Groundwork

There is always a challenge, a test from a distance or one that is brave enough to get right in our faces and release a steady flow of hot air into our space. We don’t always know it is coming or how long it will stay, but once it is there it will try to move us and take over our comfort zone. If we are prepared it does not matter if our zone is no longer one of comfort, we will be able to adjust.

When the power is out a flashlight with fresh batteries rest on the designated shelf and you can get to it in the dark. The path to it was mapped out in your mind while it was daylight, soon you can see again. Driving down the highway a flat tire brings you to a halt. Tucked away out of sight there is a spare tire and all the tools to get you moving again. We prepare ourselves for days like this that have a probability of occurring. We prepare to keep from bumping our heads on a closed door as we stumble through the darkness. That spare tire is there and the tools to utilize it so we will not be stranded. These challenges come unexpected, but being ready carries us through them.

Some challenges are more difficult to take on and get through, but preparation will prove its worth. In all that you do to plan for disasters, accidents, and other challenges that show up in your face, prayer should be the background preparation; especially when you need more than a flashlight or a spare tire. With prayer in the background adjusting will not be a problem. Every time the hot air flows too close and moves you from the place of comfort the wall that catches you will be your preparation. When you turn around to look behind you in astonishment because you knew no physical wall was there you will know your prayers are working in your environment.

A test, trial, or challenge will come; do your groundwork and change the outcome.

On my knees things happen…

My eyes are open while they are closed…

My head is down, but it is lifted up…

The room is filled with silence…

My ears hear a powerful voice…

My body is present, but I am in a different place…

My lungs breathe in a familiar air…

There is a thick vapor; it is what I feel…

When I am on my knees things happen…

To be on my knees is pleasure…

Clinging To Life

whole year (11)

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 16:11 KJV

It may be hard to hold on when everything seems to be leaning in the direction of defeat. Defeat may even disguise itself as peace, but there is no real peace when you give up on your life. It is usually not difficult to give up, you can simply stop. To keep striving takes commitment and strength you exude these. You want to make it and you are fighting to live, fighting to change, if not you would be gone by now and change would not be a concern.

Although you are fighting sneaky thoughts come in and you think no one is there, but you have pulled your own hand back from circulation; you have crossed your arms and left no opportunity for those who care. Don’t be deceived any longer someone still has a hand hanging in the air, waiting for the warmth from your life. Someone still needs you as much as you have been in need. Tell someone that you need help someone who will listen closely. Speak like this is your last chance; speak like you are clinging to life as it dangles over a cliff with nothing beneath to break the fall.

You can live and progress and love your life enough to grip it and hug it tightly, like you want it. There is a path to lead you out of the darkness that is drowning you. It is a path just for you, it is not exactly the same as anyone else’s, but there are many like things on that path to bring you into a better state of living. There is a repairer for every breach that has separated you from the love of having a lively soul and life that does more than exist. His name is Jesus. He stands between you and God waiting to reconcile you, even when you thought things were solid because you have known God for so long. He is there for every breach. Begin to speak.

Almost every time I kneeled to pray I was in need, but then I found pleasure there and eventually I rested on my knees just to commune and feel the mystery of God. Search for Him, open your mouth and let God hear you, open your heart for change, and listen for the opportunity to grow. What you do not know He will teach you.

Scripture Inspiration; Psalm 16:1-11 KJV

Omni

whole year (204)

Am I a God at hand, saith the Lord, and not a God afar off?  Jeremiah 23:23

Omni

He is present…

I feel His glory…

I cry out…

He appears…

Before a sound is made…

Before I ever pray…

He is here…

Teaching me to receive my help…

He never leaves…

At times I forget He is near…

But it is Him who keeps me strong…

I say His name and help is here…

He is a wonder…

An everywhere God…

Determination

In the Deep

These arms of mine have lifted more weight than some.

My legs are strong and have challenged my lungs.

Strength is within me,

Yet when the water comes…I am beyond heavy.

I wonder…What is my strength?

In this water there is no air,

And I realize I am really under here.

Under here, it is a struggle, but I won’t struggle.

My thoughts begin to question my authority:

Will I float?

Will I see bubbles?

I am surrounded,

And the water demands my life.

I hear my voice thinking,

“what can come to destroy me”,

“To steal my joy, my peace,

To destroy what God has invested in me”.

Not these ripples, nor these waves,

I will keep my life, and my soul too!

Immediately, my arms begin to move the water,

And my legs begin to move me.

My thoughts focus on my existence

“bring me out of the deep”  “lungs carry me to the surface.

You shall not fail!”

Oh my Rock, my Fortress, my Strength, I am standing on faith.

With my eyes to the sky, I see a clear path before it appears.

With motivation, I speak, “move water MOVE!”

I am light, I see the Son, I breathe, I live.

