Our Vision – Strong and Able

7 05 2013

Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit. III John 1:2

DSCF0779 My vision for my health is that I will be strong and able. God created the human body as an amazing organism that supports healthy living, well into our senior years. Our health is a blessing that we can treasure.  As God’s children we can strive to be a good steward in reaching and maintaining optimal health. We know more now than at any other era in time about how to support our health through healthy eating, exercise and rest. We know how harmful habits of smoking, overeating and a sedentary lifestyle can lead to disease and sickness. We were created to be an active, strong and able people.   Each day we can take steps toward this vision of our lives. We may be in a place where we need healing or direction on how to get there but our God is faithful to answer our prayers. He desires to provide healing for our bodies. He will give us instruction on how to move our health in the right direction. Eating fruits and vegetables is a key for me. A consistent active lifestyle with exercise will keep my body and my mind strong. I am thankful for this time of re-dedication to my best life so that I can work toward being strong and able.

Let all that I am praise the Lord;  may I never forget the good things he does for me. 

He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.

He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies.

He fills my life with good things.

My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!

Psalm 103:2-5 NLT





Our Vision – Make it Plain

3 05 2013

Then the Lord answered me and said:

Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it.
For the vision is yet for an appointed time; 
But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.
Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, It will not tarry.

Habakkuk 2:2 NKJV

DSCF0560Is your vision for your life written down? We live in a world where vision and mission statements are plentiful for corporations, non-profits and programs. These statements represent succinct descriptions of why an entity exists (mission) and the desired outcomes of their existence (vision). They serve as guidance for their activities and what they hope to accomplish. I have been through many strategic planning sessions where companies draft and redraft these statements to get it just right. My task now is to consider what would my written vision statement be? Is it something that is a nebulous idea or is it a concrete image that comes to my mind when I think of my life as a Child of God? Our passage today is a reminder from Habakkuk to write the vision down. It will take time, prayer and maybe even some research in the Word of God about what it says about different aspects of our lives: our marriage, our families, our careers, our money, and our health. It will be important for me to hear God’s response to my prayer and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. I am thankful to God about this part of my journey to imagine, to dream about my life through the Word of God.

I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord. They are plans for peace and not disaster; plans to give you a future filled with hope.  Jeremiah 29:11





Our Vision – A Lens of His Love

2 05 2013

Loving-favor and loving-kindness and peace are ours as we live in truth and love. These come from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, Who is the Son of the Father. II John 2:3  NLV   

IMG_0741When we look in the mirror what do we see? Upon our first glance, do we see a blessed child of the King or is our first response to begin to make a mental list of what needs to be fixed. I believe one of the best practices of creating a vision for ourselves and the road ahead is to look through God’s lenses as who we are as His children. I want to see myself as God sees me. Not what the world sees, not my physical imperfections but to have a consistent view of what God sees when He sees me. His view is through the lens of hope and love. Our Heavenly Father is generous with us unending mercy and forgiveness, when He looks upon His children. When we strive to see what He sees in us, it gives us perfect vantage point for our growth and our confidence in who we are and where we are going. We can look to His Word, His Holy Spirit to help us to see a clear picture of His view. Whoever and wherever we may find ourselves, He sees us in love.

I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord. They are plans for peace and not disaster; plans to give you a future filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11





God-Size My Life

30 04 2013

Then the Lord answered me,

“Write the vision.

Make it clear on tablets

so that anyone can read it quickly.      Habakkuk 2:2

Falls dreamsWe live in a world where many things are super-sized.   Everything from large homes to fast food to huge containers of detergent is available in super -size portions. Our society places value on big things. As God’s Children, our aspirations and dreams should come to us God-sized. Our vision for every aspect of our lives should be lined up with what the Word of God says. When we visualize our family, health, finances, career and even our state of mind, it should be aligned with what the Bible says. The Lord has so many promises that are detailed in His Word. We often choose to settle for less than God’s best because our vision is aligned with what we think is possible. If we select a vision and write it down concerning the important aspects of our lives based on God’s Word, it would help us to move in faith toward a God-sized vision for our lives. I was encouraged by a minister who spoke about developing a vision for your life. She encouraged us to write down our God-sized vision for our lives. A vision that is based on God’s Word and requires His presence in our lives. What a powerful tool to have our vision before us based on God’s Word.





His Greater Plan

29 04 2013

I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord. They are plans for peace and not disaster, plans to give you a future filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11

IMG_0090 Jesus came so that we would have life and life more abundantly. His plan for us is to experience His many blessings in relationship with Him. It is a plan and future that is filled with hope. I remember thinking as an immature teen that God’s Word was full of judgment and limitations that resulted in a boring life. Now that I have reached both age and maturity, I know that I was completely wrong. A life in the Lord provides liberty and blessings beyond measure. I remember pondering about the things that I would need to give up if I accepted Christ into my life, things that I thought I would need first to get in order but it was a childlike notion compared to what a life in Christ has to offer. Our Heavenly Father has a plan for each of us; to be in relationship with Him through His Son Jesus Christ, that we may be able to experience His abundant peace and love along our life journey. His Greater Plan for us includes salvation, healing and deliverance. Once we make a step toward Him and accept Jesus into our hearts as Lord and Savior, we can experience the blessing of being in relationship with Him. His love, His peace and His mercy surround us in our daily living. We can mature and grow in Him and walking into our purpose. We have the assurance that we are never alone. Our God is with us each step of the way. We can walk into His Greater Plan today by establishing a relationship with Him.

