As I sit on my couch contemplating the New year to come, I am reminded of God’s graces that are New every morning. How awesome is it that we get a brand new day every day to start a new! I scroll through social media seeing posts of new years resolutions and wonder how many people actually fulfill them?
Jesus had a resolution that he came and finished! Do you have unrealistic resolutions? Are your goals piled so high you don’t even know where to start? Having goals isn’t a bad thing. Getting so fixated on “your” goals is not God’s reality for us. How many of us are looking for the goals God wants us to complete? My Bible verse today was such a great reminder.
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.Psalm 143:8
I pray that more of us can hold tightly to this verse the next year to come. How many can wake with our Lord on the mind the moment our eyes open? How many can walk with our Lord ready and able to be his vessel any minute of the day? Are you ready to be God’s warrior this next year? To stand for him and not conform to this world? Let’s make a new years resolution to lift up our souls to him daily, to walk where he wants us to go. Oh what wondrous adventures He could take us on!
So who’s going to be guiding your resolutions you or God? Will you choose to walk with God or your own way?
As the end of what some people are saying is one of the worst years they have experienced, is coming to an end, the hope for a better year to come is what is getting people by.
Are their expectations of a New “better” year really realistic? I to have succumb to this thinking before as well. I will be happy when _____, or as soon as xyz happens I can finally be a peace. Does this sound like your thinking?
It is very easy to slip into the temporary happiness of temporary earthly things. So much to say that our hearts contentment relies on certain activities or gifts. The apostle Paul is so very encouraging to me about his scripture on contentment. I mean who would in their right mind give joy and thanks for being in jail right? So whats the catch?
Here is the hint: The state of contentment in our hearts has nothing to do with our surroundings. Do you believe this?
Paul wrote
Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:11-13 NKJV
A key thing I noticed was that he said I LEARNED!
Can I honestly say that while in the deepest part of my storm that I was content? Many people feel this year has been the deepest part of their storm. What we do in the midst of a storm is what will keep us looking for, expecting for, in the hope to survive. Are we expecting our circumstances to change? To truly be happy again? What is happiness though? Do we let your emotions of feeling good rule your heart? Or do we let God rule our hearts and give everlasting Joy and peace that will never be changed due to our circumstances?
When we start to change our thinking from temporary to long term we can see how putting the wrong expectations can be very harmful. We are ruled by the fear and earthly desires that will lead you astray in the false illusion of happiness. Only God can give the true inner peace of walking on the stormy waters with our eyes fixed on our saviour! Start looking up to the one who can truly set you free from the fears of uncertainty. In the next year to come, Smile more, laugh more and be merry! This season of New Birth as the Christ child was born is a great reminder of the end of a stormy year, the saviour that came to save you from focusing on the storm, to focusing on him!
Over the past few years I started asking God for a “Word of the Year” instead of a New Years resolution as most people do. A church I attended one year nearing the end of the year asked the congregation to pray for their word for that next year. I found this idea very interesting, and thought I would give it a try. So I prayed over then next few weeks nearing the New Year.
I had a word laid on my heart and then proceeding to pray for a verse to go along with that word I felt would be my word for that next year. Each time the word I received, the verse I received had big implications through out that year, thus formed a wonderful New Years tradition for me.
I found it very appropriate half way through this year 2020 to write about the word and verse I was given back in January 2020. I was given the word first and although the verse came in March, I was praying for 3 months on a verse.
The time of the verse was no coincidence. My word for 2020 was Clarity! I find it ironic that perfect vision is 20/20…. and my word was clarity, God yes you do have a sense of humor for sure.The beginning of the year I was trying to figure out what my word could mean for this year. Emotionally I was and am still healing from the previous years storms, so I was wondering if maybe it was something to do with needing an answer to figure out my life’s next move. In a sense it was but not the way I thought. God gave me an answer the year before, it took me until the next year to see (Clarity) that I needed to accept his answer, have faith and move on, or do it my way.
Looking at my life is like jumping out of bed without putting my glasses on. I can still see everything, every color and figure out pretty much what is going on. BUT when I put my glasses on I can clearly in detail see what is going on. Looking at our life without God’s glasses is kinda scary, I would be terrified if I ever had to drive with out my glasses. Ok, so there are plenty of this that Clarity had to put into view for me along with the verse I was given in March, yes March right as the world went to… well you all know where it went!
