For we walk by faith [we regulate
our lives and conduct ourselves by our conviction or belief respecting
man’s relationship to God and divine things, with trust and holy fervor;
thus we walk] not by sight or appearance.
Wow..."But God hath chosen the foolish things
of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the
world to confound the things which are mighty: the foolish things of the world
are meant to confound the wise!" (1 Corinthians 1:27)Boy,
am I FULLY understanding this more and more as I walk with Jesus! We
think we know God when things are COMFORTABLE and things are the way we would
prefer them to be. But, we REALLY don't get to KNOW God until we have nothing but Him to lean on...Shoe leather FAITH where we have to truly WALK it out with every uncertain step.
Be careful what you pray for because what you
THINK you are praying, will usually not manifest the way you thought. God's
ways are above our ways, and I'm realizing this the more I walk by FAITH and not by
what things LOOK like.
We humans seem to think we can imagine something, but by the
time God puts His Precious Touch on it, it's always bigger and grander than we
can ever imagine. What we prayed for will usually come by way of PRACTICE to get us
where God wants us. We think it's going to be SMOOTH sailing because we PRAYED
about it; however the complete opposite usually happens from what our finite
minds can imagine. We want more favor…God TEST us to let us see what our
RESPONSE is to the little things in life. We get to see if we can be TRUSTED with the
BIG FAVOR that He wants to give us.
Oh, yes God wants to give you what you want as soon as you
request it, but are you MATURE enough to handle it? We are just like the 14
year old boy who wants to drive, but he's not mature enough to handle the
responsibility that comes with driving. So he has to wait...watch others do
what he wants to do, read up and learn the laws that go with driving, take a
written test to make sure he knows the rules, PRACTICE what he knows intellectually to
get the HANDS-ON-EXPERIENCE that gives him a BETTER understanding, and
then the BIG DRIVING TEST to be eligible to drive alone.
God is holding our hand a little more in the beginning of
our FAITH journey to eventually allow us to be less supervised because we've
proven we are TRUSTWORTHY to go along without Him instructing us as much. We
are GROWING up when we have stayed close to Him enough that we KNOW His
Character even when we don't hear Him instructing our every step. Thank God
He knows when to take the training wheels off our bike of FAITH to test us for a while to help us know we are mature enough, responsible enough, and READY to
ride without them!!!
(Proverbs 30:21-23) 'Under three things the earth is DISQUIETED, and under four it CANNOT BEAR Up... Under a servant when he reigns, a [empty-headed] fool when he is filled with food, AN UNLOVED and REPUGNANT WOMAN WHEN SHE IS MARRIED, and a maidservant when she supplants her mistress.'
When I read the above scripture verse this morning, it seemed to JUMP off the page straight to my heart. I now look back over my life and realize that when I really was aching to be loved and married, I WAS NOT READY! I've since learned that God postpones our desires when we are not delighted in Him first.Psalm 37:4 reminds us of it...."Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart."
I know a lot of single mothers (myself included) who are now or were left alone raising children mainly because they were looking for some man to fulfill a space that only God can fulfill. We often look outside ourselves to fulfill our desires for love, when LOVE is activated best when we are IN-Love with the One who is LOVE.
How can we attract love when we don't actually have it from within first? Every physical manifestation of this life starts from within first. God wants to do the HEART work ON YOU FIRST so that you will be ready to attract what you REALLY desire. So I ask you have you done the HEART work to be ready for him who you desire? If you haven’t, let's dig deeper and LOOK at the two words that God's Word says about women that DISQUIETS the earth and it CANNOT BEAR UP....
RE•PUG•NANT (r-pgnnt) adj. 1 Incompatible, Inconsistent 2 Hostile 3 Arousing disgust or aversion; offensive or repulsive
UNLOVED (unˈluvd) adj. 1 not loved or cared for 2 feeling neglected Now, let's LOOK at the word we all desire....
LOVE (luv) n. 1. a person who is the object of deep or intense affection or attraction; BELOVED. Often used as a term of endearment. 2. a strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties
LOVE (luv) vb. 1. to hold dear, cherish 2. to feel affection or experience desire
LOVE (1 Corinthians 13:4-8) 4 LOVE endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. 5 It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]. 6 It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail. 7 Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening]. 8 Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end].
God's LOVE REQUIRES A LOT!!! More than most of us as mothers are NOT ready to give this kind of love. We say we desire love but are we LOVE? God EMPOWERS us to give the LOVE that He wishes for us to experience. If we go after love WITHOUT Him, we become REPUGNANT and UNLOVED. This makes us DISQUIETED in our hearts and spirit. We then display it on the earth for the man that arrives into our lives. When he then experiences your display he CANNOT BEAR UP under it to be all that you desire him to be. It’s no wonder so many of us are left alone because we have not tapped into the POWER SOURCE to sustain us to give and experience love in a way that is BELOVED as God sees it.