Though my body had been condition for this event,

I found that my strength was weak without determination.

Team Up

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“I am for my God only; I love Him and His son. I live in this world, but I am not with it. I believe His gospel and live by his words. I am chosen and I have a purpose; I must win the fight for my soul’s life. I am peculiar, set apart, elect, blessed, I am not ashamed and I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I am created in his image; He perfected me inch by inch until he was pleased.  I am His child and He is my King. I am to be a pleasant scent just for Him. I have faith, I have power, and I am complete. My heart carries Him where some will not take Him. I am the salt and the light that shines for others to see. The best is what He gives to me and my best is what I return to Him.”

When you have these kinds of feelings about God and Christ and you can define yourself in similar words, you know that a relationship with God and Christ has developed. There are some who have not reached this point of expression. You cannot fully express what is not in your heart. If the belief of God and what He is has not soaked into your mind, changing your lifestyle to fit with His ways will be difficult.

It is not so difficult to change for those that you can see, or for yourself. You may adhere to a dress code at work or for a dinner party, if you work in customer service or with people you may change your behavior accordingly, and to become healthier you may change your diet. To go through the process of transformation to become whole through Christ is not looked at the same.

This is a spiritual change taking place and a different perspective is taken. There are some who need human help for this spiritual change. When there isn’t an understanding of who God is some do not realize that He is all knowing, He hears and sees all. If they are thinking about or faced with doing something that is difficult to overcome or not of God, there may not pause and consider that God knows and can be sought after for intervention. However they will consider an accountability person. They may make a connection with that person and ask for help or advice or will wonder if the person who calls to check up on them can hear their stumble.

An accountability person can be the help that one needs until he or she can get to a level of understanding who God is, how He operates, and all that He can do. It should be a person who communions with God often, follows His ways and is subject to Him, a person who knows that Satan can come through the smallest crack and destroy. An accountability person will let others know that he or she is not a replacement for God or Christ, but one to hold up the weak until they become strong by reaching a goal of true intimacy with the Father and the Son.

If you look closely you will see others in need of God’s help. If you are on one end of the rope looking across at those who cannot envision or understand how to usher God’s presence into their life the way that it should be, you must act. Stand firm and keep hold of the rope. If you are on the receiving end of the rope you are in need of the help and should act. Ask for help, there will be a reply. God will give you each the partner you need to fulfill the task and grow in him.

Scripture Inspiration; Romans 15:1-6, Matthew 5:13-16 KJV

Fear or Doubt

My hands use to not rise above my shoulders. I would just hold them up casually and I would mumble out a word of praise. Kneeling down to pray felt unusual and I would say a few quick words and get up again. There were no signs of intimacy with God coming from me. I was afraid of His touch, His power, His voice, the whole connection. Afraid that if I lifted my hands in worship, and sent out a praise that was clear I would get a reply and have to change or get no reply and leave change to my imagination. I was afraid to release my deepest needs and thanks in prayer, because I could not see God’s ear and did not know if I would be heard. Looking back I wonder was this belief and unbelief warring or was I crippled by fear of the unknown and what could be.

Doubt and fear will work together effectively if they each are not recognized for what they are. Serving each individually with cancellation notices is where to begin. This can be done by replacing your normal response to worship and praise or prayer with a new response. That little bit of belief that has you lifting your arm halfway up can cause you to extend it fully. The same belief that is there to get you to mumble can cause you to speak clearly and directly to God in praise and prayer. If you have enough belief to get on your knees you are already expecting some time to pass and a connection to occur or else you would just stand and speak your request to God. Your ounce of belief has you working in small ways that will lead to a greater confidence in God. You just have to follow through and not change your mind during the response.

Concern and hesitation are not unexpected when you are getting to know and trust God, and the Bible lets us know we only need a very little amount of faith to initiate a response. The key is to keep moving in the direction that will hold and increase our faith by switching out our responses that inhabit fear and doubt for responses that trigger confidence and belief.

And Jesus said unto them, because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Matthew 17.20 KJV

And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.  Jeremiah 29.13 KJV

Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.  Psalm 29.2 KJV

Divine Direction

These feet feel a line that is not seen

I walk with order

My soul is guided, this is not a tour

This is how to go about my day

Supervision is what I needed

Vision beyond my natural eyes

When darkness cluttered my path

A sacred voice was as a scent

I followed

You took control and placed it in my care

Life seemed encrypted

Hacking, no specialty of mine

I found a shared key

My spiritual eyes now see

And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.  Isaiah 30.21 KJV

Faith

So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.  1 Corinthians 3.7

Faith

Down on the ground

Lying there

Weak,

Nothing can be gained.

It’s on the ground

Not planted.

Raise it up!

Let its roots grow deep.

Nurture it with all your goodness.