Romans 13:11 AMP Do this, knowing that this is a critical time. It is already the hour for you to awaken from your sleep (of spiritual complacency) for our salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed in Christ.
Another version says “now is the time for right living” God has definitely sent his children a wake up call this year. He is re-sculpting the church (which is us his children NOT a building.) This generation of Christians are really good at pretending Church at Church but then the rest of the week no one, unless other members even know we attend church. We think that the church will raise our children into evangelist going once or even twice a week, or youth group. We think that we shouldn’t say anything about God in fear of offending some one, or seeming racist against other religions. What is our faith in our church, our pastor, other members?
When your cut off from the heard all that is left is you… your beliefs, your faith, or lack their of. How many with church doors close have their own church at home with their families? Clarity wasn’t just personal it was national! This lock down was a great test to see who has pure faith not fear. Do we trust God or not? Have you become spiritually complacent?
Now is the time to wake up, as the verse says. Things are coming that God wants his children to be ready for. Are you ready to stand up for your faith and fight for it? Do not become complacent and miss out on the amazing opportunities God has in store for those who love him!
I thought it would be appropriate to address this world pandemic considering my blog is literally titled Fearless Faith Frontier.
Scrolling through my social media roll, I see non Christians and Christians a like posting very similar fears regarding the new virus that has the world’s attention. Empty rows at grocery stores from hoarding, or just memes making fun of being prepared or not. Two sides of extreme one not doing anything, other side cleaning shelves. Vaxxers agaisnt anti vaxxers have new ammunition, every political party having a new opinion on how to handle the pandemic. News media spreading the “virus” of fear world wide. Public schools now pushing homeschooling. Medical Marshall laws going into place… my, my, my I would say it is all justified, but is it? How should we especially a Christian respond to this?
First of all let me remind you that God did not give us the spirit of fear! I am sure you have all heard this before… you say easier said than done? Yes, when we are not dying to our flesh daily and choosing to walk by the spirit, yes that would be hard.
The Bible mentions fear not 365 times, hmmm a coincidence? I think not. We are human, just because we are Christians does not mean we are immune to this world including sickness and death.
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21 NIV
During this time of fear and panic in just about everyone on the planet, wouldn’t it be a great time to have conversations about our saviour! Wouldn’t it also be a great time if your a Christian living in fear to dig deeper into why the Bible says fear not? Ask yourself what is it your actually afraid of? It is easier to address your fears when you can name them. Naming them brings a sense of logic to them which can sometimes in itself be enough to realize your fear is misleading in the first place.
Ok so you have your fears named, now you can search for scripture based on those specific fears. Our wonderful age of technology you can actually google “what does the Bible say about _____?” My bible app also has a search section to type in a specific word and it will bring up every verse that has that “word” in it. With technology today it is almost impossible to not find what your looking for.
I sought the Lord , and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Psalms 34:4 NIV
Theres nothing new under the sun, have you heard this one? The Bible can be intimidating if you dont know how to use it, or have the wrong version that makes no sense to you. Do not be afraid to ask for help. I reccomend getting a student study Bible. When you can understand the context of the time period the Bible was written, that helps greatly as well.
Every apostle, every story in the Bible all deal with the same kinds of issues us humans have no matter the age or time period your born. There were famines, (empty store shelves) incurable sickness (cancer, Cornona Virus ect.) Persecution (literally anyone in todays society with opposite beliefs) fear has run rapid from Eve’s first bite of the fruit. Fear is corrosive to the human soul, fear separates us from the calming peace the Holy Spirit gives. When you do your verse search, place them around your house so you see them (hide them in your heart) the word of God is our weapon against fear! The armor of God listed in Ephesians lists only one weapon. Would you go into battle with only armor and not a weapon?
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Ephesians 6:13 NIV
Our bodies are the temple of God, we can choose to live healthy lives with what we put in them as well. Honor our God and ourselves by choosing healthy options to keep our bodies healthy. God did create our bodies to heal and protect themselves. God also created things on this earth to help aid our bodies in boosting our immune system as well. Getting enough rest, and exercise. By preparing our souls with the word of God to fight fear, and preparing our bodies to live at optimal health to fight against disease we can eliminate the need to run after a fleshy emotion as fear. Soldiers prepare for battle…. my Christian brothers and sisters are you preparing? I encourage you to STAND in your faith in this uncertain time in our worlds history.
