Checking Your Resolve: Part 1

I don’t WANT to do it. I wish I had known earlier the other two ladies were not going to be able to make it. I was supposed to be the helper and not the teacher. This is out of my comfort zone. Lord, what am I going to do?

These where the thoughts I had, as I prepared to teach the K-5 children at a Lay Witness Weekend four hours away. I was in a panic. I desperately wanted to say no, but there wasn’t any real reason I couldn’t. Suddenly, God put me in remembrance of my closing statements on the blog post Becoming Grandma. We have to be willing to teach the children or we deny them Christ. (When you speak or write forth, be prepare to back it up yourself.) Then, I sensed God wanting me to lasso my fear and release my faith into His guiding hand.  He graciously pointed out that I needed to take captive the doubting mindset or I would become powerless. So I prayed for God’s help and direction and then set out to gather what I needed.

I asked a lot questions and got a lot of help from others. However,I finally decided I needed to do what worked best for me. I went through my Christian children’s books and several caught my eye. I was still shaky in my thoughts at times and still wanted a way out (just being honest), but for the most part, I was experiencing victory. I kept refocusing on God’s faithfulness and thanking Him for success. Soon the fruit of perseverance came forth because my creative juices began to flow.

Then it happened! I bent over to pick up a plant and pulled my lower back. It didn’t hurt at first but by nightfall, I could barely move much less stand. As I laid there on an ice pack, I thought, This was the way out I had been hoping for! This could be God. Oh Joy! I’ll just call and cancel.

Before I could get to the phone, there was a caution in my spirit.  ‘The way out’ didn’t seem so right anymore. I felt God testing my resolve and was giving me a distinct choice. Did I want to grow or remain in the protective environment I had so carefully constructed around myself? Was it worth being uncomfortable momentarily for the new level of normal I could achieve? All I could think about was this: If I took the easy way out, my developing reliance on Him would be sabotaged and the enemy would win. I despise the enemy winning at anything so I consciously chose to move forward with God.

I asked for prayer everywhere because I only had 4 days to heal. I stayed on an ice pack, took ibuprofen around the clock, and kept planning my lessons. By Friday, I was much better and felt I could go. God helped me finish my preparations and then He healed my back.

Has God checked your resolve lately? Is there something you need to do that is out of your comfort zone? I want to encourage you to fight the urge to squash the leadings of the Holy Spirit and step out in faith. God loves us no matter what but He desires us to grow and learn more about His Kingdom living. And...the victory dance in the end, well… there’s nothing like it.

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Part 2-Next Week

Standing On The Promises

My friend Josie asked me if she could tell me about a dream she had had and what I thought it meant. I knew depression had been trying to crush her lately so I was glad to help, if I could.

In the dream, Josie was lying down on the ground. A huge rock was on top of her so that she could hardly breathe. She struggled desperately. Yet, no matter how hard she tried, Josie could not get the rock off.  The dream ended.

Afterwards, I closed my eyes. I got the picture of a stick person (Josie) squirming and frantically trying to push the large rock off her chest. With my eyes still closed, I felt the Holy Spirit’s strength come up from my innermost being.  Then, I noticed the outcome in my vision started to change directions. As the stick figure continued to push and rest then push again, the rock eventually rolled away.  The rock did not move because of her power but after the power of the Holy Spirit infused her with His strength. As soon as the load was removed, Josie was able to stand up, climb upon the rock, and claimed the victory. When arms rose high, I saw the stick figure’s countenance glorify Jesus with all her might.

Later, I realized that the stick person could represent anybody with a ‘heavy situation’ on his or her heart. As, I sought the Lord; this is what He gave me.

Remain under the influence of the Holy Spirit. When we received Christ, the Holy Spirit came to live within us. It was like our soul was knitted together with His power. He is our seal of sonship so he never desires to leave us or forsake us. He job is to energize us with boldness and inspire us with godly wisdom and direction. If, we continually choose to obey His advice, the victory will manifest in its designed time. Half-heartedness or double-mindedness can hinder our progress so consistency is vital.