So, I ask you again are you ready for LOVE? Have you done the HARD HEART work that is required to arrive to the place you desire? Are you willing to put in time to STUDY GOD and His ways by getting to know Him better through reading His Word and asking Him to guide your steps and keeping you in the shadow of His wings until you are ready? Being alone is an opportunity to PREPARE ourselves for the One our heart desires. We can then receive the one God has prepared to LOVE us as we desire.
Be encouraged and EMPOWERED moms, he is on his way to you as you move closer to the One who will send him. But God first desires to shower His Love on you so that you will be able to recognize him when he shows up. Remember….without God we are “repugnant and unloved”… not too appealing to him who is God sent. So, go and prepare for him, then you will be READY!
(Acts 17:28) - "For in Him we live and MOVE and have our being....We are his offspring."
(1 Corinthians 13:4-8) - "LOVE is PATIENT, LOVE is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love NEVER fails..."
Have you ever tried to get someone to do something you want them to do? Do you believe your actions are best for what you want to achieve? Have a seat and let's examine what may be the root of the issue for this action.
Quite often we try to move others by our efforts rather than by the efforts of the Spirit. If we are not careful, we may show disrespect to others and to God by not allowing others to be moved in their heart first. Trying to be "Holy Spirit Jr." makes us tired, frustrated, and most of out of the will of God. It proves we are unable to handle what is meant to be done in God's power. If we don't pray and seek God first, we can be tempted to try to manipulate or control others into doing what we want in the time and plan we desire. So why do we do it given the destructive results?
We as women have a big temptation to control things/people in order to get things done in our timing. It is part of the curse placed on us in the garden when God said, "Your DESIRE will be for your husband, and he will RULE over you.” (Genesis 3:16) This scripture shows a biblical example of the submission we are to have towards a higher authority beyond what we want/desire. There is a reason Self-Control is part of the Fruit of the Spirit. Quite often we try to control others when we are actually called to control ourselves. Maybe we are being called to pray about it instead of say anything about it. Or act loving towards someone who has hurt us. Or maybe patiently listen when we are in a hurry to respond with our answer. Or submit our prayers to the Lord for Him to protect and guide our teenager's choices versus trying to control their every move.
The root of manipulation is fear. Fear that breeds selfishness and power. Fear is an evil lurking in our hearts seeking whom it may devourer. Did you know that manipulation or as the bible calls it the Jezebel spirit is a form of withcraft? Seems a little shocking doesn't it? We don't like to look at for what it truly is. Witchcraft is the practice used to control or have power over others/things. Since God is the only Sovereign being, we were best designed to submit our control over to Him. When we manipulate, we are trying to stand in the place that is reserved for God and His Power.
Manipulation is a tactic of the enemy and will always be revealed for what it is...a deception. When other's realize they are being manipulated the temporary power one believes they have will burn up against the flame of God's Love. Where there is manipulation there is no Peace. There will be evidence of anger, frustration, worry, and all the things that are not part of the Fruit of the Spirit. Peace is from God and is another ingredient of the Fruit of the Spirit. 2 Kings 9:22 tells us, "When Joram saw Jehu he asked, 'Have you come in peace Jehu? HOW CAN THERE BE PEACE,' Jehu replied, 'as long as all the idolatry and witchcraft of your mother Jezebel abound?'” God often allows frustrations in life as an opportunity to bring us to a point of submission to Him so that we can then be a greater overflow of His Love to others. If this
article is speaking to your heart, go before the Lord and ask for His
forgiveness and repent. Ask Him to help you to change from this action and begin to reflect the
character that looks like His image. Look up scriptures related to Love, control, & power to see what speaks to your heart on the subject. May your search for God's Love enrich and encourage you to a life that has BEAUTY for the ashes of your past actions. STAY in His Blessing!
