Be Secure in the Lord!

Many times in life, misunderstandings take place, causing some real havoc.

An innocent word spoken, taken the wrong way, can turn things into arguments. And it's all because of insecurities. Most people are insecure, in one way or another, but with God, we can all become secure, living peaceably with one another.

Psalm 133: 1 ... BEHOLD, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!

At one time, in my own life, I was filled with insecurities; I, now, thank God daily for guiding me through those awful times. I'm still a work in progress but am much wiser and more secure than before, and I owe it all to Him!

Not everyone is against you and me; some are, but in the big scheme of things, do their insecurities affect us? .... No, they shouldn't! As long as we are staying close to God, treating others as we want to be treated, and being transformed, other's issues should not affect us. We may be the 'light' they need to see. We do not have to entertain every argument, competition, or other's insecurity that comes our way.

Being an athlete growing up, I definitely had a spirit of competition within me, but had to learn to keep it within the sport, not in life (this took many years). This is an area that insecurity plays out - we all want to be better than the next person. Why?? It's taught early on in life and shouldn't be - it's one thing to 'do your best', but causing strife among brethren because you want to be 'one up' on someone, is another.

I'm in no competition with anyone, but me! I want to be the best I can be, for the Lord!! I want to be a good example for others - no, I'm not perfect and have been insecure and have made mistakes - but God has worked on me, in me, and hopefully will work through me - my goal is for others to see Him in me, improve each day and let God's truth continue to set me free.....

My prayer is that everyone can come to know the Lord, in an intimate way, love their brothers and sisters, quit competing, instead be an encourager, and live life in a way that makes others want what we, as Christians, all have ---- Jesus!!

So, throw the competition out the door, slam it, and move on with confidence that God will guide you, turning those 'insecurities' into a 'secure' relationship with Him - He will never leave you nor forsake you! Everyone has heard the phrase, "Can't we all just get along?", yes we can and should. It is a command, isn't it??

John 15: 17 ... "These things I command you, that you love one another".


Secure in my Savior.........

Wait!!! Not Like This......

Have you ever prayed for something, got what you wanted, but didn't want it to happen the way it did? Whoa!! I have, but I keep trusting God.

I had a season in my life where I knew I wasn't living for the Lord, the way I should be. I knew my relationship with Him was slowly diminishing. I began to pray, asking God, to heal my relationship with Him, make me whole again, and teach me to trust Him more, and let me feel His presence, once again. He did just that!! Only, in my mind, I thought my prayer would've been answered differently.

Psalm 37: 4 Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. (NKJV)

Another word for 'delight' is 'rejoice' - And, I was rejoicing in the Lord; So thrilled He was listening and hearing me; He was going to wrap His arms around me and hold me, again - the desire of my heart - to be close to HIM!

Commit has the general idea to 'place into an other's charge'; Another word for 'commit' is 'entrust' - committing with trust and confidence. This is the very thing I was beginning to learn and to follow through with, only I didn't know what was coming my way. But, I was delighting (rejoicing) in and committed (entrusted) to Him!

After several long months, even up to a year, my life was spinning around me. I knew God was working on me and I was letting Him; for I was trusting Him and believing for the best - crying, at times, but He always held me close.

I eventually got what I wanted, the desire of my heart, to renew my relationship with the Lord, but did I want it the way I got it?? It wasn't my decision on how it happened - It was His - He knew what I needed, at that moment!! ..... What I got next was......Devastation! I lost a lot in the earthly realm, but gained much more in the spiritual realm.........I did pray, "do what ever it takes" to restore my relationship with You, Lord" - - He did!! Our growth doesn't happen our way......

Isaiah 55: 8  "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," says the Lord. (NKJV)

I never thought my journey would go this way - MY WAY IS NOT HIS WAY - but, I continue to delight in - 'rejoice' in and commit to - 'entrust' - putting it all in the Lord's hands, knowing He wants only the best for His daughter!! It could have all turned out differently, if I had interfered, but God had and has a plan - He allowed some painful choices to be made, in order for His work to be done in me - the journey may be painful - but, there is a purpose in the pain. We must remain 'open' for Him to work, regardless!!

God has been, and is with me, with each breath I take!! It's been a rugged journey but He has carried me and sometimes even had to drag me along side of Him when I couldn't muster up enough energy to carry on. My relationship with Him is greater than it's ever been - I rely on, look to, call upon, talk to, cry to, and TRUST Him with EVERYTHING in my life, now. I give Him ALL the GLORY, for who I am and who I am becoming! I had to get out of the way so God could do His work. As I said before, it can be very painful, at times, but God knows what we need, when we need it and 'He will finish the work He began'.....in me.......and you! (Philippians 1:6)

I love Him more today and trust Him more than I realized possible!!! I will continue to Rejoice, Trust & Commit to Him - - - No matter the cost - - - His ways are the best!!

Getting out of the way......So He can work!

Full Circle

We often go through things in our life that bring us full circle; that's exactly what has happened to me. Due to a lot of different circumstances, I am back in a physical place, where my walk with the Lord began.

As I journeyed back to this place, I pondered the reason, or reasons, why. After lengthy contemplation and a lot of prayer, God showed me the answer. Sometimes, we must get back to the spot where we came to know Him, in order to begin, again, in a new way, and the right way.