Replace your worldly vision with God’s proactive promises. The Holy Spirit inspired the Word of God. The Bible is His textbook. He leads us to the perfect promises. As we add our faith, then results are assured. We have to keep in mind that God was not born yesterday. He is not rushing around up in heaven trying to figure out what to do next. He knew about our situation since before we were born. Therefore, He has the completed plan already in mind. He does not have to guess what the outcome will be. Now, all we are required to do is pray, listen and choose to be lead by His Spirit. Remember…your faith is not in what you can do but what the Holy Spirit can do supernaturally through you and for you. Looking unto Jesus…. the Author and Finisher of our faith.

Reap the rewards for God’s kingdom. In order to stand upon the rock in the end, we have to consistently stand upon the promises until the situation completely disappears. Afterwards, we may have a clear understanding of why God allowed our circumstances to surface in the first place. We do not like going through these painful times, but the maturity gained in our spiritual understanding makes us soon forget the trouble we once had to endure. 

As the Holy Spirit reminded Paul, I will remind you:

My grace is sufficient for you:
for my strength is made perfect in weakness.
2 Corinthians 12:9

What is the rock that makes you breathless? Is it you’re...self-esteem, lack of direction or motivation, job, finances, spouse or children? Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you to the deepest root issue and then to the promises that will help you overcome. Mediate on those promises until faith arises. Then wait and see how the stone rolls away.

NO MORE!

Monday morning started off good until I went downstairs. I heard a noise coming from the direction of my freezer. When I went to investigate, it had been left open. How could this be? Suddenly, I remembered I had cleaned out some old food the night before.

As I checked the remaining food, my joy began to deteriorate. Fortunately, I only lost about a third of what remained. Then my thoughts began to turn inward.

“You should have made sure you closed the freezer door.”

“Look at how much food you’ve wasted.”

“Look at the money you’ve wasted.”

 “You should have done better.”

“When will you learn?”

I was anxiously pacing the floor. An old mind-set was activating. The self-condemnation was building. Worry and fear were not far behind. My focus had turned inward and the victim mentality was forging ahead.

Suddenly, I yelled out, “NO MORE!” as I sensed God moving within me to implement a new plan of attack. I need to ‘change my mind’ now. I refuse to become self-absorbed. I’ve had enough of the enemy’s frame of mind. My focus must be on God and His Provision. Ok Lord, where should I begin?

These three actions burst into my mind: I’m going to praise, I’m going to pray and I’m going to pass out some food.

Praise- My heart and hands flew upward to where all true blessing come.

I began praising God for who he was to me. Next, my thoughts turned to what Christ had done on the cross and who I was in Him. These thoughts allowed the spirit of boldness to shine forth. Last, I remembered how God had helped me previously so I knew He would help me right now. Joy began to shine forth in my soul.

Prayer- I aliened my will with God’s so His power could work on my behalf. I ask for wisdom, protection and alertness to ungodly thoughts. Thankfully worry and fear drain away. A plan of action for planting seeds formed and more joy flooded my soul.

Pass out some food- I knew of several families that would appreciate some free meat to help them stretch their tight food budgets. I made a list and began calling. When a friend would answer the phone, I started off with, “Have I got a deal for you!” By the day’s end, I noticed an enduring joy stabilizing my soul. The transformation of an old mind-set had begun.

  

Where is your mind-set when everyday challenges strike? Is your focus on God or turned inward to self-condemnation? We all have mind-sets, which need to change? These misguided thought-patterns are how we cope when life challenges us. They force us to focus on our abilities instead of on God’s power.

Today, ask God to alert you to worldly self-condemning mind-sets. Then, choose the Christ-centered transformation process. Renewing your mind will stop the worry and fear. Then, peace and joy will spring forth to soothe your soul.

The mind of sinful man is death,

but the mind controlled by the spirit is life and peace.

Romans 8:6

Casting down imagination and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.

2 Corinthians 10:5

  

Every good and perfect gift comes from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with when is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

James 1:17

Just a footnote 9/25: I have already received seed blessings from two very unexpected sources. Thanks God from whom all blessings flow.