Tag Archives: freedom

It’s time to move…

07 Monday Oct 2013

Posted by in Faith, Obedience, Perseverance, Relationship with GOD, Trust

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bird leaving the nestIt came in the form of an email. A 30-day notice that I must vacate the home that Noah and I lived in for 2 years. A home that GOD had abundantly blessed us with. But in thirty days we were expected to find another home, pack, move, and relocate. My initial response was shock. I sat for a moment trying to gather my bearings. I did not immediately respond to the email. I wanted to be certain of what my next step should be. So, I ran to GOD. Oh, and I wrote a blog post about it (Earthquake shift).

My friend, sometimes GOD ruffles our nest to tell us it’s time to fly. The work we have done in that situation, location, ministry or vocation is complete and He has need of us elsewhere. However and whatever form this ruffling takes the initial response is usually shock, fear, disappointment or anger. We may even dig our heels in and say ‘no’ refusing to seek GOD’s heart, thoughts and will on the matter. But, my friend the ruffling is for your good and a necessary step to fulfilling your godly purpose (Romans 8:28).

One thing I’ve learned in my walk with GOD is that He is a God of movement. Even at times when it looks or feels like He’s not moving GOD is definitely on the move (Isaiah 55:8-9). One could never accuse Him of being stagnant. In fact, stagnation is your enemy. According to the dictionary stagnant is defined as ‘showing little or no sign of activity; not developing, advancing or progressing.’ And it causes you to stop when you should be moving, settle when you should be conquering, and relax and drop your guard when you should be focused and vigilant. We are to continually seek to grow closer to GOD; moving from glory to glory, striving to always be within His will and pressing to reach new heights in Him.

My friend, has your nest been ruffled? Was it in the form of a lay-off or foreclosure? Or perhaps it’s changes in ministry, finances, relationships, or location? Change is uncomfortable. Oh, trust me. I know. It is indeed venturing into the unknown where the outcome is uncertain. But what is certain is that GOD has gone before you (Deuteronomy 31:8). Your experiences and life events do not take Him by surprise because His eyes are never off of you (Psalm 139). Our GOD never sleeps or slumbers (Psalm 121:3-5). He promises that where you are heading will work out for your good (Romans 8:28) and He will guide you through the unfamiliar and unknown (Isaiah 42:16, Jeremiah 33:3).

hand_reaching_outSo, let’s welcome the changes and resolve to move forward (Luke 9:62, Isaiah 43:18-19, Philippians 3:12). Let’s make the giant leap of faith from the familiar, comfortable, and safe into the unknown, obscure and uncomfortable knowing that GOD is there. He is standing there with His hand extended, beckoning you forward. I don’t know about you but I’m ready to put my hand in the strong and secure hand of Almighty GOD. Holding tightly to His hand, I am ready to walk confidently, securely, and expectantly with Him into the glorious, extraordinary, and awe-inspiring future He has predestined just for me. And all with my eyes held lovingly and assuredly on Jesus knowing that He will navigate me to where He has need of me next. How about you? Come on, my friend take His hand. It’s time to move…

I hope this message truly blesses you. I see you surrendering all fear and doubt as you take a leap of faith that will surely move you toward the spectacular future GOD has prepared for you. Your faith is pleasing to Him and I am ever so excited for you because you are placing yourself in the perfect position to receive His absolute best.

You do not walk alone…

29 Wednesday May 2013

Posted by in Perseverance, Relationship with GOD, Renewing of your mind, Surrender

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the fogOk, so I must admit that over the course of several months I have struggled with symptoms of PMS or possibly even perimenopause. (Stick with me fellas. I promise this blog post will minister to you as well.) Whatever it is, however you coin it, it is a very difficult time of the month for me. For about 3-5 days I become withdrawn, irritable, weepy and anxious. I feel very overwhelmed and focus on what’s not going right in my life. This was becoming quite bad – to the point where my mother thought I was going crazy and my ob/gyn suggested anti-depressants. But recently I discussed this with a friend and she suggested an herb called Black Cohosh. And although it has worked wonders by significantly decreasing the intensity and duration of the symptoms every month I still ‘walk through a fog’.

In this life we all have moments when we ‘walk through a fog’. These are times when life just doesn’t seem to turn out the way we’d hoped. And we experience periods of loneliness, disappointment, mourning, or heartache. It’s a time when we feel that we are all alone, no one understands us and GOD seems far away. These moments make it difficult for us to see what lies ahead because our view of life is so greatly distorted. And it is wise that we do not make any snap decisions because we are apt to make them based solely on emotion.