I came to a place in my life where all I had was God (and all I have is God); He was teaching me to trust Him completely. I thought I totally trusted God when I got saved, and in my heart, I did, but not in the way He wanted or I should. I trusted Him for salvation, but it may have stopped right there. We must surrender everything to Him and let Him guide us; I made a lot of decisions without fully trusting His way.

Now that God has brought me through the difficulties and I've put all of my trust in Him, I understand why He brought me, full circle, back to where it all began. I'm so grateful to Him, for loving me so much, to give me another chance to do things His way, not mine; and with much more understanding.

Colossians 1:10  And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way; bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.

I'm now living for the Lord, doing my best to please Him, letting Him teach me and grow me, in order to produce the right fruit. During the first 10 years, after being saved, I worked hard to please others, and do what I thought I was suppose to do, but learned through it all, there is much more to living for God, than just 'doing'. We are to love the Lord, first!! I did, and do, love the Lord, but somewhere in it all, I was not working on my 'relationship' with Him - I know that 'faith without works is dead' but I also know 'works without faith/trust' isn't fulfilling; He must be first - not things, duties, or people. Once we come to know this, and strengthen our relationship with Him, all the other 'stuff' will fall into place. He will then place opportunities in front of us, in order to work and serve Him, and others, His way not ours.

So, as I settle back into place, where I started with the Lord, life is much fuller. I am firmly committed to Him, allowing Him to make my paths straight - seeking Him in all decisions.

It's been a hard journey, at times, but I know God loves me and will never leave me nor forsake me - He has proven that on many occasions. I trust Him more today and am living for Him, whatever path He puts before me. I've come a long way, even though I went in a circle, I believe He is picking me up, placing me on solid ground, in order to begin the journey again; this time with the right mindset, attitude, and motivation.

Galatians 2:20  I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

You may or may not have to come full circle; start right where you are and begin living the life He wants for you - His way - He will meet you where you are. Your heart will tell you if you need to reclaim your love for God and start fresh - listen to that small voice. In my case, God taking me full circle had to be done (He knew my needs); It was in that circular journey, with the Lord, that I come to learn He was, and is 'working all things together for my good' --- a total transformation.


Living His Way .......

First On Your List??

Matthew 6:33  But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

A little over a year ago I began 'seeking God and His righteousness', about 10 years after I had been saved. Although I had been saved and my sins had been forgiven, I didn't automatically know how to live for the Lord. I was doing everything 'right', I thought. But there is much more to it than that. I had to 'seek' God everyday and let go of 'me', giving Him full reign over my life.

Once I began 'letting go', God went to work in my life - taking away things "I" thought were important. He began a cleansing within me, which can bring alot of pain, by resisting the cleansing.

After going thru a devastating heart break, I had to seek God even harder everyday and cling to Him. He's been with me every step of the way. And, He will be with you also. He was answering prayers and holding my hand even though some of the answers were not the answers I wanted. But, in order to live totally for the Lord, I had to come to the understanding that He is in control and knows what's best!! I had to accept the answers, to my prayers, that He was giving me - which can be difficult - in order for Him to work on me and draw me closer to Him.

It's been a full year, since the beginning of my heart break and I can honestly say, 'God has given me everything I've needed', throughout this journey. He is still answering my prayers - His ways!

Matthew 5: 4  Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted

Even on the days I didn't think I could survive, due to the broken heart (over many things), God wrapped His loving arms around me in order to comfort me, as He promised! He knows my sufferings and knows yours, also. He is the God of comfort!! We just have to 'seek' Him and cling to His love.

Spiritual growth is a process - (which can be painful at times) - and it doesn't happen all at once. If we desire to grow in the Lord, we must give Him full reign - letting go of 'self'. God will give us the desires of our heart IF we delight in Him and commit our ways to Him (Psalm 37:4-5). It will not be given in our time or our ways, but in His time and His ways!

Today, if you are hurting, reach up to God, taking hold of His hand - He's waiting on you. Seek Him with your whole heart, knowing He is all you need. Once we place God as top priority, all the puzzle pieces of life will fall into place - His place, Not ours - in order for us to live the life that He has designed for us.


Seeking Him today and always ........

Workout For Him ...

If any one of you ever walk, jog, or workout with weights, it's probably for a good reason: to get in better shape and grow stronger. I know, I do.

As I entered the gym last week, someone asked, "what are your goals?" Immediately, I answered with, "I want to lose this weight, yesterday!!"

I knew losing the weight was not going to happen overnight, even though in my mind, I really wanted it to happen that way. I know I have to go through many strenuous workouts (and eat healthy) to lose weight; sometimes that just kills the enthusiasm we all start our workout program with. But we must persevere and endure the hard work.

Matthew 24: 13 .... But the one who endures to the end will be delivered. (HCSB)

Life is the same; we run into difficulties and want to quit, but we can't. God's Word tells us to be strong and courageous. He also tells us He will deliver us....we must endure....to the end!!

Again, as we endure tough times, hardships, difficulties and even people who come against us, God is there for us and will provide for our every need.  

Last year, 2012, was not my favorite, but with God's help, I did make it through. And just as working out is getting me into better shape and making me stronger, so have the events of a past year. As bad as things sometime get, just know that with obedience, endurance and trust in God, we will all grow stronger and be delivered. And then, our light will shine brighter, letting others see Jesus in us.

Philippians 4:13 ... I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me (KJV)

Thank Him today for the workouts of life.......