Spring Training: Day 1

     So, as I insinuated, I am going to share about some of my goals and how I am getting things done.  For 2011 I made several goals: setting up a separate savings account (done, so it requires little up keep), planting a garden (weather has been too crazy, but I have supplies bought!), blogging weekly (so far that hasn't happened) and starting a girls Bible study (does 3 people count as a group?).  That may not be very inspiring to many of you, but there have been other successes! I made A's in both lecture and lab for Anatomy, and I got the oil changed in my Jeep before it was overdue! 

     Anyway, I really felt impressed for awhile that I should be at our church's prayer meetings, so I switched my classes to make that happen.  It has been great to be in that environment, and has been a stretching experience.  Last night Leigh led and spoke on 1 Peter 5, primarily verses 6-9, on humbling yourself.  This really ministered to me because I was frustrated with a situation, and I have had to stop my attitude about it several times before.

  "Therefore humble yourselves (demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation) under the mighty and of God, that in due time He may exalt you, casting the whole of your care (all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all) on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.  Be well balanced, (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours , the devil, roams about like a lion roaring (in fierce hunger), seeking someone to seize upon and devour.  Withstand him, be firm in faith (against his onset-- rooted, established, strong, immovable and determined), knowing that the same identical sufferings are appointed to your brotherhood (the whole body of Christians), throughout the world.  and after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace (Who imparts blessing and favor), Who has called you to His own eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself complete and make you what you ought to be, establish and ground you securely, and strengthen, and settle you."

     I think that pride is something that gets in our way far too often.  We easily take offense at something someone has said, or complain about how something is done.  The devil preys on that, it opens a door for him to work.  It can be painful to put our feelings in their place, to be thankful  and not complain, but the awesome thing is that when we withstand that His grace overtakes us!  He is so faithful!  I want to be established and settled!  When I let God do His thing in a situation rather than get upset it allows me to be at peace and appreciate things. 

     Read 1 Peter 5 this week and ask God to show you something new.  Some things you may never move forward in until you have the right heart and mindset, no matter what steps you take.  When you humble yourself you are putting yourself in His hand, and that is the best place to be!

Spring Training

    It has been two weeks since my last post, so here I go again.  As usual I have had lots of distractions and haven't stuck to my priorities.  Can you relate?  We always have an excuse- as I have heard defined as "a lie wrapped in a reason"!  Thank goodness that His mercies are new every morning, and the morning comes like clockwork!
     We all need self discipline.  Paul said in 1 Cor. 9:24-27 "Run in such a way as to get the prize.  Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.  Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.  No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others , I myself will not be disqualified for the prize."  I am not saying that everything is a speed race, but we definitely need to have goals!  I am definitely preaching to myself as well, here.  And I want to be more productive in several areas (but let's just start with a few for now!).
     When you start training you don't attempt the full race the first time around.  Stretching is vital!  Strengthening and endurance are built.  You increase your laps and learn to pace your self.  Slow and steady wins the race, right?
     1) Let's become consistent in daily listening to God (keep that appointment with your trainer and hear what He has to say).  "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you."  Isaiah 26:3  We need to discipline our minds first!  When you are trusting in God you have perfect peace.  Shut down that negative thinking and ask God for a new way to see things.  He is always faithful!
     2)Set some goals.  I think that this is two fold. "And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:1-2  When we have something clearly marked out we can follow it more easily (and more quickly!) and look ahead, rather than worrying about each step.  Our goals also need to be something that we find joy in, or bring joy (clean house, anyone?).  We are to delight ourselves in the Lord, and He created us with skills and desires for certain things!  Every step may not be a joy filled one, but the goal should be something that you find fulfilling.
     Anyone want to hear about my goals and desires?  Maybe I will journal that for awhile- my leading by example!  "Everyone ends up somewhere, but few people end up somewhere on purpose."  I want to be a motivator and encourager!  Feel free to post some of your goals on here and I will pester you about them. ; )
   