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 NIV
When the storms hit where do you run for cover? No matter what type of storm hits your life, everyone takes refuge in something, somewhere or someone. Some people try to ignore the storm by barring themselves deeper into that something, somewhere or someone. Sometimes it helps as the brunt of the storm passes by; sometimes it makes the storm bigger. Either way isn’t helpful and becomes more harmful.
The stages of grief people tend to think only apply to death of a person/pet. Grief happens with the loss of anything, a person to death yes but also a relationship of a friend, family or lover. The loss of a job, or even the loss of a goal or way of life that was for so long normal, that is now forcibly changed, or even a thought that is no longer truth. Grief is our ugly friend living under the closet stairs we all know is there but never speak of. We cant ignore every time we walk up or down those stairs of life knowing that our friend is there just waiting to be let out. For what ever the reason may be that we are keeping them their, they are behind a locked door with us holding the key.
Guilt will quickly overwhelm that key holder. The lies that guilt tell hold our friend hostage even longer and with every step of those stairs our feet begin to feel heavier and heavier the longer we leave our friend unattended. Once we actually let our ugly friend grief out from under our stairs , it is then that true healing can being.
Each stage in life weather physical transformation or emotional transformation takes time, baby steps. God knew life wouldn’t be easy. There are many good bible verses that speak of hope and not giving up. Letting our friend grief do its job is a way of hope working to better our relationship with God and others. https://youtu.be/AVaXbyDbbzQ
It has been a very long time since my last post. My truth laid out in black and white is my heart went to a dark, dark place. Honestly it’s still there, but I see in a far off distance a ray of sunlight breaking through the thick dark clouds. A ray of hope to remind me this darkness wont last forever.
I do not know how long the darkness lasts; maybe it wont be bright again until I see the face of everlasting light in person, in the place I was created for.
My husband’s health is what sparked this blog writting in me a few years past. His health has been a rollercoaster journey for sure. To many scares to count of being told he has a fatal diagnosis. None yet of which have taken him. There has been healing in some areas, miracle healing in others, and some are just tailing along behind him. Still he pushes on stronger than ever. Still desperate to do his part and provide for his family. I am thankful God helps him daily to be strong enough to push through pain and who knows what to carry our family.
Almost 1 year ago I experienced something beyond what words could describe. An emotional hurt that opened my eyes to reveal the evil ones under laying twisting moral dispare. A revealing into his cunning sneaking lair. A harsh reminder of this worlds spiritual warfare.
This experience re-allined my off focused reality. I still spiralled into the stages of grief. I am still in those stages of grief. I can honestly say though that the fresh few weeks of it was held ever so tightly by my true saviour. I did not think I could even fathom being where i am today. Let alone the next day. The belly aching, soul sobbing, ran out of tears screaming from the inside incapable of outside emotion pain that all you could do was lay in bed staring off at nothing, totally consumed by it in every inch of your being. Was held by my saviours arms, and I truly felt it.
I do know the meaning now of the peace/strength only God can give.
I am in a new journey of life and faith. I feel like a wobbly baby trying to find new footing learning to walk. My reality was stripped away leaving me a brand new slate to create the right reality God always intended. Just because God intended it to be this way, still does not make it easy. I mean babys fall countless times learning so eagerly to run! Yes I mean run! As any parent would agree.
Since my blogging took foot, I have also moved twice to two different states. That in its self is a blog to write about!
I am glad I have been able to find a place in my wounded heart to make a path to write again. I pray all who read my journey of faith and life will be pointed to my best friend, my healer, my life giver, our saviour Jesus.
You all know how much music means to me, here are a few songs over the last year that had great meaning for me.
I have been reading quite a bit of different short Bible devotions on my Bible app on my phone lately. I have tried to read them the moment I wake, usually before my feet even hit the floor. I am desperately needing my thoughts to be on Jesus every minute of the day. My mind is in such a fragile state right now with much devastation overwhelming my life.
You would think one who has lived a pretty hard, rough life would eventually get used to being in a state of devastation. I can tell you as I write this, a big fat NOPE. Stacking troubles ontop of troubles doesn’t get easier. It does how ever build that tower closer to heaven but still gets you no where but a higher mountain to climb to put that next trouble ontop of the heeping pile.
I feel as though one wrong thought will cause the house of cards to fall, crushing me underneath. I am trying to lean even closer to the only thing that is worth my thoughts, Jesus.
