One Step at a Time

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.~ Psalm 139:14

Two weeks ago, the Sisterhood Ministry of my church sponsored a wellness walk.  At 6:00 am in the morning, women and men of all ages met at the walking track.  Though I dreaded getting up before dawn on a Saturday morning, I thought surely I could walk a mile.  Well, I was humbled that day.  I could only do a half of a mile before my body said no more.  I went to the sidelines as I watched the elders of my church continue to walk with vigor.  I was encouraged by them, but I was also saddened by the way I have let myself go over the years.

About a week later I had a dream that I was exercising. I was just moving my feet, but I was moving. In fact I woke up and started moving my arms in anticipation of the work ahead.  I have been on a journey this week to regain traction, to regain my health, and and loving attitude towards myself.  I'm doing it with the Lord's help.  I am proud to say that I have got my heart pumping and limbs moving everyday this week. I am encouraged and I feel good. I thank God for it because He formed me and I want to take care of this body He gave me and honor Him.

As I think of the physical journey I am on I think of the spiritual one as well.  I have been walking with God for a long time and I can't allow myself to become stagnant spiritually.  I have to continue to move and have my being in Him.  I have to work my faith muscles. I have to steady my mind  and renew my thoughts as I trust in Him.  I can not let it go now.  Like my parents and elders of my church I have to remain active in my faith so I can do the work He has planned for me. The race is not over.  There is work to be done.

Lord, thank You for spurring me to make a change in my physical body so that I can be spiritually fit to bring You glory. I thank You for the inspiration of others. I thank You for your grace and thank You for your strength.  I thank You for You.  In Jesus name.  Amen

With God

  For with God nothing shall be impossible. ~Luke 1:37

The return to school is fast approaching and with each day I think of all of things that I will need to do. Getting my son to and from campus because he does not drive yet.  Working with a whole new department of teachers and being a teacher leader for them and my peers.  Getting students prepared for end of the year high stakes test and graduation.  Getting the "chores" done to keep my household running smooth. The list goes on and on.  The work seems endless.  

Transparently, I already feel overwhelmed, but then I think of God.  I think of God and know that it is all going to be okay because what is impossible in my own strength is possible with God.  I am not alone.  He is with me and I am going to take one day at a time. As I write this, I also think about the armor of God ( Ephesians 6:10-18) because I will need to be equipped spiritually.  There will be battles and I will need to be prepared.  I will need to put on the belt of truth so that I can gird my self to walk daily in His word and in His will.  To be obedient to the wisdom He gives me to navigate the days and season.  I will need the breastplate of righteousness to guard my heart.  The shoes of the gospel to spread the word to others. To be an influencer for God where He has placed me. To usher in peace. The shield of faith as I walk by faith and not by sight.  My defense against the lies of the enemy. The helmet of salvation to guard my mind and my peace.  The sword of the Spirit , His word to guide me, encourage me and crush the enemy.

I need all these things and through prayer I communicate to God and He to me.  I do noy have to be afraid or overwhelmed.  I just need to trust God and know that He never fails.

Father, thank you for being with me.  Thank You for being God.  Help me to take one day at a time with You knowing you got me and You have my situations.  Help me to be at peace.  In Jesus name.  Amen

Pressing upward

 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,  I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.~Philippians 3:13-14

I have been on this Christian journey for most of my life, but I still have more to learn.  More roots to be forged in faith. The prize is not being a good Christian, the prize is Christ. So I continue to press my way through the twists and turns of this life, trusting in God to see me through.  

I continue to seek to deepen my relationship with Him.  To understand Him and His amazing love for me and my fellow brethren.  I seek to let go of those things that hinder me so that I can continue to walk in His will and do it in His way.

It’s not always easy, but He helps me.  His grace sustains me and His love guides me. In order to grow I have to continue to till my soil and pluck out the weeds.  I have to not rely on my past obedience, but look at today’s yes to God.  It’s a daily pursuit and each day is a blessing.  I just don’t want to survive, I want to thrive.  So I press, stretch and reach, knowing that He is with me. 

Lord,  I thank You for the journey.  I thank You for the times that You have carried me when I could not walk.  Help me not to rest on my past, but to continue to press for prize of You Jesus.  In Jesus name I do pray. Amen

Heal our land

 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. ~2 Chronicles 7:14

Yesterday we celebrated America's "birthday".  The day we declared freedom from what believed was tyranny and oppression from the mother country.  Our declaration to be free inspired many other nations to set up governments where the voice of the people can be heard. The Fourth of July is a day of celebration.  Time spent with family, friends, and loved ones.  

It is a day to count our many blessings, but it is a day of somber contemplation as I look at the sickness in our land.  A sickness that pervades our world-sin.  We have teenagers killing each other.  Disasters and devastation all around. Politics run a muck and people hurting.

Just this past Sunday a guest pastor spoke to the men of our church for Men's Day, but his word resonated with me.  Point 1-  it begins with the believers.  We are the people called by HIs name.  We have to be accountable  as the church universal and stand up.  Point 2- We must stand up and humble ourselves unto God.  We must remember that we are solely reliant upon Him.  It is HIs shed blood on Calvary that cleanses us and sets us free.  We must submit to Him.  Point 3- We must pray and seek His face.  His word tells us to in Mathew 6:33 to first seek the Kingdom of God and His righteous and He will take care of the rest.  He will supply all that we need.  Point 4-  We then must repent. We must turn from or wicked ways.  We must turn from unforgiveness, a haughty spirit, a critical spirit, self-righteousness, pride and thing that would block our relationship with God and others.  We must turn away from all of that and turn to God.