As we walk through the fog there’s a tendency to question GOD’s promises, sovereignty, and faithfulness. It may even feel like you’re going a little crazy and what you see around you is contrary to everything you are believing, hoping and trusting GOD for. But inside of these fog walks are opportunities for GOD to build, strengthen and prepare you for the amazing future He predestined just for you. So while walking through the fog rehearse the promises of GOD, recall the times He’s navigated you through previous fog walks and commit to trust Him despite your circumstances. Your circumstances may change but GOD Almighty won’t. These walks are not meant to harm you. I promise. In fact, if you’d let Him have His way He promises to even bless you – bless you with deeper faith, a closer walk with GOD, fresh anointing, a strong testimony, and a chance to experience Him like you never had before. Each walk through the fog promises positive change when we put our faith in His wisdom, power and love.

Where are you right now, my friend? Are you walking in, through or out of a fog? What’s causing you to focus on your circumstances or to become irritable, anxious, and overwhelmed? Is it weariness from waiting on a promise not yet manifested? Is a closed door with no open door in sight? Could it be that you just received some bad news that has shaken your world? Or perhaps it’s that you feel stuck in a season and desperately hoping for change? Whatever your fog represents know that GOD is with you and that He has never, nor will He ever leave. You can put all of your hope in the LORD (Psalm 43:5).

Fog walks can be very painful. Trust me. I know. And many ask during this time, “Where is GOD?” Well, He is right beside you. He’s making sure that you will not be overtaken. He’s ordering your steps (Psalm 37:23). He’s already gone before you to make the crooked way straight (Deuteronomy 31:8). I once heard that ‘when you can’t trace GOD’s hand, trust His heart.’ You see, GOD’s love for you compels Him to protect, provide and guide you, even when it doesn’t look like it (Exodus 14:14, Jeremiah 51:36). It’s a love so strong that it rushes in to be everything you need before you even realize you needed it (Jeremiah 31:3). It’s a love that never takes an eye off of you or loses it’s grip on you (Psalm 21:5, Psalm 121:8). He has a purpose and a plan for every fog walk. And He is always mindful of you. Talk to Him. Tell Him how much it hurts. Let the tears flow. He’s always excited to hear from you. Although it may seem like everything is turning upside down GOD is standing boldly and lovingly beside you. He’s there, my friend and He’s not going anywhere. Be comforted for you do not walk alone.

I truly hope this message blesses you. As you place your trust in GOD, I see blessings and favor raining down on you. You have no idea how excited I am for all that GOD has in store for you when your faith is in Him, and Him alone!

How to make GOD smile…

21 Tuesday May 2013

Posted by in Faith, Relationship with GOD, Surrender

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GOD handing me His giftI remember like it was yesterday. It was Noah’s third Christmas and she’d wanted a doll house. But, not just any doll house, my friend. This doll house had all the bells and whistles: 3 ft tall, tri-story, pink, of course with beautiful, ornate furnishings. When she woke up that Christmas morning the smile on her face was priceless. In her amazement she was only able to utter five sweet words: “Is that really for me?” This beautiful memory has been indelibly etched into my brain and on my heart. I believe that GOD has placed in us a joy in receiving gifts because He too delights in receiving them. But, what can we offer GOD Almighty that He doesn’t already have? I mean, what do you offer Someone who already owns everything (Psalm 24:1)? Well, my friend GOD desires your time and your surrender.

The Bible says that when you delight yourself in the LORD by spending time with Him and seeking His face He will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4). So, it is good to go before the LORD with your deeply held hopes, dreams and ideal future. While in prayer one day I did just that. I went before the LORD and I presented to Him my ideal future. I mean I really did it big. Tears ran down my face as I imagined a life with every good thing I’d ever wanted. It was an extraordinary experience, my friend. But then something happened. Instead of holding this ‘life’ dear to my heart, I imagined putting all of these hopes and dreams into a huge box. I wrapped it beautifully with a big red bow and I offered it to GOD as my gift to Him. He smiled, my friend. I know He did! I made GOD smile. My gift to GOD was the surrendering of my hopes, dreams and future. In surrendering I gave it to Him to do as He saw fit. If this was the life He desired for me… Good. If it was not… Great because I trust that in His love and wisdom He’s got something much better!

If you’d like to make GOD smile set time aside, my friend to sit alone in His presence. Talk to Him about your day and then think of all of your hopes, dreams and ideal future. I mean dream big! After all, this is GOD. Let Him fill your heart and mind with His great vastness. Relax and enjoy this time with Him. Then place it all in a box. And with a pure heart give it over to Him. Surrender it all to Him.