Make it strong with your water.

Put it to work so that I can have it.

Let it bring patience my way.

It will then grow and be lifted up from the ground.

All will be gained and I’ll never be the same.

It is down on the ground only to be nourished.

To grow, because of what you have done.

Let it work and be multiplied.

Joy Through It All

Thou has turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;  Psalm 30:11 KJV

To be glad, keep your sanity and your peace through overwhelming circumstances is evidence of having joy. Joy is for us to have, God supplies it, if you are without it you must request it, accept and hold on to it.

What can steal your joy: relationships with others that end badly, being hurt by others, losing a loved one, a home, your entire livelihood, and being lost without meaning to your life? All of these situations can cause you to feel sad, down, grieved, angry, or alone, basically leaving you without hope. Situations like these that occur in your life can bring you tears that you can’t seem to escape. You may feel as though you are drowning, and no amount of swimming will get you to the surface. You may soak your pillow, your bed, your couch, and even the shoulder of a dear friend only to see no change.

Being without joy during times like these can lead to grief. No one wants to hurt, be without joy, or never receive true deliverance. When you let go of joy and take a hold of thoughts that you know make you hurt, your mind can allow you to believe that you need to be miserable. Once this occurs you can become a tenant in the house of destruction and start to lose pieces of yourself as you deteriorate in that house. The longer you are in that state the more displaced you become, and the more comfortable you become in your grief. You do not have to stay there or think on the bad of your situation; instead, you can find the good and move on.

At times pain must visit, but it does not have to make its home in your heart. Each day you can gain and move forward. To move forward, daily deliverance must be sought after. It takes a strong prayer life, fasting, and reading the bible so that you can gain power, knowledge, and inspiration. You can also be a witness to yourself by recalling what God has already done for you. If you are still breathing you have that to be glad about.

God has joy for us, a perfect supply for each one in need. We must recognize when our joy is under attack and call on him for protection. It is so easy to ask and not receive because the enemy can slip through any opening no matter how small. He can cause us not to move and we can be passed over. When you need help God’s ears will hear your voice crying out. He will look on you and have mercy. God will lift you out of trouble and out of waters that you cannot swim in. When you see no way to the top God will send help and peace will follow. When peace comes from above we must grab hold of it and keep it so that we can stand. God will not force you to rise up, you must accept the deliverance that he offers.

God is the most high. He is the highlight of our lives and with him all walls can be cleared. He is a shield, a strong tower, and our glory. The joy God gives puts dancing in our life’s feet, and gives us power to lift our heads and be glad.

Scripture Inspiration; Psalm 30: 1-12 KJV

Power Up

For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall.  Psalm 18.29 KJV

By using my thoughts for me instead of letting them work against me, I live free. From the little thoughts that slip in and out of the mind almost unnoticed to the enormous ones that are as vivid as a dream or motion picture, I decide which ones survive. I determine how they will manifest in my life each day. I am able to accomplish this with power from God. It is his spirit alive and working in me that has come by commitment to a life headed by him that enables me to have power in my life.

Through understanding of God’s word I found out that I could have the power to live as I pleased, and free sounded like an enchanted forest with luxurious waterfalls that moved uninterrupted, and I was hooked. If you have ever been bound by a cell, handcuffs, or chains of life you know what losing a part or all of your freedom is like. I had my turn at bondage and found that any situation that causes you to live as though you are handcuffed and shackled breaks the spirit within you.

Every day that you are bound a little piece of you crumbles and breaks away and until you are set free your whole being suffers. You will see debris all around you not knowing that it is actually you, dying slowly. The part of you which is not crumbling away is bond. You cannot move exactly the way you want, reaching, pulling and stretching only wears you down without progress. Power is the only solution to real freedom, power over your thoughts and actions. Power that is invested in you by God through his Holy Spirit is the way to be free.

You do not need, nor do you have the ability to control the thoughts and actions of others so turn from seeking freedom in that manner. When you encounter those who become an obstacle and mean to do damage in your life, the power available to you through God is to be used to counteract them, and it should not be ignored. Power over thoughts and actions microscopic or huge is vital to the type of lifestyle you live. Once you are able to control self, the road to living free becomes more than something imagined, it becomes real.

To get this kind of result from God you have to desire the total package God offers. You have to pursue him and build a relationship with him by frequent communication, and live as he commands you to live. The Bible is the greatest tool for getting result from God. It lays out a host of ways to live and how to get close to God. It is the instruction book for life and God will make it easy for you to understand and apply for everyday living.

When you are free you can work daily toward fulfilling you true purpose, instead rotating between hitting and missing you target. Look at where you are today and if there is a sign of bondage choose to live free now. Begin to pursue God and activate his power in your life so that you can live as you should.

Scripture Inspiration; Psalm 18. KJV