Being on a self seeking journey is not the road I wanted to travel. Rescent events have caused my car to make an extremely sharp right turn onto this road. I find comfort knowing that God is in the car with me and I am slowly giving up the driver’s seat. Tired and weary of the places I have driven myself too, desperately needing a new heading in life I have turned my thoughts my heart to the only one who loves me for me! All of me!
If you are facing a road that looks really dangerous to travel but know that’s where your headed, take the GPS maker with you, God. Gods Plan Saves! My road is pretty rough but I know at the end, if I put my trust and Hope in God I will make it out better than when I started.
My word for 2019 is Hope! So many things in my life need me to be filled with Hope right now to even start driving down this scary road!
My verse is Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold unswervingly to the Hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.
This life here on Earth is but only a blink of an eye compared to eternity; yet it seems like it takes an eternity! Many times I have read in the Bible verses of being tired and weary, to which Jesus offers rest.
If this life was ment to be easy, God would not have sent his son to experience its greatness to the point of his suffering and death.
The holiday seasons remind me even more so of the hustle and bustle of being busy. Parties galore, shopping, family gatherings, the actual holiday it self, on top of our normal life itself as well. Its a crazy cake topped with a chocolate cover busy strawberry. Too many of us including Christians get overwhelmed and consumed with peganistic holiday traditions. We forget to even give time to the very one who is the reason for all your chaos this season.
Even Jesus took time away for him self to be alone with God, to recharge!
Matthew 11:28-30(NIV)
28 “Come to me,all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
As Christmas is over and a new year is coming, let us take more time to spend time with our creator. Pencil in this crucial appointment if need be. Gods rest, his peace, his turn to carry our burdens!
As we have our first snow fall of the season, I am reflecting on how the Bible tells us that Jesus has washed away our sins. Our sins are as scarlet, yet He washed them away to whiter than snow.
Is there such a thing, whiter than white? Snow is beautiful, unique and pure. God put unique details into every individual snow flake, that are only seen under a microscope. Yet He washes our sins away to whiter than snow, making us pure and unique in the image of our maker!
“Come now, let us reason together, says theLord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool
“Under the microscope, I found thatsnowflakeswere miracles of beauty; and it seemed a shame that this beauty should not be seen and appreciated by others. Every crystal was a masterpiece of design and no one design was ever repeated., When a snowflake melted, that design was forever lost. Just that much beauty was gone,without leaving any record behind.”
Wilson “Snowflake” Bentley 1925
As Mr. Bentley stated, when this beautiful design melts away it is gone forever… just like us gone forever without Jesus!
I find it a bit crazy that this discovery was made in the town of “Jericho” Vermont…
There is so much beauty created in this world that points to our maker. Snow was around for a long time before its uniqueness was truly discovered. God tells Job of his store houses of snow. Only God at the time enjoyed that beauty, yet how much more does he enjoy us than a tiny ice crystal here one minute and melted the next. I am sure there is sooo much of this earth’s beauty we have yet to discover.
I know some people do not like the snow, but as every season of our lives, it is necessary. Not all seasons of life are pleasant. As in the beauty of snow unseen, there is beauty in those what seem unpleasant seasons; if only we look just a bit harder we will see the beauty hidden deep inside.
I challenge you who read this that if this particular season is hard, to look deeper daily to find something beautiful beneath the dreary cold surface. Find warmth in the joy knowing that seasons do not last forever.
I realize it has been quite a long time since I wrote a blog. My life has become much more normalized lately. During our less normalized months I was not in a great mindset to try and work on my blogging. I was trying my hardest to just stay sane and keep my kids happy and healthy.
As Thanksgiving approaches I am able to look back and see over the months how blessed we still were. In the moments, I didn’t see it always as a blessing though.
I have noticed many people on my social media sights doing a November thankful challenge, I do not participate in those. The reason I do not participate in those challenges is for 2 simple reasons. First reason being this shouldn’t be a challenge…. Second is, this should be a 365 day a year habit! Can you imagine how much better a year, a life time would be if we focused on the positives/thankfulness of things daily?
So my challenge to you is to create a daily habit of at least 5 things to be thankful for DAILY. Then next November you can post on social media how much better your mental health has been for the year!
When the storms hit where do you run for cover? No matter what type of storm hits your life, everyone takes refuge in something, somewhere or someone. Some people try to ignore the storm by barring themselves deeper into that something, somewhere or someone. Sometimes it helps as the brunt of the storm passes by; sometimes it makes the storm bigger. Either way isn’t helpful and becomes more harmful.
Fearless Faith Frontier 