No Turning Back

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It doesn’t bother me anymore…I’m fine!

I know there are others out there who have said this when they were hurt or upset about a situation.  At least, that’s what I kept telling myself.  That situation…I’m over it!  But, the truth is I was struggling with the matter.  Even though it was an issue that happened a looooonnnnggg time ago--- when memories of it resurfaced it caused me to have negative emotions—bitterness, anger, and confusion.  I didn’t even realize how much I was “harboring” or “holding” on to the pain and how it was affecting my life.  Yet, every area in my life was being touched, in some way, by these “secret” feelings.  Close relationships suffered; job performance was lax; and my overall demeanor was moody.  The problem was I didn’t fully recognize that I had not been healed from the matter.

 I hid the pain until one day, while I was praying, God revealed to me that in order to be fully healed, I needed to focus on HIM and step outside of my flesh – out of my “feelings”.  So, I went on a fast and decided that I wasn’t going to end the fast until I knew that I was completely released from the past situation.  While I was fasting, I immersed myself into God’s presence through prayer, praise, and worship.  Towards the end of the fast I had a vision that a large door without a doorknob slam shut behind me!  BAM!  It was at that moment that I knew that God had delivered me from the bondage of my past.  I was FREE!!! That door symbolized “ACCESS DENIED”.   No re-entry! No tuning back! The past can no longer have hold of me.  No longer does it have power over me! God shut the entry way!  Instantaneously, I felt free.  I felt lighter…like a burden had been lifted.

I feel compelled to share this story with you because I know firsthand how unfortunate events can affect our present functioning.  However, I come to tell you that you no longer have to succumb to the negative memories of your past mistakes, hurts, and/or failures.  God is our deliverer! Focus on Him.  Trust in Him.  Spend time with Him.  Talk to Him.  Our God is listening to our prayers and He will set you free.   If you, like me, notice that your past is hindering your progress, it’s time to shift your focus.  Get out of the rearview mirror and look towards our Father.  Watch Him set you free!

#BreakOut

Angels in the Storm

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Just about two years ago, I had a dream that I was in a room filled with people.  As I walked through the room, I passed a window and noticed what appeared to be a strong storm on the horizon.  While I was looking at the storm, I noticed that it was becoming stronger and moving faster towards my location.  Simultaneously, I heard someone scream that the storm was actually a tsunami and was about to hit the building I was in!  In a moment’s notice, chaos filled the room and people began to panic – screaming and running – looking for places to hide.   I, too, ran towards a corner in the room and ducked down with my hands over my head.  I was so scared, so I prayed that God would protect us from the tsunami.  Instantly, I looked up and saw angels coming down from heaven and wrapping their arms around each person in the room!  No one noticed the angels, but me.   Immediately, my fear was replaced with a sense of security and peace.  The storm ended up hitting the location, but no one was harmed! The only affect from the storm we felt were rain drops.  Then, I woke up.  

Although, it was a dream it stuck with me.  Was God trying to tell me something?  Was He reminding me of His constant companionship and His attentive ear to my prayers?  I couldn’t pinpoint exactly the meaning, but when I find myself facing storms or trials  I’m often reminded of this dream.  It gives me comfort and encouragement.  For the person reading this, I know that going through difficult times can be a strenuous process.  During these tough seasons of life we may feel like God is not hearing or answering our prayers.  We may feel hopeless and sometimes, doomed.  But, I write today to encourage, as well as remind you, or inform you that God is right there with you in the storm.  He is providing exactly what is needed to protect, provide, and shelter you during the difficulty.  You may not always see His provision or feel His presence, but you can take comfort and know that He has not and will not leave you to defend for yourself!   He’s encamped angels around you.  They are covering and protecting you.

We need to remember that God is our constant companion.  Even when it seems like our situations are hopeless, God is there.  Even when we do not recognize it, God is already sending aid to us in the midst of our trials.  Regardless of what the situation looks like, you are victorious! You have God’s favor and protection all around you.  God has already made provisions specifically for you. Remember, if God is for us, who can be against us (Romans 8:31)!  We have the honor of being connected to the Almighty God! This means that we are covered by His love, mercy, and protection.   Even in the storm, God is sending His wonderful blessings to you.  So, regardless of the situation, know that you walk in victory. #BreakOut

Points to Consider:

·         We may not be able to prevent storms from happening, but in the midst of them God is able to protect us from the brunt or full force of them.

·         In difficult times, don’t forget/neglect to pray.

·         Even though others may not see or even believe that provision/protection is on hand, hold on to your faith.  Your faith may save others.

Normal God...NOT!

Image courtesy of Photography by BJWOK / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I’m excited because I’m making preparations to enter a new phase in my career.  I’m thrilled about the growth and knowledge God is equipping me with to help me perform my job better.  One of my hopes is that this occupational shift will produce a pay raise.  I am excited and anticipating. It’s amazing, though, how hopes can sometimes get crushed.  Recently, I was talking to a few people about my hopes of gaining a raise upon achieving this next milestone in my life.  I was surprised at the responses I received.   They went something like this, “Girl, don’t count on it.  It’s been a while since raises were given here.”   “Hmmm...I don’t know… normally raises aren’t given for that.”  Due to their responses, I found myself feeling slightly discouraged, as I could see my hope of a raise fade.

