Tuesday, October 24, 2017

One step at a time leads to a purpose...

Good morning my sister warriors-

I just walked outside and realized it was one step at a time.  Genius, right! If you're laughing so am I. My claim to fame is not being a genius but more perceptive about people and places. I see things others don't and sometimes I can look at you and truly feel your pain and your joy.  Being perceptive about others has been easy, peering into my own heart, well that's another story.

I'm a person that loves to run, not literally, although I wish I could. I mean pursue things at a fast pace. My whole life has been about responsibility, getting things done and providing for others and I'm not just talking about my family. As a salesperson, you are responsible for people getting a paycheck.  There is no time to sit and smell the roses or take the stairs one step at a time, or so I thought until recently.

My guide has been my need to financially take care of others which always leads me to thinking 500 steps ahead.  It doesn't matter if you're my husband or my boss, I have already figured out a strategy to meet the need and conquer the obstacle.  I've been proud of that and honestly, it's what's kept me going-- time and time again, when the obstacles were overwhelming. Most people would crumble under that kind of pressure but I thrive, or so I thought.

Working at a snails pace has never been my motto, so it makes sense I want to go at warp speed.  Have you noticed how God never does anything at warp speed?  He created the universe in seven days. He's powerful enough to do it in a day.  He created a man, waited awhile and then created a woman.  We get pregnant and 9 months later we have a baby.  And to top it all off, it can take years from the day we say yes to Jesus, to become mature enough for Him to do something with us.  My point is patience is the key to purpose.

If you have been following this blog or just found it for the first time, look at the very bottom of the page. I started this in 2012.  It came out of sitting next to my father, wondering if he truly knew Jesus, and the guilt I felt that I didn't speak enough about the love I carry for my Savior. I became afraid because who wants to be rejected, and yet, who wants to sit in a hospital wondering if the most beautiful soul in the world was going to Hell or Heaven? Not me.  At his funeral I made sure to tell the story of me reading my Bible at the foot of his bed. Praying mightily that Jesus would come to him in his dreams. This man was an angel and I wanted him with Jesus. As I watched each breath, I begged that he would not be taken until Jesus had him.

That moment was the beginning of my purpose, one step at a time. In the last 3 years, I have been through tremendous trials, I stand today stronger and more faithful. This journey has been step by step.  One step at a time will take me to my destination. So today, realize each and every day you're on this earth, you are stepping toward your purpose.  Mine is to spread the word of God throughout the world. I know it. I don't know when this ministry will kick in. I don't have to.  All I'm required to do is write, speak and believe that Jesus is the reason.

If you're on a journey trying to find purpose. Spend time in the Bible, God will show you the path. He lights our way, even when we grumble and fight Him. Heck, I've even taken flight a couple of times and told Him things like I'm not worthy and who would listen to me anyway.  Our pride can be our ruin. I've come to realize why the Israelites spent time grumbling. I thought wow, really.  And then I've had to look at my own life and my grumbling and realize I need forgiveness for the same thing.

We are in a powerful spiritual time. Suicide is at an all time rate. We are fighting for our kids lives, our husbands lives and even ours.  Women are leaving the men they committed to for the Cinderella story, except there isn't one. For all the beautiful notes on Facebook, couples face challenges. Those that fight to stay in know you must forgive and love. Our time is now my sisters. We don't have to run, we just need to take one step at a time and God will lead us to His promise land.

Psalm 23:3 New American Standard

3He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake.…

Lead me by still waters, restore my soul O, Lord and help guide my path one step at a time.  We need you today to lift us up, slow us down, and help us reach all the way to Heaven with Your love.

Saturday, October 14, 2017

His scars were on display for all to see. Where are your scars?

Good morning warriors-

I hope you had a good week and you're ready to think and battle with me.  The days are going quick, don't you think?  They are for me anyway.  It seems like I get up on Monday and it's already Friday. The more they speed up the more I want to cast my vision to Jesus.  What is He doing in these last days?

I've read so many things this week. The news is full of disaster. I've read thousands are dying of Cholera, Puerto Rico is drinking contaminated water, California is burning up and the Florida Keys, the Virgin Islands and Houston are still recovering from epic hurricanes.  Oh and if that's not enough our children are becoming more depressed, lack purpose and suicide is at an all time high.  Do you feel helpless?  You could, but don't. This is our time. We are being called, don't put your head in the sand, stand up and show the Lord you're ready to pray, fast and speak with boldness and passion.

In my morning devotions I was reading about Christ's scars. I don't think we pay attention to the crucifixion as much as we should. Why did the Lord have to be beaten, hung on a cross and be parted for moments from His father? Why did darkness have to befall the Son of God?  Do you ask yourself that question? If not, you should.

Scars are visible. People can see them. We look for them.  We don't mean to but we do.  Watch people around wheelchairs, autism, and other conditions. They can't hide. Their scars are out front, right where we all see them.  The people that carry them know they have them and they watch as we react.  I could speak on that for days but instead I want to turn our attention to the scars we don't see. The scars that are hidden.  Jesus wore His scars and so do we.