We do not lag behind in diligence, we are fervant in spirit, and serving the Lord. (Romans 12:11)
BLESS (AFFECTIONATELY, gratefully praise) the Lord, O my soul; and all that is [deepest] within me, bless His holy name! Bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, O my soul, and forget not [one of] all His benefits-- Who forgives [every one of] all your iniquities, Who heals [each one of] all your diseases, Who redeems your life from the pit and corruption, Who BEAUTIFIES, dignifies, and crowns you with loving-kindness and tender mercy; Who satisfies your mouth [your necessity and desire at your personal age and situation] with good so that your youth, renewed, is like the eagle's [strong, overcoming, soaring]! (Psalm 103:1-5 AMP)
"The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)." (John 10:10 AMP)
Do you know that you serve the Lord by being diligent about your physical health? Have you noticed when you eat certain things, they have an adverse affect on your mind and/or your body? We must pursue physical exercise, and eating healthy as if we are serving the Lord. Our lack of diligence keeps us from having a body that is energetic, vibrant, and healthy. When we are physically healthy, we can do the work of the Lord with full endurance and power.
Take a moment and take stock of your physical activity and your eating habits. What things need to change? Are you facing ailments? Could you stand to have a healthier blood pressure? Do you eat too many processed, fatty, fried or sugar loaded foods? Sickness is not meant for a child of the MOST HIGH GOD...HE is a HEALER.
I must admit I have not been the best steward of the body God has given me over the last seven to eight years. I let the demands of life distract me from what I know is important. I didn't want to take full responsibility for what needed to be done. First, I said it was stress from a job in which I was not totally happy. Then it was, "I just have to have my chocolate" or "I'm not cooking tonight, let's go to Burger King. At least the burgers are flame broiled". And the big one, "I must be going through perimenopause, because I can't seem to lose any weight no matter how hard I try to stop eating the wrong things."
It's amazing how we can lie to ourselves about what we don't want to do...what we know we should be doing. See the thing is it takes WORK to get the results we say we want. All the talking in the world, and excusing it a way does not change the requirement of discipline, diligence, and determination. Hopefully, we will get sick and tired of living this way and make a conscious effort to get back on the path of Life....the best life God intends for us to have.
So today, we pray to ask God for His power and strength to be victorious and to see His vision for our health. We look up scriptures related to healing, diligence, body, etc. We confess and pray the scriptures out loud. We write out a plan. We commit to the plan. We recognize our weaknesses ahead of time. We have an escape route when we are tempted to help us stay the course. Step by step, we'll be back on the road to better bodies and a better us before we know it. We won't let the enemy steal, kill, or destroy another moment of our lives by continuing down the path of early death. God wants us to have life and to have it more abundantly in every area of our life....especially our health!
Off to get my exercise in. Here's a little motivational music I use to get me started....
"Behold, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs forth; do you not perceive and know it and will you not give heed to it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." (Isaiah 43:18-20)
As I thought about the title of this post, I was taken back 25 years to the time I was being orientated for a college auxiliary. Every orientation group had to come up with a "line" name that represented its members. Our line name was "La Nouvelle Premiere" meaning the "The New Beginning". Just as I was embarking on a new women's group so long ago, I was reminded that I am embarking on a new women's group today. A group of FAITH pursuing single mothers wanting to overcome the challenges in life. Women wanting to stay hopeful while running a home, having a heart for loving themselves/others, and staying healthy(spiritually, mentally, physically, emotionally).
With the New Year approaching, a new beginning is coming again… a new opportunity, a new day, a new blessing, and/or a new lesson. The New Year always nudges me to sit back and reflect on the accomplishments/failures of the past year and the hope and possibilities of the coming year. It is a wonderful time for me to reflect, take stock, and write a new plan.
This past year has been a true transition/testing year for me. I truly committed myself to "walking by faith" and putting my feet to act on the things that have been placed on my heart to do. After being a single mother and an employee for many years, I committed to follow my entrepreneurial spirit. I had been praying that God would allow me the opportunity to stay home and make an income. This would allow me to be available to help raise my granddaughter as my daughter takes her own journey as a single mom (side thought...funny how history has repeated itself).
It's amazing to me when God places a vision in your heart, how He will usually put you in a situation to see if you really are committed to what you said you want to do. My vision started as a small need to solve the problems of single mothers who had homes that needed repairs. Single mothers who were having trouble keeping up with the expenses related to getting home repairs done. Single mothers needing to find affordable and reliable repairman to perform them.
However, God only gave me part of the vision to get me moving. There came the need to assist the single mom/s right in my own home before I could assist other women on a larger scale. I now know, there are usually delays and test of faithfulness along the course that will send you a different way than you expected to go. The detour helps you to see how strong, how committed and how faithful you are to get to the end destination. ("He who is faithful in a very little [thing] is faithful also in much..." - Luke 16:10)
Now I ask you, what is your vision/dream? Your vision/dream may not be the same as my vision/dream, but none the less a vision/dream. Maybe your dream is to have more money than month in order to pay all your bills. Or maybe it's to have spiritually Christ-centered children who are not jumping to every outside influence that can lead them down a path of destruction. Or maybe it's just to be available for your children when they need you, instead of making work or other things seem more important because you have to put food on the table. Or maybe it's just to keep an orderly home or to be more stress free and peaceful. Life may not always meet us where we want to go, but one thing is for sure, we can have Faith in God, with action, to move these mountains out of our lives. When we do, we can get to seeing the beauty God intends for us to see.
