-eater, or junk food eater, God gives you the choice daily to choose wisely. If we are not careful food can become our idol. It can become an addiction that destroys us. For me, if I am not wise, my GERD can turn into cancer. My stomach can become an ulcer fest, and the acid can destroy the lining in my stomach and esophagus. All of which, I do not want to happen. But if I choose to eat poorly because my flesh desires the goodness of unhealthy and acidic foods, this will be the consequence and outcome.

If you choose to over-eat your body and heart will pay for it. It will be harder physically and mentally. And can even take the place where God should be.

If you are an under-eater, your body and heart can pay for it. Your body needs food. It is what fuels you. Food has a God-given purpose. And we will discuss both of these later on in this series.

If you struggle with food and you feel defeated, let God’s Word remind you that there is hope. Turn to Him in prayer. Spend time visiting with the Lord. This is something that you will have to do daily, maybe even every second. But if you turn to Him first and choose to push through those temptations He will make you stronger.

Ask the Lord every time you go to put something in your mouth. Is this a healthy and wise decision? Will this give me the right source of nutrients, energy, and strength I need to serve you and be used by you, or will this reek havoc on my body, soul and mind?

This is the first of many when it comes to taking care of our bodies. As we wade through this part I will share with you what has worked for me. And hopefully we can clean out some excess junk in our pantries, cabinets and fridges.

Again, I want to stress that this is what the Lord has helped me with, and He might have something very different for you.

Be wise today, sweet one. Bless the Lord by making wise decisions.

Cleaning Out The Excess-Part 5

David set the perfect example of how to cleanse our hearts. He knew all to well what it was like to have a heart full of excess junk (sin).

As we close this part of Cleaning out the Excess within our hearts, let's let David's words fall fresh upon us today. May his plea to have a heart pleasing to God, also be ours.

  

"Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. For I recognize my shameful deeds-they haunt me day and night. Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just. For I was born a sinner-yes, from the moment my mother conceived me. But you desire honesty from the heart, so you can teach me to be wise in my inmost being. Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me and I will be whiter than snow. Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me-now let me rejoice. Don't keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt. Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don't take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me again the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you." Psalm 51:1-12

It's Time!

When is the last time you fell to your knees, out stretched your arms, threw your head back, and allowed Christ to pour out His blood, His love, and cleanse you in a way that only He can?

It's Time!

Cleaning Out The Excess-Part 4

When we only allow the things of The Lord and His Word to fill our hearts, we don't have room for it to be full of anything else.

Now, granted we live in what we call a world. And in this world there are many distractions. 

Distractions that feed the senses. This causes conflict within our heart. 

So does the fact that we were born sinners, and have within us hearts that are most deceitful.

"The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?" Jeremiah 17:9

Knowing all of this, what's our option? How do we remove the junk, the excess, the world, the sin?

“Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. Your filth will be washed away, and you will no longer worship idols. And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations." Ezekiel 36:25-27

First, you let Jesus get a hold of you and cleanse you. Second, you allow Him to create in you a clean heart. Third, we allow Christ to fill us with the Holy Spirit. 

"For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill ourhearts with his love." Romans 5:5

Are you ready? Are you willing? 

Altar Sunday

As you kneel at the altar today, let Jesus re-ignite the fire.

Never A Question or A Doubt

Live for Jesus in such a way, you never have to look back with regret or shame. 

Love and serve your family in a way you never have to utter the words, "I could have loved more, done more, invested more, laughed more."

And always ensure your relationship with Christ is filled with...

Passion. Devotion. Trust & Faith.

Take Him Up On It

Do you need help cleaning out the excess junk in your heart?

If so, look to the Lord, He promises to help.

"The Lord your God will cleanse your heart and the hearts of all your descendants so that you will love him with all your heart and soul, and so you may live!" Deuteronomy 30:6

He takes it a step farther than we could have even imagined or asked for. He not only offers to cleanse our hearts from the junk, but from our descendants as well.

Rejoice in that promise, and take Him up on His offer!!

Cleaning Out the Excess-Part 3

"The human heart is most deceitful and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? But I know! I, the Lord, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve." Jeremiah 17:9-10

It's one of the biggest storage compartments within us. Everything that is put in it stays until we allow Christ to come in and clean it out.

It is an area that needs more attention and focus than what is normally given to it.

It can be full of love and deception all at the same time. It's rarity, when filled with Christ is one to be treasured, tended to, kept clean, and filled with His Word.

It can be the healthiest of hearts or the sickest.

Despite all things, it is the one thing that should be fully devoted to Christ in every aspect.

