Chose Wisely

There are times that our routine may get interrupted. You have options, to go with the flow or resist. Of course, it depends on the interruption. The stress breaker is that you don't always have to resist, and you don't always have to go with the flow. Chose your battles wisely. You will have battles, you will have choices to make. Weigh the interruption by checking with Holy Spirit, and then follow accordingly.  It will remove quite a bit of stress. enough for now.

When the Mess Needs a Press

Sometimes whatever you do does not appear to work for others. Be clear who you are working for. Sometimes others do not know you or what you are to do. And yes, at those times things can be rough for you. It can feel very messy, because they don’t know like you know. Flip it around, and you don’t know like they know. At that time it is a mess. Don’t try to explain. Be still and hear from Holy Spirit on your way. In your being still, you press into what God has for you. In your pressing you get clarity. In your pressing you get peace. Press . . . And watch what God is doing. enough for now.

That was a Rough

How many times have you survived a great issue, a great trial; yet while you were in it you only felt how hard it was?  You know, those times when you didn’t know if you would survive - yet you had survived trials before? Oh how rough it was, how frightening it was, how rough. And even in those times you felt you were not the conqueror you are? But you are more than a conqueror.  

This is a quote from God Calling: “You wonder sometimes why you are permitted to make when you sought so trust do my will in the matter. To that I say it was no mistake . . .All your lessons cannot be learned without difficulty, and this was needed to teach you a lessson. Not to him who walks on, with no obstacles in his way, but to him that overcometh is the promise given.”

Let that permeate you, your space today. And recognize you are more than a conqueror -even in the rough.  Enough for now.

     

Distractions- No

How easy it is to get distracted. You can be working on one thing and then find yourself thinking about something totally different. There are times that these changes can be helpful- at that time try to write a note about what it is and get back to the task at hand. Most of the time, these distractions keep you from seeing, or handling something that needs to be handled.

Distractions are easy, sometimes our tasks are harder; which makes the distractions more inviting. But don't lose sight of the real. Distractions will cause you not to hear clearly what you are to do. Get still, and check with Holy Spirit on what is real. The goal is to not let distractions cause you from missing what God is doing in that moment. Settle in and listen. Say no and get back to hearing. enough for now.

No Fear

“Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.” This pericope comes right after the healing of the woman  with the issue of blood for twelve years. The story is found in Luke 8:49-56.  In the process of Jairus asking for healing for his twelve year old daughter -she died. But Jesus spoke healing words - “Don’t be afraid- just believe, and she will be healed.” 

Don’t be afraid - just believe. Jesus’ name alone brings healing, calms fears, and brings the enemy to his knees. Whatever you face - don’t be afraid just believe, and you will be healed. Don’t be afraid- just believe. No fear- believe. enough for now.

Praise

Praise. . . Praise . . . Praise. Give thanks today for who you are and what you have. Give thanks because you should. Give thanks for your safety. Give thanks for  _____________. You fill in the blank. Don't do another thing today before you give thanks, before you praise God. enough for now.

Take the Time

How hard is it for you to get still, and listen? I mean quiet your mind and listen. Shut down all thoughts and listen. How hard is that? You can - you should for your well being. Listen to what God is saying. Nothing is lost by taking that time. You didn’t miss anything. Take small steps, but take them toward your peace. Go ahead, try. enough for now.

Walking in the Sun

Chakka Kahn sang long ago, "Walking in the Sun," and i agree that is how sometimes we feel. We have been walking for so long in the dark that "even a blind man can tell when he's walking in the sun." Yet, the sun feels unfamiliar and so we try to work backwards to what we know - the dark.  But take time today to bask in the sun because of the Son. enough for now.

Live Fully, or Fully Lose

I''m thinking about things that are real.  Things that really matter.  Things that cause us to grow mentally, spiritually, healthily.  I think we spend too much time thinking about things that are not real. Worrying about tomorrow is not real. Tomorrow will come.

Today is real. Today is what we have. This present moment is what we have. We can live fully in the present moment or fully lose the moment. Too many precious moments have been lost.  Too many moments have been lost through needless worry, fear, doubt.  Yes, we waste a lot of time right there. When we are listening to Holy Spirit's guide . . . When we are trusting God's promises . . .  When we are loving on Jesus, we can be in that present moment with him.  In that moment there is nor fear, no doubt, no worry, just peace.  Let's just pause there.

Are you missing the present moment?  Breathe. Breathe out whatever keeps you from being in that moment Breath in peace. Breathe out and in until you can recognize the peace of that moment. You see, then you can get back to it just like that. When you are in that moment, you want more of that moment. It's your time. Think about what is real. Live fully, or fully lose. enough for now.