So with this New Year quickly approaching, I thought I'd share some of the lessons I've learned this year and hopefully it will assist you as we start this new beginning of "walking by faith" together. I hope you're ready. Here we go!
In the pursuit of my vision/dream this year, I've learned the following:
1) Surround yourself with people that encourage you towards where you want to go.(...But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother - Proverbs 18:24)
Where you are coming from will usually never look like where you're trying to go. So it will feel a little shaky and scary at times but with faith-filled people around you, you will be able to move past the feelings of turning back and move forward to where you are going. Find an online community that supports you and feeds your spirit, a local church ministry or maybe a good, faith-filled, close and supportive friend that encourages you.
2) Stay in prayer continuously, confess, and meditate on God's Word. (Pray without ceasing - 1 Thessalonians 5:17;May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. - Psalm 19:14 )
I cannot stress enough the importance and POWER of the Word of God. It has been a tremendous ROCK during the hard times when I needed to press past what things 'look' like to what I know God says in His Word. The great thing about prayer you can do it anywhere. Now, I don't suggest getting you’re praise on in the library or some known quiet place, but if the Spirit moves you to do so....don't hold back. I know sometimes it can't be contained when you really got a praise to get out...mine usually starts with the tears flowing.
3) Remember God's Word and what He has spoken to your heart. (Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life - Proverbs 4:23)
Everything around you may be telling you to go back to the comfortable place from which you are moving.The enemy provides many ways to steal, kill, and destroy your purpose so that it never comes to fruition. So stay in the Word to be able to fight the "fiery darts" that the enemy tries to shoot at you and to be able to rightly divide a word of truth that comes your way. I've had fiery darts from seemingly concerned family members, friends, and from my own thoughts that wanted to take me back to old practices.
4) Stop looking for others to validate what you know you need to do.(Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding but in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path - Proverbs 3:5-6)
Your family and friends will try to tell you and remind you to go and get a traditional job so you can have the kind of money you were used to having. They will think you have lost your mind for doing things different than what they have known you to do previously. But when you know, that you know, you are doing what you are called to do money is a small detail. It may not be what you initially would prefer but God always provides just what you need. He validates your efforts as you move forward.
5) Your vision is initially for you to see.(Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry - Habukkak 2:2-3)
Your vision is uniquely designed for you to see, walk and then lead others. You may not have anyone doing what you need to do. So don't panic and become discouraged. You may not have anyone who understands what you are trying to do. You may have to keep it to yourself for a time. You may have to work up to a point where you are seeing things more clearly and are more confident to share without caring what others think/say/see.
6) Keep giving wherever you are able to give. (Give and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” - Luke 6:38)
If it crosses your path and touches your heart to do....do it. Don't look at how much money you have, whether you need it or not, or if the person would do the same for you. It's a test to make you revert back to a way that is self-centered, comfortable, non-sacrificial, or unloving. God is a giver and He can surely replace anything you give away. He is an abundant God who rewards the obedient.
7) Stand when all hell looks like it's trying to come up against you. (The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly- John 10:10)
This is where the Word really becomes flesh. You need to speak the Life of God’s Word to every negative force that comes up against your vision. There will be times when life will not look like you're headed in the right direction and try to make you look at all the problems instead of God's promises. If God says it, it is true. Not the car that failed on you, not the income that's not matching your expectations, not the chaos that seems to be all around you, and not the children that are acting a fool.
8) Know that God will give you little winks along the way.(Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart - Psalm 37:4 )
God lets you know you are taking the right steps as you move towards what He has called you to do.It may be a person mentioning something you just read in His Word, or spoke to you inwardly. It could be a check in the mail that had the exact amount that you prayed you needed to pay that light bill, or a child who has been rebellious towards your instructions all week, who will come and hug you or say thank you unexpectedly. You'll just know it in your heart and it will strengthen you to keep going.
All of these steps helped me to survive this past year. The year has been less than comfortable for me but has allowed me to have Peace in the midst of it all. Your Peace will show up as well as you lean on the Everlasting Present Helper whom you can place your Faith in....God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
Here's to surviving and walking towards a new beginning with Faith!