It can't merely be swept and clean and left empty. It functions best when full, full of His Word. Full of the Holy Spirit.

Everything that settles within it, takes root and produces our actions, our speech, our character.

It is the control center for all things, and if ran by man alone, can be deadly.

Cleaning out the excess in our hearts is the wisest decision we can make.

Do you have things in your heart that needs to be cleaned out?

What are they? 

The Greatest Thought

"My thoughts are completely different from yours, says the Lord. And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9

When we think we know what's best,  remember our thoughts, plans and ways don't even come close to God's. Thus, the purpose of cleaning out the excess. To many of ours crowds out His. 

The only way to align our thoughts with His, is by filling ours with the Word of God.

Most times, the greatest thought we can have is a surrendered one.

Jesus my thoughts can often become so overwhelming that they leave me in a tailspin. Today I surrender every thought. I relinquish all control and ask that You free me from the domination of them.

Help me to focus on Your thoughts and Your ways. They are greater than any of mine could, would, or ever will be. Amen

The Saddest of Sad

To hear women say, "I have been a Christian for a long time, but never knew how to have a real relationship with Christ. That is the saddest of sad.

To be given the opportunity to know Christ, yet turn away from Him. That is the saddest of sad.

To be set free from the entanglement of sin, yet go right back into it. That is the saddest of sad.

To be able to wake up and choose to spend time with Jesus, yet choose not too. That is the saddest of sad.

To have the opportunity to share the Good News with someone who is lost, yet not because of fear. That is the saddest of sad.

To choose anger over love, bitterness over forgiveness. That is the saddest of sad.

To choose to gossip rather than encourage. That is the saddest of sad.

To choose self over selflessness. That is the saddest of sad.

To be a hoarded of things. That is the saddest of sad.

To always be in want rather than content. That is the saddest of sad.

To complain rather than give thanks. That is the saddest of sad.

Jesus break our hearts for what breaks Yours. Amen

Bringing Your Thoughts Into the "Light"

"Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure." Titus 1:15

There is a huge difference between thinking something and verbally expressing it. When we literally speak our thoughts out loud, or even write them down, it takes them to a whole new level.

They become exposed. And we need them to be.

As we grow in our relationship with Christ, we have to be able to communicate with Him. We need to verbally speak to Him.

Yes, Jesus already knows our thoughts, but brethren as we all know, good relationships come from good communication.

Therefore, we need speak out loud to the Lord. We do this through prayer. We can also write it. When we write we do what? We think and then put those thoughts on paper.

These steps are super important to cleaning out the excess. So with all that said, I have a few questions for you.

Now, just like I told my ladies in Sunday School, this will either be as good and beneficial as you make it.

It's your choice. You can begin the transformation and purging process or you can hoard those thoughts.

You will need to print this out so you can write out your answers. Answering them in your head defeats the purpose.

Bringing Your Thoughts Into The “Light”

1. Write down the top 5 thoughts that consume you the most.

            1.

            2.

            3.

            4.

            5.

2.  Do those thoughts align with the Word of God?

            If no, why?

3.  When you hear God tell you, “You are fearfully and wonderfully made.” What is your first thought?

4.  If I were to ask you to write down every thought you had in the last 20 minutes, how would those thoughts describe you?

5. How often do you think about yourself?

            1                                5                               10

        Rarely                   Quite Often                All The Time

6.  How often do you think about your past?

             1                                5                              10

        Rarely                   Quite Often                All The Time

  

7.  How often do you compare yourself to others?

         1                              5                                10

     Rarely                   Quite Often                All The Time

8.  Do you struggle believing the things God tells you?

                        Why?

9.  What thoughts consume you more, those of others and the world or God’s Word?

           

10. What do you fill your thoughts with?

            a. TV

            b. Internet

            c. Facebook

            d. Pinterest

            e. Lies

            d Work/money

            e. God’s Word

            f. Truth

            g. Love

            h. Joy

11. What things need to be removed in order for your thoughts to be transformed?

12.  What thoughts do you hoard the most?

13.  What thoughts do you need to relinquish?

           

14.  How much does your past affect your thoughts today?

            Why?

15.  How does your thought-life affect your relationship with Christ?

16.  How long have you tried to change your thought-life?

             

17. What is the number one thought you struggle with? Write it on the stem of the tree. 

        -Then using the roots below, write the words that sprout from that thought.  

        -Once you have finished, evaluate the words you wrote. Then draw a heart around the whole thing. What does your heart look like filled with those words?

How can you allow the Lord to transform those thoughts into something beautiful and pure?

What will you choose to think on today?