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Laser Focus

28 05 2014

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:1-2

I admire people who have the ability to focus on a goal and work toward it without getting weighed down with the challenges of living. They seem to be able to fix their eyes on their goal down the road and work diligently toward that goal no matter what comes their way. I am working on having that kind of laser focus in my life.

Our passage today is about fixing our eyes on Jesus. We have so many followers that have gone before us, leaving a trail that is encouragement to throw off every hindrance in our lives. We should avoid every sin, every distraction and each thing that will keep us from running swiftly toward our goal. Our Father did not just provide grace, mercy and salvation for us alone. He has given each one of us purpose and work to do to build His Kingdom. Now, like never before we should commit our focus and our hands to getting it done.

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14

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Tags: Hebrews 12:1-2, Laser Focus, Philppians 3:14
Categories : GUIDANCE, Uncategorized

His Vision and Our Purpose

27 05 2014

For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for well-being and not for trouble, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 NLV

Our Heavenly Father created us with vision and purpose. We are not here to lead our lives according to the values of this world but we have an eternal purpose for His kingdom. Each of us is uniquely built for what God has our hands to do. It is amazing to think of the specific attention God places on who we are, our abilities and our experience to allow us to journey in His purpose for our lives. So many are searching for purpose and meaning. The purpose of anything comes from the One who created it. We may try to change that purpose but seeking God’s intent allows us to seek His vision and will that can transform the mundane into amazing. Aligning our vision and journey with His will gives us the ultimate peace, joy and wellness we desire. Our passage for today is a reminder that His plans for us are for good and not for trouble. As we make goals and commitments for the year, ask the creator first for His will and direction. His response and our compliance to His direction will allow us to make progress toward fulfilling His vision and our purpose.

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Tags: His Vision and Our Purpose, Jeremiah 29:11
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It Starts Now!

23 05 2014

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6 NASB

Today is the first day of the rest of your life. Everything I have yet to experience starts now. The dreams, accomplishments, the places I want to see, the languages I want to learn, the quilt I want to make and the better health I want to create in my life. It is sometimes hard to see the start of a new day as a place of beginning for what will take the rest of my days but new mercies come with the dawn. A renewed spirit comes with a rested mind. A new start comes with a decision to do so, making a conscious effort to focus on the things that matter.

So we begin again, reminded of the dreams of my heart for my life and my family. Recognizing the power of God’s blessing and favor in guiding my steps along the journey; Being assured that the Holy Spirit will guide me toward greater love, compassion and more of His kindness to those around me; Having the full confidence and faith knowing that He is perfecting, that which concerns me.

It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

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Tags: It Starts Now, Lamentations 3:22-23, Philippians 1:6
Categories : Uncategorized

The Path Ahead

20 05 2014

Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:6

It takes courage to imagine your life differently. I believe doing some things routinely over an extended amount of time creates well-worn furrows in our life journey. Sometimes the grooves are so deep and well-traveled we find it hard to cut another path. This is true even though you know it is time for change. I am thankful for God’s faithfulness to us that He loves us just the way we are and meets us where we are and creates the opportunity for moving forward. The Holy Spirit provides gentle whispers of His true desire for our lives of peace, health and joy. God desires for us to be in close relationship with Him through His Son Jesus Christ. We thank God for His leading, His provision of strength, His provision of courage to be open to what lies ahead. We are thankful for His love for us that draws us closer to Him and His purpose for our lives. Our focus is to hear His voice and take one step at a time knowing that He is faithful to provide direction, protection and provision each step of the way.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Philippians 4:6 NLT

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Tags: Philippians 4:6, Proverbs 3:6, The Path Ahead
Categories : Uncategorized

A Perspective of Gratitude

19 05 2014

O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Psalm 107:1

Our lives are filled with blessings that we can thank God for. While reading this morning, someone is illiterate, another has not seen a computer before and yet another is facing a life of absolute poverty that we can’t imagine. Growing up in my father’s church, the saints of God would often start testimony service by thanking God for their life, health and strength. These are things that we often take for granted, until they are in jeopardy. The act of breathing in and out without a thought is a blessing beyond measure. Just ask someone with asthma or emphysema. Keeping a point of the view that recognizes God’s faithfulness and mercy helps us to respect each blessing.

As blessed people, we are compelled to be thankful and to honor the blessing by blessing others. We can show gratitude by demonstrating kindness, sharing our resources or simply smiling to those who need encouragement. Sharing love and kindness, honors God’s blessings in our lives.

Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” I Thessalonians 5:17-18

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He Renews My Strength

15 05 2014

He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to His name. Psalm 23:3 NLT

The Lord provides strength when we need it. I am so thankful for this promise and blessing that has come to my rescue so many times. Weariness in body and spirit is often a sign for the need for rest. For many, we carry a super hero façade, pushing our minds and bodies to meet every obligation. Then there are days when our super hero cape feels a little frayed and tattered at the edges. These are signs that we need rest and renewal. We may need planned time to rest, exercise, meditate and spend time talking with our Heavenly Father. I am thankful that God gives us rest; real rest that allows your body to heal and recover from the stressful and busy lives that we lead. I am thankful that He blesses us with a renewed outlook with fresh eyes for His vision for our lives and our walk with Him. His Holy Spirit is a guiding force for our steps and the way we should go. His leading points us in the direction of our blessed purpose. He provides the renewed strength along the journey that allows us to reach our destination. And we are thankful.

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Tags: He Renews My Strength
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This Time and This Place

12 05 2014

This day belongs to the Lord! Let’s celebrate and be glad today. Psalm 118:24

Our experiences in life come one after another. Being fully present in the blessedness of now requires focus. This time and this moment will never come again. Today is an opportunity to use all of your senses – eyes, your ears, your sense of smell, your touch and your heart to absorb, what is happening around us right now. Not what has happened in the past or not even what tomorrow will bring but focus on the blessing of this moment – in this time and in this place. It is easier said than done with the hurried pace of our living. We can rush through the blessings of love and life or slow the pace of our minds down to realize that now is the perfect blessing before us. So many guided steps and unearned favor allow me to breathe in and out and to be conscious of His blessings. The Lord is good to each of us. His mercy, His love and His grace make this moment possible.

Even in the most difficult circumstance, we can be glad that we serve a God who is with us. Our Heavenly Father is so faithful, so caring and so loving to shield us and to undergird us even when we believe that our hearts will break during the circumstance of the day. The blessing of now may be disguised by difficulty but we are still here, we have faith in our Heavenly Father, we are still on the path and God is still leading. We can rejoice in that blessing alone.

My mind is clear that embracing now is my charge for today. This is the day. This is God’s day for me. I am glad to experience it fully with a grateful heart and attitude of praise for this time and this place.

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Tags: Psalm 118:24, This time and This Place
Categories : ENCOURAGEMENT, Uncategorized

Equal Time

6 05 2014

Companions as we are in this work with you, we beg you, please don’t squander one bit of this marvelous life God has given us. II Corinthians 6:1 MSG

Each of us received the gift of today when we woke up this morning. Time is the great equalizer of opportunity for those who can decide how to spend our day. We each get 24 hours, 1,440 minutes or 86,400 seconds. It is a precious gift. Paul in his letter to the Corinthians encourages us to make the most of the life that we have been given. God’s grace has allowed this time and place to arrive at our doorstep. We honor God by honoring His gift of time. Approaching today with gratitude and thanksgiving, we can ask and seek God’s guidance about maximizing this moment for His will for our lives. Turning our full attention toward Him, we can listen carefully without the distractions of noise, busyness and the crowds of people in our day. Listen and live with intention about where we are and where we need to go. He knew this day would be here. He is here to help us to see His vision for our time and moving forward in wisdom and purpose. We seek to honor God with a day well lived and a life focused on Him.

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Psalms 90:12 KJV

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Tags: Equal Time, II Corinthians 6:1, Psalms 90:12
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Rooted in Love

30 04 2014

When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will empower you with inner strength through His Spirit. Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to Him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 4:14-21

We want our lives to be grounded in a firm knowledge of His love for us. The Creator of the earth and all things has a deep immeasurable love for you and me. It is mind-blowing to know and to experience His tremendous love for us. Unearned, grace and mercy has brought me to this place of knowledge of Him. I am so thankful for where I am today and where the Lord is leading ahead. It is a journey of faith moving into the fullness of life. He empowers our steps. He renews our strength daily. He provides what we need and we are never alone. His victories in our lives will never cease to amaze us. They are beyond what we could ask or think and we are thankful.

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Tags: Ephesians 4:14-21, Rooted in Love
Categories : GUIDANCE, LOVE, Uncategorized

Pressing Onward

29 04 2014

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14

It is time to move forward in what God is calling us to do. He has put it on your heart. He has given you the vision of the road ahead and it is moving day. You may have unpacked all of your things, expecting an extended stay where you are but it is time to move onward. He is calling us to move forward in our purpose. We can’t wallow in procrastination. We should not be swept up in the emotion of past disappointment and the spirit of fear is not of God. It is time to move forward. You may have wanted a full itinerary of the journey but we are required to step out on faith. We are pressing onward in wisdom and listening for His leading. He is careful to direct our path to make the next steps forward.

Trust GOD from the bottom of your heart;
don’t try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for GOD’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
he’s the one who will keep you on track. Proverbs 3:5-6 Msg.

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Tags: Philippians 3:14, Pressing Onward, Proverbs 3:5-6
Categories : ENCOURAGEMENT, GUIDANCE, Uncategorized

Terri's Wellspring