RTS Advanced Certificate Program

For those who want seminary training, but do not have the time not the funds for a traditional site, this is for you. This Advanced Certificate Program offers ten classes of eight weeks each. Each class is 2-2.5 hours once a week, and taken online via Skype. This program, taught by seminary professors, can be finished in 18 months.

Presently there are three courses of study: Spiritual Formation, Biblical Studies, and Formational Prayer (a dual course). Each course is paid in U.S. funds. The next classes of Prayer and Doctrine of Holy Spirit start July 31. Registration opens July 16. For more information see www.jaiasistersministries.org/RTS. Or contact me here.

Pull, or Push

What's pulling you? What's pulling you toward places you don't want to be? Sometimes the pull becomes a deadly push to take you down. . . Pushing and pulling you right into what is not good for you. And you feel trapped, with no way out. Stuck. No hope.  What's causing you to be in situations that you can't win? Why have you become complacent in those places? There is hope. You are stronger than that. You are stronger than what you think. There is a way out. All is not lost.

You see, Holy Spirit gently guides you, around situations, over trouble, and sometimes through pain. Yes, sometimes through, but going through anything with Holy Spirit's guidance is so much better than alone. No more being pushed and pulled, but now be gently guided, and see what peace it brings. enough for now.

Stand, Walk, Rest

There is a song we used to sing when I was young, “Standing on the Promises of God.” And I knew that to be so true when I was young. Then I had to relearn it after I became an adult. On this journey you must have something to stand on, or you will fall. You will fall for so many of Satan’s schemes. You will fall because of your own wounding. You must have something to stand on. Stand on God’s promises.

When you are clear of what your stand on- then walk assured that you are not alone. Walk assured that your path is clear as you follow Holy Spirit’s guidance. It makes the way so much easier. It cuts down on so much turmoil. 

And rest in the love of Jesus. Rest from the inner inner turmoil. Rest when you need to do so. Nothing is done all at once. Rest knowing that this journey is indeed a great adventure. Examine each turn for what God has for you. There will be times of standing, of walking, of resting. Which one are you in now? Know what you are standing on. Knowing who you are walking with. Know who gives you rest. Enough for now.

Face It

Do you know where your freedom lies? In knowing who you are. You know who you are when you face yourself- your good and your bad. Come on, we all have good and bad. We are not perfect. The challenge is to strengthen the good and lessen the bad. But not even that is our freedom, it is wrapped up in it. You see, facing self and recognizing who you are- and then whose you are frees you. You really can walk in a new light. You really can see things differently.

This journey is about you and your growth. And then about how your growth impacts others. enough for now.

The Darkest Hour

Sometimes it gets harder before it gets easier. There are places that I walk on the mountain and at those places I have to pause, get my breath and keep on. And then my walk gets a tad easier. My parents used to tell my sister and me, "the darkest hour is just before dawn."

I know that to be true.  Benn through some dark places. Gone through some lonely times. Yet, God has kept me in spite of me. Trust me, "the darkest hour is just before dawn." Your dawn is coming.  If you can hold on - if you can hold on. The dark will subside. Your change will come. Don't let go. Hold on. You will survive. enough for now.

Quiet

There should be a time and place for quiet contemplation. When you find yourself there- welcome it. Just be still. When it is done, you may need to journal what you received, felt, or pondered. Shh! quiet now. enough for now.

Wait On the Lifting

How many times do you find yourself walking, asking, wondering? Walking around feeling alone? Asking why can't it be better? Wondering when change will come? It happens. It happens to all of us at some point. But when it happens -pause . . . and look back. Look back to when it happened before and how you made it out. You did make it out.

For some reason, when we get in that state we feel there is no way out. And then our own wounding can add to that feeling. We can become isolated by our thoughts and can't see. It is at those times when we need to hear clearly guidance from Holy Spirit. We need to grieve, we need to lament. Yes, we need to get the hurt out. It is real. We need to listen to what God is saying. And then there is a lifting. There is a renewal in our minds and hearts if we allow it.  It will pass.

Yes, things may not be as they once were. But then it may be time for a change. This may be your new season. And you may miss what is yours in this new season because you are trying to hold on to the former season. You will make it. You will because you are more than a conqueror. Pause, and remember who you are and whose you are. Then listen, watch, wait for what it yours in this new season. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. Your morning is coming. You will make it. Wait on the lifting. enough for now.