Surrendering requires great faith. It means to remove all of your control over it and releasing preconceived ideas on how things will pan out. It is to give it to GOD trusting that He has your best interest at heart, even if you don’t get everything you want. But surrender also means that you no longer have to worry about how things will work because you have just given full control over to the King of kings and Lord of lords. Surrendering is not easy, my friend so let GOD prepare your heart for it and when you’re ready – Give it up and over to Him. He will smile! He will draw close to you! And the GOD who keeps the universe intact with perfect precision will rejoice over you (Zephaniah 3:17).

So, my friend what does your dream future look like? Is there deliverance from strife, family problems and debt? Is it for a promotion at work, a thriving ministry, or the restoration of a relationship? Could it be the opportunity to spend more time with your family or return to school? Perhaps, it’s to settle down, get married and have children. Whatever your hopes, dreams and future consist of GOD desires to see that you receive His very best, which greatly surpasses our best. He is a GOD that blesses His children. The Bible says that the LORD bestows favor and honor. And no good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly (Psalm 84:11). He is a faithful GOD who rewards those who put their trust in Him (Psalm 9:10). If you would surrender your future to Him He will order your steps (Psalm 37:23). He will make every single situation turn out for your good (Romans 8:28). He will make sure that His will is done on earth as it is in Heaven (Matthew 6:10). And you’ll come to see that in return He will see to it that you receive the gifts of peace, purpose, joy, and a future that exceeds your expectations. So humble yourself before Him today and let the Creator of all that is seen and unseen map out your life. You will not regret it. I promise.

I truly hope this message blesses you. I see you dreaming big and surrendering it all over to GOD. And because of your faith I see that He is setting the stage for the unfolding of the most beautiful future that only He can offer. I’m beyond excited for you, my friend. I really am.

Lessons from Spider-Man…

22 Monday Apr 2013

Posted by in Obedience, Surrender

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Spiderman and venomMy daughter loves The Amazing Spider-Man. She watches it on television in the morning while getting dressed for school. She can even stomach parts of the Spider-Man movies. For example, she likes Sandman but hates the Lizard. She enjoys Harry Osborn’s new goblin but not so sold on his father, the sinister Green Goblin. So when we came across Venom she was a bit on the fence. So, we talked about it.

Venom is a character that’s been consumed by ‘venom,’ a black sticky, icky mass that has the capacity to attach itself to people who are angry and vengeful. It’s constantly seeking a bitter and angry host. In the movie Spider-Man 3 Peter Parker (Spider-Man without the suit) finds out who killed his uncle and his anger rages. Hmmm, perfect opportunity for the venom to attach and it does. Once the venom attaches Peter Parker/Spider-Man’s personality changes. He is hipper, sassier, and wickedly more confident because venom gives him a surge of power and confidence that makes him feel alive. The only drawback is that this power is evil, menacing and controlling. And he finds out that it’s not so easy to free himself of this malevolent creature who desires to consume him.

So where’s the message? Well, I explained to Noah how extremely important it is to always forgive because if you don’t that anger is like a poison that takes root in your heart and has the potential of changing you in awful ways. When you harbor unforgiveness you become jealous, prideful, easily offended and bitter. Furthermore, it impedes spiritual growth and blocks our fellowship with GOD. All because of the poison in your heart that begins to control and consume your thoughts and behavior.

So may I ask you, my friend, is there anything or anyone you need to forgive? Or have you found justification for this anger? Has someone deeply offended or disappointed you? Perhaps you didn’t receive what you thought you deserved? Or maybe something you really wanted fell apart and now you’re upset? Whatever it is, forgive that situation. Forgive that person. Forgive yourself. The Bible says that you are to go and make peace with your brother and then come before GOD with your gifts (Matthew 5:24). Unforgiveness does nothing but harm and hinders the flow of GOD’s blessings, power, anointing and favor in your life. Further, that toxic poison has the propensity to negatively impact your relationships and skews your ability to enjoy and be grateful for what you do have. GOD desires for you to experience His fullness and that simply won’t happen until you surrender that anger, disappointment and pain to Him.

My friend, if you have been deeply offended, treated unjustly, angered or disappointed know that GOD is very well aware of the situation and with trust in Him we are not to pay back evil with evil (Romans 12:17). For He says that vengeance is His – not ours (Romans 12:19). The Bible also states that it’s okay to be angry but be careful not to sin in that anger or let it consume us (Ephesians 4:26 NLT). So are your ‘spidey senses’ telling you there’s someone or something you need to go before the Lord and forgive? Let the Holy Spirit lead you to surrender every person and every situation to Him. He is the only One that can prevent it from consuming you and remove the poison if it has taken root. And my friend I promise you – GOD is beyond ready and exceedingly willing. Humble yourself before Him and watch Him raise you up.

I hope this message blesses you. I see the Lord revealing to you all those situations that need forgiving and with your obedience the floodgates of His blessings, power and favor being opened up onto you. And I’m so very happy for you. I truly, truly am!