For doing this, He will forgive our sins and heal our land.  Our land, for all its blessing in spite of us, needs healing.  Our world needs healing.  We need God.

Lord,  I thank You for allowing me to live in this country.  I thank You for the blessing that flow, but I confess that as  your child I need to humble myself and seek You more.  Not the blessings, but You. I need to repent and turn away from the sin that so easily trips me up.  I need to do this individually and collectively as member of the body of Christ.  Hear my prayer Lord and heal our land.  In Jesus name. Amen

He has a plan

 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.~Jeremiah 29:11

Being a mom, I want the best for my children.  I want them to know God personally and to succeed in life.  When they were younger I could, as much as I was allowed, protect them.  I could look ahead and point out dangers they could not yet see.

Now, they are older and having to be independent.  They have to navigate the world.  My youngest is just now beginning to embark on this journey and I get scared sometimes.  He is on the Spectrum and struggles in some areas.  When I start to panic and worry about all the unknowns, Jesus steps in.  He provides me comfort and reminds me that His plans for my both of my sons is good.  Just as He has a plan for my life, He has a plan for my son.  He is not alone. I am not alone.

My “baby” boy is going to be okay.  God is behind the scenes orchestrating everything(Romans 8:28). Just as God protects my eldest, He will protect my youngest.  He will guide His steps and perfect that which concerns him(Psalm 138:8)I do not have to fret because God cares.  He is Father, Savior and King.  

Lord, thank You for being my comfort.  Thank You for the love that you lavish on Your children.  The enemy would have me spiral, but You Lord bring me peace.  You give me wisdom and tell me what steps to take.  You tell me when to back off and surrender control.  You are God.  You are merciful.  You are good. My family is in good hands, we are in good hands.  In Jesus name. Amen

Praise Break

 

That's My King

We praise you, God, we praise you, for your Name is near; people tell of your wonderful deeds. ~Psalm 75:1

Weekly, I search for scriptures that will encourage others as well as myself.  Scriptures that reminds us of the faithfulness and goodness of God.  Scriptures that encourage us to endure during hard seasons of life and to have hope.  I share the truth of His Word because it is the bread of life.  It is good to be encouraged, but today I want to praise.

I want to praise God for all that He is.  As CeCe Winans sings in her song linked above ...He is "wonderful and beautiful and glorious and holy. He is merciful and powerful."  

God is kind and compassionate.  He is a good Father.  The only wise Savior and He has done good things. He keeps me and holds me close.  He is a provider and a strong tower.  He protects me from the evil one. He safeguards my family and I am grateful.  There are not enough words to express my gratitude, but I thank You Lord and I praise Your Holy Name.

Each and every day their is cause to celebrate God.  When we open our eyes, that's a praise.  When we think of His Son and our Savior Jesus, that reason to praise.  To know that He is near is reason to praise.

Father, we bless your Holy Name.  Thank You for being God.  Thank You for saving us from ourselves.  Thank You for waling with us on our journey. Thank You for encouraging us and giving us the words we need to take the next step.  Thank You for being our strength.  Thank You for being our King.  Forgive us for those times when we withhold praise from You.  In Jesus name.  Amen

Lessons of the storm-He speaks

 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. ~Mark 4:39

In Mark 4;35-41 it tells us of a time when the disciples were going to the other side as Jesus suggested.  So they got in their boats leaving the crowds behind.  The passage notes that their were other boats with them, but Jesus was in their boat. (Mark 4:35-36).  

While they were going to the other side a squall arose and it caused the waves to brake over the boat  so that it was nearly swamped (Mark 4:37).  A squall is defined as a sudden gust of violent wind or localized storm.  Life is like that some times.  You are going your merry way, humming to a song on the radio and then bam a storm pops up out the blue.  The sky is suddenly dark and you are fighting to keep your car on the road as you head to your next destination.  

Where was Jesus when this storm arose?  The bible says he was asleep at in the stern of the boat. He was at the back of the boat and the disciples had to wake him.  The disciples said "Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” (Mark 4:38)  Isn't that like us sometimes.  We find ourselves in the midst of a storm and looks like it's going to take us down.  We wonder if Jesus cares and we cry out to Him.

Here is a truth.  He does care and and He has the power to quiet any and every storm.  Our key verse says  that He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" and they obeyed  It was completely calm. (Mark 4:39)  Jesus only has to speak and peace is ushered in. 

In verse 40 we Jesus ask the disciples a question. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”(verse 40) This calls for some self reflection because remember, Jesus was in the boat.  Jesus is the car.  Jesus is on our jobs.  Jesus is in our homes.  If Jesus is there we need not fear.  We can trust that we will make it to other side safely.  

The bible tells us in verse 41 that the disciples were terrified and asked each other “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”  They had heard his teaching and even followed Him, but didn't know who He was

Maybe the storm arose to assure us of this fact.  To assure us of who He is.  Jesus is not just our teacher, but He is Lord.  Lord over heaven and earth.  We just have to have faith.  We are human and we falter, but He does not.  We have to trust Who we have with us and in us.  So when the storms arise we can trust that God can speak into that situation and bring us peace and safety.

Lord, thank You for the storms that drive us to know You in an intimate way.  Thank You for increasing our faith and speaking peace into our lives.  Thank You for being sovereign.  In Jesus name. Amen