Do you have scars?  Were you labeled at a young age?  Did someone hurt you? Do you feel the need to be perfect?  Are you sad all the time? Do you see yourself as a victim?  All of these conditions can be hidden behind a curtain and Jesus wants to heal you.

I have many scars.  They are deep and rooted in my core. I have isolated myself at times to protect myself, only to hear the call from my Lord to come out and be bold. My scars can't be seen, no one would know except for me.  I am His.  He knows us and lifts us up in our weakness.   His scars were bore for us so that we would be FREE.

Why did He come to the disciples and show His hands and feet?  What was the purpose of that? I think He wanted witnesses to know it was Him. He wanted them to see how much He loved them and how much He loves us. He bore the scars for US!

Jesus can make those scars and turn them into power. That's my prayer. I want Him to take our weaknesses and turn them into glory for Him. Our scars can help someone know Him, see Him and believe Him.

If you have scars ask the Lord what he wants you to do with them. Be a warrior and bow down to the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. He's not like any other human on earth. He fought and died for our sins --not His.

Be well my warriors. Take time to refresh your faith.  We must put on the armour of God daily. This is not a game.  We are in spiritual times with spiritual battles. Faith will become the foundation to us winning the battle. We don't just fight for ourselves, our families and our friends. We fight for souls all over the globe, for every person, from every race. This is what we're called to do. Be with me as I ask the Lord for His kingdom to come and His will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.

Isaiah 53:4-6 NIV

4Surely our griefs He Himself bore,
         And our sorrows He carried;
         Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken,
         Smitten of God, and afflicted.
5But He was pierced through for our transgressions,
         He was crushed for our iniquities;
         The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him,
         And by His scourging we are healed.
6All of us like sheep have gone astray,
         Each of us has turned to his own way;
         But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all
         To fall on Him.


Dear Jesus-

Protect Your warriors as we come to You.  We are jumping out of our safe places and are diving into deep waters. We need our shepherd to herd us, to make us strong and to keep us on the right path. Be with us Lord as we come together for one purpose, to spread Your word, Your life and Your resurrection.  In Jesus name we pray!

Saturday, October 7, 2017

Living with Purpose...

Good morning my sister warriors-

That's how I'm going to greet my fellow sisters from now on. We are a tribe under one ruler, God.  We are part of the 12 tribes and we are His. I've been thinking about the tribes and how each tribe impacted where we are today.  And that led me to the belief that we are a tribe of women warriors praying to our God on behalf of men, women and children everywhere.

I believe that our heart searches for God and feels empty until we say yes. And I've come to believe that we search for our purpose in the same way.  In the Bible our purpose is stated but we all seem to glean over it as if we never saw it.  God gives us our direction in the Lord's prayer and in some of Jesus' last words.  We are to pray to the Father that His kingdom come and His will be done on earth as it is in heaven. And then, he commands us to spread His word among the nations, to EVERY nation. Hmmm. Pretty clear, don't you think?

Instead, we flounder, wonder, get depressed, search for material possessions, money, careers and success in this world, or at least that's what I've done.  No wonder I have felt anxious, often restless and drained by the world. It really stems from me and the purpose I was created for. Somewhere along the way I lost the true meaning of my life on earth.  Have you?

Thank goodness we have time to change it.  This past weekend was one of the most tragic in our history.  One random man, shot and killed 58 people with more lying in the hospital fighting for their lives. Men protected women, saved people, walked miles to deliver a purse and illustrated true compassion, valor and purpose.  The blood is washed off but the people that lived those moments will never forget.  In another part of the world, our Green Berets were ambushed and 5 men died protecting this country.  Time is precious, wouldn't you agree?

We have purpose.  We are one tribe under Jesus Christ. We have power beyond our imaginations. We have PRAYER, THE WORD, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT. We have purpose. We must reach inside and continually ask God what we need to do to be His hands and feet.  What is one thing you know God has been calling you to do today that you haven't done. Are you scared of the outcome?  I'm right there with you. I put myself on the line every time I step behind this keyboard. We have to be brave, we have to fight and we have to band together. We must start today.  Time is running out and I don't want to stand before Him with the wish I would have done that for You Lord. I want to stand before Him knowing I heard His call and did the very best I could.

Be one with me. Pray with me. Petition with me. Spread the word with me. We can no longer sit around and hope someone else does it. It's our time! He has given us the power, let's use it.

John 10:27-28

27My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. 28I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them out of My hand.…

Dear Jesus,

As I write today,  I repent for always looking for my purpose and thinking I don't have one. I do. I'm to pray and ask that Your kingdom come.  May Your kingdom come Lord. May we believe it will and that You have plans to do exactly what you've said.  Help my tribe to become warriors of You, to fight from their beds, in their homes, behind their computers and in the midst of the unsaved, lost and hurting. Give us courage to stand up, to fight for  women, men and children with one purpose to spread Your Word. I come before You today a sinner who is finding purpose in spreading Your word. May Your will be done on earth. In Jesus Name!