Something amazing happened, though, as soon as I began to feel discouraged, God reminded me that He is not “normal.”  So, with that in mind, who cares what the norm is!  It wasn’t normal for the Red Sea to be parted, but it happened (Exodus 14:16).  It wasn’t normal for food to come down from heaven…but it happened (Exodus 16:4)!  It wasn’t normal for a man to be raised from the dead…but it happened (John 11:43)! I could give countless examples of miraculous events in the Bible.  But, the main point I want to highlight is that we worship a MIRACULOUS GOD! We don’t worship some mediocre God that operates in the “normal.”  NO, we worship an Almighty God that operates in the miraculous.  He has the power to perform any type of miracle.  Therefore, we need to recognize who our God is!  He is almighty, sovereign, and all powerful!  He is our provider!  After we recognize who God is, we need to recognize who WE are! We are children of the Most High.  We don’t operate under the norm.  We are not constrained by “normality.”  We operate in the miraculous.  We walk in faith.  We are blessed and expect miracles.  So, we need to speak life into our situations.  Remember, that life and death is in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21).  Be careful of the words we speak.  Let’s speak edifying words…life-producing words…faith-filled words.  The words we speak are indicative of our faith.

Therefore, I’m going to take a stand and make a faith-filled declaration: I serve an awesome and all-powerful God.  My God provides me with all of my needs.  He is more than capable of providing me a pay raise and I’m declaring that I will receive that pay increase, regardless of what the “norm” is.

         So, my question is what are YOU going to declare?  Are there some circumstances in your life that seem unconquerable?  Is there a change you would like to see happen, but just don’t see how that change will come to pass? Good news is we have a God that is more than able to take care of our needs and give us the desires of our heart (Psalm 37:4).  Are you going to choose faith? Are you going to declare God’s promises over your life? If so, now is the time. #BreakOut

A Prayer for the Discouraged

Heavenly Father,

You are almighty.  You are sovereign.  You are all-powerful.  You are our provider!  God I come to you today, to intercede on the behalf of those who are hurting.  Your word says that You are compassionate; and that You are love.  We are instructed to cast all of our cares on You because You care about us.  So, God I ask that Your compassion and love envelop those who are discouraged.  I pray that they feel Your love God and are comforted by Your ever-present and ever-lasting love.  I ask that their hearts be opened to receive Your love.  I pray that You enable them to let go of the pain and worries they are holding on to.  I ask that You help them release their burdens and anxieties to You.  The word says that the joy of the Lord is our strength.  So God, please fill us with Your joy! And please fill us with Your Holy Spirit.  Minister to our hearts God! Lead our paths and direct our thoughts.

God, you are Jehovah-Rapha, our healer! By Your stripes we are healed.  God please pour out Your healing onto Your people.  Help us to receive Your healing.  Heal broken hearts.  Heal broken spirits.  Heal broken marriages.  Heal broken families.  Heal our bodies, Lord.  Re-direct our thoughts, so that we think pure, encouraging, and uplifting thoughts.

We are Your children Lord!  You love us more than we could ever love ourselves. You created us to be the salt and light of the earth.  So, I pray that the light of Christ shine through Your people.  You have good plans for us to prosper.  You did not create us to be depressed, fearful, nor anxious.  So God please destroy unhealthy strongholds in the lives of your people. Free us from the spirit of fear and discouragement.

I speak life into your people! I declare that their spirits will be revived and on fire for You! I declare that we are blessed in the cities and in the fields! I declare that no weapon formed against us shall prosper! I declare that we are victorious! We are loved by You God! I thank You for Your love! I thank You for delighting in every detail of our lives.

In Jesus Name I Pray,

Amen!

The Snake Killer

 

For me snakes are the absolute worse!  I’d rather not come across one.  I won’t bother it and would like for it not to bother me.  If it would stay out of my path I’d stay out of its.  Well, last week I had an encounter with a snake.  Well, it kind of goes like this… after arriving home one afternoon, I got out of the car and as I walked toward the garage I saw it, a long black snake coiled up in front of the garage door.  Needless to say, I took off!  I ran as fast as I could back to my car, the safety zone.  My heart was racing.  I was in complete panic mode.  I could barely think.  How was I going to get past that snake and into the house?  What was I to do?  The only thought that came to mind was “call your dad!”  I grabbed my phone and called my dad.  Thank God he was in the house!    As soon as he answered the phone I hurriedly told him about snake and I’m sure he heard the anxiousness in my voice.  In a matter of seconds he was out the door with a machete in his hand. It wasn’t long before he killed that snake!  Even though he had killed it I was still cautious and did not want to leave my place of safety.  But, he held the dead snake up in the air to show it to me.  As he held it up I was able to see just how small it was in comparison to my dad.  I realized that I didn’t need to fear because my dad had taken care of it.   I had a moment, a temporary release from my fear.  However, the days following the event, I noticed that I was spending more time inside the house.  I didn’t want to go outside by myself and I most definitely didn’t want to go near the garage.  This was because I was afraid that there were other snakes lurking around the house.  In a sense, the thought of the possibility temporarily paralyzed me - kept me trapped inside.

I wonder how many times in life do we allow people and/or circumstances to cause us unnecessary fear and anxiety. The situation with the snake reminded me that I don’t have to fret.  Whenever I get in a tough situation all I need to do is call my Heavenly Father.  Just like my earthly father did, God will step in to rescue me right in the nick of time!  I share my story to encourage you all to lean and trust God.  I don’t know what “fears” or “giants” you may be facing at this time.  However, I do know that God is in complete control! I know that God causes ALL things to work together for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28).  I also know that He listens to and answers our prayers.  Therefore, do not let a difficult situation paralyze you.  Instead, remember that you are a child of God.  You have a Father in heaven that is looking over you and will step in to keep you protected from all danger.  The word of the Lord says that no weapon formed against me shall prosper (Isaiah 54:17)!   Stand on this word and remember that no attack of the enemy can have any power over you.  Being a child of God means that you have authority and access! So, don’t second guess your role.  Please do not allow doubt to creep in and cause you to question and or fear what God has already taken care of.  You’ve got to remember to call Him!  He will answer!  Just like my daddy did! Call our Heavenly Father and watch Him destroy the enemy and do miraculous things in your life.  #BreakOut