To Know and Understand

     I have been reading a book about intercessory prayer, and the author was talking about asking God for revelation and how He will reveal things that she missed.  I offhandedly asked God to not let me miss anything today (I was journaling at this point) and I suddenly got a picture.  It was of someone walking with hands over their eyes, then the hands were removed and the person behind them yelled "surprise!".  I felt like God was showing me how many Christians are living their lives, feeling as if they are blindfolded and waiting for God to surprise them with a miracle.  Many feel like they are walking in faith, but they have no vision of where they are going, or even desire to see the journey.  How frustrating to be sightless!  How discouraging to feel like secrets are being kept from you! 
     Now, I like surprises every once in awhile, but I rest much easier when I know what is going on and have something to look forward to.  Isn't the thought of a surprise date a little daunting, women?  To not know where you are going, what appropriate attire is, etc?  God has no intention of holding things from us.  He welcomes questions!  "You do not have because you do not ask!" James 4:2  I feel like we often restrict ourselves to asking for things, don't you think?
     I am realizing more and more every day how much God wants to share and reveal things to us!  He wants a deeper relationship, and that is not achieved by acting mysterious and vague!  He knows this, and His heart is wide open.  He wants us to know our purpose and where we are going.  The thing to realize is that He won't always tell you how - that would negate the need to rely on Him and walk in faith.  But He is always faithful to give you what you need today to walk into tomorrow.  Yes, we walk by faith, not by sight; but you have to have a knowledge of what you have faith in!  We are walking out and into what God has revealed and promised, not the present condition and circumstances.
   Ask Him: "What were you thinking when you created me?"  He will tell you!  Ask Him how He sees you, and what you mean to Him.  You will be amazed!  Of course we know He loved us enough to send His son to the cross, but He sees you individually!  I received a word a few weeks ago that I ministered to God.  How humbling is that?  I was brought to my knees, and at the same time I know and am awed that we each minister to Him! 
     I couldn't say it any better than Paul: Ephesians 1:17-19 "For I always pray to the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, that He may grant you a spirit of wisdom and revelation (of insight into mysteries and secrets) in the deep and intimate knowledge of Him, by having the eyes of your heart flooded with light, so that you can know and understand the hope to which He has called you, and how rich is His glorious inheritance in the saints (His set-apart ones).  And so that you can know and understand what is the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His power in and for us who believe, as demonstrated in the working of His mighty strength."
    

Love is a Battlefield... Or Not

     How many times have you felt that you were in an epic battle with, or over, someone?  You pray and pray for God to change that person and the circumstances.  All you can see is how you are justified.  Let me share something that I am learning.  Emotions are a magnifying glass to our circumstance, and quite often it can cause things to go up in flames! 
   Now, I don't tend to open up my Bible blindly and hope to find a great revelation, but a few weeks ago I picked up my Bible and it did happen to fall open to a page with a headline that caught my eye: "have fervent love."  At that time I had been struggling with a situation but was so clouded by my emotions that I had no discernment.  It was 1 Peter 4:8 "Above all things have unfailing love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins- forgives and disregards the offenses of others."  I am currently using the Everyday Life Bible, Amplified version, with notes and commentary by Joyce Meyer, and she says (right above this verse) "Love is actually spiritual warfare. This truth makes spiritual warfare fun, because loving people is very enjoyable."  So this culminates into 3 points for me:
    1) Love is not an emotion.  When I am dwelling in my emotions I can't focus clearly on God's will, and I can't put anything or anyone else first.  When I don't rely on my emotions- and I will be honest and tell you that I had to ask God to help me with that!- I have vision.  1 Peter 4:7 says "But the end and culmination of all things has now come near; keep sound-minded and self-restrained and alert therefore for the practice of prayer."
    2) Praying for others must be fueled by love.  Love isn't a battlefield.  Love is how you fight the battle, you are defending and covering with your love.  How often do we actually pray for someones destiny and purpose, rather than telling God what that person's faults and downfalls are?  We are eating the fruit of bitterness and death, instead of sowing life. 
   3) When I am walking in love, I am blessed.  Don't be deceived that you are going to be miserable if you always put others first and have to deny your feelings- you don't have to deny your feelings, but don't let them be in control!  "Never return evil for evil or insult for insult (scolding, tongue-lashing, berating), but on the contrary blessing (praying for their welfare, happiness and protection, and truly pitying and loving them).  For know that to this you have been called, that you may yourselves inherit a blessing (from God - that you may obtain a blessing as heirs, bringing welfare and happiness and protection)." 1 Peter 3:9  Don't deny yourself peace and joy!
     I pray that as you go through your day the Holy Spirit helps you bring your emotions under control, and that you are able to pray revelation over reality.  Rest in that perfect peace, and walk in the blessing!