 A Prayer for Salvation – 

 “Lord Jesus Christ,

I am sorry for the things I have done wrong in my life. I ask your forgiveness and now turn from everything which I know is wrong. Thank you for dying on the cross for me to set me free from my sins. Please come into my life and fill me with your Holy Spirit and be with me forever.





Come Closer

26 04 2013

Come close to God and He will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners. Clean up your hearts, you who want to follow the sinful ways of the world and God at the same time. James 4:8 NLV

DSCF0370The Lord desires to have a close walk with His children. Any successful relationship needs nurturing and attention. We want our relationship with the Lord to be our top priority. This relationship provides the river of fulfillment for our best life. When we walk with the Lord closely, we can hear and follow His leading. The Holy Spirit can guide us into our purpose with strong and confident steps that move us forward. We all desire the blessings of peace, joy, happiness, health and contentment. They represent the same blessings that the Lord wants to provide for us. He will illuminate the path into His peace and His joy and His prosperity if we are seeking and listening for His guidance. The Holy Spirit in us can provide the answers we are seeking. If we are willing and adhere to what the Lord is saying, we can make the internal changes in our thinking and our ways that align to His will for our lives. We should seek to be closer to Him each day.

So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet.  James 7-10 MSG





Our Point of Need

24 04 2013

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 NIV

Praise reflectionI am so thankful that the Lord meets us right at our point of need. Whatever we may be facing, the Lord knows about it and is able and willing to provide for us.  He is Jehovah Jireh, Our Provider.  His blessings come in both in tangible and intangible means.  My heart is full of thanks for His provision of strength, revival and encouragement. He can encourage our hearts and give us the wisdom to move in the right direction.  At times we can feel a little over whelmed by the demands of the days ahead but the Holy Spirit will remind us that we can make it in Him.  He sends people across your path with the words and deeds that help us in ways we could not have imagined.  We are never alone.  We can look to our Savior for His help.  He is so faithful and I am so thankful.

And now I have it all-and keep getting more! The gifts you sent with Epaphroditus were more than enough, like a sweet-smelling sacrifice roasting on the altar, filling the air with fragrance, pleasing God no end. You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, his generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that pours from Jesus. Our God and Father abounds in glory that just pours out into eternity. Yes.  Philippians 4:18-20 MSG 





Be the Light

23 04 2013

You are the light of the world-like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.  Matthew 5:14-16

DSC04022We recently witnessed darkness in America. Intentional harm came to people attending the Boston Marathon, an act of evil. While our attention was focused on Boston, still other evil continued with daily taking of life here and around the world. It could be discouraging if we just listened to the news and all the horror that it flashes in front of our faces each day. But a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. reminds us that “Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that.” We cannot drive out murder with more murder. We cannot drive out hate with more hate. We as people of God must respond to darkness with light. Light shines brightest with love, understanding, compassion and mercy. Light emanates through acts of kindness and love for our neighbors, whether it is next door or across the planet.  We are the light that must shine bright piercing darkness wherever it is found. Be the Light that shines Bright.





What I Know

16 04 2013

In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone. The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins. I Peter 1:5-9

DSCF0410At times my feeling and emotions run counter to what I know in my heart. This may happen to you too. I know that our God will provide for every need but I may feel a little anxious about one commitment or another. I know that my God is a healer but worry may set in with a negative doctor’s report. I know that God provides peace and calm in the midst of the storm when at times I want to scream at the winds. I have been working on getting better at aligning my emotions with what I know. I want my first response to be based on my knowledge of my Heavenly Father and His promises to His children. I am a child of the King. Peace, love and joy should be evident in my ways, my life and even my emotions. We can mature and deepen our trust in Him and align our what we know with what we feel.





The Center of it All

15 04 2013

Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life. Proverbs 4:23 AMP

IMG_1924The heart is a vital organ for both our physical and spiritual well-being. Our passage today emphasizes the importance of maintaining our hearts, as a top priority. Different translations of this same verse instruct us to keep, guard, watch over and protect our heart. It is a central place that guides how we feel, think and act. The protection of our heart is not a passive activity but an aggressive stance to know what is influencing our heart.  Our society often thinks of our heart in one-dimensional terms concerning love but that is only one aspect its motivation. Our hearts impact everything we do. We must watch what we expose our hearts to and what we let in. Hate, malice, indifference, greed and bitterness, all cause harm to our hearts in ways we can’t imagine. These characteristics in our spiritual hearts can cause blockages and disease that will make our lives sick with bad decisions, dysfunctional relationships and unfulfilled living. I am thankful that we can check our hearts – our motives, feelings and ambitions to see if they are aligned with our Heavenly Father’s will for our lives. If we discover that we need some work done, He is the Healer that repairs and restores. He is the cardiologist of our souls. Look to Him today for His healing touch today.

Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life. Proverbs 4:23 NCV

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. Proverbs 4:23 NLT

 Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life. NKJV